82 



SALTBUSHES {Atriplex).» 

 (Plate XII, fig. 2.) 



The saltbushes are especially adapted for alkali lands where grasses 

 and clovers will not grow, but they will also do well on nonalkaline 

 soils. There are man}" species in cultivation, both native and intro- 

 duced. A variety which is attracting a great deal of attention at the 

 present time is the Australian saltbush. It is a rapid-growing, much- 

 branched perennial which forms a dense mat over the ground to the 

 thickness of from 1 to 2 feet. The leaves are small, about an inch 

 long, and coarsely toothed along the margins. In a few weeks one 

 plant will spread from -i to 5 feet. The hard, somewhat pulpy fruits 

 are produced in abundance throughout the season. The}" differ from 

 many of the other saltbushes in not having the seed surrounded by a 

 large, light fibrous covering, but have merely a very thin coating of 

 pulp, which is tinged with red at maturity and dries out as soon as 

 they fall from the plant. On the poorest and most stubborn arid soil, 

 so impregnated with alkali that no other useful plant will grow, this 

 saltbush has been known to flourish. It seems to have a remark- 

 able number of virtues, including great frost resistance, palatability, 

 heavy yield, sand-binding qualities, and the habit of spreading freely. 

 Sheep are especially fond of this saltbush, and hogs eat it freely. A 

 mixture of three parts of this forage with one part of common hay is 

 readily eaten by horses and cattle. It is probable that under favora- 

 ble conditions about 20 tons of green feed or 5 tons of cured forage 

 could be produced from 1 acre. The introduction of this plant to 

 owners of waste alkali lands has certainly been a great achievement. 

 As it has almost the same nutritive ratio as alfalfa, it would seem that 

 it must have nearly as high a feeding value. Von Mueller states that, 

 in his opinion, many of the valuable qualities of the Australian wools 

 are due to the abundance of this and other saltbushes in the regions in 

 which the sheep are grazed. Owing to its thin, flexible stems it can be 

 handled like alfalfa, while most of the other saltl)ushes are only fit for 

 browsing. Of all the difi'erent species in cultivation in this country, 

 this Australian saltbush seems to be the most promising, both because 

 of its hardiness and the bulk of tender fodder produced. 



In the grass garden at the Department of Agriculture, Washington, 

 D. C, the Australian saltbush has produced a vigorous and widely 

 spreading growth throughout the season. It is now fruiting abun- 

 dantly, and extends 5 feet beyond the original plot which it has 

 occupied for five years without reseeding or other care. 



There are aliout 40 species of saltbush in the Western States, some 

 of which will no doubt prove as valuable as those introduced from 



'For full discussion on "Native and introduced saltbushes," see Farmers' Bui. 

 No. 108, T^. 8. Department of Agriculture. (Agros. No. 55.) 



