GRASS CULTURE AND RANGE IMPROVEMENT 



27 



Bentley (J, p. 12) in 1898 reported that side-oats grama was one 

 of the best native grasses in central Texas and was highly regarded 

 by stockmen. He further stated : 



Cattle are very fond of it both before and after it ripens seed. It produces 

 a great many seeds that do not shatter out readily, and, as it grows from 18 

 inches to 3 feet tall and makes a large quantity of fodder, soft when cured, it is 

 an excellent hay grass. It is common throughout the prairie region * * *. 



In 1899 Bentley (6) transplanted sods of side-oats grama and sev- 

 eral other grasses, including curly-mesquite, in bare spots in native 

 pastures and reported that in every instance they grew well and 

 promised to cover the naked spots in a short time. 



SAND DROPSEED 



Sand dropseed is one of the first perennial grasses to invade aban- 

 doned fields, waste places, and disturbed areas in native pastures of 

 the southern Plains. Consequently, with most pastures badly dam- 

 aged by drought and grazing, this species is now widely and rather 

 abundantly distributed. Many years are required for the better 



Figure 14. — Selections of side-oats grama at Woodward, Okla. 

 variation in this species.- 



showing typical 



