22 



root-leaves forming dense and more or less extensive patches of excellent turf. 

 In Montana it is known as Buft'alo-grass. It frequents the bench lands of th it 

 State, growing at elevations of from 3,000 to 4,000 or 5,000 feet, and not infre- 

 quently covers wide areas. Xo other grass better withstands the tramping of 

 stock, and it is unsurpassed for grazing purposes. In the early dajs in the 

 Southwest it formed a large proportion of the hay delivered at the various mili- 

 tary posts and stage stations, and was considered the best ol)tainable there. 

 Like the true Bufl'alo-grass, it cures during the dry season in the turf into perfect 

 hay, losing none of its nutritious properties. 



No. 48. Bouteloua polystachya Torr. Low Grama. 



This is a small, slender grass, of good quality. It is one of the smallest of the 

 Gramas, aud only occurs sparingly here and there in scattered tufts. It rarely 



exceeds 6 inches in height, and is confined to the 

 arid regions of the Southwest. 



No. 49. Bouteloua repens (HBK.) Scribn. Creep- 

 ing Granui. 



A common grass in the vicinity of Acapulco, Mexico, 

 where, according to Dr. E. Palmer, it occurs on 

 the highest mountains and down their stony 

 slopes to the water's edge. Greedily eaten by 

 stock. 



No. 50. Bouteloua texana Watson. (Seed Mescjuit.) 



This is a small but excellent grass, common about 8an 



Antonio and at other i)oints in Texas, chieHy along 



the Rio Grande. It is recognized as an important 



grass in the stock ranges. 



No. 51. Brachypodium japonicum Miq. Japanese 

 Wheat- grass. 



A promising Japanese perennial, closely resembling 

 Bearded Wheat-grass (Agropi/ron caninum), but of 

 rather stronger growth. It was iutroduced into 

 California by the Agricultural Experiment Station 

 of the University of California, at Berkeley, from 

 New Zeahmd, in 1886, and the first seed was dis- 

 tributed in California in 1889. It has been culti- 

 vated with success at a number of points in Cali- 

 fornia and at several of the exi)erimeiit stations in 

 the East. In tlie Southern States it is regarded as 

 a valuable grass for winter, grazing, as it makes 

 its best growth during the cooler months. 



Small Quaking-grass. (Fig. 19.) 

 An erect ])erennial, from 1 to 2 feet higli, introduced into this country from Europe 

 ]»ecause of its pleasing ornamental apitearance. It has escapiMl from cultivation 

 in many places, and has becomt; sparingly naturalized. It is occasionally <ulti- 

 \ ated for ornament; the nodding panicles of rather showy spikelets are used 

 for winter bou(|uet8. It is but little known here, but is classed as a valuable 

 m<!adow grass in Middle Euroi>e and is recommended as an admixture for i)as- 

 tures on dry, thin soils. liriza minor is a smaller and niorc^ delicate annual 

 species, .also cultivated occasionally as an ornamental and for dry bouquets. 

 /!ri:(i maxima, also an annual, is a larger ornamental species. 



No. 53. Bromus ciliatus Linn. Swamp Chess. 



A native perennial of wide range, frequent in open woodlands, growing to the height 

 of 3 to ."> feet. It is leafy to the toj), and would doubtless make a hay grass of 



Fio. 18— Blue, or White Grama 

 {Bouteloua oligostachya) . 



No. 52. Briza media Linn. 



