33 



more common in the Eastern States than that species, but is even less valuable 

 for meadows. It is, however, of some value for Avoodland pastures, as it will 

 grow very well iu the shade. It extends southward along the mountains into 

 North Carolina and Tennessee. Its range westward is limited. It has a record 

 of producing- 12,209 pounds of rowen and 3,318 of dry hay per acre. The price of 

 seed quoted iu New York catalogues is $15 pur 100 pounds. 



No. 86. Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene. Salt-grass. (Fig. 37.) 

 An upright, wiry grass, 10 to 20 inches high, with strong, extensively creeping root- 

 stocks. Common along the coast on both sides of the continent, and abundant 

 in the alkaline regions of the interior, where it is often found covering consider- 

 able areas to the exclusion of other grasses. It thrives even iu ground heavily 

 crusted with alkali and other salts sufficient to destroy almost any other kind 



Fig. 36.— Wood Hair-grass (Deschampsia 



Jlexuosa). 



Fig. 37.— Salt-grass ( Distichlis 

 spicata). 



of vegetable growth. Prospectors and miners consider its presence a sure sign of 

 water near the surface, and when crossing the desert select spots where it grows 

 to dig for water (Orcutt). In fanning lands it is deemed a nuisance, for its 

 tough, matted roots make a sod almost impossible to break up with a plow. 

 Although sometimes eaten by stock in the absence of better sorts, it has little 

 agricultural value. It is a good grass for binding loose sands or soils subject 

 to wash. 



No. 87. Eatonia obtusata (Michx.) Gray. Early Bunch-grass. 



A tufted perennial, 1 to 2 feet high, with flat leaves and rather densely flowered 

 nodding panicles. This is a native species, growing usually in moist soil, and 

 ranging from New York to California and so>uthward. A tender grass, readily 

 eaten by stock, which, when abundant, supplies considerable native forage of 

 good quality. 



4393— Eo. 14 3 



