27 



irrigated meadows, where it occurs as the principal grass. r>est 

 results will be secured on second bottom lauds with moderate 

 water. Flooding should be avoided. 



(4) Indian Millet {Eriocoma cusimJata Xutt,, lig. 2), — The value of this 

 grass has been greatly underrated. It is not only widely distributed, 

 but manages to make a fair growth in desert places, where other 

 grasses are almost wholly absent. It develops early and keeps in 

 fair condition throughout the season. Under favorable conditions 

 it grows to a good size, 



but even dwarf s])('cimens 

 fruit freely. A 1 1 k i 1 1 d s of 

 stock relish it, but horses 

 are particularly fond of 

 the seeds, and will go 

 from bunch to bunch 

 cropping out the heads. 

 On sterile and stony 

 ground it may prove more 

 profitable than any other 

 that could be sown. 



(5) Giant Rye-Grass (/•;///- 

 mns eondensatus Presl). — 

 This is worthy of note be- 

 cause of its conspicuous 

 uess rather than its great 

 forage value. To the 

 casual observer this is 

 the grass that would 

 characterize certain lo- 

 calities. It would be 

 thought of as a part of the 

 general relief of the re- 

 gion. Thedensebuiu'hes, 

 sometimes 5 to 7 feet in 

 diameter and G feet high, 

 stand out very promi- 

 nently on otherwise 

 naked slopes. It is found 

 all the way from creek banks to the deep "draws" and slopes 

 where snowdrifts accumulate. As forage it is eaten to some 

 extent while young, but becomes unpalatable and harsh as it 

 matures and cures on the ground. It is considered valuable as 

 fodder if cut and cured before it matures. In this condition it is 

 fed to advantage to cattle and horses through the winter months. 

 Possibly if sown thickly and harvested early it might be profitable 

 on account of the quantity produced. 



Fig. 



Indian Millet (Eriaturtiia cuspidata) : a, spike- 

 let; b, iloret. 



