PROGRESS OF THE RANGE BUSINESS 39 



appear to relish, while the leaves and tender branches 

 of the mesquite and catclaw (Acacia Greggii) and the 

 blossoms and fruit of the Spanish bayonet (Yucca) fur- 

 nish no small part of the available forage. 



The Alfileria Plant. If the season is a good one here 

 the winter rains will set in along in November and De- 

 cember, and by the first of February the alfileria (Ero- 

 dium cicutarium) will begin to make its appearance upon 

 the deserts where previously there seemed to be noth- 

 ing living. From a surface as bare of vegetation as a 

 floor, this splendid forage plant will spring up almost in 

 a night. Sheep and cattle fatten on it as if fed alfalfa 

 hay. Alfileria was doubtless introduced into this south- 

 ern region through the migrating sheep from California, 

 where it has been known for many years. The seeds 

 hanging to the wool of the sheep were scattered over the 

 ranges and, finding a climate and soil peculiarly well fit- 

 ted for its reception and growth, it spread rapidly, and 

 now covers a great area of the desert ranges. Alfileria 

 also is known as "heron's bill" and "pin clover." 



The plant belongs to the geranium family, has a little 

 pink star-like blossom, and is a native of the hot, dry 

 region about the Mediterranean. The name "Erodium" is 

 derived from the Greek word "erodius," a "heron," from 

 a fancied resemblance of the fruit to a heron's head and 

 bill. With plenty of moisture it grows very rapidly, and 

 in six weeks' time the barren desert will be covered with 

 a carpet of rich green. Having reached an average height 

 of from 6 to 10 inches it begins to cure, and in six weeks 

 more it is gone. 



The change from bare earth to green and back to 

 bare earth is remarkable. As soon as it ripens and dries, 

 the winds break it off at the ground and it blows into 



