Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-12
CULTIVATION OF GRASSES
Annual Report of Departmental Investiga-
lions Made by F. Lamson Scribner.
Grass Gardens Maintained I'm This
City and Knoxville, Tenn.-Value
of the Experiments.


his third annual report for the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1897.
The work of this division, as authorized
by Congress. is the investigation of grasses
and forage plants, embracing all points re-
lating to the natural history. geographic
distribution. uses and adaptabilty to spe-
cial soils and climates. The law also au-
thorizes the establishment and maintenance
OF experimental grass stations and the en-
ployment Of necessary labor and purchase
OF supplies for carrying them on.
There are at present two grass gardens
maintained by the division-one on the
grounds of the Agricultural Department
and the other at Knoxville, Tenn. The one
on the department grounds covers less than
an acre During the past year seeds of be-
tween 400 and 800 varieties nave been sown
m TINS garden, the greater proportion of
" men sernlnated and attracted public at
tention, particularly in the exhibition of
grasses suitable for lawns. The seeos used
were procured through the collections of
neid agents and by exchanges of foreign
countries.
Knoxville Grass Garden.
The grass garden at Knoxville Tenn,
embraces about seven acres of ground.
More than 200 varieties of seeds were
grown there during the past year a con-
siderable portion of which are perenniaIs.
and their further development will be
watched with interest
The field work authorized during the past
year embraced an investigation, first, of
the grasses and forage plants of the south
west; second. Of the northwest, and third,
of the gulf states. Assistants were sent
to these sections to secure information in
regard to the existing forage condition
of the cattle ranges by direct observation
and by consulting with the various stock
raisers OF that section.
The demand for new and improved for
age plants which will grow and thrive
On western farms is constantly increasing,
and 1t IS OF Importance, the report states,
that the valuable grasses which are dis
appearing from the prairies meadows and
pastures. as the result of over-stocking,
should be given fair trial with the for
eign species which are constantly being
introduced in order to show what they
Will do under cultivation. There are many
valuable grasses among the several hum
dred indigenous species.
Seeds Distributed.
With view of carrying on the investi-
cation along this line, by testing the quail
ties of native grasses and forage plants
the seeds which were collected during the
season of 1896 were put up in small pack
ages and divided into sets which were dis
tributed to agricultural experimental sta
tons and individuals who expressed a will
ingness to cooperate with the department
in this work. There were in each of the
ten first sets seeds of 1876 species, and the
first thirty sets contained nearly 4 900
packages. Ten of these sets were sent
to foreign countries from which valuable
has been received in exchange
These countries embraced New South
Wales. Victoria. Algeria. Cape Colony, Ma
tai, Northwest India. the Royal Botanical
(NnvC <~fL
mental station i'll Switzerland. A total of
100 packages was sent to experimental
stations in this country west of the Missis-
sippi river. Total distribution amounted to
I hat the reports of the civilizations result
ing from this seed distribution will be of
much practical value.
Trial Samples Suggested.
1t is believed that much good may be
done and the work of the division greatly
promoted, if means are provided for fur
nishing its correspondents. who will report
the results obtained, with trial samples of
seeds of the grasses and forage plants in
question. By this means the adaptablity
of these plants to special soils and eli
mates, as provided for by law in the es-
Establishment of the division, may be deter
mined in u practical manner, and in a way
which will be most helpful to all con-
cerned.
1t is further suggested that special ex-
periments be undertaken in selected locali-
ties where the work, if successful may
prove Immediately useful in the propaga-
ton of sand-and-soil binding grasses, and
those best suited for the formation of turf.
Many letters have been received requesting
information as to the varieties of grasses
to plant on embankments of steam and
street railroads, and work might be under
taken directly upon such slopes by the
planting of those grasses thought best to
mo hn in, -taxx- IL, rix-a I,t;t
Property May BE Saved.
Along the seaboard and the shores of the
great lakes there are numerous places
where much valuable property could be
saved from destruction by the judicious
planting of grasses which would prevent
the drifting of the moving sands. The
state of Massachusetts has already done
much in this line near Provincetown on
Cape Cod
In order to accomplish all that is desired
in the Investigations in the west the report
states, 1t will be necessary to establish
grass gardens in those regions where the
work is now being carried on, and it is rec
commended that grass experimental stations
of practical extent be established in the
northern part through the Pan Handle of
Texas and in central or western Montana.
and that special appropriations be made for