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MISC. PUBLICATION 9 0, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



conditions. One condition decidedly in favor of grasses is that 

 the leaves grow from the base. Thus, if the leaves are not cropped 

 too closely they grow again. 



THE WHEATGRASSES 



The wheatgrasses (Agropyron) are very important in Utah, and 

 are eaten eagerly by all classes of stock, although best suited for 

 cattle and horses. 



There are a number of species of wheatgrasses in this region : 



Slender wheatgrass {Agropyron tenerum) and its very close and 

 similar relative, violet wheatgrass (A. violaceum) are fairly abun- 

 dant, especially at medium elevations. Sheep relish the young herb- 

 age and the seed stalks, and horses and cattle consume the entire 

 plant at all times. 



Bunch grass {A. spicatum) called " blue-bunch wheatgrass " in 

 Utah, is one of the most widely distributed of the wheatgrasses, and 



ill 



1 i i * 



Figure 8. — A luxuriant growth of range plants. Under sood range management 

 plenty of leafage is left for food making 



is a highly drought-enduring grass. This species yields well, is 

 relished by all classes of stock, and has high nutritive value; it 

 therefore ranks among the best forage plants. 



THE BROMES 



The mountain bromes, especially Bromus marginatus and B. 

 polyanthus, make a rather coarse, rank growth, but are palatable 

 to livestock, especially to cattle and horses. They supply an abun- 

 dance of forage at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. 



THE BLUEGRASSES 



The bluegrasses (Poa) are among the most palatable plants, and 

 there are a great many species in the State. They are chiefly pasture 

 plants, although they can be found growing on almost any range, 

 and sometimes form a major part of the plant cover. Kentucky 

 bluegrass (Poa pratensis), smooth mountain bluegrass (P. epilis), 



