FIELD CROPS. 137 



{IJ. S'. Dtpt. Agr., Bureau of Plant Industry Bui. 15, pp. GO, ph. IG, map 1). — This 

 hulletin is a report ui>on investigations made in 1901 in the region l^etween Winne- 

 inui'ca, Nov., and Ontario, Oreg. A description of the region is given and the pre- 

 cipitation for 1900 and 1901 recorded. The soils of the section are briefly discussed 

 and 50 soil samples taken at different places are described. Partial analyses of these 

 soil samples furnished by the Bureau of Soils of this Department are tabulated. 



Grease wood {Sarcobatus vermiculaius) and alkali saccaton {Sjwroholus airoides) 

 were found growing on soils containing 4 and i^ per cent of soluble white alkali, and 

 salt grass {Distichlis spicata) on soils with 3 per cent of soluble black alkali. Utah 

 saltbush {Atriplex truncata.), small cord grass {Spartina gracilis), alkali grass {Pucci- 

 ncllia airoides), and prairie bulrush {Scirpus campestris) grew on land containing from 

 0.50 to 0.70 per cent of black alkali. The growth of black sage {Artemisia tridentata) 

 is considered an indication of good soil. 



The metho<l of handling stock on the ranges of that region and the condition of 

 the ranges are discussed at some length. The species of grasses considered as fur- 

 nishing tlie largest quantity of feed are Buckley blue grass {Poa buckleyiana), 

 Wheeler blue grass (P. wheeleri), and bunch wheat grass {Agropyron spicatum). 

 Black sage, grease wood, spiny saltbush [Atriplex confertifolia), and hop sage 

 {Grayia spinosa) are not eaten enough by stock to be injured by overstocking, but 

 red sage (Kochia americana) , bud sage (Artemisia spinescens) , and white sage {Eurotia 

 lauata) suffer considerably from this cause. It was noticed how overstocking injures 

 the open grassy areas by exposing the roots of the grasses to the sun and by facilitat- 

 ing the loss of moisture from the unprotected soil. Several areas of jiure sheep fescue 

 {Fesluca ovina) from 3 to 60 acres in extent were found completely ruined, and the 

 author concludes from his observations that the process of recuperation will be 

 exceedingly slow. It was observed that cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa), willows, 

 poplar [Popidus tremuloides), wild choke cherry {Primus emarginatus), and Indian 

 currant {Symphoricarpos oreophilus) furnish an important part of the forage supply. 



The hay crops of the region are discussed and the methods of handling hay on a 

 large scale are described. The grasses considered the best native hay crops of the 

 region are wild wheat or blue stem {Elymus triticoides) and bunch blue grass {Poa 

 laevigata). The following forage plants were common on some of the hay land areas: 

 Sedges ( Carex lanuginosa, C. douglasii, and C. nebraskensis) , salt grass {Distichlis spicata), 

 redtop {Agrostis alba), alkali saccaton {Sporobolus airoides), squirrel tail {liordeum 

 jidj(dum), wild barley {Hordeum nodosum), orchard barley {Sitanion longifolium), 

 wild wheat {Elymus triticoides), giant rye grass {E. condensatus) , slender wheat grass 

 {Agropyron tenerum), bunch blue grass {Poa Ixvigcda), steel grass {Sporobolus dcpau- 

 pcrutns) , slough grass {Beckmannia, erucieformis), heard grass { Polyj}ogon monspeliensis) , 

 creeping spike-rush {Eleocharis palustris), rush {Juncus balticus), prairie bulrush 

 {Scirpus campestris), tule {S. lacustris), clover {Trifolium involucratum) , seaside arrow 

 grass ( Triglochin maritima) , and cat-tail ( Typlia latifolia). The successful introduction 

 of redtop and timothy into the region is reported. Psoralea purshii, Dalea kingii, Tetra- 

 dymia comosa, and moss are briefly considered for their value as sand-binding plants. 



Lists of the more common weeds and the more important native forage plants, 

 together with brief descriptions of their habits and distribution, are given. The 

 poisoning of stock due to eating larkspur and wild parsnip is also noted. 



Experiments in range improvement in central Texas, H. L. Bentley ( U. S. 

 Dej)t. Agr., Bureau of Plant Industry Bui. 13, pp. 72, pis. 2, figs. (?).— The work and 

 results of experimental range improvement in central Texas, carried on for 3 suc- 

 cessive years, are reported at some length. The history of each year's work is 

 reviewed separately. The experiments were conducted on a section of land divided 

 into a number of portions, each portion receiving a different treatment. Plat tests 

 with grasses and forage crops were made in a grass garden in connection with this 

 work. 



