GRASSES OF THE PLAINS. 19 



the shores that are useful for the subsistence of sheep. These 

 plants are rich in the mineral constituents of common salt, in 

 starch and albumen, and in some localities, flocks of sheep upon 

 the sea coasts and islands exist wholly upon this adventitious pas- 

 turage. A notable case is stated in a recent publication, of a large 

 flock of several hundred sheep which, for years, has subsisted and 

 thrived wholly upon sea weed and wild herbage on an island oft 

 the coast of Maine, and there are many others in which farmers 

 adjacent to the sea coast in that state and other parts of New 

 England, subsist their sheep chiefly during the winter upon the 

 sea weed which is cast upon the shores. These cases, however, are 

 only valuable as showing how these really hardy and easily accli- 

 mated animals may be made to thrive and yield their valuable pro- 

 ducts of food and clothing, under the poorest conditions as surely, 

 if not with equal profit, as under the most favorable circumstances. 

 The value of the herbage which covers the wide plains of the 

 west cannot be predicated as yet from any chemical analysis or 

 scientific examinations. In the light of practical experience we 

 do not need these useful aids and helps. The fact that the grasses 

 which cover those plains have supported and fattened countless 

 millions of buffalo and antelope, and the experience already gained 

 in keeping sheep on the plains, are amply sufficient to attest the 

 nutritive value of those grasses. The Buffalo-grass, (Buchloe doc- 

 tyloides], is one of the most nutritious of all grasses. Its creeping 

 root stems are always green and of great sweetness. It is low in 

 its habit as suits a pasture for sheep, and furnishes good feeding 

 the year round. Stock that have fed upon it without any help from 

 other feed have been found in spring fat and in condition for the 

 butcher. Meat produced upon this pasture has a delicate flavor, 

 is tender, and has solid fat. Milk from cows fed upon it bears a 

 cream of the richest character and the highest color. It prefers dry, 

 light soils, which are the very best soils for sheep pastures, and 

 it forces its roots to a depth, or several feet beneath the surface, 

 where it finds moisture even upon the dry plains where the annual 

 rain-fall is scarcely equal to 10 inches. One of the several kinds 

 called " Bunch-grass," (Featuea scabrella), is another valuable grass 

 common in these regions. It is exceedingly nutritive and cures 

 on the stalk, thus affording winter pasture. Other species of Fes- 

 tuca are common, " Sheep' s-fescue " already noted, being abun- 

 dant. For hay for winter use there are many varieties of highly 

 nutritious grass. Indian or Wood-griss, (Sorghum nutans), is four to 

 five feet in hight, and is full of a rich, sweet juice, which is very 

 palatable and nutritious. There are several other grasses of almost 



