NATIVE PASTURE GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



27 



HILARIA CENCHROIDES H. B. K. 



Hilaria cenchroides (curly mesquite) is one of the characteristic grasses of the South- 

 western United States and of Mexico. In habit it simulates very closely the buffalo 

 grass (Bulbilis dactyloides) , spreading by slender, creeping rootstocks. It never grows 

 large enough to be cut for hay, but is a very important pasture grass in many situa- 

 tions from Texas to Arizona. It seldom attains a height of 12 inches; more often it is 

 only about 6 inches tall. It produces, however, an abundance of root leaves and 

 grows whenever the rainfall is sufficient. In southern Arizona the species grows only 

 during the rainy season of summer, maturing in late September. In many situations 

 west of central Texas there are large areas where this species forms the main pasturage. 



No. 9200 was collected at San Antonio, Tex., April 18, 1908. The sample was 

 mature, but still perfectly green. It was cut close to the ground; hence it included 

 the root leaves, creeping stocks, and upright stems, as well as a few old dead leaves. 

 Its percentage of moisture was 8.16. Other constituents (on a water-free basis) were 

 as follows: Ash, 9.37; ether extract, 2.09; crude fiber, 24.51; nitrogen-free extract, 

 55.26; protein, 8.77; pentosans, 21.13. 



HOLCUS LANATUS L.i 



Holcus lanatus (velvet grass), like many other aggressive species, has many warm 

 friends, and it has bitter enemies. It is widely introduced throughout the United 

 States as far south as the Carolinas. While commonly considered to produce a feed 

 of low grade, many ranchers in the Pacific Northwest, the only place in which it is 

 abundant, find it a very valuable grass. It inhabits moist meadows and furnishes 

 both hay and pasturage of medium quality. 



No. 8891 was collected near Hood River, Oreg., August 23, 1907. The sample was 

 mature, one-half of the culm dry, but the leaves were all green. It was cut 3 inches 

 high. 





Percent- 

 age of 

 moisture. 



Water-free basis (per cent). 



Material analyzed. 



Ash. 



Ether 

 extract. 



Crude 

 fiber. 



Nitrogen- 

 free 

 extract. 



Protein. 



Pento- 

 sans. 





4.89 



12.24 

 9.42 



2.83 



2.97 



27.42 

 29.68 



51.47 



47.98 



6.04 

 9.95 



21.63 

















9.73 



2.95 



29.43 



48.38 



9.51 











1 More recently written Notholcus lanatus (L.) Nash. 



2 Canada Central Experiment Farm Bui. 19, p. 2S; Kentucky Report, 1902, p. 302; Louisiana Bui. 19, 

 series 2, p. 553; Mississippi Report, 1S95, p. 91; U. S. Department of Agriculture Report No. 32, 1S84, 

 pp. 127, 136; Virginia Bui. 180, p. 96; West Virginia Bui. 23, p. 36. 



HOMALACENCHRUS ORYZOIDES (L.) Poll. 



Homalacenchrus oryzoides, the cut-grass with which every boy is disagreeably ac- 

 quainted, is commonly pastured by cattle along streams and fresh-water lakes through- 

 out its range. It never grows abundantly enough or pure enough to enter appreciably 

 into the composition of hay. 



No. 8793 was collected at Fargo, N. Dak., August 8, 1907. The sample was 2 to 2\ 

 feet high, but had not quite headed out. It was cut close to the ground. 





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. 8793 



Average of 4 others 1 



10.24 



17.35 

 13.73 



2.71 

 2.23 



32.17 

 29.90 



37.04 



44.87 



10.73 

 9.27 



21.11 













14.45 



2.33 



30. 35 



43.31 



9.56 











1 Kentucky: Bui. 87, p. 116; Bui. 104, p. 302. Mississippi Repoit, 1888,p. 33. South Dakota Bui. 40,p. 52. 



