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eaten by cattle and other stock. It grows principally in low, moist soils 

 and on the banks of streams. A farmer in Eastland County says that 

 some years his meadows were covered with it, and that a field planted 

 to it and cultivated would yield several tons of good forage per acre. 

 He thinks it will not withstand the long dry sj^ells to wliich tliis section 

 is periodically subject. 



Bushy Knot'weed {Polygonum ramosissimnin) first attracted the 

 writer's attention becsmse of its enormous production of seed. Bushes of 

 it found in pastures appeared to have been grazed. Cattle are fond of it 

 when it is young and sheep will eat it whenever and Avherever they can 

 get it. It flourishes under many and varied conditions on high and 

 lowlands, in rich or poor soils, and withstands drought well. A stock- 

 man who has been much in Montana and other iSTorth we stern States 

 says that this or a similar weed grows there and furnishes nutritious 

 forage throughout the summer and early autumn months. It is an 

 annual, growing here from 15 to 30 inches high, according to the soil. 

 A Callahan County farmer says that when mixed in with the hay 

 grasses of the section it adds to the value of the hay, as its seeds are 

 rich in fattening properties. He furthermore says that when cured its 

 stems are very stiff, and only the seed and leaves are relished by stock. 

 It deserves favorable consideration by farmers and stockmen. 



Woolly Plantain {Planta{/o gnaphaUoides). — There is much difference 

 of oiHnion here as to the value of this plantain. In September its erect 

 stems are loaded with seed. A Mitchell County stockman says it is 

 always about the earliest spring forage and that cattle then eat it 

 readily. It is usually to be found only in winter pastures where cattle 

 have been kept for months. On the other hand, some regard it as a 

 l)est, though admitting that stock sometimes eat it. 



Purslane [Portulaca oleracea) grows in every county in central 

 Texas and is known locally as " hog pusley." It prefers fallow ground 

 and is to be found in all the fields, but also grows well in pastures, 

 especially in sandy soils. It stands dry weather well, and no matter 

 how dry the grasses and other weeds may be its fleshy leaves and stems 

 are abundantly in evidence. There is no doubt as to its value as a 

 forage i)lant. Hogs Mill fatten on it and sheep are fond of it. Cattle 

 do not appear to care for it particularly except in the droughty autumn 

 months, when its succulent herbage is greedily sought for. 



Cotton Purslane {PorUtlaca pilosa) is another variety of purslane 

 that is a native of and grows abundantly throughout this section. It 

 is a smaller plant than the other species above mentioned, but has 

 about the same value as a forage plant. 



COMMON GRASSES OF LITTLE FORAGE VALUE. 



The following grasses, natives of central Texas, while perhaps less 

 valuable than those above described, are worthy of consideration: 

 Triple A-wn {Aristida arizonica) resembles in some respects the 



