GRASS AND HAY 169 



occidentalis) . A grass of the mountain meadows of the Rocky 

 Mountains, growing in rich soil along streams and in the open parks. 

 It yields a large bulk of fine, long, bright-colored hay, which is 

 highly valued where it can be obtained. For the more elevated 

 meadows of the Rocky Mountain region, and doubtless also for the 

 New England and North Middle States, this grass would form an 

 excellent addition to the cultivated species, and its introduction is 

 recommended. Munro-grass (Panicum agrostoides) . A native per- 

 ennial, resembling that of Redtop. It grows in low meadows and 

 along the banks of creeks, shores of ponds, etc., and often yields a 

 large amount of very good native hay. Mutton-grass (Poa fend- 

 leriana). Widely distributed in the Rocky Mountain region and 

 on the Pacific Slope, extending southward through Arizona into 

 Mexico. It grows in tufts to the height of 1 to 2 feet, has numerous 

 long root-leaves, and short, compact heads or panicles. It is ten- 

 der, and affords a large amount of excellent grazing in the regions 

 where it grows abundantly, and may prove a valuable acquisition to 

 the forage grasses of the Atlantic States. 



Needle-and-thread (Stipa comata). This is one of the bunch 

 grasses common in the Rocky Mountain region, growing on the dry 

 mesas and foothills. This grass has some value, affording forage 

 of good quality in the regions where it grows abundantly. In 

 Dakota, Wyoming, etc., it is valued as a hay grass. 



Pine-grass (Calamagrostis suksdorfii). A common grass in 

 the Northwest, growing in low pine woods or on moist mountain; 

 slopes. It is said to be one of the most common grasses in Wash- 

 ington, and it presents all the qualities of an excellent hay or pas- 

 ture grass. Plume-grass (Erianthus saccharoides) . Tnis grass 

 ranges from New Jersey to Illinois and southward to the Gulf, grow- 

 ing in very wet places and open swamps. Of no agricultural value, 

 but deserves notice as an ornamental grass for lawns and gardens. 

 Pony-grass (Calamagrostis negleeta). A rather slender, native of 

 Northern Europe and North America, ranging along our northern 

 borders from Newfoundland and Maine to the Pacific, being most 

 abundant in the Rocky Mountain region. Under experimental culti- 

 vation it has succeeded well. It is a productive grass, much liked by- 

 stock, especially horses, and is deserving of a place among the culti- 

 vated species. Prairie June-grass (Kceleria cristata). This is a 

 common grass upon the open meadows and plains of the Central and 

 Western States, and extends beyond the Rocky Mountains to the 

 Pacific Coast. It is one of the "bunch-grasses" of the plains region, 

 where it is generally associated with the more common Bunch-grass. 

 On the dry bench lands it is seldom over a foot high, but in irrigated 

 ground grows to the height of 2 feet or more, and makes excellent 

 hay. Purple-grass (Pappophorum wrightii). A slender and ap- 

 parently annual grass of Western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, 

 growing on the open plains and among the foothills of the moun- 

 tains. It has short, narrow leaves. Purple Paspalum (Paspalum 

 boscianum). Is a native of the Southern States, growing in moist 

 grounds, preferring rather heavy soils. Like other species of Pas- 



