NATIVE PASTUEE GEASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



13 



grassy mesa slopes just below and extending to the foothills of the mountains. In 

 southern Arizona it is also limited to gravelly ridges, the better soils of the gently 

 sloping mesas being occupied by other species. However, the present distribution 

 may be largely the result of artificial conditions of grazing. There are indications that 

 the species will occupy greater areas when stock is kept off, probably simulating condi- 

 tions which once existed. Where it grows in sufficient abundance, it is very valuable 

 during long droughts, on account of the perennial character of its culms. On this 

 account, also, it is more likely to be injured during the dry season by close grazing. 



No. 8946 was collected in the Santa Rita Mountains of southern Arizona, September 

 24, 1907. The sample was nearly mature and was cut 2 inches high. 





Percent- 

 age of 

 moisture. 



"Water-free basis (per cent). 



Material analyzed. 



Ash. 



Ether 



extract. 



Crude 

 fiber. 



Nitrogen- 

 free 

 extract. 



Protein. 



Pento- 

 sans. 





7.38 



9.20 

 11.34 



1.68 

 1.79 



34.22 

 33.61 



49.84 

 47.69 



5.06 

 5.57 



23.96 

















10.27 



1.74 



33.92 



48.76 



5.31 











i New Mexico Bui. 17, p. 36. 

 BOUTELOUA FILIFORMIS (Fourn.) Griff. 



Bouteloua filiformis is another grama of good quality which furnishes a large amount 

 of feed in about the same situations as B. rothrockii, but at rather higher elevations. 

 Next to B. gracilis it is probably the most important pasture species of this important 

 genus, furnishing a large quantity of most palatable grazing, and at times it is cut for 

 hay. It is one of the important species of southern Texas and extends from there to 

 Arizona and southward far into Mexico. Along the entire Mexican border, from 

 Laredo to Quitovaquito, it is one of the most important pasture grasses. It stands 

 trampling a little better than B. rothrockii, but not nearly as well as B. gracilis. 



No. 8591 was collected in the northern foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains of 

 Arizona, September 21, 1906. The sample was completely dried up when gathered 

 and was cut close enough to include all the root leaves. Its percentage of moisture 

 was4.48. Other constitutents (on a water-free basis) were as follows: Ash, 7.64; ether 

 extract, 1.87; crude fiber, 30.94; nitrogen-free extract, 54.84; protein, 4.71; pentosans, 

 26.07. 



BOUTELOUA HIRSUTA Lag. 



Bouteloua hirsuta (rough grama) occurs between the Mississippi and the Rockies from 

 British Columbia southward, reaching its highest perfection and importance from the 

 southern Plains region southward far into Mexico. It also occurs in many places east 

 of the Mississippi and is abundant in some parts of the prairie regions of Florida. The 

 habits of the species render it of much less value than its close relative, the blue grama, 

 but on account of its very wide distribution and abundance as a filler over large areas 

 it is a very important species. It is not a well-rooted species, and consequently does 

 not withstand trampling by stock very well. 



No. 8951 was collected in the Santa Rita Mountains, Ariz., September 23, 1907. The 

 sample was cut close, in nearly mature condition. 





Percent- 

 age of 

 moisture. 



Water-free basis (per cent). 



Material analyzed. 



Ash. 



Ether 

 extract. 



Crude 

 fiber. 



Nitrogen- 

 free 

 extract. 



Protein. 



Pento- 

 sans. 



Our sample No. 8951 



5.97 



12.01 

 10.14 



2.62 



2.55 



37.10 

 32.84 



41.62 

 48.59 



6.65 

 5.88 



23.75 



One other sample 1 











Average of both 





11.07 



2.59 



34.97 



45.10 



6.27 











