The Durva or Hurriali grass (Cynodon dactylon), unquestionably the best species which India possesses for forage, has been cultivated with great success at Vellore by Major Ottley, who has given an interesting account of this grass in the Madras Journal of Literature and Science, 1849, xv. p. 477. In upland districts rye-grass and clover grow ; and both these exotics, when sown fresh, have been found to answer exceedingly well on the Shevaroy, Pulney, Neilgherry, and Baba Booden Hills. The Guinea grass bas been strongly recommended in Bengal.
Inoculating Grass.—In poor soils such as that of the Karnatic, grass seeds do not take so well as in rich land, and there is great difficulty in procuring. a good sward. In this case recourse must be had to planting, or, as some call it, inoculating grass. This is done by taking pieces of turf from the banks of a river or tank, and spreading them over the land to be laid down, after it has been pre pared in the same manner as it would have been to receive the seed. The turf should be taken up in little square pieces, and spread over the surface of the ground, leaving small interspaces between each piece. A stone roller or a wooden beater
Should then be employed to press them into the ground. In a few days the interspaces will be found to be filled up, and a complete carpet of turf to have formed.
Before putting down the turf, poor stiff lands moat be divided by ditches, ploughed in deep furrows, and exposed as much as possible to the wind and sun. Such soils inay with careful cul ture and irrigation become permanent meadow land, but it is essential to get them into a sound state by most carefully clearing them of nuth grass and weeds before laying down grass seeds, and aubsequently by keeping tho land free of coarse grasa by hand weeding. Paring and burning the surface have been found useful, and if beneficial in the first instance, the operation may be repeated with advantage.
Lespediza striata, H. and A., the Japan clover of China and Japan, is much valued in N. America as a ,grass for cattle.—Von Mueller ; Powell; Boyle, Ill.; Mason ; Williams; Hooker's Him. Jour.