CONDITION AND PLANTS OF THE RANGE. 21 
which grew here showed not a single perennial and no annuals over 2 
inches in height. These had apparently developed from seed during 
the previous month, after the sheep had been moved to higher alti- 
tudes. The reduction of a sedgy mountain meadow to an almost bare 
surface, where nothing is to be found but stunted plants of Vavarretia 
brewert, Linanthus harknessii, knotweed (Polygonum douglasi), Lri- 
trichium californicum, Matricariva discoidea, and burnet (Poteriwn 
annuum), is a condition much to be deplored, and is certainly not con- 
ducive to the best interests of the stock industry. In sheep territory 
it can be stated that there are few shrubs, aside from the snow brush 
(Ceanothus velutinus) and a few of the phloxes and gilias, in these 
mountains which are not browsed; and the timber does not grow too 
thick for sheep to graze in. Even the second growth of pine (Pinus 
ponderosa) is browsed in many places. 
The forage plants, especially the grasses, do not differ materially 
from those of the higher elevations in eastern Washington previously 
discussed. The conditions are mostly such as would be recognized 
only by the critical student of grasses. Bluegrasses (Poa nevadensis, 
P. wheeeri, P. sandbergii, and P. buckleyana), sheep fescue (/estuca 
ovina in both its forms), bunch wheat grass (Agropyron spicatun), 
prairie June grass (Aoveleria cristata), short-awned brome (romus 
marginatus), orchard barley (Sctanion longifolium), giant rye grass 
(Elymus condensatus), tussock grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), and 
needle grass (Stipa wiridula and S. thurberiana) are the main species 
on the open areas, while in upland shady places and in brush and tim- 
ber areas are to be found a form of Kentucky bluegrass (od pratensis), 
downy oat grass (Zrisetum subspicatum), oat grass (Danthonia cali- 
Jornica), melic grass (Melica subulata), and mountain rye grass (/7y- 
mus glaucus), together with pine grass (Carex geyer’), which constitute 
the main feed in these localities at an altitude of 4,500 to 6,000 feet. 
On some of the bare, rocky slopes on the open range occurs some 
clover (Zrifolium plumosum). This is seldom so abundant that seed 
could be collected in quantity. Its strong root system and general 
habit in barren soils would lead one to believe that it might be of some 
value on the upland ranges if some method could be devised for its 
propagation so that seed could be collected advantageously. Along all 
the creeks and moist areas throughout the region fine feed is produced 
by other species of native clovers (Z7rifolium bechwithii, T. cyathife- 
rum, T. altissimum, and T. involucratum), while in the same localities 
there are many species of sedges and rushes which are really of more 
importance than the grasses In many situations. In these more moist 
localities are also found mountain timothy (7Aleum alpinum) and 
whitetop (Agrostis asperifolia). 
The numerous pastures in the vicinity of the settlements are used almost 
entirely for winter grazing, the stock feeding upon the open ranges dur- 
