IMPORTANT RANGE PLANTS. 25 



the Hudsonian zone, though there it is of little forage value. It 

 makes its best growth on shallow clay loam soils, where, notwith- 

 standing its shallow roots, it remains green throughout the summer. 

 External hairy contrivances protect the plant from transpiration. 



Wilting beyond recovery does not take place until the soil moisture 

 falls to or slightly below 5.5 per cent, a condition which very few 

 herbaceous species can withstand. Owing to its ability to succeed 

 in dry soils and to withstand long periods of drought, and because of 

 its good seed habits and aggressiveness, soft cheat is valuable as a 

 binder for exposed soils. 



On the higher ranges in the Canadian zone, and in those parts of 

 the Hudsonian where it occurs, the flower stalks are mostly produced 

 by July 15. The seeds are usually matured by August 10. In the 

 Transition zone the seeds are ripened a month earlier. Seed col- 

 lections made on the upland ranges at an altitude of 6,000 feet 

 yielded an average germination of 48.2 per cent, while seed grown in 

 the Transition zone during the same seasons averaged 78.5 per cent. 

 This wide difference is doubtless due to the more favorable tempera- 

 ture in the lower zone. 



Since the forage of soft cheat is produced exceptionally early, it 

 is of special value at that season, and the leaf blades are then eagerly 

 eaten. There is diversity of opinion among stockmen as to the 

 nutritive qualities of this grass. Many claim that it is a valuable 

 feed when supplemented with other species of grasses and weeds, 

 but owing to its " washy," succulent nature in the spring of the year, 

 it is not conducive to putting, on solid fat. Miners say that their 

 pack animals fatten quickly upon it when left at leisure, but when 

 grazing upon it exclusively they are unable to work without excessive 

 loss of flesh. After the seeds have ripened the plant is of very little 

 forage value. 



Tall Meadow-Grass. 



(Panicularia nervata.) 



The genus Panicularia belongs to the same tribe as Kentucky 

 bluegrass and mountain bunch grass. It contains about 20 species, 

 most of which are found in North America. As its common name 

 implies, tall meadow-grass usually attains a good height. The leaf 

 blades are flat, smooth beneath, and rough above, and the sheaths 

 are rather rough throughout. At maturity the somewhat purplish 

 panicles with long flexible branches are usually drooping. 



This species is closely confined to moist situations, and is able to 

 thrive in rather deep shade. It is almost invariably associated with 

 slender reed-grass and various species of sedges and rushes of high 

 water requirements. It occurs rather extensively in moist situa- 

 tions in the Canadian zone, and is often the chief species in favorable 

 spots in both the Hudsonian and Transition zones. 

 85154°— Bull. 545—17 4 



