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grass which is withstancHiig the effects of sc\ere overstocking 

 in tlie southern ])rirt nf tlie State and it is gradually re])lacing 

 the nnich more \alual)le hut nnicli less resistant I Hack ( irama 

 (Boutcloiiii criopodd) of that region. The author has never 

 seen an\- exidence which would answer the (|uestion o'f 

 whether ihe lllack drama can dri\e it out or not. hut the 

 Black Grama is heing graduall\- exterminated hy tlu treatment 

 now gi\-en our ranges and the Sclcropogon is gradually taking 

 possession of all tlie unoccu]:»ied soil upon which it can grow. 

 This is \-ery fortunate ( assuming that the Black Grama is 

 already gone) for this little grass will prevent erosion and 

 furnish feed, which while not very good, is at least better than 

 nothing. Pre\enting erosion is a very important factor in 

 the maintenance of our ranges and particularly of the already 

 scanty supply of water axailable for stock. Stopping the run- 

 off holds the soil in place and allows tlie water time to sink 

 into the ground, both of which are of the utmost importance 

 in a region like New Mexico where winds are continuous and 

 strong, where the surface gradient is always pretty steep, 

 where the ] recipitation is scant\- and mostl}- torrential. Thus 

 this little grass which is ;d)le to endure the extremely unfav- 

 orable conditions and continue to s])rea(l o\-er these hot, dry 

 and (iust\- ])l:n'ns will in time render these same plains at 

 least less dry and dusty if not less 1-ot, and so make possible 

 the growth of some more valuable vegetation. Its presence 

 tends towards the preservation of the best soils of the lower 

 plains which wouhl otherwise he carried away by every 

 summer storm ar(l iu a continuous cloud by the spring winds. 

 In the lower more moist nlaces it is usually accompanied by 

 Tobosa Grass which furnishes at least more abundant and 

 probably slightly better feed, and it is not improbable that the 

 conditions produced hy these grasses together are those which 

 are favoable for tlie growth of other and still better ones. 

 Even if the growth of the Sclcropogon is not the first of a 

 series of steps tending to benefit such ranges generally, its 

 presence is certainly achantageous. since any grass is better 



