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Dalea scoparia. (Fig. 13.) 
A wild vetch, pue gray, almost leafless, stems; abundant on the mesas of New 
Mexico and Arizona, where it furnishes almost the only forage in the dry season. 
It is worthy of N 
Dasylirion texanum. Sotol. 
A fodder plant of the lily family, which occurs throughout western Texas and north- 
ern Mexico. It grows abundantly in the great bend of the Rio Grande, and is 
eae kimy esteemed, producing fodder for sheep in the winter season and dur- 
ng periods of extreme drought. The appearance of the plant is something like 
FIG. 13.— Dalea scoparia. Fig. 14.—Beggar weed (Desmodium tortuosum). 
that of a large pineapple growing on a trunk 2 to 5 feet high. The narrow 
leaves, 3 to 4 feet'long, and one-third to one-half inch wide, radiate in every 
direction, forming a rosette at the top of the trunk. The portion eaten is the 
inner cabbage-like heart, which remains after the spiny leaves have been cut off. 
An analysis of this, made by the chemist of the Department of ia shows 
that it contains about 12 per cent of sugar and gum, and about 3 per cent of 
oae protein, guns 65 per cont of wai, No attempt has been made to culti- 
; y portions of its range. Sheep 
can gore upon it ee or five months in the winter without access to water, so 
that it would be an excellent forage plant for dissemination and cultivation in 
arid regions where the winters are not tóo severe. 
. Desmanthus brachylobus 
An erect perennial 2 1 to 4 feet high, with twice pinnate leaves, eR siekle- 
shaped pods 1 inch long, borne in a dense globular eluster. Common on bottom 
lands and alluvial banks from Minnesota to Kentucky, Florida, iid Texas. 
It is much relished by horses and other stock, and should be given a Viet in 
cultivation 
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