ROOKY MOUNTAIN REGION". 37 



the summit of the divide and over extensive areas in the more open tim- 

 ber land mountain rye grass {Elymns glaucm) occurred in abundance 

 (PI. XI, tig-. 1). This grass is a most excellent one for hay, and as it 

 grows naturally at an aUitude of eight to ten thousand feet, is likely to 

 l)rovo of great value for cultivation in such localities. The grass is one 

 deserving of attention, and fi-om past experience with the native rye 

 grasses it seems prol)al>le that there will be little ditficulty in cultivat- 

 ing it. Seed of it has been secured, and experiments in growing it 

 are being carried on at present in various places. A species of l>lue 

 grass {Poa irheeleri) also grows at this altitude and gives promise of 

 great value for cultivation. Passing from the mountains to North 

 Park work was done in the vicinity of Higho, Lake John, and He))- 

 ron. The general elevation here is a])out 9,000 feet. In the bottom 

 lands along the streams there are many >vild hay meadows. Some of 

 them, however, are badly infested with s(iuirrei tail {ILmleuvi jnha- 

 tivrii). This grass is becoming a great nuisance throughout this 

 region, and steps should be taken to destroy- it. As it matures 

 before the oth(M- gi-asses are ready to cut, its seed become widely dis- 

 tributed. If, however, it were mown before any of the seed had 

 matured, it could be controlled without great difficulty and at the 

 same time be used for hay. Here on the mesa was also found, in small 

 (piantities, ]>lue grama. This altitude (9,000 feet) is the highest at 

 which this valual^le grass is known to grow. The various Avheat 

 grasses form an important part of the forage on the mesa. Wire 

 grass {Jnncm haltieus) and various sedges constitute a consiiderable 

 portion of the hay, especially in the wetter parts of the meadows. 

 From North Park the work was continued over Muddy Pass and 

 through Middle Park to Grand Lake, then over the Sheephorn Divide 

 and down the valley of the Grand River, returning to Wolcott. 



The carrying capacity of much of the range land of this region has 

 not greatly diminished during recent years. From 15 to 25 acres are 

 necessary to carry one head of stock. More judicious pasturing would, 

 however, increase the carrying capacity of much of this land. As stock 

 must be fed during portions of the winter, more attention should be 

 given to the improvement of meadows and the growing of hay. Much 

 of the region is situated at too great an elevation to successfully grow 

 alfalfa. There are, however, several of the native grasses which with 

 proper attention would produce excellent crops of hay. The wheat 

 grasses, western wheat grass {Agrojn/ron occidentde) (PI. XII), slender 

 wheat grass {Agropyron tenerum), short-awned brome {Bromnx vmi'(fJ- 

 natus), and the rye grasses, Macoun's rye grass {Ely mm iiuuxnuu'!) and 

 mountain rye grass {Elymus glaucus) are adapted to the conditions 

 prevailing here. Seed of these could be collected without great diffi- 

 culty and sown upon the natural meadow lands to great advantage. 

 All the land which lies along the water courses has been taken up 



