PROGRESS OF THE RANGE BUSINESS 65 



(Koeleria cristata) and blue joints (Andropogon spp.). 

 These latter species are the well-known western prairie 

 grasses, of which A. hallii is the most common grass in 

 the sandhill region of western Nebraska. 



There appears to be much confusion as to the use of 

 the local names blue stem and blue joint, which are va- 

 riously applied to Agropyron, Andropogon and Calama- 

 grostis. After consultation with some of the best au- 

 thorities on grasses, and carefully sifting all available 

 information, these local names have been placed as fol- 

 lows : Western wheat grasses (Agropyron spp.), called 

 blue stem from the light blue color of the leaves and 

 stems. This is found in the Pacific Coast states and the 

 Rocky Mountain region and makes excellent hay. West- 

 ern prairie grasses (Andropogon and Calamagrostis), 

 called blue joint from the blue or purplish blue coloring 

 of each joint. This is found in the middle western 

 states, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas and the 

 prairie states generally. Most of the prairie hay put up 

 throughout this region is blue joint. Johnson grass and 

 sorghum belong to the Andropogon group. 



All the varieties of the gramas (Bouteloua), as well 

 as buffalo grass (Bulbilis dactyloides), are found in 

 abundance on the northern ranges, together with every 

 variety of edible shrub, like the service berry, mountain 

 mahogany, sages, buck brush and that class of forage 

 plants. In the higher mountains the same riotous 

 growth of grasses and weeds is found as in the southern 

 mountains, although alfileria, while found here, is not so 

 abundant nor does it grow so luxuriously as in the 

 Southwest. 



Features of Northern Range. There are several fea- 

 tures of the northern ranges worthy of especial mention. 



