20 STOCK RANGES OF NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA. 



Jancdus (Velvet-grass, locally called " mesquite.") These three are 

 not indigenous, but have become naturalized from Europe as weeds, 

 and occupy the place of native plants probably of greater value. 



Other naturalized species commonly met with are: Soft chess 

 (Bromus hordeaceus), silvery hair-grass (Aira caryophyllea), small 

 barley-grass (Hordeum maritimum gussoneanum), which is abundant 

 in spots where other grasses do not thrive, and rat-tail fescue, 

 locally called squirrel-tail (Festuca myuros var. ciliata and var. 

 sciuroides). Broncho-grass (Bromus maximus gussoni) is occasion- 

 ally met with, but at present only sparingly. If conditions prove 

 as favorable to its development here as in the San Francisco Bay 

 counties, however, it is likely to become a prevalent and trouble- 

 some weed. At present it is said that stock do not like it, even while 

 young, soft, and tender, before it heads out, and after heading out its 

 loug awns are objectionable. Red-top (Agrostis alba) and timothy 

 (Phleum pratense) have been introduced as forage plants and are 

 occasionally met with, but have almost entirely "run out." 



The only native grasses met with in the meadows are noted here. 

 Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia ccespitosa) forms large tussocks and 

 may, perhaps, be of some use for grazing, but is valueless for hay as 

 its scattered and tufted habit of growth renders it. almost impassable 

 with a mowing machine ; it is not considered of much value by the 

 farmers. Slender hair grass (Deschampsia elongata) seems to occur 

 in two or three forms. One of these is very common in wet places, 

 and another equally abundant in drier spots. An Agrostis (A. 

 exarata microphylla) is common in wettish places. Occasional speci- 

 mens of meadow barley grass (Hordeum nodosum), danthonia (Dan- 

 tlionia ealifornica), and prairie June grass (Koeleria cristata) also 

 occur. California fescue (Festuca ealifornica) is quite common along 

 the borders of streams near the edge of the woodlands, forming large 

 and handsome tussocks, but as a forage plant it is somewhat harsh 

 and coarse. Two or three species of sedge and a rush are very com- 

 mon, but probably have little nutritive value. Blue canary-grass 

 (Plialaris ametlnjstina) occurs along the edge of the redwood forest. 

 In the streams and swamps a species of Pluropogon and Panicularia 

 flu Hans are quite common, and slough-grass (BecJcmannia erucce- 

 formis) is sometimes met with; the latter is reported as having been 

 very plentiful in the sixties. 



Of forage plants other than grasses and sedges the following native 

 clovers are quite common: Tri folium dichotomum A^ar., T. microdon, 

 T. barbigerum, T. bifidum decipiens, T. microcephalum, T. wormslx- 

 joldii var., T. variegatum, and T. tridentatum. T. depauperatum 

 and T. longipes var. are also met with, though only sparingly. As a 

 forage plant, the bull clover (T. wormskjoldii var.) is the most val- 

 uable species, in damp places sometimes growing 2 or 3 feet high, 

 and being a favorite food of both cattle and Indians, who eat it raw — 



