15 
Another species of this genus occurs in Texas, New Mexico, and South- 
ern Colorado, which has the name of Vine Mesquit. It is botanically 
called Panicum obtusum. I found patches of this growing in Southern 
Colorado, making an even grassy surface about 2 feet high, and appear- 
ing as if it would cut. 2 tons per acre. I also saw it in considerable quan- 
tity in hay brought into the Pueblo market. It frequently throws out 
runners several feet long (6 to 8 feet sometimes), which at intervals form 
thickened woolly knots or nodes, which sometimes take root. Itdeser^es 
attention with reference to its agricultural value. 
One of the so-called bunch-grasses, botanically called Oryzopsis cus- 
pidata, occurs near the mountains in sandy soil, but I did not observe 
it over the eastern part of the arid district. In Southern New Mexico 
and Arizona, however, it is said to be an important grass. Associated 
with Andropogon Hallii in very sandy districts is another tall grass, also 
called sand-grass, which is botauically, Ammophila longifolia. It is 
coarse and tough, and its principal value seems to be as a refuge from 
starvation by cattle in the winter. It prevails on the sand dunes and 
sand hills of the most barren districts. 
Another grass of very different habit and growth is sometimes also 
called sand-grass, salt-grass, and alkali-grass, botauically called Distich- 
lis maritima. This is a low, very leafy grass, frequently forming the 
principal part of the vegetation in alkaline soils, though not confined 
to such. There seems to be a difference of opinion as to the value of 
this grass, some regarding it as useful, others as of no value. 
Wild rye grass, botanically, various forms of Ely mus canadensis, is fre- 
quent in low grounds and borders of streams, aud where it occurs in suf- 
ficient quantity is cut for hay, and is esteemed one of the best kinds. 
Among other grasses having some value, and occurring in some locali- 
ties, may be named Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus airoides, Chryso- 
pogon nutans, Eilaria Jamesii, Bouteloua racemosa, Stipa spartea, Koele- 
ria cristata, several species of Muhlenbergia aud Munroa squarrosa. 
Some of these may prove to be valuable in cultivation for this arid region. 
Several worthless annual grasses are often abundantly mixed on the 
plains with the gramma and buffalo, such as Aristida purpurea, Festuca 
tenella, Hordeum jubatum, and Elymus Sitanion. Some of these are in- 
jurious on account of the barbed awns which cause sore mouths in ani- 
mals and work into the wool and even into the flesh of sheep. 
ACREAGE REQUIRED FOR THE SUPPORT OF STOCK. 
Mr. H. M. Taylor, agent of the Bureau of Animal Industry, in his 
report for 1885 says, "from 40 to 50 acres are required to support one 
cow or horse on the arid regions of the plains." 
Mr. S. H. Standart, another agent of the same Bureau, says: 
The amount of acreage it requires to support oue animal on the rauge in this State 
(Colorado) is 36|- acres on the average in ordinary seasons. The reports are from 13 
to 100 acres, according to locality. 
