86 NATIVE GRASSES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 



by miners and Mexicans " Saecatone," though I suppose it 

 began with a "Z." The name was applied to Sj^orobolus 

 Wrightii and similar species. This and one other are all the 

 names in use among the Mexicans to distinguish the shorter, 

 softer grasses of the mesas. 



Beyond the cereals, notably barley most extensively sown for 

 hay, the agricultural grasses are scarcely employed in California 

 agriculture. 



Where permanent pasturage and hay is wanted, and where it is 

 possible to secure and maintain this by irrigation. Alfalfa {Medi- 

 cago sativa) is employed almost exclusively. I saw but a very 

 few fields of Timothy, and those were confined to the higher 

 valleys that could be irrigated by mountain springs. In winter 

 and early spring the hills and plains are green with a species of 

 Crane's-bill {Erodiuni), called by the Spaniards '' Alfilerilla.'' 

 Formerly Avena fatua covered the hills and valleys of Califor- 

 nia, but it has been reduced in extent by sheep. 



The native grasses contribute but an insignificant portion, 

 toward the maintenance of the flocks and herds of California. 

 On the open ranges, cattle scour large areas, browsing upon 

 every green thing that is not too repellant or too repulsive. 



Air a (Deschampsia) dantJionioides offers, on damp mesas, etc., 

 patches of fine, soft herbage, which is eaten with avidity by 

 animals. 



Deyeuxia Aleutica, growing in dense tufts on the northern 

 coast and adjacent hills, is often sufficiently abundant to be of 

 importance in pasturage; although' it is a coarse grass, cattle eat 

 it readily. 



Deyeuxia Bolanderi, sparingly scattered through damp forests, 

 with HierocJiloa macrophylla and Phalaris amethystina (these 

 observed at Mendocino) are most tender and palatable, but are of 

 very slight amount. 



Deyeuxia ruhescens, a hard grass, grows in small, scattered 



