42 The West American Sctentzst. 
in the mountains as the “‘gietta’’ grass—a name furnished by the 
Mexicans, the true spelling of which I was unable to determine. 
It grows abundantly on the open plain to a height of one to two 
feet, forming dense bunches which are, however, rather scatter- 
ing asarule. It seemed to delight in the finest sand that was 
apparently free (at the surface) from all foreign substances and 
where no other plants could be found growing. I easily cut it 
for my horses with a pick, and could with this implement form 
quite a bale ina few minutes. Ass its specific name indicates, it 
is a rigid, unbending grass which will break sooner than yield. 
The large amount of starch embodied in its stalks may be con- 
sidered to account for this stiff nature which it possesses. For 
several years Mr. Haydon has cut this grass for hay, and fed it 
to his horses and cattle, with satisfactory results. Horses soon 
learn its good qualities in spite of its rather discouraging stiffness. 
DEER WEED. 
Another plant extending through our hills and mountains from 
the sea shore to the sandy plains of the desert, where it is equally 
abundant with the last, is the deer weed (Hosackia glabra). Each 
plant forms a dense spreading bush, one to three feet high, bear- 
ing a profusion of small yellow flowers followed by small pods. 
It belongs to the pea tamily.and nearly related to the alfalfa and 
clovers. It grows in dry situations, among the brush on our 
driest mesas and on the open plains of the Colorado desert, 
where it blossoms in April and ripens fit to cut by June. Its 
name among the mountains indicates that it is a favorite with 
deer, but its value might not have been suspected, except for the 
necessity of using everything available when on the desert. Mr. 
Haydon was probably the first to utilize it, having cut it for hay 
for three years, and reports it as fattening for stock, and good, 
strong forage. The plant in bloom also supplies an excellent 
pasture for bees. 
FRANSERIA. 
A little boy in Nevada, writing to the editor of the Swzss Cvoss, 
say of the sage brush: ‘‘When cattle can get nothing else, they 
eat the young shoots.’? We would suppose that no horse or 
cow, in the presence of other food, would touch the allied Fran- 
seria dumosa, a common bush among the hills bordering the 
Colorado desert, and extending also over a large portion of the 
plains. It is very bitter, usually stiff and dry—but quickly re- 
viving after a little shower. Still we are informed by Mr. Hay- 
don that this forms one of the most valuable of the native plants, 
and that without having learned its value he could not have ex- 
plored the desert as he has done. It is a strong, healthy food, 
and horses acquire a taste for the burr-like fruit, which it produces 
in abundance. C. &. Orcutt. 
