FORAGE PLANTS OF ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO. 



In September, 1887, a circular was sent to about fifty stockmen in 

 Arizona and ^"ew Mexico, asking for specimens of any plants used for 

 forage, with notes on their value. Considerable valuable information 

 was thus obtained. The returns showed that many plants which are 

 regarded elsewhere as useless weeds are of much value there for for- 

 age. The specimens sent were numbered to correspond witli the ac- 

 companying notes. These specimens were identified by the botanist, 

 and their names, together with other information, returned to the send- 

 ers. The following notes, sent by Dr. J. Pool, of Bensou, Ariz., will serve 

 as an example of the replies. Further information on these and other 

 forage plants of this region will be found elsewhere in this bulletin. 

 Siwrobulus WrigMii (Sacaton grass). 



This grass is adapted to the valleys, and grows on any kiud of 

 soil, good or poor, where there is a little moisture. It grows 

 at all times of the year, attaining the height of 8 or 9 feet. 

 When there is plenty of rain in July and August it grows very 

 fast, and in September it blooms. It grows in bunches or tus- 

 socks, and finally mats together. It grows from both the seed 

 and root ; is very hardy, an d does not tramp out very easily. 

 It is sometimes cut for hay. 

 Trichloris verticillata (sometimes called Fox-tail grass). 



This grass is very good forage, growing on the high land of the 

 valleys. It comes from seed after the summer rains fall. It 

 grows to the height of 4 feet, and is not easily tramped out. 

 Boutdoua ])olystacluja (Six- weeks grass). 



This grass starts after every rain, on the mesas and bottom lands, 

 and comes to maturity in six weeks. It grows very thick, comes 

 every year, and is relished by horses, cattle, sheep, etc. 

 MuMcnbergia Texana (Grama grass). 



This grass is adapted to the mesa lands, table lands, and hills, 

 and grows to the height of 2 feet, and in bunches or clusters 5 

 matted together. It is very fine feed for cattle, horses, and 

 sheep, aud it also makes very good hay, of which a great 

 many tons are cut every year. It starts up after every rain. 

 It has very fine seed, as you will see by the specimens. It 

 stands drougths very well, which we often have in this Terri- 

 tory, and when the dry weather comes it dries and remains 

 good all winter. But it tramps out in three or four years where 

 cattle run on the range. 



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