34 



one 9 to 12 or 16 square feet of superficial space, as it does not bear 

 transplanting, under which the yield is poor. The following is an 



analysis of the seed : — 



Water ... 12*75 



Fats ... 3-94 



^Albuminoids ... 9 -94 



t Amides, &o. ... 1*00 



Peotose, gum, &c. ... 8 '22 



Starch ... 37 '38 



Digestible fibre ... 16-46 



Woody fibre ... 9 -67 



Mineral matters ... 2*44 



101-80 



The grain of this grass, from its composition, possesses a fair value, 

 although the proportions of fibre present are somewhat high. 



In the Journal of the Agri.-Hort. Society of India, 1894, p. 78, it is 

 stated : — " A very good crop was raised this season. After the stalks 

 had reached a height of about 5 feet, they were cut down to within 1 

 foot of the ground ; three weeks later a second crop was ready for 

 cutting, varying in height from 18 inches to 3 feet; a third crop was 

 cut a month later, and yielded stalks about 2 feet high ; in this manner 

 three good cuttings were made in four months. It was found that from 

 4J to 51bs. of seed were sufficient to sow an acre. The fodder is greatly 

 relished by cattle." 



At Lagos, oh the West Coast of Africa, Mr. Millen has successfully 

 introduced " Teosinte" as a fodder plant and in June 1894 wrote : 

 " I have planted a quantity of plants of Euchlcena luxurians ; it is the 

 only fodder plant of those introduced which appears to be growing with 

 good results." 



At Saharunpur, in the Report for 1893 just issued, Teosinte is 

 mentioned as having suddingly grown into demand as an annual forage 

 grass, and seed has been harvested to meet all possible demands. 



8. Leersia hexandra, Sic. " Rice-grass." A widely distributed peren- 

 nial swamp grass found in the warm regions of both hemispheres. It 

 has a somewhat slender stem, 2 to 3 feet long, with narrow leaves and 

 panicled spikes. In the Philippine Islands this grass is regularly 

 cultivated, under the name of Zacate, for the purpose of supptying food 

 for domestic animals. It is treated like rice, being transplanted to wet 

 and previously ploughed meadows. Bailey found it to be one of the 

 most relished by cattle amongst the aquatic grasses of east Australia. 

 In Singapore it is regularly gathered in waste places as a green fodder 

 for cattle and horses. 



9. Pant cum Colonum, Linn. — An annual grass widely distributed 

 throughout tropical countries. It prefers a rich soil, and is often found 

 as a weed of cultivation. In some parts of India it is cultivated for its 

 grain. The straw is much used in the Madras Presidencj' and in* 



* Containing nitrogen 



4. >) )) 



1-59 

 .61 



