35 



appearance, but this is about as far as the resemblauce goes. This 

 wild verbena produces an abundance of forage, that is eaten and relished 

 by both cattle and sheep. It deserves to be tested thoroughly to deter- 

 mine its (|ualitie8. 



Bur Clover or California. Clo-veri Med icafjonKieulata). — Well known 

 on the Pacific coast, and found growing in the vicinity of Colorado, iu 

 Mitchell County. It is supposed the seeds were brought originally into 

 this section in the wool of sheep shipped in from California. How- 

 ever, it may have come from the Gulf States, where it is common. It 

 is not here in quantities suf- 

 ficient to make it worthy of 

 much consideration at present. 



Prickly Pear ( Opuntia engel- 

 manni) (fig. 13), — In many coun- 

 ties in central and southwest 

 Texas this well-known plant 

 grows in great abundance, often 

 from G to 10 and 12 feet high. 

 A few years ago stockmen there 

 began to utilize it for feeding 

 purposes. They gathered the 

 so-called "leaves," singed off the 

 spines with fire, and fed them 

 with cotton seed cake to their 

 cattle. The leaves and fruit are 

 often fed to sheep. In this sec- 

 tion of Texas tbis plant does not 

 grow nearly so tall as farther 

 south, nor is it nearly so com- 

 mon here as there. Still it is 

 here in considerable quantities, 

 and must be considered in con- 

 nection with other forage plants 

 native to this section. Herders 

 who have used this plant on the dry plains of west Texas state that sheep 

 fed on it do not require any other food or water, as the succulent stems 

 contain a large amount of water and enough starch and gum to sustain 

 life. It is often asserted that cattle and sheep, fed on the prickly pear 

 with cottonseed meal and hay, go into the markets as fat as those fed 

 on grain and hay. If the prickly pear be fed alone it causes laxity, and 

 when fed to working stock, a tendency to bloat. That it is one of 

 the most valuable forage plants of Texas admits of no question. 



Soxxel [OxaHs corniculata). — A well-known little plant, common to 

 this section, called locally sheep sorrel or sour grass. It has a slightly 

 sour taste and is supposed to possess tonic properties. Both cattle 

 and sheep eat it. 



Fig. 13.— Prickly Pear. 



