THE GREAT PLAINS. 25 



Occident lie) ^ the crraina grasses {Boufeloua curtipendula and B. ollgo- 

 staehija), also buffalo grass {Bulhllk dactyloides), and prairie June grass 

 {K(vle/'ia orlstata). Switch grass produces a very luxuriant growth, 

 especiall}' in the bottom lands and "draws" (PI. VI, tig. 2). As it 

 is inclined to get hard and woody when old, it should be cut before it 

 has reached maturity. It is of most value for hay, being rather coarse 

 for pasture. Its seeds are large and al)undant and easily harvested. 

 As it has been found to grow well undei- cultivation, it may be recom- 

 mended especially for use in mixtiu'es with other grasses. Western 

 wheat grass is one of the best and most widely distributed of the native 

 species in this region, especially for hay. It is everywhere highly 

 esteemed and 3aelds a good crop. The grama grasses are very abundant 

 and important constituents of the upland prairies and meadows. The 

 blue grama {B. oUgostachya) is the most important one for pasture 

 (PI. VI, lig. 1). It forms a dense turf to the exclusion of other species, 

 and it will endure a great amount of trampling, close- grazing, and 

 drought. This species, together with the buffalo grass {Bulhilis dacty- 

 loides), forms the greater percentage of the forage over a large part of 

 this region. It is scarcely necessary to point out the great importance 

 and nutritive value of buffalo grass. Its qualities are well known and 

 thoroughl}' estal)lished. It forms an excellent dense turf of ver}^ fine 

 leaves, and spreads by means of runners. It will survive great hard- 

 ships, and is about the last species to succumb under excessive grazing. 

 Unfortunately this grass can not be readily propagated from seed on 

 account of its scarcit}^ and the diflSculty of collecting it. It can, how- 

 ever, be easily grown from roots and cuttings. The turf may be 

 broken into fragments and planted in shallow furrows, in the same 

 manner that Bermuda grass is planted in the South. It has also been 

 found to adapt itself readily to conditions in moister climates and 

 poorer soils. It has been grown very successfully for the past five 

 years in the grass garden of the Department at Washington, D. C, 

 where it forms an excellent turf, and endures the climatic conditions as 

 well as in its native prairie home. 



The prairie June grass {Kmleria cristata) is widely distributee! 

 through the whole prairie region, and is particularly valuable as a 

 pasture grass on account of its early appearance in the spring. It is, 

 however, a bunch grass in habit and does not form a continuous turf. 

 It is much liked by stock and stands pasturing well. The seed is pro- 

 duced in good quantity and the grass is one quite well adapted to 

 cultivation. 



Mr. Smith gives the following advice regarding treatment of the 

 native hay grasses: 



With such yearly yields and at such prices it will pay to improve the prairie 

 meadows so that the product shall not decrease in amount or deteriorate in quality. 

 The wild hay grasses should be permitted to reseed themselves, if not one year in 

 three, at least one in four or five. Cutting the grass early in the season would help 



