am te ~~ U.S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY—BULLETIN NO. 10. BR. T. GALLOWAY, Chief of Bureau. RECORDS OF SEED DISTRIBUTION AND “COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS WITH GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. F. LAM SON-SCRIBNER, AGROSTOLOGIST, GRASS AND FORAGE PLANT INVESTIGATIONS, oy WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1902. Monos aaa aes Ti ee a A rae 79 a i) o P) / on "U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY—BULLETIN NO. 10. B. IT. GALLOWAY, Chief of Bureau. RECORDS OF SEED DISTRIBUTION AND COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS WITH GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS, BY F. LAMSON-SCRIBNER, AGRosroLoeisr, GRASS AND FORAGE PLANT INVESTIGATIONS. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1902. om) LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Bureau oF Puanr Inpustry, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF, Washington, D. C., December 26, 1901. Srr: [have the honor to transmit herewith the manuscript of a paper entitled Records of Seed Distribution and Cooperative Experiments with Grasses and Forage Plants, by F. Lamson-Scribner, Agrostolo- gist, and recommend its publication as Bulletin No. 10 of the Bureau series. Respectfully, B. T. GaLtoway, Chief of Bureau. Hon. Jamms Wrison, Secretary of Agriculture. 2 JAN 8 1907 Va of D, AAS SG, y Te TR 18, Ra Ie, ~ This bulletin relates to the collection and distribution of seeds of grasses and forage plants by the Department of Agriculture through the Office of the Agrostologist, formerly Division of Agrostology, and to cooperative work in grass and forage plant investigations with a number of State experiment stations to whom these seeds were sent. The manner of keeping the records of this seed distribution is explained in detail, and the plan of conducting the cooperative experi- ments and the line of work or forage problem taken up with each sta- tion are fully given. This work was put into operation last year in compliance with an act of Congress, and has proven so satisfactory to all concerned that it has been continued the present year, although there are now no statutory regulations requiring that it should be. F. Lamson-ScrIBNER, Agrostologist. OFFICE OF THE AGROSTOLOGIST, . Washington, D. C., November 29, 1901. (Ss) CONES: Table showing distribution by packages. ..-...-.----------------------- 11 Table showing distribution by pounds in 1900-1901. __--.--------------- 12 Table showing amounts of the several varieties distributed ----...----..-- 13 Saecls to (yee tae liy CONS ee eee se Sn bo seed boos cee ee SHoncere see neesS 16 MIVSLeMBOLMECe DINO RECOLCS)= ane sore aera ee see ne erate Sete esis ae Sas else 17 A list of experiment stations with which articles of cooperation have been SEMEL SS See en Ue Ree tS One Sacer aE eee rete Che ee eae 22 Ci @lisiOs = Ghee S55 oo nasa ee Aer Re ue OMe Sai e SAS meee one eee Aces 23 oy) B. P. I.—12. Agros.—91. RECORDS OF SEED DISTRIBUTION AND COOPERATIVE EXPERT: MENTS WITH GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. PURCHASE AND COLLECTION OF SEEDS, ROOTS, AND SPECIMENS. House bill No. 121, Fifty-sixth Congress, first session, making appropriations for the United States Department of Agriculture, con- tained the following clause: Provided, That six thousand dollars of the amount hereby appropriated [for grass and forage plant investigations] be used to purchase and collect seeds, roots, and specimens of valuable and economic grasses and forage plants to be distributed to the various experiment stations in the several States and Territories, to be by them used, under the direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, to ascertain their adapt- ability to the various soils and climates of the United States. In carrying out the plans necessary to meet this provision in the bill making appropriations for the Agricultural Department, Mr. C. L. Shear, an assistant in the Division of Agrostology, was put in charge of the seed and field work July 1, 1900, when the law making the appropriations went into effect. Mr. Shear was instructed to make collections of seeds of the valuable native grasses and forage plants and was directed to secure in quantity seeds of wild range grasses, also those species of probable value in the South for winter pasturage, those likely to prove good meadow grasses for high altitudes, and of those adapted to binding drifting sands. In carrying out this work it not infrequently happened that long, tedious journeys had to be made to regions inaccessible to stock before grasses in seed could be found and collections made. As a result of this work in the field during the season 4 tons of seed of about 130 varieties of grasses and forage plants were gathered, the quantities varying from 1 pound to 500 pounds. A list of the varieties of seeds gathered, with notes upon some of the more important species, was presented in Circular No. 9, issued from the office of the Secretary in December, 1900. In conducting the cooperative work with the stations, which will be referred to later, it was necessary to supplement this amount of seeds of native varieties by purchasing from dealers seeds of the more important tame grasses and forage plants which the experiments called for. y t 8 COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS. COOPERATION WITH THE STATIONS AUTHORIZED. In the House bill referred to above, making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for 1900-1901, there was this clause: And the agricultural experimental stations are hereby authorized and directed to cooperate with the Secretary of Agriculture in establishing and maintaining experi- mental grass stations for determining the best methods of caring for and improying meadows and grazing lands, the use of different grasses and forage plants, their adaptability to various soils and climates, the best native and foreign species for reclaiming the overstocked ranges and pastures, for renovating worn-out lands, for binding drifting sands and washed lands, for turfing lawns and pleasure grounds, and for solving the various forage problems presented in the several sections of our country. In order to carry out this feature of the law, the Secretary of Agri- culture, through the recommendation of the Agrostologist, directed Mr. Thomas A. Williams, then assistant chief of the Division of Agrostology, to visit the several experiment stations, especially those in the Western States, to study the forage problems of most im- portance to each, and by consulting with the directors of the stations to arrange plans for carrying on cooperative work with.them with the view of solving the problems determined upon. LINES OF INVESTIGATIONS OF FORAGE PROBLEMS. Mr. Williams says in his report, published as Circular No. 8 (revised), of the office of the Secretary: In brief, this series of visits to the stations demonstrates clearly not only that there are many problems which can be studied much better through station and Depart- mental cooperation, but that the station authorities themselves appreciate the desira- bility of such cooperative work and are eager to enter into it. It is recognized that in these general problemis, while the stations are able to work out the details of experi- ments and matters of relatively local bearing, there is a most important: phase of the investigations that can be much more satisfactorily handled by the Department, and, in order to secure the best results to the country at large, it is highly desirable that there should be the closest cooperation between stations and Departmental inyesti- gations. In addition to the assistance which the Department can render the stations in solving these special problems through the detailing of its experts for field investi- gations and supplying seed for experiments, this cooperation will have a most impor- tant bearing on the work of the stations in encouraging greater concentration on lines of greatest importance to the people and in rendering more readily ayailable to the station workers the experience and training of the Departmental experts. Consultation with the station authorities has emphasized the desirability of coop- eration along a number of lines of investigation, the following being perhaps the most important at the present time and including every section of the country. (1) The formation, care, and management of pastures, including the selection of the best varieties, methods of preparing the soil and of planting the seed, and after treatment of grass lands, including grazing, rest, fertilizing, and cultivation. (2) Range improvement, or the best methods of bringing up the natural grass ands of the great range regions of the country and maintaining them in the condi- tion of greatest productivity, including the improyement of the native grass cover by reseeding, alternation of rest and grazing periods, scarifying, ete. ARTICLES OF COOPERATION. 9 (3) Alkali-resistant crops, particularly those best adapted to furnishing forage that can be used to supplement the native ranges. (4) Cover crops for soils liable to wash, which will at the same time afford a sup- ply of forage or can be turned under for green manure. (5) A continuous soiling series for use in sections where the dairying industry is paramount. (6) Winter pasturage for the South and Southwest. 7) Sand-binding grasses for the coast regions and along the Great Lakes. 8) Meadow crops for higher altitudes, particularly in the Rocky Mountain States, where, although pasturage is abundant, crops that will produce profitable amounts of hay are greatly needed. 9) Supplementary forage crops, particularly those with a short season of growth, that can be grown in rotation with wheat, cotton, and other primary crops, either for forage or for the improvement of the soil fertility. (10) Drought-resistant crops for arid sections. 11) The selection and development of improved varieties of grasses and forage crops adapted to special conditions and uses. Asa result of visiting the State stations, and through correspondence, it has been ascertained that cooperative work can be arranged for the investigation of each of these problems with one or more stations most advantageously situated, and there is no question as to urgent need of such investigations. ARTICLES OF COOPERATION. A plan was devised to carry on this work under articles of coopera- tion signed by the station officials and officials of this Department, of which the following are presented as examples: Articles of cooperation in ‘investigations on improvement of the Northwestern ranges between the ——————————_ Agricultural Experiment Station and the Division of Agrostology, United States Department of Agriculture. The object of these investigations shall be to find the best and most practical way of improving the forage conditions in the dry sections of the Northwest, and specially of renewing the worn-out ranges and deyising methods of managing them whereby the highest degree of productivity may be maintained. The following plan of cooperation is agreed upon: 1. The —————————_ Experiment Station to procure a suitable tract of range land; to undertake immediate supervision of the work through a member of its official staff; and to furnish all implements, fencing, ete., required by the investiga- tions, the same to be the sole property of the station when this cooperative arrangement is dissolved. 2. The U. S. Department of Agriculture, through the Diyision of Agrostology, to assist in selecting the land and in planning and conducting these investigations; to furnish seed of native and introduced grasses and forage plants for experiments on said tracts, and pay other expenses connected with the investigations, not to exceed in any one fiscal year, it being understood that under the appropriation act the Department can not assume responsibility for the continuance of its contri- bution beyond June 30, 1901. 3. The investigations conducted under this cooperative agreement shall be planned conjointly by the representatives of the Experiment Station and the Division of Agrostology, officially charged with the work, subject to the approval o{ the proper authorities in each case. 10 COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS. 4. Both parties to this agreement shall be free at any time to use the results obtained in these investigations in their official correspondence and publications, giving proper credit to the fact that such results have been secured by cooperative work. ? Director Experiment Station. ) Chief Division of Agrostology. Approved: Y) Secretary of Agriculture. Articles of cooperation in grass and forage plant) investigations between the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Divison of Agrostology, United States Depart- ment of Agriculture. The object of these investigations shall be to find the best crops for supplying for- age to supplement the natural ranges and for the improvement of cultivated lands. The following plan of cooperation is agreed npon: 1. The Experiment Station to provide land at the home station, or at outlying representative points in that territory, upon which to make said exper- ee and to undertake the immediate care and supervision of the work. . The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Division of Agrostology, to settee all seeds necessary in making these experiments, and to otherwise assist in planning and conducting said investigations. 3. The investigations conducted under this cooperative agreement shall be planned conjointly by the representatives of the ———_——_—_ Experiment Station and .the Division of Agrostology officially charged with the work, subject to the approval of the proper authorities in each case. 4. Both parties to this agreement shall be free at any time to use the results obtained in these investigations, giving proper credit to the fact that such results have been secured by cooperative work. ? Director ——————————. Experiment Station. ? Chief Division of Agrostology. Approved: ? Secretary of Agriculture. The following is the form in use since the organization of the Bureau of Plant Industry: Articles of cooperation in grass and forage plant investigations between the Wyoming State Experiment Station and the Bureau of Plant Industry, United States Department of Agriculture. The subject of these investigations shall be grasses and forage plants for alkali soils and arid lands. 1. The Wyoming Experiment Station to furnish the land necessary for the said experiments, to undertake the immediate supervision and care of the work, and to assist in planning the investigations. 2. The United States Department of Agriculture, sional the Bureau of Plant Industry, Office of Grass and Forage Plant Investigations, to assist in planning and conducting the said investigations, and to furnish all seeds necessary for making the experiments. SEED DISTRIBUTION. iil 3. The investigations conducted under this cooperative agreement shall be planned conjointly by the representatives of the Wyoming Experiment Station and the Bureau of Plant Industry, officially charged with the work, subject to the approval of the proper authorities in each case. 4. Both parties to this agreement shall be free, at any time, to use the results obtained in these investigations in their official correspondence and publications, giving proper credit to the fact that such results have been secured by cooperative work. Eimer EH. SMILey, Director Wyoming Experiment Station. B. T. GALLoway, Chief Bureau of Plant Industry, United States Department of Agriculture. At the present time fifteen of the experiment stations are working in cooperation with the Department on one or more of the lines con- nected with grass and forage plant investigations. SEED DISTRIBUTION. Since the organization of the Division of Agrostology seeds of grasses and forage plants have each year been distributed to the agri- cultural experiment stations and to many individual experinienters. The following table shows the number of packages of seed so distrib- uted during the fiscal years 1896-1901, inclusive; the total number of packages sent to the experiment stations during this time being 4,166, and to individuals 9,377, or a total of 13,543 packages (see Table 10). These for the most part were seeds which were obtained through the direct efforts of the employees of the Division by collections in the field. During the fiscal year 1900-1901 there were distributed to the experiment stations 16,1014 pounds of seed, embracing 171 varieties, as shown in Tables II and III. Dasie I.—Number of packages of seed distributed to the experiment stations and to indi- viduals during the fiscal years 1896 to 1901, inclusive, or for five years, through the Division of Agrostology.™ { ! HU ae 1896 | 1897 1898 1899 1900 |Total for Distribution. to | to to to to the five 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. years. Total number of packages sent to experi- ment stations....-.---------------------- 2, 281 | 184 462 | 292 947 4,166 Total number of packages sent to indi- | viduals .........-----------------------*: 632 | 2,749 | 1,739) 2,709) 1, 548 9, 377 Total number of packages distributed | 2,913 | 2; 933 | 2,201 | 3, 001 2,495 13, 543 2 This does not include the packages distributed to foreign countries. 12 COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS. TasLEe I1.—Amount (in pounds) of seeds of grasses and forage plants distributed to the experiment stations and to individuals in the several States and Territories in coopera- tion with the stations during the fiscal year 1900-1901. Seeds | Seeds inaivid- | Total se sent to | ualsin | , Me States and Territories. experi- | coopera | + inuted ment | tion with roren Ch stations. | the ex- State. periment | Stations. Pounds, | Pounds. | Pounds. Alabama 30 ATIZOND jose heath gas wane kece sek dete cesabe cine wee eas ete ce eee 710 Arkansas 2574 California 46} Colorado 686% Connecticut 108 Melawareys 25 tose ise cece. sce eee ee nee eee eRe 171 Florida ... 514 51} Georgiaisasce SoCs s seen. sedeceace be cane eee eee Ee Eee ae ene 142 142 Wahoos 52625 eee oe oes once ee ee ee Rene ae re 233 153} Illinois 283) 416} 20 20 i 6 4563 1, 601% 2624 292% Louisiana 14 149 |) Maine 22: Sossccser tees cee ee aee See ee eer ete cee ee eam 128 193 | Maryland 518} S783 WEREFOMISEMIS TRAG! WO)o) Saceacsocesncasadass 274 72h 347 ; Agrostis canina...-.. .| Rhode Island bent - 18 55 73 Agrostis stolonifera........-------- Creeping bent...--..-..-... 8 52 13} Alopecurus occidentale ........-.-- Mountain foxtail........... OF eeceisesees 2 Alopecurus pratemsis ......-.------ Meadow foxtail ...-........ 18 10 28 Aristida humboldtiana ......-.-... Humboldt’s triple-awn....- Dy yassseiece 1 Aristida fasciculata-......-....---- Triple-awn BY ee eS ses + Ammophila arenaria ........------ Beach grass 167 934 2603 Andropogon saccharoides .....-.-- Feather beard grass 186} 25 2114 Anthoxanthum odoratum. .| Sweet vernal grass . 5 LY aeseoncsor 1 Arrhenatherum elatius.......-.-.-- Tall oat grass..............- 244 28 272 Atriplex canescens ...........----- Shadiiscaleteeeececescece cece 11} 5h 17 Atriplex confertifolia ............. Spiny saltbush .....-......- Da esacececcs 2 ANiioio) xe ORAM COB) — see sos cnase she | [Sooc soo sosSscooseocseascososes 202 3 23% Atriplex halimoides........-...... Gray saltbush ........-....- 49 lit 663 Atriplex holocarpa....-..--------- Annual saltbush ........... 123 64 19 Atriplex nuttallii 43 232 665 Atriplex pabularis Tht |lechsqacace 11 Atriplex semibaccata 108 672 175} Atriplex truncata ........-.....-.- 1D lesaaaaaase 12 Atriplex yolutans -.- .-| Tumbling saltbush ......... 213 2h 23} Avena sativa .........-.-.-.....--- Wil terlO sits eeeer seems 21 14 35 Beckmannia eruczformis -......-. SIOWENN SRA ocSecccésoceces PAY || Basnoosesc 25 Bouteloua oligostachya -..-.--..-- IBlueyeram aseeeee erences 1293 18 1471 Bouteloua bromoides.....-.--...-- Brome grama ....-......... Tey SSoacacises 10 Bouteloua curtipendula - Side-oats grama .. 523 6 58} Bouteloua eriopoda ...........---.- Woolly-foot grama ......... HP llopodecssos Pe Bouteloua hirsuta ..........--.--.- Bristly grama .............-. Pa 1 Bouteloua humboldtiana. Humboldt’s grama ... 6 5 Bouteloua polystachya ........--.- MO WsETAM Ales eeerecsecese 72% i 123 BIPSSHED, MAVQWE) eceosanonstennenods IRA DO rece cnet ae pencerecan ss 13 352 483 BTOMUS INES eee ese esse eerie Awnless brome grass......- 459 7443 | 1, 203% Bromus marginatus -.......-.-..-- Short-awned brome grass .-. 154 13 167 IBsAO OTS UIC. 5 Soe somsoosconosdsl|seoocs sosesocsdocSnsssso50 @ | Hocosassens 9 Bromus polyanthus ....-.--.....-. Many-flowered brome 19} oasceeec sae 19 Bromus pumpellianus............- Mountain brome grass ..... Pe 4 Bromus richardsoni - Richardson's brome .... 9 9 Bromus schraderi ........---.---.- Schrader’s brome........-.. 1 1 Bromus unioloides ...--..-.-..-..- Rescue grasS......-...-.2--- 3222 414 Bulbilis dactyloides -....-.....-..- Buffalo grass (roots only) ..|.......-.-|...-..-.--| -.-------- Calamagrostis canadensis var ....- Canada blue joint .......-.- 5 1 6 Calamoyilfa longifolia -........... SAN GsSTASShen eee ene tseicees 7 1 8 14 COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS. Taste III.— Varieties of grasses and forage plants, etc.—Continued. Variety. Latin name. | English name. | | Carex macrocephala --...-..-..-... | Big head sedge .....-..-.-.- Cheetochloa composita ....-.------ | Arizona millet ........-----| Cheetochloa italica -...-- _ German millet .- Cheetochloa italica var ' Golden wonder millet.....- Chiorxisiclepans=. 22 teehee anita eas | see ae ae ee eee Cicerianietinum sass ene seen Gram or chick pea .....--.- Cynodon dactylon ....--.--------- Bermuda grass ....-.------- Cynosurus cristatus - Crested dog’s tail. - Dactylis glomerata.-........--.-.-. Orchardlerasseensses eens Dactyloctenium australiense --.--. Button! TASS soe se see Deschampsia caespitosa --..------- Tufted hair grass-..- Desmodium tortuosum, var --.-.-- Beggarweed...--...-.------ Desmodium sp -.-.....-.---.------ Perennial beggarweed ....- (Bato SOD EUSSE Aer reset teeter eee atelier eteteta ete eater ter tee Eleusine coracana....--....---.--- African millet Elymus ambiguus. . Elymus arenarius Elymus canadensis. .......-.------ Elymus canadensis var Elymus condensatus -....---.----- Elymus glabriflorus Elymus glaucus Elymus macounii Hlymusisimplexseeeseee eee os Elymus virginicus submuticus .... Eragrostis neo-mexicana Eriochloa punctata Eriocoma cuspidata Erodium cicutarium Ervum lens Euchlena mexicana Eurotia lanata Festuca arundinacea Festuca duriuscula Festuca elatior Festuca heterophylla Festuca kingii Festuca ovina -. Glyciney hispid aie - senses see sae Helianthus sp Hilaria cenchroides ..........-.--. Hilaria mutica Hordeum vulgare Keeleria cristata. . athiynusisatlvillsissseseeeeeoee ese Leptochloa dubia Lespedeza striata_y_<------2------- Lolium italicum Lolium perenne Lycurus phleoides. - Medicago denticulata Sea rye grass Canada rye grass ..-..-.---- | Giant rye grass Smooth-flowered rye grass. - Mountain rye grass Macoun’s rye grass......-.- Alkali rye grass | Short-awned rye grass Mexican love grass Everlasting grass Indian millet King’s fescue Sheep’s fescue. Red fescue Soy bean Sunflower Curly mesquite Black galleta Barley Prairie June grass. Bitter flat pea Japan clover Italian ray grass.....---.--- Perennial ray grass Texas timothy Bur clover Beniiton | pc neecm eO ae stations ivid-| _ dis- ‘| uals. | tributed. } Pounds. | Pounds. | Pounds. 9 182) | onan Baul Ace 5h 20 49% | 69} seeeeeeeee i Fy VA |eseceeenee 11} 2 4 6 20 50) 70% 7 295 36) 424 130 bad 25 3 28 PAL ee eae 2 2 b 2b 2) | beceaendts } eee 1 Daa |sosee see 3) by 2 7 6 3 9 167; 15 182} 56} 6 623 49} 9 58h CH eResessee 93 15} 4 19} 1 | oem 11 17 20 86 14 874 BY We esoose! 13 aL or 83 91 6 5 11 Leh | seer cee i 22 54} 763 8 + 8 41 ietcoe eases 41 17 20 4052 2574 6623 1 15 16 7k 4 8 63 63 693 24 65 89 Bla Bacsbonnes 3 3615 304 6654 Naciso bocce 7 Ce escedacces gf 12 12 2 2 115 331 Sin tee 13} 32 20 52 117 145} 262% 298 35 333. Wey |[sosossoses 16} 154 38 192 SEED DISTRIBUTION. 15 Tasty II].— Varieties of grasses and forage plants, etc.—Continued. a sentto | maivice| ais Latin name. | English name. stations. |“ hyals. | tributed. | | Pounds. | Pounds. | Pounds. Medicago maculata -....-..-....-- [Peseaecnneatrs asco ancees = 2 By | 7 Medicago sativa......-...--------- eNO Sep ocesbescearescoss 1,371 1,5014 2, 8725 Medicago sativa turkestanica - - | Turkestan alfalfa .....----- 6 57 63 Medicago sativa var...-..-.------- Oasis) ial tae eee eee Tie t|Len eee 1 Melilotus alba..-...---- --| Sweet clover - 804 28 1083 Melinis minutiflora--......-------- | Molasses TASS ae eee ee ee OSe bobo Sonaeas 28 Mucuna utilis. -....-...----------. | Velvet bean -...--..--.--... 47 4 51 Muhlenbergia racemosa. Sal) MUG DO Rise este See oe Seooaasco| ho Soecoar) eeenee sees Muhlenbergia gracilis..-..-.------ [ooetecceceetesesescecees esses BENT acesentoee 3 Onobrychis sativa....-..-.-------- |) SEMIONOV -cescosmoassassneada 1384 21 1595 Panicularia americana...-.....--- | American manna grass-...- 3 10 13 Panicum bulbosum .......- hd Nl Murwiplexrasse- seas 14s | eee ioe ee 14 Panicum bulbosum yar Us Bees Gi seteeennos 43 4} Panicum crus-galli-..........----- Barnyard grass....---.----- 7153 3684 1, 084 Panicum miliaceum .......-...--- Broom-corn millet .......-. 1, 226 2303 1, 4563 Panicum obtusum...- deel bosoosesocesecsoscsdosssosencs + 12 15; Panicum texanum ...-....-.--..-- Colorado grass.....--------- 370 177 547 Pap pOpHOTUmMysp er ons ee eee =| Hse eee eee seein aN erro an 3 Paspalum compressum..-.-.-..--- Carpetiprass nesses esse 2 2 4 Paspalum dilatatum -............- Large water grass .--.---..- St 3k 12 Phalaris arundinacea. - .-| Reed canary grass. 10 113 215 Phaseolus mungo .....-.---.---.-- Greenlerameeee esses OB} 8 eeesclecergy 23 Phaseolus retusus ........-.------- Metcalfe bean .............. 73 1 gz Phaseolus sp-...-- -| Vallo bean .-. Ne Saceesnces 2 Phleum asperum Sandstimobhiy possesses cee e AV Seeeceeass > Phleum pratense .......-.-----.--- Mimouhyeeeeee eee 618 172% 7903 Pisum arvense------.------..--.--- Russian blue field pea....-. 72 914 163% Pisum sativum var .....-..-...---- Black marrow-fat pea ...... 62 60 122 Poa compressa Canada blue grass. 93% 502 144 Poa fendleriana ----2------------- Mutton grass ..............- OhRRN Nemec} 2 Pose laueiioligeesenss eee eee Glaucous blue grass -....... 1 1 Poa laeviculmis -. Smooth-stemmed blue grass 43 45 IOP CNAME. casagsacsesseoosesee Smooth blue grass..-.--.... 15 15 TROP UBONGE, 5 esa ssacHocececososeces Shining blue grass -........ 46 2 48 | Poa macrantha......-....-------.- Sea-side blue grass ......... 1774 1564 334 Poa nevadensis............-..----- Nevada blue grass.......-.-- A ag) eases oa 4 POs PLAle NSS seen eee Kentucky blue grass.....--. 3664 77 4435 Roaythivialistsesssqecseeseeceeeee Rough-stalked blue grass .. 4h 10 143 Poanwheelenten saree aseeenaeee es Wheeler’s blue grass........ 7% 1 8} Poterium sanguisorba Burnet 75k 26 «| 1014 Puccinellia airoides..........-..-- Alkali spear grass -......-.. Gis f | Rosoatene 16 IRDMMNES. FD) ea emcocnsassssscogscoseeS WOK -caséqsseccaosssaesonso De Nee sanasiac 2 Sorghum vulgare var...-........-- IBN COM cao sedeosodassuSr 12 13} 252 Sorghum vulgare var.........-.-.. Colman cane .........-..-.- (Fan eee 6 Sorghum vulgare var........-...-- Early amber cane ....-..... 6 3 | 9 Sorghum vulgare var..--...-.....- Early orange cane....-...... (ia heaaesesde 6 Sorghum vulgare var.........-.-.- Folger's Cane. -----..--..--- 6 6 Secale cereale -.-.. Winter rye... 3 122 122 Sporobolus airoides........-.....-- Fine saccaton ..........---- 293 292 Sporobolus eryptandrus ........--. Dropseedias -eecensnceiccens 123 3 15 Sporobolus depauperatus. ..--..... Steeljgrassss sees essere se Ba paar 3 Sporobolus wrightii -.-.--.....-..- Wright’s saccaton a Ue 292 3h 323 16 COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS. Tarte III.— Varieties of grasses and forage plants, etc.—Continued. | ie Variety. __| entto | Sentto | ‘otal ‘| Latin name. | English name. StanlOns=| FTAs: | tributed. : | Pounds. | Pounds. | Pounds. Sporobolus wright Var sss: noe e| oe wees see eee HW) eee ssece 10 SSR OSU AVN] CULL ae erecta ere cette err Jeet eae aa Aer 2h Neer eyo | 2h STR BSD ses ete et ae oe ete Dito |peeeereeee | a) ADOC Tsu UT CHL eee esate ete eee oer i ee | 4 | Trifolium alexandrinum -.-. --| Egyptian clover ....-.-..-.. LO] Sen 13 } Trifolium hybridum ....--- 4 Alsikeiclovers--22---eeme aes 7} 100 1073 | Trifolium incarnatum....-- =| Crimson clover... 2... -+--<- 2 562 58} Trifolium medium ..-.--.- -| Mammoth clover.......-..- 10 65 75 Trifolium pratense ......- BIR CCICLOMC Tian seniaei=taeer tarts 615 42 657 Trifolium repens -....-. -| White clover -.-.---.-..--.- 185 11 146 Triticum spelta....-.--- A ASO, soe sedscessengsezonscre, 21 17 38 Vicia maritima... Seaside'vetch....-..-...-... aE Toe Neemee arr 18 Vicia villosa.....- SPE ainvVelChyee- se smecicet = 309 228 | 537 Vigna catjang.-...--- al) (feinsee- hen ee te sopeoee oe! 2,1805 150} 2, 331 Vigna catjang var ..-. “| Blackicowpean- ss .nec = 1 2040 ee ees | 204 CAM AN She seen Seindisniconitesseseeeee es 224 6 284 Zizania aquatica -.- -| Wild rice 2 2 AIOE ew hoe pene dassonemeaboosdissaasercosesdcndassdceconestioss 16, 101} 7, 0514 23, 1523 Note.—Total varieties, 171. SEEDS TO PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS. Many applications were made to the Secretary of Agriculture by individuals for seeds of grasses adapted to special conditions for purely experimental purposes. In order to meet these requests and to keep all of our work in line of cooperation with the experiment stations, the following letter was addressed to the directors of the several stations under date of January 31, 1901: U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Bureau or PLiant InpwstRy, OFFICE OF THE AGROSTOLOGIST, ; Washington, D. C., January 31, 1901. Str: Requests for seeds of grasses and forage-plants for special purposes are received by this Department from many private individuals throughout the country and prior to the current fiscal year the Secretary has, so far as possible, generously responded to these requests. For the most part they have come from intelligent and progressive farmers who had definite objects in view and whose reports relative to the seeds sent them haye oftentimes been ot great value. A record has been kept of every package of seed thus sent out and we have classed the parties as our ‘‘ volunteer experi- menters’’ and our cooperation with them, costing only the seed sent, has been mutually advantageous. We would be glad to continue this line of work and hope that you will enable us to do so and respectfully ask your cooperation in the matter. If agreeable to you, we will refer all applications for seeds and grasses and forage plants made by individuals in your State to you by addressing them a letter like the inclosed (marked 1). If they then should write to you and you deem it wise for us to honor their request, the seeds will be forwarded, so far as our supply will permit. We will notify you of the shipment of the seed on a card similar to the inclosed SYSTEM OF KEEPING RECORDS. 17 (marked 2), which is our preliminary step in the record. We could, if you wish, send seed in quantity to you to be redirected to individuals in your State from, your station. In such case we would expect you to furnish us the addresses of the parties to whom the seed was sent and the amount in each case. At the close of each season we send blanks (marked 3) to every individual to whom seeds have been sent from this office for the purpose of obtaining a report as to the results of the experiments or progress made. We arrange with every one receiving seeds in the way here described to report results to this office and we will, upon your request, send you duplicate copies of these reports and thus share with you in all the results obtained. I would be pleased to have an expression from you in regard to this plan of coopera- tion with individuals. Respectfully, F. Lamson-ScriBner, ° Agrostologist. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, Manhattan, Kans. The scheme proposed in this communication met with very favorable reception on the part of the experiment stations, as will be seen by the replies here quoted, which are in the main expressions of all those received. WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, Pullman, Wash., February 8, 1901. Dear Str: I am in receipt of your favor of January 31, and note carefully the plan outlined therein for the distribution of seeds of grasses and forage plants in the sev- eral States. The plan you propose meets with my approval and will have the hearty cooperation of this station. Yours, very truly, E. A. Bryan, President. F. Lamson-ScriBNer, Agrostologist, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. THE PENNSYLVANIA STaTE CoLLEGE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, February 19, 1901. Dear Str: Replying to yours of January 31, relative to the matter of distribution of seeds and forage plants, I beg to say that it would give this station pleasure to accept your very courteous and generous proposal in regard to cooperation. If you will refer applicants to us as requested, we will be very glad to advise you as to the matter of honoring their requests and to receive from you the duplicate reports of results. : Very respectfully, yours, H. P. Armssy, Director. Mr. F. Lamson-ScriBner, Unitea States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. The total amounts of seeds thus distributed to individuals in each State is shown in Table II, and the total quantity of each variety of seed so distributed is shown in Table III. SYSTEM OF KEEPING RECORDS. In order to bring all this work into such shape that the results might be utilized by both the stations and the Department, the following plan of records was adopted. Upon the receipt of an application from a 13638—No. 10—02 2 18 COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS. correspondent in any given State, the following letter was sent to the applicant: U. 8. DeparrMeNT oF AGRICULTURE, GRaAss AND ForaGr Pianr INvestiGArions, Division or AGROSTOLOGY, Washington, D. C., , 1901. Dear Str: Your letter of , addressed to , has been referred to this division. The law (House bill No. 121, Fifty-sixth Congress, first session, mak- ing appropriations for the Department of Agriculture) requires that all seeds of grasses and forage plants distributed by this division for experimental use be sent to the experiment stations. We will be pleased to honor, so faras possible, any requests for seeds made through the director of your agricultural experiment station, located at Please state definitely to the director the object of your request. Respectfully, F. Lamson-ScrIBNER, Agrostologist. If the request was indorsed by the director of the experiment sta- tion a card was then made out in accordance with the following blank, directing the shipping clerk to send the seed, and when the shipment was made this card was returned to the office of the Agrostologist and filed for record. State: 1901. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ‘ Orrice oF Pranr InpustrRy, WASHINGYON, D. C. CooPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS IN GRASS AND ForaGeE Piant INVESTIGATIONS WITH EXPERIMENT STATION. Name and address of experimenter: Variety of seed and amount sent: Source and age of seed: Object of experiment: Date of shipment: At the same time a card, the form of which is shown below, was sent to the director of the experiment station, advising him of the shipment, and this card was designed for filing at the station : CooPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS IN GRASS AND FoRAGE PLANT INVESTIGATIONS. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WASHINGTON, D. C. EXPERIMENT STATION Name and address of experimenter : Variety of seed and amount sent : Source of seed : Object of experiment: Seeds shipped , 190—. Report received eico= When seeds were sent to any individual under this plan he was advised of the fact by the following letter, in which the nature of final report expected from the correspondent was outlined. We found this to be important, for in many cases when we had called for reports as to results of seeds distributed the party receiving them often said that he wished he had known earlier the nature of the report wanted, q j ; es SYSTEM OF KEEPING RECORDS. 19 and he would have taken the necessary notes. This letter was designed to cover this ground. U.S. DeparTMENT oF AGRICULTURE, Grass AND ForAGE PLAntr INVESTIGATIONS, Washington, D. C., , 190-. Dear Str: In accordance with arrangements made with the director of the agri- cultural experiment station of your State for conducting cooperative experiments with grasses and forage plants, the following seeds are being sent to you: In sending you these seeds it is understood that you will try them in an experi- mental way to test their adaptability to your section or their special value. It is further understood that you will give them all the care necessary to meet the requirements of the experiment and report the result obtained on blanks which will be furnished you at the proper time. These reports will be filed in this office and copies will be sent to the director of your State experiment station. The following are the principal points to be noted: Conditon and preparation of soil. Yield per acre of forage or seed, or Date and method of planting. both. Method of cultivation, if any. Stand and amount of growth made. Date of full bloom. Value of the plant as food for stock. Date of ripening. Also any other miscellaneous notes of Date and method of harvesting. economic interest. Quality of the product. The seed produced by native and introduced plants, not obtainable from seedsmen, should be carefully saved. Respectfully, F. Lamson-Scrisner, Agrostologist. Mr. At the close of the season blanks for reports of the form here pre- sented will be sent to everyone who received seeds. Copies of these reports will be sent to the directors of the experiment stations in the States where the experimenters are located. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Grass AND ForaGrE Puant INVESTIGATIONS. EXPERIMENTS WITH GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. Report on varieties cultivated at [Name town, county, and State. ] Common name, Latin name, Kind, condition, and preparation of soil, Date and method of planting, Cultivation, if any, Date and method of harvesting and stage of maturity reached when harvested, Date of full bloom, Date of ripening, Yield per acre (if practicable) , Quality of product, Notes on growth, Your opinion of the value of the plant as feed for stock, Name of experimenter, Post-office, County, State, 20 COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS. [On reverse. ] GENERAL REMARKS, 4 5 Sale Y HH A = a) a 5 g = 2 = S ‘Si ° to} E = 3 en =7 es og =) tony fo) @ 2 > 3 os 4 I = = Go| c —) 4 ® 4 - Ee Se a = =p si 7 (eo) a = g SR aos z S ean 2 a ee et | oh iS ts = Shs Chea teas S| = c D ti Hie sce i) ts oe S & n == a =<) = Rn dane g = fn = (ouuu unBT) (97838) —(06T (oursu uoUUIOD) oY} UL UnjoL pure ‘Ajo}RaBdos AJOMBA YOR SUT}.L0( . rs “SNOILVYOILSHANT INVId GDOVYOI ANY SsVuyp -vphysaun yunjd abviof pun ssvib wo jsoday ‘ad o[aA ta Poessa.ippe PUB por UBT poso[ouL TWSyY JO INANLY Vda i | The final record of distribution is kept upon a card, the face and reverse side of which is herewith shown. Only one species is entered on this card, and the cards are filed in alphabetical order. The amount we have on hand is shown at any time, together with the amount dis- tributed, and to whom. — sn A ey Amr, RECEIVED FROM ae Arropyron tenerum) lz iGritithsia lane esas sense eae see ee anaes eee ee 3g (Slender wheat grass) . Fiscal year 1900-1901. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. | June. July. | Aug. Sept. Oct. Noy. Dec. Jan. | = : D.| B. p.|.|p.] » D. | B. 1D | 35 Dy |B2|) De B/D. BaD Be | Di Bal De Ben esses |= = | TT SYSTEM OF KEEPING RECORDS. 21 [Reverse.] Date. | Amount. Name. Post-office. State. Feb. 25 5 | Walter J. Hovey --.------------2=----------- | Fort Pierre -.--------------- S. Dak. Feb. 27 10 | Luther Foster || Ime Cees sc ssbcosess= Wyo. Feb. 28 10 | James Withycomhe -..-..------------------- | Corvallis ...---.------------ Oreg. It may interest some to note the form of our accession cards, which is shown herewith: DATA. Seeds of— Agropyron tenerum. Collector’s No. (Slender wheat grass). Distribution No. 21. _ From Griffiths & Lange. Locality, Billings, Mont. Date, July 14, 1900. Alti- tude Amount, pounds, 314. Habit of growth, Character of soil, Use : By this system of records the Office of the Agrostologist has full data in regard to all seeds received or sent out, and it is possible to show at any time the variety or amount sent to any experiment station or to any individual in cooperation with the station. The totals of these amounts for the fiscal year 1900-1901 are shown in Tables TI and III. Table IV contains a list of those experiment stations with which the Department of Agriculture, through the Office of the Agrostologist, is carrying on cooperative experiments in grass and forage plant investi- gations. This is a list of the stations with which the Department is working during the current fiscal year, for, although the law cited specifically directing the stations to cooperate with the Secretary of Agriculture along these lines is no longer in force, it having been omitted from the bill making appropriations for the Department dur- ing the present year, it has been deemed best to continue the work, apparently so well begun under the bill of last year. 22 COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS. TasLE [V.—List of experiment stations with which articles of cooperation have been signed. State. Arizonal Object of investigations. For improving the forage conditions and renovating the ranges. Department al- lowance. Seeds and funds. Galifornisj--2---=---- The planting and testing of sand-binders.........-.-.-- Do. Colorado Grass and forage plants for alkali and arid soils .-...-. Do. Kansas -- The best method of pasture and range improvement. . Do. Maryland To find the best erops for use in securing a continuous | Seeds only. soiling. Michigan............ To find the best grasses for fixing the drifting sands Do. along the Great Lakes and to determine the possi- bility of converting these into lands productive of forage and other crops. Missouri.....-....... To find the best method for the formation and manage- Do. ment of meadows and pastures in the Middle West- ern States. Nebraska ....-..-.--- Growing and testing of native and cultivated grasses Do. New Hampshire..... for the Great Plains region. Improvement and renovation of worn-out hay and pasture land. Seeds and funds. New Mexico.......-- Forage crops to supplement ranges and the improve- | Seeds only. ment of cultivated lands. OHAHOM —-mooaanancses To find the best sand-binding grasses and to determine | Seeds and funds. the possibility of rendering sandy lands productive of both grasses and forage plants. South Dakota ......- For testing drought-resisting forage plants with a Do. view to finding varieties suitable for use in the range region. Menmnessee)o--- = === = Formation and management of pastures and meadows | Seeds only. in Middle Southern States. WUD-YF Scocoosaccuoced Formation of meadows and pastures in the Middle | Seeds and funds. Southern States. 2 Washington ......--- For improving forage conditions and renewing worn- Do. out ranges. Wyoming............ Forage plants for arid and alkali lands ................ Seeds only. Delaware...---.---=- Coven cropsHomorchard Siaaeeese erste ene eee eee nee Do. Utahiceee= serene | Forage plants for arid and alkali lands ---...-...-...-. Do. 1 Not renewed for 1901-2. Since this work of cooperation was first inaugurated the Bureau of Plant Industry, which includes the Office of the Agrostologist, has been established, and the new articles of cooperation now in force have been slightly modified from those of last year to meet the new terms of expression required by this new organization, and a similar modi- fication has been made in the letter addressed to individual applicants for seeds, as will appear from the copy presented below, which is that of the form now used: U.S. Department or AGRICULTURE, BUREAU oF PLANT INDUSTRY, GRASS AND ForAGE PLANT INVESTIGATIONS, OFFICE OF THE AGROSTOLOGIST, Washington, D. C., , 190-. DEAR Sir: Your letter of this office. , addressed to , requesting seeds, has been referred to The Department of Agriculture is conducting experiments with grasses A eee eS CONCLUSION. 23 and forage plants in your State in cooperation with your agricultural experiment station located at In order to continue the plans already made we would ask you to kindly present your request through the director of your experiment sta- tion. We will be glad to honor, so far as possible, all such requests. Please state definitely to the director of the station the object of your request. Respectfully, F. Lamson-Scripner, Agrostologist. CONCLUSION. Thus far our plan of cooperation with the stations in grass and for- age plant investigations and the manner of keeping our records, as above described, have been quite satisfactory, but it is not unlikely that some changes or improvements may be made as the work pro- gresses. Doubtless the work can be rendered more effective and more certain of useful results if an official of the Department can be located at those stations where important cooperative work is being carried on. This officer may be a scientific aid—and we are already employing sci- entific aids in this way—or he may be someone more experienced. In any case, he should be given immediate charge of the work, to which he should give his whole time while at the station. During some months of the year, especially during the winter season, he could spend his time at the Department in order to familiarize himself with our methods and make up his reports. It is to be regretted that the important work of grass and forage plant investigations has not more funds available for conducting this cooperative work on a larger, more effective, and more striking scale. I have only to add that I wish to give expression here to our most sincere regrets at the loss of Mr. Thomas A. Williams, in whose charge this cooperative work had been placed and who had so successfully carried out the ideas of the Department while engaged upon it. The present season Prof. A. S. Hitchcock has been placed in charge of this work and has visited many of the stations and made a special study of the conditions existing where cooperative work is being carried on. O - eS if * ; = 4 : 5 7 . 3 i . 4 ‘4 ; F 5 cad (- * PON aN Lo Fat : oa a ie i, & a fin, CO cae = PA. > = a aan aes \~ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS YS (fii Be TOK x ot \