IMPORTANT RANGE PLANTS. 51 



average. The seed crop, too, is produced late. A few matured seed 

 heads are seen about August 10, but most of the seed reaches maturity 

 in September, often in the latter part of the month. Fortunately 

 this plant is very resistant to frost, and consequently the seed con- 

 tinues to develop after many other species, such as wild celery, have 

 been killed. 



The vitality of the seed crop, taking into account that produced 

 both early and late in the Hudsonian zone, gave an average of 29, 

 38, and 41 per cent, respectively, in the three years of test. 

 Mountain dandelion is reproducing comparatively well on the range, 

 and promises to respond favorably to any system of protection which 

 will allow the seed crop to mature. 



Sheep seek the plant in preference to many grasses and weedy 

 species. Each season it is eaten down to the ground, leaving only 

 the coarse base. In the early part of the summer, and even until the 

 seeds are nearly mature, the young, tender, juicy flower stalks, leaves, 

 and even the flowers, are eaten with avidity. Few other species 

 enjoy as long a growing season. In 1909 the leaves were still green 

 and highly palatable to sheep on October 1. The seeds are usually 

 not disseminated for a considerable time after maturity, but the 

 hairy appendages which are the means of affecting their dispersal by 

 the wind are not objectionable to stock. 



Woolly Weed. 



(Hieracium cynoglossoides.) 



To see this peculiarly woolly plant, sometimes referred to as woolly 

 hieracium, one would hardly think of it as valuable for forage. Sheep- 

 men state, however, that the only objection is that it does not occur 

 more abundantly. 



It is from 1 to 2 feet in height with numerous leaves arising from 

 the crown of the perennial, coarse and much-branched root, and an 

 abundance of leaves on the stem. The dense covering of fine soft 

 hairs on the stem and leaves gives it a very distinctive character 

 (Plate LI). 



It is unusual to find a dense ground covering of woolly weed. It 

 grows almost invariably with other weedy perennials, such as moun- 

 tain dandelion, blue beardtongue, and numerous grass species, among 

 which it seldom predominates. In soil and moisture requirements it 

 is almost identical with mountain dandelion. Individual plants 

 wilted beyond recovery in soil varying in water content from 8 to 

 10.5 per cent. These figures are similar to those obtained in the case 

 of certain bunch grasses with which woolly weed is associated. 



The flower stalks are produced between July 15 and August 20, 

 the greatest number being sent up after August 1. The seeds begin 



