33 



pines, firs, and spruces. It grows througliout this entire section, but is 

 not very common. It is generally found on the high lauds and, as a 

 rule, on rocky or gravelly soil. It has a bushy growth, its forage being 

 an abundance of slender stems, branching out from the main stem. It 

 is known to possess extraordinary qualities, being an excellent blood 

 purifier. Among the Mexicans and " old timers" of this part of Texas 

 it is used to make a tea that is said to be palatable and is known to be 

 healthful. Cattle eat it greedily, so that it may be considered valuable 

 as a forage plant. 



Alfilaria (Erodium cicutarium) (fig. 12). — A former hay contractor 

 at Old Fort Griffin states that he is thoroughly familiar with this 

 l)laut and that to his certain 

 knowledge it grows quite 

 abundantly in certain sections 

 of central Texas. Other stock- 

 men who are familiar with the 

 range in New Mexico and Ari- 

 zona also state that they have 

 met with this plant in this part 

 of Texas. The probabilities are 

 that this plant or Erodium mos- 

 chatum or both, may be found. 

 If so, stockmen will have good 

 reason to be gratified, as "fila- 

 ree" is known to produce excel- 

 lent forage, relished by stock. 



Winter Fat {Enrotia Jana- 

 ta) is not very common in 

 this section, but is found on 

 the xjrairies in the northern 

 and western counties of Texas. 

 It is a fine winter forage 

 plant and thrives in soils 

 strongly impregnated with al- 

 kali. Both cattle and sheep 

 eat it and do well on it. 



Rosin Weed or Gum Weed {Grindelia squarrosa) is worthy of 

 notice, because its stems, leaves, and tiowers exude a gum that is very 

 sticky. Stockmen regard it as very much of a nuisance, because the 

 manes and tails of horses, the wool of sheep, and the heads and tails of 

 cattle frequently become gummed up with it, to the no small discomfort 

 of these animals. 



D'warf Broom Weed (Gutierrezia sarothrce microeephala). — A well- 

 known plant, recognized as having fair forage proi)erties, since stock 

 eat it to some extent. 



Sunflower {HeUanthus annuus) is said to be an introduced weed 

 15880— No. 10 3 



Alfilaria. 



