Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Guinea-grass

GUINEA-GRASS, a valuable species of herbage, thus denominated, as it was first discovered on the coast of Guinea, whence it was brought to Jamaica, and afterwards imported into this country.

In point of real utility, this plant ranks, in Jamaica, next the sugar-cane; for the breeding farms throughout the island were originally established, and are still supported, chiefly by means of the Guinea-grass, which bestows verdure and fertility on lands that would otherwise not deserve to be cultivated.—About ten years since, it was also introduced into the East Indies, where it is now successfully cultivated, and grows to the height of seven feet: it admits of being frequently cut, and makes excellent hay. Cattle eat if, both in a fresh and dry state, with great avidity: hence the culture of this valuable herbage has been strongly recommended to the farmers of Cornwall and Devonshire.