NATIVE PASTURE GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



31 



inhabits gravelly ridges of the foothills region midway between the desert mesas and 

 the moister mountains. Nowhere does it form a complete ground cover, but it is 

 commonly found in bunches scattered among other grasses and is consequently not 

 a grass of the first importance, although readily eaten by stock in both dry field- 

 cured and green conditions. 



No. 9518 was collected near Prescott, Ariz., August 31, 1908. The sample was in 

 late blossom and was harvested by being 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. 





7.07 



7.25 

 7.55 



2.00 

 2.28 



34.08 

 34.16 



50.06 

 49.80 



6.61 

 6.21 



19.74 

















7.40 



2.14 



34.12 



49.93 



6.41 











i New Mexico Bui. 17, p. 37. 

 MELICA BULBOSA Geyer. 



Afelica bulbosa (melic grass) is a Pacific coast species of importance only as a filler. 

 It is a tall, coarse species with bare, hard culms, growing scatteringly among other 

 grasses and shrubbery, but it is always grazed where opportunity offers. This is one 

 of the native bunch grasses which have been almost exterminated. The fact that it 

 is to be found rather abundantly along the railroad right of way in some places indi- 

 cates that it might come back on much of the range countiy if given a chance. 



No. 7106 (E. O. W.) was collected at Red Bluff, Cal., April 6, 1913. Its percentage 

 of moisture was 4.65. Other constituents (on a water-free basis) were as follows: Ash, 

 8.76; ether extract, 2.94; crude fiber, 30.36; nitrogen-free extract, 45.16; protein, 

 12.78; pentosans, 24.74. 



MELICA IMPERFECTA Trin. 



Melica imperfecta is one of the original perennial bunch grasses of California which 

 was no doubt much more abundant formerly than it is now. At present it is found 

 mostly in the protection of shrubbery. It is relished by stock and is therefore always 

 closely grazed. 



No. 7118 (E. O. W.) was collected at Moorpark, Cal., April 18, 1913. Its percentage 

 of moisture was 4.93. Other constituents (on a water-free basis) were as follows: Ash, 

 8.70; ether extract, 1.94; crude fiber, 36.95; nitrogen-free extract, 43.60; protein, 8.81; 

 pentosans, 27. 



MUHLENBERGIA ARENICOLA Buck!. 



Muhlenbergia arenicola is strictly a sandy-land species, at times very conspicuous 

 because it follows up other species which have been grazed out. Although at times 

 abundant over considerable areas, it is not relished by stock. 



No. 7084 (E. O. W.) was collected on sand hills northeast of Las Cruces, N. Mex., 

 October 3, 1912. Its percentage of moisture was 4.52. Other constituents (on a water- 

 free basis) were as follows: Ash, 9.03; ether extract, 2.05; crude fiber, 33.80; nitrogen- 

 free extract, 48.31; protein, 6.81; pentosans, 26.58. 



MUHLENBERGIA EMERSLEYI Vasey. 



Muhlenbergia emersleyi is a typical Mexican species which extends into the moun- 

 tains of the southwestern United States, forming a coarse, harsh forage resorted to 

 by cattle when other more palatable feeds fail. It grows in large bunches, often 2\ 

 feet high and having a spread of similar dimensions . In southern Arizona it invariably 

 inhabits the oak belt in the mountains, from the open, gently sloping, upper mesas to 

 an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet. It never gets down to the desert mesas. 

 It is a very handsome grass and, were it possible to cultivate it, might make a valuable 



