GRASS AND HAY 117 



fornia, Oregon, and Washington, embracing about one-fourth of the 

 area of the whole United States. 



Many of the grasses of this extensive region are popularly known 

 as bunch grass, from their habit of growth ; others are known as mes- 

 quite and grama grass. These consist of many species of different 

 genera, some of them more or less local and sparingly distributed, 

 others having a wide range from Mexico to British America. (Dept. 

 Agr. D. B. Special B.) 



Hay Grasses. Slender Wheat-grass (Agropyron tenerum). A 

 perennial bunch grass growing in the northern prairie region from 

 Nebraska to Montana and Manitoba. Its sterling qualities for hay 

 have long been recognized by Northwestern fanners. It produces 

 an abundance of soft, leafy stems and root leaves, and ripens a large 

 amount of seed that is easily gathered. Redtop (Agrostis alba). 

 The great variability of this grass has led to much diversity of opinion 

 in regard to its value. The taller forms are largely cultivated for 

 hay, being usually mixed with timothy and clover. This grass re- 

 quires considerable moisture in the soil, and is one of the best for 

 permanent pastures in the New England and Middle States. Meadow 

 Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). This well-known grass has been 

 introduced into this country and cultivated to some extent in the 

 New England and Middle States. It is a valuable grass for moist 

 meadows and pastures, particularly the latter, on account of its early 

 growth, being one of the earliest of the cultivated grasses. It is very 

 hardy, and on good soil yields a large amount of excellent forage. 

 Johnson-grass (Andropogon halepensis). A stout perennial with 

 smooth, erect clumps, 3 to 6 feet high, and strong, creeping rootstocks. 

 The panicles are expanded during flowering and are from 6 to 12 

 inches long. It is a native of southern Europe and the warmer parts 

 of Asia and northern Africa. It was introduced into this country 

 about sixty years ago, and has now become widely distributed and 

 well known throughout the Southern States. Big Blue-stem (Andro- 

 pogon provincialis) . A stout perennial, with erect, more or less 

 branching, and often bluish or glaucous stems, 2 to 6 feet high, long 

 leaves, and flowers in short spikes. This grass has a wide range, ex- 

 tending over the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, and in 

 the West and Northwest, particularly in the Missouri region, it is very 

 abundant, and is highly valued for hay. Sorghum (Andropogon 

 sorghum sativus). Includes the cultivated varieties, a number of 

 which have been recognized by some authors as distinct botanical 

 species under the genus Sorghum; others have referred them all to 

 the genus Andropogon. All the forms are of Eastern origin, and 

 have arisen probably from a common stock through ages of cultiva- 

 tion. Tall Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) . A loosely tufted per- 

 ennial, 2 to 4 feet high, introduced from Europe as a fodder grass and 

 now quite generally distributed over the regions east of the Missis- 

 sippi. It does well in the Southern States, where it is frequently cul- 

 tivated, and is valued both for winter grazing and for hay. In Cali- 

 fornia it is spoken of in the highest terms, particularly for its drought- 

 resisting qualities. Mitchell-grass (Astrebla pectinata) . A smooth, 



