292 



Bulletin 38. 



rather a severe test, for it thrives best, according to all reports, in 

 a deep loamy soil. It is highly recommended for ditch banks 

 where the soil washes badly, as its prostrate stems growing in a 

 thick mat on the ground interfere quite effectually with the 

 erosive action of water. 



Mr. J. T. Hildreth, of Safford, Arizona, has had remarkable 

 success in growing this plant. In a recent letter in answer to an 





Fig. 8. Australian saltbush, Atriplex semibaccata. 

 Bull. 10S, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Agrostology.) 



inauiry, he expresses the belief that it is far superior to anything 

 yet introduced in his locality for the improvement of the range. 

 He has already seeded nine acres and will put in considerable 

 more the coming season. 



This Station planted a little less than an acre in January. 

 This is now up and looking well. Of course these experiments 

 are simply indicative, and by no means prove that this plant will 

 be a valuable one in this Territory. They are, however, encour- 

 aging, and suggest that the rancher may improve his native range 

 by a judicious introduction of this dry land saltbush. 



