320 



A general classification of the grasses and the characteristics by 

 which they may be distinguished from other plants are given. 



The plaius grasses are of a dwarf, spreading Labit, and present a magnificent sight 

 in June, clothed in the richest green. These grasses are cured during late summer, 

 the result of a high temperature and the absence of rain dissipating the stems and 

 leaves of their surplus moisture. The absence of wet snows, the high day tempera- 

 ture, and the protection afforded by the hills renders the Avintering of stock a safe 

 problem. 



In order to collect some information in regard to the distribution of particular 

 kinds, their behavior under irrigation in the native meadow, and to collect seeds in 

 quantity of such as were deemed of possible value in the plains region, an expedition 

 was undertaken by the writer, at the instigation of the United States Department 

 of Agriculture and of the State Experiment Station, accomjianied by Mr. Holmes, 

 agent of the Department, and by Mr. Hoag, of Fort Collins, who has given consider- 

 able attention to the native grasses. The route traversed was a northerly one, 

 through the Virginia Dale countrj^ to the Laramie Plaius. The irrigated and non- 

 irrigated meadows were carefully examined. Thence by Fort Halleck to North Park, 

 by Pass Plains and Big Creek, to Middle aud ^geria Parks, by the Arapahoe, Muddy 

 and Gore Passes. * * * Seeds were collected of 120 species, but in quantity only 

 of kinds thought to be profitable. The most promising grasses for pasture are Festuca 

 acabrella, Oryzopsis cuspidata, Ehjmus sibericus, Jgropyrum divergcns, aud Stipa viridula. 

 For hay: Agropijrum (jlaucum &u(\.inolaceum, Poa tenuifolia, Sjyoroiolus depauperatus, 

 Ehjmus Americanus, Deyeuxia stricta, D. canadensis, Mil aria jamesii. 



While many of the native species are very deficient in top, still it must be acknow- 

 ledged that they improve wonderfully in vigor with irrigation. This is notably so 

 in the case of buffalo grass {Bucliloe dactyloides), which more than holds its own in 

 meadows where alfalfa has been thinly seeded and which are irrigated two or three 

 times a year. Some of the grasses collected must prove valuable in regions having a 

 sufficient rain-fall, or where irrigation can be had. Nothing can be finer, in the way 

 of a hay grass, than the glaucous-leaved form of Foa tenuifolia, or the two forms of 

 Agropyrum violaceum. Of the species most likely to succeed on the dry plains, the 

 following are the most promising: Elymus sibericus, Agrojyyrum divergens in two forms, 

 Hilaria jamesii, Festuca scabrella, Oryzopsis cuspidata, Kwleria cristata, Sporobolus 

 airoides, Muhlenbcrgia wrightii, M. gracilis, Bouteloua oUgostachya and B. raccmosa, and 

 a few others. 



Faithful experiment is needed to determine the agricultural value of all species col- 

 lected, both with irrigation and on the dry plains, where the plants will be sustained 

 by the limited rain-fall alone. 



Brief descriptive notes are given on 122 species of grasses, 3 of sedges 

 aud rushes, 2 of lupines, and 1 of clover, together with the chemical 

 analyses of 61 species. Chemical analyses of 28 other species of forage 

 plants are also reported. There are also descrii^tive notes on 5 species 

 of grasses, prepared by C. S. Crandall, M. S., botanist and horticulturist 

 of the station since January, 1890. The bulletin is illustrated with 

 twenty-nine cuts (reprinted from the Special Bulletin of the Botanical 

 Division of the United States Department of Agriculture, entitled The 

 Agricultural Grasses and Forage Plants of the United States), show- 

 ing as many species. 



The species described in the body of the bulletin are Poa Iccvis, P. al- 

 pina, P. compressa, P. ccesia, P. andma^ P. ccesia var. stricta, P. alsodes, 

 P. pratensis, P, laxa, P. Jlexuosa var. occidentalism P. serotina, P. spf, P. 



