AUSTRALIAN SALTBUSH. 11 



the organisms causing this condition as Macrosporium commune 

 Rabh. and Cladosporium Jierbarum (Pers.) Link. These, she states, 

 are not known to occur except as saprophytes. As the plants on 

 which these fungi were found are not in a dead or abnormal con- 

 dition except in the parts where these fungi occur, it seems probable 

 that insect injury, sun scald, or some other destructive agency pre- 

 ceded the fungi. 



SUMMARY. 



The Australian saltbush was introduced throughout the semiarid 

 regions of the United States some 25 years ago. In practically all 

 cases the plantings resulted in failure, and only along the coast and 

 in the San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys of California and in the Salt 

 River, Yuma, and Santa Cruz Valleys of Arizona has it become well 

 established. 



The plant is perennial and prostrate, forming a dense mass from 6 to 

 12 inches thick. 



The minimum temperature of any region in which it is naturalized 

 is 19° F. The mean annual precipitation of regions in which it is 

 growing successfully without irrigation ranges from 9 to 16 inches. 



While the Australian saltbush has been noted as growing on prac- 

 tically all types of soil, it is found in but few regions where the soil 

 does not contain an appreciable amount of alkali. 



It is quite drought resistant, but apparently not to the extent of 

 some other species of Atriplex and other desert plants. 



Chemical analyses of the leaves and stems of the Australian salt- 

 bush show that they have an unusually high content of common salt 

 and comparatively large percentages of protein, nitrogen-free extract, 

 and crude fat. 



In regions to which it is adapted the Australian saltbush is quite 

 aggressive, and this characteristic adds to its value as a range plant. 



On account of its high salt content, it is not as palatable as most 

 ordinary forages, but it is eaten readily by sheep, goats, cattle, and 

 horses when other feed is scarce. To be of greatest value it must be 

 supplemented with other feeds. 



The greatest value of the plant is to supply succulent feed in late 

 summer and to furnish a reserve supply. It can be used as a soiling 

 crop, but has little value as hay. 



Seed is produced freely, but harvesting is expensive. For range 

 purposes Australian saltbush seed should be sown in the fall. The 

 only thing that can be done economically is to scatter the seed broad- 

 cast in favorable locations and allow it to take care of itself. 



In seeding for growing under cultivation, care should be taken to 

 cover the seed only enough to insure moisture conditions favorable 

 for germination. 



