GRASS AND HAY 139 



phala). A perennial of southern Texas, where it is of some value as 

 a winter forage plant. Dwarf Rose (Chamaerhodes erecta). A low 

 herbaceous perennial 5 to 10 inches high, grows on the high plains 

 from Colorado to Montana; cattle are fond of it. Dwarf Sedge (Car ex 

 stenophylla) . A low sedge, growing in moist prairies, valuable for 

 the grazing which it affords in the early spring. 



Elliott's Sida (Sida elliottii) . A low, shrubby or bushy mallow, 

 which grows on hard, clayey soils and rocky land. It is an excellent 

 pasture plant which readily catches from seed, provided the surface 

 Boil is scratched with a rake when the seed is scattered. Cattle, sheep, 

 and hogs are fond of it, but horses and mules do not relish it. This 

 eida has been quite widely introduced in the grazing regions of Cali- 

 fornia. Endive (Cichorium endivium). This culinary vegetable is 

 particularly adapted as a pasture plant for extremely arid regions, 

 as it matures seed which will germinate in the hottest deserts. 



Ephedra (Ephedra nevadensis). A leafless shrub with slender 

 green branches ; it grows throughout the Southwest and is generally 

 found on the highlands and on rocky or gravelly soil; cattle eat it 

 greedily. Earth or Peanut (Arachis hypogea). An annual legume, 

 native of Peru and Brazil, introduced very widely in cultivation 

 throughout the Southern States. The peanut is hardy as far north 

 as Maryland. This is one of the most valuable fodder plants for the 

 Southern States. There are two varieties the one which furnishes 

 the peanut of commerce, which requires a long season ; and the Span- 

 ish peanut, which matures in about three months. The pods of the 

 latter are smaller, and the seeds fewer and smaller, than those of the 

 edible variety. Peanut-vine hay is more nutritious than that of red 

 clover. The yield of nuts ranges from 50 to 75 bushels to the acre. 

 The Spanish peanut is the one usually grown for forage. The vines 

 are pulled when the pods are about half formed, and are converted 

 into hay by a method similar to that used in the treatment of cow- 

 peas. The best commercial nuts yield from 42 to 50 per cent of oil. 

 The cake, after the oil has been extracted, is rich in crude protein 

 and has as high a feeding value as cotton-seed meal. Peanut cultiva- 

 tion has recently increased to a remarkable extent in India and on the 

 west coast of Africa. In 1884 over 700,000 tons were exported from 

 these countries to France for use in the manufacture of oil.. On suit- 

 able soils the peanut is considered a very profitable crop, and its cul- 

 tivation might well be extended in the Southern States. Everlasting 

 Bean (Phaseolw perennis) . A species closely related to the garden 

 bean, widely distributed in the Eastern and Southern States, and 

 wherever found is eaten greedily by stock. Everlasting Pea (Lathy- 

 rus polymorphous) . A low pea, 6 to 12 inches high, with very large 

 purple flowers, common on the prairies from Missouri and Nebraska. 

 It furnishes considerable pasturage. 



Fall Purslane (Mollugo verticillata). An annual very abun- 

 dant in southern New Mexico ; fine forage for sheep and cattle ; covers 

 the ground like a carpet from September until frost. Fall Tallow 

 weed (Amblyolepis setigera). A leafy, rank-growing annual, witli 

 gweet-scented, bright-yellow flowers appearing in autumn on the 



