GltAIIINEAE 



for existence in the Navajo region has apparently adjusted itself 

 to the adverse conditions of drought and over grazing in the South- 

 west. In spite of its resistance to drought the chief limiting 

 factor seems to be lack of moisture. It hugs the swales where 

 there is some over-flow, creeps into the low places along the high- 

 ways, and spreads with apparent reluctance to the drier sites in 

 "brushy flats and slopes. As a soil erosion control plant it is 

 excellent because it occupies the places where the slightest run- 

 off gives a little added moisture and the long rhizomes tend to 

 bind the soil. Often the lower places are heavily sodded and the 

 culms and leaves of the grass form excellent desilters. Unfortuna- 

 tely the grass is rather unpalataMo to sheep and goats, or pos- 

 ibly this is fortunate. V.kile this species is ono which forms 

 extensive upland meadows in the Dakotas and eastern Colorado, with 

 us it is usually quite scattering except in meadow strctchos such 

 as occur at Blucwatcr, Mew Mexico, whore the grass is irrigated. 

 This specie;: is of doubtful value at altitudes below 4,000 foot with 

 u s • 



Sinco seed can commonly be obtained on the market, nc attempt 

 is being made to raise this species in the nursery. In fact the 

 grass is so much more abundant in ether sections that we do not 

 attempt to collect seed. It is probable, however, that strains 

 can be selected and propagated in the nurseries which are more 

 drought-resistant than those normally found in the Dakotas or 

 Colorado. The hybrids of this, with crested wheat grass, should 

 receive special attention. 



Alopccuru s yentricos us , Observational ^rork on the range may 

 chango our conception of many of our exotics, vvhile this grass is 

 low and not likely to produce much forage, its rhizomatous habit may 

 make it more valuable than others. Its resistance to drought has 

 not been ascertained, 



* Andropogon glomoratus , Bushy Beard Grass, is widely distri- 

 buted from Mew England to California by way of the southern states. 

 In the Southwest it is a rare grass, being found only in deep can- 

 yons as the Grand Canyon, Fish Creek and Sycamore Canyons in Arizona. 

 It can commonly be distinguished by its long spathes or bracts which 

 extend beyond the very plumose seeds, and by its purplish color. 

 The culms are strongly tufted from a dense, hard base which has 

 numerous long, fibrous roots. vThore it can be persuaded to grow, 

 that is in places where there is some moisture, it is an excellent 

 soil binder. Up to the proscnt too little is known about its 

 palatability .and the situations in which it will grow, to make it 

 a significant grass in our erosion control work. Since it grows 

 well in the nursery, however, it should be tried in suitable situa- 

 tions in connection with our observational program. 



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