92 AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF MONTANA. 



pies a belt just below that held by the " Great Bunch-grass." 

 Several varieties are recognized, and all afford excellent grazing 

 for all kinds of stock. 



There are several species of Broimis, one of which is much like 

 Schrader's grass; in general, however, these brome-grasses are 

 little esteemed. 



"Blue-joint," or ''Blue-stem" [Agropyruni (jlaucum, var.) — 

 There is no grass in Montana that the settlers more highly value 

 for hay than this ''Blue-joint" or "Blue-stem," so named because 

 of the decided bluish tint of its leaves and stalks. In appearance 

 it resembles our common witch or couch-grass [Agropyimm 

 repens), and has by some been regarded as a variety or form of 

 that species. Like the couch-grass, this has creeping roots, 

 making it equally objectionable in cultivated lands. It grows 

 naturally on the dry bench lands and river bottoms, and although 

 the yield per acre is not large, the quality of the hay is judged 

 unsurpassed by any other sj)ecies. 



"Fox-tail Grass," Squirrel-tail Grass [Hardeum juhatum). — 

 This is a common grass in the loAV countries, especially where 

 the soil is generally moist. It is considered a great nuisance, for 

 when associated with other grasses it entirely destroys their value 

 for hay. The long and sharp-pointed beards or arms stick fast 

 in the nose and mouth of horses, often penetrating the flesh, and 

 cases are reported where they have caused the death of the ani- 

 mals. 



Lyme-grass, Wild-rye, {Elymus condensatus), is a large, native 

 grass sometimes cut for hay, but is not very valuable, holding a 

 rank much like the eastern species. 



At Jefferson City, June 28, altitude about 5,000 feet, one 

 would rarely see in any part of the country a finer looking or 

 better sodded field of grass than was observed at this jolace. The 

 strong and luxuriant growth of the grasses, all native species, 

 gave sufficient proof of the resources of the Territory in this 



