4 SUDAN GRASS.

The exact nativity of garawi is still a matter of doubt, nor is it clear thai genuine Andropogon halepensis occurs in the same region. A few plants of garawi lived over the winter of 1911—12 at Gainesville, Fla.. without, however, forming any rootstocks.

The second variety was received on December 2. 1 (.>0 ( .), from Dr.

L. Trabut, Algiers, Algeria, and given S. P. I. No. 26301. Dr.

Trabut's original notes are as follows: This t.

r niss is vigorous but not stoloniferous and would be interesting for hybridization wiili sorghum. It is moderately good forage like Johnson jn\-iss.

but has the advantage of not stooling (i. e., suckering). This variety is perennial here and produces many seeds.

Under the conditions in the United States this variety has behaved purely as an annual. In further correspondence with Dr. Trabut, he writes that he believes this grass to he common in Africa and that he has received it from the arid regions between Algiers and Senegal.

The two varieties are quite distinct from each other and the name "Sudan grass" has been given to S. P. I. No. 25017 and "Tunis grass" to S. P. I. No. 26301. Botanically, they are both to be considered varieties of Andrqpogon sorghum and not of Aiulropogon halepensis, as the three known varieties of the latter all have vigorous underground rootstocks. Trials at numerous places have demonstrated that Sudan «rass promises high value for hay. especially in the semiarid regions where no perennial grass has thus far been found suited to the conditions. Indeed, it is not too much to predict that it is there destined to become the leading grass for hay production. Under more humid conditions Sudan grass has also succeeded admirably and it will probably replace the foxtail millets to a large extent, as it produces better hay and usually larger yields. Tunis grass has not as yet been widely tested, owing to lack of seed. It is slower in starting growth and less tall than Sudan grass. As it shatters its seed very readily it is likely to be of only limited usefulness unless this character can be changed.

Sudan grass has been tested most carefully in Texas (fig. 1) and at Arlington Farm, Virginia, but at least one year's trial has been made at many places in the Great Plains and at various agricultural experiment stations. There is still much to be learned in regard to the crop, but the data at hand indicate approximately the best methods of culture. Sudan grass is a sorghum and requires practically the same temperature conditions as that crop. It is. however, earlier than any sorghum yet known and will probably mature in Montana and North Dakota, as it ripened seed in 1912 at Brookings, S. Dak.

Individual plants of Sudan grass under favorable conditions will attain a height of S to 10 feet and may possess 20 or more stalks to a plant. The stems seldom become larger than a lead pencil, even [CIr. 125]