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_ ably resembles Indian corn, but is more slender, gives off suckers more 
_ abundantly, and produces its seeds, a few together, in small tufts of 
husks instead of inears. Each seed is inclosed by the peculiar hardened 
te outer glumes, which would probably make it more difficult to digest 
than corn. The plant has not yet been extensively tried, owing to the- 
difficulty of obtaining seed, which it was necessary to import, and 
which was therefore expensive and liable to be of poor quality. Expe- 
rience has shown, however, that it will ripen in southern Florida, and 
in a few other favorable localities in the United States. Professor 
_ Phares, of Mississippi, believes, from instances that have come under his 
ae notice, that the seed may be successfully grown in some locations in the 
southern portion of that State, and over a considerable part of south- 
eastern Louisiana, and that in all parts of the Gulf States, even where 
it does not mature, it is destined to become a most valuable forage 
plant. Itis probable that by selection and continued trial it may be 
made to ripen where it now does not. 
J. C. Neal, Archer, northern Florida: 
Often tried, and with much fertilizer makes a tremendous growth, giving a large 
amount of good forage, easily dried, and available. The seeds I received from the 
Department of Agriculture last year were deficient in vitality, and but few grew, but 
they showed that with good seed and care the teosinte would be a valuable forage 
plant. It will not ripen seed. I have tried to ripen it for ten years and failed. 
J. G. Knapp, Limona, southern Florida: 
Great difficulty has been experienced in obtaining live seed of this most valuable 
fodder plant, seed obtained from seedsmen, having been imported from Honduras, 
being too old to germinate. But during the past season a neighbor of mine has suc- . 
- ceeded in obtaining a few seeds which grew, and his plants have matured their seeds, 
all of which will be planted the present year. Seed has also been matured at Fort 
Meade, in Polk County. Thus the question can be considered as settled, so far as 
this locality is concerned, that teosinte will mature its seed, and the country is 
placed in possession of the best soiling and fodder plant known to the agriculturists 
of the world. It endures heat, drought, and rains as well as sorghum and better 
than corn, and may be cured for hay. 
Dr. Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala.: 
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This tropical grass does not ripen its seeds in this latitude; it scarcely unfolds 
i its blossoms before the advent of the first frost. It is very tender, being easily af- 
. fected by frost or drought. During a cold spring it is difficult to secure a good 
| stand, and it is only after warm weather has fairly set in that it begins to make a 
rapid growth, affording three cuttings and over of rich fodder on well manured 
ground in a season of genial showers. It is too succulent to be easily cured for hay. 
| On that account and from the difficulty in securing a good stand. and from the neces- 
. sity of procuring each season a supply of seed from abroad, this grass has not found 
the favor with the cultivators of this section with which it is held in the subtropical 
zone. 
J.S. Newman, Director Experiment Station, Auburn, Ala.: 
Teosinte was cultivated on our experiment grounds last season with very satisfac- 
oe tory results. It tillers like cat-tail millet, but makes a much more luxuriant growth. | 
It responds promptly and vigorously under the knife, and may be repeatedly cut dur- | 
