168 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



numerous spikelets axe smaller, the head or panicle less erect, and 

 the bristles usually green, not yellow as in that species. The stems 

 are very tough and may be utilized for making paper. 



King's Fescue (Festuca kingii). A tall bunch grass, common 

 in the foothills and canyons of Colorado and Montana. It is a very 

 robust species, and supplies a large amount of good though coarse 

 winter forage. Knot-root grass (Muhlenbergia mexieana). A 

 much-branched, leafy perennial, with strong, scaly, creeping root- 

 stocks, which often do good service in binding river banks, along 

 which this grass frequently grows. In the Northeastern States this 

 grass is common in low meadows, where it occasionally forms a con- 

 siderable proportion of the native hay of such places. 



Large Water-grass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir) . A rather coarse 

 leafy perennial, growing in clumps 2 to 5 feet high, bearing near 

 the summit of the stems two to ten, more or less, spreading racemes 

 or spikes of crowded, hairy spikelets. It is a native of Brazil and 

 possibly was originally introduced into the Southern States (where 

 it has become quite widely distributed) from that country, although 

 it may be a native here. It ranges northward from the Gulf to 

 southern Virginia and Tennessee, and westward to Texas, growing 

 most abundantly on low, black soils, which are well supplied with 

 moisture. It is considered an excellent pasture grass, and when well 

 established endures seasons of excessive drought without injury. 

 Little Crab-grass (Panicum, sero tinum). A species related to Crab- 

 grass common in the Southern States near the Gulf, disputing with 

 Louisiana-grass the claim of being the most valuable native pasture 

 grass of that section. It is invaluable for pasturage, forming a close 

 turf, and driving out nearly all other plants. Low Grama (Boute- 

 loua polystachya) . This is a small slender grass, of good quality. 

 It rarely exceeds 6 inches in height, and is confined to the arid re- 

 gions of the Southwest. 



Macoun's Rye-grass (Elymus macounii). A perennial grass, 

 found quite abundantly in moist meadows, in the gravelly foothills 

 of the northern Rocky Mountains. Many-flowered Millet-grass 

 (Oryzopsis miliacea). This is a native of central and southern 

 Europe, introduced into California in 1879, and has been cultivated 

 experimentally with varying success at a number of points in that 

 State. On the granitic soil of San Diego, California, it has grown 3 

 feet high without irrigation, and remained green throughout the 

 year. Horses and cattle are said to eat it greedily. Mexican Ever- 

 lasting-grass (Eriochloa aristata.) A branching leafy annual, na- 

 tive of Mexico. Seed of this grass was obtained by the Department 

 in 1888. It will make two good crops of hay annually in the South, 

 the best crop being from the second growth, which is ready to cut in 

 October. The grass produces an abundance of seed and reseeds it- 

 self, making its production comparatively inexpensive. Mexican 

 Salt-grass (Eragrostis obtusiflora) . A rigid perennial, abundant in 

 the highly alkaline soils of Sulphur Springs Valley, Arizona, where 

 the large rootstocks serve to bind the shifting sands. In the absence 

 of other grasses it is eaten by stock. Mountain Foxtail (Alopecurus 



