GRASSES FOR SPECIAL CONDITIONS 



199 



Elyvtus condensatus in low alkaline soil, is seen in 



Fig- 43-) 



Salt-grass {Distichlis maritima), a small, sod- 

 forming grass, grows on soils very strongly alkaline. 

 Some forms of it grow tall enough to cut for hay. It 



FIG. 43 — TYPICAL VIEW ON RANGES OF THE WEST 

 SHOWING BUNCHES OF GIANT RYE GRASS 



is too salty for first-class feed, but stock eat it very 

 readily when better feed is scarce. No attention has 

 been given to its propagation. It is a shy seed-bearer, 

 but a little attention from the plant-breeder could 

 doubtless develop a strain of salt-grass of considerable 

 value for soils too strongly alkaline for other grasses. 



