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AUSTRALIAN SALTBUSH. Iba 
the organisms causing this condition as Macrosporium commune 
Rabh. and Cladosporium herbarum (Pers.) Link. These, she states, 
are not known to occur except as saprophytes. As the plants on 
which these fungi were found are not in a dead or abnormal con- 
dition except in the parts where these fungi occur, it seems probable 
that insect injury, sun scald, or some other destructive agency pre- 
ceded the fungi. 
SUMMARY. 
The Australian saltbush was introduced throughout the semiarid 
regions of the United States some 25 years ago. In practically all 
cases the plantings resulted in failure, and only along the coast and 
in the San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys of California and in the Salt 
River, Yuma, and Santa Cruz Valleys of Arizona has it become well 
established. 
The plant is perennial and prostrate, forming a dense mass from 6 to 
12 inches thick. 
The minimum temperature of any region in which it is naturalized 
is 19° F. The mean annual precipitation of regions in which it is 
growing successfully without irrigation ranges from 9 to 16 inches. 
While the Australian saltbush has been noted as growing on prac- 
tically all types of soil, it is found in but few regions where the soil 
does not contain an appreciable amount of alkali. 
It is quite drought resistant, but apparently not to the extent of 
some other species of Atriplex and other desert plants. 
Chemical analyses of the leaves and stems of the Australian salt- 
bush show that they have an unusually high content of common salt 
and comparatively large percentages of protein, nitrogen-free extract, 
and crude fat. 
In regions to which it is adapted the Australian saltbush is quite 
ageressive, and this characteristic adds to its value as a range plant. 
On account of its high salt content, it is not as palatable as most 
ordinary forages, but it is eaten readily by sheep, goats, cattle, and 
horses when other feed is scarce. ‘To be of greatest value it must be 
supplemented with other feeds. 
The greatest value of the plant is to supply succulent feed in late 
summer and to furnish a reserve supply. It can be used as a soiling 
crop, but has little value as hay. 
Seed is produced freely, but harvesting is expensive. For range 
purposes Australian saltbush seed should be sown in the fall. The. 
only thing that can be done economically is to scatter the seed broad- 
cast in favorable locations and allow it to take care of itself. 
In seeding for growing under cultivation, care should. be taken to 
cover the seed only enough to insure moisture conditions favorable 
for germination. 
