GRASSES OF IOWA. 



439 



Something should also be said about squirrel-tail grass 

 {Hordeum jubatum, L.) as a forage plant, since it is so common 

 in all of our pastures and meadows. The farmer no doubt 

 would prefer not to have the grass in his meadows, but, as he 

 cannot help himself, thj best that can be done is ta allow the 

 cattle and horses to eat tbe young leaves and stems. It is only 

 of use early in the season (May) and late in the fall. If abun- 

 dant in the pasture it should be cut when the heads appear. 



CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. 



The chemical composition of Hordeum jubatum may be shown 

 in the following analyses made in this laboratory: 



Sample 1. Collected May 20, 1896, height 10 to 15 inches. 



Sample 2. Collected May 26, 1896, height 23 to 24 inches. 



Sample 3. Collected June 5, 1896, height 23 to 24 inches. 



Sample 4. Collected June 17, 1896, height 24 to 25 inches. 



NATURAL CONDITION. 



Sample 1. 

 Sample 2. 

 Sample 3. 

 Sample 4. 



O *3 



4.87 



9.98 



12.18 



16.28 



WATEK FREE SUBSTANCE. 



Sample i . 

 Sample 2 

 Sample 3 

 Sample 4. 



24. 9y 

 36.46 

 37 93 

 35.68 



In these analyses we notice the general tendency for the 

 amount of water to decrease as the plant matures. In the 

 water free substance there is found to be an irregularity in the 

 amounts of fat present in the substance, the largest amount 

 being in the sample taken May 26, 1896. The largest quantity 

 of protein is found in the young sample, ard the same sample 

 contains the largest amount of albuminoids, 15.43 per cent. 

 The samples, with exception of the first, show almost the same 

 quantities of protein and albuminoids. The quantity of fiber 

 present increases slowly as the plant matures, and the nitrogen 

 free extract varies and its regularity is not dependent on the 

 maturity of the plant. 



