IMPORTANT RANGE PLANTS. 33 



In somewhat drier situations, such as over-irrigated meadows, it 

 often produces a conspicuous growth, and when associated with some 

 cultivated grass such as redtop, is cut for hay. Tall swamp sedge is 

 most common in the Canadian zone, but also occurs along the border 

 of the Hudsonian zone. 



The flower stocks begin to push forth about June 20, and are all 

 out by the last week in July. The seed are comparatively slow to 

 mature, practically none being found until the last week in August, 

 while the entire crop is not ripened until September 15. In viability 

 the seed ranks low. The average germination obtained from the 

 tests made in 1908 and 1909 (no tests made in 1907) was 15.2 per 

 cent. Low vitality in the seed of this plant, however, is of little 

 significance, since the species propagates profusely by rootstocks. 



Compared with many other species of its class, the forage value of 

 tall swamp sedge is high, and early in the season the herbage is eaten 

 with relish by sheep. Owing to the sheep's dislike for bogs, how- 

 ever, many areas densely covered with this species are not visited 

 until the soil becomes fairly dry. In the latter part of the summer 

 the leaf blades become tough and harsh, and sheep do not consume 

 them with the same eagerness as in the forepart of the season. Horses 

 are particularly fond of this plant. They graze it throughout the 

 season and seem to do well upon it for short periods, but, if left free, 

 withdraw to better-drained soils which afford a wholly different type 

 of herbage. Miners and campers state that their pack animals eat 

 tall swamp sedge readily, but are unable to do the usual amount of 

 work when grazed exclusively upon it. It is probable, therefore, 

 that its nutritive value is low. 



SHEEP SEDGE. 

 (Carex illota.) 



Of the bog forage plants of the genus Carex, sheep sedge is possibly 

 the most important. It is a stolonif erous perennial or densely matted 

 species about 1 foot tall, with culms usually exceeding by one- third 

 the numerous grasslike leaves. The latter are narrow and smooth, 

 and soft even when the plant is mature. Inconspicuous small 

 spikes crowded into small dark brown heads distinguish it from cer- 

 tain other associated species (Plate XXVIII). 



Sheep sedge is confined to mountain meadows, and rather closely 

 to moist situations, though it persists in some which become com- 

 paratively dry later in the season. Conditions in the Hudsonian 

 zone are well adapted to its highest development. The leaf blades 

 wilted but recovered their form in the rich loam soil containing 14 

 per cent of moisture. 



The flower stalks begin to appear about the middle of July and are 

 practically all sent forth during the following three weeks. Matured 

 85154 Bull. 54517 5 



