48 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. 



ability to endure droai^lit. It also tolerates a eon.siderable amount of 

 alkali in the .soil. It has been grown successfully for several years 

 by Mr. Metcalfe at.his ranch, and the Division is making special effort 

 to introduce it into cultivation at various points in the southwest. It 

 })roduces large crops of excellent hay as well as pasturage. Mr. Met- 

 calfe was also the first to call attention to a native bean {Plmseolus 

 retmu.s)^ which has been called in his honor "Metcalfe's l^ean."' This 

 plant produces excellent forage and is well adapted to withstand the 

 arid conditions of the southwest. Quantities of seed of mountain 

 brome {Bfomns polyanthus i^tmiculatux)^ Fendler's blue grass {Poa 



fendlerlami)^ sprangle top {Lqjtochha duhla), and a variety of Cana- 

 dian rye-grass {Elymus canadensis) are some of the other important 

 species which have been secured through Mr. Metcalfe's assistance. 



Besides the work referred to above, the writer spent several weeks 

 in this region during March and April of this year. The condition of 

 the range in the vicinity of Abilene, Tex.; Mesilla Park, N. Mex., 

 and Tucson, Ariz., was investigated. As already remarked, at this 

 season of the year the range is in the most unfavorable condition for 

 study, as most of the grasses have been eaten down or, in the case of 

 annual species, passed away. An examination of the range at this 

 time will, however, reveal the basal portion, at least, of the perennial 

 grasses, if any are present, so that one can secure some idea of the 

 possibilities of the ranges at a more favorable season of the year. 

 The greater part of the range lands that were examined, especially 

 those in the valleys and on the mesa, were almost devoid of grass veg- 

 etation. The ranges have been so heavily overstocked that the greater 

 portion of the better perennial grasses have been entirely destroyed. 



■ This is particularly true of those portions of the range situated within 

 easy distance of a more or less permanent water supply. Owing to the 

 very scant and uncertain supply of water over large areas it has lieen 

 impossible to graze stock for a sufficient period to destroy the grasses. 

 The constant herding of stock in the vicinity of watermg places has 

 resulted in many cases in almost total destruction and al)andonment 

 of those ranges. The accompanying illustration will give an idea of 

 the amount of forage present at this season of the year on such a range 

 (PI. XXI, fig. 1). Aside from a few species of annual weeds, which 

 start up in the spring, there is practically no vegetation except the ever- 

 present creosote l)ush and cacti. INIost of these annual weeds are very 

 small and of but little value. There is but one or two that is of sutiicient 

 importance to receive any serious consideration. These are species of 

 plantain {Plantago fastigiata Morris) (PI. XXII, fig. 1^0^ ^"^^ another 

 closely related species. These are small weedy annuals which would be 

 reo-arded as worthless in almost anv other reoion, but are of value hei-e 

 as l)eing practically the only plants furnishing pasturage over vast 

 areas dui-ing this season of the year. The diHiculties of range improve- 



