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of southern Dakota, and it occurs southward to Texas. It was also 
common on the prairies of Illinois and Wisconsin before the incoming 
of settlements. West of the 100th meridian, however, especially in 
sandy soils, this species is replaced by two others of the same genus, 
viz: Sporobolus cryptamirus and SN. airoides. All these species should 
receive attention. 
It grows in dense, firmly rooted tufts, principally west of the Mississippi River, 
from British America to Arkansas. The panicle is from 3 to 6 inches long, rather 
loose; the branches, two to three together, slender, and with a few rather distant 
flowers. 
A writer in the Agricultural Report for 1870 says: 
This species may be identified from its long, slender leaves, growing abundantly 
from the base of the plant, gracefully curving; from its tendency to grow in bunches 
or stools, and when in fruit from its small panicle of sharp-pointed spikelets and its 
round seeds. These, when bruised, emit a strong, heavy, and rather disagreeable 
odor. It is sometimes cultivated for hay, and makes an article of fine quality. 
Sporobolus aircides (Bunch Grass; Salt Grass). 
Culms (arising from strong perennial creeping root-stocks) 2 to 3 feet high, thick- 
ened at the base and clothed with numerous long, rigid, generally involute, long- 
pointed, smooth leaves, which are bearded in the throat of the sheath. The panicle 
is 6 to 12 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide, thin and spreading ; the branches cap- 
illary, and scattered or in whorls. below, subdivided above the middle, and rather 
sparsely flowered. 
It is common on the arid plains of the West, is sometimes called salt © 
grass, and affords persistent pasturage where other grasses are tramped 
out. (Pilate 105). 
Agrostis exarata, var. Pacifica (Pacific Coast Redtop). 
This variety grows chieily on the Pacific coast, from California to Alaska. It is ~ 
often more robust than the common or eastern redtop, growing 2 to 3 feet high, with 
a stout, firm culm, clothed with three or four broadish leaves 4 to 6 inches long. 
The panicle is 4 to 6 inches long, rather loose, heavier, and closer than tke proper 
species. 
There is reason to believe that this species can be made to supply the — 
same valuable place on the Pacitie coast that the A. vulgaris does at 
the East. It deserves trial. (Plate 106). 
Deschampsia czspitosa (Hair Grass). 
This is an exceedingly varied species, having a wide distribution in 
this and other countries. It is somewhat rare east of the Mississippi, 
but on the elevated plains of the Rocky Mountains and in California 
and Oregon it is one of the common bunch grasses which afford pastur- 
age to cattle and horses. At the East it is found in the hilly regions 
of New England and the Alleghanies. It grows in bunches, which are 
firmly rooted. The culms are 2 to 4 feet high. The root-leaves are 
very numerous, long, and narrow. The panicle is very handsome, pre- 
senting a purple and glossy hue, and a loose, graceful appearance. Its 
culms are too light for hay-making, but the abundant root leaves may 
