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it is oue of tlie most abundant of the grasses in dry places in tlie 

 foothills. Great quantities of it were observed near Fort Collins 

 and Golden and at Colorado Springs, at an altitude of 7,000 to 

 8,000 feet. It was closely cropped, showing evidences of being 

 relished by stock. Though an insignificant grass, so far as bulk is 

 concerned it is one of the more valuable species of the foothills. 



Red Clover ( TrifoUumitratcme) is the chief leguminous forage plant of 

 central and western Iowa. It is not quite as successful in the 

 northwestern part of the State as further east, yet fine fields were 

 observed near Sioux City the past season. Farmers sow the seed 

 in early spring, either with or without a nurse crop. Nearly 

 every farmer has his clover patch. It is used as a fertilizer as well 

 as a hay crop. The first crop is cut for hay, while the second is 

 often used for seed. It is a common practice to pasture after hay 

 has been removed. 



Red-Top {A(/rostis alba) grows wild in low grounds, although it is 

 seldom sown. It makes excellent hay, but as yet is not much of a 

 factor in the forage of the State. It is a valuable grass in eastern 

 Nebraska, especially in low ground, where it has been tried by 

 many of the farmers, and is more common, as a naturalized plant, 

 than Orchard-grass. It was observed in western Nebraska about 

 McCook, in the Kepublican Valley, where it seems to be a most 

 valuable addition. 



Reed Canary-grass {Phalaris arundinacea) is more common and of 

 greater value as a native forage plant under present conditions 

 than Wild-Iiice or Eeed grass. It matures early, produces a large 

 number of bright green leaves that may be used with considerable 

 advantage for hay in June. The soil in Avhich it grows is often so 

 wet, however, that the stock obtain it with considerable difliculty. 

 The leaves remain green for some time after the seed has formed. 

 It is common near Jefferson, Council Bluffs, Missouri Valley, and 

 Sioux City, Iowa. 



Reed-grass {Fhragmites vulgaris) was once abundant and is still com- 

 mon in western and central Iowa, about old lake beds and marshes. 

 It is of little value as a forage plant. In Nebraska it is common 

 in very wet marshes along streams. Specimens from 12 to 14 feet 

 high were observed near McCook. 



Rye (Secale cereale). Farmers do not fully appreciate the great value 

 of rye as a forage plant. It is used to a large extent and fully 

 meets the requirements for fall, winter, and early spring pasturage. 

 It is usually sown in the fall, and as soon as it is 4 or ;") inches 

 liigh it will stand a moderate amountof grazing, which can be kept 

 up througli tlie winter and early spring. In the s])ring it affords 

 a greater abundance of pasture th;in Blue-grass. Farmers who 

 have used it ('oniniend it most highly lor this i)urpose. One farmer 

 complained that butter acquired a peculiar taste when the cows 

 were fed on rye, but that was i)robal)ly due to some other cause. 



