40 FORAGE CONDITIONS ON NOETHEEN BOEDER OF GEEAT BASIN. 



meadows and especially in depressions and ' ' draws, ' ' which furnish large quantities 

 of feed, consisting of native clovers and sedges. It seems never to be eaten by either 

 cattle or sheep, and forms a very conspicuous weed in the localities mentioned. 



Mustard (Sophia pinnata). — In southern Oregon this appeared to be the worst 

 weed in alfalfa meadows. At Denio the alfalfa hay with which our horses were fed 

 at the livery stable consisted of at least one-half of this plant, While this was the 

 worst case seen, it was very commonly found in large quantities in the alfalfa hay 

 throughout the region. To the north and south of this place, however, less of it was 

 observed. 



Lettuce (Lactuca scariola). — This was not prominent enough to attract any atten- 

 tion until we reached the headwaters of the Malheur River. From here on to 

 Ontario it steadily increased in quantity. It was especially abundant in alfalfa 

 meadows in the lower course of the Malheur River. Several fields were seen in the 

 vicinity of Vail, in which this plant grew about as thick as it could well stand and as 

 high as one's head. 



Wild oats ( Arena fatua) . — This, like the previous species, attracted no attention 

 until we reached the headwaters of the Malheur River. It was common, however, 

 all along the trip, but not of so much consequence in this region as where small grains 

 are grown. There may be large quantities of it in alfalfa fields, but it is usually cut 

 at such a time as to make very good feed, and thus every cutting tends to clear 

 the land of it. In as much as alfalfa is cut often the oat does not have time to mature 

 its seed. 



Squirrel tail (Hordeum jubatum). — This is probably the most persistent and 

 troublesome weed which inhabits native meadows. When it occurs, as is often the 

 case, in hay land, the quality of the feed is very decidedly reduced by its presence. 

 In this condition it is not relished by stock, and when forced to eat it they often 

 become emaciated and their mouths become sore on account of the accumulation of 

 the beards between the teeth. However, as stated elsewhere, it is not wholly a weed, 

 for it often forms, with proper management, a very palatable and nutritious pasture 

 or hay ration. 



Barnyard-grass (Panicum crus-galli). — In but one locality was this found in any 

 quantity which attracted attention. Here there was a phenomenal growth of it. 

 On the Harper ranch, on the Malheur River about 40 miles above Ontario, a large 

 field of alfalfa, seeded last spring, contained a remarkable volunteer crop of this grass 

 mixed with it. It was very noticeable, however, that it developed in the lower por- 

 tions of the meadow in which the water from the two irrigations applied accu- 

 mulated and remained for sometime before soaking into the ground. In this area, 

 particularly, there was a growth of at least two tons of hay per acre. As would be 

 expected, the alfalfa was completely killed out, due, in all probability, not to the 

 presence of the weed, but to overirrigation and improper drainage. (See PI. XVI, 

 fig. 1.) 



Utah saltbush (Atriplex truncata) . — This, like the two following species, often 

 grows in great quantities in low, poorly drained, alkaline, alfalfa meadows. It was 

 especially abundant in such localities near Beulah, on the north fork of the Malheur 

 River. 



Halbert-leaved saltbush (Atriplex hastata). — Much of this species is often cut 

 with alfalfa and also with native forage plants. It is questionable whether it ever 

 interferes very materially in alfalfa meadows, although large patches of it frequently 

 occur. It usually develops in situations which are either too alkaline or too poorly 

 drained for the former. 



Pahute weed (Dondia depressa erecta). — This plant, which is said to receive its 

 name from the fact that the Pahute Indians used the seed for food, is a weed in the 

 same sense as are the two previous ones, and the notes under those species apply 

 equally well here. 



