204 DRY LAND FARMING 



mild climates rather than to those that are severe, hence 

 this grass will be grown southward rather than north- 

 ward. While this grass may be made to serve a useful 

 end in many areas, it is not probable that its popularity 

 will ever reach high water mark in comparison with 

 some other grasses, because of some lack in palatability 

 of a high order. The ability of the grass to stand hard 

 conditions is very considerable. Meadow fescue would 

 seem best adapted to central portions of the dry area and 

 probably to those north of these. The salt bush, some- 

 times called salt sage, may be grown with some success 

 in very dry areas. It is not easily established, but when 

 once well started will, under some conditions, reseed 

 itself. It will provide both hay and pasture, but it is a 

 woody plant. The indefiniteness of statement about 

 these grasses is justified, on the ground that they have 

 been so little tested as yet in semi-arid areas. 



Alfalfa is undoubtedly destined to become the hay 

 crop of the semi-arid country, and for the following rea- 

 sons: (1) It may be grown successfully over nearly all 

 the tillable portions of the semi-arid area. Where the 

 rainfall averages not less than 10 inches per year, the 

 possibility of growing alfalfa successfully for hay should 

 not be questioned. (2) The yields to be expected from 

 it will probably be larger than those obtained from any 

 other valuable hay plant that can be grown. While those 

 yields will vary much, it would seem safe to set them 

 down as being not much less than two tons per acre year- 

 ly on an average, after the crop has become established. 

 (3) It will add largely to the nitrogen content in the soil 

 by taking the same from the air and depositing it in 

 the soil. (4) It will keep the land well supplied with 

 humus in the large store of vegetable matter which it 

 furnishes in its roots. No other plant grown in dry 

 areas can equal it in this respect. (5) It will act as a 

 subsoiler in the extent to which its roots permeate the 



