70 STOCK RANGES OF NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA. 



the application of quick manures. Like Italian ray grass, the peren- 

 nial species has but few flowers to the spikelet. but it is usually at 

 once distinguished by the absence of awns. The young foliage is of a 

 dark green color. 



Australian ray grass (Lolium perenne tenue) is nothing more than 

 a perennial ray grass which appears to have developed greater drought- 

 resisting qualities by long cultivation in Australia. It is a somewhat 

 wiry, tough form, especially adapted to cultivation on dry hillsides. 



Many-flowered ray grass (Lolium multiflorum) is a variety having 

 very large spikes and many-flowered spikelets. It has become abun- 

 dantly naturalized in northern and middle California, and seems well 

 adapted to the climate. It has recently become naturalized on the 

 hills near Cloverdale, and is there considered a valuable forage grass. 

 On the bottom lands of the Garcia and Eel rivers it grows luxuriantly, 

 and in the former locality is used as a hay crop, yielding fully 3 tons 

 to the acre. (Sheppard.) 



Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is one of the heaviest producers 

 of foliage, and the most nutritious of any of our cultivated forage 

 plants. The climate over a large proportion of the State of Califor- 

 nia is not adapted to its culture, but there is no apparent reason why 

 it should not thrive admirably in the higher mountain valleys of 

 northwestern California. It is possible that the soil of Sherwood Val- 

 ley may prove too sandy for this species, but its importance as a for- 

 age crop makes it well worth a thorough trial there. In heavy alluvial 

 soil at the experiment station at Berkeley and on the Eel River bot- 

 tom lands it has produced immense crops. It is frequently found, 

 however, that red clover runs out after a few years. Professor 

 Hilgard considers this is undoubtedly due to excessive acidity of the 

 soil, which can be counteracted by treatment with lime (see p. 55). 

 In England it is customary to sow Italian ray grass and red clover 

 together, the former acting as a nurse crop for the latter, keeping out 

 weeds and increasing the first year's yield, then dying out., 



Red fescue (Festuca rubra) is a good bottom grass, having run- 

 ning rootstocks, which form a compact and durable turf, and produ- 

 cing a large quantity of fine root leaves. Red fescue endures varied 

 conditions of soil and exposure, and is recommended both for wood- 

 land pastures and open meadows and for either sand}; or clay soils. 

 It should be tried in the mountain valleys, both on sandy alluvial or 

 gravelly soils, and should also be used for the renewal of the open 

 range, as its habit of growth will tend to check the washing of the 

 soil and it withstands trampling by stock. 



Redtop (Agrosiis alba) is considered in the East as one of the best 

 grasses for permanent pastures and meadows, making a "very resist- 

 ant and leafy turf, which well withstands the trampling of stock." It 

 needs a moist soil, and may prove useful in the higher valleys. 



Reed fescue (Festuca aruadinacea) is a tall, vigorous, and hardy 



