GRASSES FOR SPECIAL CONDITIONS 



199 



Elymus condensatus in low alkaline soil, is seen in 



Fig. 43-) 



SALT- GRASS (Distichlis maritima}, a small, sod- 

 forming grass, grows on soils very strongly alkaline. 

 Some forms of it grow tall enough to cut for hay. It 



FIG. 43 TYPICAL VIEW ON RANGES OF THE WEST 

 SHOWING BUNCHES OF GIANT RYE GRASS 



is too salty for first-class feed, but stock eat it very 

 readily when better feed is scarce. No attention has 

 been given to its propagation. It is a shy seed-bearer, 

 but a little attention from the plant-breeder could 

 doubtless develop a strain of salt-grass of considerable 

 value for soils too strongly alkaline for other grasses. 



