FODDER CROPS. 



65 



It has given satisfactory results at Berkeley, and is a very promis- 

 ing grass for diy, open upland ranges. 



Buffalo grass (Bulbilis dactyloides) is low growing, rarely more 

 than 5 or 6 inches high, producing numerous creeping and widely 

 spreading branches, which root at the joints, each joint produc- 

 ing a new plant. In this manner it rapidly spreads over a wide 

 area, forming a close mat of fine-leaved herbage greatly relished by 

 all grazing animals. At Berkeley buffalo grass is a summer grower, 

 not starting before April, but continuing green till late in the fall. 

 It withstands drought well, and on this account would probably form 

 a valuable addition to the summer pasture of the upland ranges, sup- 

 plementing the winter feed of the 

 prevailing annual grasses. Seed 

 is not easily obtained, but the plant 

 is readily produced by roots, which 

 should be planted in early spring 

 and protected from stock till well 

 established. Small quantities of 

 roots can be obtained on applica- 

 tion to the Director of the Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Station, 

 Berkeley. 



Bur clover (Medicago denticu- 

 lata) (fig. 2) is one of the most 

 nourishing forage plants for late 

 summer feed. Cattle do not touch 

 it early in the season, so that it has 

 opportunity to mature large quan- 

 tities of its prickly seed pod (burs). 

 When ripe the seeds are said to 

 contain a large proportion of nu- 

 tritive matter and are eaten with 

 great avidity by stock, either from 

 the plant or licked up from the 

 ground after falling, in July, Au- 

 gust, and September, the season when green feed becomes most scarce. 

 Cattle placed on stubble in which there is an abundance of bur clover 

 become exceedingly fat at this season of the year. As the burs 

 become badly entangled in the wool of sheep, this plant is not desir- 

 able for sheep ranges, but in its stead the closeby related smooth bur 

 clover might be grown. 



Bur clover is said not to thrive so well on the drier uplands back 

 from the coast, but it is nevertheless worth trial in such situations. 

 It luxuriates in the comparatively moist valleys. It is best sown by 

 scattering the burs over the ranges in autumn, as they will germinate 

 and take root with the advent of the first rains. It is not necessary 

 to harrow the ground or to cover the burs, unless they are sown in 

 18766— No. 12—02 5 



Ftg. 2.— Bur clover {Medicago clenticulata) 



