18 



miglit have been cut in Iowa this year. It is not always so plenti- 

 ful, since the rains are usually less frequent in July and August. 

 Bearded Wheat-grass {Agropyron caninum R. & S.) is common in 

 northwestern Iowa. It contributes somewhat to the native hay, 

 but is of little value. In Colorado it is also common, even at an 

 altitude of 9,500 feet. It is not so large as Slender Wheat-grass 

 and grows in drier places. A closely allied species, A. riehardsoni 



Schrad., occurs also in the 

 mountains and compares 

 favoi'ably in forage value 

 to A. can in u m. Wire 

 Bunch-grass {A. divergens 

 Nees) is common in Clear 

 Creek Canyon, near 

 Golden, Colo., and is a 

 grass of considerable 

 value. 

 Big Blue-Stem (Andropogon 

 j»-or/wr/V//i.sLam.)(fig.-)is 

 acommon species through- 

 out central and western 

 Iowa. Wherever a bit of 

 prairie remains this grass 

 grows in abundance. It 

 is a variable species, grow- 

 ing in bunches 3 to 8 

 feet high, and ])roduciug 

 a large number of tine 

 leaves. It occurs on the 

 high, rolling prairie, 

 rocky, open, wooded hill- 

 sides, and along the allu- 

 vial creeks and river bot- 

 toms. Blue Stem is an 

 important factor in the 

 wild hay made in the Mis- 

 souri bottoms, especially 

 in the northwestern part 

 of Iowa. It is liked by stock both as green forage and as hay. 

 For horses many farmers prefer it to timothy. Bhie-Stem hay 

 brings a higher price in the market than any otlier wild hay. The 

 grass was common about Lincoln, Nebr., and was observed as far 

 west as McCook. It is a most excellent grass for the moister por- 

 tions of the State, producing a large percentage of the wild hay 

 as well as affording much of the pasturage. Near McCook, Nebr., 

 it produced a fine growth in the flood plain along the Kepublican 

 Kiver. It recjuires a richer soil than the Turkey-foot grass. 



Fio. 2. — Bifc BlueStiMii (An<lro2)o(ion provincialin) : a, a 

 I)air ol'sijikelets; 6, fir.stciiii)ty jilmno; c, second ciupty 

 glume; d, third glume; c, fourth or flowering glume; 

 /, pulea ; g, lodicules. 



