34 



Triple-awned Beard-grass {Aristida faseicidata Torrey) grows in 

 dry places between Oma"ba and Lincoln, Xebr., bnt west of Lin- 

 coln it becomes very common. This grass is of valne only when 

 young, as the stems and leaves soon become wiry and harsh. 

 Though not considered of much value on the plains, it is not with- 

 out merit in the foothills. It grows in small bunches, having num- 

 erous fine leaves. 

 Turkey-foot-grass [Andropoijon haUii Hack.) (fig. 12) was observed 



only in the sandhill region 

 of western Nebraska. 

 Here it produces an ex- 

 uberant growth, 4 to 6 

 feet high, with a large 

 number of leaves. It 

 should be cut early if 

 used for hay. Cattle are 

 fond of the grass when 

 young and fatten on it. 

 Many farmers believe 

 that for range purposes 

 the sandhills are much 

 superior to the country 

 east, and Turkey-foot is 

 one of the most impor- 

 tant grasses of the region. 

 "Western Brome grass 

 {Bro m u .s iJnmpeUiamis) 

 occurs in large patches, 

 at an altitude of 0,500 to 

 10,000 feet. It is a strik- 

 ing green grass from 2 to 

 ;3 feet high, and forms a 

 splendid turf. For cooler 

 regions and in moist 

 jilaces this would no 

 doubt prove valuable 



Fig. 12.— TLur\iey-fo(AiXTi\sn {Andri)2)o!jonhalln}: a, apair under cultivation. 



of spikelets ; i.lbe first empty glume of the sessile spike Txri^i^g Clover {Trifolium 



let; c, second empty glume; d, the third glume; e, fourth '* . . ' , 



or flowering glume; /, pale.! showing a pistil and lodi I'vpcns) is a fickle pUillt 



<="'••''• in Iowa. An abundance 



of moisture is essential for its full develoi)meiit. AVheii this con- 

 dition is fnltilled it affords fine pasturage. Very few farmers ever 

 sow white clover. In 1894 and 1805 it was not abundant, but in 

 1800 the Blue grass meadows were white with it in June. It has 

 been suggested that the winters are too severe and the plants 

 are killed. Periodical scarcity of white clover is more than likely 



