GRASS AND HAY 167 



more, and is by far the most valuable of the stipas for hay. Feather 

 Sedge-grass (Andropogon saccharoides) A variable grass, intro- 

 duced into cultivation for ornament. It is a native of our South- 

 western States, in some of its varieties extending southward to Chile, 

 where it is regarded as one of the best pasture grasses. Fine Top 

 Salt-grass or Alkali Saccaton (Sporobolus airoides) A stout rather 

 coarse and rigid grass, growing on tussocks in sandy and more or 

 less alkaline or saline soils along rivers and streams, ranging from 

 Montana southward to Texas and westward to California. In some 

 places in Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico it occurs abundantly, and 

 yields a coarse fodder, which is eaten by stock. Floating-grass 

 (Hydrochloa carolinensis) A slender aquatic grass of the Gulf 

 States, growing along muddy banks and in shallow streams. The 

 tender stems and leaves are eaten by stock, and may afford some 

 food for waterfowl. 



Galleta (Hilaria rigidd). In the driest regions of southern 

 California and Arizona, growing in the deserts where other grasses 

 are rarely seen. It has coarse, much branched, and woody stems, 

 2 feet high or more, growing in great clumps, resembling in its 

 habit some of the dwarf bamboos. Gama-grass (Tripsacum dacty- 

 loides). A tall, coarse perennial, growing in large tufts, and pro- 

 ducing a great mass of broad leaves, which when young and suc- 

 culent are eaten with avidity by all kinds of stock. When abundant 

 it affords a large amount of natural forage, and is valuable to this 

 extent. It has very strong, creeping rootstocks, and the quantity of 

 forage produced is large and of excellent quality. Golden-top 

 (Lamarckia aurea) . A low annual. This very attractive and favor- 

 ite ornamental grass is a native of southern Europe and southwestern 

 Asia. It is frequently cultivated in gardens and is a pleasing grass 

 for edgings. It has escaped from cultivation in southern California 

 and has become apparently spontaneous there. Goose-grass (Eleu- 

 sine indica). This grass is distributed throughout the warmer 

 countries of the globe, and is particularly abundant in the Southern 

 States, growing in cultivated grounds aoout dwellings, etc. It has 

 somewhat wiry, flattened stems, many springing from a single root, 

 and rather thick leaves. Some authors have spoken of it as being 

 nutritious and good for grazing or soiling and for hay, but it is mom 

 generally regarded as a weed, and often a troublesome one, in door- 

 yards or lawns. Great Bunch-grass (Festuca scabrella). A strong 

 perennial, growing in large tufts or bunches 1 to 3 or 4 feet high. 

 A native of the Rocky Mountain regions, extending from Colorado 

 northward and westward to California and Oregon. It often occu- 

 pies extensive mountain parks, to the exclusion of other grasses, 

 where it affords excellent grazing. It may be cut for hay, of which 

 it furnishes a large amount, excellent in quality, especially for 

 horses. It is one of the best grasses for winter stock ranges. Green 

 Foxtail (Chsetochloa viridis). Similar in habit to Chsetochloa 

 glauca, with about the same distribution, and equally common in 

 this country, appearing as a weed in all cultivated grounds. It be- 

 gins to bloom a little earlier than the Yellow Foxtail, the more 



