63 



comparing favorably witli the common garden pea. The larger prairie 

 vetcliliug {L. polymorphus) occurs in rather moister situations than the 

 preceding and is a somewhat more robust plant with much larger tiow- 

 ers. It is very abundant in j)ortions of central and southern Colorado, 

 where it is regarded as a valuable element in native meadows. 



Marsh vetchling is a much taller plant thau either of the foregoing 

 and occurs chiefly in rich, moist meadows and about the edges of thick- 

 ets. It is freijueutly sufiSciently 

 abundant to form an important part 

 of the hay, adding very materially to 

 its feeding value. In some localities 

 it is called "meadow pea." 



Among other vetchlings occurring 

 in this region of more or less value as 

 forage plants are veiny-leafed vetch- 

 ling {Latliyrus venosus), growing usu- 

 ally on sparsely wooded hillsides and 

 river banks, and cream-colored vetch- 

 ling {L. ochrolei(cus), found in similar 

 situations to the preceding. 



One of the most valuable legumi- 

 nous plants found on the prairies is 

 Dakota vetch {Lotus amerimnus) (see 

 fig. 25), a bushy annual growing 

 throughout the entire Eocky Moun- 

 tain region. It is most abundant on 

 sandy river bottoms, but also occurs 

 on the drier uplands. Stock is very 

 fond of it, either as pasturage or as 

 hay. In the Upper Missouri region 

 it is one of the most highly prized 



native forage plants, and the rancher who has a good lot of it in his 

 meadows and pastures considers himself fortunate. As it is an annual 

 it must be allowed to mature its seed and should not be grazed too 

 closely nor cut too early. The blooming season is quite long, so that 

 buds, flowers, and both green and mature fruits may often be seen ou 

 the plant at tlie same time. As a rule many of the seeds are ripened 

 before haying time arrives, and it is a common practice among ranchers 

 to use hay racks with tight bottoms in order to save the shattered 

 seed that it may be scattered over thin places in the meadows. 



Fig. 25. — Dakota vetch {Lotus americanus). 



THE LUPINES. 



Although the wild lupines are so abundantly represented in this 

 region, as to both kinds and individuals, they can hardly be regarded 

 as of much value for forage from the fact that they are generally so 

 unpalatable that stock will seldom eat them unless forced to do so by 



