MEADOW PLANTS 39 
bluestem (Andropogon furcatus), little bluestem (Andro- 
pogon scoparius), switch-grass (Panicum virgatum), 
Indian reed (Sorghastrum nutans), purple-top (Tridens 
flavus), tall grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and wild rye 
(Elymus virginicus, and E. canadensis). In the swales 
or “sloughs,” as they are called in that region, the chief 
grass is cord-grass or slough-grass (Spartina Michauxiana). 
An important hay-grass in depressions or valleys on 
the plains is Colorado bluestem (Agropyron Smithiz). 
Throughout the mountain regions of the West the native 
hay may consist of a great variety of indigenous grasses, 
the species of Poa, Calamagrostis, Agropyron, and E£ly- 
mus glaucus usually predominating. 
On the western ranches where irrigation water is 
available, it is customary to flood the meadow land in the 
valleys. If too much water is applied, or if it is allowed to 
stand on the meadow for too long a time, the valuable 
grasses are gradually replaced by less nutritious plants, 
especially by wire-grass, which is a kind of rush (Juncus 
balticus Willd.). 
41. The commercial production of wild hay is chiefly 
in the area from Oklahoma to Manitoba, including the 
eastern portion of the Great Plains and extending east- 
ward through Minnesota into Wisconsin. In the northern 
portion of this area, a large proportion of the wild hay is 
cut from marsh land, the most important constituents 
being bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis) and reed canary- 
grass (Phalaris arundinacea). Much of this hay land is 
too wet for cultivation. At the time of harvest the soil is 
sufficiently dry to support the mower and horses. In the 
marshes of Wisconsin and Minnesota the soil is so moist 
that broad shoes are sometimes attached to the horses’ 
feet to prevent them from sinking into the soft ground. 
