1 8 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



least valuable. Perhaps the best of them is Calamagrosiis canadensis, which is soft 

 and leafy. Next, perhaps, in value is Calamagrosiis aleutica, of California and Oregon, 

 extending into Alaska, Calamagrosiis longifolia, confined chietly to the plains east of 

 the Rocky Mountains, is tall and reed-like, growing in dense clumps, from four to six 

 feet high. Several species of Andropogon are diffused from Arizona to British Amer- 

 ica on the plains, but are not found on the western coast. They are, however, not 

 properly called bunch grass, as their habit of growth is more spreading. The princi- 

 pal species are Andropogon seoparius, A. /«>-c«/»s, and A. nutans. Some of them are 

 known through the plain region as blue-joint or blue-stem. Others, more sparingly 

 spread, are several species of Poa and GJyceria. Several varieties of Iriticmn repens 

 or couch grass occur abundantly in saline soils, and are among the most nutritious of 

 grasses. Brizopyruni spicatum and species of Vilfa and Sporoholus also form extensive 

 patches or meadows in saline soil. Besides the grasses already mentioned there are 

 a large number of low growth and more diffused habit, which are known in the South- 

 west and east of the Rocky Mountains under the names of mesquit and buffalo 

 grasses. The former belong mostly to the genus Bouieloua, the most important species 

 being B. curtipendula, or tali mesquit, and B. oliyosiacliya and B. hirsuta, or low mes- 

 quit. The true buffalo grass is botanically Bitchloe daciyloides, which in some places 

 forms extensive fields of its low and densely-tufted growth. Another similar grass 

 spreading outm low patches is Munroa squarrosa. The above-mentioned species form 

 the larger proportion of the grassy vegetation of the great plains. 

 Respectfully, 



GEO. VASEY, 



Botanist. 

 General Benjamin Alvokd. 



JREPORTS ON GRASS AND GRASS CULTURE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE 



UXLTED STATES. 



Ill 1882 circulars were sent out by the Commissioner of Agriculture 

 to agriculturists aud farmers in all parts of the country asking infor- 

 mation as to the natural pasture grasses of this district, what kind of 

 natural and cultivated grasses were used for hay and pasture, and what 

 grasses could be suggested for experiment. A large number of reports 

 were received and compiled by the assistant botanist, W. P. Conant, and 

 a summary of the results is herewith given. As a general thing the cor- 

 respondents were not acquainted with the botanic or technical names of 

 the grasses, and gave the common or local name where there was one. It 

 frequently happens that the same grass will have dift'erent local names 

 even in places not far remote from each other, and also that the same 

 name will be applied to grasses very unlike. Many have no common 

 name and are referred to as wild grass, woods grass, swamp grass, &c. 



So, in examining the reports, a perplexing difiticulty was often en- 

 countered in not being able to determine to what species a grass be- 

 longed from the name given. In some instances this difticulty was ob- 

 viated by obtaining specimens of the plants referred to; in others they 

 were not sent or failed to reach here. 



The reports were sent in with commendable promptness, and all 

 evinced a great interest in the subject, and expressed a strong desire to 

 aid the undertaking by all means in their power. 



