29 



Orchard-grass {Dactijlis tjlomcrata L.) (fio-. 8), tliougli well known as a 

 valuable grass, is seldom sown. Few farmers in this section of the 

 State are acquainted with it. It is not uncommon along roadsides 

 and in dooryards, giving evidence of adaptability to soil and climate. 

 Although not generally cultivated in Nebraska, it is of frequent 

 occurrence about Omaha, Lincoln, Crete, Hastings, and McCook. 

 In all of these i)laces it grows without irrigation, and the fact 

 that it grows so well cer- 

 tainly indicates adapta- 

 tion. Orchard grass is 

 not, however, to be recom- 

 mended for western Ne- 

 braska except in canyons 

 and on the flood plains of 

 streams. In eastern Ne- 

 braska it should come into 

 general favor. 



Porcupine-grass {Stipa s^mr- 

 tea Trin.) is as common on 

 the dry, sterile hills of 

 central Iowa as it is in 

 western Iowa. It has the 

 habit of growing in large 

 bunches, from 1^ to 3A feet 

 high, with leaves often 

 more than a foot long. It 

 is useful as a pasture plant 

 only early in the season or 

 when kept closely cropped. 

 It is often troublesome 

 after the 10th of June, since 

 the barbed "seed" is then 

 either forming or ripe, and 

 is liable to inflict injury to 

 sheep. The danger from 

 this has become less in 



recent years, as the grass no. O.—Piairie JiiiiegiJiss( /i-o^iermcmCafa): «, empty 

 rarelv regains its hold UDOn glumes; b, the two Uorots raised above the empty 



glumes. 



cultivated soil. After the 



"spears" have fallen the grass may be cut for hay. In Nebraska 

 it is common only in the eastern i)art, occurring on high prairies 

 and the slopes of hills. Although regarded as a pest in pastures, 

 it is valued as a hay grass. 

 Prairie June-grass [Koeleria cristata Pers.) (tig. 9) grows abundantly on 

 the prairies and dry hills of Nebraska and Iowa. It comes on early 

 and retains its nutritious (jualities even after the leaves become 

 dry. It is common about Omaha, Crete, and McCook. In Colorado 



