32 



Slender-Fescue {Festuca octojiora Walt.) was observed not ouly iu 

 tlie foothills about Fort Collius, but also at Goldeu aud Colorado 

 Springs, Colo., from 5,000 to 9,000 feet. It is au annual, aud in 

 dry soil rarely attains a lieiglit of more than 4 inches, but in more 

 sheltered and moister places it reaches a foot in height. This grass 

 is at best of little value as a forage plant. 

 Slender Wheat-grass [Aijropjron ienernm Vasey), mentioned as 

 occurring along irrigation ditches throughout northern and cen- 

 tral Colorado, is a valu- 

 able mountain grass. It 

 grows in marshy mead- 

 ows, attaining a height 

 of 4 feet, with a large 

 number of soft leaves 

 aud a long slender spike. 

 It adds much to the for- 

 age of these mountain 

 meadows, and would be 

 far preferable to barley 

 as a productive crop. 

 Squirrel-tail grass {Hor- 

 deumjubatioit L.) is com- 

 mon in Iowa and Ne- 

 braska, but it may be 

 questioned whether it 

 should be included 

 among the forage 

 grasses. It grows every- 

 where in meadows and 

 pastures throughout the 

 State. Squirrel- tail 

 grass affords some pas- 

 turage early in the spring 

 and m the fall, when the 

 young plants come up 

 abundantly after the 

 rains. If allowed to head 

 out, it soon becomes a 

 troublesome i)est. 

 Swamp-Chess {Bromiis eiUatus) is of frequent occurrence in Iowa. 

 The variety imrgans nuitures its seed in June or early July, and 

 occurs chiefly in woodland pastures where it is of considerable 

 value. It is not as vigorous or as large a grass as the species, 

 uliicli matures in August. The latter has large culms aud panicles 

 with an almndance of leaves. This chess is certainly valuable for 

 Iowa. It also occurs in eastern Nebraska, chietly in woods and low 



Fio. 11.— Side Oats Viia.n\ii (BouUloua eurtipendtda) : a, one 

 of till! sliort spikes; b, a spikekt; c, a spikelet with tbo 

 outer empty glumes removed. 



