107 



of southern Dakota, and it occurs southward to Texas. It was also 

 common on the prairies of Illinois and Wisconsin before the incoming 

 of settlements. West of the 100th meridian, however, especially in 

 sandy soils, this species is replaced by two others of the same genus, 

 viz: Sporobolus cryptandrus and 8. airoides. All these species should 

 receive attention. 



It grows in dense, firmly rooted tufts, principally west of the Mississippi River, 

 from British America to Arkansas. The panicle is from 3 to G inches long, rather 

 loose; the branches, two to three together, slender, and with a few rather distant 

 llowers. 



A writer in the Agricultural Keport for 1870 says: 



'Ibis species may he identified from its long, slender leaves, growing abundantly 

 from the base of the plant, gracefully curving; from its tendency to grow in l.une.hes 

 or stools, and when in fruit from its small panicle of sharp-pointed spikelets and its 

 round seeds. Those, when bruised, emit a strong, heavy, and rather disagreeable 

 odor. It is sometimes cultivated for hay, and makes an article of fine quality. 



Sporobolus airoides (Bunch Grass ; Salt Grass). 



Culms (arising from strong perennial creeping root-stocks) 2 to 3 feet high, thick- 

 ened at the base and clothed with numerous long, rigid, generally involute', long- 

 pointed, smooth leaves, which are bearded in the throat of the sheath. The panicle 

 is G to 12 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide, thin and spreading ; the branches cap- 

 illary, and scattered or in whorls below, subdivided above the middle, and rather 

 sparsely ilowered. 



It is common on the arid plains of the West, is sometimes called salt 

 grass, and affords persistent pasturage where other grasses are tramped 

 out. (Plate 105). 



Agrostis exarata, var. Pacifica (Pacific Coast Redtop). 



This variety grows chiefly ou the Pacific coast, from California to Alaska. It is 

 often more robust than the common or eastern redtop, growing 2 to 3 feet high, with 

 a stout, firm culm, clothed with three or four broadish leaves 4 to G inches long. 

 The panicle is 4 to G inches long, rather loose, heavier, and closer than tto proper 

 species. 



There is reason to believe that this species can be made to supply the 

 same valuable place on the Pacific coast that the A. vulgar is does at 

 the East. It deserves trial. (Plate 106). 



Deschampsia caespitosa (Hair Grass). 



This is an exceedingly varied species, having a wide distribution in 

 this and other countries. It is somewhat rare east of the Mississippi, 

 but on the elevated plains of the Kocky Mountains and in California 

 and Oregon it is one of the common bunch grasses which afford pastur- 

 age to cattle and horses. At the East it is found in the hilly regions 

 of New England and the Alleghanies. It grows in bunches, which are 

 firmly rooted. The culms are 2 to 4 feet high. The root-lea v<>s are 

 very numerous, long, and narrow. The panicle is very handsome, pre- 

 senting a purple and glossy hue, and a loose, graceful appearance. Its 

 culms are too light for hay-making, but the abundant root leaves may 



