84 



good results in establishing saltbush on alkali ranges by sowing the 

 seed on the ofround when it was wet with heavv rains, and at once 

 driving a flock of sheep over the land, thus treading the seed into the 

 soil. In order to obtain a satisfactory stand, however, the heat must 

 be adequate. 



Almost without exception farmers who have attempted to cover 

 saltbush seed on alkali soils have found that it rotted in the ground 

 before germination could take place. For California the best time to 

 sow is about the latter part of September or the beginning of October, 

 when one is able to catch the first autumn showers. Plants ma}^ be 

 grown b}' sowing the seed in boxes or garden beds, covering very 

 lightly, and planting out the seedlings when a few inches high, several 

 feet apart, on alkali spots. Man}- have followed this method with 

 success, and thus have utilized every seed obtained. In districts 

 where the seed is being experimented with for the first time, and in 

 case of small lots, this method is to be recommended. 



As the saltbushes are remarkable for their ability to adapt them- 

 selves to varied conditions, this method would enable the plants to 

 become acclimated, and the seed would be more likely to germinate 

 well. The California Experiment Station sums up the points in brief, 

 as follows: Sow early, on the surface; press seed into the soil, but do 

 not cover; protect from birds, which are very fond of the seeds. 



Although no extensive experiments have been made with sowing 

 saltbush seed on nonalkaline soils, yet it seems to be an advantage to 

 cover them slightly. 



WINTER FAT; SWEET SAGE (Eurotia lanata) . 

 (Plate XIII, fig. 1.) 



A half-shrubby perennial, 1 to 3 feet high, with numerous small 

 gray leaves and slender woolly twigs. It is found growing wild 

 throughout the Rocky Mountain region from British Columbia to 

 Mexico. An important fact in regard to this plant is that it will 

 thrive on both alkali and nonalkali soils. In western Texas and in the 

 more arid regions of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah it is very highly 

 valued for winter forage. The cotton}^ seeds are produced in great 

 abundance, and both seeds and stems are eaten greedily by all grazing 

 animals; so that this plant is now almost exterminated wherever cattle 

 have free range. It has been growing in the grass garden of the 

 Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C, for several years, 

 and grows almost as well in dry as in wet weather, producing a fine 

 growth of forage. Stock grazed on lands where winter fat occurs 

 make a rapid growth, and are said to be remarkably free from disease, 

 because of the tonic properties of the plant. Seed might ]>e gathered 

 b}' ranchmen and sown in the spring on land which had been disked or 



