GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS FIGURED IN THIS BULLETIN. 



The most common and conspicuous of the grasses mentioned in the 

 report of Mr. Neally and of Professor Tracy are figured herewith, and 

 the figures will aid much in an identification of the species by those liv- 

 ing in the arid districts, and will be useful in directing experiments for 

 their cultivation or utilization. 



Panicum crus-galM (Barn-yard grass). 



This is an annual grass, with thick, stout culms, usually from 2 to 4 

 feet high. In the Southern States it is often employed and considered 

 a valuable grass. Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says that-- 



Iu that and some other States it is mowed annually, and is said sometimes to furnish 

 4 or 5 tons of hay per acre. It annually re-seeds the ground, and requires no other 

 cultivation or other care save protection from stock and the labor of harvesting. In 

 oue county in Mississippi hundreds of acres are annually mowed on single farms. 

 Cows and horses are very fond of it whether green or dry. 



In the Northern States it is hardly ever employed. (Plate 1.) 



Panicum virgatum (Fall panic-grass, switch-grass). 



A tall perennial grass, 3 to 5 feet high, growing mostly in clumps in 

 dry sandy soil, very common on the sea-coast, and also in the interior to 

 the base of the Rocky Mountains. This is a good and prolific grass if 

 cut when young ; when ripe it becomes harsh and unpalatable. It forms 

 a large constituent of the native grasses of the prairies, particularly in 

 moist localities. (Plate 2.) 



Aristida 2mrpurea (Western beard-grass ; purple three-awned grass). 

 This species prevails extensively west of the Mississippi River from 

 British America to Mexico, and is abundant on the plains of Kansas, 

 New Mexico, and Texas. It grows usually 1 to 1J feet high, with slen- 

 der culms, branching at the base, and with short, involute leaves. It 

 is an exceedingly variable species, and there are several distinct varie- 

 ties. The panicle is to 8 inches long, rather narrow, erect or flex- 

 uous. The spikelets are much like those of the preceding species, but 

 usually larger, and with longer awns or beards. In some varieties 

 these awns are 2 or 3 inches long, widely diverging, and purplish 

 colored, the whole panicle having a graceful and feathery appearance. 

 (Plate 3.) 



Stvpa viridula (Bunch- grass). 



A perennial grass, culms 2 to 4 feet high, leafy ; the radical leaves 12 

 to,18 inches long, those of the stem 4 to 10 inches long, one to two lines 



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