24 THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



chief of which are the grama, the mesquite, buffalo grass, and 

 the bunch grasses of which those belonging to the genus Stipa 

 and to the genus Oryzopsis are the leading types. Likewise, 

 Koeleria cristata ((L.) Pers.), Deschampsia caespitosa ((L.) 

 Beauv.), and several species of the genus Festuca are widely 

 diffused. Blue joint (Calamagrostis canadensis Beauv.) is one 

 of the best and most productive on moist soils and in cool 

 climates. The native grasses of the range have the common 

 characteristics of growing in a dry climate and producing a 

 nutritious herbage which retains its nutritious qualities when 

 dried standing. This is in part due to the climate rather than 

 to the kind of grasses. The latter quality is probably in part 

 due to the fact that fermentative and putrefactive qualities of 

 all kinds take place less rapidly in a dry than in a moist 

 climate. East of the Missouri River and north of the cotton 

 states the Poas, of which Kentucky blue grass is the most 

 common species, form with white clover the basis of most all 

 pastures. In some sections, notably the New England states, 

 the Agrostis, of which redtop is a common species, form no 

 inconsiderable part of the herbage. In places, especially upon 

 good land, the fescues occur, particularly the meadow fescue. 

 Meadow foxtail occurs in slight quantities. When seeding to 

 pasture, timothy generally forms a part of the mixture because 

 of its rapid growth. Where conditions are favorable, orchard 

 grass makes fairly satisfactory pasture. (85) Smooth brome 

 grass, introduced as late as 1896, is being highly recom- 

 mended as a pasture grass for sub-humid sections of the United 

 States. Bermuda grass has been introduced into the cotton 

 states, where with Japan clover it is somewhat, although not 

 extensively, used for pasture. 



22. Native Grasses. Gradually the settlement of new lands 

 and the changes from the range to improved agriculture are re- 

 placing the native prairie grasses with cereals and tame grasses. 

 Nevertheless, the area in wild, salt, and prairie grasses in 1899 



