GRASS AND HAY 149 



Clover (Kuhnistera) . A number of species of prairie clover are 

 common throughout the prairie region and westward into the Rocky 

 Mountains; they are eaten by sheep and cattle green or as part of 

 the prairie hay. Prairie Sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana) . A low 

 perennial with lanceolate wooly leaves; it grows on the western 

 plains from Montana and Minnesota to Mexico; though bitter, the 

 foliage seems to be nutritious and cattle are fond of it. Prairie 

 Turnip (Psoralea esculenta). A perennial legume common in the 

 prairie region. It produces edible tubers. Formerly used as food 

 by the Indians and voyageurs, and probably of some value as food 

 for hogs. Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmanni). A species of flat- 

 jointed cactus common in central and southern Texas. The stems 

 are mucilaginous and watery, and in times of drought serve to some 

 extent as food, or, more especially, as water. Cattle and sheep may 

 be kept alive for several months on prickly pear alone. Where the 

 stockman makes no provision for bad seasons, prickly pear is evident- 

 ly a good thing. Viewed from this standpoint the prickly pear is 

 not a success. It spreads very rapidly, forming dense thickets, en- 

 cumbering the land and driving out the best grasses. Cattle do not 

 eat it, except the ripe fruits, as long as there is anything else to satisfy 

 their wants. It is only valuable as an emergency ration. Before 

 feeding, the spines must be destroyed either by burning or boiling. 

 Cattle die in great numbers in southern Arizona during times of 

 drought as a direct result of feeding on cactus. The spines pierce 

 their mouths and work through the walls of the stomach and intes- 

 tines, even penetrating the muscles and eventually causing the death 

 of the animal. It is a common sight in the cactus-infested pastures 

 of southern Texas to see cattle with their flanks looking like pin- 

 cushions, thickly covered with the long yellow spines of the prickly 

 pear. There are many more desirable forage plants than this cactus, 

 and it is probably on the whole more of a curse than a blessing. 

 Pride of California (Lathyrus splendens) . This vine has been intro- 

 duced into gardens because of its beautiful flowers. It grows wild 

 in the mountains of southern California, and is said to be an excel- 

 lent forage plant. Purple Bush Clover (Lespedeza vlolacea). A 

 bush clover with upright or spreading branching stems, common in 

 the Eastern United States, and contributing a small amount of forage 

 in woodland pastures. Purple Clover (Trifolium involucratum) . 

 An annual with leafy, branching stems, terminating in from one to 

 three purplish heads; it has a wide range throughout the West; 

 cattle and sheep are fond of it. Purslane (Portiuaca oleracea). 

 This well-known weed is of considerable value as an autumn forage 

 plant in the South and Southwest. The fleshy leaves and stems are 

 put forth in great abundance during the hottest and driest weather, 

 and it is hard to kill. Fed to cows it increases the flow of milk, but 

 acts as a laxative if too much is given at once. 



Ramie (Boehmeria nivea). This well-known fiber plant, 

 which has been introduced rather widely throughout the United 

 States in the last twenty years, furnishes a large amount of forage 

 of fair quality. It is eaten well by all kinds of stock ; so that wher- 



