22 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



TEXAS. 



NATIVE GRASSES. 



From Texas there were sixty-nine reports. The natural pasture 

 grasses consist of the mixed grasses usually fouud on the prairies 

 which occupy so large a part of the State. The sage or sedge grass 

 holds a prominent place among them; but when overpastured it is run 

 out, and the mesquite, both hardier and better, takes it place. The 

 mesquite is fouud in the northern, central, and southern parts of the 

 State, but not much in the northeastern part. 



The term mesquite is used somewhat indefinitely, being applied to a 

 number of grasses, but here it is probable that the buffalo grass of the 

 plains {BncMoe daciyloides) is meant. It is found chiefly on the black 

 lands. The gramma grass (BouteJona), of which there are some patches, 

 is rapidly disappearing, and is being replaced by the mesquite. Prairie 

 grass thus far has been the chief reliance for hay as well as pasture. 



Texas has always been a great stock-raising State, and while the 

 • range was uninterrupted no attention was given to cirltivating grass or 

 to improving pastures. But of late years portions of the State have 

 been rapidly filliugnp, and the range consequently diminishing, so now 

 the farmers are giving considerable attention to improving their past- 

 ures and to the hay crop. This, intelligent farmers write, should re- 

 ceive all the encouragement and assistance possible. 



Mr. Talley says that the greatest difficulty in making the culture 

 of Kentucky blue grass a success is in getting it to live the first 

 year. The same remark is applicable to most of the grasses. The 

 main reason of failure, he says, is not so much on account of the 

 drought as on account of the nature of the soil. It is loose and porous, 

 and dries up very quickly on the surface j hence they often find it 

 dififlcult to get a '' stand" of turnips in the fall or a " stand " of millet in 

 the spring. The soil holds moisture well below the depth of 2 inches. 



He further says : 



I Lave takeu great -interest in investigating the subject of grasses, and my labors 

 were awarded by finding a much greater variety on my place than I had eVer sus- 

 pected, and all I have tq do is to cultivate and take care of what I already possess, 

 and cut the weeds to prevent their shading and smothering out the grasses already 

 in the ground. 



Texas is naturally a great State, and only needs fair attention to 

 succeed. Johnson grass and Bermuda are receiving considerable 

 attention, and for the most part are spoken of favorably. 



Bur, or California clover, does well in this State, and is highly es- 

 teemed in California for the feed it affords, though the burs or seed- 

 pods stick to the wool of sheep and impair its value. Alfalfa is culti- 

 vated largely here, and does very well. Timothy, orchard grass, and 

 clover are not reported on so favorably as could be wished. 



The millets are cultivated quite extensively and do well. Mr. Clarke, 



