GRASSES OF IOWA. 



379 



growth and general character indicate that it may possess con- 

 siderable agricultural value. It is readily propagated by seeds, 

 which may be easily gathered." 



The Richardson's wheat grass (Agropyron richardsoni, 

 Schrad.) in a general way resembles quack grass. This occurs 

 in rather dry places and grows J rom 2 to 3 feet high. From 

 the fact that it does not produce the creeping rhizomes it is not 

 so tenacious as the other species. The glumes are rather long 

 awned, which at once separates it from the closely allied species 

 of this region. It enters into the native composition of wild hay 

 as far east as Kossuth county and south as far as Hamilton 

 county in the vicinity of Mud Lalje. It is abundant in the 

 Rocky Mountain region, where it occasionally forms a con- 

 siderable portion of the herbage of the "mountain parks. " 



CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. 



Two samples of Agropyron caninum were analyzed and the 

 chemical composition of the grass is shown by the following 



results: 



Sample 1. Collected June .3. 1896, 24 to 26 inches high. 

 Sample 2. Collected June 15, 1896, 30 to 32 inohes high. 



NATURAL CONDITION. 



Sample 1 

 Sample 2 



9.39 

 12.18 



The following constituents decrease as the grass matures — 

 water, fat, protein, albuminoids, crude fiber and ash, while 

 the nitrogen free extract appears to increase. 



The following analysis has been taken for comparison: 



