32 



with Canadian blue grass {Poa compressa)^ low spear-grass {Poa anmia), 

 and redtop, it follows along the irrigating ditches, forming bright green 

 borders, and affording many juicy mouthfuls for the cattle and other 

 stock. Like most of the other cultivated grasses, it thrives best in the 

 rich valleys of the lower mountains and foothills, where it is ])rotectcd 

 from drought and the excessive heat of midsummer. It is indigenous 

 in many parts of the Rocky Mountain region. 



SMOOTH OR HUNGARIAN BROME-GRASS. 

 Brornus inermis. 



Of all recent introductions smooth brome (see fig. 6) is the most 

 promising hay and pasture grass for the dry portions of the Northwest. 



i^^ot only does it possess ex- 

 cellent drought - resistant 

 qualities, but it starts much 

 earlier in the season than 

 the common grasses and 

 continues growing well into 

 the autumn, two things 

 very nnich to be desired in a 

 grass for cultivation in this 

 region at the present time. 

 In Colorado the grass lias 

 been tried in a number of 

 localities with good success. 

 In speaking of grasses for 

 dry situations oil theraiiges, 

 Mr. R. E. Beatty, of Arapa- 

 hoe County, says, ^^ Brornus 

 inermis comes the nearest 

 to a suitable grass that we 

 have tried so far;" Mr. 

 Thomas R. Pace, of Gar- 

 nett, "recommends smooth 

 brome-grass," and Mr. 

 George C. Baker, of ]\Iosca, 



sayj 



^'Brornus iiwrmis is 

 our best tame grass." It 

 is regarded as the most 

 promising of the introduced 

 grasses tried at the Colo- 

 rado experiment station. 

 The grass seems to have 

 been given less attention in Wyoming than in either Colorado or Mon- 

 tana. Mr. Griftiths, in his report for the past season, speaks of seeing 

 a plot of it on the ranch of JNIr. John Baugh, of Carlisle, Wyo. Ue says, 



Fi(i. 6.— Smooth or Hungarian lirome-grass (Bromxis iner- 

 mil): a, Hi)ikclet; 6, tlowering filume seen from the back; 

 c, floret seeu from tlio anterior side, allowing palea. 



