GRASS CULTURE AND RANGE IMPROVEMENT 



23 



throughout the spike and shattered badly before they were fully 

 mature. These defective habits may be responsible for its failure 

 to occupy large areas in the Plains. It occurs sparingly over an 

 extensive region, particularly in parts of eastern Xew Mexico. 



Bentley (-5) in 1898 reported that this species, which he referred 

 to as "Arizona Millet." was a valuable hay grass because of its habit 

 of growth, producing an abundance of fodder and seed. He further 

 stated that it was one of the most common grasses of the Abilene 

 section of Texas. One strain of this species in 1937 produced more 

 forage but less seed than another at Woodward (fig. 11). Breeding 

 work with these and additional strains may result in improved 

 seeding characters. 



Figure 11. — Plains bristlegrass : A. Large strain left : small strain right ; B, 

 close-ups of large strain: and C. close-ups of small, less shattering strain. 

 The bicolored sections on rule are 3 inches long. 



