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the quack grass in having- a bhiish color, and on this account has received 

 the name "blue stem." This grass is quite distinct from the blue-stem 

 grasses of Nebraska and other Western States, which are Androjxxjons. 

 In its native state western wheat grass is found growing on bench 

 lands and river bottoms. It grows luxuriantly all over central Texas 

 and withstands the droughts to which that section of the country is 

 periodically subjected. While it will not produce as much hay to the 

 acre as some other species, stockmen value it highly for its nutritive 

 qualities. In Montana and the neighboring States it furnishes a con- 

 siderable amount of native hay and pasturage, and is there regarded as 

 one of the most important forage plants. This grass would make 

 excellent hay, and should be introduced into cultivation. 



Thirty experimenters were supplied with seed of western wheat grass 

 by this Division in the spring of 1899, but only 5 have reported, with 1 

 satisfactory result. The large number of failures is probably due to 

 lack of knowledge of the best time and method of sowing the seed of 

 this grass. 



Mr. George T. McWhorter, Riverton, Colbert County, Ala., writes: 



The seed was sown broadcast on a deep, smooth bed on March 1, 1899. It germi- 

 nated and grew moderately well, then died down dnring the drought, but revived 

 again after the light fall rains. So far it is a promising variety. 



SLENDER WHEAT GRASS (Agropyron tenerum) . 



A valuable native perennial grass about 3 to 1 feet high, with 

 numerous soft leaves and a long, slender, erect spike. It is found 

 growing wild in dry soil from New Mexico and southern California to 

 Washington and British Columbia and eastward to New Hampshire 

 and Labrador. It responds readily to cultivation and produces excel- 

 lent results when slightly irrigated. When well grown it forms a 

 close, uniform growth that yields as much per acre as an average field 

 of timothy. Considering its high nutritive value no more profitable 

 grass can be found for dry regions, especially on saline soils. It is 

 one of the most valuable grasses for the Rocky Mountain region. 

 During the years 1898 and 1899, 89 three-pound packages of the seed 

 of slender wheat grass were distributed. This distribution includes 

 experimenters in 12 difi'erent States. Twenty-eight reports have been 

 received from 10 different States, very favorable ones having been 

 received from Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota. 



The following reports will indicate its value in some sections of the 

 country: 



Mr. Marion Flaherty, Bozeman, Gallatin County, Mont. : 



The slender wheat grass made a good growth, at least 2 feet high. Stock eat it as 

 well as clover or timothy. I think wheat grass will make a valuable feed for young 

 stock. I want to try it on a larger scale next year. 



