58 
brous on the margins; the blade is prone to separate when old, leaving 
an abundance of leafless sheaths at the base; the cauline leaves are 
about two, short and pointed, 2 or 4 inches long; the sheath scabrous, 
the ligule short or wanting; the panicle is usually 3 to 5 inches long. 
In Montana it is called the Great-bunch grass, and is one of the princi- 
pal grasses of that country. Itis the prevailing species on the foot- 
hills and mountain slopes at from 6,000 to 7,000 feet altitude. It is 
rather too hard a grass for sheep, but there is no grass more valued on the 
summer ranges for cattle and horses. It makes excellent hay for horses, 
and is cut in large quantities for this purpose. It grows in large tus- 
socks, making it rather a difficult grass to mow with a machine. It 1s 
one of the most important grasses of eastern Oregon and Washington. 
(Plate 26.) 
Agropyrum glaucum (Blue-stem, blue-joint). 
This species prevails on the western plains from Texas to Montana, 
and is well known to stockmen. It differs from the Agropyrum repens 
in having a stouter, more rigid stem and leaves; the leaves, indeed, 
often becoming involute and stiff. It is also of a light bluish-green color 
The spike is generally shorter, denser, and with larger spikelets. 
Mr. Richard Gaines, of Colorado Springs, Colo., says: 
We think this is the best grass grown, superior to timothy er clover. We call it 
Blue-stem, or Blue-joint ; no richer hay can be made from anything known. 
Plate 27 is a figure of Agropyrum repens. 
Hordeum nodosum (Barley-grass). 
An annual or biennial grass, growing principally in alkaline soils and 
on the borders of saline marshes, especially in the Western States and 
Territories. Although eaten by cattle when in a young state, it can 
not be claimed as of anything more than temporary value. The eulms 
are usually 1 to 14 feet high, sometimes in moist places reaching 3 feet, 
and varying as to smoothness or pubescence. 
‘The leaves are usually flat, 2 to 4 inches long, and about two lines 
wide. The flowers are in a close cylindrical spike about 2 inches long, 
with three spikelets at each joint of the rachis. (Plate 28.) 
Elymus condensatus (Giant rye-grass). 
This is a perennial grass, ranging from San Diego throughout Call- 
fornia and into Oregon and Washington Territory, also in the Rocky 
Mountain region of the interior. It is very variable, but always 4 
_ Strong, heavy-rooted, coarse grass, from 3 to 5 or even to 12 feet high- 
Mr. - ander states that it seems to do excellent service by fixing 
ie the soil on the banks of creeks and rivers. In the larger forms the 
culms are half an inch thick. The leaves are smooth, 2 feet long, and 
inch wide or more, and the panicle 8 to L4 inches long and 1} inches 
ok. it usually occurs in arid grounds, it is from 3 to 6 feet highs 
hacia 
