22 



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

 In Montana it is known as Buffalo-grass. It frequents the bench lands of that 

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

 quently covers wide areas. No other grass better withstands the tramping of 

 stock, and it is unsurpassed for grazing purposes. In the early days 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 Buffalo-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, and 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 Grama. 



A common grass in the vicinity of Acapulco, Mexico, 

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

 the highest mountains aud down their stony 

 slopes to the water's edge. Greedily eaten by 

 stock. 



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



This is a small but excellent grass, common about San 



Antonio and at other points in. Texas, chiefly along 



the Rio Grande. It is recognized as an important 



grass in the stock ranges. 



No. 51. Brachypodium japouicum Miq. Japanese 

 Wheat-grass. 



A promising Japanese perennial, closely resembling 

 Bearded Wheat-grass (Agropyron caninum), but of 

 rather stronger growth. It was introduced into 

 California by the Agricultural Experiment Station 

 of the Uuiveisity of California, at Berkeley, from 

 New Zealand, 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 iu Cali- 

 fornia and at several of the experiment staf ions in 

 the East. In the 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 perennial, from 1 to 2 feet high, introduced into this country from Europe 

 because of its pleasing oniamoutal aitpearanee. It has escaped from cultivation 

 in many places, and has become sparingly naturalized. It is occasionally culti- 

 vated for ornament; the nodding panicles of rather showy spikelets arc used 

 for winter bonciuets. It is but little known here, but is classed as a valuable 

 meadow grass in Middle Eurojte and is recommended as an admixture for pas- 

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

 species, also cnltivated occasionally as an ornamental and for dry boui|uet8. 

 liriza viarima, also an annual, is a larger ornamental species. 



No. 53. Bromus ciliatus l,inn. Swamp Chess. 



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

 of 3 to 5 feet. It is leafy to the toj). and would doubtless make a hay grass of 



Fig. 18. — Blue, or White Grama 



{Bouteloua oligostachya) . 



No. 52. Briza media Linn. 



I 



