.X';xr i-Vl.„ ■.-%-*,>-, *. K- ■>--•, .----V-,,-- V \. --, >.-. y■.-.,o■^■■V V,-*' ._, Bulletin No. 21. Agros. 6i. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. [Graas and Forage Plant Investigations.] STUDIESX* ON AMEKICAN GKASSES. ^ THE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF CHiETOCHLOA. in- F. LAMSON-SCRIBNER and ELMER D. MERRILL. ISSXJEr) MiARCH 8, 1900. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1900. Bulletin No. 21. • Agros. 61. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. DIVISION OP^ AGROSTOLOGY. [Orass and Forntje Plant Invesli&iaiions.] STUDIES ON AMERICAN GRASSES THE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF CHiETOCHLOA. BV F. LAMSON-SCRIBNER and ELMER D. MERRILL. ISSXJED ]Vr^RCH[ 8, 1900. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 19-00. x5 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Agrostology, Washington^ D. 6*1, January 15^ 1900. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith and recommend for pub- lication as Bulletin No. 21 of this Division, and under the general title of "Studies on American Grasses," a revision of the North American species of Chcetochloa. In our manuals of the plants of the northern United States four spe- cies of Chcetochloa are described, all introduced, three being common weeds, the fourth an occasional escape from cultivation. In Chap- man's Southern Flora two additional and presumably native species are enmnerated. In the paper here presented 28 North American spe- cies are described, 23 of which are natives of this continent. Six of the species enumerated are published here for the first time. Acknowledgments are due Dr. B. L. Robinson, curator of the Gray Herbarium, for the loan of specimens and assistance in looking up authorities, etc., and to J. H. Burchell, of the Kew Herbarium, for assistance in the determinations by making comparisons with t3'pe material. Respectfully, F. Lamson-Sgribner, Agi'ostologist. Hon. James Wilson, » Secretary of Agriculture. CONTENTS. Page. Introduction 5 Analytical key to the species 7 North American grasses which have been wrongly referred to the genus Chsetochloa (Setaria) 40 Doubtful and unknown species credited to North America 40 3 ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. Fig. 1. Chsetochloa glauca (L.) Scribn 9 2. Cheetochloa imberbis penicillata (Nees) Scribn. & Merrill 12 3. Chsetochloa purpurascens (H. B. K.) Scribn. & Merrill 13 4. Chsetochloa gracilis (H. B. K.) Scribn. & Merrill 14 5. Chsetochloa brevispica Scribn. & Merrill I5 6. Chsetochloa verticillata (L.) Scribn ■ 16 7. Chsetochloa ambigua (Guss.) Scribn. & Merrill 18 8. Chsetochloa viridis (L.) Scribn I9 9. Chastochloa italica (L.) Scribn 20 10. Chsetochloa magna (Griseb.) Scribn 21 11. Chsetochloa corrugata (Ell.) Scribn 23 12. Chsetochloa corrugata parviflora (Poir. ) Scribn. & Merrill 24 13. Chsetochloa hispida Scribn. & Merrill 25 14. Chsetochloa leucopila Scribn. & Merrill 26 15. Chsetochloa composita (H. B. K.) Scribn 28 16. Chsetochloa macrostachj^a (H. B. K.) Scribn. & Merrill 29 17. Chsetochloa latifolia Scribn 32 18. Chsetochloa macrosperma Scribn. & Merrill 33 19. Chsetochloa villosissima Scribn. & Merrill 34 20. Chsetochloa grisebachii (Fourn. ) Scribn 35 21. Chsetochloa grisebachii ampla Scribn. & Merrill 36 22. Chsetochloa polystachya (Scheele) Scribn. & Merrill 37 23. Chsetochloa caudata (Lam.) Scribn 38 24. Chsetochloa setosa (Swartz) Scribn 39 4 THE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF CHJITOCHLOA. INTRODUCTION. The North American species of Chcetochloa have long been unsatis- factorily identified, and the present revision is offered in the hope of clearing up much of the existing confusion in this genus. It was at first proposed to consider only those species native of or introduced into the United States, but as the Mexican and West Indian species were found to be in an even more unsatisfactory condition than those of the United States, it seemed advisable to include such of these species as were represented in the material at hand. In North America there are 28 species of Chcetochloa^ 6 of which are here published for the first time. Of these 28 species, 23 are native of North America, the remaining 5 having been introduced from Europe, of which 3 are cosmopolitan weeds found in the temperate regions of both hemispheres. From an economic standpoint the genus takes high rank through the extensive cultivation of C. italica,, various forms of which, under the names of millet, Hungarian grass, etc., are widely cultivated in this country as soiling or forage crops, and are among the oldest cultivated crops of the world, record having been found of its cultivation in China as early as 2700 B. C. In Europe its cultivation dates from prehistoric times, as the grain is found in abundance in the debris of the Lake Dwellings of the Stone Age in Switzerland. The species are for the most part readily distinguished, except in the group represented by C. imherbis^ which is extremely variable and is found in the warmer regions in both hemispheres. In general the details of the spikelets in this group are very similar, the variation being chiefly in the length and color of the panicles and setifi and in the vegetative characters. C. gracilis and C. purpurascetis are here recognized as valid species, as they have certain constant characters by which they can be readily distinguished from related species. C inacrostacliya., originally described from Mexican material and since credited to Asia and Australia, is confined to America, the Asiatic forms referred to this species are now referred to Ch^tochloa for- BESIANA (Nees) n. comb. {Panicwn fovhesianum Nees) and the Aus- tralian form, which is very distinct from C. macrostachija, is here proposed as a new species. C composita^ a common southwestern 5 6 grass, has long been referred by botanists to C. caadata and C setosa^ from both of which it is very distinct. "The name Setaria^ which has been taken up by many botanists for a nmnber of well-known weedy grasses with dense, spike-like, bristly panicles, was first applied b}" Beauvois (Flora Oware et Benin.) to a spe- cies of Pennisetum. At an earlier date the name was employed by Acharius to designate a genus of lichens. According to all rulfes of botanical nomenclature, this last fact renders the name untenable for designating a genus of flowering plants; and were this not the case, its first application to a species of Pennisetum placed it at once among the synon3aiis, which, according to recent rulings, would debar its further use. Some botanists have referred the grasses in question to the genus Panicum,, from the species of which they differ only in the presence of setse issuing from the pedicels of the spikelets below their articulation. It is this character, combined with their inflorescence, which led them to be separated from Panicwm^ in which genus the earlier described species were first placed. The taking up of the name ChamwrapMs^ a genus established b}" R. Brown upon certain Australian and south Asiatic grasses having spikelets like those of Panicuin^ but with the partial rachis of the inflorescence produced into long awn-like points beyond the insertion of the upper or only spikelet, appears to have been ill advised, and the more recent adop- tion of Lropliorim for Setaria is equall}^ so. The latter genus, Ixo- phorus^^ possesses well-marked characters of generic value, and the same is true of ChamierajyJus. Neither of these names can be taken up for Setaria^ unless they are used in a very broad sense to include all the species of ^rt/wci«/^ thrown by Steudel into the section Setaria j that is, those species, as Schlechtendal states it, having '''' sjpiculcB in axibus inflorescentiae, va/rice evolutis pedicellatce sessilesve, axium ster- ilyimi, setas (Bmulantium majore minoreve copia cmn s^nculis nascente.^'' This would bring together a heterogeneous assemblage of species, the natural result of the adoption of characters too artificial, which, with our present ideas of genera, would be much more easily and more systematically treated if divided into genera upon more natural and genetic characters. While our Setarias, so called, might, under a broad conception of the genus Panicum^ be referred to it, they seem to form a well-marked group, as indicated by the characters noted above, which it seems best to maintain as a genus, under the new name ChcBtocJdoa.^'''^ CHiETOCHLOA Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 38 (1897). Setaria Beauv. Agrost. 113 (1812), in part, not Fl. Oware et Benin. 2: 80 (1807), nor Acharius (1798) . Chamicraphis Kuntze in part, not R. Br. Ixophorus Nash (1895) , not Schlecht. (1861-62) . 1 Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 1. (1897.) 2 Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 38. (1897.) Spikelets hermaphrodite, usually 1-flowered. Glumes 4, the outer 3 membranous, the third often subtending a hyaline palea and rarely a staminate flower, the fourth or flowering glume chartaceous, smooth or transversely rugose, inclosing a palea of similar texture. Stamens 3. Styles distinct, elongated; setje persist- ent, single or in clusters below the articulation of the raehilla; stigmas plumose. Grain free, inclosed within the glimies and palea. Annual or perennial grasses with erect culms, flat leaves, and dense, cylindrical, or some\\hat open bristly panicles. Species about 40 in the tropical and more temperate regions of both hemispheres. ANALYTICAL KEY TO THE SPECIES. 1. Setfe 5 to 16 at the base of each spikelet, involucrate 2 1. Setfe 1 to 3 at the base of each spikelet, not involucrate 5 2. Annual; setpe short, tawny-yellow 1 C. glauca. 2. Perennial, from short creeping rootstocks 3 3. Seta; short, once or twice as long as the spikelets; panicles slender 4 3. Seta; generally elongated, spreading; panicles thick 2 C. imberbis. (rt) Setae very long, yellow or purple var. penicillata. (h) Plants not cfespitose; culms naked and wiry at the base; spikelets purplish var. perennis. (c) Plants robust, glaucous; culms erect; leaves long, rigid, erect; panicles pale green, elongated var. streptobotrys. (fZ) Plants robust; culms geniculate; panicles 6 to 12 cm. long, yellowish var. g-eniculata. 4. Leaves narrow, linear, elongated; panicle very slender, pale 4 C. gracilis. 4. JLeaves linear-lanceolate, short; panicle thicker, usnially purplish 3 C. purpurascens. 5. Second glume equaling the flowering glume in length 6 5. Second glume shorter than the flowering glume 15 6. Setae antrorsely scabrous 7 6. Setae retrorsely scabrous, wholly or in part 13 7. Flowering glmne strongly transversely undulate-rugose 12 C. longipila. 7. Flowering glume smooth, or at least only punctate or striate, not rugose 8 8. Panicle dense, cylindrical; branches short, approximate, densely flowered... 9 8. Panicle lax; branches remote, generally elongated, few-flowered 12 9. Flowering glume very smooth, glossy; plants robust, 18 to 36 dm. high 11 C. magna. 9. Flowermg glume more or less roughened, not glossy; plants less than 18 dm. high 10 10. Axis of the inflorescence scabrous; branches subverticillate 8 C. ambigua. 10.' Axis of the inflorescence pilose; branches alternate 11 11. Panicles 2 to 8 cm. long, 1 cm. or less thick; spikelets 2 mm. long, much exceeded by the usually green setae - 9 C. viridis. 11. Panicles 5 to 20 cm. long, 1 to 3 cm. thick; spikelets about 2.3 mm. long, equaled or exceeded by the usually purple setae; cultivated 10 C. italica. (a) Culms 3 to 9 dm. high; panicle 1 cm. in diameter; setae long, purple, rarely crreen var. germanica. 12. Spikelets 3 mm. long 24 C. villosissima. 12. Spikelets 2 mm. long 25 C. grisebachii. 13. Setae retrorsely scabrous above, antrorsely scabrous at the base; leaves pubes- cent 7 C. scandens. 13. Setae retrorsely scabrous throughout; leaves scabrous 14 14. Panicles 1.5 to 3 cm. long, 1 cm. thick, purplish 5 C. ■brevispica. 8 14. Panicles 5 to 18 em. long, tapering to xhe obtuse apex, green, rarely pur- plish 6 C. verticillata. 15. Spikelets 3 mm. long 16 15. Spikelets less than 3 mm. long 18 16. Leaves smooth or scabrous 17 16. Leaves pilose-pubescent 24 C. villosissima. 17. Leaves lanceolate, 10 to 20 mm. wide; panicle loose; branches elongated, few- flowered 23 C. macrosperma. 17. Leaves linear, glaucous, 2 to 5 mm. wide; panicle subspiciform; branches densely flowered 18 C. composita. 18. Inflorescence spike-hke, dense ; branches very short, approximate 19 18. Inflorescence lax, mterrupted ; branches more or less elongated 24 19. Flowering glume strongly transversely imdulate-rugose 20 19. Flowering glume smooth or only finely transversely wrinkled 23 20. Leaves smooth or scabrous 13 C. corrugata. (a) Spikes 5 to 7 cm. long; setee usually purplish, spreading. . var. parviflora. 20. Leaves pubescent or pilose ! 21 21. Leaves lanceolate, acute, 12 to 15 mm. wide; set« long 21 C. latifolia. (a) Leaves 10 mm. wide or less; setae short var. breviseta. 21. Leaves linear or linear-lanceolate, about 5 mm. wide 22 22. Culms pilose with scattered hairs ; fertile palea nearly plane 15 C. hispida. 22. Culms smooth ; fertile palea strongly convex 14 C. gibbosa. 23. Leaves pilose ; plants 2 to 3 dm. high 16 C. leucopila. 23. Leaves smooth or scabrous, glaucous'; plants robust, 4 to 9 dm. high 18 C. composita. 24. Seta3 antrorsely and more sparingly retrorsely scabrous 17 C. onurus. 24. Setae antrorsely scabrous only 25 25. Flowering glume very strongly transversely undulate-rugose 26 25. Flowering glume smooth or only finely transversely wrinkled 27 26. Leaves and rachis pilose 21 C. latifolia. 26. Leaves and rachis scabrous 22 C. liebmanni. (a) Branches of the panicle very short ; leaves 1 dm. long or less, 8 to 10 mm. wide var. pauciflora. 27. Leaves hnear 28 27. Leaves lanceolate or linear-lanceolate 29 28. Leaves glaucous; panicle pale, obtuse at the apex. 18 C. composita. 28. Leaves pubescent; panicle long-attenuate at the apex 27 C. caudata. 29. Panicle subcylindrical ; branches densely flowered 30 29. Panicle more lax; branches loosely few-flowered 31 30. Margins of the sheaths smooth; setae short 20 C. rigida. 30. Margins of the sheaths ciUate-f ringed; setae long, spreading 19 C. macrostachya. 31. Flowering glume manifestly transversely wrinkled 32 31. Flowering glume smooth or only pitted or striate 25 C. grisebachii. (o) Plants densely csespitose, less than 1 dm. high var. mexicana. (6) Plants robust, 5 to 8 dm. high; branches of the panicle elongated, spreading, the lower ones 2 to 3.5 cm. long var. ampla. 32. Panicle long-attenuate at the apex; branches strict, erect; leaves pubescent 28 C. setosa. 32. Panicle obtuse at the apex; branches spreading; leaves smooth or pilose 26 C. polystachya. 9 A. Seta; 5 to 16, involucrate. ^Annual. 1. Clisetocliloa glauca^ (L.) Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui 4: 39 (1897). Paiikitiu glaurum L. Sp. PI. 56 (1753). Setaria gkiuca Beany. Agrost. 51 (1812). Chamseraphis glauca Kuntze Eev. Gen. PI. 2: 767 (1891) . Ixophorus glaucus Nash Bui. Torr. Bot. Club 22: 423 (1895). (Fig. 1.) All erect or ascending somewhat ctespitose, glaucous annual 3 to 12 dm. high, with flat, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate leaves, and dense, bristly, cylindrical, spike- like, yellowish panicles 2 to 10 cm. long. Culms branching at the base, genicu- late, compressed, glabrous; nodes brown, smooth ; sheaths glabrous, loose, compressed, • margins hyaline, smooth; liguleshortjciliate; leaf blades 0.5 to 1.5 dm. long, 4 to 8 mm. wide, long-acmninate, glau- cous, nearly glabrous, or sca- brous on the upper surface and margins, generally pilose, with scattered long white hairs at the base. Panicles dense, linear-ovate, obtuse, about 1 cm. in diameter; rachis angular, pubescent; setie involucrate, 5 to 12 at 'each spikelet, straight, or subflexuous, imequal, an- trorsely scabrous, yellow, 3 to 8 mm. long. Spikelets broadly ovate, 3 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, acute or obtuse; first glume one-third to one- half as long as the spikelet, acute, 3-nerved ; second glume one-half to two-thirds as long as the spikelet, broadly ovate, acute, 5-nerved, the mid-nerve excurrent, the lateral ones anastomosing with it; third glume 5-nerved, equalmg the flowering glume, subtending a broadly-lanceolate, hyaline palea nearly its own length; flowering glume broad-ovate, acute, 2.5 mm. long, striate, transversely undulate-rugose, the inclosed palea broad, convex at the base, concave above, transversely striate. Li waste places and cultivated grounds widely distributed in North America. Natu- ralized from Europe. July-September. Fig. 1. — Cheetochloa glauca: a, view of the spikelet showing the setae ; 6, spikelet showing the lirst aud third glumes. • Ch^tochloa apiculata sp. nov. An erect, caespitose, perennial (?) , 2 to 4 dm. high, with rather rigid leaves, large spikelets, and long, erect setje. Culms slender, slightly geniculate and generally much branched at the base, glabrous or slightly scabro'us; nodes smooth^ sheaths 10 Specimexs examined.— 0«a?wf; Macoun 1884. Maine: Rumford, Parlin 1889; Auburn, Merrill 1898. New Hampshire: Jaffrey, 284 Robinson 1897. Massachu- setts: Great Barrington, Pollard 1894; South Hadley, Clark 1887. Connecticut: South Glastonbury, 25 Wilson 1892. New York: Oxford, Coville 1884; New- York, Kenyon 1889. New Jersey: Weehawken, Van Sickle 1895. Pennsylvania: Conewago, Small; Philadelphia, Smith; Easton, Porter 1896. Delaware: 146 Commons 1897. District of Columbia: Vasey 1885. Ohio: Ricksecker 1894. Michigan: Keweenaw Co., 537 Farwell 1886. Tennessee: Knoxville, Scribner. loiua: Fayette Co., Fink 1894; Ames, 180 Ball 1896. Kansas: Manhattan, Bass- ler, 1883; Riley Co., 575 Norton 1895. Missouri: 266 Eggert 1886. Wisconsin: Oshkosh, Random 1896. South Dakota: Bellefourche, 366 Griffiths 1897; Red- field, 221 Griffiths 1897; Frankfort, 54 Griffiths 1897. North Carolina: Magnetic, City, Wetherby 1895. ^fe6«mo.- McCarthy 1888. Louisiana: Ascension, 1409 Combs 1898; Rayville, 23a Ball 1898; Calhoun, 44 Ball 1898; Shreveport, 97 Ball 1898. **Perennial. 2. Chaetochloa imberbis (Poir.) Scribn. ; U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 37 (1897). Pamcw?HMnfea-&e Poir. Encycl. Suppl. 4: 272(1817). Panicum. Isevigatum Muhl. in Elliott Sk. Bot. S. Car. & Ga. 1: 112 (1817). Clurtorhloa larigata Scribn. Chictochloa jjerennis (Curtiss) Bicknell Bui. Torr. Bot. Club 25 : 107 (1898) . An erect or ascending, more or less caespitose, glabrous perennial, 3 to 7 dm.' high, from short, creeping rootstocks, with linear-lanceolate leaves and dense, exserted, cylindrical panicles. Culms slender, compressed, generally somewhat geniculate at the base, scabrous below the i^anicle, otherwise very smooth; nodes glabrous; sheaths glabrous, compressed, the lower much longer than the internodes, imbricate, distichous, smooth on the hyaline margins; ligule ciliate, with very short hairs; leaf-blades 1 to 3 dm. long, 3 to 7 mm. wide, scarcely narrowed at the base, long-tapering to the apex, slightly scabrous on the upper surface and margins, glabrous below, sometimes with a few long white hairs at the throat. Panicles dense, spike-like, 2 to 5 cm. long, nearly 1 cm. in diameter, exclusive of the setae; rachis angular, pubescent; branches short, contiguous, 1 or rarely 2-flowered; setae 8 to 12, involucrate, spreading, 5 to 10 mm. long, unequal, slender, pale, yellowish or sometimes purplish, finely antrorsely sca- brous. Spikelets ovate, acute, 2 to 2.5 mm. long; first glume about one-third as long as the spikelet, ovate, acute or obtuse, 3-nerved; second glume one- half to two-thirds as long as the spikelet, ovate, acute, 5 to 7 nerved, the mid-nerve excurrent, the lateral ones anastomosing or abruptly vanishing in the hyaline margin ; third glume equaling the flowering glume and slightly inclosing it by about equaling the nodes, striate, glabrous, margins hyaline, smooth; ligule very short, ciliate-f ringed ; leaf-blades plane or becoming involute in drying, 1 to 3 dm. long, 3 to 6 mm. wide, long, slender, acuminate, scabrous, usually bearded with few long white hairs at the throat and sparingly pilose. Panicles pale, dense, cylindrical, spiciform, 2 to 5 cm. long, 5 to 6 mm. in diameter; rachis pubescent; branches very short, generally 1-flowered; setae 6 to 10, involu- crate, spreading-erect, 1 to 1.5 cm. long, antrorsely scabrous, pale. Spikelets 3 to 3.5 mm. long, broadly ovate, acute, apiculate; first glume one-half as long as the spikelet, narrowly cordate, acuminate, 5-nerved; second glume about as long as the spikelet, 7-nerved, acute, apiculate; third glume equaling the si:)ikelet, sili- cate, 7-nerved, subtending a lanceolate, hyaline palea nearly its own length; flowering ghinie l)roadly ovate or rotmid-ovate, acute, apiculate, strongly trans- versely undulate-rugose, the inclosed palea nearly smooth, plane. Australia. Type specimen collected by F. von Mueller, Victoria River, Queensland. Distributed under the name ,Setaria glauca Beauv., Ijut at once distinguished by its narrower leaves, long setae, larger spikelets, longer first and second ghunes, and more strongly rugose flowering glume, all the glumes being promiueutly apiculate. 11 its infolded margins, acute, apiculate, 5-nerved, sulcate, subtending a broad, hyaline palea of its own length; flowering glume elliptical-ovate, acute, striate, finely transversely rugose for its whole length, the inclosed palea slightly convex at the base, plane or concave above. In moist soil, New Jersey to Florida and Texas, north to Kansas and Missouri; Mexico, West Indies, South America. May-October. Specimens examined.— i\'<'?(' Jersey: Holmes 1890. North Carolina: Biltmore, 6026a Biltmore Herb. 1898; no locality, McCarthy 1889. South Carolina: Santee Canal, Ravenel. Georgia: Augusta, 200 Kearney 1895. Florida: Duval Co., 3614 Cur- tiss 1883; Jacksonville, 4745 Curtiss 1894, 5411Curtiss 1895, 19 Combs 1898; Bay Head, 659 Combs 1898; Cedar Key, 775 Combs 1898; Eustis, 566 Nash 1894. Alabama: Mobile, 42, 58 Kearney 1895. Mimssippi: Chandeleur Island, Tracy 1897; Agricultural College, 34 Kearney 1896; Starkville, 22 Kearney 1896; Loui- siana: New Orleans, 343 Kearney 1896; Oberlin, 218 Ball 1898; Pointe-a-la-Hache, 54 Langlois 1883. Indian Territory: Verdigris, 744 Bush 1894. Texas: Hamp- stead, 840 Hall 1872; Bexar Co., 207 Jermy; Pinto Creek, Kinney Co., 82 Hill 1895; Kerrville, 1889 Heller 1894; Home Canyon, 423 Carleton 1891 ; Houston, 15 Engel- mann 1842; Ennis, Smith 1897; Dallas, Reverchon 1875; without locality, C. Wright 1849; Nealley 1884; Reverchon 1879, 1883. Nerv Mexico: Drummond, 984 Fendler 1847. West. Indies: St. Thomas, 185 Eggers 1880. Cuba: 3888 Wright 1865. Puerto Rico: 208 Sintenis 1884. Mexico: 536 Gregg 1848-49; Cuicatlan, 1652 Nelson 1894; Guadalajara, 246 Palmer 1886. Lower California: San Jose del Cabo, 15 Brandegee 1890. Very readily distinguished from C. glauca (L.) Scribn., to which it has been referred as a variety and with which it is confused, by its perennial roots, longer, glabrous leaves, longer setse and smaller spikelets. This variable species has long passed under the name Seiaria laevigata, but from care- ful consideration it would seem that imberbis is the proper name. Trinius (Icon, t. 196, Fig. A) says in his description of the plate that Fig. A is Setaria gracilis Kunth, which can hardly be a synonym of Panicum imberbe Poir.,^ but below in referring to the plate he calls Fig. A Setaria imberbis; hence the confusion regard- ing this species. Poiret in his original description says that the specimens on which he based this species were from Carolina, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, and that they differed from Panicum glaucum of Europe not only in having the bris- tles of the involucre longer, but also by the leaves being destitute of hairs at the apex of the sheaths. Chsetochloa gracilis, the slender form of Trinius t. 196, does not grow naturally north of Texas, and, moreover, it can not be Poiret' s Panicum imberbe, as is seen from the original description. CH-fflTOCHLOA IMBERBIS PENICILLATA (Nees) n. comb. Panicum pen- icillcdum Nees. Agrost. Bras. 242 (1829). (Fig. 2.) An erect or ascending perennial, sometimes rooting at the lower nodes, with panicles 3 to 12 cm. long, and long, widely spreading yellow, brown, or purplish setee, otherwise as in the type. In fields and pine woods Georgia to Texas, Mexico, and South America. Specimens examined. — Georgia: Augusta, 227 Kearney 1895; Savannah, 186 Kear- ney 1895. Florida: Waldo, 702 Combs 1898; Lake City, 83, 179 Combs & Rolfs 1899; Monticello, 346 Combs 1898; Old Town, 877 Combs 1898; Quincy, 396 Combs 1898; Apalachicola, 116 Kearney 1895.. Louisiana: Pointe-a-la-Hache, 55 Langlois 1880; Calhoun, 41 Ball 1898. Mississippi: Ocean Springs, 1105. Pol- lard 1896; Biloxi, 217 Kearney 1896. Texas: Ennis, J. G. Smith 1897, without locality; Hall 1872; Nealley 1887. ^ Cujus syn. vix erit P. imberbe Poir. 12 CHiETOCHLOA IMBERBIS PERENNIS (Hall) n. comb. Setaria perennis Hall, Trans. Kans. Acad. Sci. 13: 102 (1893). Chsetochloa versicolor Bick. Bui. Torr. Bot. Club. 25: 105, pi. 328 (1898). A slender, scarcely tufted, loose form, 6 to 12 dm. high, with very slender wiry culms, which are naked below, long, narrow leaves, and rather slender, long- exserted panicles, 2.5 to 7 cm. long. Spikelets generally pur- plish. Seise very slender, 6 to 10 mm. long, yellowish-green or purple. In brackish marshes, along the coast from Connecticut to Florida and Mississippi, and in alkaline and saline bot- toms, Kansas and Indian Ter- ritory. June-September. Specimens examined. — Maryland: Bay Eidge, Scribner 1897; Ta- koma Park, Williams 1899. Florida: Barstow, 1232 Combs 1898; Homosassa, 924, 969 Combs 1898; Jacksonville, 13 Combs 1898; Lake City, 79 Combs 1898; Madison, 237 Combs 1898; Cedar Key, 794 Combs 1898; Ellzey, 826 Combs 1898. Louisiana: Al- exandria, 185 Ball 1898. Miss- issippi: BiloxijTracy 1898. In- dian Territory: Bigelowl853- 54. Kansas: Comanche Co. 1544 Hitchcock 1896; Hutch- inson, 2 Smyth 1890. This form is not worthy of specific rank, as all gradations are found between it and the typical C. imberbis. The char- acters used by Bicknell in separating his species, such as the longer and fewer nerved glumes, absence of hairs at the base of the leaves, pur- but are found to be extremely Fig. 2. — Ohcetochloa imberbis penicillata: a, spikelet sbowing thesetaj; b, c, views of the spikelet; d, floweriug glume, dorsal view. plish flowering glume, etc., are not constant, variable. CHiETOCHLOA IMBERBIS GENICULATA (Lam.) n. comb. Panicum genicu- latum Lam. Encycl. 4: 727 (err. typ. 737) (1797). Setaria genimlata Beauv. Agrost. 51 (1812). ClmmxrapMs glauca genimlata Beal, Grasses of N. Am. 2: 156 (1896) . A stout, glaucous form, 5 to 10 dm. high, with geniculate culms, broader leaves, and elongated panicles 6 to 12 cm. in length; leaf-blades 1 to 3 dm. in length, 5 to 8 mm. wide. Panicles erect, yellowish, 5 to 8 mm. in diameter. Spikelets as in the type. 13 West Indies, Mexico, South America. Specimens exajiined. — Mexico: Durango, 378, 471, 539 Palmer 1896; Rio Hondo, 3156 Holway 1898; Jalisco, Guadalajara, 293 Palmer 1886; Oaxaca, 5723 Galeotti 1840; 342 Conzatti & Gonzalez 1897; '710 Nelson 1894; Coahuila, 431 Pringle 1885; Guanajuato, Duges 1893; Orizaba, 631 Botteri, 2639 Bourgeau, 1865-66; 115 Seaton 1891; San Luis Potosi, 1041 Schaffner 1876; without locality, Ghiesbreght 1842. Cuba: 3472 Wright 1860-64. St. Croix: 243 Ricksecker 1896. Puerto Rico: 6861 Sintenis 1887. Foumier^ makes a variety latifolia of this species {Setaria geniculata), based on 2639 Bourgeau and 5723 Galeotti, both of which are repre- sented in the Gray Herbarium. In these specimens none of the leaves exceed 8 mm. (4 lines) in width. In the original descrip- tion the leaves are described as "longues, larges du trois d, quarire lignes, planes, glabres," etc. In other sijecimens cited by Fournier as representing the type 350 Lieb- mannand Ghiesbreght 1842, rep- resented in the United States National Herbarium, the plants are depauperate, with narrow leaves, not exceeding 6 mm. wide, and shorter, narrower spikes. In Jaquin'^ the description and plate represent the type as having broad leaves and thick, elongated spikes; hence it would seem that Fournier had a wrong idea of the type, which is best represented by his variety latifolia. CH^TOCHLO A IMBERBIS STREPTOBOTRYS (Fourn.) n. comb. Setaria streptobotrys Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 47 (1886) . A pale, glaucous form, 4 to 6 dm. high, with stout, erect culms, linear-lanceolate, glaucous, and nearly glabrous leaves and pale-green panicles, 6 to 10 cm. long, about 6nmi. in diameter; setae pale-green, spreading. Closely related to var. geniculata. Mexico. Specimens examined. — Mexico: Oaxaca, 342 Conzatti & Gonzalez 1897; Coahyila, 431 Pringle 1885; Durango, 378, 381,471 Pahner 1896. 3. CH-ffiTOCHIiOA PTJRPTJRASCENS (H. B. K.) n. comb. Setaria jmrpurascens H. B. K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. PL 1 : 110 (1815) . (Fig. 3.) An erect or ascending, ctespitose perennial, 1 to 6 dm. high, from short, creeping root- stocks, with short, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate leaves, short setse, and dense. Fig. 3. — Chcetochloa purpura scens: a, spikelet showing the setse; b, spikelet showing the first and third glumes ; c, flowering glume, dorsal view. ^ Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 46. ^ Eclogee Gram. t. 27, Fennisetum geniculalum. 14 cylindrical, usually purplish, spiciform panicles, 1 to 5 cm. in length. Culms slender, branching, and geniculate at the base, glabrous; nodes smooth; sheaths loose, striate, glabrous, shorter than the internodes, margins smooth; ligule very short, ciliate; leaf-blades 5 to 10 cm. long, 4 to 6 mm. wide, scabrous on both sides and on the cartilaginous margins, sometimes nearly smooth beneath, not narrowed at the cordate base, acute or acuminate. Panicles about 5 mm. in diameter, somewhat exserted; rachis angular, pubescent; branches very short, 1 or 2 flowered, approxi- mate; setae 5 to 10, short, unequal, involucrate, 3 to 8 mm. long, flexuous, green or pm-plish, often barely exceeding the spikelets, an- trorsely scabrous. Spike- lets ovate, acute, 2 mm. long; first glume ovate, acute, 3-nerved, one-third as long as the spikelet; sec- ond glume ovate, acute or obtuse, about one-half as long as the spikelet, 5- nerved, mid-nen^e excur- rent, the lateral ones anas- tomosing or vanishing in the hyaline margins ; third glume equaling the flower- ing glume, 5-nerved, sul- cate, subtending a broadly ovate, hyaline palea of its own length; flowering glume ovate, acute, trans- verse 1 y midulate-striate for its whole length, the inclosed x^aleaequalingitin length, striate, plane. Texas to Mexico, West Indies, Central and South America. Specimens examined. — Texas: San Diego, Smith 1897; Bexar Co., 207 Jermy; Dal- las, Eeverchon 1876. Cuba: 3472 Wright 1865. Mexico: Chiapas, 3023a, 3336 Nel- son 1895; City of Mexico, 7 Holway 1896; 3126 Holway 1898; Orizaba, 114, 247 Seaton 1891; 33 Nelson 1894; Plunia, 2482 Nelson 1895; Puebla, Nelson 1893; Chinantha, 350 Liebmann 1841, cited by Fournier^ under Setaria geniculata ; valley of Mexico, 231 Bour- geau 1865-66; Colipa, 360 Liebmann 1841, cited by Fournier under Setaria flava. An extremely variable species, at once distinguished from the closely related C. gracilis by its shorter, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate leaves and thicker, usually purplish spikes. The form which Fournier referred to Setaria flava Kunth, differs from Fig. 4. — Chcetochloa gracilis: a, spikelet sbowing the setae and second plume ; h, spikelet showiugtho first and third glumes ; c, flowering glume, dorsal view. ^ Hex. PI. Enuin. Gram. 45. 15 the typical material only in having the panicle pale instead of purple, or at least only the spikelets being tipped with purple. 4. CHiETOCHLOA GRACILIS (H. B. K.) n. comb. Setaria gracilis H. B. K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. PI. 1 : 109 (1815) . Setaria imberhis R. & S. of authors. (Fig. 4.) A slender, erect, glabrous, caespitose perennial, 3 to 7 dm. high, from short, creeping rootstocks, with linear-setaceous leaves, very slender, spike-like panicles 2 to 6 cm. in length, and short setse, often barely exceeding the spikelets. Culms very slender, erect, glabrous, cylindrical, simple or somewhat branched at the base; nodes glabrous; sheaths loose, glabrous, shorter than the inter- nodes, not ciliate on the hyaline margins; ligule very short, cili- ate; leaf -blades involute-seta- ceous, 0.5 to 2 dm. long, 1 to 3 mm. wide, smooth or slightly scabrous above, long-acuminate. Panicles cylindrical, dense, 3 to 5 mm. in diameter, branches contiguous, very short, 1-fiowered; rachis setose or pubescent; seta? 5 to 8, involucrate, unequal, very short, flexuous, equaling or twice ex- ceeding the spikelet,- yellowish, antrorsely scabrous. Spikelets 2 mm. long, ovate, acute; first glume triangular-ovate, acute, 3- nerved, one-third the spikelet in length; second glume one-half as long as the spikelet, ovate, acute, 5-nerved; third glimie equaling the flowering glume, 5-nerved, sulcate, subtending a broad- ovate, hyaline palea its own length; flowering glume ovate, acute, abruptly apiculate, trans- versely undulate-rugose. Palea plane, striate. Alaliama, Florida, Texas, Mexico to South America. Specimens examined. — Alabama : Mobile, on "ballast" and about wharves, 14 Mohr 1891; 19 Kearney 1895. Florida: Apala- chicola, on "ballast," Chapman, no date. Texas: No locality, Buckley 1888; Nealley 1887, 1888; Corpus" Christi, Nealley 1891. Cuba: 3473 Wright 1860-64 ; Reed, no date. Mexico: Cordova, 5 Fink 1889-1891; Chihuahua, Palmer 1885; Oaxaca 1907, Nelson 1894. B. Setx 1-3, not involucrate. * Panicle dense cylindrical; branches short, appro.rimaie. ■\8etx retrorsely scabrous, tvholly or in jxirt. 5. CHiETOCHLOA BREVISPICA nom. nov. Panicum veriicillatuin parvljtomm Doell iu Mart. Fl. Bras. 2': 172. (1877), not Cenchrus parviflorus Poir. in Lam. Encycl. 6: 52 (1804.). (Fig. 5.) Fig. 5.—Chcetoehloa brevispiea: a, branch showing spikelets audsette; 6, spikelet allowing the first and third glumes ; c, flowering glume seen from the back; d, anterior view of the flowering glume, showing palea. 16 A low, spreading, much-branched annual, 1 to 8 dm. high, with short, cylindrical spikes and lanceolate leaves 3 to 6 cm. long. Culms compressed, geniculate, decumbent, very glabrous; nodes smooth; sheaths very loose, striate, compressed, glabrous, margins smooth, shorter than their internodes; ligule short, densely ciliate-f ringed with white hairs; leaf-blades 3 to 6 cm. long, 4 to 8 mm. wide, cor- date at the base, long-acuminate at the apex, scabrous and sparingly papillate cili- ate on both sides, especially below, margins cartilaginous, serrulate-scabrous. Inflo- rescence dense, cylindrical, 1 to 3 cm. long, about 1 cm. in diameter, purplish; com- mon axis angular, scabrous; branches very short, subverticillate, densely flowered; setae 1 or 2, purple, stout, flexuous, retrorserly scab- ous, 3 to 8 mm. long. Spike- lets 1.5 to 2 mm. long, nearly sessile, elliptical-ovate; first glume triangular - ovate, acute or obtuse, 3-nerved, about one-third the length of the spikelet ; second glume ovate, obtuse, 5 to 7-nerved, nearly equaling the 5 to 7- nerved, acute third glume, which bears a short palea in its axil; flowering glume about 1.5 mm. long, elliptical- ovate, acute, striate, nearly smooth or very finely trans- versely wrinkled below. Palea similar in texture and markings, about as long as the glume. Alabama, Louisiana, Mexico, South America, Europe. Specimens examined. — Louisi- ana: Port Eads, Langlois 1885, on "billast." Ala- bama: Mobiie, on "ballast," Mohr 1888. Mexico: Gua- dalajara, 484 r.^lmer 1886. Very readily distinguished from C. verticillata bj' its smaller size, more spreading habit, short cylindrical spikes, and smaller spikelets. 6. Cheetocliloa verticillata (L.) Scribn. U. S. ':)ept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. i : 39 (1897). Panicum vertldllatum. L. Sp. PL ed. 2, 82 (1762). Setaria vcrik-iUafa Beauv. Agrost. 51 (1812) . Chamseraphis verticillata Porter Bui. Torr. Bot. Club. 20: 196 (1893). Ixophorus veriiciUatus Nash Bui. Torr. Bot. Club. 22: 422 (1895). (Fig. 6.) An erect or ascending, glabrous, somewhat csespitose annual, 3 to 6 dm. high, with linear-lanceolate leaves and interrupted subspiciform panicles 5 to 10 cm. long. Culms geniculate, glabrous, compressed; nodes brown or black, smooth; sheaths loose, shorter than their internodes, smooth, striate, margins glabrous below, Fig. 6. — Ghcetochloa verlieillata : o, 6, views of the spikelet, showing the setae. 17 ciliate above; ligule short, hispid-ciliate; leaf-blades flat, soft, 7 to 18 cm. long, 6 to 12 mm. wide, acuminate, abruptly narrowed at the rounded base, scabrous on both sides, serrulate-scabrous on the cartilaginous margins. Panicles spike-like; rachis striate, angular, scabro-hispid ; branches subverticillate, short, densely flowered; setfe 1 to 3, stout, flexuous, retro rsely scabrous to the very base, 3 to 6 mm. long. Spikelets nearly sessile, narrowly elliptical -ovate, acute, 2 to 2.5 mm. long; first glume triangular-ovate, acute, 3-nerved, one-third as long as the spikelet; second glume elliptical-ovate, 5 to 7 nerved, mucronate, nearly equal- ing the 5 to 7 nerved acute third glume and slightly exceeding the flowering glume; third glume subtending a lanceolate, hyaline palea two-thirds its own length; flowering glume about 2 mm. long, narrowly elliptical, rounded at the apex and very shortly apiculate, smooth or with very flue transverse wrinkles below the middle. Palea similar in markings, equaling the glume. A cosmopolitan weed widely distributed in the eastern United States. Introduced from Europe. July-October. Specimens examined. — Mas.'iacltusetts: Salem, Conant 1879. Connecticui: New Haven, Allen 1879. Pennstjlvama: Philadelphia, Parker 1877; Stickers, Smith; Easton, Porter 1895. Delaware: Wilmington, 145 Commons 1897. District of Columbia: Vasey 1886. Alabama: IMobile, 1-t INIohr 1891. Keniuchj: Lexington, Short 1835. loim: Mt. Cyr, 929 Beard 1897; Mt. Pleasant, 773 Mills 1897. Missouri: St. Louis, 267 Eggert 1886. Wisconsin: Oshkosh, Random 1896. 7. CH^TOCHLOA SCANDENS (Jacq.) n. comb. Pennisetum scandens Jacq. Hort. Vindb. (1801). Setaria scandem Schrad. in R. & S. Mant. 2: 279 (1824). Panicum scandens Trin. Gram. Pan. 166 (1826) . An erect or ascending c?espitose annual, 4 to 7 dm. high, with geniculate, subcom- pressed culms, linear-lanceolate leaves, and loose, bristly subspiciform panicles 4 to 12 dm. long. Culms slender, branching at the base, scabrous below the panicle, otherwise glabrous; nodes bi'own or black, smooth; sheaths loose, striate, compressed, glabrous or slightly scabrous above, about equaling the internodes, margins ciliate above; ligule very short, bearded; leaf-blades linear to linear- lanceolate, spreading, plane, 5 to 16 cm. long, 2 to 5 mm, wide, long-acuminate, abruptly narrowed at the rounded base, scabrous and short strigose-pubescent on both sides, serrulate-scabrous on the cartilaginous margins. Panicle cylindrical, 1 to 1.5 cm. in diameter; rachis striate, densely short-pubescent or pilose; branches short, few-flowered, contiguous, spirally arranged; setae 1 to 3, gener- ally purplish, flexuous, 1 to 2 cm. long, retrorsely scabrous above, antrorsely scabrous at the base, spreading. Spikelets 1 to 1.5 mm. long, ovate, acute, green or purplish; first glume broadly ovate, acute, 3-nerved, one-half as long as the spikelet and inclosing its base; second and third glumes equaling the flowering glume, 5-nerved, acute, apiculate, the third somewhat sulcate; flowering glume ovate, acute, 1 to 1.5 mm. long, striate, transversely undulate-rugose below, nearly smooth above, the inclosed palea ovate, striate, concave. West Indies, Central and South America. Specimens examined.— Pnerio Eico: 6498 Sintenis 1887, distributed as Setaria verticillaia Beauv. Honduras: 5583 bis J. Donnell Smith 1888. Guatemala: Buena Vista, 4295 J. Donnell Smith 1892. Venezuela: 1144 Fendler 1854-55; 1644, 1856-57. Brazil: 4356, 4510 Burchell; 174 Riedl. Readily distinguished from C. verticillata by its smaller spikelets, strigose-pubescent leaves, and longer, irregularly spreading setee, which are retrorsely scabrous above and antrorsely scabrous at the base. 13788— No. 21 2 18 tt Setie antrorsely scabrous. i Flowering glume smooth or nearly so. § Rachvi scabrous. 8. CHiETOCHLOA AMBIGTJA (Guss.) n. comb. Setar ia verticillata \ar. amhigua Guss. Prodr. 1: 80 (1827). Setaria ambigua Guss. Fl. Sic. Syn. 1: 114 (1842). Not ;S'etoria ambigua Schrad. Linnsea 12: 430 (1838). (Fig. 7.) A csespitose, erect, much branchied annual, 2 to 5 dm. high, with compressed culms, lanceolate leaves, and rather loose spicate ]ianicles 4 to 10 cm. long. Culms geniculate at the base, glab- rous, leafy, the nodes brown, glabrous; sheaths striate, compressed, loose, about equaling the internodes, thin, glabrous, the margin ciliate above; ligule about 1 mm. long, densely ciliate-fringed* with white hairs, which are 1 mm. long or less. Leaf- blades lanceolate, cordate at the base, long-acuminate at the apex, 5 to 15 cm. long, 6 to 15 mm. wide, scabrous on both sides and on the cartilaguaous margins. Axis of the inflorescence chan- neled, scabrous, but not pi- lose; branches short, sub- verticillate, densely flowered, the lower rather remote; setse solitary, stout, some- what flexuous, antrorsely scabrous, 4 to 8 mm. long. Spikelets elliptical, 2 to 2.5 mm. long; first glume tri- angular-cordate, 3-nerved, claspmg the base of the spikelet and about one-third its length; second and third glumes equaling the flower- ing glume in length, obtuse, 5 to 7 nerved, the third with a palea; flowering glume 2 mm. long, elliptical, sounded at the apex, striate, very finely transversely wrinkled, not rugose. Palea similar in texture and markings. Collected on "ballast," Camden, N. J., by F. Lamson-Scribner, 1884, and at Mobile, Ala., by Chas. Mohr, 1884. An adventitious European annual with tlie habit and inflorescence of C. verticil- lata (L.) Scribner, 1)ut readily distinguished from that species by its ha\dng the setic antrorsely instead of retrorsely scabrous. Distinguished from C. viriditi (L.) Scriljner, by its loose, subverticillate panicles and scabrous, not pilose, rachis. Fig. 7. — Chcetochloa amhigua: a, spikelet showing seta; 6, c, views of the spikelet; d, flowering glume, dorsal view. 19 § § Eadils pilose. 9. Cheetochloa viridis (L.) Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4 : 39 (1897). Panicumviride L. Sp. PI. ed. 2, 83 (1762) . Setaria viridis Beauv. Agrost. 51 (1812) . Chamxraphh viridis Porter Bui. Torr. Bot. Club. 20 : 196 (1893) . Ixophorus riridis Nash Bui. Torr. Bot. Club. 22 : 423 (1895). (Fig. 8.) An erect, glabrous, csespitose annual, 2 to 9 dm. high, with short, lanceolate leaves and dense, cylindrical, spike-like green panicles 2 to 10 cm. long. Culms usually much branched at the base, glabrous, compressed; nodes smooth; sheaths com- pressed, loose, longer than the in- ternodes, ciliate on the margins; ligule short, ciliate with long, white hairs; leaf-blades 0.5 to 2.5 dm. long, 4 to 10 mm. wide, scarcely narrowed at the cordate base, long- acuminate, slightly scabrous on » both sides or sometimes nearly glabrous, serrulate-scabrous on the cartilaginous margins. Panicles linear-ovate in outline, tapering to the obtuse apex; rachis striate, \dl- lous, generally about 1 cm. in diameter, exclusive of the bristles; setse slender, strict, spreading, antrorsely scabrous, 1 to 1.5 cm. long, green or rarely purplish. Spikelets about 2 mm. long, ellip- tical; first glume triangular-ovate, 3-nerved, about one-third the spikelet in length; second and third glumes elliptical, obtuse, 5- nerved, equaling the spikelet, the third glume subtending a lanceo- late, hyaline palea one-third its own length; flowering glume el- liptical, rounded at the apex, finely and faintly transversely wrinkled below, or only striate and pitted, the inclosed palea equaling it in length, similar in texture and markings. In waste places and cultivated grounds throughout North America. Natu- ralized from Europe. July-Sep- tember. Specimens examined. — Newfoundland: Waghorne 1892. Ottawa: Macoun 1894, Fletcher 1891. Maine: Auburn, Merrill 1897. New Hampshire: Peterboro, 236 Robinson 1897. Connecticut: 26 Wilson 1892. New York: Union Springs, 37 Dudley; Oxford, Coville 1884. ^ Pennsylvania: Easton, Porter 1887; Harrisburg, Small 1888; Philadelphia, Smith. Delaware: Stanton, 147 Commons 1897. District of Columbia : Blanchard 1891, 532 Pollard 1895, Topping 1895. Ohio : Ricksecker 1894. Mc7i%a7i .• Clifton, 629 Farwell. Jfermessee.- Knoxville, Scribner. loiva: Battle Creek, 956 Preston 1897; Fayette Co., 273 Fink 1894; Carnarvon, 291 Pammel 1896; Clinton, 268 Ball 1895; Des Moines, 28 Ball 1898; Manchester, Fig. 8. — Ch cetochloa viridis : a, branch allowing spikelet and setcB; b, c, views of the spikelet; d, flowering glume, dorsal view. 20 1007 Ball 1897. Kansas: Riley, 576 Norton 1895; Syracuse, 129 Thompson 1893; Hooker Co., 1568 Rydberg 1893; Wiegand, 2684 Clements 1893; Central City, 262 Shear 1895, 2009 Rydberg 1895; Kearney, Holmes 1889. Wisconsin: Osh- kosh. Random 1896; Newbold, 1701 Cheney 1893. South Dakota: Aberdeen, 123 Griffiths 1896; Redfield, 208 Griffiths 1897. Missouri: St. Louis, 268 Eggert. Colorado: Thomas 1869, 510 Jones 1878; Colorado Springs, 2158 Williams 1896; Glenwood Springs, 1304 Shear & Bessey 1898. Utah: 6034 Jones 1894; Caine- ville, 5696& Jones 1894. Oregon : Milton, 33 Brown 1896. North Carolina : Mag- netic City, 9 Wetherby 1895. Alabama : Tuskegee, 15 Carver 1897. Mississippi : Ocean Springs, 1 Forkertl898. Texas: KerrNdlle, Nealley 1899, Heller 1894. Neiv Mexico: Mesilla, 89 Wooton 1897. Arizona: Verde Valley, 532 McDougal 1891. Mexico: 349 Liebmann 1841-1843. 10. Chsetocliloa italica (Ju.), Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 39 (1897). Panicum italicum L. Sp., Pi. 56 (1753) . Setaria italica Beauv. Agrost. 51 (1812) Cham^eraphis italica Kuntze Rev. Gen. PI. 2: 768 (1891). Ixophorus italicus Nash Bul. Torr. Bot. Club 22: 423 (1895). (Fig. 9.) A stout, erect, somewhat glaucous annual, Avith broad leaves and large, dense, comi>ound, spici- form panicles 8 to 20 cm. in length. Culms simple or branching at the base, 3 to 8 mm. in diameter below, gla- brous or slightly scabrous below the nodes and panicle; nodes bearded with short appressed hairs; sheaths loose, striate, glabrous or somewhat scabrous, subcom- pressed, generally exceeding the internodes, ciliate on the margins; ligule short, densely ciliate-f ringed with white hairs 2 to 3 mm. long; leaf- blades lanceolate, narrowed at the base, long-acuminate, 2 to 4 dm. long, 1.5 to 3 cm. wide, scabrous on l)oth sides, serrulate-scabrous on the cartilaginous margins. Panicles dense, cylindrical, green, l^ecoming yellow at maturity, 2 to 3 cm. in diameter, obtuse or truncate at both ends, sometimes interrupted below; rachis densely villous, branches 1 to 2 cm. long, contiguous, densely flowered; seta' 1 to 3, green or purplish, 3 to 10 nun. long, often shorter than the spikelets or nearly obsolete, antrorsely scabrous. Spikelets elliptical, strongly convex, 2.5"to 3 mm. long, obtuse; first glume one-fourth to one-half as long as the spikelet, acute, 1 to 3 nerved; second and third glumes about equaling the flowering glume, 5 to . ^.—Chcetochlna italica: a, b, views of the spikelets, show ing the setaj ; c, flowering glume, dorsal view. 21 7 nerved; flowering glume glossy, nearl_y smooth or finely and faintly transverse- rugose or pitted, striate; the inclosed palea similar in markings, slightly convex. Widely cultivated and often an escape in fields and waste places; very variable. Quebec to Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas. Native of Europe and Asia. July-September. Chaetochloa italica germanica (Mill.) Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 6: 32 (1897). Paniaim germanicum Mill. Gard. Diet., ed. 8, 1 (1768). Setaria germanica Beauv. Agrost. 51 (1812). A smaller form, 2 to 6 dm. high, with slender culms, usually branching at the base; leaves 0.5 to 2 dm. long, 5 to 10 mm. wide, scabrous. Panicles dense, cylindrical, obtuse at the ai^ex, usually tapering at the base, green or purplish, 5 to 10 cm. long, about 1 cm. in diameter; setae purple, rarely green, 5 to 15 mm. long, much exceeding the spikelets. Flowering glume green or purplish, when green, usually more or less blotched with purple. Like C. italica, this variety is widely cultivated in this country under the name of Hmigarian grass or millet, with about the same range as the type; often escaped from cul- tivation in fields and waste places. Some forms of this grass can scarce- ly be distinguished from C. viridis (L. ) Scribn. , and it is jirobably only a form of that species changed by cultivation and intermediate be- tween C. viridis and C. italica. 11. Chaetochloa magna (Griseb.J Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 39 (1897). Setaria magna Griseb. Fl. Brit. W. Ind. 554 (1864) . ChamcTrapJiis magna Beal. Grasses of N. Am. 2: 152 (1896). (Fig. 10.) A coarse, stout, erect perennial (?) 10 to 36 dm. high, with cylindrical culms 0.5 to 2 cm. thick at the base, linear-lanceolate leaves and dense, cylindrical panicles 1.5 to 3 dm. long. Culms branching at the base, glabrous or slightly scabrous below the smooth nodes; sheaths loose, spreading, striate, compressed, glabrous, scabrous on the keel, margins smooth and hyaline below, densely ciliate-fringed above; ligule very short, ciliate-fringed with white hairs; leaf-blades 3 to 6 dm. long, 1 to 3 cm. wide, long attenuate-pointed, gradually narrowed to the base, scabrous on both sides, serrulate-scabrous on the cartilaginous margins. Panicles green, virgate, generally interrupted below, 2 to 5 cm. in diameter; rachis stri- ate, densely pilose, branches 1 to 5 cm. long, strict, densely flowered, contiguous, much exceeding their internodes, or the lower rather remote; seta; 1 to 3, green, Fig. 10. — Ghcetochloa rnagna : a, branch showing spikelet and setoB ; 6, view of the spikelet ; c, flow- ering glume; d, anterior view of the flowering glume, showing palea. 22 slender, antrorsely scabrous, 8 to 11 mm. long. Spikelets elliptical, acute, 2 mm. long; first glume broadly ovate, acute or obtuse, 3 to 5-nerved, inclosing the base of the spikelet; second gkune equaling the spikelet, short-apiculate, 5 to 9-nerved; third glume 5-nerved, slightly sulcate, subtending an ovate, hyaline palea nearly its own length; flowering glumes elliptical-ovate, acute, short- apiculate, nearly 2 mm. long, very smooth, glossy, not striate or rugose, the inclosed palea equaling the glume, very smooth. Low groimds and marshes, often in shallow water, Delaware to Florida, Louisiana, and western Texas, Bermuda, West Indies, Central America. Specimens examined. — Delaware: Collins Beach, 148 Commons 1892; Woodland Beach, 148a Commons 1892; District of Columbia: Cultivated, Vasey 1889; Vir- ginia: Smiths Island, Palmer 1897; Florida: Curtiss 1885; Merrits Island, Indian Eiver, 3618 Curtiss 1879; Apopka, 21 Baker 1897; Fort Ogden, Lowe 1892; Deland Co., Hill 1899; Grasmere, 1054 Combs & Baker, 1898; Barstow, 1219 Combs 1898; Homosassa, 464 Combs 1898; Eustis 1279 Nash 1894; Louisiana: Pointe-a-la-Hache, 56 Langlois 1879; Texas: 801 Wright 1849; Bermuda: Munro 1864; Costa Rica: 6825 Pittier 1892. %X Flowering glume transversely undulate-rugose. t Rachis very densely pilose. 12. CH^TOCHLOA LONGIPILA (Fourn.) n. comb. Setaria longipila Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 47 (1886) . An erect, somewhat ceespitose, glabrous annual, 3 to 5 dm. high, with slender cuLms, short, lanceolate leaves and somewhat exserted, green, subspiciform panicles 2 to 7 cm. in length. Culms glabrous, except below the panicle, branching at the base; nodes brown, bearded with appressed hairs; sheaths slightly compressed, striate, glabrous, much shorter than the internodes, ciliate on the margms, slightly bearded at the apex; ligule short, ciliate-fringed with long white hairs; leaf- blades 5 to 10 cm. long, 5 to 10 mm. wide, tapering to the base and to the acute or acuminate apex, scabrous on the upper side and on the cartilaginous margins, nearly smooth beneath. Panicles about 6 mm. in diameter, interrupted, the branches short, few-flowered; rachis densely pilose-pubescent, with long, erect, white hairs extending a short distance below the panicle; set« 1 to 3, green, stout, antrorsely scabrous, flexuous, 3 to 5 mm. long. Spikelets ovate-globose, acute, about 1.7 mm. long; first glume about one-half as long as the spikelet, triangular-ovate, acute, 3-nerved, slightly inclosing the base of the spikelet; second glumeequalingthefloweringglume, strongly convex, 5-nerved; third glumeslightly exceeding the flowering glume and somewhat inclosing it, 5-nerved, apiculate, subtending a broadly-ovate, hyaline palea of nearly its own length; nerves in all the glumes green, prominent; flowering glume strongly convex, broadly ovate, acute, strongly transversely undulate-rugose, the inclosed palea striate, strongly convex at the base, concave above, equaling the glume in length. Mexico. August. Specimens examined. — 2017 Rose 1897, foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, Ter- ritorio de Tepic, between Agnacato and Dolores. This species has much the same habit as C. liebmannipauciflora,hut is at once dis- guished from that and other related forms by its small, ovate, globose spikelets and remarkably dense pilose-pubescent rachis. tt Rachis thinly pilose. = Leaves scabrous. 1:5. Chsetocliloa corrugata (Ell.) Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 39 ^(1897) . Fauicum corrugatum Ell. Sk. Bot. S. Car. & Ga. 1 : 113 (1817) . Setaria 23 comigata E. & S. Mant. 2: 276 (1824) . Chamxraplm corrugaia Kuntze Rev. Gen. PL 2: 770 (1891). (Fig. 11.) A rather stout, erect or ascending ceespitose annual, 6 to 10 dm. high, with elongated, .spike-like panicles and linear-lanceolate, scabrous leaves. Culms compressed, striate, scabrous below the nodes and panicle, otherwise smooth, much branched at the base, often geniculate and rooting at the lower nodes; nodes brown, bearded with short appressed hairs; sheaths very loose, compressed, keeled, the lower ones usually much exceeding the internodes, scabrous or sometimes nearly smooth, rarely pubescent, smooth or ciliate on the margin; ligule fringed with rather rigid white hairs; leaf-blades 1 to 3 dm. long, 3 to 6 mm. wide, scabrous on both sides, serrulate-sca- brous on the cartilaginous margins, tapermg to the base, acuminate-pointed. Panicles cylindrical, dense, narrowed to the obtuse apex, 6 to 16 cm. long, 6 to 15 mm. in diameter below, exclusive of the setae; rachis angular, pilose; branches short, contiguous, densely 5 to 15 flowered; setee 1 or rarely 2 at each spikelet, green or purplish, erect- spreading, flexuous, 5 to 15 mm. long, antrorsely scabrous. Sitikelets ovate, acute, about 2 mm. long, gibbous; first glume one- third to one-half as long as the spikelet, ovate-cordate, acute, 3 to 5 nerved, mclos- ing the base of the spike- let; second glume broadly ovate, acute or obtuse, apiculate, about four-fifths as long as the spikelet, 5 to 7 nerved, the mid-nerve excurrent, the lateral ones anastomosing or abruptly vanishing in the hyaline margin; third glume equal- ing and slightly inclosing the fiowering glume, sulcate, 5-nerved, subtending a lanceolate, hyalme jmlea, nerves in all the glumes green, prominent; flowering glume ovate, acute, convex, very strongly transversely midulate- rugose for its whole length; the inclosed palea transversely striate, slightly convex at the base, plane above. In waste places, cultivated fields, etc., Georgia to Florida. July-October. Specimens examined. — Florida: Jacksonville, 3616 Curtiss; no locality. Chapman, Duval Co., 328 Fredholm 1893; Apalachicola, 108 Kearney 1895; Anastasia Island, 175 Kearney 1895; Grasmere, 1047 Combs & Rolfs 1898; Cedar Key, 795 Combs 1898; Orange, Baker 1897; Homosassa, 944 Combs 1898. FiG.ll.—Ghcefochloacornigata: a, spikelet .showing seta; h,c, views of the spikelet; rf, tiowering glume, dorsal view. 24 CHiETOCHLOA CORRUGATA PARVIFLORA (Poir.) n. comb. CencJims jxtrvijloms Poir. in Lam. Encycl. 6: 52 (1804). Setaria ventemifd Kunth Rev. Gram. 1: 251. t. 37 (1829). Panicum glaucum purpurascens Ell. Sk. Bot. S. Car. &Ga. 1: 113 (1817). (Fig. 12.) A more slender form 2 to 7 dm. high, much branched from the base, leaves shorter, panicles exserted, 2 to 7 cm. long, branches few-flowered, setee spreading, green or purple; spikelets as in the type. In fields and waste places, South Carolina to Florida, West Indies. April-October. Specimens examined.— Specimen in Herb. Phil. Acad. Sci., collected by Elliot, South Carolina or Georgia. Florida: Indian River, Curtiss 1879; Jacksonville, 5124 Curtiss 1894; 4041 Curtiss 1893; without locality, Cm'tissl885; Vesterand 1889; Duval Co., 187 Fredholm 1893, Eustis640, 1382 Nash 1894; Lake City, 140 Combs & Rolfs 1898; Gainesville, 721, 723 Combs 1898; Homosassa, 945 Combs 1898; Barstow, 1177 Combs 1898; Old Town, 865 Combs 1898; Dunnellon, 914« Combs 1898; Manatee Co., 1287, 1292 Combs 1898; Miami, 253 Pollard 1898. 14. = = Leaves pilose or pubescent. CH^TOCHLOA GIBEOSA sp. nov. An erect , densely caespitose, pubescent perennial, 4 to 7 dm. high, with rather loose, cylindrical, exserted panicles, compressed sheaths, and linear-lanceolate leaves, which are strongly pilose on both sides with long spreading white hairs. Culms slender, smooth, cylin- drical; nodes brown or black, smooth; sheaths loose, striate, smooth, the margin densely ciliate with long erect white hairs, bearded at the apex ; ligule brown, about 1 mm. long, densely ciliate-fringed with \\hite hairs 3 or 4 mm. long; leaf-blades 1 to 2.5 dm. long, 5 to 7 mm. wide, abruptly romided at the base, long-acuminate, scabrous on both sides and on the cartilaginous margins. Panicle 5 to 7 cm. long, loose, branches very short, few-flowered; setae 1 or 2 at each si)ikelet, spreading-erect, flexu- ous, 8 to 15 mm. long, antrorsely scabrous. Spikelets ovate-globose, 2 mm. long, acute; first glume nearly one-half as long as the spikelet, broadly ovate- cordate, obtuse, apiculate, 5-nerved, inclosing the base of the spikelet; second glume broadly ovate, obtuse, aljruptly apiculate, 5 to 7 nerved, about four-fifths as long as the spikelet; third glume equaling and slightly inclosing the flower- ing glume, 5-nerved, plane, subtending a lanceolate, hyaline palea; flowering Fig. 12. — Chcetochloa corrvgata imrviflora: a, branch showing two spikelets and sette; 6, spikelet; c,d, views of the ilowering glume. 25 glume strongly gibbous, acute, short-apiculate, transversely undulate-rugose, except at the nearly smooth base and apex, the inclosed palea broadly elliptical- ovate, very strongly convex, transversely striate. Type specimen in Gray Herbarium Cambridge, No. 528 (828?), "Herbarium Ber- landierianum Texano-3Iexicanum," no locality or date. A very distinct species, readily recognized by its broad-linear, pilose leaves, densely bearded sheath-margins and ligule, long first glume, and strongly convex palea. 15. CHiETOCHLOA HIS- PID A sp. nov. (Fig. 13.) A simple or sparingly branched, erect, somewhat hirsute an- nual, about 6 dm. high, with linear-lanceolate leaves and exserted, cylindrical, spike- like panicles about 6 em. long. Culm slender, com- pressed below, somewhat geniculate, striate, scabrous below the panicle, thinly l^ilose for its whole length with scattered white hairs; nodes bearded with appressed hairs; sheaths compressed, striate, strigose witli rather long white hairs, especially above and on the margins; ligule short, ciliate; leaf- blades 10 to 15 cm. long, 4 to 6 mm. wide, tapering to the base, acuminate, scabrous on both sides and margins, papillate-pilose on the nerves on both sides, mid-nerve very prominent on the lower side, smooth. Panicle densely flowered, about 7 mm. in diameter exclusive of the setee; rachis angular, pilose; branches short, contiguous, I 1 to 3 flowered; setse 1 or 2, green, spreading, 8 to 12 mm. long, antrorsely scabrous above, nearly smooth at the base; first glume nearly one-half as long as the spikelet, broadly ovate- cordate, acute, apiculate, 3-nerved, inclosing the base of the spikelet; second glume broadly-ovate, obtuse, about four-fifths as long as the spikelet, short- apiculate, 7-ner\'ed, the mid-nerve excurrent, the lateral ones vanishing; third glume equaling the flowering glume, sulcate, 5-nerved, subtending a lanceo- late, hyaline palea; flowering glume elliptical-ovate, acute, strongly gibbous, transversely undulate-rugose, the inclosed palea convex at the base, plane above. In sandy pine woods, Cuba. Type specimen in the Gray Herbarium, Cambridge, collected by C. Wright in January, 1865; no number. Eelated to C. corrugata (Ell.) Scribn. , but readily distinguished by its more simple habit, Fig. iZ.—Chcetochloa hispida: a, spikelet showing seta; b, c, views of the spikelet; d, tiowering glume, dor.sal view. 26 hirsute sheaths, pubescent leaves, and strongly rugose flowering glumes. This specimen is cited by Grisebach, Plant. Cub. 234 (1866), under Setarla glauca imberbis. 16. CH^TOCHLOA LEUCOPILA sp. nov. (Fig. 14.) A densely ctespitose, erect perennial, 2.5 to 4 dm. high, with narrow, involute leaves and rather loose, narrow panicles 3 to 6 cm. in length. Culms very slender, much branched at base, striate, scabrous or scabro-pubescent below the nodes and panicle, otherwise smooth; nodes brown, the lower ones densely bearded with long white hairs, the hairs on upper nodes shorter, sheaths loose, compressed, glabrous or usually slightly scabrous on the keel, margins nearly smooth below, densely ciliate-fringed with long white hairs above ; ligule brown, very short, densely ciliate with spreading white hairs 3 t© 5 mm. long; basal leaves numer- ous, those of the culms 1 or 2, linear, 5 to 10 cm. long, 2 to 4 mm. wide, rather soft, becoming involute-setaceous, densely bearded at the throat with spreading white hairs, which equal or exceed those of the ligule, the upper sur- face pilose with long white hairs, the lower surface smooth or only slightly scabrous. Panicle somewhat exserted, about6 mm. in diameter, pale, few-flowered; axis undulate, angular, scabro - pubescent, branches 2 mm. long or less; setffi single or in pairs, green, flexuous, antrorsely scabrous, 2 to 5 mm. long. Spikelets oblong-ovate, acute, 3-nerved, barely 2 mm. long; firstglume triangular - ovate, acute, 3- nerved, one-third as long as the spikelet; second glume broad- ly ovate, obtuse, apiculate, 5- nerved, two-thirds to three- fourths as long as the flowering glume; third glume equaling the flowering glume, 5-nerved, subtending a hyaline, lanceolate palea two-thirds its own length; flowering glume narrowly ovate, acute, apiculate, nearly smooth, striate and pitted below, not rugose, nearly smooth, sliining at the apex, the inclosed palea broadly lanceolate, pitted, slightly convex for its whole length. Mexico. Type specimen collected at Parras, State of Coahuila, Mexico, 1363 E. Palmer, June, 1880. At once distinguished by its densely caespitose habit, narrow leaves, densely bearded ligule, and pilose sheath margin, and leaves. Fio. 14. — Ckcetochloa leucopila: a, spikelet showing seta; I), c, views of the spikelet ; d, anterior view of the flower- ing glume, showing the sterile and fertile palea; e, flower- ing glume, dorsal view. 27 * * Panicle loose, interrupted; brandtes more or less elongated. t Branches densely floicered. X Seta' hath antrorsely and retrorsely scabrous. 17. CH-ffiTOCHLOA ONURUS (Griseb.) n. comb. Setaria onurus Griseb. Fl. Brit. "W. Ind. 555 (1864). Panicum onurum Willd. in Herb., ex Griseb. A stout, erect, glabrous perennial, 2 to 10 dm. high, with virgate, interrupted panicles and linear-lanceolate leaves, 1.5 to 4 dm. long. Culms glabrous, erect, simple or sparingly branched at the base, cylindrical; nodes glabrous; sheaths compressed, strigose-pubescent, sometimes slightly scabrous on the keel, the lower ones much longer than the internodes, imbricate, ciliate on the margms, bearded at the apex; ligule short, ciliate; leaf-blades 10 to 15 mm. wide, scabrous on both sides and on the cartilaginous margins, long-acuminate at the apex, tapering at the base, midvein prominent throughout. Panicle loose, cylindrical, 1 to 2 dm. long, 1.5 to 2 em. in diameter; rachis striate, pilose; branches spreading-erect, the lower 1.5 to 2 cm. in length, scabrous, equaling or exceeding their internodes; setae mostly solitary, rarely 2 or 3 at each spikelet, slender, flexuous, 1.5 to 2 cm. long, both antrorsely and retrorsely scabrous. Spikelets ovate-globose, acute, 2 mm. long; first glume one-third as long as the spikelet, triangular-cordate, acute, abruptly apiculate, 5-nerved; second glume one-half to two-thirds as long as the spikelet, broadly ovate, obtuse or truncate, apiculate, 9 to 11 nerved; third glume equaling the flowering glume, thin, 9-nerved, subtending an ovate hyaline palea nearly its own length; flowering glume ovate-globose, acute, generally abruptly apiculate, transversely undulate-striate below, smooth near the apex. Palea similar in markings, strongly convex. West Indies, Mexico, South America. Specdiens examined. — Jamaica: March, spikelets from specimens cited byGrisebach (Fl. Brit. W. Ind. 555) sent from Kew Herbarium, also specimen in the Gray Herbarium. Cidia: 3474 Wright 1860, 1864, 3887 Wright 1865; Cienguita, 264 Combs 1895. In habit very much resembling C. macrostachya, but readily distinguished from this and other related forms by its 9 to 11 nerved second glume and both antrorsely and retrorsely scabrous setee. tt Setse antrorsely scabrous only. § Leaves linear, glaucous. 18. Chaetocliloa composita (H. B. K.) Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 39 (1897). Setaria composita H. B. K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. PI. 1: ill (1815). (Fig. 15.) A pale, glaucous, csespitose perennial, 3 to 10 dm. high, much branched from the base, with long, linear leaves and cylindrical, dense, or more or less interrupted spike-like panicles 5 to 16 cm. long, 6 to 15 mm. in diameter, exclusive of the setse. Culms geniculate at the base, subcompressed, scabrous and often pubes- cent, especially below the nodes, rarely glabrous, the innovations usually short and sterile; nodes bearded with a ring of silky, appressed hairs; sheaths striate, compressed, slightly scabrous on the keel above, and pilose at the apex, otherwise glabrous, the lower sometimes pubescent, mostly shorter than the internodes, cihate on the margins; ligule very short, densely ciliate-f ringed with silky hairs 1.5 to 3 mm. long; leaf-blades linear, plane, 1 to 2.5 dm. long, 2 to 5 mm. wide, glaucous, long, narrow, acuminate at the apex, scabrous on both sides or sometimes nearly glabrous, midvein prominent below, obscure above. Panicle pale green; rachis angular, striate, pilose; branches short, densely flowered, contiguous, crowded or sometimes rather remote, especially below; setse single, rarely in pairs, green, flexuous, 5 to 15 mm. long, antrorsely scabrous. 28 Spikelets short-pedicellate, narrowly ovate, acute, 2 or rarely 3 mm. long; first glume acute or acuminate, 3-nerved, one-half as long as the spikelet; second glume broadly ovate, acute or apiculate, 5-nerved, nearly equaling the spikelet in length; third glume similar to the second, 5-nerved, equaling the flowering glume, subtending a lanceolate, hyaline palea; glumes pale, with prominent green nerves; flowering glume narrowly ovate, acute, short-apiculate, striate, nearly smooth, obscurely transversely wrinkled below, the inclosed palea simi- lar in texture and markings, convex. Colorado to Arizona, Texas, Mexico, and South America. June-October. Specimens examined. — Colo- rado: Canyon City, 780 Jones 1878, 4 Eastwood 1892, 979 Shear 1896. Arizona: No locality, Palmer 1869, Vasey 1889, 19, 21 Emersley 1890; Bisbee, 858, 926 Mearns 1892; Tucson, Pringle 1884, 805 Tourney 1892, 77 Tourney 1894; Gila Val- ley, 334 Rothrock 1874; Fort Verde, 939 McDougal 1891;,, Fort Huachuca, Wilcox 1894. New Mexico: No locality, 2094 Wright 1851-52; Mesilla, 60Woo- ton 1897; Rincon, 41, 44(f, 63 Jones 1884; Albuquer- que, 85 Tracy 1887; Las Cruces, Vasey 1881; Man- gos, Metcalfe 1897, Smith 1896. re.ra&- No locality, Nealley 1877; Western Texas, 799 Wright 1849; Maraniflas, Havard 1883; Mesquite Bay , Ravenel 1869; Pinto Creek, Kin- ney Co., 83 Hall 1895; San Diego, Smith 1897; Painted Cave, Val Verde Co., 115 (in part) Nealley 1892. Mexico: Guaymas, 340 Palmer 1887; San Bernardino ranch, Mexi- can boundary, 746, 771, 781 Mearns 1892; San Luis Mountains, 2101 Mearns 1893; White Water, 2313 Mearns 1893. This common southwestern grass has been variously referred by American authoi-s and collectors to Setarla caudata and Setaria setosa, but is at once distinguished from these species by its pale aspect, cylindrical panicle, long glaucous leaves, and long first and third glumes. Setaria caudata in Bui. No. 12, Div. Bot. U. S. Dept. Agr., "Grasses of the Southwest," pi. 5 (1891), and in "Bot. of Western Texas," Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 2: 510 (1894), Chumiemphis caudata in Beal Grasses of N.Am. 2:157 (1896). Fig. 15. — Ghcetochloa coinposita: spikelet showing seta, two views of the spikelet, anil dorsal view of theflowering glume. 29 l^ Leaves linear-lanceolate, green. 19. CHiETOCHLOA MACROSTACHYA' (H. B. K.) n. comb. Setaria macros- tachya H. B. K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. PL 1: 110 (1815). (Fig. 16.) An erect or ascending perennial, 6 to 12 dm. higli, with rather dense cyhndrical panicles and linear-lanceolate leaves 1.5 to 5 dm. in length. Culms rather stout, compressed and more or less branched below, striate, scabrous below the nodfes and panicle, otherwise smooth; nodes glabrous, sheaths loose, striate, glabrous, usually exceeding the inter- nodes, scabrous on the keel, bearded at the apex, margins ciliate-f ringed; ligule fringed with straight white hairs, 3 to 4 mm. long; leaf -blades rigid, linear-lanceolate, scarcely nar- rowed at the base, gradually tapering to the long acuminate apex, 1 to 1.5 cm. Avide, sca- brous on both sides or rarely nearly smooth, generally with a few long white hairs toward the base, midvein prominent throughout. Panicle pale green, strict, thyrsoid, cylindrical, usually tapering to the apex, 1 to 3 dm. long, 1 to 2 cm. in diameter ; common axis angular, sparingly villous; branches short, contiguous, densely flowered, erect, exceeding their internodes, the lower generally slightly remote; setae solitary or in pairs, slender, flexuous, antrorsely scabrous, 1 to 2 cm. in length. Spikelets ovate- globose, about 2 mm. long, acute; first glume one-third to one-half as long as the spikelet, broadly ovate, acute, inflated, and inclosing the base of the spikelet, 3 to 5 nerved; second glume two-thirds to three- fourths as long as the spikelet, broadly ovate, obtuse, apicu- late, 5 to 7 nerved; third glume equaling the spikelet, slightly inclosing it by its infolded margins, sulcate, 5-nerved, subtending a lanceolate, hyaline palea about its own length; flowering glume strongly convex, apiculate, striate, and rather prominently transversely undulate-rugose, especially below, the inclosed palea equaling it in length, striate, nearly plane. Texas to Mexico and South America. Fni.l6.—C luelochloa macrostaehya: a, spikekt sbuuiug the seta ; 6, c, views of the spikelet ; d, flowering glume, dorsal view. ^ CH.ETOCHLOA AuSTRALIENSIS Sp. nOV. , j -lit; A Stout, erect, or ascending grass, with lancecjlate leaves and rather dense panicles l.D to 2 dm. long. Culms glabrous, except below the nodes and panicles; ligule 30 Specimens examined.— 7>ro&- Laredo, Havard 1884; no locality, Nealley 1887,1888. Mexico: Mirado, .362 Liebmann 1841, cited by Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 45; Guaymas,53 E. Palmer 1887; no locality, 378,505, and 872 E. Palmer. A distinct species, readily distinguished from C. composita (H. B. K.) Scribn. by its gibbous spikelets and broader, lanceolate leaves; and from other related species ♦ by its dense subcylindrical panicles. 20. CH-ffiTOCHLOA RIGIDA sp. nov. An erect, rigid perennial, 3 to 6 dm. high, with loose, narrow, interrupted panicles, few short setse, and rigid, lanceolate leaves 1 to 2.5 dm. long. Culms cylindri- cal, somewhat branching below, striate, smooth, scabro-pubescent below the panicles and sometimes below the glabrous nodes; sheaths mostly close, equaling or exceeding the nodes, glabrous, the lower ones imbricate and scarcely striate, margins very smooth, not ciliate; ligule very short, sparingly ciliate, not exceed- ing 1 mm. in length; leaf -blades rigid, 6 to 12 mm. wide, minutely scabrous on both sides or nearly smooth, often minutely pubescent at the throat, serrulate- scabrous on the margins, narrowed at the base, acuminate, sometimes somewhat involute-setaceous above, midnerve very prominent on the lower side of the leaf for two-thirds its length, glabrous. Panicle 0.5 to 2 dm. long, strict, often scarcely exserted from the upper sheath, pale or straw-colored; rachis angular, short pubescent or somewhat villous, undulate; branches very short or nearly obsolete, the lower not exceeding 1 cm., erect; setae solitary, often nearly obso- lete, stout, flexuous, 3 to 10 mm. long. Spikelets 2 to 2.5 mm. long, ovate, acute; first glume about one-half as long as the spikelet, acute, 3-nerved, the midnerve excurrent, the lateral ones anastomosing with it; second glume one-half to two- thirds as long as the spikelet, 5 to 7 nerved, broadly ovate, acute, apiculate; third glume equaling the flowering glume and slightly inclosing it with its infolded margins, 5-nerved, sulcate, subtending a lanceolate, hyaline palea two- thirds its own length; flowering glume ovate, acute, apiculate, obscurely keeled, striate, transversely undulate-rugose below, nearly smooth and glossy at the apex, the inclosed palea similar in markings and texture, nearly plane. Lower California. September-February. Specimens examined. — Lower California: La Paz, 125 E. Palmer 1890 (type) ; Carmen Island, 857 Palmer 1890; San Jose del Cabo, 28 Brandegee 1890. All these plants were distributed under the names of Selaria eaudata and S. setosa, from both of which this species is very distinct. Readily distinguished by its rigid culms, smooth sheaths, narrow, straw-colored panicles, and few, usually very short, setae. Related to C. macrostachya. densely bearded with stiff hairs; leaves 2 to 3 dm. long, 1.5 to 2 cm. wide; nodes smooth. Panicle about 2 cm. in diameter; rachis scabrous, sparingly villous; setse solitary, erect-siireading, 1 to 1.5 cm. long. Spikelets 3 mm. long, narrowly ovate, acute; first glume one-third to one-half as long as the spikelet, acute, 3 to 5-nerved; second glume four-fifths as long as tlie spikelet, acute, apiculate, 7- nerved, nerves prominent; third glume equaling the spikelet, 5-nerved, subtend- ing a broad-lanceolate, hyaline palea its own length; flowering glume acute, apiculate, strongly ti'ansversely undulate-rugose below, nearly smooth at the apex, the inclosed palea striate. In the specimen examined the flowering glume has a prominent hippocrepiform scar at the base. Australia. A species previously referred to C. macrostachya (H. B. K.), but from which it is at once distinguished by its thicker panicles, broader leaves, narrowly ovate, larger spikelets, and more strongly rugose flowering glume. 31 tt Branches loosely flowered. X Flowering glume strongly transversely undulate-rugose. § Leaves pilose. 21. ChaetocMoa latifolia Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 11: 44, pi. 3 (1898). (Fig. 17.) " A branching annual, 2 to 4 dm. high, with compressed sheaths, rather broad, flat leaves, and bristly panicles 4 to 8 cm. long. Culms compressed, slightly sca- brous, and short bearded at the nodes; sheaths striate, scabrous, especially along the keel, papillate-pilose, villous on the overlapping margin; ligule very short and densely ciliate-f ringed with stiff hairs; leaf-blades broadly lanceolate, cor- date at the base, very acute, 5 to 6 cm. long, 1 to 2 cm. broad, scabrous on both sides and especially along the narrow, cartilaginous margins, strongly pilose above and below. Branches of the panicle very short, slightly crowded; setse 12 to 18 mm. long, strongly antrorsely scabrous. Spikelets obovate, about 2 mm. long; first glume less than 1 mm. in length, 3-nerved; second glume shorter than the flowering glume, 5-nerved; outer glumes all obtuse, the third one empty; flowering or fruiting glume about 2 mm. long, strongly convex and deeply transversely rugose excepting near the slightly apiculate apex. Palea transversely rugose and similar in textm-e to the flowering glume. "Growing under bushes in deep ravines, Durango, Mexico, 879 E. Palmer 1896. "This species is well marked by its comparatively short and broad leaves, which are cordate at the base, and long, widely spreading bristles." CHiETOCHLOA LATIFOLIA BREVISETA var. nov. A more slender form, with narrower, less pubescent leaves, which do not exceed 1 cm. in width, narrower, few-flowered panicles, and short appressed setae. Mexico. , Specimens examined. — Mexico: Oaxaca, 347 Conzatti & Gonzalez 1897; no locality, 470 Palmer 1896. §§ "Leaves scabrous. 22. CHiETOCHLOA LIEBMANNI (Fourn.) n. comb. Setaria liebmanni Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 44 (1886) . An erect, glabrous, yellowish-green annual, 3 to 9 dm. high, with broad, flat, soft leaves and loose, lanceolate panicles 1 to 2.5 dm. in length, 2 to 4 cm. in diame- ter. Culms erect, simple, or sometimes sparingly branched from the base, gla- brous, straw colored; nodes glabrous or the lower ones with few appressed hairs; sheaths striate, loose, very glabrous, equaling or slightly exceeding the inter- nodes, the margins cartilaginous, ciliate-f ringed with short hairs; ligule short, densely ciliate-fringed with stiff white hairs about 1 mm. long. Leaf-blades lanceolate, somewhat narrowed at the cordate base, long acuminate-pointed, 1 to 3 dm. long, 1.5 to 2 cm. wide, thin, pale, scabrous on both sides and especially on the cartilaginous margins, midvein very prominent below, obscure above. Panicle attenuate at both ends, the axis slender, channeled, scabrous; branches approximate, erect-spreading, scabrous, slender, loosely few-flowered, 1.5 to 3 cm. long, much exceeding the internodes, not remote at the base; setae one at the base of each spikelet, slender, flexuous, finely antrorsely scabrous, 10 to 15 mm. in length. Spikelets ovate, acute, 2 mm. long, pale, sometimes tinged with purple; first glume cordate, inclosing the base of the spikelet, acute, 3-nerved, one-third as long as the spikelet; second and third glumes broadly ovate, acute, 5 to 7 nerved, the second four-fifths as long as the spikelet, the third slightly exceeding the flowering glume, nerves green, prominent; flowering glume about 2 mm. long, ovate, acute, short-apiculate, strongly convex, striate, very strongly transversely undulate-rugose except near the apex; palea similar in texture and markings to the flowering glume. 32 FlG.l-.-Chcetochloa lati/olia: a. spikelct showing the seta; 6, c, views of the spikeM ; d,flowering gluuif, dorsal view. 33 In thickets, Mexico. July-October. Specimens examined. — ^fexico: Southwestern Chihuahua, 52 (in part) E. Palmer 1885; E. Palmer 1876; no locality, 233 Palmer 1897; Colima, 142 E. Palmer 1897; Oaxaca, 2788 Nelson 1895; Batopilas, 52, 110a Palmer 1885. Readily distinguished by its yellowish-green color, broad, lanceolate, thin leaves, loose panicles, the branches not remote at the base, and its very strongly rugose flowering glumes. CH.aETOCHIiOA LIEBMANNI PATJCIFLORA (Vasey) n. comb. Chamsera- phis caudata pauciflora Vasey in Beal Grasses of N. Am. 2: 158 (1896) . A very slender form, 1 to 4 dm. high, with much smaller, narrow panicles 1 cm. in diameter, 5 to 10 cm. long, the branches not exceeding 1 cm. in length or obsolete, and smaller leaves 5 to 10 cm. long, 3 to 10 mm. broad. Spikelets as in the type. Mexico and Lower California. Specimens examined. — Mexico: Southwestern Chihuahua, 52 (in part) Palmer 1885; Guaymas, 191 Palmer 1887; Alamos, 686 Pal- mer 1890. Lower California: San Jose del Cabo, 12 Brandegee 1890. In habit very much resembling Chxtochloa grisebachii (Fourn.), but at once distinguished by its very strongly rugose flowering glumes. Chamxraphis caudata (Lam.) Beal, Grasses of N. Am. 2: 157, to which this form was wrongly referred as a variety, is not true Panicum caudatum Lam., but Chsetochioa compofiita (H. B. K.), to which the above is not closelv related. tt Flowering glume smooth or finely transversely wrinkled. § Spikelets 3 mm. long. 23. CH^TOCHLOA MACROS- PERMA sp. nov. Setaria com- posita of Chapman's Fl. So. J], S. and of Bui. 7: 85. fig. 67, U.S. fiq.18.. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros., not of H. B. K. (Fig. 18.) A very smooth, stout perennial, 6 to 12 dm. high, with broad, flat leaves and branch- ing, bristly panicles 10 to 25 cm. long. Culms cylindrical, robust, geniculate at the base, glabrous; nodes smooth, sheaths compressed, striate, glabrous, the lower exceeding, the upper shorter than, their internodes, margins ciliate; ligule short, densely ciliate-f ringed with long white hairs; leaf -blades linear-lanceolate, 1 to 3 dm. long, 10 to 20 mm. wide, somewhat narrowed at the base, and long slender acuminate at the apex, scabrous on both sides or sometimes nearly gla- brous; margins cartilaginous, serrate-scabrous, midvein prominent below. Panicle linear-ovate in outline, 2 to 4 cm. in diameter exclusive of the awns; 13788— No. 21 3 -Ghcetochloa macrosperina: a, 6, views of the spikelet; c, spikelet showing the setae. 34 rachis angular, striate, sparingly villous; branches erect-spreading, the lower ones 1.5 to 3 cm. long, loosely flowered; seta? solitary, 1.5 to 3 cm. long, green, somewhat flexuous, antrorsely scabrous. Spikelets short pedicellate, narrowly ovate, acute, 3 mm. long; first glume cordate, acute, inclosing the base of the spikelet; second glume oval, acute, short apiculate, 5 or rarely 7 nerved, three- fourths the spikelet in length; third glume 5-nerved, equaling the spikelet, slightly inclosing the flowering glume by its infolded edges, subtending a lanceo- late, hyaline palea; flowering glume narrowly ovate, acute, striate, finely trans- versely undulate wrinkled, its palea similar in markings and texture, slightly convex at the base. Shell islands and keys, some- times in old fields. Florida, Texas. July-October. Specimens examined. — Florida : Mouth of the St. Johns Eiver, 3617 Curtiss; Key Largo, 5502 Curtiss 1895; Caloosa Eiver, 41 Garber 1878; Orange Co., 29 Baker 1897; Weston Key, 263 Simpson 1891; Grasmere, 1150 Combs and Rolfs 1898; Cedar Key, 969 Combs 1898; Homosassa, 977 Combs 1898 ; Crystal, 979 J Combs 1898. Texas: Rio Grande, Wright 1848. 24. CH^TOCHLOA VILL.O- SISSIMA sp. nov. (Fig. 19.) An erect, somewhat csespitose more or less densely villous- pubescent perennial, 4 to 10 dm. high, with broad-linear or linear-lanceolate leaves and loose, lanceolate pani- cles about 2 dm. in length. Culms branching and usually somewhat geniculate at the base, compressed, striate, glabrous; nodes smooth or sparingly bearded with ap- pressed hairs; sheaths loose, striate, compressed, equaling or exceeding the internodes, scabrous above, especially on the keel, nearly smooth below, more or less densely villous-pubescent above, bearded at the apex and ciliate-i^ubescent on the margins; ligule brown, about 1 mm. long, densely ciliate- f ringed with long white hairs; leaf-blades broad-linear, 1.5 to 3 dm. long, 6 to 8 mm. wide, tapering toward the base, long-acuminate at the apex, more or less densely villous-pubescent on both sides, with spreading white hairs, serrulate- scabrous on the cartilaginous margins, midvein prominent on the lower surface for its whole length. Panicle about 2 dm. long, 2 to 3 cm. in diameter below, tapering to the apex, loose; rachis angular striate, scabrous, villous; branches Fig. 19. — OhcBtochloavillosisHma: a, spikelet showing the aeta b, c, views of the spikelet ; d, flowering glume, dorsal view. 35 slender, spreading-erect, the lower 2 to 3 em. long, few-flowered, much exceeding their internodes; setae solitary, green, slender, somewhat flexuous, antrorsely scabrous, 1.5 to 2.5 cm. in length. Spikelets lanceolate-ovate, acute, 2.5 to 3 mm. long, pale green; first glume one-third as long as the spikelet, broadly ovate, acute, 3-nerved, somewhat inclosing the base of the spikelet ; second glume nearly equaling the flowering glume, ovate, acute, short apiculate, 5 to 7 nerved, the midnerve excurrent, the lateral ones abruptly vanishing in the hyaline margins or anastomosing; third glume equaling the flowering glume, 5-nerved, apiculate, slightly sulcate and inclosing the flowering glume with its infolded margins subtending a very short lanceolate, hyaline palea about one-fifth its own length; flowering glume lanceolate-ovate, acute, ab- ruptly short-apiculate at the incurved tip, rather finely transversely undulate-ru- gose below, striate and punctate above, the inclosed palea narrow, plane, simi- lar in texture and markings. Type specimen collected by J. G. Smith at San Diego, Tex., May, 1897. Limpia Canyon, Presidio Co., 115 (in part) Nealley 1892, a smaller undeveloped speci- men, with much less pubes- cent leaves, otherwise as in the type. A very distinct species, at once distinguished from C. ma- crostafhya (H. B. K.) Scribn. and C. composita (H. B. K.) Scribn. by its loose, open panicle, larger spikelets, and narrow pubescent leaves, and from C. macro- sperma by its more open panicle and narrow pubes- cent leaves. § § Spikelets less than 3 mm. long. t Flowermg gluvu pitted or striate. 25. Chaetochloa grisebachii (Fourn.) Scribn. IT. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 39 (1897) Gram. 45 (1886) . (Fig. 20.) A smooth, slender, ceespitose annual, 1.5 to 8 dm. high, with loose, compressed sheaths, short, lanceolate leaves and loose, bristly, panicles 3 to 12 cm. long. Culms branching at the base, very slender, glabrous, generally somewhat genic- ulate below; nodes bearded with short appressed hairs; sheaths shorter than the internodes, striate, open at the throat, scabrous, sparingly strigose-pubescent, margins ciliate; ligule short, densely ciliate-f ringed; leaf -blades lanceolate, slightly narrowed at the cordate base, acuminate, 5 to 10 cm. long, 5 to 10 mm. Fig. 20.— Chaetochloa grisebachii: a, b, c, views of the spikelet; d, flowering glume, dorsal view. Setaria grisebachii Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. 36 wide, scabrous and sparingly short pubescent on both sides, mid vein prominent below, becoming obsolete above. Axis of the inflorescence angular, pilose, branches very short, appressed, few-flowered, the lower remote; setae single or in pairs, somewhat flexuous, widely spreading, purple or sometimes green, 5 to 15 mm. long. Spikelets ovate, acute, 2 mm. long; first glume broadly cordate, inclosing the base of the spikelet, acute, 3-nerved, one-third as long as the spike- let; second glume obtuse, 5 to 7 nerved, nearly equaling the spikelet in length and closely enveloping it; third glume obtuse, 5-nerved, slightly exceeding the flowering glume in length, sulcate, subtending a short hyaline palea; nerves in all the glumes green, promi- nent; flowering glume nearly 2 mm. long, ovate, acute, nearly smooth, striate, and very finely transversely wrin- ■ kled below. Texas to Arizona. Mexico. Specimens examined. — Texas: Austin, Hall 1872; no locality, Nealley 1888; Kerrville, Smith 1897; Heller 1894; Limpia Can- yon, Presidio Co., 130 Nealley 1892; Smith 1897; Val Verde, Nealley 1890. New Mexico: 2096 Wright 1851-52, and 800 Wright 1849, no locality; Mangos, Smith 1897. Arizo- na: Bowie, 4288 Jones 1884; Camp Crittenden, Rothrock 1874; Beaver Creek, 606 Mc- Dougal 1891; Clear Creek, 78 Toumey 1891 . Mexico : City of Mexico, 3040, 3153 Holway 1898; Rio Honda, Holway 1896; Chihuahua, 381 Pringle 1885; San Luis Potosi, 957 Parry & Palmer 1878; Oaxaca, 4937 Pringle 1894; no locality, 716 Palmer 1896, 1043 Schaff- ner 1876, 441 Bourgeau 1863- 1866; Guanajuato, Duges 1894. No. 441 Bourgeau, represented in the Gray Herbarium, is cited by Fournier in the original description as one of the type specimens on which this species is based. CHiETOCHLOA GRISEBACHII AMPLA var. nov. (Fig. 21.) A very robust form, 5 to 8 dm. high, with thicker culms, longer leaves, and long open panicles; leaves lanceolate, 1 to 2 dm. in length, 10 to 15 mm. wide; panicle loose, 12 to 18 cm. long, 2 to 5 cm. in diameter, the branches spreading, much longer than the internodes, the lower 2 to 3.5 cm. in length. New Mexico; Mexico. Specimens examined. — New Mexico: Organ ^Mountains, Yasey 1881; no locahty, 994 Fendler 1847. Mexico: no locality, 4670 Pringle 1896; San Bernardino ranch, Fig. 21. — Chcetvc.loa niisclacliU ampla: a, siiikelet showing the seta; Z>, c, viewa of the spikelet; d, flowering glume, dorsal view. 37 Mexican boundary, 2000 Mearns 1893; no locality, 728 Palmer 1896; Oaxaca, 344 Conzatti & Gonzalez 1897. Readily distinguished from the type by its larger size and elongated, spreading branches of the panicle. CH^TOCHIiOA GRISEBACHII MEXICANA var. nov. Seiarin mexicana Schaffner in Herb. A denseh' caespitose form, 6 to 10 cm. high, with interrupted panicles 1 to 3 cm. long and short leaves 2 to 3 cm. in length. Spikelets as in the type. San Luis Potosi, 1044 Schaffner 1876; Schaffner, Sept., 1877. i Flowering glume finely trans- versely lurlnkled. = Panicle obtuse at the apex. 26. CHJETOCHLOA POLY- STACHYA (Scheele) n. Gomb. Setaria jwlystachya Scheele, Linnaea 22: 339 (1849). (Fig. 22.) A stout, erect perennial, 6 to 12 dm. high, with compressed culms, lanceolate leaves, and loose elongated panicles 1 to 2 dm. in length. Culms cylin- drical or subcompressed, branching at the base, genic- ulate, glabrous or slightly scabrous below the nodes and panicle; nodes brown, bearded with short appressed hairs; sheaths striate, gla- brous or slightly pubescent above, bearded at the apex, margins ciliate, the lower ones subcompressed, more or less scabrous on the keel; ligule short, ciliate-f ringed; leaf-l)ladesl.5 to 3 dm. long, 1.5 to 2 cm. wide, abruptly narrowed at the base, acumi- nate, scabrous on both sides and especially so on the car- tilaginous margins, the lower ones often more or less strigose-pubescent, midvein prominent below, becoming obsolete above. Panicle pale green, lanceolate, lax, 1.5 to 2.5 dm. long, 1.5 to 3 cm. in diameter; rachis angular, pilose, branches slender, 1.5 to 3 cm. long, erect- spreading, much exceeding their internodes; setse solitary, 8 to 12 mm. long, green, slender, flexuous, antrorsely scabrous. Spikelets narrowly ovate, acute, 2 mm. long; first, glume about one-third as long as the spikelet, slightly inflated, trian- gular-cordate, acute, 3-nerved; second glume two-thirds as long as the spikelet, acute, 5-nerved, the midnerve excurrent, the lateral ones anastomosing with it; third glume equaling the flowering glume, slightly sulcate, acute, 5-nerved, sub- FlG. 22.— Ohcetochloa polystachya: a, spikelet showing the seta; 6, c, views of the spikelet ; d, tioweriug glume, dorsal view. 38 tending a linear-lanceolate, hyaline palea; flowering glume narrowly ovate, acute, short-apiculate, striate, quite strongly transversely undulate-rugose below, striate or pitted at the apex, the inclosed palea narrowly ovate, slightly convex at the base, plane above, striate. Dry soil, in thickets, etc., Texas. July-October. Specimens examined. — Texas: Reverchon 1885; Nealley 1888; 164, 564 Lindheimer 1846; 357 Lindheimer 1845; Kerrville, Smith 1897; Gillespie Co., 783 Jermy; Mouth of Pecos River, 34 Havard 1883. = = Panicle long-attenuate at the apex. 27. Cheetocliloa caudata (Lam.) Scribn. Rept. Mo. Bot. Gard. 10: 52 (1899). Paniciim caudatum Lam. Illus. 1 : 171 (1791) . Seta- rui caudata R. & S. Syst. 2:495(1817). (Fig. 23.) A very slender, somewhat csespitose annual 3 to 6 dm. high, with elongated, interrupted jjanicles and narrow, linear leaves 1 to 2.5 dm. in length. Culms much branched from the base, geniculate, glabrous, cylindrical, very slender; nodes smooth ; sheaths about equaling the inter- nodes, pubescent, ciliate on the margins; ligule short, ciliate. Leaf-blades linear, 1 to 2.5 dm. long, 3 to 5 mm. wide, pubes- cent on both sides, slightly scabrous on the midvein and margins, long filiform- attenuate at the apex, the upper ones generally equaling or exceeding the culms. Panicles 5 to 15 cm. long, attenuate, few- flowered; rachis slender, flexuous, angular, pilose; branches very short, not exceeding 5 mm., or obsolete; setse solitary, flexuous, 4 to 10 mm. long, antrorsely scabrous, sometimes someAvhat pilose below. Spikelets ovate, acute, short-pedicellate; first glume nearly one- half as long as the spikelet, ovate, acute, 5-nerved ; second glume two-thirds the length of the spikelet,broadly ovaie, acute, short apiculate, 5 to 7 nerved; third glume equaling the spikelet, 5-nerved ; flowering glume ovate, acute, short apicu- late, striate, transversely undulate-rugose below, smooth at the apex. New Jersey, Alabama, and Florida, West Indies, Mexico, South America. Specimens examined. — New Jersey/: Camden, Martindale 1879, on "ballast." Alabama: Mobile, Mohr 1891, on "bailast." Florida: Key West, Blodgett. West Indies: St. Croix, 67 Ricksecker 1895. Fig. 23. — Choetochloa caudata: a, brauch showing spikelet and setae ; b, view of the spikelet ; c, flowering glume, dorsal view. 39 The specimen from New Jei-sey is depauperate, being but slightly over 1 dm. high and densely cpespitose. 28. Chaetocliloa setosa (Sw.) Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Bui. 4 : 37 (1897) . Panicum setosum Swartz, Prod. Veg. Ind. Occ. 22 (1788) . Setaria setosa Beauv. Agrost. 51 (1812) . ChamserapMs setosa Kuntze Rev. Gen. PI. 2 : 769 (1891) . (Fig. 24.) An erect branching perennial, 4 to 7 dm. high, with loose, slender, generally long- attenuate panicles 1 to 2.5 dm. in length and linear-lanceolate, ]inT)esoent leaves 1 to 2 dm. long. Culms rather slender, glabrous, geniculate at the base, cylindrical or subcom- pressed, sometimes root- ing at the lower nodes; nodes glabrous; sheaths generally equaling or longer than the internodes, loose, striate, nearly smooth at the base, more or less pu- bescent toward the apex, ciliate on the margins ; ligule very short, ciliate; leaf- bl ad e s linear-lanceolate, about 1 cm. broad, acumi- nate, rounded at the base, scabrous on the cartilagi- nous margins. Panicle lax, attenuate, 1 to 2 cm. in diameter; axis angular, pilose; branches slender, few-flowered, 1 to 2.5 cm. in length, equaling or ex- ceeding the internodes; setse 1 to 3 at each spike- let, slender, flexuous, sca- brous, 10 to 15 mm. long; spikelets 2 mm. long, elliptical-ovate, acute; first glume about one-half the length of the spikelet, acute or acuminate, 3-nerved; second glume nearly equal- ing the spikelet, ovate, acute, abruptly apiculate, 5-nerved; third glume equaling the fourth, 5-nerved, subtending a hyaline palea which nearly equals the flowering glume in length; flowering glume about 2 mm. long, narrowly ovate, acute or acuminate, finely transversely rugose, especially below. Palea similar in markings and texture, equaling the glume in length. New Jersey, New Mexico, West Indies, Mexico, South America. Specimexs examined. — New Jersey: Camden, Parker 1879, on "ballast;" also collected by Martindale, no date. Neio Mexico: Organ Mountains, 438 Wooton 1897. West Indies: Kingston, Jamaica; Alexander 1853; March 1886, no locality; spikelets from specimen in Kew Herbarium, cited by Grisebach Fl. Brit. W. Ind. 555; same Fig. 24. — Ohcetoehloa setosa: a, spikelet showing seta; 6,0, views of the spikelet; d, lioweriug glume, dorsal view. 40 also in the Gray Herbarium, Cambridge; St. Croix, Eggers 1876; St. Thomas, Eggers 1876 and 1890; Gordon Town, 829 Hart 1886. Mexico: Monterey, Nuevo Leon, 1968 Pringle 1888. The specimen from New Mexico, 438 Wooton 1897, is not typical and differs from the other specimens cited in having the slieaths somewhat compressed, sUghtly keeled, the setae longer, and the panicle obtuse at the apex, not long-attenuate. In H. B. K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. PL 1: 110 (1815) this species is cited as a synonym of Setaria macrostachya, but from a careful comparison of the original descriptions, authentic specimens, and the literature on the subject they appear to be very distinct. Nees^ says that Swartz's specimens, which he has seen in the Schreber Herbariiun, differ from S. macrostachya H. B. K. in having the second glume 5-nerved, narrower, pubescent leaves, and lax, elongated, and attenuated laanicles. Trinius^ says that the details of Panicuin setosum^ do not belong to this species, but to P. onurum, which has been confounded with it; hence the confusion regarding this species. NORTH AMERICAN GRASSES WHICH HAVE BEEN WRONGLY REFERRED TO THE GENUS CH^ETOCHLOA (SETARIA). Setaria auriculata Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 43 (1886) =Setariopsis auriculata (Fourn.) Scribn. Setaria cirrhosa Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 43 (1886)=Panicuin cirrhosum (Fourn.) n. comb. Setaria eflPusa (Fourn.) Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 42 (1886) =Pani cum mexicanum nom. nov. Setaria jurg-ensenii Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 42 (1886) =Panicuin jurgen- senii (Fourn.) n. comb. Setaria latiglumis Vasey Bui. Torr. Bot. Club. 13: 229 (1886) =^Setariopsis latiglumis (Vasey) Scribn. Setaria paniculifera (Steud.) Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 42 {188Q)=Panicum. paniculiferum Steud. Syn. Gram. 54. 1855. Setaria pauciseta Vasey Bui. Torr. Bot. Club 13: 230 (1886) =Setariopsis auriculata (Fourn.) Scribn. Setaria schiedeana (Schlecht.) Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 43 {l88Q)=Ixophorus schiedeana Schlecht. Linngea 3 1 : 421 (1861) . Setaria sulcata Raddi Agrost. Bras. bQ=^Paiiicum sulcatum Aubl. Setaria uniseta (Presl) Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 43 (1886) =Ixophorus uniseius Schlecht. Linngea 31:421 (1861). Chamseraphis uniseta of Beal's Grasses of N. Am. 2: 158 (1896) is Chselochloa grisebachii. DOUBTFUL AND UNKNOWN SPECIES CREDITED TO NORTH AMERICA. Setaria affinis Schrad. in R. & S. Mant. 2 : 276 (1824) , Described by Muhlenberg in Desc. Gram. 101 (1817) without name =(?) Chsetochloa corrugata parviflora. Southern States. Setaria ambigua Schrad. Linngea 12: 430 (1838). Type material collected in Texas=(?) Chxtochloa hnherbis geniculala. Setaria biconvexa Grisebach Fl. Brit. W. Ind. 555 (1864). Scarcely distinct from C. onurus. Spikelets from Grisebach's type specimen sent from Kew Herbarium agree almost perfectly with those of C. onurus. S. biconvexa is described as having the second glume 7-nerved as a distinguishing character from the 9 to 11 nerved second glume of K onurus, but the spikelets from Grisebach's type have the second glume 9-nerved! 1 Agrost. Bras. 2: 246. ^ Mem. Acad. Sci. St. Petersb.. ser. 6, 3: 138, 139. '■" Trin. Icon. t. 95. 41 Setaria californica Kellogg Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 1: 26 (1873). Collected at Shasta, on the Sacramento Eiver, and described as being about 12 feet high, with erect, cylindrical spikes a foot long, with densely villous rachis, and smooth flowering glume. From the description and the fact that this prominent form has not been collected since, there can be little doubt that it was a form of ChRtochloa italica, escaped from cultivation but not persisting. Setaria falcifolia Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 44 (1886) . Mexico. Setaria flava Kunth, Rev. Gram. 1 : 46 (1829) . Described from South American material and credited by Fournier to Mexico. No specimens have been seen which agree with Kunth's description, and the specimens cited by Fournier (231 Bourgeau and 30 Liebmann) , which were examined, are referable to C. pur- purascens. Setaria laevis Fourn. Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 45 (1886) . Mexico. Setaria pseudoverticillata Fourn. Mex. PL Enum., 45 (1886). Mexico. Setaria rariflora Presl Eel. Hsenk. 1 : 313 (1830) . Mexico. Setaria semirugosa Kunth Envmi. PI. 1: 152 (1833). Described from South American material and credited by Fom-nier to Mexico. No specimens seen from North America. Setaria stipseculmis C. Mueller Bot. Zeit. 19: 323 (1861). This is certainly not a Setaria, as is very evident from the original descrii^tion. Texas. Setaria vulpiseta R. & S. Syst. 2: 495 (1817) . Credited by Grisebach to the West Indies. No specimens seen. Fournier (Mex. PI. Enum. Gram. 45) say^that the specimens referred by Grisebach to S. vulpiseta are S. macrostachya H. B. K. 13788— No. 21 1 V INDEX. Page. Cenchrus parviflorus Poir 15, 24 Chamceraphis 6 caudata Beal 28,33,38 caudata paueiflora Vasey. . . 33 corrugata Kuntze 23 (/Zawca Kuntze 9 glauea genicidata Beal 12 itaKca Kuntze 20 magna TieaX 21 sctosa Kuntze 39 M7iis« Grav salthush 34 6 1 7 103 Hairy-flowered lyme grass (Elymus hir- sutiglumis) 1 332 5 1 98 1 4 104 Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) 34 1 86 2 43 1 71 6 206 105 Hard fescue (Festuca duriuscula) Hooker's brome grass (Bromus hookeri- anus) 3 106 107 Hurrah erass fPanicnm reticulatuin"! 4 1 10S Imperata arundinacea 1 n 109 Indian grass (Andropogon nutans avena- ceuni) 110 3 3 111 Iseilema wrigbtii 1 119 Italian rye grass (Lolium italicum) 20 4 1 14 .... 1 .... 5 113 Japan clover (Lespedeza striata) 1 7 4 1 114 Japanese barnyarc millet (Panicum crus- galli) 12 2 59 1 12 13 5 10 29 115 Japanese lawn grass (Zoysia pungens) Jerusalem corn (Andropogon sorghum vulgaris) 116 3 2 2 1 1 4 117 118 Johnson grass (Andropogon halapense) . . Kaffir corn (Andropogon sorghum vul- garis ) 1 3 4 1 6 4 9 Table I. — Number of packages and varieties of grass and forage plant seeds distributed to experimenters, etc. — Continued. Variety. Number of trial packages dis- tributed to experimenters. Fiscal year- 1896-97. 1897-98. 1898-99. o Number and kind of reports received from experimenters. o Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis) King's fescue (Festuca kingii) Koeleria valesiaca LangsdorfY's reed bent (Calamagrostis langsdorffii) Lappula redouski Large water grass (Paspalum dilitatum) .. Leptochloa dubia Lentils (Ervum lens) : Lesquerella gordonii Lotus americanus Lupine (Lupinns sp.) Marram Grass (Ammophila arenaria) Meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis) . . . Medicago media Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) Meliea altissima Metcalfe bean (Phaseolus retusus) Mitchell grass (Astrebla pectinata) Mixed sand grasses Mogollon vetch (Vicia sp.) Mollugc verticillata Molinia coerulea Montana reed bent (Calamagrostis mon- tanensis) Mountain spear grass (Poaalpina) Mungrove millets from South Africa Mutton grass (Poa fendleriana) Nelson's saltbush (Atriplex pabularis) Northern red top (Agrostis cxarata) Northern spear grass (Poa nemoralis) Northern wheat grass (Agropyron viola- ceum) " Nuttall's saltbush (Atriplex nuttallii) Old man's saltbush (Rhagodia parabolica) Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) Oryza sativa Panicum decompositum Panicum floridanum Panicum hallii Panicum avenaceum Panicum humile Panicum javanicum Panicum violaceum . . ." Panicjim sanguinale Panicularia sp Poa flava Poa laevigata Poa wheeleri Poa sp Pasture mixture Purple reed bent (Calamagrostis purpu- rascens) Quack grass (Agropyron repens) Red clover (Trifolium pratense) Red fescue (Festuca rubra) Red lump millet (Panicum miliaceum) .. Red top (Agrostis alba) Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) Rescue grass (Bromus unioloides) Rhode Island bent (Agrostes canina) Richardson's wheat grass (Agropyron richardsonii) Rocky mountain hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa) Rough-stalked meadow grass (Poa trivia- lis) Round-leaved saltbush (Atriplex num- mularia) Saccaton(Muhlenbergiadisticliophylla) . . 15 1 1 2 3 1 2 8 10 4 387 329 7 345 17 15 10 2 1 14 14 7 37 2 22 4 16 18 3 1 9 1 1 15 21 2 3 46 27 17 10 1 6 1 3 3 19 1 1 1 3 14 11 424 2 22 1 2 4 1 1 3 2 1 9 6 4 16 2 4 8 2 i 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 i 1 18 3 1 9 1 1 344 28 360 10 4 48 47 1 11 1 8 10 44 101 63 162 4 166 7 10 10 Table I. — Number of packages and varieties of grass and forage plant seeds distributed to experimenters, etc. — Continued. No. 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 196 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 Variety. 1896-97. Saccaton (Sporobolus wrightii) Saecharum spontaneum Sand bur (Cenchrus tribuloides) Sainfoin (Onobryciiis sativa) , Sand rushi-grass (Sporobolus depaupera- tus) Sapling clover (Trifolium media) Seaside blue grass (Poa macranttia) Serradella fOrnithopus sativa) Shad scale (Atriplex canescens) Shama millet (Panicum colonum) Short-awned brome (Bromus breviarista- tus) Sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina) Side oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) Silvery salt sage (Atriplex argentea) Sixweeks grama (Bouteloua polystachya) Slender-fruited saltbush (Atriplex lepto- carpa) Slender wheat grass (Agropyron tenerum) Slough grass (Beckmannia erucaeformis) . Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) Smooth lyme grass (Elymus glaucus) Snail clover (Medicago turbinata) Southern canary grass (Phalaris caro- liniana) Soy bean (Glycine hispida) Spiny salt sage (Atriplex confertifolia) . . . Sporobolus arabicus Sporobolus cryptandrus SJjorobolus richardsoni Spongy saltbush (Atriplex spongicsum) . . Sorghum (Andropogonsorghum vulgaris) . Sprangle top ^Scolochloa festucacea) Squirrel grass (Hordeum murinum) Stink grass (Eragrostis major) , Stolley's vetch (Vicia leavenworthii) Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) Swamp chess (Bromus ciliatus) , Sweet clover (Melilotus alba) Switch grass (Panicum virgatum) Sysymbrium canescens Tali fescue (Festuca elatior) , Tall oat gra.ss (Arrhenatherum elatius) . . Teosinte (Euchlaena mexicana) Tefl (Eragrostis abyssinica) Texas blue grass (Poa arachnifera) Texan grama (Bouteloua texanaj Texan timothy (Lycurus pleoides) Tetradynia canescens Timothy (Phleum pratense)_ Top grama (Bouteloua juncifolia) Trifolium involucratum Tsama watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris) . . Tweedy's feather grass (Stipatweedyi) .. Twisted beard grass (Andropogon contor- tus) Uniola laxa Uniola longipipes Upright che.ss (Bromus racemosus) Utah saltbush (Atriplex truncata) Various-leaved fescue (Festuca hetero- phylla Velvet bean (Mucuna utilis) Velvet grass (Holcus lanatus) Veronica peregrina Virginia lyme grass (Elymus virginicus) . Western wheat grass (Agropyron si)ica- tum) Number of trial packages dis- tributed to experimenters. Fiscal year — 1897-98. 60 18 1 29 26 7 1 2 24 6 "•ii 49 401 1 2 5 39 7 23 .... "8 12 19 1 1 6 1898-99. 1 17 2 19 18 27 17 7 3 40 7 106 1 2 86 16 9 1 2 29 3 10 4 3 2 4 15 19 22 o H 3 19 18 2 85 6 28 18 71 12 6 21 89 8 536 2 2 7 151 7 7 3 1 2 63 9 1 1 10 29 3 1 1 2 14 11 10 3 1 2 6 1 1 24 7 3 5 1 1 1 3 16 34 1 1 26 30 Number and kind of reports received from experimenters. 88 63 10 121 10 12 32 Table I.- 11 -Number of packages and varieties of grass and forage plant seeds distributed to experimenters, etc. — Continued. Variety. Number of trial packages dis- tributed to experimenters. Number and kind of reports received from e.x;perimenters. No. Kscal year — 1 CO '3 s J 1 a 8 0 a "3 0 1896-97. 1897-98. 1898-99. 3 0 H •>4S White clover (Trifollum repens) 1 1 3 6 3 12 1 3' 2 5' 7 4 15 1 39 3 2 4 6 ')44 Wild chess (Bromus kalmii) 1 .... 1 ''45 Wild timothy (Muhlenbergia racemosa) .. '''Ifi Windmill grass (Chloris verticillata) 047 Winter fat (Eurotia lanata) 35 4 10 1 11 248 Wyoming blue grass (Poa wheeleri) ... 249 Woolly bent grass (Calamovilfa longi- folia 250 Woolly-jointed grama (Bouteloua erio- poda) 2 2 1 oiil Yellow snear errass f Poa lucidal Total 632 2,749 1,739 5, 120 718 287 607 101 1,713 SEED DISTRIBUTION TO EXPERIMENT STATIONS, BOTANICAL GARDENS, AND UNIVERSITIES. An important work of the Division has been to supply the experi- ment stations throughout the United States with grass and forage-plant seeds for experimental purposes. Many of these varieties could not easily be obtained in any other way, as they are not on the market. By examination of Table II it will be seen that during the last three fiscal years 2,927 packages have been distributed to 33 experiment stations, 2 universities, and 1 botanical garden. The stations receiving the largest number of varieties were those in Arizona, California, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. These lots averaged 135 different varieties of grass and forage plants. The results of the experiments have not in all cases been reported to the Division, but were published in the various bulletins and reports of the stations, to which the readei is referred for detailed information. The receipt of reports from the experiment stations of Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Wyoming, Cornell University, and California is here acknowledged. The results of this distribution are now being compiled and will be published later as a separate report from this division. 12 Table U. ^Number of packages of grass and forage plant seeds distributed to experiment stations and universities. Experiment station or university. Alabama Experiment Station, AuDurn, Ala Arizona Experiment Station, Tucson, Ariz California Experiment Station, Berkeley, Cal Florida Experiment Station, Lake City, Fla Georgia Experiment Station, Experiment, Ga Hatch Experiment Station, Amherst, Mass Idaho Experiment Station, Moscow, Idaho Illinois Experiment Station, Urbana, 111 Iowa Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa Kansas Experiment Station, Manhattan, Kans Louisiana Experiment Station, Calhoun, La Maryland Experiment Station, College Park, Md Michigan Experiment Station, Lansing, Mich Minnesota Experiment Station, St. Anthony Park, Minn. Minnesota sub-Experiment Station, Crookston, Minn Missouri Experiment Station Columbia, Mo Montana Experiment Station, Bozeman, Mont Nebraska Experiment Station, Lincoln, Nebr Nevada Experiment Station, Reno, Nev New Mexico Experiment Station, Mesilla Park N. Mex . New York Experiment Station, Geneva, N. Y North Dakota Experiment Station, Fargo, N. Dak Ohio Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio Oklahoma Experiment Station, Stillwater, Okla Oregon Experiment Station, Corvallis, Ore Rhode Island Experiment Station, Kingston, R. I South Dakota Experiment Station, Brookings, S. Dak Tennessee Experiment Station, Knoxville, Tenn Texas Experiment Station, Col lege Station, Tex Utah Experiment Station, Logan, Utah Washington Experiment Station, Pullman, Wash Wisconsin Experiment Station, Madison, Wis Wyoming Experiment Station, Laramie, Wyo Cornell University, Botanical IDepartment, Ithaca, N. Y'.. New York Botanical Gardens, New Y'ork City Washington-Lee University, Lexington, Va Total. Fiscal year. 1896-97. 1897-98. 1898-99. 17 135 135 45 13 6 5 135 140 7 63 67 2 72 132 5 79 114 71 140 5 141 74 115 79 128 7 135 122 84 2, 281 50 3 22 11 45 9 '38 184 36 ii 51 Total. 133 114 109 462 18 135 139 1 46 13 92 5 146 140 1 7 63 67 2 3 94 132 5 51 8 79 114 71 140 5 152 119 115 84 129 7 268 245 84 147 2,927 SEED DISTRIBUTION TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES. A large number of packages of grass and forage-plant seeds have been distributed by the Division to foreign countries, from many of which we have received in return seeds of promising varieties for cul- tivation in this countiy. By examining Table No. Ill it will be seen that 1,110 packages have been distributed during the last three years. Many requests are received for seed for purely botanical purposes, so that only small packages have been sent out. In 1897, 122 varieties of grass and forage-plant seeds were sent to Prof. D. McAlpine, the government vegetable pathologist for the Department of Agriculture, at Victoria, New South Wales, the object being to test their growth under dif- ferent conditions of soil, climate, and moisture, but mainly to prove their drought-resisting properties. Twenty-one of these grasses resisted drought, and of these seven were very conspicuous for their fresh green growth. Among the forage plants other than the grasses, two were found to be suitable to Australian conditions and very resistant to drought. These were hairy vetch and a variety 13 of the much-branched knotweed {Polygomom ramosissinium). Of the wheat g-rasses tested, bearded wheat grass, slender wheat grass, Western wheat grass, and false couch grass were found to resist drought well and to form a close, dense, grassy, succulent sward, especially the two last-named species. Among the l3"me grasses 5 species were tested and 3 found to be highly drought resisting, viz, Canada lyme grass, giant lyme grass, and Virginia lyme grass. Eleven different fescues were tried, and only two, reed fescue and tall meadow fescue, proved to be of value, the latter forming a dense, succulent, grassy sward. Of the panic grasses 5 varieties were tested and 3 germinated, viz, the barn3^ard millet, deccan grass, and switch grass. The barnyard millet did remarkably well and produced a succulent growth 3 feet high. Out of the 16 forage plants not belonging to the true grasses only 3 germinated, viz, Dakota vetch {Ilosackia purshiana)^ much-branched knotweed {PoJygonmn ramosissimum)^ and hairy vetch {Yicia mllosa). The Dakota vetch produced a poor and straggling growth. The knot- weed grew freely, ])ranching and spreading, and attaining a height of 4i feet. It withstood the drought well, but after the leaves fell off it became rather woody. Horses were very fond of the foliage. The hairy vetch grew luxuriantly and freely. It germinated in 20 days and rapidly formed a tangled mass of vegetative growth. It has been reported as a weed from some parts of Victoria; however there is little doubt but that it will prove to be an excellent soiling crop and green manure in Australia as well as here. Dr. P. MacOwan, the government botanist for Cape Colony, also received 123 packages of grass and forage-plant seeds from this Division in 1897. Out of these the grama grasses and buffalo grass have proved to be of some value, and among the forage plants other than the grasses the velvet bean and Metcalfe bean are promising v'arieties, the former now being widely distributed by the Govern- ment at about 80 cents per pound. Five pounds of seed of velvet bean were sent to the department oi Agriculture of New Zealand, and it is now being widely distributed ir that country. It thrives well in the vicinity of Brisbane, Queensland, and is commonly regarded as a valuable addition to the forage plants of northern New Zealand. Favorable reports have also been received from Prof. J. F. Duthie, of Saharanpoor, Northwest Province, India, in regard to the introduction of the Metcalfe bean. 14 Table III. — Number of packages of gntss and furaye plant seeds distrilmted to foreign countries. Country. Africa: Capetown, Capo Colony, Dr. P. MacOwan Mustfippa, Algeria, Prof. L. Trabut Durban, Natal, Prof. J. Medley Wood Tunis, .\lgeria, I'Directeur de 1' Agriculture et du commerce Argentine Republic: La Plata, Dr. Antonia, general director of the department of agricultural chemistry Australia: Adelaide, Hon. A. Molineux, secretary of agriculture Melbourne, Prof. D. McAlpine, department of agriculture. North Queensland, Town Hall, Charles Towers and Henry O. Walkers Victoria, Ruffy Post-office, J. H. Noiya Canada: Ottawa, experiment station. Prof. J. Fletcher Toronto, King street, East, J. A. Simmers Central America: Honduras, Dr. R. Fritzgartner, director of mint England: Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew Cirencester, Franli McClellan Oxford, 80 Woodstock road. Prof. R. B. Townsend Egypt: Ghezeh, School of Agriculture, Prof. W. C. Mackenzie, director France: Limoges, M. Ch. Le Gendre ; Holland: Middleburg, M. Buysman India: Saharanpoor, Northwest Province, Prof. .T. F. Duthie Madeira: Funchal, J. B. Blandy Mexico: Santa Cruz, .T. Lawton Taylor Samoa: Apia, Hon. William Churchhill, United States consul- general Switzerland: Zurich, director seed-control station Fiscal year. 1896-97. 1897-98. 1898-99. Total. 121 1 122 122 122 2 6 135 6 112 121 b 119 995 20 36 Total. 20 42 123 1 122 6 20 122 122 2 6 135 3 112 20 3 6 4 42 122 2 6 6 119 1,110 REPORTS RECEIVED FROM VOLUNTEER EXPERIMENTERS. The cooperation which the Division has received from farmers in all parts of the countiy is very gratifying. It proves that they are alive to their own interests and are anxious to become familiar with newl^' tried or recently introduced grasses and forage plants that are likely to prove of considerable value under cultivation. B}^ examination of the table on page 11, it will be seen that a total of 1,713 reports has been received in answer to 5,120 packages of seed sent out. This large difference is mainly due to the fact that when the seed was first distributed in 1896-97 no report blanks were sent or requests made for a report as to the results of the experiments, and, in some cases in later years, by neglect on the part of the experimenter to take notes on the plants during their growth. In consequence of this they had not the necessary knowledge to fill out the ])lanks forwarded them and so neglected sending in a report of any kind. Bui. 22, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept of AgricuKure. Plate I. Fig. 1. -Bunch Wheat Grass (Aqropyron diverqens), U. S. Grass Station at Walla Walla. Wash Fig. 2.- Bunch Wheat Grass (Natural Growth^ Oregon. From a iihotograjjh l)y A. B. Leckeuby. 15 During the years 1898 and 1899 blanks for reports were sent to all those receiving seed from this Division for trial, containing the follow- ing questions: (1) Kiiid, conditions, and preparation of soil? (2) Date and method of planting? (3) Cultivation, if any? (4) Date of harvesting and stage of maturity reached when harvestel? (5) Date of ripening? (6) Yield per acre (if practicable) ? (7) Quality of product? (8) Notes on growth, probable, value, etc.? It will be noticed that there are many varieties in the table which have been reported on and yet are not included in this report, there being 251 varieties sent out and only 10 discussed. The reason for this is that the economic value of the others has not been sufficiently demonstrated to warrant a report on them at this time. The number of reports is given in the table on page 11, under the following divisions: Excellent, 101; good, 607; unsatisfactory, 287; failures, 718. The largest number of reports have been received on the following varieties: Smooth brome-grass, 284; hairy vetch, 206; red lump millet, 166; red clover, 152; alfalfa, 118; and meadow fescue, 101. VARIETIES OF SEED EXPERIMENTED WITH AND TESTIMONY OF EXPERIMENTERS. BUNCH WHEAT GRASS (Agropyron divergens) . (Plate I, figs. 1 and 2.) A slender, usually densel}^ tufted native grass, 1 to 2 feet or more high, with very narrow spreading leaves and usually bearded spikes. This grass is common in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Slope regions, extending westward to the coast. When grown upon good soil it pos- sesses much agricultural value and is considered by ranchmen as a good grass for winter grazing. As it will thrive in the semiarid regions of the Northwest, its cultivation should be carried on more extensively. Seeds of this variety were sent to 11 experimenters, but no reports have yet been received. Our special agent at Walla Walla, Wash., from the results of experi- ments carried on at the station, considers it one of the best grasses for reclaiming the worn-out ranges, as it thrives under conditions of extreme drought and affords excellent pasturage for all kinds of stock. WESTERN WHEAT GRASS (Agropyron spicatum). A rigid, upright, perennial, native grass, li to 2i feet high, with foliage, spikes, and rootstocks closely resembling the common couch grass of the Eastern States. The whole plant differs, however, from 16 the quack grass in having- a bhiish color, and on this account has received the name "blue stem." This grass is quite distinct from the blue-stem grasses of Nebraska and other Western States, which are Androjxxjons. In its native state western wheat grass is found growing on bench lands and river bottoms. It grows luxuriantly all over central Texas and withstands the droughts to which that section of the country is periodically subjected. While it will not produce as much hay to the acre as some other species, stockmen value it highly for its nutritive qualities. In Montana and the neighboring States it furnishes a con- siderable amount of native hay and pasturage, and is there regarded as one of the most important forage plants. This grass would make excellent hay, and should be introduced into cultivation. Thirty experimenters were supplied with seed of western wheat grass by this Division in the spring of 1899, but only 5 have reported, with 1 satisfactory result. The large number of failures is probably due to lack of knowledge of the best time and method of sowing the seed of this grass. Mr. George T. McWhorter, Riverton, Colbert County, Ala., writes: The seed was sown broadcast on a deep, smooth bed on March 1, 1899. It germi- nated and grew moderately well, then died down dnring the drought, but revived again after the light fall rains. So far it is a promising variety. SLENDER WHEAT GRASS (Agropyron tenerum) . A valuable native perennial grass about 3 to 1 feet high, with numerous soft leaves and a long, slender, erect spike. It is found growing wild in dry soil from New Mexico and southern California to Washington and British Columbia and eastward to New Hampshire and Labrador. It responds readily to cultivation and produces excel- lent results when slightly irrigated. When well grown it forms a close, uniform growth that yields as much per acre as an average field of timothy. Considering its high nutritive value no more profitable grass can be found for dry regions, especially on saline soils. It is one of the most valuable grasses for the Rocky Mountain region. During the years 1898 and 1899, 89 three-pound packages of the seed of slender wheat grass were distributed. This distribution includes experimenters in 12 difi'erent States. Twenty-eight reports have been received from 10 different States, very favorable ones having been received from Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota. The following reports will indicate its value in some sections of the country: Mr. Marion Flaherty, Bozeman, Gallatin County, Mont. : The slender wheat grass made a good growth, at least 2 feet high. Stock eat it as well as clover or timothy. I think wheat grass will make a valuable feed for young stock. I want to try it on a larger scale next year. 17 Mr. Ellis M. Cameron, Post Falls, Kootenai County, Idaho: The seed was received very late and did not have a fair chance, but it came up evenly and maintained a strong, vigorous growth all through the extremely hot weather until destroyed by grasshoppers. It is the most vigorous grass I have ever tested in this country and is a very valuable forage plant. Mr. W. H. H. Phillips, Brookings, Brookings County, S. Dak. : I am very much pleased with this grass. I judge that it would produce at least 2 tons of hay per acre. It crowded out every weed and other grass, and even took a good hold on a small piece of sod. We need such a grass for our weedy pastures. RHODE ISLAND BENT GRASS (Agrostis canina.)i This species of bent grass was introduced from Europe, and is now cultivated to some extent in the Eastern States for lawns, golf links, tennis courts, polo grounds, and occasionally for permanent meadows and pastures. In beauty and texture it is surpassed only b}^ the creep- ing bent. The seed ma}^ be sown from the middle of April to the middle of May, or from the middle of August to the middle of Septem- ber. If sown iu the spring, it should be done as early as the land is in suitable condition, in order that the young plants may become sufficiently weU established to withstand the often dry and hot summer mouths. The seed should be scattered evenly over the surface, and not covered by more than one-eighth of an inch of earth. Since 1896 seed of this variety has been sent to forty-six experi- menters, eight of whom have sent in reports, and only one of these is favorable. Most of the others failed to get the seed to germinate sat- isfactorily. These failures are in some instances due to requests for seed to be sown in parts of the South and Southwest, where it would be almost impossible without the greatest care to get a stand of this grass. In others they are due to the small quantity of seed (1 quart) sent out, and the difficulty in recognizing the 3"oung plants, which are very small. When seeding down a lawn, a liberal quantity should always be used. As a rule, about li pounds to 100 square yards or .3 to 4 bushels per acre is sufficient, poor land requiring more seed than fertile land. The following report has been received: Mr. James Hines, Anaconda, Teller County, Colo. : A good, black, well-prepared sandy loam was used. The seed was sown about the middle of June. It is doing nicely, and has not winterkilled. CREEPING BENT (Agrostis stolonifera) 1 A fine-leafed, hardy, native, perennial grass with long, prostrate, or creeping stems, which spread very rapidly and form an excellent vel- vety turf for lawns. In texture it far surpasses any of the other lawn grasses. The color of the lawn produced by it is somewhat lighter * See "Lawns and Lawn Making," by F. Lamson-Scribner, in Yearbook of Depart- ment of Agriculture for 1897, p. 355. 15799— No. 22 2 18 than Kentucky blue grass; but if this be regarded as a fault, it is fully counterbalanced by its superior turf-forming habit. When a lawn is desired within a short space of time and a small portion of turf Is accessible, it may be carefully cut and divided into pieces i! or 8 inches square, and transplanted about 6 to 8 inches apart. If the soil has been properly prepared, the grass will spread entirely over the whole surface in less than three months, and make a more certain and satisfactory lawn than can be obtained by seeding. When seed is used, it may be sown from the middle of March to the middle of April, when it will produce an excellent turf by September, providing the soil has been well prepared. Seed may also be sown in the fall, but it must be done early enough to secure a good strong growth before winter sets in. Twenty pounds of seed per 100 feet square or 3 bushels per acre is recommended for the best results. In the far South and Southwest, creeping bent can not be successfully grown. Thirty -four experimenters have been supplied with trial packages by this Division since 1896, 9 of whom have complied with the request for a report. In 3 cases the seed germinated well, but was killed out by long-protracted drought, while in the other cases the seed failed to germinate. "Iff. B." SORGHTJM (Andropogon sorgliuin vulgaris).' This variety of sorghum was originated by Miss Mary Best, of Medicine Lodge, Kans.; hence the name "M. B." Sorghum. A con- siderable quantity of seed was sent by her to the Department, and a portion of it was distributed by this Division as follows: To 3 experi- menters in Florida, 6 in Georgia, 2 in Mississippi, 2 in Nebraska, 2 in South Dakota, 1 in Texas, and 1 in Virginia. Eleven out of the 17 receiv- ing the seed sent in reports, of which the following are representative: Mr. Philip D. Cory, Keller, Bryan County, Ga. : This plant impresses me favorably. It is earlier than Orange and is a more vigorous grower. I regret that circumstances have prevented me from making a sirup test. Our stock — horses, cattle, hogs are unequivocal in their commendation of it as a forage plant. Mr. A. T. George, Cuthbert, Randolph County, Ga. : It is very fine; nothing better. As it grows very quickly, its value cannot be excelled. There is nothing better either to feed green or to cure and feed dry. It makes more forage to the acre than anything else we sow, and is excellent for all kinds of stock. Mr. J. L. Stevens, Waldo, Alachua County, Fla. : I think it is a good forage plant for Florida. It did very well, even though it was planted late in the season. 'For discussion of "Sorghum as a forage crop," see Farmers' Bulletin No. 50, U. S. Department of Agriculture. (Agros. 13.) jfl Bui. 22 Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate II. Johnson Grass in Grass Garden on Grounds of United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D G. 19 Hon. H. C. Warner, Forestburg, Sanborn County, S. Dak.: This variety was grown in comparison with amber cane, and had greater leafage and suckers. It was dried in the shock and then fed to milch cows, which ate the leaves and heads readily, but would not eat the stalks. It is not, however, as profit- able as corn for this section. JOHNSON GRASS (Andropogon halepensis) . (Plate II.) A stout perennial with smooth, erect stems, 3 to 8 feet or more high, and strong, creeping rootstocks. It is a native of southern Europe and the warmer parts of Asia and northern Africa. Its intro- duction into this country is said to have occurred as follows : In 1840 the Sultan of Turkey wrote to Governor Means of South Carolina asking that he send a competent man to teach his subjects how to raise cotton. A Colonel Davis was sent, and upon his return he brought back man}^ valuable seeds, among which was the seed of what was there called Sicily grass. In 1845 Mr. William Johnson, of Ala- bama, went to South Carolina, where he obtained some of this seed, which he brought home in his saddlebags and sowed in his plantation, where it still grows. From this farm much of the seed was obtained at that time ; hence the name Johnson Grass. This grass has now become widely distributed and well known throughout the Southern States, where it is much valued for hay, if cut at the time of full bloom. Because of its rapid growth, it will give from 2 to 4 cuttings yearly, and each cutting will make from 1 to 2 tons of hay. The serious objections to its cultivation are the great difficulty of destroying it when the land is required for other purposes, and the ease with which it spreads to fields where it is not wanted. Mr. Herbert Post, formerly of Alabama, now of Fort Worth, Tex. , gives the following method of eradication : Don't expect to get rid of this grass by spring or summer cultivation. It can not be done. In the month of August the summer growth has about ceased. With a strong team and a 2-horse plow break up the ground to the depth of 6 inches, leaving the furrows as high and rough as possible. The action of the elements mellows the soil and all exposed roots die. In two or three weeks, with a straight- toothed harrow (not slanting) , cross the furrows and draw the remaining roots to the surface, where they will soon die. Your hogs would delight to have them. When ready to put in fall grain, plow again across the furrows to the depth of 8 inches ; harrow well, and sow wheat, barley, oats, or rye. Pasture during the winter and early summer, and cut the crop for hay or summer feed. On the stubble sow broadcast 2 bushels of cowpeas, and harrow them in. In early fall cut the vines for hay, or, what will be still better for the land, plow the vines under while still green. Now you are rid of the Johnson grass, and you can plant any crop you desire, as the roots of this grass, cut off 8 inches below the surface, will decay. Very little seed of this grass has been distributed by the Division, as the farmers are very much prejudiced against it and are afraid to sow it. Those who have given it a trial, however, report it a great 20 success, excellent reports having- been received from Louisiana, Mis- sissippi, and Texas. Man}^ others, however, condemn it very strongly and look upon it as one of the most dangerous weeds. The following are some of the reports for and against the cultivation of this grass: Mr. Herbert Post, Fort Worth, Tex. : My knowledge of thisgrass is obtained from the cultivation of it for twenty-five j'ears, fifteen of which I grew it for hay in Alabama, where it came into competition with Northern hay and brought the same price. Even those who do not like it in their culti- vated fields acknowledge its great value. Because of its rapid growth, it can be cut 3 and 4 times each season, and is earning more money than any hoed crops. Mr. N. B. Moore, a prominent farmer of Georgia, for forty years experimented with various grasses and finally chose this grass as the best of all, and it is still growing on his place near Augusta, the whole farm being given up to it from choice. Prof. S. A. Hoover, Springfield, Greene County, Mo. : I look upon it as the most dangerous weed that can enter the State. I believe when it once gets a foothold on a farm it is utterly impossible to get rid of it. It spreads by means of its rootstocks as well as by its seeds. Plowing only helps it to spread by breaking up these rootstocks and scattering the pieces. It is simply irn- possible to grow any crop with Johnson grass. The immense number and size of its rootstocks prevent the growth or cultivation of other plants with this pest. Hogs will eat the rootstocks, but there are always enough pieces left to start another crop. It grows entirely too coarse for hay in this part of the country. In western Texas, where the rainfall is light and other forage plants do not succeed, it is a good thing to raise for hay, as the land can be completely given up to it. In this State and in Kansas, where much better forage plants may be grown successfully, it seems very foolish to attempt its cultivation. In fact, farmers ought to be on the lookout to destroy every stalk that makes its appearance. SMOOTH BROME GRASS (Bromus inermis) . ' (Plate III.) The seed of this variety was obtained by the Secretary of Agricul- ture for the Department through Prof. N. E. Hansen in February, 1898. The lot consisted of 12 tons from the Penza province, in the Volga River region of Russia. At the agricultural school at Uralsk, on the Ural River, where the annual rainfall is 12.6 inches, the smooth brome grass was regarded as the best grass for the steppes. Professor Hansen writes: The best Russian authorities do not think this grass equal to timothy in feeding value, but it flourishes in sections where timothy is an utter failure. Its chief value will probably be in dry regions. Smooth brome grass is a vigorous, hardy perennial, with strong, creeping rootstocks, smooth, upright, leafy stems 1 to 4 feet high, and loose, open panicles or "seed heads" 4 to 8 inches long. In a few years it forms a very tough sod, soon crowding out other grasses, clovers, and weeds. Its remarkable drought-resisting qualities have I For full discussions on smooth brome grass see Circular No. 18, Division of Agros- tology, U. S. Dept. Agr.; Nebraska Experiment Station Bui. No. 61; South Dakota Experiment Station Bui. No. 45; North Dakota Experiment Station Bui. No. 40. Bui 22, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept ot Agriculture. Plate III. CO CO < O r/) LiJ H < K CO Q HI H I t- 5 o q: O CO CO < cc o LLl I H o z o u- H O O is O Q CO cc Ul CO O tr QQ CO CO < cc O o cc CO o o CO 21 proved it to be a most valuable grass for dr}^ regions where other grasses could hardly exist. It is the most suitable grass yet intro- duced for the dry regions of the West and Northwest. As it is thoroughly permanent and grows with wonderful rapidit}^, producing heav}^ crops of hay and luxuriant pasturage, its value to the farmers of the semiarid regions of this country can not be overestimated. All kinds of stock eat it with relish, and the chemical anal3'^ses made show that it is rich in flesh-forming materials, much more so than timothy. It is very hardy, and not injured by severe spring and fall frosts when once established. As it starts to grow very early in the spring, before any of the grasses upon the native prairies show any signs of life, and remains green and succulent far into November, it will supply the long-felt want of early and late fall pastures. In the spring of 1898, 536 packages of the Russian seed of smooth brome grass were distributed by this Division through the Section of Seed and Plant Introduction. This does not include the State experi- ment stations, many of which received large consignments directly from the Department. The States receiving the largest amounts of seed were Kansas, Montana, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, Washington, and Oregon, in the order named. Out of the 536 experimenters receiving the Russian seed of smooth brome grass, 284 have complied with a request from the Division for reports as to its success or failure. From the reports received it is evident that it is little influenced by the changes of climate. It does well in Cali- fornia, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Sufiicient experiments have not been carried on in the South to enable us to state here its value for that part of the country. Professor Tracy, of Mississippi, speaks of it thus : Although its growth on the test plots was all that could be desired, its growth in the field has often been disappointing, and it is not gaining in general favor. * * * After eight years' experience with this grass, on a great variety of soils, it appears to be of doubtful value in the Gulf States. It has here some value for winter grazing on dry and loose soils, but its place can be better filled by other species. The experiment stations of California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Manitoba, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota have all made extensive experiments with smooth brome and recommend it highly both for hay and pasture, especially for dry and poor soils. The following reports from volunteer experimenters in the differ- ent States prove conclusively the immense value of the smooth brome grass to the farmers of this country: CALIFORNIA. Messrs. Guill Brothers, Chico, Butte County: The seed was drilled in by hand on the 4th of March, 1898, and covered 2 inches deep. The soil is a sandy loam, and had been put into excellent condition by fall 22 plowing and harrowing with a spring-tooth harrow. The crop was cultivated three times. The vitality of this seed is remarkable; we had no rain to wet the grotmd for six months — from ]\Iay to November — yet there was none of the grass that died from drought. The grass made a growth of about 8 inches during the season . During the autumn and early winter it has continued its development and is now in excellent condition. A plot of this grass was sown broadcast on October 21 and harrowed in and is look- ing very well at the present time. It has withstood some of our severest winter weather without any ill effects. The food value has not yet been tested, but other- v/ise it is a remarkable grass. Mr. P. H. Murphy, Perkins, Sacramento County: A clay loam soil was used which had been plowed and harrowed. The seed was sown March 1, 1898, and then harrowed in. As the ground was dry, having no late rains, it did not come up. This year (1899) the land where the brome grass was planted in 1898 was flooded and there was a heavy crop. It grows about 3 feet high and looks like chess or cheat which grows in wheat, only the seed is finer. It makes a good hay for cows if cut when in full bloom, but I prefer oats or barley for hay. COLORADO. Mr. E. E. T. Hazen, Holyoke, Phillips County: The seed was sown broadcast April 28, 1898, at the rate of 3 bushels per acre. The soil is a sandy loam of medium quality and fertility and was plowed 10 inches deep and harrowed twice before sowing and once after. The seed was well up May 13, but when about 4 to 6 inches high Russian thistles appeared among them and in a short time completely overshadowed them. The brome grass then stopped growing in height and formed a perfect carpet-like mat on the ground, retaining its fresh green color until December 1. A few stalks, however, found their way up through the thistles and headed at the height of about 18 or 20 inches. Mr. Melvin Thompson, Lansing, Arapahoe County: The seed was sown broadcast on April 4, 1898, and covered by light harrowing. The soil is light, sandy, upland loam, and was plowed, planked, and harrowed until moist and in fine condition. The grass was kept down by "hoppers," but made a fair stand, and at present date, November 6, is in good condition. Mr. W. AV. Lindsay, Gulnare, Las Animas County: The brome grass came up nicely, making a good stand, but owing to extreme drought, the worst in this section for twenty years, I am afraid most of it is killed. It may come up, however. I think in any ordinarj' season it would do well here, once it became established, as it starts to grow earlier than even alfalfa, which is our main- stay. It is said to do well in some parts of the State. Mr. M. McFarland, Villagrove, Saguache County: A sandy loam was used which had been in cultivation for several years. The seed was sown broadcast in May, 1898, and irrigated immediately after sowing. Shortly afterwards we had a heavy snowstorm. I did not get a good stand and did not har- vest last year, as there was not enough growth. I harvested to-day (September 25, 1899) , however, with binder to save seed. The yield per acre is probably 200 pounds, the seed being 100 per cent heavier and better than that sown. It withstands droughts remarkably, and is the earliest grass green in the spring and latest in the fall. It will furnish first-class pasturage after cutting for seed, and I think will be valuable to sow in permanent pasture land. 23 INDIANA. Mr. Henry Wehiy, North Vernon, Jennings County: The seed was sown March 8, 1898, on ground that had been harrowed twice with a spring-tooth harrow and once with a spike harrow after sowing. The soil is a clay loa.n, whicli was sown to oats and Canada field peas in 1897, plowed in October, 1897, and then left to lie over winter in the rough furrow. The grass was damaged consid- erably by hard frost on April 6 and 7, but did not seem to suffer any from drought. It made about the same growth as orchard grass, but stood dry weather better. The growth was from 6 to 18 inches in height. IOWA. Mr. H. J. Giddings, Sabula, Jackson County: The seed was sown broadcast April 1, 1898, part of it with oats and part without a nurse crop. The soil is a clay loam and was in good tilth, having been plowed and well harrowed. The grass was all up nicely on May 1. It has not produced a crop yet, but at present it covers the ground with a growth about 3 inches high. A very severe drought during the growing season killed nearly all of the timothy and clover sown in the spring; but the brome grass stood it better than either of them and is better on the oats stubble than where it was sown without a crop. All young clover and timothy were winterkilled, but the brome grass was not injured a particle. It conmienced to grow very early this spring, and was green before anything else. As it produces a large amount of aftermath, it seems to me that it will be better for pasture than for hay, especially for waste places and land not easily cultivated. Mr. E. L. Hayden, Oakville, Louisa County: The seed was sown on clay loam about the 1st of April, 1898. It was cut for hay about the last of June when just out of bloom. The quality of the hay was good, but it will not take the place of timothy in this part of the country. Mr. I. W. Hoffman, Roselle, Carroll County: The seed was sown broadcast in May, 1898, on a sandy loam. This grass seems very promising for this part of the country. It possesses several good points, such as resisting drought and not winterkilling. It forms a thick, luxuriant growth and is very well liked by all kinds of stock. It is a strong grower, very dense and stocky, and seems to be valuable here for both hay and pasture. Mr. S. H. Talley, Packwood, Jefferson County: The seed was sown broadcast by hand April 11, 1898. The soil was a light clay loam which had been rolled and thoroughly disked. After sowing it was redisked and harrowed smooth. The brome grass was sown with clover and grew well, form- ing a good sod, and now, November 22, the brome has the field. The weeds were mowed off about July 20. I think it will prove good for pasture, and will stand much trampling. Mr. J. H. Talley, Packwood, Jefferson County: The quality of brome grass is good, but not quite equal to red clover. It makes an excellent growth, remaining green all winter where protected. It is a very gross feeder, making a very stiff sod, and a splendid grass for permanent pasture. I highly recommend it where it is too dry for timothy. 24 KANSAS. Mr. A. T. Bentley, Wallace, Wallace ('ounty: The seed was sown March 9, 1898, on a clay soil which had been plowed deep and thoroughly rolled. It made a good growth in spite of the grasshoppers, but not sufficient to harvest. Mr. Clark Bell, Burlington, Coflfey County: The seed was sown broadcast April 25, 1898, on a limestone prairie. The land was plowed in September, 1897, harrowed, then dragged with a plank drag, and harrowed again after sowing. The seed came up in a few days, looked thrifty, and made a good stand; but, owing to the very wet spring and summer, the crab grass came so fast that it was necessary to mow the field, which retarded the growth of the brome grass. However, at this writing the brome grass looks well, and I am quite well satisfied with it. It starts very early in the spring and continues green until late in the fall. At this date— October 24, 1899— it is the only grass in the pasture that is green, and the stock eats it well. Mr. Benj. Brown, Natoma, Osborne County: . The seed was sown t)roadcast April 10, 1898, on well-prepared, rich, prairie-bottom soil. I secured a fine, strong stand, but the most of it was killed by drought in the latter part of 1898. Most of that on the low land lived and made a strong growth in 1899. I think it may be a valuable grass, but not on the dry uplands. It seems to be better adapted here for pasture than hay. The leaves are large, dark green, and succulent. Stock is fond of it. Mr. W. C. Hollewell, Barnes, Washington County : A black loamy soil, plowed early, as soon as frost was well out of the groimd, and harrowed thoroughly. The seed w^as sown broadcast on March 20, 1898, and covered by harrowing. The grass grew to be about 2 feet high, with an undergrowth of from 8 to 12 inches. It remains green until hard freezing. I think it is a grand success for this country. Mr. George James, Concordia, Cloud County : The seed was sown April 22, 1898, part with press drill and the remainder broad- cast. All came up at the same time. The soil is black prairie, in a small fiat hollow, but not low or wet. The dry weather set in about July 1 and lasted until September 9, when we had a rain that wet the ground 2 inches deep. The grass had seemed to be dried out, but it came up and is now 6 inches high, although the stand is not as good as when first started in spring. I cut one-fourth of an acre of it with a harvester and got 3 bushels of seed which is better than that received from you. I believe that it will make a good pasture. It gets ripe and dies down in July, but springs up again in September. If there is any moisture it will grow as quickly as clover. I intend sowing 3 acres for j^asture on low ground next year, and I believe it will be all right where the ground will grow a good crop of clover. Mr. S. P. Langley, Morland, Graham County : The seed was sown broadcast about May 10, 1898, and lightly harrowed. The soil is a very moist, sandy loam, and had been plowed with a common stirring plow. The weeds were mown from among the grass about June 15. The grass grew very slowly, but formed a very compact sod. Frost had little effect on it, and it afforded good pasture. Mr. M. Olson, Mullinville, Kiowa County: The soil was a black sandy loam, which had been plowed and harrowed. The seed was drilled in about the middle of May with a press drill. It came up very 25 well, but as it was wet in the spring the weeds got ahead of it. After this we had a dry spell which dried it out so that there was nothing left to harvest. Mr. T. E. Pearce, Edgerton, Johnson County: The land used was high prairie soil on the bluff of a creek, part of which is under- laid closely with rock. The soil was deeply plowed, disked, and harrowed down fine. The seed was sown broadcast on April 19, 1898, and then harrowed in lightly, the ground being in a very moist condition. I thought it had died out in the fall, and so reported to you, because wild grass had completely covered it up. In the spring of 1899, however, it awoke like a sleeping giant and covered the ground with dense foliage, 1 foot high. It did not produce much seed, but proved to be an excellent pasture grass. The grass does not get tough, like most grasses do, and is very tender to eat. The green growth starts very early in the spring, and I think, from what I have seen of it so far, that it will be a fine pasture and hay grass. Mr. George Strickland, Russell Springs, Logan County: The seed was sown broadcast on April 1, 1898, on one acre of land. It came up nicely, but not quite as thick as I would have liked. This spring it has started, and looks very well, although the grasshoppers were very destructive to it in the fall. MARYLAND. Mr. John C. Bartlett, Easton, Talbot Countj^: The seed was sown by hand in April, 1898, on a clay loam that had been prepared by being plowed, harrowed, and rolled. The seed, after being sown, was rolled in. The ground had been manured in the fall with stalile manure. The grass came up well and now looks about like lawn grass. Mr. John C. Talbot, Easton, Talbot County: The seed was sown broadcast in April, on good, well-prepared clay loam, in an apple orchard which is used as hog pasture. It looks now about like orchard grass, but does not stool or go to seed. It went through last winter all right. MICHIGAN. Mr. H. W. Crawford, Sitka, Newaygo County: A clay loam prepared as for potatoes, and sown with the brome seed about June 10, 1898. Solid stools of roots were produced from 4 to 6 inches across. It has win- tered all right, and I shall watch its growth with interest. I think that it will make a good pasture grass, and is worthy of a thorough test. MINNESOTA. Mr. S. M. Warmau, Sandstone, Pine County: The seed was drilled in May 16, 1898, in sandy upland soil. The grass ripened in September, after surpassing all imagination. The quality of the product was perfect. It is splendid grass for us, the hay being worth about |7 per ton. MONTANA. Mr. E. Beach, Augusta, Lewis and Clarke County: A dry, gravelly, bench land was used. The seed was sown broadcast on May 5, 1898. The grass was cut for hay about July 20. The quality of the product was good, yielding about 1 ton per acre ; and if it continues as at present, it will be a very good grass for dry climates, both for pasture and for hay. It seems to contain more nutriment for stock than alfalfa or esparcette, and they eat it more readily. 26 Mr. William Flannery, Bozeman, Gallatin County : A sandy loam, excellent for almost any kind of crop, which* had been well culti- vated by plow, disk, and barrow, was used. The seed was sown June 17, 1899, partly in drills and partly broadcast, then harrowed and rolled. The crop was irrigated twice. The grass came, up, and is now in a thriving condition. As it was planted late and is a perennial, I shall not be able to form an opinion of its value until it has wintered and grown another year. William W. Gamble & Son, Choteau, Teton County : A gravelly, bench-land loam, which had been irrigated, well plowed, and harrowed, was used. The seed was sown May 19, 1898. The quality of the product is good. The grass starts early in spring and grows rapidly and continuously through all sorts of weather — warm or cold, wet or dry — without apparently being much affected by climatic conditions until maturity. With us it did not make much of a fall growth. Its probable value is considerable, although just how much we have not seen enough of the plant to determine to our satisfaction. Mr. Paris Gibson, Great Falls, Cascade County: The seed should be sown in April on well-pulverized soil, and much care should be used in brushing or harrowing it in. Ordinary preparation of soil is required. While it will thrive better on rich soil, it makes a remarkable growth on sterile lands. My field has produced large crops for three years with no cultivation. To make good, tender hay in Montana it should be harvested in June, or as soon as it heads. It is in full bloom by the middle of June. If ground is properly seeded it will yield from 2 to 2J tons per acre. I believe it will be a most valuable hay crop for Montana, as it is a persistent grower, comes up very early in the spring, and does not kill out easily. I think two crops can be gathered in most seasons. Mr. W. H. Heidman, Kalispell, Flat Head County: The grass was sown broadcast April 23, 1897, 1 pound of seed to one-fourth of an acre. The soil, a sandy loam, had been sown in oats the previous year and was harrowed before sowing, and harrowed lightly and rolled after sowing. About the 10th of July the crop was cut, as the weeds were vei-y bad. The grass made a good growth and was in bloom June 28, 1898, ripening August 1. If cut for hay, it would make about 1 ton to the acre. This grass is eaten greedily by the horses; cattle and hogs like it. The seed germinates as quickly as oats. It came out green this spring and commenced to grow while it was yet quite cold, making good pasturage long before any other grass started. We have had no rain since the middle of June, but it keeps green, and looks fresh and healthy. Mr. Len. Lewis, Lewis, Meagher County: A limestone soil on dry, bench land was used. The crop was well irrigated. I secured a heavy yield. The grass grew rapidly and produced a very luxuriant growth. I think it will be a very valuable grass. I sowed 7 acres more this year and expect to put in about 50 acres next year. Mr. T. P. McDonald, Red Lodge, Carbon County: The seed was sown on June 14, 1898, on plowed sod that had been disked 4 times. After sowing the ground was harrowed both ways. The upper end of the piece was irrigated once. I find it to be a strong grower and believe it to be a fine pasture grass. I think it is adapted to a dry climate. It was green until winter. It proved t<.i be the liest pasture grass we have found for dry lands and did better where it was not irrigated at an elevation of 5,800 feet. 27 Mr. Emory Vine, Miles City, Custer County: The seed should be sown about March 26; then harrowed and irrigated after sowing. The soil, a gumbo clay loam, was plowed and harrowed in the usual way before seeding. When used for hay it should be harvested about 20th to 25th of June and for seed about 1st of August. It blooms about the 20th to 25th of June and ripens about August 1. The quality of product is good, and stock eat it readily. There is much to be learned about this grass. It will surely make a crop with less moisture than any other grass. Mr. C. H. Williams, Deer Lodge, Deer Lodge County: A sandy soil of granite formation was plowed 4 inches deep. The seed was sown broadcast on May 15, 1898, and covered lightly with a harrow and irrigated once. It is good for pasture and succeeds well on dry soil. It will probably be useful to reclaim ranges, but the yield is too light to be profitable for hay. Mr. C. C. Willis, Plains, Missoula County: The seed was sown May 4, 1898, on land plowed April 15, and harrowed fine. After sowing the land was thoroughly harrowed and rolled. The soil, which was a sandy loam underlaid with clay, had formerly been planted with bunch grass. Seeds formed in the heads about August 1 and ripened August 15. The yield is about IJ tons per acre. The grass will do well on our bench lands if properly jjut in. It seems to stand dry weather well and grew from 18 inches to 2 feet high. NEBRASB^A. Mr. H. S. Chapman, Pawnee City, Pawnee County: A rich black loam was plowed and pulverized and sown with a drill on May 20, 1898. A thick mat of grass blades appear very early in the spring. It is a good pasture grass, but worthless for hay, as it is a low blady grass. It throws out a slender seed stalk about 14 inches high and produces an abundance of seed. Mr. W. S. Delano, Lee Park, Custer County: The seed was sown broadcast on May 14, 1898, and covered by light harrowing. One-third of the seed was sown with barley. The ground had been plowed in spring and cultivated with a harrow. The field was clipped with a mower except where sown with barley. The grass planted in barley was almost a total failure. It made a very good stand where sown alone, but the growth was light on account of drought. The brome-grass was pastured in spring of 1899, and then later a crop of hay was mowed July 10. After this cutting it top dried and died down. In October it started again from the crown, and at this date (October 31) it is 3 inches high. It is an excellent pasture grass, starting earlier in the spring than alfalfa, and thickens into a solid turf. All stock like it, and it promises to be an excellent grass for this section. Mr. C. H. Searle, Edgar, Clay County: The seed waa sown broadcast about the end of April, 1898, on well-prepared black, loamy soil. The weather was very dry in July and August, and I was afraid that the grass was dead. However, it came out all right this spring very early, but did not make a heavy growth. Mr, A. Shirley, Weeping Water, Cass County: The grass was sown broadcast May 1, 1898, on black loam bottom land that had been plowed and harrowed till smooth. The tops of the weeds were clipped May 20. When harvested September 20 the grass was 18 inches high. About 1^ tons of hay per acre are produced of extra good quality. I consider it one of the best grasses for hay and pasture ever introduced into this neighborhood. It stands drought well. 28 Mr. J. W. Williams, Weeping Water, Cass County: The seed was sown broadcast April 5, 1898, shortly after a rain and well harrowed in. The soil, a black loam, part well drained and part very low and wet, had been plowed 6 to 8 inches deep and well harrowed before sowing. On June 20 the weeds were taken off with mower. The grass made a very good growth and will be, I think, a good pasture grass. NEW MEXICO. Mr. James B. Horn, Cliff, Grant County: The seed was sown broadcast on a gravelly soil June 1, 1899, and harrowed in. It does very well in low places and makes good pasturage or hay. Mr. James K. Metcalfe, Silver City, Grant County: The seed was sown broadcast on a high gravelly ridge early in May, 1898, and irrigated. It grew this and last summer, but only an occasional seed stalk was sent up. It looks as if it would be a very good pasture grass, but very thin, a few bunches seeding here and there at a time. NORTH CAROLINA. Mr. P. S. Early, Mocksville, Davie County: A black loamy soil was used. The seed was sown May 10, 1899, and harrowed in. Just as the seed began to come up a hard frost came. I was very highly pleased with the start the grass made, and I believe had no frost come the result would have been fine. The land was moist and very rich. Mr. J. S. Holmes, Bowmans Bluff, Henderson County: A fairly good upland clay loam was used, which had been plowed with a one-horse plow and harrowed twice with a Thomas smoothing harrow. I sowed one acre at the rate of 31 pounds per acre on May 12, 1899, and covered once with a smoothing harrow. There was a fairly good stand, though hardly as good as some orchard grass higher up on tlie hill. The ground was badly washed by a heavy storm, but it looks now as if it would stand the winter all right. NORTH DAKOTA. Mr. Wm. Brittin, Sterling, Burleigh County: A sandy soil was plowed and harrowed twice. The ground was well pulverized, but it was too dry for seed to germinate readily. The .seed was sown broadcast May 12, 1899, at the rate of 2 bushels per acre. The grass made a good growth, but did not send up any seed stems. It rained May 17 and 21. The seed came up May 24, and held its own through a very dry season, and is still green November 1. I think it will succeed in this part of the country. Mr. F. A. Eaton, Medora, Billings County: A sandy soil was plowed and harrowed well and the seed sown broadcast on ]May 20, 1898. We think this will be a good grass for us, and next year will put in a large field of it. Mr. N. S. French, Grand Rapids, La Moure County: An upland prairie, that has been under cultivationaboutnineyears, was plowed about May 4, 1898, and harrowed into good condition. The seed was sown with barley at the rate of about 70 pounds of barley and about 9 pounds grass seed per acre. I cut 29 the barley about August 3, 1898. The brome seed was cut with a header about July 10, 1899. It is first class in all respects. Its growth and feeding qualities are such as will make it of incalculable value to this locality and climate. I have raised and cut forage crops for nearly forty years in 4 or 5 States, and I have never seen anything that seems to promise as much for any locality as this does for the Northwest. It is excellent for pasturage, so far as I can judge at this time. Mr. W. Hanson, Englevale, Ransom County : The seed was sown broadcast May 20, 1898, on clay loam that was plowed last fall. One-half was harrowed last fall and all was well harrowed this spring, making a very fine seed bed. The weeds were kept mowed down on three-fourths of the plot; the rest was sown with oats. I have a fine catch that bids fair to make a good growth next year. It is very green this fall, while all other grasses are dead and dry. Mr. J. W. Higgs, Silver Leaf, Dickej' County : The seed was sown about April 18, 1898, on an upland field that had been in pota- toes the season before and was in fine shape for grass. It made a good stand, but dry weather in July killed a good portion of it. This season, 1899, it was very thin, so I let it go to seed, then mowed it and left it on the ground. I think it will be thick enough next j'ear. AVe have much trouble in this section to get a good stand. This is a fine grass, and I think it would yield enormously if one could secure a good stand. It grows about 3 feet high and is about the same as the brome grasses we have been growing here, which I think is our main grass. I want to put in 200 acres as soon as I can. Mr. Chas. Kunth, Hebron, Morton County : I gave out the seed in 1898 to about a dozen farmers, who planted it in different soils, and in every case it has been a success. Farmers have bought seed and planted many acres to it. Brome grass is considered the future forage plant in this section. Col. W. W. Mcllvain, Lisbon, Ransom County: The soil was plowed 7 inches deep and subpacked. The seed was sown April 15, 1899, with wheat, or rather, on same ground after the wheat had been sown. The wheat was harvested the last of July, and there was a good undergrowth of grass 4 to 6 inches high. I have grown this grass on the grounds of the Soldiers' Home for three years very successfully, cutting two crops, one on June 1 and another September 1. Mr. H. S. Nichols, Oakes, Dickey County: A black sandy loam was plowed deep and manured. The seed was sown broad- cast about April 15, 1898, without a nurse crop. The growth was thrifty and I should estimate the yield at 2 tons per acre had it been cut for hay. I am well pleased with it and believe that it is a very valuable grass. It seems to be a decided success in this locality, as it makes a good firm sod and starts earlier in the spring by two weeks than any other vegetation. Mr, J. B. Power, Power, Richland County: The seed was sown by hand about May 10, 1898, on poor sandy soil, which had been in wheat the year before. Nothing whatever shows now (October 19) , but as this is said to be the normal condition of brome grass the first year, it will undoubt- edly show up well next spring. We had similar results four years ago, but plowed up the land in the fall after seeing no growth, but have since had good growth along the edge of the same field. I believe it to be an excellent grass. Mr. B. S. Russell, Jamestown, Stutsman County: A black sandy loam was used, which had been prepared for cereals. Part of the seed was sown with oats as a nurse crop from April 15 to August 1^ 1898. Where 30 sown with a nurse crop it did not grow until the nurse crop was harvested, then it grew well. It yields about 2 to 2^ tons per acre. In quality it is very good where pastured, cattle going long distances to find it. It is well established as the grass for North Dakota. It takes kindly to the soil and is the earliest grass in the spring, even earlier than the bunch or buffalo grass, and is green in the autumn when the wild prairie grass is brown. It has been sown by many farmers this year in small parcels from 5 to 40 pounds, and will be increased by all next year. OHIO. Mr. J. E. Wing, Mechanicsburg, Champaign County: A white-oak clay soil was slightly manured, plowed, and well prepared. The seed was sown with alfalfa May 20, 1898. It looks very thrifty and promising, with a dense leafy undergrowth. I expect it to be of great value to use with alfalfa. OREGON. Capt. Joseph Dawson, Bay City, Tillamook County: A black sandy loam was well manured, plowed 6 inches deep, and rough harrowed once. The seed was sown May 4, 1898, by first sowing oats, harrowing once and then sowing the brome grass broadcast on the same ground. The land was then cross- harrowed and the ground smoothed with a clod-masher, and let alone to grow till harvest time. On August 20, 1898, I secured a heavy crop of grass. It matured as much as the seedsmen claim it will do the first year. I kept the live stock off of it for fear they would tear or tramp it out during the rainy season. When our heavy fogs came inland it died down to the ground. In February, 1899, we had frost 10° above zero. When harvest time came 1 could not see a single head of it. Since the fall rain has come it has sprouted again. The longest stem I could find was 10 inches high. The present status agrees with all I have read about, namely, not much growth the first year, but will mature the second year. Mr, W. A. Wintermeier, Silvies, Harney County: A decayed lava and clay soil was used. The ground was plowed 10 inches deep, leveled off and harrowed, and the seed sown the 1st of May. After sowing, the ground was harrowed again and rolled. The grass grew from 3 to 12 inches high, forming a good thick stand. It does not grow very tall, but forms a heavy sod. We have bad some very cold weather, but the grass is still green. SOUTH DAKOTA. Mr. H. C. Bockoven, Clark, Clark County: The seed was sown broadcast on April 10, 1898, and harrowed in. The soil was a black loam in good condition and was plowed and harrowed. The grass bloomed June 2.5, was ripe July 15, and was harvested on the latter date. The quality of the product was good, and it seems to be a valuable grass for a dry climate. It grows well and stands the dry weather better than most other grasses. It has a large amount of leaf growth at the bottom, making it valuable for pasture as well as hay. Mr. W. H. H. Phillips, Brookings, Brookings County: A black loamy soil was plowed in the fall of 1897, well harrowed, and the brome seed sown by hand about April 17, 1898. It was cut the last week in July with the binder for seed. There would have been probably from 1 J to 2 tons of -fine hay. It covered the ground well in August, 1898, and was green until December. It is a very promising grass. I shall distribute some seed to a few good farmers and sow the rest on my land in 1900. 31 Mr. D. Roberts^ Faulkton, Faulk County: The seed was sown broadcast April 1, 1895, and April 10, 1898, with one-half bushel of spring rye, and lightly harrowed in and rolled. The land was dark prairie soil that had been cultivated ten years. It was manured lightly three years ago with barnyard manure. The ground was well prepared and the seed sown early in the spring. The grass bloomed July 15 and ripened from August 1 to 10. It was cut for seed about August 1 to 10, then followed with a mower for hay. It was well seeded and matured. The grass is a very strong grower, with thick, leafy bottom from 12 to 16 inches high, and seed stalks running up 12 to 14 inches higher are well loaded with seed. Stock is fond of it, and it has every appearance of making hay equal to or better than timothy. Mr. A. B. Smedley, Millbank, Grant County: The seed was sown in spring of 1898 with wheat as early as the ground could be worked. I harvested July 15, when fairly headed, and cut for hay before ripening. It produced 2 tons of hay per acre of excellent quality. As hay is never sold from my farm I can not say of what value it is, but for feeding it is fully equal to timothy or clover. Mr. E. T. Stevens, Woonsocket, Sanborn County: I sowed some of the seed with spring wheat and oats after the grain was in and did not harrow it ; it did not grow. The rest was sown alone on ground that had been well prepared and cultivated ; it was fine. I saved the seed, and will sow again next spring. This spring, April, 1899, 1 sowed one-half acre of old ground and dragged it thoroughly; the grass came up nicely. This spring it was two weeks ahead of any other grass to start into growth. I saved the seed on the 1st of August. The plants were about 30 inches high, with a very thick undergrowth ; the product is excellent. One of my neighbors east of me has 10 acres that is immense; it is on shady ground, while mine is on high land. I think it is just the kind of grass that we want for this country. Hon. H. C. Warner, Forestburg, Sanborn County : Five different methods were adopted in planting the seed: Experiment 1. A field of river-bottom land was used. The seed was sown on the unbroken sod, then the land was thoroughly harrowed. This gave 30 per cent of a stand. Experiment 2. A dry upland pasture was used and the land was pulverized and harrowed before sowing. This gave 5 per cent of a stand. Experiment 3. A dry upland pasture that had been pastured for sixteen years was used. The land was pulverizea both ways and the seed sown and harrowed in. It came up well, but the young plants were exterminated by a drought of four months. Experiment 4. The land, which had been cultivated for some time, was plowed and well prepared; the brome seed was sown with oats as a nurse crop. This gave 95 per cent of a stand. Experiment 5. The land was plowed and well prepared as in the preceding instance; the brome seed was sown with wheat as a nurse crop. This gave a perfect stand, and is this season a perfect meadow. The brome grass will stand cold and drought without killing after the first year. Wheat is better than oats for a nurse crop. On sod a better stand can be secured by sowing the seed first and then pulverizing it in. It is a perfect hay or pasture grass for the Northwest. TENNESSEE. Mr. H. G. Dail, Dutch Valley, Anderson County: A light soil with clay subsoil was used that would produce 20 bushels of corn per acre. The land was plewed and disked, then dragged and worked fine. The seed 32 was sown broadcast about May 15, 1898, and brushed in. I did not harvest any except to give some to the stock. They ate it with reUsh. It is rather coarse in quality. I think this grass will be good for pasture, as it seems to stool like orchard grass or oat grass. It is thin on the ground and has not yet made turf. I think, from what I know of it, it will be best for pasture, as it bunches on the ground and is now (October 18, 1899) 7 or 8 inches high. ,Mi-. Paul F. Kefauver, Madison ville, Monroe County: A heavy, clay, fertile loam was used. On February 19, 1898, 35 pounds of seed were mixed with 150 pounds of complete fertilizer and drilled in with common wheat drills. The season was good and the grass made a good stand, although not so good as either the redtop and timothy or the orchard grass plats adjoining, which were sown April 12 and March 1, respectively. TEXAS. Mr. G. A. Graham, Graham, Young County: A black, sandy soil with a red clay marly subsoil was used, which had been thor- oughly plowed and harrowed. The seed was sown Septeml)er 25, 1899, after a slight shower and raked in by hand. A heavy rain fell October 26, when the seed com- menced coming up. It is now 3 or 4 inches high. We have had two frosts, and it has received no injury. I am pleased with its appearance and growth. UTAH. Mr. James Lofthouse, Paradise, Cache County: The seed was sown broadcast April 25, 1898, and harrowed in on a dry, rather poor, loamy upland or bench land that had been plowed the previous fall and disked in the spring. The grass was not harvested, as it did not grow high enough. I think it will be very valuable, as it looks nice and green now (November 21) . Mr. Samuel Roskelley, Logan, Cache County: The seed was sown broadcast by hand April 30, 1898, and harrowed in with a light harrow. The soil was strong sage-brush upland that had been well plowed last fall and replowed in the spring, and thoroughly harrowed. The seed came up nicely without further cultivation. The grass bloomed July 27. It headed out nicely, but did not fully mature on account of drought. I regard it as an excellent drought-resisting forage plant. WASHINGTON. Mr. Frank Bacon, Rockford, Spokane County: The seed was sown on white-clay hilly land that was too poor for spring wheat. It was sown April 12, 1898. The ground was plowed twice and harrowed down fine the summer of 1897, and by rebreaking was in fine condition for sowing. After pass- ing through severe droughts, such as are common here, the grass made a good stand and remarkable growth, and I, as well as my neighbors and all who have seen it, regard it as valuable for this dry, arid country. It is now (October 20, 1899) a beau- tiful sight. It keeps green and its value for nice pasturage can not be overestimated. The brome grass will not be used for hay, but through the long, dusty, frightful droughts it will be of great value for pasture. Mr. F. A. English, Farmington, Whitman County: The seed was sown broadcast by hand April 12, 1898, and dragged over with flat- tened heel harrow. The soil had been plowed and harrowed thoroughly in the early 33 spring, about a week before planting. The grass was cut in August to increase root development. The growth is tine and will make a record during the coming year. This plat was sown in the poorest land on the farm — high, dry hill land, gravelly and unlit for any other crop. The season was the driest and hottest during twenty years, there being no rainfall during July, August, and half of September. The grass should be planted extensively. I have a number one stand for next year, and I am satisfied that it will make a tine crop of hay and also good late pasture. I can rec- onmiend Bromus inermis as a truly wonderful plant for dry climates, producing fine hay and pasturage. Mr. W. E. Lawrence, Toppenish, Yakima County: New bottom land was plowed 8 inches deep, then the seed was sown, harrowed in, and rolled hard. At this date (October 2) it is getting thicker and furnishes more pasture than any other grass grown here.. Prof. W. J. Spillman, State Experiment station, Pullman, Whit- man County: The seed was sown on clay loam upland, 2,500 feet altitude, in good tilth. Three years' experience indicates that this is the best grass for meadow and pasture for the uplands of eastern Washington. I pastured 1.9 head of cows per day from May 13 to September 1, 1897, on one acre of this grass. Horses especially relish hay made from it. Mr. Nelson Williams, Chewelah, Stevens County: The seed was sown broadcast May 2, 1898, on a sandy loam and harrowed in. The land was comparatively new, at one time covered with timber, and was plowed and harrowed before seeding. The grass was not cut, as it did not grow tall enough. The growth was very slow, but there appears to be a good stand. WISCONSIN. Mr. J. F. Jensen, Waupaca, Waupaca County: The seed was sown broadcast on April 25, 1898, with a hand seeder and covered with a light harrow. It was sown with oats as a nurse crop. The soil is clay loam, and was fall plowed and well cultivated in spring before sowing. The grass made a fair growth in the oats, although the season was a dry one. In 1899 the yield per acre was about IJ tons of hay of good quality, even better than timothy. I think this grass very valuable, especially for pasture, as it will make quite a growth very early in the spring, before even timothy starts. It also grows very late in the fall and forms a very thick sod. WYOMING. Mr. John Baugh, Carlile, Crook County: The seed was sown early in 1898. The whole season was so dry that it did little more than come through the ground, and what few plants came up were too enfeebled to do much. I have a small piece of the same grass in a favored place that gets well wet in the spring. It yields a heavy crop each year. Mr. G. A. Bell, Hyattville, Bighorn County: The soil is a dark, sandy, river-bottom loam which had been in cultivation for three years. One year ago it was manured heavily. The land had been plowed 8 inches deep. The seed was sown broadcast on April 10, 1898. The grass stands 15799— No. 22 3 34 frost well, but requires a little more irrigating than timothy. I think it will make a better fall pasture than timothy. It was cut for seed August 1-5, 1898. I consider this a valuable grass, as it will stand any amount of dry weather and not die out, and will start growing as soon as irrigated. It grows tall, does not lodge easily, and makes very good early pasture in the spring. Mr. Kirk Dyer, Little Medicine, Albany County: The seed was sown April 20, 1898, after spring wheat and harrowed in. The soil is clayey loam that has been in cultivation several years. It was highly fertilized with barnyard manure and in excellent condition. The wheat was cut September 1, and there was a nice, thick stand of Bromus inermis probably 6 to 10 inches high. The experiment is encouraging and the progress of the crop fully equal to timothy the first year. Mr. W. R. Williams, Tensleep, Bighorn County: The seed was sown May 20, 1898, on ground plowed 5 inches deep, leveled nicely, and the seed covered with a harrow. The soil is red gypsum with a deep su})soil and was in good condition. Tlie grass was irrigated three times. I got a good stand, but can not tell much about the value of the grass the first year. RESCTJE GRASS (Bromus unioloides.) An erect, strong-growing annual or perennial grass, 1 to 3 feet high, with numerous long, tender, broad leaves, usualh^ spreading panicles and large, much flattened, drooping spikelets. It is known also as Schrader's brome, Australian oats, Australian brome, and Arctic grass, and is a native of South America and the southwestern portion of the United States. As a rule rescue grass dies the first year after seeding, but if it is grazed closely and not allowed to go to seed it may be used as pasture for two or three years. During the dry summer weather the tips of the leaves turn yellow, but this does not injure the mass of foliage, which remains green and produces fine forage. There are now several forms of this species which vary according to the height of the plant, breadth of the leaves, and the abundance of seed produced on the panicle. In the grass garden of the United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, rescue grass produces excellent pasturage throughout the summer and fall. It seems to be perennial here, as several plats that ha\'e been growing in the garden for several years continue to produce an abundance of dense pasturage every sea- son. The leaves are slightly injured by frosts in early spring and fall. A second growth of 6 inches or more comes up about August 4, after the hay has been cut. In California it is considered one of the best and most useful grasses for dry lands, being the earliest and best winter-growing grass. As it makes its chief growth during the colder months of the year, it has come to be regarded as one of the best winter grasses for the South. The seed may bo sown in August or September at the rate of from 30 to 40 pounds to an acre. 35 Forty-eight packages of rescue grass have been distributed since 189(), and 10 experimenters have reported, recording four faihires, one unsatisfactory, one excellent, and four good results. The following are some of the reports that have been received: Messrs. W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Do^lestown, Bucks County, Pa. : A rich, loamy soil was plowed, harrowed, and hand ranked. The seed was sown in shallow drills on May 4, 1898. The stand was good and left until the following season, the tops being removed, but its height not ascertained. On September 22 there was a good stand and fine growth, with quite a good lot of seed heads. At this time (November) it seems to be identical with Bromu.'i ^chraderi, and has made a much stronger growth than the sample of Bromus hreviaristatus sent us. Mr. H. T. Fuchs, Tiger Mill, Burnet County, Tex.: The land was plowed once and the seed sown at different times throughout the year. The seed sown in the fall after the first rain, about October or November, did the best. It grew much better on cultivated land than I ever !looin about July 20 and cut August 2, to save what I could, as drought began to affect it considerably. The hay was of good quality and yielded probably about IJ tons to the acre. The stand was rather poor, but what did come seems to have taken root well. Mr. Henry Wehry, North Vernon, Jennings County, Ind. : The seed was sown on well-prepared clay loam in the spring of 1898. The hay was of good quality, but the yield small. It does not grow quite as large as the side oats grama {Bonteloua cuiiipenduin) , ])ut otherwise it is fully equal to it and would be a good grass to put in a mixture for permanent pastures. BERMUDA GRASS (Cynodon dactylon) . A perennial grass, with a creeping habit of growth and upright flowering stems, which terminate in a tinger-like inflorescence. It is dispersed throughout the tropical regions and warmer countries of the globe. Its value as a pasture grass is said to have been first noticed in this country by the late General Bethune, of Georgia, about 1825, who planted it in many places throughout the States. When the soil is poor the leaves are short and the upright stems only a few inches high, but on good land it grows to a height of 2 feet and yields a considerable amount of excellent hay. Throughout the South it is extensively used as a lawn grass where the grasses ordinarily used for lawns could not survive. The leaves, however, turn brown with the first frosts, so that it is only in the summer that this grass produces a green and pleasing lawn. The quickest method of pro- ducing a lawn of Bermuda grass is by cutting up a piece of the turf into small pieces and transplanting these from 6 inches to 1 foot apart. When once established, it is very persistent and diflicult to eradicate, hence the advisability of keeping it out of land which is likely to be used for other crops. Bermuda grass does not mature seed, except in the extreme southern portion of our country, but imported seed can be obtained from the leading seedsmen. A variety known as St. Lucie grass is regarded as more desirable for lawns than the ordinary form, as it is of a finer texture, grows more rapidly, and is said to withstand quite severe frosts. As it does not root so deeply, it is less liable to become a pest by spreading into cultivated fields. Since 1896, 22 packages of Bermuda grass have been distributed and 10 experimenters have complied with our request for a report on their success or failure. Out of these, 5 speak of it very highly and regard it as a valuable forage plant, 3 consider it of but little value, while 2 report complete failures. 40 The following reports will indicate the great value of Bermuda and St. Lucie grass to the South: Mr. B. Atkinson, Waverly, Camden Country, Ga. : A well-drained, diked, river-bottom land was used. The soil was plowed and harrowed and the seed sown in drills about 2 feet apart. This experiment proved to be very satisfactory for the first year, but it is in the second year that there is profit in Bermuda grass. 1 have no doubt but that next year this experimental plot of land will yield at the rate of 4 tons to the acre. Mr, F. A. Hendry, Thompson, Lee County, Fla. : A package of Bermuda grass seed was received several years ago from the Depart- ment. It was sown broadcast and harrowed in. The seed usually matures about October, but sometimes earlier. For pasturage it is excellent, but I have never cut any for hay. It stands at the head of the list on rich, cultivated, moist lands, and under favorable conditions would produce at least 2 tons to the acre. It may be mown two or three times during the year. Mr. E. O. Mitchell, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tenn. : A small amount of the St. Lucie grass was sent to me last winter from Florida by mail. It was green when received, and in three days after it was planted we had a severe cold spell, the mercury going down 10° below zero. It withstood this and grew right along. A few days ago we transplanted from the parent bed a plot of ground about 12 feet square, and there is at present enough to plant another plot of equal size. This shows its aggressiveness. The parent stalks have thrown out run- ners in some instances 4 feet long, taking root at every joint. I have also the com- mon Bermuda grass, but it does not appear to be nearly so aggressive as the St. Lucie. Furthermore, the St. Lucie remains green throughout heavy frosts. The friends who sent the sample to us said that frost could not kill it. GIANT LYME-GRASS (Elymus condensatus) . (Plate V, fig. 1.) A stout, erect, native perennial, 5 to 10 feet high, with long, flat, rigid leaves, dense spikes, and strong spreading rootstocks. It is com- mon in the Rocky Mountain region and on the Pacific Slope, where it is found useful for holding the sand on railway banks. When young it makes hay of fair quality, and when allowed to stand it aflords a considerable amount of forage for stock on the winter ranges. Twenty-four packages have been distributed since 1896, but only 4 reports have been received, with 2 failures, 1 unsatisfactory, and 1 with good results. Mr. George T. McWhorter, Riverton, Colbert County, Ala., reports as follows: The seed was sown broadcast on a deep, smooth bed on March 1, 1899. It died down during the dry summer weather, but thrived after the fall rains and now looks well. CANADIAN LYME-GRASS (Elymus canadensis). (Plate V, fig. 2.) A rather stout, smooth perennial. 3 to 5 feet high, with broad, flat leaves, 6 to 12 inches long. The inflorescence is in the form of ahead Bui. 22, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agricul*ure. Plate V. Fig. 1 .—Giant Lyme Grass iElymus condensatusi at Experiment Station, Berkeley, Cal. ■lllL_Ji^ M*-y drop- ping the seed into holes 2 by 6 feet apart niadL- with a hot'. The velvet bean was in 67 full bloom by October 10, and produced about 3 or 4 tons per acre of good forage. My stock will not eat it, but my neighbor planted some seed I gave him, and his sheep are crazy for it and eat vines and all. Mr. T. A. Foster, Bruggs, Lowndes Count}^ : The seed was sown in sandy soil, between rows of peach trees, April 15, 1899. I opened the beds as for cotton, and dropped 3 beans in hills 3 feet apart and covered wit 1 a ])()ard. The crop was hoed once and a sweep run through twice. It was in full bloom by August 10. Only about one-third of the crop matured, on account of frost. The beans that did mature were very good. If it would mature seed and its fertilizing properties were as good as cowpeas it would 1)e very valual)le, as the yield of vines is about four times that of peas on poor land. I shall give it further trial. FLORIDA. Mr. B. L. Hickman, Churchill, Marion County : A thin, sandy upland soil which was full of weeds and trash was used. The seed was sown June 1 and July 15, 1899, by dropping 2 or 3 beans 18 inches apart in every fifth or sixth furrow. Having planted velvet beans two years l)efore, this sea- son I did not keep the Department seed separate, but planted it with seed saved from last year's crop. As I had an abundance of other forage, I did not cut any for hay, but left the vines on the land to improve it. The yield per acre is immense. I had about 40 bushels of seed from about an acre. Horses, cattle, and hogs eat the beans when soft. I am now feeding some hogs in pens on dry beans fi'om last year's picking, and they eat them greedily and improve rapidly. I planted some seed this year which was 2 years old and found that it germinated equally as well as that saved from last year. A great many of the beans left in the field last year were frozen in the the winter, perhaps half. The balance sprouted and in many places made a good broadcast stand. GEORGIA. Mr. C. M. Booth, Monroe, Walton County: A rich dark -red soil was prepared the same as for cotton. The velvet bean yields a luxuriant crop of vines, but frost came too early and caught the young beans before they were ripe. I think farther South the bean might do well, but here on parallel 34° the season is rather short. Mr. R. P. Johnson, Plains, Sumter County: The seed was sown in drills about the middle of April and covered with a small double coverer. They should have been planted earlier, as the frost got them before the seeds matured. The quality of the product is excellent and I think it would make hay equal to the peavine and be equally as good a renovator. This patch was followed with oats, and they were the finest and rankest oats in the field. The velvet bean is gaining favor in Florida and southern Georgia, and is fast coming to the front in this section. LOUISIANA. ]VIr. Irving- E. Baker, Bastrop, Morehouse County: A well-fertilized garden soil was plowed and harrowed and the seed sown about April 20, 1898. About July 1 it began to grow, and covered nearly all the fences, outhouse, and several trees by September 1. I have not harvested yet as I am wait- ing for the pods to dry. None, however, were fully ripe when frost came on Sep- teudier 15. It makes a tremendous growth of vines, running 40 feet. Horses seem to like it ])etter than anvthing else. 68 MISSISSIPPI. Mr. A. S. Herrington, DoUie, Jones County: A sandy, pine-ridge soil in good condition was prepared as for cowpeas. The seed was planted Jnne 23, 1899. Our test was to compare the bean with the cow- pea. We planted some of each the same day, the bean occupying the land probably twice as long as the cowpea and making a third more growth. We deem it, however, inferior to the cowpea. NORTH CAROLINA. Dr. William Paul Moore, Jackson, Northampton County: As to velvet bean, I am an advocate of it. I read a short article from Mr. Wilson, of Orlando, Fla., and was so impressed that I wrote him as to price of seed. I read his answer to several gentlemen, and we ordered a barrel. The weather was such that mine did not mature, but the foliage was immense. Capt. R. B. Peebles did not plant his until this year, and he is so much pleased that he will plant 10 acres next year. His vines now are about 4 feet deep and a mass of foliage. Everything eats it, as Wilson says. Cattle will leave other feed to devour it. Mr. John Moore, of this place, who ordered when 1 did, but did not plant until this year, secured a large growth. I gave some of the seed to different people for arbors and shade trellising, and to my surprise many of the seeds matured, so that they have again a pretty mass of vines at their doors. I had as many as 35 pods on one stem last year. TEXAS. Mr. Alex. McKee Robinson, Ada. Montgomery County: I planted the bean April 1, 1898, with corn, using about 1 peck of the beans to the acre and about the same amount of corn as is usually used in a cornfield. I planted on poor, sandy hammock land, used no fertilizer, and plowed only once in two weeks after plants had come up. I was then so busy with my tobacco crops that I neg- lected the beans entirely — in fact, I gave the beans up to the weeds, but as I had planted in with corn, the vines wrapped around the stalks, and outgrew the weeds and everything else and made such a mass of vegetation that it wa.s impossible to ride through on a horse. I can give you no idea of the number of Imshels per acre the vines yielded, for I did not have any of the seed gathered until after the 15th of last December, and then only some 50 or 60 bushels, on account of not being able to spare the hands to do the work. This season, however, I am giving the beans all the attention they need and am cultivating them in just the same manner as we cultivate corn. I am informed that the vines make fine forage and fertilizer, but have had no experience with them as such, as I raise the beans for the market and had no trouble in disposing of those I had gathered at §3 per bushel. I believe that the bean will do better this year than last on account of its having had one year's growth in this section. Last spring I planted a few beans by the side of the chimney at my home and fertilized a little with cotton seed meal. The vines are now about 30 feet uj-) the side of the chimney and are still growing very rapidly. VIRGINIA. Mr. C. H. Constable, Warsaw, Richmond County: The velvet bean made a tremendous growth and had a very pretty bloom, making a handsome vine for the garden. It made a nice load of hav from the seed sent. 69 When cutting it I found one plant well advanced in seed and covered it with jiine brush; the beans are well tilled Imt not quite dry vet. I will let you know next year if they germinate, and if they do we may be able to raise them in Virginia. Mr. J. M. Hughes, Claremont, Surrey County: A good clay loam was plowed in March and well prepared. The seed was sown May 15 in rows 3^ feet apart and 8 inches in the rows. By October 27 there were many full-sized pods but none ripened. As the frost ripened the vines I cut them for feed. From the seed received I planted about 10 square rods and had about all two good horses could draw (green) . As to its value for forage, I think if the seed were planted in hills with corn to hold up the vines there would be few plants that would equal it, and had I planted them earlier I think some would have ripened. SAINFOIN, ESPARCETTE, (Onobrychis sativa). (Plate XI, tig. 2.) A deep-rooting, perennial legume, 1 to 2 feet high, with round, striated stems and compound leaves. The leaflets are arranged in from 8 to 10 or more pairs with an odd terminal one. It is a native of the limestone districts of central, southern, and temperate Asia, and was introduced into England from France several hundred years ao-o, where it has been extensively cultivated on hilly, calcareous soils too barren for the growth of clover and alfalfa. In many parts of Switzerland where the tiner grasses will not grow it is the main dependence for forage. Parkinson, as early as 1640, says that it is "generally known to be a singular food for cattle, causing them to give a store of milk." The Hon. William H. Crawford, of Georgia, is said to be the first to introduce ^sainfoin into the Southern States about the year 1820. Strange to say, it is but little known throughout the country at the present time. This is chiefly due to the fact that it is very diflicult to establish. The plants are very tender when young and easily killed. In order to insure success, the soil must be thoroughly drained and friable and the seed sown broadcast on the surface and thorouo-hly rolled. The crop should not be pastured or cut the first season, but when once well rooted it will endure pasturing and cutting for a long term of years. When made into hay it should be cut as soon as the first flowers appear. The quality of the hay will then be more nutri- tious and palatable, the second crop of foliage more abundant, and its duration prolonged. It is a strong food and good for working horses. Cattle are also fond of it when cut green, and sheep are said to highly relish it. Our special agent at Abilene, Texas, reports that although he did not sow it until May, he secured plants 12 to 18 mches tall, which stood the dry weather better than the vetches, clovers, or alfalfas, and quite as well as sulla. He thinks that there is no better forase plant for barren hills or hillsides. Twelve packages of the seed of sainfoin have been distributed and 5 reports received. Mr. F. A. English, Farmington, Whitman County, Wash., reports: The seed was sow^n by hand May 1, 1899, on well-prepared l)lack loam, summer followed. Only one-third of a stand was secured, but it is now (November 1) in 70 fair condition for winter. From my former trial in 1896, I should judge that sainfoin may prove to be a valuable forage plant for this country. The plant.s are vigorous and it has done well on a small scale. Mr. Jas. K. Metcalfe, Silver City, Grant County, N. Mex. : The seed was sown l^roadcast in ]May and in August on rich gravelly soil and cov- ered with a heavy garden rake. It produced about half a ton to the acre, and grows about like alfalfa if well irrigated. Nothing will eat it until it is hard frozen. I think it would make a good late winter pasture, as horses, cattle, and sheep eat it to the ground in winter, but in summer time they simply walk through it and only smell of it. METCALFE BEAN (Phaseolus retusus) . (Plate VI, fig. 2.) A prostrate, often trailing, leg-ume. with a very large taproot, com- pound leaves, and purplish flowers. It is found growing wild along the mountain streams of western Texas and New Mexico, The root is considered among the natives as one of the best blood purifiers. Mr. James K. Metcalfe, of Silver City, N. Mex., was the first to introduce this plant into cultivation a few years ago. He secured a few seeds, from the mountains in New Mexico and planted them in his garden. In 1897 the Department received 5 seeds from him and later 50 more. Such excellent success crowned his efforts that he offered to let the Department have 20 pounds of seed. This was secured from him at the rate of ^5 per pound. Twenty-two packages of the Metcalfe bean have been distributed to the following States and countries: Arizona, Florida, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington, Cape Colony, Tunis, Madeira Islands. Our special agent in charge of grass and forage plant investiga- tions at Abilene, Tex., reports as follows: It is a prodigious grower of vines, but there were no indications of flowers or seed pods. I am afraid the season here may not prove long enough for the produc- tion of flowers or seed. Some of the vines by July 1 grew to be from 8 to 12 feet long. Then the hot and dry winds began and continued for many weeks. Up to August 1 the vines held their own fairly well, then they gave way rapidly and by September 1 even the roots w^ere dead. I shall try the Metcalfe bean again, however, another season and am confident good results will follow with a normal season. At all events, with my present experience, I commend it highly for soiling and hay purposes. Our special agent in the State of Washington also reports having succeeded in producing an abundance of vines b}^ the use of irriga- tion, but the seed did not mature. In the grass garden of the Department at Washington, D. C, the Metcalfe bean germinated, but made a verj^ slow and feeble growth. Some fews pods were produced, but these, together with the leaves, turned yellow Avith the approach of slight frost in October and dropped off. 71 Mr. ]\Ietc'alfe recommends the followiug method of harvesting- the bean: Take a sharp hoe, chp them at each hill and let them dry for one or two days. Then rake with horse rake and put into small cocks. When dry, haul and stack. If wanted for hay, cut when about half the pods have turned yellow. The following letters from Mr. Metcalfe and the testimonials from other experimenters will indicate its value as a forage plant: Jaxuary 23, 1898. I send you in this letter 50 IMetcalfe beans. I am satisfied it is our coming forage plant. Few plants here are more relished by stock; even deer climb the cliffs for it. Be sure and plant the bean in rich deep-tilled land, about as you would for watermelons. Yours, truly, James K. Metcalfe. November 10, 1898. I have only 30 pounds of beans (Phmeolns retasus) . I had bad luck with them. We had 8 inches of hail in June, which cut off every leaf and tender ends of the vines. The \ines had to make a new growth. Those from beans planted on the loth of ]May were a sight to look at. They were simply shingled with bean pods, but the frost killed them all and left the green pods lying on the ground side by side, like myriads of small fishes. If they had only ripened, I believe I would have had over a ton of beans. The 30 pounds which I secured were nearly all from 60 2- year-old vines. If the hail had not hit them, I believe they would have produced nearly 100 pounds of seed. Next year, without hail or frost, I will have several tons. It is a sure producer and an excellent feed. Five or six hundred plants to the acre the second year will mat the ground with vines and beans. Cattle and sheep will quit any kind of feed for it. They even lick up the leaves. Hogs eat it ravenously. It must be a rich food. Some of my vines measured 13i feet long. When we con- sider that so few beans w-ill cover an acre of ground, and make such a yield of fodder and beans, we must believe that it is something wonderful. Yours, truly, James K. ^Ietcalfe. Mr. J. S. Argobrite, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Cal. : A rich, sandy loam was plowed and harrowed and irrigated 4 times, using as much water as would grow a good crop of melons. The seed was sown May 2 in itjws 4 feet apart and 2 feet in the row. The crop was cultivated once w'hen the plants were 1 foot high. It was not harvested, but pastured to stock, as it was impossible to use a machine, owing to its prostrate growth. It was in full bloom July 25, but it did not ripen seed. The estimated yield of vines was about 4 tons per acre. The aver- age growth was about 5 feet long. It is not a true climber, but runs over the ground like a melon, and is of no more value than the ordinary pole bean. Another small plot was sown on sandy soil and not irrigated. To date (November 1) it has made a growth of 1 foot and is still green and growing with many blossoms, but no seed. W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa.: A heavy clay loam was plowed and harrowed. The seed was sown May 3 and planted to poles set 4 by 4 feet apart. A horse cultivator was used. By Sejitember 8 the plants had a running growth, with rather thick, smooth, light-green leaves. It is only now starting to run freely and showing flower buds, but no pods have set. Mr. B. Fritz, Blue Springs, Gage County, Nebr. : The seed was sown on a well-prepared loamy soil May 15, 1899, in rows 8 feet apart with hills 4 to 6 feet apart iu the rows, 1 seed in each hill. It was cultivated 72 with a small garden rake and a hoe. The date of full bloom was from the 10th to the loth of September, but it did not ripen on account of frost about Septemter 25. The vines were set full of pods and spread over the ground from 6 to 8 feet in every direction. Cattle and horses will eat them and seem to relish them. Prof. A. J. McClatchie, Experiment Station, Phoenix, Ariz. : A gravelly loam was used which had been thoroughly ploughed and harrowed. The seed was sown April 12, 1899, in hills 3 by 3 feet, and cultivated until the runners prevented. It blooms in August. As the Metcalte bean is a perennial, it is too early to give results and estimates of value. The tops died down during September. Mr. J. A. Mickelson, Elcampo. Wharton County, Tex. : The seed was sown March 25, 1899, on well-prepared partly black sandy soil. Fur- rows were made with a garden hoe and the seed covered about 1 inch deep. It seems as if every seed germinated. I cultivated once by running a sweep between the beds, which were 4 feet apart. The bean grew well and had long vines, but unfortunately the Brazos flood of June and Jul}' affected us here in this community, though only by heavy rains, which scalded the majority of crops here and killed the Metcalfe bean. I am under the impression, however, that the bean would prove valuable here. CRIMSON CLOVER (Trifolium incarnatum) . ^ An erect, tufted, rapid-growing, annual legume from 1 to 2 feet high, with soft hairy leaves and usually bright scarlet flowers in elon- gated heads. It is a native of the Mediterranean region, and although it has been long cidtivated in the warmer portions of Europe it has only recently come into prominence in this country. In the Middle and South Atlantic States this clover is one of the best crops that can be grown for forage and soil renovation. The general results of investi- gations carried on in the North and Northwest show that it is too tender for that climate and is less valuable than red clover. It is an excellent crop for use as hay, soiling, pasturage, silage, green manure, and as a cover crop. The hay when well cured is superior to red clover, has a somewhat higher percentage of digestibility, and is relished by all kinds of stock. On dairy farms it is especially valuable for soiling purposes, as it is read}^ for use some time before red clover, and at a time when there are few other crops at hand. In the early spring it makes excellent pasturage either alone or in conjunction with winter rye or rape. The quality of ensilage which it produces is better than that from most other leguminous plants and is highly valued for feeding to dairy stock. When used as a green manure, it exerts a most bene- ficial eflect on the condition of the soil, adding nuich humus and nitrogen, as well as other valual)le elements of plant food. As a cover crop it can hardly be surpassed. When sown after the last cultivation, it will serve to prevent the soil from leaching out or washing badly, to con- serve the moisture during the long periods of dry weather, to reduce 'For full discussion of Crimson Clover see Circular No. 17, Division of Agrostology, and Circular No. 18, Division of Botany, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 73 the amount of labor necessary to keep weeds in check, and to supply the soil with an abundance of nitrogen. Forty-three packages of crimson clover seed have been distributed for trial, but most of it in the spring of 1899, so that the number of reports are few. Twelve experimenters have reported, and out of these there were 7 failures, 3 unsatisfactory, and only 2 good reports. Mr. P. S. Early, Mockville, Davie County, N. C. : The seed was sown October 1, 1897, on rich red clay soil, which had been thor- oughly prepared by deep plowing and harrowing. It was cut about April 25, 1898, and yielded splendidly at about 2 tons to the acre. The quality of the forage is good, and for an early green crop the very thing for this section. Mr. George Williams, Potomac, Prince Williams County, Va. : I planted the crimson clover September 20, 1899, with a garden hoe, and made the ground in fine condition. It is now (December, 1899) lookuag well and promising. AliSIKE CLOVER (Trifolium hybridum) . A common, perennial legume, 1 to 3 feet high, with branching leafy stems bearing white or rose-colored flower-heads. It is especially adapted for cultivation in wet meadows or marshy lands, and will not withstand severe drought. The leaves are slightlv bitter, and on this account the forage is not so well liked by stock as that of red or white clover. As it can endure very low degrees of temperature, it can be cultivated in the far North and in high altitudes very successfully. Twenty-three trial packages of the seed of alsike clover have been dis- tributed from this division since 1896. but only live experimenters have reported the results obtained, and of these only three were favorable. Mr. W. H. Heideman, Kalispell, Flathead County, Mont., says: A rather moist, rich, sandy loam was used, which was plowed and harrowed twice. The seed was sown without a nurse crop ]May 4, 1898, then smoothed with a lever harrow and rolled. As the season was cold and rainy, it did not mature seeds, but the quality of the fodder was good. None of it was killed out during the severe winter weather, and it is now pretty well demonstrated that clover can be made a paying crop here when grown for forage, but questionable as to the production of seed. It grew very heavy, but not very tall. The yield would be at least one and one-half tons to the acre. RUSSIAN RED CLOVER i Trifolium pratense var. pallida). A large quantity of the seed of this variety was obtained for the Department through Prof. N. E. Hansen in 1898 from the experiment station at Valnjka, province of Samara, Russia. During the years 1898 and 1899, 341: 3-pound packages were distributed by this Division through the Section of Seed and Plant Introduction. This distribution includes experimenters in 37 different States, and 152 experimenters have reported the results of their trials. Very favorable reports have been received from Illinois, Indiana. Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, 74 Montana, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, and Wyoming, but longer experimentation is necessary before we shall be able to say whether it is of any more value to the country than the common red clover. The following are a few of the reports from experimenters who have already found that it is hardier and more drought resistant than the connnon red clover: ILLINOIS. Mr. A. B. Cundiff, Blairsville, Williams County: A clay loam was plowed the latter part of March, 1898, and seeded to oats. The clover seed was sown on the oat ground about April 20, 1898, and harrowed one way. The clover came up nicely and made a rapid growth and at the present time is mak- ing a good pasture. I regard it as a \aluable addition to our varieties of clover, both for pasture and hay. INDIANA. Mr. Henry. Wehry, North Vernon, Jennings County: A clay loam in medium condition was plowed in the fall of 1897 and left in the rough furrow. The ground was harrowed twice in the spring with a tooth har- row and the seed sown March 9, 1898, then harrowed again with a spike harrow. This variety grew about the same as ordinary red clover, being about 8 inches high. AN'ith the exception that it may be a little hardier and more drought -resisting I can see no difference betM^een it and the common red clover grown in this country. -KANSAS. Mr. John B. Harman, Valley Falls, Jefferson County: A clay loam on a northeast slope was pulverized 3 to 4 inches deep, then plowed, harrowed, and rolled. The seed was sown June 4, 1898, with a cyclone seeder, then harro\\ed in, rolled, and brushed lightly. It came up in al)Out four days, but V>arely lived through the dry months of July and August. It looks green now (October 24) , and is as high as the stubble. I think it is better than our common clover, but the weather was so cold and wet that the ground did not get into condition to sow the seed in time to give the clover a fair show. MONTANA. Messrs. William W. Gamble & Sons, Choteau, Teton County: A gravelly loam on bench land was plowed and harrowed well. The seed was eown broadcast with a hand seeder May 19, 1898. The clover wintered all right and was in full ])loom by July and ripe in August. The quality of the product is good. It grows well and yields heavily with us. I think it is of considerable value. Mr. A. H. Geyer, Victor, Ravalli County: A sandy loam with a clay subsoil was used. It was well drained, mellow, and in fine condition. The seed was sown aV)out the middle of April. The crop was irri- gated through June and July. It had fully matured ))y the beginning of August. The yield per acre was from 1 to 2 tons, according to the condition of the soil. The product is of fair quality, about 2 feet high and somewhat course. The leaves are small and pointed and similar to alfalfa. It is a fair forage plant. Mr. W. H. Heidemiui. Kalispell, Flathead County: A mcdiuui, rich, sandy loam was jilowed and harrowed twice before seeding. The seed was sown broadcast May 4 without a nurse cmp ami covered by rolling Bui. 22, Div. of '.grostology, U. S. Dept. of Agrrcuiture. Plate XII. Fig. 1.— Hairy Vetch, Grass Garden, Washington, D. G. Fig. 2.— Australian Saltbush in Grass Garden, Washington, D. C. 75 the ground. This clover stood the severe winter of 1898-99 and came out in fine condition, nialving a fine crop. The estimated yield was about 2i tons to the acre. The quality of the product was good. I am still more convinced that we will suc- ceed in growing clovers in this section. This clover makes a very strong growth and seems to stand the drought well and is perfectly hardy. It is looking green and healthy at this time (November 18, 1899) , but I can not yet say whether it will pro- duce seed here. Mr. C. H. Williaiiw, Deer Lodge, Deer Lodge County: A sandy loam with a clay subsoil was plowed and harrowed. The seed was sown broadcast May 15, 1898, and covered lightly with a harrow. The crop was irri- gated, and came into full bloom about August 15, 1899. The yield per acre would be about 1^ tons of first-class hay. It grows rapidly and will be of great value as winter feed for sheep or cattle. Mr. C. C. Willis, Plains, Missoula County: A sandy soil with a clay subsoil on bench land was used. Bunch-grass land that had been grown to weeds four or five years was plowed up and prepared for the clover. The seed was sown broadcast with oats May 24, 1898, and thoroughly harrowed in and rolled. It came up in a short time. We had a very good season, with plenty of showers in June, and the clover was in bloom l)y July 15. The yield per acre was from 2 to 2i tons. The quality of the product was good and stock ate it well. It is a vigorous grower and I think it will be a good forage plant, as dry weather seems to affect it very little. SOUTH DAKOTA. Hon. H. C. Warner, Forestburg, Sanborn County: A black, sandy loam w^as plow^ed deep and harrow^ed. The seed was sown Im )ad- cast April 24, 1898, and covered with a brush harrow. The stand was perfect, l>ut a cold dry fall and cold open winter killed 50 per cent of it. The remaining plants, however, made a good growth this season until July, when they were attacked by grasshoppers which ate the foliage and blossoms as fast as the}- appeared. It is 5 per cent hardier than the common red clover growing by its side. HAIRY VETCH ( Vicia villosa. ) '■ (Plate XII, tig. 1.) A leafy, annual, trailing, leguminous plant, which has been culti- vated in Europe for over fifty years, especially in Southern Russia, Germany, and France. It was first introduced into this country in 1847, but its cultivation was neglected. About twelve years ago it was rein- troduced by this Department, and since then it has been widely dis- tributed and successfully tried in various parts of the United States. The results of experiments with it on the trial grounds of the Depart- ment at Washington, D. C, prove that it is quite hardy and continues to grow all winter during periods of open weather. At the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station the hairy vetch has given heavy annual crops on the same ground since 1888 without receiving any iFor full discussion of Hairy Vetch, see Circular No. 6, Division of Agrostology, Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, and Bull. No. 105, Alabama Experiment Station. 76 special care, the plants self-sowing- the plat each season. It will grow readil}' on poor sandy soils, but is most profitable as a forage plant on rich and well-prepared land. Poor lands can be supplied with the necessary plant food for the growth of other crops b}- growing hairy- vetch for several years. It forms a mulch on the land all summer by its matted growth, kills the weeds, and mellows the soil as much as any hoed crop, without the labor required for the latter. Hairy vetch may be sown any time in the spring in the North, North- west, and East, but for the South and Southwest it has been found more successful to sow in the fall, some time in September or October. It should be sown broadcast or with a grain drill at the rate of 1 to 11 bushels to the acre. The seed is yet quite expensive, which, to some extent, prevents it from occupying a prominent place in American agriculture. However, a number of our correspondents are reporting the successful raising of seed, and it seems quite probable that this country will soon be producing sufficient seed for its own use. Hairy vetch is eaten with relish by all kinds of stock. It is valuable for soiling, ensilage, green manure, cover crop, and for hay, although for the last-named purpose it is diflicult to cure on account of its dense habit of growth. Excellent reports have been received in regard to its drought- resisting qualities and its adaptability to our climate from Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Penn- sylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Wisconsin, District of Columbia, and Mississippi. The seed was distributed to experimenters in 40 difi'erent States, and reports have been received from 27 States. Thirty-four packages of the seed of hairy vetch were distributed dur- ing the fiscal year 1896-1897 ; 332 packages during 1897-98, and 98 packages during 1898-99, making a total of 161 packages since 1896. The request to the experimenters for a report as to their success or failure was complied with by 206 farmers out of the 111 receiving seed. Out of these, 86 resulted in failures, 43 were unsatisfactory, and 76 reported having had good results, while 6 speak of it in the very highest terms. The following reports from the various States will indicate its great value throughout the country. In many instances only the salient points are extracted from the reports, leaving out the kind of soil and method of sowing and cultivation adopted: ARKANSAS. Mr. J. B. Nixon, Charleston, Franklin County: When sown by itself it is of a spreading nature, and to secure the best results should be sown with wheat, or in the spring with oats, barley, or spring wheat. I think it will ]>e an acquisition to the foraloom. I wanted the seed, so I let it go to ripen, but it did not last long when the hot winds struck it. I did not get any seed. mNNESOTA. Mr. S. M. Warman, Sandstone, Pine Count}-: The seed was sown broadcast May 19, 1898, on well-prepared new land. It grew well, and is perfectly green still (October 15) , with many ripened pods with seed in them, equal in size to the seed sent. Without doubt it will be a very valuable crop to stock raisers and dairymen. I shall not be without it in future. The vines grew 15 feet long. MONTANA. Mr. E. Beach, Augusta, Lewis and Clarke County: A dry, gravelly bench land was used that had been in cultivation for several years. The soil was plowed and harrowed, and the seed sown broadcast June 5 and har- rowed in. It was in full bloom August 20, and was cut for hay. It is an excellent and very nutritious feed. The yield of hay is about 1 t( m per acre. It also has excel- 79 lent pasture growth, but as it is an annual plant, it is not desirable for that purpose in this country. On account of its growing on the ground like a vine it is not easy to harvest. Mr. C. C. Willis. Plains, Missoula County: The hairy vetch grows well here, and 1 believe it will thrive on our bench lands. Stock keeps it grazed close to the ground. Mr. Emory Vine, Miles City, Custer County : The hairy vetch grew well and kept blooming and ripening seed at the same time until cold weather. The yield per acre would probably be about 3 tons. Some say nothing will eat it, but I know better. It is a good drought resister, and will be better liked when better known. It is difficult to harvest, as it interlaces so, but it makes a good pasture, particularly for hogs. NEBRASKA. Mr. E. P. Savage, Sargent, Custer Count}' : The growth of the vine was heavy, but little seed was secured, as much of the seed had fell out of the pod while the i^lant was still in bloom. Cattle and liorses eat the straw readily. I believe it to be a good plant for soiling and for hay. ]VIr. Alfred Shirley, Weeping Water, Cass County : This is an extraordinary forage plant. Hogs and all other kinds of stock eat it readily and prefer it to anything else, lx)th when green and cured. I do not like to use it for hay, as it is so dithcult to cure. NEW MEXICO. Mr. ,1 . G. Kello, Aztec, San Juan County : The yield per acre would probably be about IJ tons. It is a first-class forage ; cows and all other stock eat it eagerly. The experiment was made for the purpose of getting a crop of hay, and at the same time a stubl)le to turn under that would add nitrogen to our sandy soils, which are rich in phosphoric acid and potash, but poor in nitrogen. This forage plant so far has made a better showing than alfalfa, Canada peas, cowpeas, or red clover, as it germinates better than any of the above and makes more hay in less time. It also withstands drought better. For a short rotation I believe it will prove better than any of the above for our soil and climate. 1 am of the opinion that hairy vetch will have to be planted in the fall in order to mature seed here. NORTH DAKOTA. Mr. D. N. Dairy mple, Kelso. Traill County: The vetch made a very rank, rapid growth, and if sown with oats would make an excellent soiling crop. The greater part of it was still green \vhen the ground was frozen. Mr. W. R. Gluyas, Hofflund, Williams Count}': It looks as if it would make 4 tons to the acre. It makes an excellent growth, some of the vines being 6 feet 5 inches long. Horses did not seem to care for it, but it will no doubt prove of considerable value for such stock as will eat it. 80 Hon. J. A. Power, Power, Richland County: The hairy vetch was mown July 15. After this it grew again and made a thick growth and matured seed, which was not gathreed. It stayed green until late in the fall, and was greedily eaten by horses and cattle. I believe it may have value if it will stand the climate and reseed itself. OREGON. Messrs. J. P. & J. O. Stemmler, Dora, Coos Count}-: It makes an enormous growth, branching out into runners 10 to 12 feet long. There was a heavy frost here last night, and I thought the vetch was killed, but am pleased to say it is not, but is in full bloom. One drawback is that, I fear, it will not ripen seed in this climate. It is splendid as a cover crop among trees. The yield per acre was about 3 tons. PENNSYLVANIA. Mr. Joseph H. Brinton, Chester County: I experimented with Vicia villosa and found it admirable for subduing weeds. In forty years' experience of farming I think it the most remarkable forage plant. It seems proof against the extremes of heat and cold. All kinds of stock like it. The roots go down deep into the ground, and are covered with tubercles about tjbe size of a grain of shot. SOUTH CAROLINA. Dr. J. E. Rickenbaker, Orangeburg, Orangeburg County: On rich soil this plant makes a very rapid growth. It is well adapted for this section, but the seed is difficult to gather and the large quantity required for seeding will likely prevent its ever becoming very popular. SOUTH DAKOTA. Hon. H. C. Warner, Forestburg, Sanborn County: The seeds of hairy vetch germinated well. The average length of the plants was 9^ feet. It was cut green and fed to horses, hogs, and cows, and was relished by all. I am well pleased with it, and am sure it will prove valuable for forage. TEXAS. Mr. Arnott West, Brownwood, Brown County: I gave this plant no care, as there was such a small amount of seed. It produced about 2 to 2^ tr>ns per acre. I let my milch cows graze on it, and they kept it eaten to the ground from July on. It did well for the chance it had. It will make splendid hay for this country. VIRGINIA. Mr. George Williams, Potomac, Prince William County: The seed was planted in drills, between corn. I judge by the looks of the plat that every seed grew, and after the corn was taken off cows were turned into the pasture, and they seemed to be fond of it. In spite of the cattle eating it off each day, one can see the green foliage 30 rods away. 81 WASHINGTON. Mr. F. A. English, Farmington, Whitman County: I should consider the hairy vetch a good plant for dry soils of poor quality, but no comparison to brome grass as a success. Under the adverse circumstances it was remarkably good. There was barely an inch of rainfall from June 1 to September 15. I belieVe the plant would do better on moister ground and with occasional showers during spring and summer. I can recommend it for its staying qualities. Mr. J, M. Scott, Kiona, Yakima Count}^: After the first two or three weeks the hairy vetch grew rapidly. It was frequently irrigated and soon spread over the ground, making a tangled mass of \'ines. It probably would yield from 2 to 3 tons per acre. The vines seem to be a rich feed. From what I have seen of this plant I should think it will withstand a great deal of drought and li\e, but to make a paying crop it needs a reasonable amount of water. While the plants were young all kinds of stock seemed to be very fond of them, but when the vines matured they did not seem to relish them. Mr. W. D. Taville, of Kiona, who has a wheat farm upon the high plateau known as Horse Heaven, just south of the Yakima Valley, sowed some hairy vetch this year, which, he says, did fairly well without irrigation, but there is more rain there than in the valley and the soil is better. WISCONSIN. Mr. J. F. Jensen, Waupaca, Waupaca County: I have been very successful with the hairy vetch. The seed was sown in May in 1898, and made a good growth of hay. It lived through the severe winter, and this year grew to. a height of 4 feet. I cut about 10 square rods and thrashed out about 1 bushel of good seed. I think this is a fine crop to grow for the improvement of our soil. STOLLEY'S VETCH (Vicia leavenworthii) . A native annual legume, with small leaves and trailing stems similar to the common vetch. It is found growing wild in the granite regions of central and western Texas. Its value as a forage plant was first noticed by Mr. George Stolley, of -Burnet, Tex., a few years ago. It IS said to withstand drought remarkably well, and cattle and horses are fond of it. As it is an early forage plant, appearing in the spring before even the needle grass starts, it will be especially valuable for supplying green food at a time when it is badly needed. In the coun- ties of Parker, Callahan, and Burnet, Tex., it has given most satis- factory results, and promises to be one of the best winter and early spring forage plants for those districts. It is also valuable as a soil mulch and green manure. About iO packages of seed, grown by Mr. Stolley, were distributed by this division in 1898-99. Several reports have been received giving only fair results. It has not been sufficiently tested to enable us to state its usefulness. 15799— No. 22 6 82 SALTBUSHES {Atriplex).» (Plate XII, fig. 2.) The saltbushes are especially adapted for alkali lands where grasses and clovers will not grow, but they will also do well on nonalkaline soils. There are man}" species in cultivation, both native and intro- duced. A variety which is attracting a great deal of attention at the present time is the Australian saltbush. It is a rapid-growing, much- branched perennial which forms a dense mat over the ground to the thickness of from 1 to 2 feet. The leaves are small, about an inch long, and coarsely toothed along the margins. In a few weeks one plant will spread from -i to 5 feet. The hard, somewhat pulpy fruits are produced in abundance throughout the season. The}" differ from many of the other saltbushes in not having the seed surrounded by a large, light fibrous covering, but have merely a very thin coating of pulp, which is tinged with red at maturity and dries out as soon as they fall from the plant. On the poorest and most stubborn arid soil, so impregnated with alkali that no other useful plant will grow, this saltbush has been known to flourish. It seems to have a remark- able number of virtues, including great frost resistance, palatability, heavy yield, sand-binding qualities, and the habit of spreading freely. Sheep are especially fond of this saltbush, and hogs eat it freely. A mixture of three parts of this forage with one part of common hay is readily eaten by horses and cattle. It is probable that under favora- ble conditions about 20 tons of green feed or 5 tons of cured forage could be produced from 1 acre. The introduction of this plant to owners of waste alkali lands has certainly been a great achievement. As it has almost the same nutritive ratio as alfalfa, it would seem that it must have nearly as high a feeding value. Von Mueller states that, in his opinion, many of the valuable qualities of the Australian wools are due to the abundance of this and other saltbushes in the regions in which the sheep are grazed. Owing to its thin, flexible stems it can be handled like alfalfa, while most of the other saltl)ushes are only fit for browsing. Of all the difi'erent species in cultivation in this country, this Australian saltbush seems to be the most promising, both because of its hardiness and the bulk of tender fodder produced. In the grass garden at the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, the Australian saltbush has produced a vigorous and widely spreading growth throughout the season. It is now fruiting abun- dantly, and extends 5 feet beyond the original plot which it has occupied for five years without reseeding or other care. There are aliout 40 species of saltbush in the Western States, some of which will no doubt prove as valuable as those introduced from 'For full discussion on "Native and introduced saltbushes," see Farmers' Bui. No. 108, T^. 8. Department of Agriculture. (Agros. No. 55.) 83 Australia. They are known to be hard}^ as regards cold as well as resistant to alkali and drought, and are highly valued for grazing in alkali districts where little or no other vegetation exists. Of the American saltbushes now in cultivation, shad scale is consid- ered to have the most economic value. It is a robust, shrubby peren- nial, from ttr to 10 feet high, native to the high valleys and plains of Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas. The small, narrow, gray -green leaves and young branches are browsed by cattle, which sometimes eat it down close to the ground, leaving only the stump to branch out again into new growth. The seeds are pro- duced in great abundance, often one-half bushel or more on a plant. These are much sought after by sheep, and are considered verv fat- tening. In the Southwest there are large sections of countr}" where shad scale constitutes the chief forage plant. It is so much liked by stock that on the summer ranges it occurs only on rock}^ cliffs or other inac- cessible points. On ranges which are not grazed through the summer, where the plant has an opportunity to seed freely, it grows in great abundance and affords excellent winter pasturage. It has proved its adaptability to soils impregnated with white alkali, and also withstands small amounts of the black alkali. Its resistance to cold adds greatly to its value. Since 1896 this division has sent out 218 packages of Atriplex saltbushes to different experimenters throughout the United States. Twenty-nine different States are represented in this distribu- tion, which was as follows: Shad scale {Atriplex canesceiw)^ 85 packages; gra}- saltbush (^1. Jiali- ■moides)^ 37; annual or bladder saltbush (J., liolocarj^a)^ 29; Australian saltbush (/I. semihaccata)^ 20; Nelson's saltbush {A. j)ahularis), 19; slender-fruited saltbush (^1. lejjtocarjxt)^ 18; silvery saltbush (^1. argen- tea)^ 16; round-leafed saltbush (^1. numnndaria)^ 10; bladder saltbush {A. vesicaria)^ 8; NuttalFs saltbush {A. mdtaUri)^ 5; Utah saltbush {^A. truncata)^ 3; sponge saltbush {A. spongiosa), 3, and spiny saltbush {A. coiifertifolkt)^ 3. Of the 150 applicants for seed, 52 have sent in reports, and with the exception of 12, all report that the seed failed to germinate, or that onlj^ a few plants came up and soon died. This failure to germinate the seeds is very probablj^ due to the methods adopted in planting. If the seeds are harrowed in to the depth of 2 or 3 inches, or sown in drills in alkali soils, they usually rot before germination can take place. The primary rule to remember is that these saltbushes are plants of the desert. Their seeds start easily and rapidly, with little or no covering, but the soil must be warm and moist. At the California Experiment Station, as well as on the trial grounds of the Department at Washington, D. C, it has been determined that the seeds germinate better when sown directh' on the surface without any covering. Some practical stockmen have had 84 good results in establishing saltbush on alkali ranges by sowing the seed on the ofround when it was wet with heavv rains, and at once driving a flock of sheep over the land, thus treading the seed into the soil. In order to obtain a satisfactory stand, however, the heat must be adequate. Almost without exception farmers who have attempted to cover saltbush seed on alkali soils have found that it rotted in the ground before germination could take place. For California the best time to sow is about the latter part of September or the beginning of October, when one is able to catch the first autumn showers. Plants ma}^ be grown b}' sowing the seed in boxes or garden beds, covering very lightly, and planting out the seedlings when a few inches high, several feet apart, on alkali spots. Man}- have followed this method with success, and thus have utilized every seed obtained. In districts where the seed is being experimented with for the first time, and in case of small lots, this method is to be recommended. As the saltbushes are remarkable for their ability to adapt them- selves to varied conditions, this method would enable the plants to become acclimated, and the seed would be more likely to germinate well. The California Experiment Station sums up the points in brief, as follows: Sow early, on the surface; press seed into the soil, but do not cover; protect from birds, which are very fond of the seeds. Although no extensive experiments have been made with sowing saltbush seed on nonalkaline soils, yet it seems to be an advantage to cover them slightly. WINTER FAT; SWEET SAGE (Eurotia lanata) . (Plate XIII, fig. 1.) A half-shrubby perennial, 1 to 3 feet high, with numerous small gray leaves and slender woolly twigs. It is found growing wild throughout the Rocky Mountain region from British Columbia to Mexico. An important fact in regard to this plant is that it will thrive on both alkali and nonalkali soils. In western Texas and in the more arid regions of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah it is very highly valued for winter forage. The cotton}^ seeds are produced in great abundance, and both seeds and stems are eaten greedily by all grazing animals; so that this plant is now almost exterminated wherever cattle have free range. It has been growing in the grass garden of the Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C, for several years, and grows almost as well in dry as in wet weather, producing a fine growth of forage. Stock grazed on lands where winter fat occurs make a rapid growth, and are said to be remarkably free from disease, because of the tonic properties of the plant. Seed might ]>e gathered b}' ranchmen and sown in the spring on land which had been disked or Bui. 22, Div of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculfure. Plate XIII. Fig. 1.— Winter Fat ; Sweet Sage d A Revision of the North American Species of Bromus Occurring- North of Mexico, prepared under my direction b}^ Mr. Cor- nelius L. Shear, assistant agrostologist, and recommend the same for publication as Bulletin No. 23 of this division, under the general title of "Studies on American Grasses." The abundance of good material collected during the past few years in the Rocky Mountains and the Northwest has shown the necessity of a revision of the genus Broiu us. Until very recently good specimens from these regions have been few, and their identification has rested in many cases on tradition and misconceptions of the species. As an illustration of this, the case of B. hreviari status may be cited. The identiiication of this species was based by Thurber and Gray on speci- mens distributed by Hooker under that name. These specimens when compared with the original illustration of the species and the actual type prove to be the old and well-known B. unioloides. The examina- tion of portions of the types of Hooker, Link, and Nuttall has made it possible to treat more satisfactorily the various forms from the same region that have passed for B. ciliatus and its varieties. Thus B. mdgaris^ which is one of the best-defined species of the Northwest, has heretofore passed as B. ciliatus or B. purgans, or a variety of one or the other. The group presenting the most difficulties in the way of sati.sf actor}^ segregation is that to which B. carinatus and B. marginatus belong. Here the forms and variations are so many and perplexing that the present disposition of them is necessarily more or less tentative. In the thorough study of the group Fournier's Mexican forms must be considered, and these are so confused and poorly segregated that only a comparison of his types can make a satisfactory disposition of them possible. The present paper contains descriptions of 36 species and 28 varieties, 45 of which are natives and 19 introduced. The enumeration includes a new subgenus, 3 new species, and 15 new varieties. Respectfully, F. Lamson-Scribner, Agrostologist. Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture. CONTENTS. Page. Introduction 7 Classitication 7 Distribution 11 Economic importance 12 Characters of the genus 13 Analytical key 13 Description of the specie.' 16 Species excluded 63 Species doubtful or unknown 63 Index 65 5 ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. Fig. 1. Bromus secalinus L 1" 2. Bromus racemosus L 1° 3. Bromus hordeaceus L. 1" 4. Bromus arvensis L 20 5. Bromus jjatidus Mert. and Koch 21 6. Bromus squarrosus L 22 7. Bromus brizseformis Fisch. and Mey 23 8. Bromus scoparius L ■- 24 9. Brom.us trinii Desv 25 10. Bromus madritensis L 26 11. Bromus maximus Desf 27 12. Bromus ruh'ens L 28 13. Bromus sterilis L 29 14. Bromus tectorum L 30 15. Bromus ramosus Huds 31 16. Bromus ciJiatus L 32 17. Bromus richardsoni Link 33 18. Bromus kalmii A. Gray §5 19. Bromus porteri (Coult. ) Nash 36 20. Bromus porteri frondosus Shear 38 21. Bromus padficus Shear 39 22. Bromus purgans L 40 23. Bromus orcuttianus Vasey 42 24. Bromus vulgaris (Hook. ) Shear 43 25. Bromus Isevipes Shear 45 26. Bromus suksdorfii Vasey 46 27. Bromus eredus Huds 47 28. Bromus inermis Leyss 48 29. Bromus pumpellicmus Scribn 49 30. Bromus nnioloides (Willd. ) H. B. K 50 31. Bromus unioloides hsenkeunus (Presl. ) Shear 51 32. Bromus subvelutinus Shear 52 33. Bromus marginatus Nees 53 34. Bromus jwlyanthus Scribn - 56 35. Bromus aletitensis Trin 57 36. Bromus sitchensis Bong 58 37. Bromus carinatns Hook. & Arn 59 38. Bromus carinatus liookerianus (Thurb. ) Shear 61 39. Bromus carinatus linearis Shear 62 40. Bromus ladniatus Beal 63 6 A REVISIO.^ OF THE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF BROMUS OCCURRING NORTH OF MEXICO. INTRODUCTION. It does not appear that any attempt has heretofore been made to revise the species of Broimis of any very extensive region. In the present paper the species of North America north of Mexico are treated. Those of Mexico are so poorly known that no satisfactory disposition can be made of them until more extensive collections have been examined and the types of Fournier's species and varieties studied. A careful study of the types of the species of Humboldt, Bonpland and Kunth and Presl from the region of the Andes is also necessary in order to cor- rectly understand our southwestern and Mexican species of the sub genus Ceratochloa. The number of known species of Broimts, according to Bentham in his "Notes on Graminese" in 1881, was about 40. This is the most recent estimate, but according to Index Kewensis and the study of recent lit- erature a total of 150 species would be a conservative estimate of the number at present known. The number of species and varieties described in this paper is 61. Of these 45 are indigenous, and the remaining 19 adventive or introduced. Three are regarded as new species, and fifteen as new varieties. A few species credited to North America still remain doubtful or unknown to us. These have been added at the end of the paper with their original descriptions. We desire here to acknowledge our great indebtedness and express our thanks to the following botanists who have rendered valuable assistance in the preparation of this paper, either by the loan or con- tribution of material or by the copying of original descriptions or plates: Drs. B. L. Robinson, Wm. Trelease, N. L. Britton, J. K. Small, P. A. Rydberg, and I. Urban, also Sir W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, Miss Alice Eastwood, and Prof. C. V. Piper. CLASSIFICATION. i The first step necessary in revising a genus is to decide what shall I be considered its type. Then follows the question of its limitations, i In this case, as in so many others, Linnaeus, who is cited as the author 8 of the name, was not the first to apply it to a genus. In Gen. PI. ed. 4, 26. 1752, he cites Monti (Cat. Stirp. Agri. Bonon. Prod. 32. 1719) as the author of the genus. For figures of species which he evidently- regarded as typical he cites Scheuchzer's Agrost. Helv. Prod. pJ. J. fgs. ^, 10^ 11, 12. 1708. Referring to Scheuchzer\s figures, No. 2 appears to be a species of Desoliampsla, which Linnaeus one year later, Sp. PI. 1 : 65. 1753, refers to Aira coBspitma, but does not mention it under Bromus, so it is rather evident that the reference to it laider that genus was an error. The next figure cited, 10, is undoubtedly a Bromus, and is referred by Linnteus to B. arvensis 1. c. by citation of description but not of figure. By some error on the part of Scheu- chzer, his figure 10 is referred to on different pages as representing two different things. Figure 11 Linnanis refers in the same place to B. sqnarrosiis 2iU(\. ^guvQ 12 in the first edition of '^Species Plantarum" is referred to B. tectorum, but in the second edition it is referred to B. moUis {hordeaceus), which it evidently is. Thus it is sufficiently clear what section at least of the genus as here treated, Linnteus had in mind as the basis of his genus. But according to the present rules of American nomenclature, 1753 is taken as the starting point for genera as well as species. Following this, some arbitrary means must be resorted to in deciding what shall be recognized as the types of Linnffius's genera, since there are no generic descriptions in the "Species Plantarum." The most simple and logical plan we belicA^e would be to adopt the first species mentioned as the type, which, applied to the case in hand, would make the tj^pe of our genus B. secalinv^s, thus bringing about in this case practically the same results as b}^ the first method, as the species first referred to by Linnaeus, B. arvensis, B. squarrosus, and B. mollis are all intimately related to B. secalinus. This o-enus in the sense in which it is here treated has been the sub- ject of many divisions and subdivisions; at least ten different genera based upon various species have been proposed. The present tendency among manj^ botanists is toward the narrower limitation of genera, but it has seemed best in this paper to maintain the genus in its broadest sense. Of the various genera proposed Ceratochloa is per- haps, on the whole, the best defined, while the subgenus Neohromiis is rather anomalous, and may be eventually found worthy of generic rank. This subgeims, which includes so far as at present known only Bromus trinii and its several varieties, shows very close relationship with Avena and Trisetum, to each of which genera forms of it have been referred. In its various forms it appears to have reached its greatest development in the Andes of South America and is restricted in its distribution to the western portion of the western continent. The following list shows in order of their publication the various genera proposed for species here included in the genus Bromus: 9 Lasiopoa Ehrh. Beitr. 4 : 147. 1789. Ceratovhloa Beauv. Agrost. 75. /. 15. f. 7. 1812. ScJiedonoi-us Beauv. Agrost. 99. 1812. This, apparently by mistake, stands Sche- nof7or((.9 in the index, 177, of the work cited. Beaiivois included under Schedono7-us mostly s^jecies of Festuca. He cites no type for the genus, so we have accepted the first species mentioned, Festuca elatior L., as the type. Only one or two species of true Bromus were included by him, one of which was B. inermis. Zcrna Panz. Denkschr. Acad. Miinch. 296. 1813. Mkhelaria Dum. Obs. Gram. Belg. 77. /. 16. 1823. Libertia'Le]. Nov. Act. Nat. Cur. 12:755. i. 65. 1825. Serrafalcus Pari. PI. Nov. 75. 1842. Anlsaniha C. Koch, Linnsea 21 : 394. 1848. Triniu.'iia Steud. Syn. PI. Gram. 328. 1854. Bromopsis Fourr. Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon n. ser. 17: 187. 1869. Zcrna was originally made to include the species of the subgenus Stenobromus as well as those related to B. asper. Mkhelaria and Libert ia are synonyms, both being founded on B. arduennensis Dum., a Belgian species resembling B. .. racemosus commutatufi and B. secalinus, and the western material especially is in great part B. hordeaceus glahrescens, which is distinguished by its denser panicle with shorter branches. 2a. BROMUS RACEMOSUS COMMUTATUS (Schrad.) Hook. f. Stud. Fl. Brit. Isl. 451. 1870. Bromu-^ commutniths Schrad. Fl. Germ. 353. 1806. Serrafalcm eommutatus Bab. Man. Brit. Bot. 374. 1843. An annual or biennial, 3-7 dm. high, typically with a rather small panicle, but fre- quently, under favorable conditions of growth, with a panicle as large as that of B. aecalinus, but more droop- ing. It differs from the spe- cies in its rather larger spike- lets and panicle, also rather broader flowering glumes with frequently a faint indi- cation of an angle on the margin just above the mid- dle. The spikelets 2-2.5 cm. long, 6-7 mm. wide, inter- mediate in size between B. racemosus and B. squarroftus; from the latter it differs in its straight awn also. From B. arvensis it is separated bj' its smaller drooping panicle and larger spikelets. Tliis plant seems to be quite gen- erally intrt)duced through- out the country, and espe- cially in the East. Specimens examined. — MassacJiu- setts: Essex Co. (Oakes). Connectinil : Fairfield (E. H. Fames). Xe/r VorJ:: Ithaca (F. V. Coville). Penasyl- vania : Easton (T. C. Porter) . Maryland: Marshall Hall (C. L. Pollard 303). Olrin: Oberlin (A. E. Kicksecker); Painesville (W. C. Werner). Tennessee : K n o x v i 1 1 e ( A . Ruth). Michigan: Agricul- tural College ( C. F. Wheeler ) . Jowu: (L. H. Pammel 909). Missouri: Sheffield (B. F. Bush 599 ) . Wa.sh hu/ton : Pull- .\. & E. G. Heller 3983). Fig. 2. — Bromtis mnmosuf: a, lower portion of a .spikelet; /), flowering glume, dorsal view. man (A. I). E. Elmer 886); near Montesano (A Oregon: Otis Creek (J. B. Lei berg 2338). 3. BROMUS HORDEACEUS L. S]). PI. 1: 77. 1753. Bromus mollis L. Sp. PI. ed. 2. 1:112. 1762. ,SWT«/fl7cu.s ?/io///*' Pari. Fl. Ital. 1: .39.5. 1848. (Fig. 3.) An erect or ascending annual or biennial irith n rallicr dense, erect panicle. Culms about 2-8 dm. high, usually somewhat pubescent at the nodes. .Sheallis relrorsel;/ sofijiilose-piibescent ; ligule 1.5-2 mm. long, laciniate; blades linear, varying from 19 pilose-pubescent to nearly smooth, about 5-15 cm. long and 3-5 mm. broad. Pnnidf contracted, narrow-pyramidal, 5-10 cm. long by 2-4 cm. broad; branches somewhat spreading in flower. Spikelets 5-13-flowered, ovate-lanceolate, becom- ing obtuse, 12-15 mm. long by 4-6 mm. wide, with short pedicels; empty glumes l)road, obtuse, coam'lij pilose or scabrous-pubescent, the lower 3-5-nerved, 4-6 mm. long, the upper 5-7-nerved, 7-8 mm. long; flowering glume broad, obtuse, 7-nerved, coarsely pilose or scabrous-pubescent, rather deeply bidentate, margin and apex hyaline, 8-9 mm. long; awn rather stout, rough, flattened toward the base, straight at first, frequently somevliat twisted when old, about 6-9 mm. long; palea a little more than | the length of its glume. A species native in southern Europe, intro- duced into this country, where it is very abundant on the Pacific coast, having taken possession of vast areas of the deteriorated semiarid range lands. It is also found sparingly on the Atlantic coast from Maine to Virginia. Specimens examined. — Maine: N. Berwick (J. C. Parlin 567). New York: Aurora (F. V. Coville in 1885). Penns(//ram«.- Phil- adelphia (I. C. Martindale 13 and 14). Delaware: Centerville (A. Commons 1.33). Ohio: Oberlin (A. E. Ricksecker 1895). Montana: Garrison (P. A. Rydberg 2126). rtah: Ogden (T. A. Williams 2495). Idaho: Clear Water River (Sandberg, Heller, McDougal 167). Washingtou: Walla Walla (C. L. Shear 1585; E. P. Sheldon 8140); Tacoma (A. B. Leckenby in 1898); Cascade Mts. (G. R. Vasey iii 1889; Sandberg & Leiberg 172); Seattle (C. V. Piper 796). Oregon: Lexington (J. B. Leiberg 10). (''difor)tia : fian Fvru- cisco (M. E. Jones 3270); Marin Co. (Dr. E. Palmer 2032, 2033); Berkeley (J. W. Blankinship 64); Santa Cruz (Dr. Ander- son in 1887); INIorley Station (J. B. Davy 1894) ; San Jose (H. A. Brainard in 1896); Pitt River (H. E. Brown 224); Mt. Shasta (H. E. Brown 374b). There being nothing in the original descrip- tions of these species to separate them, we have adopted the older name on the author- ity of INIunro, who states in his jiaper on Fig. 3. — Bromus liordeaceus : a, empty glumes; b, flowering glume; r, pulea. •'The (irasses of Linnseus's Herba- specimens of the two, B. hordeaceus and B. mollis, are 3a rium'" that Linnseus' the same. BROMUS HORDEACEUS INTERMEDIUS (Guss.) n. comb. Bromus intermidius Guss. Fl. Sic. Prod. 1 : 114. 1827. Serrafalcus intermedius Pari. Rar. PI. Sic. 2 : i; 1840. This differs from the species only in its slightly larger panicle and spikelets ^nd awns, wiiich are twisted and divaricate when mature and dry. 1 Proceedings of the Linnrean Society— Botany, 6: 46. 1861. 20 Represented iu the herbarium by a single specimen collected by Dr. L. D. Morse along a walk in San Mateo, California, June, 1898. 3/i. BROMUS HORDEACEUS GLABRESCENS (Ooss.) n. comb. Bromus mollis glabrescens Coss. Fl. Descr. Par. 654. 1845. This differs from the species in having the spikelets glabrous or only scabrous throughout. Like the species it is introduced on the east and west coasts. Specimens Examined. — Delaware: Millsboro (A. Commons 132). District of Columbia: N. E. Washington (F. Blanchard). California: Marin County (Dr. E. Palmer 2033); New York Falls (G. Hansen 2080); San Francisco (Bolander). Oregon: Bonneville (W. M. Canby 26). Washington.: Pullman (A. D. E. Ehner 876); no locality (E. P. Shel- don 8205 and G. R.Vasey). 4. BROMUS ARVENSIS L. Sp. PI. 1 : 77. 1753. Serrafalcus arvensis Pari. Fl. Ital. 1 : 393. 1848. (Fig. 4. ) A tufted annual or biennial, somewhat geniculate at the base. Culm nearly or quite glabrous, about 3-6 dm. high. Sheaths densely soft pubescent; ligule about 2 mm. long, lacerate; blades linear, pubescent both sides. Panicle effuse, broad, apex some- what drooping; lotver rays mostly 4-8. Spikelets terete-acuminate at first, becoming slightly laterally compressed when old, about 7-11- fiowered, 1.5-2.5 cm. long, 3-4 mm. broad, smooth or minutely scabrous throughout; empty glumes broad; the lower subacute 3-5-nerved, 4-5 mm. long; the upper about 7-nerved, obtuse, 5-6 mm. long; flowering glume 7-8 mm. long, broad, obtvise with the broad hyaline margin j)roject- ing slightly into an obtuse angle just above the middle; apex hyaline, emarginate; awn inserted below the apex, 7-10 mm. long, straight or slightly twisted when old; palea shorter than its glume. Type from Europe. Introduced into this country in a few localities. Dr. Beal, in "Grasses of North America," reports it from New Jersey and Michigan. The only Ameri- can specimens we have seen are the following: Missouri: Sheffield, common along railroads (B. F. Bush 577 and 588). This can scarcely be satisfactorily separated from B. patulus M & K., which see for the points of difference usually noted. It is also close to B. racenwsm conimutatus. Fig. i.— Bromus arvensin: a, empty glumes; b, part of a spikelet with the lower florets open show- ing the palese. 21 5. BROMUS PATTJLUS M. & K. in Roehl. Deutsfh. Fl. 1:684. 1823. Serror /a/«(.s>;)a/»/Hs Pari. Fl. Ital. 1:394. 1848. (Fig. 5.) An annual or biennial with culms smooth, erect, or somewhat geniculate at the base, about 4-6 dm. high. Sheaths softly pubescent; ligule 2-3 mm. long, subtrun- cate, laciniate-dentate; blades linear-lanceolate, pubescent throughout. Pan- icle 12-20 cm. long, very broadly pyramidal, diffuse, somewhat drooping; lower branches 3-5, slender, smooth; spikelets on slender pedicels, drooping, lanceo- late to ovoid-lanceolate, terete at first, 2-2.5 cm. long, 5-6 mm. broad, becom- ing somewhat laterally compressed at maturity, smooth throughout; empty glumes rather broad, the lower narrower, acute, 3-nerved, 4-6 mm. long; the upper obtuse, 5-nerved, 6-8 mm. long; flowering glume 9-nerved, the marginal ones faint, 7-9 mm. long, broad, obtuse, with a hyaline mar- gin obtusely angled above the middle and an emarginate apex; awn 8-10 mm. long, stout, somewhat tivisted and strongly divaricate at maturity, inserted below the apex; palea conspicuously shorter than its glume. Type from Austria. Introduced in this country in a few places. Specimens examined. — Massa- chusetts: waste ground, Bos- ton (C. W. Swan). South Dakoliu. Brookings (T. A. Williams). Colorado: Fort Collins (L. H. Pammel). A species intermediate between B. arvensisa,ndB. squarrostis. From the former it is dis- tinguished by its somewhat larger, more compressed spikelets, rather stouter awn, strongly divergent at maturity, and earlier flower- ing period. From the lat- ter it is distinguished by its narrower spikelets, larger panicle, and less conspicuous angle at the margin of the flowering glume. Per- haps but a variety of B. arvensis. 6. BROMUS SaUARROSUS L. Sp. PI. 1 : 76. 1753. Serrafalms squarrosus Bab. Man. Brit. Bot. 375. 1843. (Fig. 6.) A more or less tufted annual, 2-4 dm. high with a short, somewhat nodding panicle and densely soft pilose sheaths. Culms erect or slightly geniculate at the base, smooth. Sheaths densely retrorsely pilose-pubescent; ligule about 1 mm. long; blades linear, about 8-15 cm. long, 3-5 mm. wide, softly pubescent on both sides. Pan- icle usually 6-12 cm. long, open, branches ascending or drooping, frequently flex- FiG. 5. — Bromus patulus : a, empty glumes; 6, flowering glume. 22 uous. Spikelets oblong to oblong ovoid, turgid, 6-12-flowered, 15-20 mm. long; empty glumes broad, obtuse, glabrous, the lower 3- or indistinctly 5-nerved, |-| the length of the upper, the upper 7-9-nerved, 6-8 mm. long; flowering glume very broad, 7-9-nen-ed, ohime, with a Inroad scarious margin somewhat obtusely angled al:)ove the middle, glabrous or minutely scabrous, apex minutely notched; awn ratlnr Htont, attached below the apex, about the length of the glume, somewhat twisted and divergent, espccialbj at niatarity; palea a little shorter than its glume. Adventive from Europe. Has been found in waste places on the eastern coast sec. Britton and Brown, " Illustrated Flora." Type in Linnseus's herbarium. Specimens examined: A single specimen in the National Herbarium collected at Lansingburg, New York, by Dr. E. C. Howe in 1886, has been referred to this spe- cies, though it is not typical but approaches very closely B. secalinus and arvensix. 7. BROMUS BRIZ^- FORMIS Fisch. &Mey. Ind. Sem. Hort. Petrop. 3:30. 1837. (Fig. 7.) An erect annual with rather slender culms and large drooping, hriz sef o r m spikelets. Culms about 3-6 dm. high, smooth or sUghtly pubescent at the nodes. Sheaths with a soft, short-pilose pubes- cence, especially the lower ones; ligule about 2 mm. long, somewhat laciniate; Ijlades linear, usually pubescent on both sides. Panicle 5-25 cm. long, lax, secund, mostly nodding. Spike- lets a b o u t 15-25 mm. broad, oblong-ovoid, lat- erally much cotnpressed; empty glumes broad, ob- tuse, smooth or minutely scabrous, frequently purplish, lower 3-5- nerved, about one-half the length of the upper, which is broader, 5-9- nerved and 6-8 mm. long; flowering glume about 1 cm. long, very broad, obtuse, smooth or slightly scabrous, with a broad scarious margin; awn none or sometimes present, especially on the upper flower- ing glumes, terminal, 1-2 mm. long; palea not quite equaling the glume, sparsely pectinate-ciliate on the keels. Introduced. Most frequently met with on the west coast. Type locality "in moutibus Taliisch." (Caucausus Region?) Fig. 6. — Bromtis squarrosus : a, lower portion of a spikelet; t, dorsal view of a flowering glume. 28 Speci.mexs examined. — Massachusetts (ex herb. W. P. Alcott in 1880). New York: Ithaca (W. R. Dudley in 1884). Delaware: Wihiiington (A. Commons 339 in 1898). Montana: (F. Lamson-Scribner 97 in 1883). Idaho: Lewiston (A. A. & E. G. Heller 3203 in 1896; L. F. Henderson 4635 in 1894); Viola (Sandberg, Heller & McDougal 482 in 1892); Coeur d'Alene Mountains (J. B. Leiberg 1006 in 1895). Utah: Echo (P. A. Rydberg2353 in 1895) ; Salt Lake City (L. H. Pam- mel 197 in 1899). Nevada: Reno (S. M. Tracy 194 in 1887). Washington: Waitsburg ( R. M. Horner 563 in 1897) ; Pullman ( A. D. E. Elmer 371 in 1896; 876 in 1897) ; Wawawai (C. V. Piper 1739 in 1894) . Oregon : Prineville (J. B. Leiberg 308 in 1894). California: Near Mount Shasta (Dr. E. Palmer 2647 in 1892). 8. BROMTJS SCOPARITJS L. Cent. PI. 1:6. 1755. Serraf al- ms scoparius Pari. Fl. Pal. 1 : 174. 1845. (Fig. 8.) An annual with rather slender, smooth, nearly erect culms about 2-3 dm. high. Sheaths sparsely pilose or nearly smooth; ligule about 1 mm. long, lacini- ate-dentate; blades linear, 6-12 cm. long, mostly pilose above and smooth beneath. Panicle dense, oblong or ovate, obtuse, erect, 3-6 cm. long, 1-3 an. broad; branches very short. Spikelets very short-pedicellate, oblong- lanceolate, 5-11-flowered, 10-18 mm. long; empty glumes gla- brous or slightly scabrous on the nerves, the lower acute, 1-3- nerved, 4-5 mm. long, the upper 3-nerved, broader, 5-6 mm. long; flowering glume 7-8 mm. long, 5-nerved, varying from typically smooth to sometimes scabrous - pubescent, bidentate at the membranous apex; aivn twisted, divaricate, 7-8 mm. long inserted 1.5-2 mm. below the apex; palea about 1 mm. shorter than its glume with the keels re- motely ciliate-pectinate. Type from Spain. Indigenous in the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa, adventive fornia. We have only one specimen in the herbarium, collected by J. W. Congdon, posa, California. II. NEOBROMUS n. subgen. Fig. 7. — Bromus brizxformis : a, a spikelet; 6, glumes; c, flowering glume; d, palea, empty in Cali- at Mari- Floivering glumes lanceolate, deeply bifid; awn twisted and bent below the middle. The following species is the type of this subgenus: 9. BROMTJS TRINII Desv. in Gay Fl. Chil. 6: 441. 1853. Trisetum hirtum Trin. Linueea, 10: 300. 1835. '^otB.hirtusLichtst 1817. Trisetum barbatumStend. 24 Syn. PI. Gram. 229. 1854. Bromus barhatoides Bea\, Grass.'N. A. 2: 61i. 1896. Avena symphicarpi Trin. mss. (p.p.) sec. Desvaux 1 . c. . ( Fig. 9. ) An erect c.espitose annual, usually branching below, mostly 3-6 dm. higli. C!ulm smooth or pubescent at the nodes. Sheath usually pilose-pubescent, sometimes nearly smooth; ligule rovmded or subtruncate, dentate, about 1mm. long; blades linear to linear-lanceolate, 6-1-5 cm. long, 3-5 mm. wide, mostly pilose-pubescent throughout, sometimes nearly smooth. Panicle usually narrow and somewhat crowded suberect, 8-20 cm. long; branches rather numerous, slender, ascending or diverging in fruit. Spikelets narrow, lanceolate at first, becoming spread and oblong lanceolate in flower and fruit, vtosthj 5-7-floivered, 1.5-2 cm. long; empty glumes lanceolate, acununate, or with a subulate pro- longation, smooth, the lower 1- nerved, rarely 3-nerved, 8-11 mm. long, the upper broader, 3-nerved, rarely 5-nerved, 13-16 nmi. long; flowering glume coarfely and suh- sparsely pubescent, 5-nerved, 12-15 mm. long, acuminate, with two nar- row teeth 2-S mm. long; the pubes- cence on the callus is usually slightly denser and longer than on the glume; awn 15-20 mm. long, twisted below, bent below the middle and strongly divaricate when old. Type from Chile. General distribution : California to Colo- rado and south to Chile. Specimens examined. — Utah : Sitgreaves Pass, Camp 60 (Ives Expedition). Nevada: Near Horse Spring (M. E. Jones 5069f); valley of Virgin River, Lincoln County (Coville & Fiinston 1907). California: Los Angeles (S. M. Tracy 163; Kellogg & Harford 1087, 1094) ; near Pasa- dena (O.D.Allen, April 12, 1885); Panamint jNIountains, Inyo County (Coville & Funston 506); near San Francisco (Bolander 6128). This plant is apparently related to B. scoparius and B. tectorunt, though differing in some respects from all species of Bromus and showing close relationship with Triseiwm and Avena, to both of which genera forms of it have been referred. It appears to us, however, nearest to Bromus by reason of its rather large numerous flowered spikelets, nearly closed sheath, and plicate grain adhering to the palea. 9a. BROMUS TRINII PALLIDIFLORUS Desv. in Gay Fl. Chil. 6: 441. 1853. Bromus barbaioidcs stdcatits Beal, Grass. N. A. 2: 615. 1896. Trisetuni barbaium major Vas. in herb, and Beal 1. c. Fig. 8^— Bromus scoparius: a, empty glumes; b, portion of a spikelet, showing flowering glumes. 25 A more robust and larger plant, 6-12 eZfaran'.- Wilmington (A. Commons 16). District of Columbia: Wash- ington (C. L. Pollard 426). Virginia: Alexandria (T. Holm). Indiana: Pine (L. M. Umbach) . Mississippi: Starkville (S. M. Tracy 1746) . Colorado: Fort Collins (E. D. Ball; C. S. Crandall 526). Utah: Ogden (T. A. Williams 2496); Provost (M. E. Jones 5503) . Washington: (Sandberg & Leiberg 191) ; Pasco (A. D. E. Ehner 1047) . This species is nearly related to B. sterili.'t, but is much smaller in every way and has a denser panicle. Fig. 13. — Bromus sterilin : a, Empty glumes and a floret; 6,dorsal view of a flowering glume with portion of the awn. 30 IV. ZERNA Panz. emend. Nearly all native short-lived perennials, vith but few exceptions, hairing a iveak drooping panicle and more or less jmbescent flowering glumes, frequently with tlie pubescence unevenly distributed. A. Panicle lax and drooping. 15. BROMTJS RAMOSTJS Hurls. Fl. Angl. ed. 1. 40. 1762. Bromus asper Murr. Prod. Stirp. G6tt. 42. 1770. (Fig. 15.) A rather stout, erect, loosely csespitose perennialwith a rather long, loose, nodding panicle. Culms about 10-15 dm. high, smooth or slightly rough pubescent just below the nodes, rather slender. Sheaths shorter than the internodes, clothed vith abundant, rather stiff subretrorse hairs; ligule about 2 mm. long, laci- niate; blades broadly linear, about 2-3 dm. long and 8-12 nun. wide, sparsely pilose on the nerves be- neath, harshly scabrous or sub- pilose above. Panicle 2-3 dm. long, open, loose, the branches dis- tant, usually drooping. Spikelets about 6-10-flowered, narrow, 2-3 cm. lo)ig; empty glumes narrow, scabrous on the nerves, lower 1-nerved, a little more than one- half the length of the ujjper, upper 3-nerved, acute or mucronate, 9-11 mm. long; flowering glume 1^^-15 mm . long, acute, two-toothed at the apex, scarious margined, distinctly 3-nerved, scabrous on the verves, shortly hispid from the outer nerves to the margin and on the lower portion of the keel; awn slender, straight, 7-9 mm. long; palea a little more than tJiree-fourths the length of its glume, ciliate-pecti- nate on the keels. A species introduced from Europe. It Fig. l4.-iiram(«s < Vas. in Beal Grass. N. A. 2: 619. 1896. not Bromus montamts Retz. 1779; Bro- mus kalmii of most auct. amer. ; Bromus kalmii major Vas. in herb. (Fig. 19.) A tufted short-lived perennial , with rather slender, erect culms about 5-9 dm. high, slightly ptilterulent toward the top and pubescent at the nodes, bearing from 3-4 leaves. Sheath scantily short pilose or smooth, usually shorter than the inter- nodes; ligule 1 mm. or less long, truncate, dentate; blades of the culm about 7- 14 cm. long by 3-5 mm. wide, linear-lanceolate, somewhat erect, ralher distant and usually scabrous, those of the innovations longer and narrower. Panicle 8-20 cm. long, averaging about 12 cm., drooping, lower branches mostly 2-4, sub- capillary. Spikelets terete-lanceolate before flowering, 2-2.5 cm. long, usually 7-9 flowered; empty glumes mostly obtuse, short-pubescent or sometimes nearly smooth, lower 5-7 mm. long, narrower, sometimes subacute, usually 3-ncrrcd kit Fig. 18. — JJi'oinu.i kalmii. 36 lateral nerves rather sJwrt, inconspicuous and sometimes irariting ; the upper 7-9 mm. long, distinctly 3-nerved, obtuse; flowering glume 11-13 mm. long, broad- lanceolate, rather coarsely pubescent, apex hyaline, entire, or slightly emargi- nate; awn 2-4 mm. long, inserted just below the apex; palea mostly slightly - shorter than its glume. Type: The following specimens are cited with the original description 1 c. "Colo- rado, at Twin Lakes (Porter) , Buffalo Peaks, and Sierra Madre Range (Coulter) ." Specimens from both the collections referred to have been seen and the above description based on them. General distribution: Arizona and New Mexico north to Manitoba and west to Alberta. Found in its most characteristic form in the Rocky Mountains at an al- titude of 2-3000 meters. Specimens examined. — Arizo- na: Huachuca Mountains (F. X. Holzner 2164); a large form not typical; Tucson (J. W. Tourney). New Mexico: Glorietta (G. R. Vasey) . Co I o r ado: Steamboat Springs (Alice Eastwood 20) ; M a n c o s (Tracy, Earle & Baker 104, 382, 432) ; Silverton (C. L. Shear 1216) ; West Mancos Canyon (Tracy, Earle & Baker 332); Fort Collins Gulch (L. H. Pammel); North Park (C. F. Baker 24, 49; C. S. Sheldon 177); Sheep Horn Divide (Shear & Bessey 1540) ; Red Dirt Divide, Routt County (Shear & Bessey 1350, 1355) ; Marshall Pass(S. M. Tracy 459; C. L. Shear 934) ; Garland (C. L. Shear 854; G. Vasey) ; Crested Butte (Alice Eastwood 10a) ; Rob- inson (C. L. Shear 1054); Durango (Tracy, Earle & Baker 986, 4302)'; West Cliff (C. L. Shear 993); Twin Lakes (John Wolfe 1 155-(5) ; Gunnison (S. M. Tracy 442) , Harmons Lake (Tracy, Earle & Baker 4300). l'tn)mide Pass (M. E. Jones 5699bb) ; Above Kings Meadows (L. F. Ward 313); Cashe Junction (C). L. Shear 597); Aquarius Plateau (L. F. Ward 431). Wyominf/: Sundance (Griffiths 420, 423, 436, 946; T. A. Williams 2604) ; Little INIis- souri Buttes (D. Grifiiths 5S4) ; Bear Lodge Mountains (T. A. Williams 2642) ; Wind River ( W. H. Forwood) ; Evanston(G. W. Letterman3; T. A. Williams2395, 2424) ; Klk Mountain (A. Nelson 4083) ; Gros Ventre (F. Tweedy 66) ; Woods Landing ( A. Nelson 3922, 3848); Meeteetse Creek (T. A. Williams 2879); Spread Creek (F. Fig. 19. — IJroinus purUri : u, empty glumes with two florets /), dorsal view of a flowering glume. 37 Tweedy a'i) ; Tongue River Basin (B. C. Bnffuni 5116) ; Hiilett (D. rT.(Triffiths924); Big Horn INIountains ( \V. II. Forwood); Little Laramie River (T. A. Williams 2239); Seminole ^Mountains (E. Nelson 4931); Sand Creek (A. Nelson 1105); In van Kara Creek (T. A. Williams 2581); Crazy Womans Creek (T. A. Williams 2734). Idaho: Beaver Canyon (P. A. Rydberg 2344) ; Snake River (G. W. Let- terman 90). Ydloirxto)ie National Park: Yellowstone Lake (A. Nelson 6628); Cash Creek (F. Tweedy 588). Montana: Spanish Creek Basin (T. A. Williams 2050); Northern Pacific R. R. (F. Lamson-Scribner) ; Lima (C. L. Shear 566; P. A. Rydberg 2315); Barker (P. A. Rydberg 3361); Castle (P. A. Rydberg 3253); Spanish Creek (P. A. Rydberg 3047). .South Dakota: Rochford (P. A. Rydberg 1165). Xorf}i_I)akota: Bottineau (M. A. lTrannon~79, 87, 92); Devils Lake (C. A. Geyer). Manitoba: Brandon (J. Macoun 13049); Rapid City (J. Macoun 13047). Asslnibola: Moose Jaw (J. Macoun 13043). Saskatchewan: (J. Macoun 77). Alberta: Milk Rim Ridge (J. Macoun 13037). This is the western expression of B. kalinil, and but for its geographical distribution, I should be inclined to regard it as a variety of that species into which it passes by way of ^linnesota and Canada. It is usually distinguished from that species by its smooth, narrower leaves, and narrower, fewer-nerved, empty glumes. It is also connected by intermediate forms wath B. richardsoni. 19 ^ linear, weak, mostly 1-2 dm. long and 3-4 mm. wide, smooth throughout. Panicle 1-2 dm. long, very n-eak and drooping; lower branches 2-4. Spikelets 2-2.5 cm. long, 7-11-flowered, oblong-lanceolate in flower, pale green and drooping; empty glumes 3-nerved, smooth, mostly acute, 88 lower 5-6 mm. Ion?, upper 6-7 mm. long, slightly broader; flowering glume subacute, 9-11 miti. lonrj, softly pubescent over the had; 5-7-nerve(l, only 3 nerves very distinct, hyaline at the apex and emarginate, awn 2-3 mm. long; palea puberulent, nearly equaling its glume. Type collected by J. G. Smith at Mangos, New Mexico, August 19, 1897. Specimens ex.\mixed. — Xen' Mexico: Mangos Canyon (J. G. Smith, Sept. 21, 1896); (0. Metcalfe, Sept. 20, 1897); Saddle Rock Canyon, Grant County, alt. 2,170 meters (J. G. Smith, Sejit. 2-1, 1896) . Base of San Luis Mountains, International Boundary Collection (E. A. Mearns 2146).- This plant, whose favorite hab- itat seems to be among cliffs in canyons, may prove on further held study to be found worthy of specific rank. The herbarium specimens differ from the species in their very weak, leafy culms, rather nar- rowerandlessdensely flow- ered spikelets with the empty glumes smooth. 20. BROMUS PACIFICUS n. sp. (Fig. 21.) A stout, nearly erect perennial 10-1.5 dm. high. Culm leafy, pubescent at the nodes. Sheaths mostly sparsely retro rsely-pilose; ligule 3-4 mm. long, round- ed above, somewhat lace- rate dentate; UaiJett hroadlt/ linear-lanceolate, J-S.5 dm. long, 8-11 mm. broad, sparsely coarse-pilose above, scabrous beneath. Panicle rather large, dense, droop- ing; lower branches se- cund, 3-5. SpiMets 2-2.5 cm. long, 5-6 mm. vide, 7-11-flowered, coarsely pu- bescent tJiroughout ; empty glumes acute, the lower rather narrow, 1-nerved or rarely with two short faint lateral nerves, 6-7 mm. long, the upper broader, 3-5-nerved, mostly inequilateral at the apex anil mwronate, 8-9 mm. long ; flowering glume inconspicuously 7-nerved, broadly lanceolate, subobtuse, emarginate, 11-12 mm. long, pubescence somewhat denser and somewhat pilose on the lower margins and base, with a, straigld «»■/( -^-6" nun. long ; palea about equaling its glume. Type No. 1703, collected by Scribner & Shear, in moist thickets near the seashore south of Seaside, Oregon. General distribution: Along the coast from Oregon to Alaska. Fig. 20. — Jjromius portcri frundo.su.'i : a, empty glumes and two florets; b, dorsal view of a flowering glume. 39 Specimens examined. — Oregon: Seaside (Seribner & Shear 1711). Vancomrr hlnnd: (J. Maeoim 93). Almhi: Prince of Wales Island (W. G. Wright 1595). This species appears nearly related to B. richardsoni, but is much more robust, with rather denser panicle and coarser pubescence which covers the empty glumes as well as the flowering glumes. It appears to l)e the same as the />'. j>i(rgan.'< of Grisebach in Ledebour's "Flora Rossica." 1 758. Ilroiii »N cilidlns piiri/mix A. (iray, 2. 1:229. 1840. nom. iiud. 21. BROMUS PURGANS L. Sp. PI. 1: 7(1 Man. Bot. 600. 1848. (Fig. 22.) BroDi as ifteuddii Frank in Steud. Nom. Bot. ed A rather stout perennial, 7-14 dm. high. Culm erect, smooth or pubescent at the nodes. Sheaths usually coarsely retro rse-pilose ; ligule 1-2 mm. long, rather firm, truncate; blades broadly linear- lanceolate, 15-30 cm. long, 5-15 mm. broad, somewhat auricled at the base, short-pilose on the nerves above or smooth, scabrous or smooth beneath. Panicle large, lax, nodding, mostly 15-25 cm. long; lower branches 2-4, long, slender, flexuous. Spike- lets mostly 7-11 flowered (Lin- meus says " 8 ad 14 " ), 2-2.5 cm. long, terete-acuminate at first, be- coming oblong-lanceolate in out- line and somewhat flattened ; empty glumes narrow, acuminate, sparseli/ covered with sliort pubes- cence; the lower l-nerved, 5-7 mm, long; the upper broader, 3-nerved, 7-9 mm. long; flowering glume lanceolate, acute, or sub-acute; 5-nerved, or sometimes with two more faint nerves when mature, 10-12 mm. long, with rather short .sparse pubescence over tlie back, emarginate or shortly bidentate at the apex; awn straight, slen- der, 4-6 mm. long; palea nearly equaling its glume, rachilla slen- der, pubescent, 2-3 mm. long. Type collected by Kalm in Canada. General distribution; New England to Florida, west to northeastern Wyoming, and south to Texas. Specimens examined. — Connecticut: Bridgeport (E. H. Fames). New York: Ithaca (F. V. Coville); Little Falls (G. R. Vasey). New Jersey: Stockholm (Wm. M. Vansickle). Pennsylvania: Huntingdon County (T. C. Porter) ; Easton (T. C. Por- ter); Philadelphia (C. E. Smith 39; F. Lamson-Scribner) . Delaware: Wilming- ton (A. Commons 79, 130). Maryland: Baltimore (K. A. Taylor 11802). Dis- trict of Columbia: Washington (F. Blanchard); Chain Bridge (Conant & Vasey). Fig. 2\.—Bromiiii pncificu!' : a, empty glumos with two Horets; b, dorsal view of the flowering glume. 40 North Carolina: Biltmore (Biltniore Herbarium 128a). Georgia: Rome (Dr. Chapman). Tennessee: Knoxville (A. Ruth 30) ; Franklin County (H. Eggert 28). Kentucky: Big Black Mountain (T. H. Kearney jr. 276). Ohio: Cincinnati (C. G. Lloyd 3515). Illinois: Chicago (H. N. Bahcock); Mount Carmel (J. Schrenck). Michigan: Rochester (O. A. Farwall 563). lawiL: Lebanon (C. R. Ball and A. F. Sample 26) ; Ames (C. R. Ball 123); Fayette County (B. Fink 290, 629); Decatur County (T. J. and M. F. L. Fitzpatrick 12). Minnesota: Duluth (G. Vasey ). TI7/0- ming: Sundance (T. A. Williams 2596). Nebraska: Julian (C. L. Elmore 135); near Mullen (P. A. Rydberg 1775). Missouri: Independence (B. F. Bush 812); ■ Courtney (B.F. Bush 594). St. Louis (H. Eggert). Arkansas: ( F. L. Harvey 9 ) . Indian Ter- ritory : Between Fort Cobb and Fort Arbuckle (Dr. E. Palmer 407). This species has been the cause of much confusion, and has been very differently interpreted by different authors. Some, in- cluding Vahl, Hooker fil., Grisebach, and Fournier, ap- parently accepting Linnteus's doubtful reference to Feuillee's plate of B. catltarticvs as the true B. purgans, have referred various forms of the subgenus ('eratochloa. to it. (Others, as Torrey and Hooker, have re- ferred B. kalmii and related forms to it, while Dr. Gray seems to have been the first to apply the name to the plant described by Linnjeus, whose description is so complete as to leave little doubt as to the plant he had in hand. The species shows occasional con- necting forms with B. clUatns. It is also very closely related to B. ramosus of Europe. In the West and North it appears to merge into B. richardsnni. It is distinguished from B. kalmii, another near relative, by its longer and narrower empty glumes and the shorter and sparser pubescence of the flowering glumes, as well as by its larger panicle and broader leaves. A specimen in the Columbian University herbarium from Meisner's Herbarium, col- lected by Frank near Cincinnati, and labeled " Bronuis slendelii Frank n. sp.? " is merely a form of this species with a somewhat smaller panicle than usual. 21a. BROMUS PTJRGANS LATIGLUMIS (Scribn.) n. comb. Broiiuis ritiafus laiighiinis Scribn. in herb. Bronius aKissitiuis rnrsh, Fl. Am. Sejit. 2 : 728. 1814. NotGilib. 1792. Bromus cdialus porteri Rydl'. Coiitr. Nat. Herb. 3: 193. 1895. Fig. '22.—Jiromuspurc/ans: ((.lower portion of a spikelet; b, dorsal view of a flowering glume. 41 Culms very leafy, sheaths usxially iiim-h overlapping and furnuhed iiith a rather con- spicuous pilose-pubescent ring (tt tlie summit; blades rather broadly auricled at the base. Spikelets and flowering glumes rather broader than in the species. The pubescence at the base of the flowering glume is slightly denser than elsewhere. In other respects like the species. Type No. 222, collected l)y L. H. Pammel, Dakota City, Iowa. General di8tril)ution about the same as for the species, liut apparently reaching its greatest development in numbers west of the Mi-ssissippi. Specimens examined. — Connecticut: South Glastonbury (Frances Wilson 124). Nei.v YorJ:: Oxford (F. V. Coville). Pennsylvania: Easton (T. C. Porter). Minnesota: Forest :Mills (C.A.Ballard). South Dakota: Redfield (David Griffiths 74); Big Stone (^Ir. & Mrs. T. A. Williams; James River, Brown County (David Griffiths 784); Canning (T.A.Williams). Montana: Smith River (F. Lamson-Scribner 77). Nebraska: near Thedford (P. A. Rydberg 1775 — this number is the one on whicli Rydlierg founded the new combination cited above. In character of spikelets and in the rather narrow'er leaves than usual it approaches B. porteri, but in other respects it is this variety; Holt County (F. Clenaents 2824). Iowa: Forest City (B. Shimek 62) ; Ames (C. R. Ball 4) ; Jackson County (B. Shimek 34) ; Dakota City (L. II. Pammel 222). Missouri: (H. Eggert); Jefferson County ( H. Eggert 606) ; Allenton (G. W. Letterman 14). This form connects the species with B. richardsoni and B. porteri, the more numerous leaves, the overlajiping sheaths, and larger panicle separating it from the latter. The overlapping sheaths and more equally distributed pubescence of the flower- ing glume distinguishes it from the former. The citation of B. altissiinus Pursh as a synonym is based upon the examination of specimens in the herbarium of the Philadelphia Academy marked "Herb. Pursh." The specimens agree per- fectly with Pursh's description and are apparently authentic. 21/1 BROMUS PURGANS ? TEXENSIS n. var. A slender i)lant, somewhat geniculate at the base and 3-4 dm. high. Sheaths short pilose-pubescent; ligule 1-1.5 mm. long, laciniate; blades linear, pubescent throughout, about 6-10 cm. long. Panicle small, somewhat nodding, with only 3-5 spikelets in the specimen at hand. Spikelets terete at first, then lanceolate and somewhat laterally contracted; empty glumes acuminate, scabrous, the lower 1 -nerved, 7 mm. long, the upper inequilateral and mucronate at the apex, 9-10 mm. long; flowering glume 7-nerved, 10 nun. long, sparsely and coarsely scabrous, very short dentate at the apex ; awn straight, 6-7 mm. long ; palea equal- ing its glume, keels finely serrate. Type No. 230, collected by G. Jermy, Bexar County, Texas. This is the only specimen of this form we have seen. More material is necessary to determine definitely its status and relationships. It may prove a good species. 21 r. BROMUS PURGANS INC ANUS n. var. This is very near B. purgans latiglumis, differing from it in having the sheaths densely soft pilose-pubescent. It also jmssesinto B. porteri lanatipes in the south- west. It is generally separated from that by its broader leaves and narrower empty glumes, Avhich are like the flowering glumes sparsely pubescent. Type No. 3, collected by J. Wolf, Canton, Illinois. General distribution apparently about the same as for the species. Specimens examined. — Pennsylvania: Easton (T. C. Porter). District of Columbia: High Island (F. L. Scribner). Ohio: Pittsfield (A. E. Ricksecker). Iowa: Fay- etteCounty (B. Fink, 414). South Dakota.: Union County (E. J.Wallace). Te.ms: Chenates (G. C. Nealley), poor and not typical. 42 22. BROMUS ORCUTTIANUS Vas. Bot. Gaz. 10:223. 1885. (Fi^r. 23.) A rather stout, erect, perennial 8-12 dm. high. Cuhii leafy below, mostly puljeru- lent at and just below the nodes. Sheaths usually glabrous; ligule 1-2 mm. long, subtruncate; T)lades hroadh/ Unear-Idnreolair, rather coarse, smooth throughout, 10-20 (;m. long, 5-7 mm. broad. Panicle narroir-pi/ramidal, erect, ornearb/so, 10-15 cm. long, 5-8 cm. broad at the base when spread, branches feAv, vlclely diraricate in fnilt and rather rigid. Spikelets about 2-2.5 cm. long, 2-3 mm. broad, on short, stout pedicles, terete-acuminate, 5-9 flowered; florets at maturity rather distant on a slender zigzag rachilla, separating and falling easily at maturity ; empty glumes narrow, smooth or scabrous, the lower acute, 6-8 mm. long, 1 -nerved, or sometimes with 2 short, faint lateral nerves, the upper broad- er, subobtuse, 3-nerved, 8-10 mm. long; flower- ing glume 10-12 nun. long, nari-oM', obtuse, sca- brous to scabrous-jnibescent over the bach, faintly 5-7-nerved, with a hya- line, slightly emarginate apex; awn rather stout, about 5-7 mm. long; palea nearly equaling its glume; rachilla slender, puberulent, joints about 4 mm. long. Type in the Herbarium U. S. Department of Agricul- ture, collect eil by C. R. Orcutt in the mountains near San Diego, Cal., No. E. General distribution : South- ern Galifornia to Wash- ington, chiefly on rather dry open mountain sides and in dry evergreen forests. Specimens examined.— <_WZ/- forn la : Open w o o d s , Truckee River (C. F. Sonne 21); Southern California (Dr. E. Palmer 233); Mariposa (J. W. Congdon); Pioneer (Geo. Hansen 1835); Kaweah River Valley (Coville and Funston'l34G); San Jacinto Mountains (H. M. Hall 7861); Forest Dale (J. B. Davy). Oregon: Ashland Butte (T. Howell 253) ; Gayhart Butte (Coville and Leiberg'277). Wash- ington: Mount Adams (W. X. Suksdorf 120); Klickitat River near Mount Paddo (Mount Adams) ( W. N. Suksdorf 172). Fig. 23. — BromuK nrciiltianuit : a, i-mpty glumes with a floret ; 6, dorsal view of a flowering glume. 43 22a. BROMUS ORCUTTIANUS GRANDIS a. var. A stout, erect perennial 14-15 dm. high, very leafy below. Sheaths, leaves, and cuhn pubescent tlirouLrhout. Panicle alxmt 2 dm. long and nearly as broad at base at maturity when the l)ranches are sjiread more or less horizontally. Spike- lets pn1)escent throughout. Its distinguishing characters are its size and })ubes- cence. In other respects the j^lant is like the species. Ty]ie Xo. 472, collected by C. R. Orcutt at La Maite, San Diego, California. The only specimen seen. 23. BROMUS VULGARIS (Hook) n. comb. (Fig. 24.) B. jntrfjditx rdU/arif! Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. 2 : 252. 1840. B. (h'hili.'< Nutt. in Herb. Aca.l. Nat. Sci. Phil. B. ciUa{ii>. richardsoni pallidus, into which it probably intergrades. It differs in its typical form from that in its much more robust ha hit and more pubescent flowering glumes ; also in its geniculate base and the production of a rootstock- Fig. 25. — Bromw brvipcg: a, (.■iiiply glumes with t\v( b, dorsal view of a flowering glume. florets; 46 B. FdnirJi- varrow, erect or nearli/ so, spikcleU asiudhj l>irutte(T. Howell 249); (W.C.Cusick 1075). This species is closely related to B. paDtjtelHanas, but differs in lacking the t'reeping rootstock and in having a denser panicle, longer flowering glume with shorter pubescence and shorter palea. The spikelets are also narrower in flower and greenish straw color. 26. BROMUS ERECTUS Huds. Fl. Angl. 30. 1762. liromus macoumiY^s. Bnl. Torr. Hot. Clul), 15: 48. 1888. (Fig. 27.) A csespitose i)erennial with narrow leaves and an erect suhsimple i)anicle. Culms al)out 6-;i dm. higli, erect, glalirous. Sheaths sparingly pilose or nearly glahrous; ligule al)out 1.5 mm. long: lilades somewhat ligiil, narrowly linear, sparingly Fig. 26.— £/Y»/f.(.s t^nktidoifi'i : a, c'mi;)t.v glume.s with t\v florets; h, dorsal view of a flowering glume. 47 pubescent or somewhat eiliate, tlie radicnl condnpUcate, those of the stem some- what broader, about 1-2 dm. long. Panicle about 1-2 dm. long, narrow, pyramidal, l)ranches erect or ascending. Spikelets fusiform-cylindric before flowering, afterwards oblong-lanceolate and somewhat laterally compressed, 5-10-flowered, sometimes purplish; empty glumes acuminate, usually scabrous on the nerves; the lower 1-nerved, 6-8 mm. long; the upper 3-nerved, 8-10 nun. long; flowering glume 10-12 mm. long, 5-nerved, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, shortly l)i(lentate with narrow scarious margins and apex ecenly iicahriiux-puhi'xcent on the back; awn straight, slender, 5-6 mm. long. An ad ventive spe- cies from Europe. Specimens e.xamined — Onta r 1 n : Kingston (J. Fowler in 1895). Vennont : (C. G. Pringle in 1877). This species is reported in Britton & Brown. 111. Fl., as being introduced in waste })laces about New York. The speci- men collected by J. Macoun, No. 76, ^'ancouver Island, and named B. iihicouiiH by Yasey, seems to us a mere form of this species, differing ( ml y in its somewhat narrower and more rigid panicle. This species is nearly related to B. pvmpelUanus. 27. BROMUS INERMISLeyss. Fl. Hal. 16. 1761. Srhedu- norus inerm is Beauv. Agrost. 99. 1812. (Fig. 28.) An erect, smooth perennial with a creeping rootstock and erect, broadly pyramidal or Kubcorym- bose panicle. Culm rather stout, smooth, about 5-9 dm. high. Sheaths smooth; ligule 1.5-2 nun. long, subtruncate, somewhat lacerate ; blades linear-lanceolate, flat, smooth, or minutely scabrous, about 1.5-2.5 dm. long and about 5-10 mm. broad. Panicle rather dense, somewhat <.— Bromus inermis: a, a spikelet; c, ventral view of a florrt. showing the palea and a joint of the rachilla. 49 (G. Vasey); no locality (John Wolfe 1158); Grizzly Creek (C. F. Baker 1-4); Como Park (C. L. Shear 1092). ]Vi/omiii(/: Sundance (T. A. Williams 2602, D. Griffiths 423); Bear Lodge (T.A.Williams 2629); Inyan Kara Momitain (d! Griffiths 634); Big Horn Momitains(W. H. Forwood). South Dakota: Custer (Lavid Griffiths 700) ; Elk Creek, Black Hills (P. A. Rydberg 1167); Sylvan Lake (D. Griffiths 719, 70S ). Montana : Columbia Falls (R. S. Williams) ; Gallatin River Canyon (J. W. Blankinship); Black Hawk (P. A. Rydberg 3271); Dry Fork Belt Creek (P. A. Rydberg 3356) ; Barker (P. A. Rydberg 3362, 3383). British America: RockyMoimtains(J. Macounl4);FortEllice(J. Macounl04). Alberta:!^ ear Banii. (J. Macoun 23, 30); Benton Trail, :\lilk River (J. Macoun 13051); Devils Head Lake (J. Macoun 25, 27 ) ; p]lbow River (J. Macoun 18638) ; Crow Nest Pass (J. Macoun 18639). Sas- kntcheivau : Prince Albert (J. 3Iacoun 13050); Saskatchewan Plains (J. Macoun 78 ) . British Columbia : Kicking Horse Lake (J. Macoun 15). Alaska: Fort Yukon (O.S.Bates). This plant is closely related to B. erectus and also to B. inernils, both of which are only found in this country as introducetl or adventive species. Our spe- cies, which is rather frequent in the Rocky Mountains from Coloradonorth, reaches Alaska and probably connects with B. ini'niiis in eastern Siberia. Our plants can usually be distin- guished from B. erectus by their broader spikelets, longer awns, and the coarse ciliate-pubes- cent margins and bases of the flowering glumes. The leaves of the sterile shoots or innova- tions of B. ('rectus are narrow and involute and the plant caespitose. In the case of B. inermis the relationshijj is closer and the separation more difficult. Generally i lur species has a narrower, denser, more rigidly erect panicle with shorter branches and broader spikelets. The flower- ing glumes are more coarsely and densely ciliate-pubescent and very rarely muticous. The difficulties of separating these species are likely to be greatly increased in the future by the rapid distribution of the cultivated forms of B. inennis in the region occupied by B. pumpdlianus and also by the probability of hyl)ridization of the two i)lants. Judging from the description and a single spikelet from the type of Hooker's B. purgans purpurascens, collected by Dr. Richardson in the region of Bear Lake, British America, it is the same as our plant. 20796— No. 23 4 ■ Fig. 29. Bromus pumpellianus : a, empty glumes with two florets ; b, dorsal view of a flowering glume. 50 28a. BROMUS PUMPELIilANUS TWEEDYI Scribn. in Beal, Grass. N. A. 2: (>22. 1896. This differs from the species in having the leaves and sheaths usually iiilose-pubescent throughout and the flowering glumes with coarser, denser, hirsute-pubescence. In other respects like the species. Type No. 587, collected by Frank Tweedy, Slough Creek, Yellowstone Park. General distribution apparently the same as for the species. Specimens E.xAMiNED. — Colorado: (H. N. Patterson 29 ) ; (M. E. Jones.) Wyoming: Sun- dance (D. Griffiths 435,884); Meeteetse Creek (T. A.Wil- liams 2917); Welcome (T.A. Williams 2673, 2682); Bear Lodge (T.A.Williams 2655). Montana: Lima (P. A. Ryd- berg 2309, C. L. Shear 568). Akuska: Yukon River (Daw- son 92) . 28/3. BROMUS PUMPELLI- ANUS MELICOIDES n. var. This is a form having the sheaths retrorsely pilose-pubescent, es- pecially on the lower half to- wanl the nodes. The pubes- cence on the margins and <)f the flowering glume is ratlier short and scanty, and the awn is entirely wanting or some- times 1 mm. long. Type collected by Dr. L. H. Pam- mel, Beaver Creek Camp, Colo- rado, July 8, 1896, altitude about 3400 meters. This plant is rather intermediate between B. pumpeUianas and B. inermis, but is apparently an endemic form and belongs rather with the former than the latter. The obtuse glumes, with thin, purple margins, give the plant a strong resem- . , .^ , , , , » 1 blance to Melica, whence the Bromus unioloides : a, empty glumes; b, lateral ' view of a flowering glume. name. Y. CERATOCHLOA (Beauv.) Benth. & Hook. « Spikelit large, iari^ely pilose-pubescent tJiroiigJioiit, rather rough and coarse, 1.5-2.5 dm. long, 6-12 mm. wide. Panicle erect, i-ather narrow, mostly 1-2 dm. long; luirer brandicx ;i-4, erect, or somewhat spread- ing inflou-er, unequal, lowest rarely more than 7 cm. long tnid hearing, 2 spihelets. Spikelets 2.5-4 cm. long, 5-7 mm. wide, oblong- ovoid to ol)long-lanceolate, laterally compressed, somewhat turgid at maturity, mostly 7-9-flowered, erect or ascending, the uppermost subsessile; empty glumes, rather broad, scabrous to scabrous-ptihescent; the lower subacute, 3-5-nerved, mostly 7-9 mm. long; the upper broader, obtuse, 9-11 mm. long, 5-7-nerved, the lateral nerves broad; flowering glume, subcoriaceous, coarsely pidiescent, ovate-lanceolate, acute, 11-14 mm. long, mostly 7-nerved, with two very short hyaline, mbacute teeth atthe apex and a- rather stout straight awn 4-7 mm. long ; palea ciliate-pectinate on the keels, almost or (juite equaling its glume. Fk;. '.^:i. — Bromus maj-ginatus : a, empty glumes with three florets; 6, dorsal view of a flowering glume. 54 Type collected by Douglas "on the Columbia River, St. Louis'." The reference to 8t. Louis is evidently either an error or else refers to some locality on the Columbia not at present recognized in our atlases. General distribution: Arizona and Colorado to Alberta and west to the Pacific. Specimens examined. — Arizona: (Dr. E. Palmer in 1869; 535 in 1876); Grand Can- yon, (D. T. McDougal 181); Tucson (J. W. Tourney 752^). Colorado: (C. S. Crandall 523). Wf/omltuj : Sundance (T. A. Williams 2611, 2612, and Griffiths 434, 911); Meeteetse Creek (T. A. Williams 2904); Bear Lodge (Williams 2655a); Little Laramie River (Williams 2322, 2230, and Aven Nelson 3333); Powder River (T. A. Williams 2799); Spring Creek (T. A. Williams 2813J, J. N. Rose 698); Sherman (G. W. Letterman 81); Parkman (Aven Nelson 2457); Sheridan (L. H. Pammel 1897); Hewlett (D. Griffiths 932); Beulah (Griffiths 970); Little Missouri Buttes (D. Griffiths 585); Medicine Bow River (A. Nelson 4073). Yellowfttone National Park: Soda Butte (F. Tweedy 586). Mo7itana: Bozeman (C. L. Shear 449, P. A. Rydberg 3006, 3000); Lima (C. L. Shear 569, P. A. Rydberg 2314); Mystic Lake (P. A. Rydberg 2247); Boulder Creek (F. Lamson-Scribner 4); Castle (P. A. Rydberg 3252, 3259); Spanish Creek Basin (P. A. Rydberg 3109, T. A. Williams 2007, 2039); Dry Fork Belt Creek (P. A. Rydberg 3355 ) ; Deer Lodge (P. A. Rydberg 2119, C. L. Shear 378); Manhattan (C. L. Shear 415); Columbia Falls (R. S. Williams 604). Alherfa : St. Mary's River (J. Macoun 13038). Britisli Coluinhia : Lower Frazer River, 49° north latitude (Dr. Lyall in 1859). Idaho: Nez Perces County (Sand- berg, Heller, and McDougal 331); Hatwai Creek (L. F. Henderson 2828). Waffhinglon: (Sandberg & Leiberg 450); Pullman County (A. D. E. Elmer 253); Yakima (A. B. Leckenby 1898); Blue Mountains (C. V. Piper 2565); Columbia River, Klickitat County (W. N. Suksdorf 174); Waitsburg (R. M. Horner 568); Walla Walla (C. L. Shear 1593). Oregon: Elgin (C. L. Shear 1734); east side Harney Valley (J. B. Leiberg 2370); above Wallowa Lake (C. L. Shear 1803); Gearhart (C. L. Shear 1695, W. C. Cusick 650a). Nerada : Diamond Mountains (S. Watson 1327); Virginia Mountains (S. Watson 1326); Reno (S. M. Tracy 224). California: (J. G. Lemmon 1875); San Francisco (F. Lamson-Scribner in 1899); Mission Hills (Michener and Bioletti 123). The original description of the above species, which is quoted in full l)elow, applies so well to the specimens referred to, that taken in connection with some other circumstances, we feel little hesitation in taking it up. So fai" as we know, it has not Ijefore been recognized, except by Fournier (Mex. PI. 2: 127) , who seems to have somewhat misinterpreted it. The plant has been generally referred to Bromus breviari status (Hook.) Buckl. 1. c. It is the same as the specimen of Bromus jiaiiciforus Nutt. in Herb. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil., upon which B. hreriaristitfns Bui;kl. was founded. Hooker appears to have included it in his Ceratochloa hreviaristata, as there is a spikelet of it in the Gray Herbarium, which Dr. Gray has marked "original spec." The distribution of this plant by Hooker under the name hreviaristata led Torrey, Gray, and Thurber to a misinteri)retation of the species, for as already mentioned under B. n7iiolo'ides, Hooker's drawing and type clearly belong to that species. .We have been unable as yet to locate Nees's type specimen; but the fact that Hooker distributed this plant from Douglas's collection, taken in connection with the fact as shown in a season's work in the region of the Columbia that this species and its varieties are the most common bromes met with, there is left little doubt that we have the i:)lant Nees described. This species is quite variable. Toward the north it jjasses into B. aleuteusls Trin., and southward into B. polyanthus, while near the Pacific coast it passes through var. latior into B. cdritiatus. 55 Index Kewensis gives this as a synonym of B. ciliatus L., but this is evidently a mistake. The following is the original description taken from Steudel 1. c. : '^Bromus marginatus Nees (mpt. sub. : Ceratochloa) . "Foliis vaginisque hirsutis; panieul;e erectie stricta? radiis subsimplioibns; spiculis oblongo-lanceolatis compressis utrinque fonvexis pubescenti-scabris 0-8-floris; seta valvula sua 7-nervia duplo breviore. 11 Douglas legit ad fluv. Columbia St. Louis." 31 r. BROMTJS MAflGINATUS LATIOR n. var. A larger and .stouter plant than the species, sometimes reaching 17 or 18 dm. higli. Panicle larger, 2-3 dm. long, with longest lower branches 10-20 cm. long, awn usually slightly longer, sometimes reaching 6 or 7 mm. Otherwise like the species. Type No. 1615, collected by C. L. Shear, Walla Walla, Wasliington. General distribution about the same as for tiie species, but in lower altitudes, being most common in the foothills and valleys down to about 1,600 meters. Specimens examined. — New Mexico: Santa Fe (Dr. George Vasey). Utah: Springdale (M. E. Jones 5242) . Colorado : Ft. Collins ( L. H. Pammel ) . Arizona : Little Lar- amie River (T. A.Williams 2233). Wi/otiung: Bozeman (C. L. Shear 476; P. A. Rydberg 2213); no locality (J. W. Blankinship); Sheep Creek (P. A. Rydberg 3308; F^ L. Scribner 16); Spanish Creek (P. A. Rydberg 3337); East Gallatin Swamp ( P. A. Rydberg 3171 ) ; Spear Basin (P. A. Rydberg 3155) . Llaho : head of Little Potlatch River (•Sandl)erg, Heller, & McDougal 434, 331) ; Lewiston (A. A. & E. G. Heller 3202); Moscow (L. F. Henderson 2829); St. Josephs River (J. B. Leiberg 1298) . Wa.'a'u a a little shorter than its gin . Type No. 4024, collected l)y Aven Nelson at Battle Lake, Sierra Madre Mountain.-, Wyoming. General distribution: Colorado and Utah north to Montana and Oregon. Specimens examined. — Colorado: Glenwood Springs (Shear & Bessey 1300) ; Buffalo Pass (Shear & Bessey 1434, 1474, 1484); Yampa (Shear & Bessey 1421); Red Dirt Divide, Routt County (Shear & Bessey 1347, 1362, 1385) ; near Pallas (Shear & Bessey 1411); Middle Park (G. Vasey) ; Robinson (C.L. Shear 1045); Rabbit Ears Pass(C. F. Baker 4). Utah: Logan (P. A. Rydberg 2.347) ; Alta (M. E.Jones 1111) ; Fairview (M. E. Jones 5554m) . Idaho: Beaver Canyon (C. L. Shear 596; Fm.M.— Bromus polyantttus: a, empty glumes with two florets; b, dorsal view of a flowering glume. 57 p. A. Rydberg 2342); Montpelier (T. A. Williams 2558). Wjioming: Bear Tooth Mountains (W. H. Forwood); Bear Lodge Mountains (T. A. Williams 2619); Jacksons Lake (W. H. Forwood); Elk Mountain (A. Nelson 4098); Buffalo Fork (F. Tweedy 65) ; Rife's Ranch (A. Nelson 3759, 3827) ; Seminole Mountains (A. Nelson 4921) ; Sierra Madre Mountains (A. Nelson 4035). Montana: Lima (C. L. Shear 560^) . Oregon : Powder River Mountains (C. V. Piper 2529). The above species is very closely related to B. marginatus, into which it passes and of which it should perhaps be regarded as a variety. It differs chiefly from the typical form of B. niar- ginatus in being smooth- er throughout. 32a. BROMTJS POLY- ANTHUS PANICTJ- LATUS n. var. (Fig. 35.) A rather tall, leafy plant with a larger, laxer, more spreading j>anicle than the species and having the upper part somewhat nodding. The leaves are rather broader and the spike- lets slightly narrower, with the florets rather looser in flower and the awn sometimes reach- ing 7 mm. long. Type No. 333 Tracy, Earle, and Baker, collected in West Mancos Canyon, Colorado, altitndeabout 3,000 meters. Specimens examined. — Col- orado : West Mancos Canyon (Baker, Earle and Tracy 333); Trim- ble Springs (Baker, Earle & Tracy 4301); Parrott (Baker, Flarle & Tracy 4297) ; Buffalo Pass (Shear & Bessey 1493); Sheep Horn Di- Fig. S^.—Bromvn alentensis: a, empty glumes with two florets; vide (Shear & Bessey ''■ '^"^sal view of a flowering glume. 1552) ; La Veta (C. L. Shear 812). Utah: Gunnison (L. F. Ward 286). Arizona: Straw1)erry Creek (D. T. McDougal 707). This plant bears the same relation to the species that B. margina.tH.anicles from different ]>lants and having a few small upper leaves. This form must be near li. Jionkcrl sHiajfneri Fourn, judging from his description. The following specimens from southern and Lower California have been referred to this variety. Loirer Calif ornia: Todos Santos Bay (Miss F. E. Fish 12); Potrero Valley (C. R. Orcutt, in 1889). California: San Diego (D. Cleveland 13); (C. R. Orcutt 511a). 35^. BROMUS CARINATUS HOOKERIANUS (Thurb.) n. cond). Bmmns hookerianns Thurb. in Wilkes U. S. Exp. Exped. 17-: 493. 1874. Ceraiodiloa grandifl(n-a Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. 2 : 253. 1840. Bmmns rirens Buckl. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. 98. 1862. Not B. nnioloides virens Nees, Agrost. Braz. 470. 1829. Bromiis vitens Nutt. in Herb. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. (Fig. 38.) A robust plant, larger in all its parts than the species. Panicles erect, 2-4 dm. long; branches spreading. Spikelets 5-10 flowered, 3-4 cm. long, 5-7 mm. broad; empty glumes slightly broader and less ai'ute than in the species; flowering glumes also broader and scabrous with a broad hyaline margin and an awn 10-15 mm. long. 61 General distribution: California to Washington and Idaho. Type in the herbarium of the Royal Gardens, Kew, England, collected on the "plains of the Columbia." Specimens examined. — California: San Jose (ex herb. State Normal School); Ojai Valley (F. W. Hubby 36). Oregon: Gearhart (C. L. Shear 1734i, a form approaching B. marginatiis); near Rhea Creek (J. B. Leiberg 65); (W. C. Cusick 1:521). Washington : Klii'kitat County (W. N. Suksdorf 16) ; Seattle (C. V. Piper and E. C. Smith 944); (C. V. Piper 818). Idaho: Valley of Clearwater River (Sand})erg, Heller & McDougal 166). This \ariety passes by various intermediate tonus into the species and also into B. inargitiatas. It is so inconstant in character that it does not seem advisable to try to hold it to specific rank. Through the kindness of Sir W. T. Thiselton- Dyer, director of Kew Gardens, we ha^■e been permitted to examine a spikelet from the original specimen collected l^y Douglas on "Upland dry soils on the ^lultoonah (Oregon) 1826." This leaves no doubt 'as to the form which Hooker took as the type of his Ceraiochdoa grand iflora. 35 r. BROMTJS CARINATUS DENSTJS n. var. A tall, stout, erect plant, withadense panicle 3 dm. long. It differs from the species in its stouter habit, smoother leaves and sheaths, the leaves Ijeing smooth or merely scabrous, and the panicle with numerous rays, some of the lower being com- pound and bearing many spike- lets. The spikelets are narrow, 2-2.5 cm. long, with the florets subdistant, showing the slender scabrous rachilla when in flower; empty glumes as in the species; flowering glume coarsely scab- rous, about 1 cm. long; awn slender, 5-7 mm. long. Type collected by Blanche Trask " about opuntia" on San Nicho- las Island, California, No. 12, April, 1897. The specimen cited shows only the panicle and the upper leaf. We should be inclined to give this si^ecific rank but for the fact that accompanying specimens from the same island show forms connecting it with the species. 35(5. BROMUS CARINATUS LINEARIS n. var. (Fig. 39.) A somewhat ctespitose plant, with slender, nearly erect tnilms and very narrow linear leaves. It differs from the typical form of the species in its narrow, subracemose panicle, 5-10 cm. long, and in its shorter and narrower leaves. The spikelets Fig. 38. — Brinmis carinatua hookfrianus : u, an entire spikelet; b, flowering glume without the awn; c, cary- opsis showing plumose apex; d, sterile flower showing the lodicules. 62 are slightly l)roadpr, irhiiiit's not so acute, and awn somewhat stouter an-<] mm. long. Type in the Herbarium U. S. Department of Agricul- ture, collected by C. G. Pringle in Santa Cruz Val- ley, Tucson, Arizona, May ;'., 1884. Specimens ex a m i xeu. — Arizo- na: fifteen miles above Pierces Ferry (M.E. Jones 5077ar); Tucson (J. W. Toumey 748,798); Brad- shaw Mts. (J. W. Toumey 27 ) ; near Congress ( C. R. Orcutt 2531). Tf.m.s.- El l^iso (M.E.Jones 19a). This may be the Broinus hookeri xclilerJifeiidalli Fourn. Mex. P1.2 : 127. 1886, as it dif- fers only in a few nnnor particulars from the origi- nal descripti(in of that va- i»ety. It also closely ap- proaches B. m((rginafus semiiiKfhis. 36. BROMUS LACINIA- TUS Eeal, Grass. N. A. 2:615. 1896. (Fig. 40.) An erect perennial with a lax, somewhat secund panicle and laterally compressed purplisli spikelets. Culm about 5-7 dm. high, smooth or slightly ]>u))escent at the nodes. Sheaths xmuutli; ligule about 2 mm. long, subtruncate, laciniate; blades smooth, both sides linear-lanceolate, ascending, somewhat stiff, 5-20 cm. long by 3-5 mm. broad. Panicle suberect or somewhat drooping, lax, about 10-17 cm. long, lower rays 3-4, slender, bearing 1-2 spikelets. Spikelets about 5-flowered, 2-2.5 cm. long, about 5 vnn. broad, lower somewhat drooping, later- ally compressed; emi)ty glumes smooth, lower broad-lanceolate, acute, 3-nerved, 6-7 mm. long, upper broader, obtuse, 5-7-nerved, 8-9 mm. long; flowering glume ovate-lanceolate, chartaceous, scabrous, 5-7-nerved, 11-13 mm. long, with two short subacute teeth at the apex, and an awn 5-6 mm. long ; palea about equaling its glume. Fig. 39.- -Hrumiia carinatus linearis: a, empty glumes with two florets: b. riorsal view of a flowering glume. 63 Type No. 4897 C. G. Pringle, PI. Mex. 1SH4, '^ierni de San Felipe, alt. 9500 ft., State of Oaxaca. The above description is from the specimen of the above number in the National Herbarium. The species has not been reported from the United States, but it may extend this side the Mexican border. It resembles very closely small forms of B. pobjantlms iMnicuIfitm. SPECIES EXCLUDED. Bromus g-iganteus L. Sp. Pi. 1 Bromus secundus J. S. Presl in ('. P.. Presl, Peliq. Haenk. 1: 263. 1830. "Tlab in sinu Nootka"^ Festuca rubra secunda (Presl.) Scribn. Kept. Mo. Bot. Gard. 10: .39. 1899. Bromus subulatus (xriseV). in Ledel^. Fl. Hos. 4: 358. 1853.=M;elica subulata Scribn. Proi-. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. 1885: 47. 1885. SPECIES DOUBTFUL OR UNKNOWN. Bromus depauperatus, J. S. Presl in C. B. Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 1: 263. 1830. "Ra- dice repente, culiud jjlabro, foliis planis vaginisque scabris, panicula secunda nutanti'siuiplicilaxapaten- tissima, locustis subtrifloris, paleis inferioribus tereti- usculis trinerviis scabris. Hab. in sinu Nootka. 2/ . " ' ' Similis Bromo aspero, Ra- dix repens, firma, crassa, fusca, multas fibras emit- tens. Culmus sedecim pol- lices altus inferne crassitie pennte anatinse, erectus teres, striatus glaber. Nodi fusci, scabri. Vaginae elon- gatse, arete adpresse, striata-, versus collum scabriuscuke. 17,53. ^Festuca g-ig-antea Will^, 58, 61 latior Shear 12, 55 seminudus Shear 55,62 maximus Desf 12, 26 gussoni Pari 27 micranthus minor Desv 37 mollis L 8, 17, 18 glabrcscetis Coss 20 montanus Retz 35 multiflorus Scribn 56 n itens Nutt 60 orcuttianus Vas 42, 45 grandis Shear 43 oregonus Nutt 59 pacificus Shear 33 patulus Mert. & Koch 20, 22 pauciflorus Nutt 53,54 polyanthus Scribn 54, 56 paniculatus Shear 57 pontica Koch 9 porteri (Coult.) Nash 12,34,55,41 frondosus Shear 37 havardii Shear 37 lanatipes Shear 57, 41 pumpellianus 12, 47, 45, 50 melicoides Shear 50 tweedyi Scribn SO purgans Torr 34 purgans L 32, 59, 40 incanus Shear 42 latiglumis (Scribn.) Shear. 40, 4i longispicata Hook 32 pallidus Hook 34 purpurascens Hook 48 texensis Shear t,i 65 66 Page. Bromus purgans vulgaris 43 purpurascens Del 48 racemosus L 17 commutatus (Schrad.) Hook/ 1S,20 ramosus Huds SO, 32 richardsoni Link 32, 37, 39, 41 pallidus (Hook.) Shear 32,3i,45 rubens L 2S scoparius L 23 seealinus 8,9, 12, W secundus J. S. Presl 63 segetum H. B. K 6i setaceu.s Buckl 6i .sitchensis Bong 53 squarrosus L S,9,21 gterilis Guss 27 sterilisL 12,2S,29,64 steudelii Frank 39 subimUiciis Steud 51 subvelutinu.s Shear 52 subulatus GrLseb 63 suksdorfii Vas j,6 tectorum 8, 9, 2P trinii Desv 8, 23 excelsus Shear 25 pallidiflorus Desv 21, unioloides H. B. K 12, 50 iinioloides (Willd.),H. B. K 50 hsenkeanus (Presl.) Shear 52 virens Nutt 60 virens Buckl 60 vulgaris (Hook. ) Shear 43, 45 eximius Shear ii robustus Shear ^i Page. Bromus willdenovwii Kunth 51 Ceratochloa (Beauv.) Benth. & Hook 9, 50 breviaristata Hook 50. 52, .53, 54 grandiflora Hook 60 hxnkeana C. B. Pres 1 52 pendula Schrad 50 sdiradcri Kunth 60 subrmitica Steud 51 Festuca elatior L g rubens Pers 28 rubra seamda (Presl.) Scribn 63 unioloides Willd 50 Lasiopoa Ehrh. 9 Libertia Lej 9 Melica subulata Scribn 63 Michelaria Duni g Schedonorus Beauv 9 inermis Beauv 47 sterilis Fr 28 tectorum Fr 29 Schenodorus Beauv 9 Serrafalcus Pari g arvensis Pari 20 commutatus Bab is intermedius Pari 19 mollis Pari ig patulus Mert. & Koch 21 racemosus Pari ' 17 scojMrius Pari 23 seealinus Bab I6 squarrosus Bab 21 Stenobromus Griseb. 9, 25 Triniusia Steud 9 Trisetum barbatum Steud 23 major Va.s 24 hirtvm Trin 23 Zerna Panz 9, 30 o Bulletin No. 24. Agros. 7:i. U, S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. [<)^ra!«!<( and Fura.jy;e Plant luvcstig'atioiis.] STUDIES ox AMEEICAN GEASSES. I. SOME RECENT COLLECTIONS OF MEXICAN GRASSES. By K. L.-vMSON-ScRiBXER and El.ver D. Merrtij.. ir. NOTES ON PANIGUM NITIDUM- LAM., PANICCM SCOPARUM LAM., AND PANIGUM PUBESCENS LAM. By F. Lamson-Scribner and Elmer P. MERKrir.. nr. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES. By F. LAMsoN-SfRiBNER !Uid Cari.etox R. Ball. ; ISSXJED cT^N"XJ^^riY 9, 1901. WASHINGTON: (4 0VERNAIENT PRINTIX<^ OFFICE. JOOO. DIA^TSIOX STAFF. F. L.VMSox-ScRiBXER,' Agrostologist and Chief of Division. Thomas A. Williams, Assistant Chief in charge of Experimental Work. C. L. Shear, Assistant in charge of Seed and Field Work. C. R. Ball, Assistant in charge of Grass Gardens and Experimental Work in thf District of Colunil)ia. Elmer D. Merrill, Assistant Agrostologist in charge of Collections and Herbarinm. PUBLICATIONS OF THE DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. {In applyinf/foythescpiihlicatiiiiis ilic title and Jluthtiii or Cimihir iniiiiha- xhaukUn mentioned:) Alfalfa. (Farmers' Bulletin No. 31.) A Note on Experimental Grass Gardens. (Cirenlar No. 1.; Grasses and Forage Plants of the Sontheastern United States. (Bulletin No. 1.) Trice :> eents. Hairy Veteh (Cireular No. 2.) Exhausted, and place supplit-d by Circular No. 6. Saltbuslies. (Circular No. 3.) Exhausted, and place supplied by Farmers' Bul!etTn No. los. Fodder and Forage Plants Exclusive of Gras.ses. (Bulletin No. 2.) Price 5 cents. Useful and Ornamental Grasses. (Bulletin No. 3.) Exhausted, and place supplied l)y Bulletin No. H. The Kenewing of Worn-out Native Prairie Pastures. (Circular No. 4.) .'Studies of American Grasses: (1) The Genus Ixophorus. (2) A List of the Grasses Colleetcd by Dr. E. Palmer in the Vicinitv of Acapulco. Mexico. 1894-9.5. (3) Some Mexican Grasses Collected by E. W. Nelson, iS94-9.'S. (4) .some American Panicums in the Herbarium Berolinense and in the HerlKU-ium of Willdenow. (h) Native and Introduced Species of the Genera Hordeum and Agro- pvron. ((1) Miscellaneous Notes and Descriptions of NewSpecies. (Bulletin No. 4.) Price lOeenls. Sorghum as a Forage Crop. (Farmers' Bulletin No. .50.) Grasses and Forage Plants of the Rockv Mountain Kegion. (Bulletin No. .5.) Price o cents. Grasses and Forage Plants of the Dakotas. (Bulletin No. 6.) Price 5 cents. American Grasses, Illustrated,!. (Bulletin No. 7.) Illustrations and descriptions of 302 species of grasses. Exhausted. Price, cloth, 30 cents. Studies on American Grasses: (1) Descriptions of New or Little Known Grasses. (2) Leaf Structure of Jouvea and Eragrostis obtusiflora. (Bulletin No. 8.) Price 10 cents. Grasses and Forage Plants of Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado. (Bulletin No.-9.) Trice 6 cents. The Soy Bean as a Forage Crop. (Farmers' Bulletin No. 58.) Meadows and Pastures. (Farmers' Bulletin No. 6(.i.) Cowpeas. (Circular No. 6.) The Cultivated Vetches. (Cireular No. 6.) Cattle Ranges of the Southwest. (Farmers' Bulletin No. 72.) Grasses and Forage Plants of Central Texas. (Bulletin No. lO.l Price .5 cents. Studies on American Grasses: (1) A Revision of the North American Species of Calamagrostis. (2) Descriptions of New or Little Known Grasses. (BulletinNo.il.) Price 10 cents. ■ Grasses, Forage Plants, and Forage Conditions of the Eastern Rocky Mountain Region. (BuUetm No. 12.) Price 5 cents. The Red Desert of Wyoming and its Forage Re.sourees. (Bulletin No. 13.) Price iO cents. Economic Grasses. (Bulletin No. 14.) I'rice 10 cents. Forage Plants and Forage Resources of the Gulf States. (Bulletin No. 1.5.) Price ^ cents. Gram or Chick Pea. (Circular No. 7.) Experiments in Range Improvement. (Circular No. 8.) Cowpeas. (Farmers' Bulletin No. 89.) New Species of NS E. Palmer, Augunt, 1897. PASPALUM PANICTJLATUM L. Syst. Nat. e.l. 10, 855 (1758-59). Coatzacoaleoi^, Isthmus of Tehuantepec, State of Vera Cruz, 1058 C. L. Smith, March 16, 18^5; Rosario, State of Sinaloa, 1545 J. N. Rose, July 7, 1897; Colima, 18 E. PaluuT, July, 1897. Paspalum plicatulum Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 1: 45 (1803). Coatzacoalcos, Isthuius of Tehuantepec, State of Vera Cruz, 1054 C. L. Smith, March 12, 1895; between Rosario and Acaponeta, State of Sinaloa, 1885 J. N. Rose, July 28, 1897; foothills of the Sierra ]Madre ^Mountains, near Pedro Paulo, Terri- torio de Tepic, 1961 J. N. Rose, August 3, 1897; near Acaponeta, Territorio de Tepic, 3294 J. X. Rose, July 30, 1897; Colima, 144 E. Palmer, August, 1897. PASPALUM PROSTRATUM Scribn. & Merrill, sp. now {Pse^idocrtrsld) . A low, diffuse, spreading perennial with slender culms, broad rachis, and ovate- lanceolate leaves. Culms, 2 to 3 dm. long, prostrate, finally erect, glabrous, rooting at the lower nodes; nodes glabrous; sheaths loose, compressed, striate, smooth below, sparingly pilose above and on the margins, the lower ones shorter than or about equaling the internodes, the upper one elongated; ligule nearly obsolete; leaf-blades 1.5 to 3.5 cm. long, 5 to 10 mm. wide, rounded or truncate at the base, acute at the apex, pilose beneath and more sparingly so above, serrulate-scabrous on the cartilaginous margins, mid- nerve somewhat prominent on the lower surface for one-third the length of the leaf, vanishing. Primary axis 6 to 10 cm. long, glabrous; racemes 5 to 10, solitary, remote, alternate, spreading, l)earded at the axils, the lower ones 2.5 cm. long, the upper ones shorter; partial rachis 2 to 3 mm. wide, thin, undulate- striate on the back, al)ruptly acute, smooth or serrulate-scabrous on the margins. Spikelets alternate, imbricate in two rows, short-pedicellate, elliptical-ovate, obtuse, smooth, 2 mm. long; first glume equaling the flowering glume, obtuse, thin, hyaline, 3-nerved, the midnerve faint, the marginal ones more prominent; second glume equaling the flowering glume, more firm in texture, 3 or faintly 5 nerved, slightly sulcate; flowering glume elliptical, obtuse, very smooth. Palea equaling the glume, smooth, plane. Type specimen 3343 C. (i. Pringle, low lands near Patzcuaro, State of Michoacan, November 9, 1890. This species belongs in the section Pseudoceresia and is distinguished from Paspalum (jrac'de Rudge by its habit of growth, shorter leaves, solitary racemes, and larger spikelets. Distriiiuted as Pr 2, isliort; ha.-^al k'uvesi muneruiif^, 1 to '.] f ^It'xicu, lu'dtTal District, <1474 ('. : (1815).) Durango, State of Durango, 524, 736 F]. Palmer, August and September, 1896; Topolobami^o, State of Sinaloa, 242 E. Palmer, September, 1897; Torreon, State of Coahuila, 509 E. Palmer, October, 1898, in rich, moist soil along the Nassus River. Isachne disperina Doell, in Mart. Fl. Bras. 2': 274 (1877). Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, 1804 C. T.. Smith, 1894. * Panicum albomaculatum Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Cir. 19: 2 (January, 1900). A rather slender, erect, s])aringly branched perennial, 6 to 8 dm. high, with striate sheaths, short, ciliate ligules, and spreading panicles 12 to 16 cm. long. Nodes glabrous, tlie overlap- })ing margins of the sheaths very densely ciliate or subvil- lous. Leaf-blades 7 to 12 cm. long* 5 to 10 mm. wide (when dry), very acute, rounded at the somewhat clasping base, ^cibrous on the nerves behjw, glabrous aV)Ove, shari>ly serrulate-scabrous on the narrowly cartilaginous margins, which are ciliate near the base. Axis and branches of the panicle glabrous, the lower longer branches 8 to 10 cm. long. Spikelets ovate, obtuse, 2.5 mm. long; first glume obtuse, l-nerved, subremote, clasping the pedicel; the second and third glumes 7-nerved, thinly pubescent with short hairs, about ecjualing the smooth and shining fourth glume; the third glume has a thin, short palea. The exposed Fig. 3. — PniiicuinhaiUnni Scrilm tt Merrill: d, ?<. spikelets enlarged; c, .same witli outer glumes removed. ^Mex. PI. 2: 8 (1881). 12 portion of the culm and sheath pinplisli, tlie latter (in the type) white-spotted with small oblong spots or blotches. Th-y, rocky hills, Patzcuaro, State of Michoacan, 5203 C. G. Pringle, October lU, 1892. Allied to Fdiucnm scabriiiscKhtin Ell., but readily distinguished ))y its larger spikelets, less densely flowered panicles, and distinctly cartilaginous, serrulate leaf mar- gins. The plant throughout is more slender. Panicum avenaceum H. B. K. Nov. Gen. etSp. PI. 1: 99 (1815). Durango, State of Durango, 741 E. Palmer, August, 1896. PANICUM (SYNTHERISMA) BADIUM Scrilui. & Merrill, sp. nov. (Fig. 3.) A slender, erect, casspitose perennial, 4 to 7 dm. high, with linear-lanceolate leaves and digitate panicles of 3 to 5 erect spike-like branches 4 to 7 cm. long. Culms geniculate and compressed below, glabrous or with few long white hairs above; nodes glabrous; sheaths loose, shorter than the internodes, striate, pilose, with rather long spreading hairs; ligiUe al)Out 2 mm. long, acute or obtuse, hyaline except on the narrow brown margin; leaf-blades 5 to 20 cm. long, 5 to 6 nnn. wide, plane, acute, slightly narrowed at the base, pilose on both sides witli few, long, white hairs. Inflorescence exserted, the Ijranches slender, glabrous. Spikelets in pairs, one short-pedicellate, one long-pedicellate, ovate, acute, 2.5 mm. long; first glume obsolete; second and third glumes densely pubescent with rather short brown hairs, the former about three-fourths as long as the flowering glume, acute, 3-nerved, the latter equaling the flowering glume, 3 to 5 nerved; flowering glume narrowly ovate, acute or short-acuminate, dark browm, obscurely striate or pitted. Sierra de San Felipe, State of Oaxaca, altitude between 2,300 and 2,800 m., 915 C. L. Smith, October 6, 1894. Distributed as Anthfcnantia vlUosa Beauv. which it somewhat reseml)les in the pubescence of the outer glumes, but very different in habit and inflorescence. 'Related to Panicum ph xothrix Tnn. Icon. Gram. 1: t. 91 (1828) {P. ferrugineum Kunth, Rev. Gram. 1: 39; 2: 501, t. 163 (1835), but readily distinguished by its much broader, pilose leaves, pilose sheaths and culms, and longer second glume. Panicum bulbosum H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PL 1: 99 (1815). Santiago Papasquiaro, State of Durango, 467 E. Palmer, August, 1896; near Monte Escobedo, State of Jalisco, 2609 J. N. Rose, August 26, 1897; near Dolores, Ter- ritorio de Tepic, 2053 J. N. Rose, 1897; between Agnacata and Dolores, 3361 J. N. Rose, August 6, 1897; between Pedro Paulo and San Blascito, Territorio de Tepic, 1999 J. N. Rose, August 4, 1897. Panicum caespitosum Swartz, Fl. Ind. Occ. 1 : 146 ( 1797). Durango, State of Durango, 433 E. Palmer, August, 1896. Panicum colonum L. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 870 (1758-59). Rosario, State of Sinaloa, 1544 J. N. Rose, July 7, 1897; between Acaponeta and Pedro Paulo, Territorio de Tepic, 1923 J. N. Rose, August 2, 1897; Colima 169 E. Palmer, 1897; Torreon, State of Coahuila, 508 E. Palmer, October, 1898; Parras, 454 E. Palmer,^ October, 1898; near Colonia Garcia, State of Chihuahua, 6187 E. W. Nelson, August 1, 1899; near Pachico, State of Chihuahua, 6298, 6301 E. W. Nelson, August 26, 1899. Panicum compactum Swartz, in Griseb. Fl. Brit. W. Ind. 552 (1864). Near Huasemote, State of Durango, 3502 J. N. Rose, August 15, 1897. Panicum crus-galli L. Sp. PI. 56 (1753). San Francisco, State of Vera Cruz, 1329 C. L. Smith, 1894; Durango, State of Durango, 252, 730 E. Palmer, June-September, 1896; Santiago Papasquiaro, State of Durango, 466 E. Palmer, August, 1896; near Colotlan, State of Jalisco, 3606 J. N. Rose, August 29, 1897; below Pachico, State of Chihuahua, 6244 E. W. Nelson, August 22-24, 1899; between Casas Grandes and Sabinal, State of Chi- huahua, 6355a E. W. Nelson, September 4-5, 1899. 13 Coinniou in low ground about water courses and even in shallow water, reai'liing to a height of 5 or 6 feet. It is a very prolifie species, eagerly eaten by domestic animals. The seeds, which become dark at maturity, are much eaten by birds. Panicum crus-galli muticum Vasey, Contr. IT. S. Nat. Herb. 3: 37 (1892). Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 380 E. Palmer, September, 1898. Panicum fasciculatum Swartz, Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. 22 (1788). Rosario, State of Sinaloa, 1834 J. N. Eose, July 24, 1897. Panicum fimbriatum (Link) Kunth, Rev. Gram. 1: 33 (1835). {Dicjildria fimhridhi Link, Mort. Berol. 1: 226 (1827); Syntherisma fimbriaia Nash, Bui. Torr. Bot. Clul), 25: 302(1898).) Colima, 9 E. Palmer, July, 1897, in a deep, shady ravine; Topolobampo, State of Sinaloa, 234 E. Palmer, September, 1897; Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 387 E. Palmer, September, 1898. Panicum fuscum Swartz, Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. 23 (1788). Topolobampo, State of Sinaloa, 250 E. Palmer, September, 1897, in an opening on a very stony mountain slope. Panicum hallii Vasey, Bui. Torr. Bot. Club, 9: 61 (1884). Durango, State of Durango, 525 E. Palmer, August, 1896. Panicum hirticaulum Presl, Rel. Ilaenk. 1: 308 (1830). Between Agnacata and Dolores, Territorio de Tepic, 3351 J. N. Rose, August 6, 1897; near Acaponeta, 1889, 3281 J. N. Rose, July 29, 1897; between Rosario and Aca- poneta 1883, 1878 J. N. Rose, July 28, 1897 (the last four numbers are depauperate) ; Colima, 14, 143, 145 E. Palmer, July, 1897; Topolobampo, State of Sinaloa, 249, 251 E. Palmer, September, 1897; near Pachico, State of Chihuahua, 6297 E. W. Nelson, August 25, 1899; between Casas Grandes and Sabinal, State of Chihuahua, 6355 E. W. Nelson, September 4-5, 1899. Panicum h.olciforme Steud. Nom. ed. 2, 2: 257 (1841). Durango, State of Durango, 253 bis E. Palmer, June, 1896. *Panicum inflatum Seribn. & Smith, \J. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Cir. 16: 5 (1899). Gravelly banks near Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, altitude 1,250 m., date not given, 7883 C. G. Pringle, 1899. Panicum insulare (L.) Mey. Prim. Fl. Esseq. 60 (1818). Durango, State of Durango, 715 E. Palmer, September, 1896. Panicum lanatum Rottb. Act. Lit. Univ. Hafn. 1: 269 (1778). (P. leucophicum H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1: 97 (1815).) Between Coneepcion and Acaponeta, 1900 J. N. Rose, July 29, 1897. *Panicum laxiflorum Lam. Encycl. 4: 748 (1797). (P. xulapense Kth.?) A low, densely csespitose perennial, 1.5 to 3 dm. high, with crowded, lanceolate, acute, pilose leaves and spreading, ovate panicles 4 to 5 cm. long. Culms much branched near the base, glabrous; nodes bearded with spreading hairs; sheaths pilose with soft, spreading, or reflexed hairs; ligule a dense fringe of hairs about 1 mm. long. Leaves 3 to 6 cm. long, 6 to 10 mm. wide, pilose on both surfaces with soft hairs, ciliate on the margins with long, spreading, papillate hairs. Axis of the panicle glabrous or pubescent. Spikelets oblong, obtuse, 2 mm. long; first glume broadly obtuse, about one-third the length of the spikelet, 3-nerved; the second and third glumes prominently 7-nerved, pubescent, with short, spreading hairs between the nerves. Gravelly banks near Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, altitude 1,250 m., 8083 C. G. Pringle, March 29, 1899; 1752 C. L. Smith, 1894. Nearly identical with the grass from the Southern States which by recent authors has been referred to P. laxiflorum Lam. Panicum maximum Jacq. leones PL Rar. 1: /. 13 (1781-1786). San Francisco, State of Vera Cruz, 1409 C. L. Smith, 1894. 14 *Pamcuin multirameum Sciibn. V. S. Dept. A-rr. Div. Airros. Cir. 19: 2 f.Tannary, 1900). A rather wlender, tufted perennial, 20 to 30 cm. high, with glabrous culms, densely fasciculate-branched above, bearded nodes, and glabrous or thinly pilose sheaths which are bearded at the throat. Lower culm leaves 5 to 8 cm. long, those on the l)ranches much shorter and narrower, sparingly ciliate near the ))ase, pul)es- cent beneath, minutely scabrous along the margins, which are very narrowly cartilaginous. Panicles loosely flowered, 2 to 4 cm. long. Spikelets about 2 mm. long, obtuse, and 7-nerved; the second and third glumes thinly pubescent; the fourth glume subacute; the broadly obtuse first glume one-third to nearly one- half as long as the spikelet. Gravelly hills near Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, altitude 1,250 m., 7882 C. G. Pringle, 1899; Orizalja, State of Vera Cruz, 59.3 J. G. Smith, February 17, 1892. Allied to ranicum cUiosum Nash, but smaller, nodes more distinctly bearded, and leaves less ciliate. Panicum obtusum H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1 : 98 (1815). Torreon, State of Coahuila, 504 E. Palmer, October, 1898; Saltillo, 394 E. Palmer, September, 1898; San Luis Potosi, 1631 E. Palmer, 1898; between Casas Grandes and Sabinal, State of Chihuahua, 6352 E. W. Nelson, September 4-5, 1899. Low places often overflowed. Extensively used as a purgative under the name of "purga de paridas." *Panicum pilosum macranthum Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Cir. 19: 1 (January, 1900). Secondary axes or branches of the panicle (longer lower ones) 3.5 cm. long, pilose with papillate hairs about 2 mm. long. Spikelets 2.2 mm. long, the outer glumes strongly scabrous on the keel near the apex, as are the fruiting glume and palea. Swamps near Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, altitude 1,230 m., 8195 C. G. Pringle, May 21, 1899. Panicum plantagineum Link, Hort. Berol. 1: 206 (1833). Near Colotlan, State of Jalisco, 3602 (in part) J. N. Rose, August 28, 1897. *Panicum polycaulon Nash, Bui. Torr. Bot. Club, 24: 200 (1897). Low places, borders of swamps, Minatitlan, State of Vera Cruz, 555 Jared G. Smith, June 30, 1892. Panicum repens L. Sp. PI. ed. 2, 87 (1762-63). (P. littorale Vasey, Bot. Gaz. 3: 106 (1878); P. gouhn Foiu-n. Mex.Pl.2: 28 (1881).) Coatzacoalcos, Isthmus of Tehuantepec, State of Vera Cruz, 913 C. L. Smith, March 8, 1895. Panicum reticulatum Torr. in Marcy's Explor. Red Riv. La. 299 (1852). Between Rosario and Acaponeta, 1884 J. N. Rose, July 28, 1897. Panicum sanguinale L. Sp. PI. 57 (1753). Colima, 148 E. Palmer, 1897, in a deep, shady ravine; Durango, State of Dnrango, 766 E. Palmer, October, 1896. Common in fence rows, etc. Panicum sanguinale ciliare (Retz. ) Vasey, U.S. Dept. Agr. Div. Bot. Bui. 8: 23 (1889). {I\tnicuw clluire Retz. Ohi'. 4^: 16(1779-1791).) Rosario, State of Sinaloa, 1541 J. N. Rose, July 7, 1897. PANICUM (DIMORPHOSTACHYS) UNISPICATUM Scribn. & Merrill, sp. nov. A slender, erect perennial, 8 to 15 dm. high, with glabrous culms, sparingly pilose sheaths, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate leaves, and long-exserted solitary spikes 9 to 12 cm. long. Culms very smooth throughout; nodes smooth; sheaths eiiualing or shorter than the internodes, loose, striate, ciliate on the margins, smooth below, sparingly tuberculate-pilose above; ligule hyaline, membranace- ous, lacerate, about 2 mm. long; the throat rather densely bearded, immediately 15 above the ligiile, with riiiid white hairs about 5 mm. lono;. Leaf-blades 15 to 30 cm. ioiig, 6 to 12 mm. wide, plane, scarcely narrowed at the al)ruptly rounded and somewhat clasj)ing base, gradually tapering to a very slender, attenuate and invohite, filiform apex, very sparingly tuberculate-pilose on both sides or nearly smooth beneath, oiliate and scabrous on the cartilaginous margins. Intiorescenoe a pale green, long-exserted, erect or very slightly curved spike, solitary or 2 from the upper sheath, 9 to 12 cm. long, the spikelets in pairs, one sessile and one short-pedicellate, in two rows on one side of the smooth racliis. Spikelets ovate, acute, glabrous, 3 to 4 mm. long; first glume of the sessile spikelet one-third as long as the flowering glume, or shorter, obtuse, hyaline, not increasing in size toward the apex of the spike; that of the pedicellate spike- let lateral or twisted so as to appear in a lateral position, lanceolate, acuminate, about three-fourths as long as the flowering glume, 1 -nerved, scabrous at the apex; second glume ovate, acute, glal)rous, 3 or faintl}' 5 nerved, equaling the flowering glume in length; third glume concave, 3-nerved, slightly exceeding the flowering glume, subtending a lanceolate, hyaline, 2-nerved palea as long as the glume; flowering glume ovate, acute, minutely striate or pitted throughout. Palea similar in texture and markings, plane or slightly concave. Type specimen 6717 C. G. Pringle, Valley of Oaxaca, State of Oaxaca, July 13, 1897. This species belongs to the group on which Fournier based his genus Dimorpho- xldcJii/x,^ and is related to the South American Patiirum 'muDoainrln/tnn,'^ l)ut is abundantly distinc-t, differing from the description and plate in Kunth's Rev. Gram. 380, /. 104, in its larger size, smooth nodes and culms, broader and not soft pilose leaves, larger spikelets, and much larger first glume of the sessile spikelet; moreover Kunth does not mention or figure a long lateral first glume of the pedicellate spikelet in his description of P. monodacliyum, which is so prominent in our species. Distributed as Paspulum sdiaffneri Griseb. *Panicuni viscidellum Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Cir. 19: 2 (January, 1900). A slender, ascending or erect, finally branching perennial, 6 to 10 dm. high, with numerous bearded nodes, pubescent internodes, pubescent sheaths, lanceolate, acute, pubescent leaves, and ovate, exserted panicles 5 to 7 cm. long. Leaves 5 to 8 cm. long, 1 to 2 cm. broad, cordate-clasping at the base; ligule pilose. Panicle branches somewhat viscid, the lower ones 2.5 to 3 cm. long. Spikelets 1.8 mm. long, obovate, obtuse, or subacute, the 7-nerved second and third glumes glabrous or with a few scattering hairs. Gravelly banks near Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, altitude 1,250 m., 8089 C. G. Prin- gle, October, 1899; same locality, 1617 C. L. Smith, 1894; in thickets near Mira- dor, 323 Liebmann, 1841. Related to Panicum scoparium Lam. (P. viscidnm. Ell. ), but stems much more slender, leaves shorter and less rigid, panicles smaller, as are also the spikelets, which are nearly smooth. Fournier, in his enumeration of the grasses of Mexico, refers this grass to P. cowmeUncTfolium Rudge,^ and cites P. iiu(li{tlorum Ell. and P. microcarpon "Michx." as synonyms. I have not Rudge's work, " Plantee Guiana;," in which P. commelmsefol'mm is illustrated, and upon which illustration Fournier based his determination of Liebmann's plant, but our grass is certainly not P. iimltiflorum Ell. (P. pohjavthes Schultes), nor does it agree with available descriptions of P. commelunefoUwn. P. microcarpon Ell., Sk. Bot. S. C. and Ga. 127, 1817, not Muhl., is the grass now usually referred to P. harbulatum Mx. iMex. PL 2: 13 (1881). ^H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1: 96 (1815). »Mex. PI. 2: 20 (1881). 16 Panicum velutinosum Nees in T-rin. Gram. Panic. 144 (1826). State of Dui-ango, 2280 J. N. Rose, August 14, 1897; Colinia, 149 E. rainier, August, 1897. Oplismenus cristatus Presl, Rel. Haenk. 1: 328 (1830). Onietepe Island, Nicaragua, 1075 C. L. Smith, 1894. Cliaetochloa composita (H. B. K. ) Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 39 (1897). {Seiaria composita H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1: 110 (1815).) Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 378, 449 E. Palmer, September, 1898; on the road from Casas Grandes to Sabinal, State of Chihuahua, 6368 E. W. Nelson, Sei^tember 4-5, 1899. Along fence rows, etc. Chaetocliloa grisebachii (Fourn.) Scribn. U. 8. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 4: .39 (1897). {Setaria grisebudiii Fourn. Mex. PI. 2: 45 (1881).) Monte Alban, altitude 1,750 to 1,900 m., near Oaxaca, State of Oaxaca, 939 C. L. Smith, October 8, 1894; Saltillo, State of Coahuilaj 385 E. Palmer, September, 1898; Sierra Madre Mountains, 10 miles north of Pachico, State of Chihuahua, 6298 E. ^y. Nelson, August 25, 1899. A weed in gardens. Cliaetochloa grisebachii ampla Scribn. & Merrill, U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 21: 36 (1900). Durango, State of Durango, 728 E. Palmer, September, 1896. Cheetochloa imberbis (Poir. ) Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 4: 39 (1897). {Panicum imberbe Poir. in Lam. Encycl. Suppl. 4: 272 (1816).) Oaxaca, State of Oaxaca, 935 C. L. Smith, 1894. Chaetochloa imberbis geniculata (Lam.) Scribn. & Merrill, U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 21: 12 (1900). {Panimm geiriculaium Lam. Encycl. 4: 727 (1797).) Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, 1547 C. L. Smith, 1894; Durango, State of Durango, 378, 381, 539 E. Palmer, July, 1896; Federal District, 6419 C. G. Pringle, 1896; Colotlan, State of Jalisco, 3607 J. N. Rose, August 29, 1897; Colima, 17 E. Palmer, 1897, in rich, shady thickets in a fruit garden. Chgetochloa latifolia Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 11: 44 pi. 3 (1898). Durango, State of Durango, 879 E. Palmer, November, 1896, growing under bushes in deep ravines. Chaetochloa latifolia breviseta Scrilin. & Merrill, U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 21:31 (1900). Santiago Papasquiaro, State of Durango, 470 E. Palmer, August, 1896, growing under bushes in a deep ravine. Chaetochloa liebmanni (Fourn.) Scribn. & Merrill, IT. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 21: 31 (1900). {Setaria liehnanni Yomn. Mex. PI. 2: 44 (1881).) Durango, State of Durango, 716 E. Palmer, September, 1896; Rosario, State of Sinaloa, 1840 J. N. Rose, July, 1897; Topolobampo, 233 E. Palmer, September, 1897; Colima, 142 E. Palmer, August, 1897, under bushes on mountain slopes, many plants together. Chaetochloa liebmanni pauciflora (Vasey) Scribn. & Merrill, U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 21: 33 (1900). {Chamieraphis caudata pauciflora Vasey in Beal, Grasses N. A. 2: 158 (1896).) Near Acaponeta, Territorio de Tepic, 3303 J.N.Rose, July 31, 1897; Colima, 8 E. Palmer, July, 1897, in shady places on emlmnkments. Chaetochloa longipila (Fourn. ) Scribn. & Merrill, U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 21: 22 (1900). {Setaria longipila Fourn. Mex. Fh 2: 47 (1881).) Between Agnacato and Dolores, Territorio de Tepic, 2017 J. N. Ro.se, August 6, 1897. Cheetochloa macrostachya (H.B. K.) Scribn. & Merrill, U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 21: 29 (1900). {Setaria macroKtavlnja H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1: 110 (1815).) Durango, State of Durango, 872 E. Palmer, November, 1896. 17 Chaetochloa purpurascens (U. B. K. ) Scril)n. & Merrill, U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 21: 13 (1900). [Setlades strongly involute, 2-3 dm. long. Stipa trochlearis Nees in Meyen, Reise, 1: 484 (1843). Durango, State of Durango, 532 E. Palmer, August, 1896. Stipa virescens H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PL 1: 126 (1815). Near Plateado, State of Zacatecas, 2750 J. N. Rose, September 2, 1897. Muhlenbergia acuminata Vasey, Bot. Gaz. 11: 337 (1886). Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 379 E. Palmer, September, 1898, in rich, moist soil. MuMenbergia aflfinis Trin. Agrost. 2: 291 (1841). Las Sedas, State of Oaxaca, 952 C. L. Smith, September, 1894; on the road between Mesquitec and Monte Escobedo, State of Jalisco, 2614 J. N. Rose, August 26, 1897; Sierra Madre Mountains, west of Bolanos, 2984 J. N. Rose, September 15-17, 1897. *]yEuhlenbergia alamosana Vasey, Bot. Gaz. 16: 146 (1891). Mossy cliffs. Sierra de Tepixtlan, near Cuernavaca, altitude 2,300 Tn., 6994 C. G. Pringle, February 8 and March 14, 1899. Muhlenbergia arizonica Scribn. Bui. Torr. Bot. Club, 15: 8, pi. 76 (1888). Durango, State of Durango, 536, 713 E. Palmer, August, 1896. Muhlenbergia berlandieri Trin. Agrost. 2: 299 (1841). Durango, State of Durango, 729 E. Palmer, September, 1896. Muhlenbergia calamagrostidea Kunth, Rev. Gram. 1: 63 (1835). Durango, State of Durango, 719, 725, 881 E. Palmer, September-October, 1896; near Plateado, State of Zacatecas, 2736 J. N. Rose, September 3, 1897. Muhlenbergia capillaris Trin. Gram. Unifl. 191 (1824). SicngH, State of Durango, 859, 960 E. Palmer, November, 1896. Muhlenbergia debilis Trin. Gram. Unifl. 193 (1824). Monte Alban, altitude 1,700 m., near Oaxaca, State of Oaxaca, 938 C. L. Smith, Octo- ber S, 1894. MUHLENBERGIA DENSIFLORA Scribn. & Merrill, sp. nov. (Fig. 4.) An erect, rigid, c;espitose i)erennial, 6 to 9 dm. high, with involute, wdry leaves and dense, contracted panicles 7 to 12 mi. long. Culms cylindrical, glabrous, or 19 slightly scabrous, especially below the panicle, puberulent below the glabrous nodes; sheaths shorter than the internodes, striate, the lower ones glabrous, the upper scabrous; ligule 5 to 10 mm. long, acute, cleft at the apex; leaf-blades glabrous, rigid, 1 to 3 dm. long, 2 to 3 mm. wide. Panicles somewhat exserted, strict, purplish, about 1 cm. in diameter; rachis angular, scalirous; branches 1 to 2 cm. long, appressed, the lower ones generally remote; pedicels about as long as the spikelets, scabro- pubescent. Spikelets lan- ceolate, 5 mm. long; empty glumes subequal, l-nerved, lanceolate, acute or acumi- nate, 3 to 3.5 mm. long, scabrous on the keel ; flow- ering glume about 5 mm. long, 3-nerved, scabrous on the nerves and keel, bear- ing a rather stout scabrous awn at the apex, 1 to 3 mm. in length. Palea equaling the flowering glume, lan- ceolate, acute, or short-apic- ulate. Type collected on lava beds, Ser- rania de Ajusco, altitude 3,000 m., Federal District, 6675 C. G. Pringle, August 13, 1897; Sierra de San Fehpe, altitude 3,000 m.. State of Oaxaca, 4914 C. G. Pringle, September 18, 1894; same locality, C. L. Smith, no number, 1894. Muhlenbergia exilis Fourn. Mex. PI. 2: 84 (1881). San Francisco, State of Vera Cruz, 1506 C. L. Smith, 1894; Sierra ^ladre Mountains, west of Bolanos, State of Jalisco, J. N. Eose, no num- ber, September 16, 1897. Muhlenbergia flaviseta Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div.Agros.Bul.8: 11 (1897). Dos Cajetas, State of Durango, 834 E. Palmer, October, 1896, abundant on the slop- ing sides of an arroyo. Muhlenberg-ia gracilis Trin. Gram. Unifl. 193 (1824). Sierra de San Felipe, altitude 3,075 m., State of Oaxaca, 928, 937 C. L. Smith, Sep- tember, 1894. MuMenbergia implicata Trin. Gram. Unifl. 193 (1824). Durango, State of Durango, 718, 769 E. Palmer, September, 1896. Muhlenbergia laxiflora Scribn. Zoe, 4: 389 (1894). Durango, State of Durango, 2356 J. N. Rose, August 16, 1897. MUHLENBERGIA LIGULATA (Fourn. ) Scribn. & Merrill, n. comix ( Chahnis- mca ligulata Fourn. Mex. PL 2: 112, /. — (1881).) Fig. 4. — Muhlenbergia densiflor a ^crihn. & Merrill: a. Empty glume; 6, spikelet; r. flowering glume. 20 Dnran^o, State of Durango, 731 E. Palmer, Septenilier, 189(5; 948 E. Palmer, Novem- ber, 1896, in rich, moist soil in gardens and fields. The grass here taken to be Fournier's Chaboissxa ligulaia agrees so closely witli the published description and plate of that grass that we have little hesitation in so referring it. The only apparent difference is in the awn of the flowering glume, which in No. 731 E. Palmer is 5 to 6 mm. long. Fournier does not refer to the awn and the illustration shows long-acuminate floral glumes. Chaboisssea is placed in the Poaceie by Fournier, ])ut if we have rightly identified Palmer's grass, it certainly belongs to the Agrustidece, and, although the most of the spikelets are 2-flowered, the plant has all the characters of a Muhlenbergia and ought to be referred to that genus. Muhlenbergia monticola Buckl. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862: 91 (1862). Durango, State of Durango, 528 E. Palmer, August, 1896. Muhlenbergia parviglumis Vasey, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 3: 71 (1892). Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 417 E. Palmer, September, 1898. Not common; on very dry hillsides. Muhlenbergia porteri Scribn. in Beal, Grasses N. A. 2: 259 (1896). On the road from Casas Grandes to Sabinal, State of Chihuahua, altitude 1,700 m., 6349 E. W. Nelson, September 4-5, 1899. Muhlenbergia pringlei Scribn. Trans. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 14: 25 (1894). Durango, State of Durango, 529, 724 E. Palmer, August, 1896; Saltillo, State of Coa- huila, 393 E. Palmer, September, 1898. *Muhlenbergia setarioides Fourn. Mex. PL 2: 84 (1886). Under the spray ot the Cascade in Barranca of Texola, near Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, altitude 1,100 m., 8096 C. G. Pringle, April 30, 1899. Muhlenbergia setifolia Vasey, Bot. Gaz. 7: 92 (1882). Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 415 E. Palmer, September, 1898, on dry slopes, rather rare. Muhlenbergia texana Thurb. in Coult. Man. Bot. Rocky Mountain Reg. 410 (1885). Torreon, State of Coahuila, 511 E. Palmer, October, 1898, in bunches of mesquite bushes; a very wiry species. Muhlenbergia vaseyana Scribn. Rept. ]\Io. Bot. Gard. 10: 52 (1899). {M. disticho- phylla Am. authors, not Kunth.) State of Oaxaca, 916 C. L. Smith, 1894; Sierra de San Felipe, altitude 3,075 m., 927 (in part) C. L. Smith, September 18, 1894; Durango, State of Durango, 542 E. Palmer, August, 1896; Sierra Madre Mountains, west of Bolanos, State of Jalisco, 3003 J. N. Rose, September 15-17, 1897. Muhlenbergia sp. Allied to if. gracilis Trin., but too young for positive identifica- tion. Sierra Madre Mountains, State of Zacatecas, 3527 J. N. Rose, August 17, 1897. Lycurus phleoides H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1 : 142 (1815). Durango, State of Durango, 526 E. Palmer, August, 1896; near Plateado, State of Zacatecas, 2794 J. N. Rose, September 4, 1897; between Casas Grandes and Sabinal, State of Chihuahua, 6356 E. W. Nelson, September 4-5, 1899. Sporobolus cryptandrus flexuosus Thurb. in U. S. Geog. Surv. W. 100th Merid. 6: 262 (1878). Colonia Diaz, State of Chihuahua, 6458 E. W. Nelson, September 20-21, 1899. Sporobolus domingensis Kunth, Enum. PI. 1: 214 (1833). Sierra de San Felipe, State of Oaxaca, 51 C. L. Smith, 1894; Durango, State of Durango, 384, 737 E. Palmer, July, 1896; Topolobampo, State of Sinaloa, 236 E. Palmer, September, 1897, in open bottom lands. Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br. Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl. 1:170(1810). [AyroslL'^ indica L. Sp. PI. ()3 (1753).) 21 Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, 1753 C. L. Smith, 1894; Durango, State of Durango, 193 E. Palmer, June, 1896; near Santa Teresa, Territorio de Tepic, 21-12 J. N. Rose, 1897; near Plateado, State of Zacatecas, 2708 J. X. Rose, August 31, 1897. Sporobolus macrospermus Scribn. in Beal, Grasses N. A. 2: 302 (1896). Las Sedas, altitude 2,000 m.. State of Oaxaca, 921 C. L. Smith, September 29, 1894. Sporobolus minutiflorus Link, Hort. Berol. 1: 88 (1833). On the road between Mesquitec and Monte Escobedo, State of Jalisco, 2613 J. N. Rose, August 26, 1897. Sporobolus palmeri Seribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 11: 48, pi. 5 (1898). Durango, State of Durango, 180 E. Palmer, June, 1896, in large bunches in alkali bottoms. Sporobolus piliferus Kuuth, Enum. PI. 1: 211 (1833). Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, 1569 C. L. Smith, 1894; fields near Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, altitude 1,250 m., 7881 C. G. Pringle, 1899. Sporobolus utilis Torr. Pac. R. R. Rept. 5'^: 365 (1857). {Vilfa saccatiUa Fourn. Mex. PI. 2: 101 (1881).) Durango, State of Durango, 738, 739 E. Palmer, September, 1896. Sporobolus wrightii Scribn. Bui. Torr. Bot. Club, 9: 103 (1882). Durango, State of Durango, 742 E. Palmer, October, 1896; between Rosario and Aca- poneta. State of Sinaloa, 1867 J. N. Rose, July 28, 1897; Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 2 E. Palmer, April, 1898; City of Mexico, 4887 Rose and Hough, July 15, 1899; below Pachico, State of Chihuahua, 6243 E. W. Nelson, August 22-24, 1899; near Casas Grandes, State of Chihuahua; 6344 E. W. Nelson, August 30, 1899. Blepbaroneuron tricholepis (Torr.) Nash, Bui. Torr. Bot. Club, 25: 88 (1898). ( Vilfu U'ivholqjiH Torr. Pac. R. R. Rept. 4^: 155 (1857).) Dos Cajetas, State of Durango, 833 E. Palmer, October, 1896; Serrania de Ajusco, Federal District, altitude 4,000 m., 6485 C. G. Pringle, 1896. Epicampes bourgeei mutica Fourn. Mex. PI. 2: 88 (1881). In the Sierra Madre Mountains, west of Bolanos, State of Jalisco, 3002 J. N. Rose, September 15-17, 1899. Epicampes pubescens (H. B. K. ) Presl, Rel. Haenk. 1: 235 (1830). {Agrostis pubescats H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1: 136 (1815).) Sierra de San Felipe, altitude 3,075 m.. State of Oaxaca, 927 (in part) C. L. Smith, September 18, 1894. Distributed as Muhlenhergia distichophylla Kunth. This species is also represented in the National Herbarium by 5576 C. G. Pringle, 1894, from the same locality. Epicampes robusta Fourn. Mex. PL 2: 89 (1881). In the Sierra Madre Mountains, west of Bolanos, State of Jalisco, 2997 J.N.Rose, September 15-17, 1897. Polypogon elongatus H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PL 1: 134 (1815). Nombre de Dios, State of Durango, 111 E. Palmer, April, 1896; Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 2 E. Palmer, Aj^ril, 1898; Durango, State of Durango, 162 E. Palmer, June, 1897. Cinna poseformis (H. B. K.) Scribn. & Merrill, n. comb. {Deyeuxia poceformis H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1: 146 (1815); Cinnastrum jjoieforme Fourn. Mex. PL 2: 91 (1881).) Sierra de San Felipe, State of Oaxaca, 936 C. L. Smith, August 28, 1894. Agrostis elataTrin. Agrost. 2: 364 (1845). Near Colonia Garcia, in the Sieri-a Madre Mountains, State of Chihuahua, 6195 E. W. Nelson, August 1, 1899. AGROSTIS ROSEI Scribn. & Merrill, sp. nov. (Fig. 5.) A slender, erect perennial, 4 to 5 dm. iiigli, with short, flat leaves and very open, capillary panicles, 1 to 1.5 dm. long. Culms glabrous, somewhat geniculate at 99 the lower nodes; sheaths shorter than the internodes, smooth, striate; hgule hyahne, obtuse, 2 mm. long; leaf-blades linear, acuminate, 5 to 8 cm. long, 2 to 3 mm. wide, scabrous on both sides and on the margins. Panicle very open, pale or purplish, the branches capillary, the lower ones verticillate, the upper ones opposite, spreading, dichotomously or verticillately branching, somewhat scabrous, the lower ones 5 to 6 cm. long; pedicels elongated, flexuous. Spike- lets about 2 mm. long; empty glumes ovate-lanceolate, acute, subequal, thin, slightly scabrous on the keel above; flowering glume slightly shorter than the empty glumes, obtuse, often with 2 or 3 blunt teeth at the apex; awn attached near the base, equaling or slightly exceeding the glume, finely scabrous, straight or slightly bent near the middle. Palea very thin, hyaline, lanceolate, obtuse, nearly three-fourths as long as the flowering glume. Grain lanceolate, about 1.5 mm. long. Type specimen collected on Sierra Madre Mountains, State of Zacatecas, 2373 J. N. Rose, August 18, 1897. AgTOstis setifolia Fourn. ]Mex. PI. 2: 97 (1881). Sierra de San Felipe, altitude 3,075 m. , State of Oaxaca, 922 C. L. Smith, September 25, 1894. AgTOstis verticillata Vill. Prosp. 16 (1779). Durango, State of Durango, 179 E. Palmer, June, 1896; Nom- bre de Dios, 95 E. Palmer, April, 1896; Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 806 E. Palmer, Sep- tember, 1898, in low, wet places along ditches. AgTOstis virletii Fourn. Mex. PL 2: 96 (1881). Durango, State of Durango, 190 E. Palmer, June, 1896, very abundant in low, wet places in alkali bottoms. *Avena micrantha Scribn. V . S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Cir. 19: 3, pj. 1 (January 1, 1900). (Fig. 6.) A very slender, densely csespitose, upright perennial, 2.5 to 3.5 dm. high, with soft leaves 6 to 15 cm. long, 1 to 2 mm. wide, ligules 5 to 6 mm. long, and loosely flowered simple panicles 5 to 7 cm. long. Sheaths glabrous; leaves pubescent above, smooth beneath, becoming involute when dry; branches of the panicle capillary, spreading or ascending, 1 to 3 flowered, the longer lower branches 1 to 3 cm. long; empty glumes miequal, lanceolate, the first about 8 mm. long, 1 -nerved, the second about as long as the flowering glume, 3-nerved near the l)ase, thin- membranous and abruptly pointed; flowering glumes glabrous, 5-nerved, rounded Fig. 5. — AgroMU rosri Scrib. & Morrill: a, a spikelet; b, the awned flowering glume and palea; c, the grain. 28 on the back, 2-toothed at the apex, the teeth awn-like; calkis rather densely bearded, hairs stiff, the longer ones 3 to 4 mm. long; awn arising below the apex of the flowering glume, slender, geniculate, twisted below the geniculation, about 17 mm. long. Palea as long as the fiowering glume, rather rigid, margins rounded, infiexed, apex subhyaline, the two nerves extending into subulate, awn- like teeth. Cool, mossy cliffs. Sierra de Tepixtlan, near Cuernavaca, State of Morelos, altitude 2,.300 m., 8018 C. G. Pringle, February 5, 1899. *Avena stipoides Scribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Cir. 19: 4 (January, 1900). A very slender, erect, somewhat wiry perennial, 5 to 6 dm. high, with linear, erect leaves and loosely few-flowered, simple panicles 5 to 10 cm. long. Sheaths shorter than the inter- nodes, very minutely strigose- pubescent; ligule 5 to 8 mm. long, hyaline; leaves involute- setaceous, at least when dry, 1 to 2.5 mm. wide, 1 to 2 dm. long, scabrous. Spikelets about 12 mm. long, exclusive of the awn; empty glumes unequal, thin, scarious, 1-nerved, acute, the first about 4 mm. long, the second 5.5 mm. long; flowering glume 11 mm. long, 5-nerved, slightly roughened on the nerves above, 2-toothed at the apex, teeth awn-like, awned on the back below the 2-toothed apex ; awn geniculate, twisted below, attached about two-thirds above the base, 12 to 14 nun. long. Palea equaling the glume, the two nerves extending into subu- late, awn-like teeth. Callus hairs 1 to 2 mm. long. Sierra de San Felipe, State of Oaxaca, altitude 3,130 m., 4905 C. G. Pringle, September 19, 1894; 923 C. L. Smith, August 28, 1894. Distributed as Muhlenhergia sti- poides Trin. This grass is closely allied to Arena micrantha, 8018 C. G. Pringle, but is at once distinguished by its shorter empty glumes. The strictly 1-flowered spikelets of this and the last species is a character which would lead one to place these grasses in the tribe Agrostide.r; but the densely hairy callus and rather rigid 5-nerved flowering glume, which is deeply 2-toothed at the apex, and the dorsal, geniculate, and twisted awn formed by the union of three of the nerves suggest relationship with Arena, as does the character of the emjity glumes, and these species are tentatively placed in that genus. TRISTACHYA AVENACEA (Presl) Scribn. & Merrill, n. comb. {Monopngim arenaceus Presl, Rel. liaenk. 1: 335, t. 44 (1830); Tristachya mexicana Kunth, Enum. PL 1: 308 (1833).) Fig. 6. — Arena micrantha Scribn. 24 This plant, lias been referred to the South American TrisUtdii/a leiostachya Nees, from which it is readily distinguished by its more slender habit, plane, not involute leaves, and shorter spikelets and awns. The spikelets of T. leiosiachya are 5 cm. long and the awns are about 12 cm. long. In T. avenacea the spikelets are from 2 to 3.5 cm. long and the awns do not exceed 6 cm. in length. Near Santa Teresa, Sierra ]Madre Mountains, Territorio de Tepic, 2229 J. N. Eose, August 13, 1897. TRISTACHYA LAXA Scribn. & Merrill, sp. nov. (Fig. 7.) A stout, erect perennial, 15 to 20 dm. high, with long leaves, scabrous spikelets, and . very lax panicles 4 to 5 dm. in length. Culms rigid, glabrous, al>out 1 cm. in diameter at the base; nodes smooth; sheaths striate, the lower ones numerous, imbricate, sparingly pubescent, the upper scabrous ; ligule a dense ciliate fringe of soft liairs aljout 2 mm. long; leaf-blades involute or folded below, plane aljove, 4 to 7 dm. long, 5 to 10 mm. wide, glabrous beneath, sca- brous on the upper sur- face and margins, some- what bearded at the throat. Panicle very lax, the lower portion somewhat inclosed by the upper sheath; rachis smooth; branches alter- nate, the lower ones in clusters of twos at each node, solitary above, somewhat pubescent at the axils, very slender, the lower ones 2 dm. long, simple or once branched above the middle. Spikelets short-pedicellate, in clusters of threes at the end of the branches, 1.5 to 2 cm. long; empty glumes purple, 3-nerved, acute, the first slightly shorter than the second, strongly scabrous on the keel and lateral nerves, slightly scabrous on the margins; third glume nearly equaling and inclosed by the first glume, 5-nerved, subtending a hyaline palea nearly its own length and a stami- nate flower, flowering glume 8 to 9 mm. long, 9-nerved, pubescent throughout with spreading white hairs, apex cleft, forming 2 acute teeth about 2 mm. long and bearing between them a scabrous, geniculate awn 2 to 2.5 cm. in length, which is twisted below the geniculation, straight above. Fig. 7 -Tristachya la.ra Scribn. & Merrill: a. a grmip of spikelets; 6,' a single floret. 25 Tyjie collected Jn the State of Durango, 2334 J. N. Kose, August 16, 1897. Readily distinguished from the other species in this genus by its stout culms, lax i^ani- cles, long capillary branches, scabrous empty glumes, and long sterile palea. Microchloa indica (L. f.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. PL 3^: 356 (1898). {Nardus indica L. f. Suppl. PI. 105 (1"81); Microchloa setacea R. Br. Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl. 1: 208 (1810).) Durango, State of Durango, 532 E. Palmer, August, 1896. Cynodon dactylon Pors. 8yn. PI. 1: 85 (1805). Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 254 E. Palmer, June, 1898; 814 E. Palmer, October, 1898. CHLORIS CLANDESTINA Scribn. & Merrill, nom. nov. ( Gymnopogon longifoUus Fourn. Mex. PI. 2: 144 (1881); CMoris longifolia Vasey, Contr. U. S. Nat Herb. 1: 284, pi. 19 (1893), not Steud. Syn. PI. Gram. 205 (1854).) Topolobampo, State of Sinaloa, 238 E. Palmer, September, 1897, in small bunches under other plants in bottom lauds. Chloris elegans H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PL 1 : 166 (1815). Durango, State of Durango, 176 E. Palmer, June, 1896; 765 E. Palmer, October, 1896; near Colotlan, State of Jalisco, 3604 J. N. Rose, August 29, 1897; Colima, 140 E. Palmer, September, 1897; Topolobampo, State of Sinaloa, 245 E. Palmer, Septem- ber, 1897; Parras, State of Coahuila, 448 E. Palmer, October, 1898; on the road from Casas Grandes to Sabinal, State of Chihuahua, 6354 E. W. Nelson, September 4-6, 1899, in open bottom lands, among cacti and other plants. Chloris submutica H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PL 1 : 167, t. 50 (1815) . Durango, State of Durango, 181 E. Palmer, June, 1896; in the Sierra Madre Moun- tains, near Santa Teresa, Territorio de Tepic, 2143 J. N. Rose, August 9, 1897; Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 390 E. Palmer, September, 1898. Bouteloua aristidoides (H. B. K. ) Griseb. Fl. Brit. W. Ind. 537 (1864). {Dinebra anstklokles II. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PL 1 : 171 (1815).) Durango, State of Durango, 717 E. Palmer, September, 1896; near San Juan Capistrano, State of Zacatecas, 2490 J. N. Rose, August 23, 1897; Topolobampo, State of Sinaloa, 237 E. Palmer, September, 1897; Torreon, State of Coahuila; 513 E. Palmer, Octo- ber, 1898; near Casas Grandes, State of Chihuahua, 6329 E. W. Nelson, August 30, 1899. Bouteloua bromoides (H. B. K.) Lag. Gen. et Sp. Nov. 5 (1816). {Dinebra bromoides H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PL 1 : 172. t. 51 ('l815).) Between Monte Escobedo and Colotlan, State of Jalisco, 2672 J. N. Rose, August 28, 1897; near Pachico, State of Chihuahua, 6258 E. W. Nelson, August 22-24, 1899; Sierra Madre Mountains, 10 miles north of Pachico, 6305 E. W. Nelson, August 25, 1899. Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx. ) Torr. in Emory, Notes Mil. Recon. 153 (1848). ( Chloris curtipendula Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 1 : 59 (1803) ; B. racemosa Lag. Varied. Cienc. Lit. Art. 2*: 14 (1805).) Monte Alban. near Oaxaca, State of Oaxaca, 958 C. L. Smith, September 5, 1894; Bola- nos. State of Jalisco, 2929 J. N. Rose, September 10-19, 1897; Durango, State of Durango, 194 E. Palmer, June, 1896; Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 407 E. Palmer, September, 1898; below Pachico, State of Chihuahua, 6247 E. W. Nelson, August 22-24, 1899. Bouteloua havardi Vasey, Proc. Am. Acad. 18: 179 (1883). Durango, State of Durango, 546 E. Palmer, August, 1896; near Huejuquilla, State of Jalisco, 2532 J. N. Rose, August 24, 1897; near Plateado, State of Zacatecas, 2782 J. N. Rose, September 3, 1897. Bouteloua Mrsuta Lag. Varied. Cienc. Lit. Art. 2*: 141 (1805). Durango, State of Durango, 870 E. Palmer, November, 1896; betw^een Concepcion and Acaponeta, 1904 J. N. Rose, July 29, 1897; nearAcaponeta, Territorio de Tepic, 3293 J. N. Rose, July 30, 1897; on the road between Huejuquilla and Mesquitec, 26 State of Jalisco, 2586 J. N. Eose, August 25, 1897; Saltillo, State <.f Coaliuila, 405 E. Palmer, September, 1898; near Pachico, State of Chihuahua, 6246 E. W. Nel- son, August 22-24, 1899. Bouteloua oligostachya Torr. in A. Gray, Man. Bot. ed. 2, 553 (1856). Durango, State of Durango, 545 E. Palmer, August, 1896; Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 399, 403, 406 E. Palmer, September, 1898; near Casas Grandes, State of Chihuahua, 6327 E. W. Nelson, August 30, 1899. Bouteloua polystachya Torr. Pac. R. R. Rept. 5^: 366, t. 10 (1847). San Antonio Valley, State of Oaxaca, 957 C. L. Smith, September 1, 1894; Durango, State of Durango, 714 E. Palmer, September, 1896; Torreon, State of Coahuila, 514 E. Palmer, October, 1898; Saltillo, 401 E. Palmer, September, 1898. Bouteloua ramosa Scribn. in Vasey, IT. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Bot. Bui. 121; 44, pi. 44 (1891). Saltillo, State of Coahuila, 404 E. Palmer, September, 1898, in close tufts in low places on the mesa. « BOUTEIiOUA REPENS (H.B. K.) Scribn. & Merrill, n. comb. {Dinebra repens H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1: 172, t.53 (1815).) Durango, State of Durango, 547 E. Palmer, August, 1896. Bouteloua tenuis Griseb. in Goett. Abh. 24: 303 (1879). Durango, State of Durango, 712 E. Palmer, September, 1896; Saltillo, State of Coa- huila, 397, 378 E. Palmer, September, 1898; Pedrigal, Valley of Mexico, Federal District, 6450 C. G. Pringle, August 20, 1896. This grass grows so abundantly on the mesquite plains that it gives them the appearance of a lawn. Bouteloua trifida Thurb. Proc. Am. Acad. 18: 177 (1883). Saltillo, State of Cy T. II. Kearney, jr.. No. 204, near Biloxi, Mississippi, October 5, 1896. General distrikition. — Open, dry, sandy soil, Iowa to Texas and Mississippi. Fig. 1,h. — ^lii.'rit»>s aii4t Kora^e I'Isiiit Iii\ f>!>li^'atioii^.] 0^ A REVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE WORK DONE SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DIVISION. JULY I, 1S!)5. HY CORNELITTS T^. SPIEAR, PREPARED UNDER THK. DlKE(;T£(iN OF K. LAMS( )N-S('RI KN KM, AGROST( )L()i;lST. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT J'KINTING OFFICE. J 9 0 I . BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY; B, T. GALLOWAY, CHIEF. OFFFCK OF TIIJ': AGROSXpLOGiST. [Grass and Korage I'lmit. Tiivestig^tioiis.] F. Lamson-Hcribxer, yliyros/rt/o/T^sfo A. S. lIiTCHCoc'K, J.s-x/.s7(/7(/ ill Charge of Experimehtal Work. ('. L. 8hkar, A.-fsislrnii in (J harge of Seed and Field Work. ('. R. Bali,, Axf'isltnil in ('hdrge nf f/ros.^ fhirdrnt: (tn.) Price 5 cents. I'seful and Ornamental Gras.ses. (Bulletin No. 3.) Exhausted, and place supplied by Bulletin No. 14. Tlie Renewing of Worn-out Native Prairie Pastures. (Circular No. 4.) ' ' Studies of American Gras.ses: (1) The Genus Ixophorus. (2) A List of the Grasses Collected by Dr. E. Palmer in the Vicinity of Acapultfo, Mexico, isyi-'jo. (3) Some Mexican Grasses Collected by E. W. Ncl.son, 1S94-'.I5. (J) Some American Paniciuus in the Herljarium Berolinense and in the Herbarium of Willdenow. (.'>) Native and Introduced Species of the Genera Ho.rdeum and Agro- jjyron. (ti) Miscellaneou.ONotesand Descriptions Of New Species. (Bulletin No. 4.) Price lOceiits. Sorghum as a Forag(,' Crop. (Farmers' Bulletin No. .'iO.'l ■ ' .•' Gras.ys and Forage Plants of the Rocky Motnitain Region. (Bulletin No. 5.) Price .5. cents. Grasses nnd Forage Plants of the I)akot;us. (Bulletin No. 0.) Price .'> cents. '• > American Grasses. Illustrated, I. (Bulletin No. 7.) IlluslFations and descriptions of 302 species of gras.ses. Exhausted. Price, cloth, 30 cents. -_ Studies on American Grasses: (1) Dcscriiitions of New or Little Known Gras.ses. (2) Leaf Structure of Jouvea and Era.gro.«tis obtusiflora. (Bulletin Xo. 8.) Price 10 cents. , •' ; Grasses and Forage Plants of Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado. (Bulletin No. 9.1 Price 5 cents. The Soy Bean as a Forage Crop. (Farmers' Bulletin No. ",s. Meadows and Pastures. (Faniu^rs" Bulletin Xn. 0(1.) Cowi)eas. (Circular No. 5.) The Cultivated Vetches. (Circular No. 6.) Cattle Ranges of the Southwest. (Farmers' Bulletin No. 72.) Grassesand Forage Planlsof Central Texas. (Bulletiii No. lO.l Priceocents. Studies on Ajucrican (irasse.s: (1) A Revision of the North .American Species of Calamagrostis. (i) Descriptions (rf New or Little Known firasses. (Bulletin No. 11.) Price 10 cents. Grasses, Foragi' PlaiUs, and Forage Conditions of the Eastern Rocky Mountain Region, (Bulletin No. 12.) Price 5 cent'^. - ^ ■ . „ . The Red Desert of Wyoming and its Forage Resources. (Bulletin No; 13.) Price 10 cents. Ei-onomic (irasses. (Bulletin Xo. 14.) F'rice 10 cents. Forage Plants and Forage Resources of the (iulf States. (Bulletin N".> 1 . 1 ri. ■• .cents. Gram or Chick J'ea. ((Urcidar No. 7.) Experiments in Range Improvement^ (Circular No. s.i Cowpeas. ( Farmers' Bulletin No. .S9.) New Species of Xorth American Grasses. (Circular No. 9.) Grazing Problems in the Southwest and How to Meet Them. (Bulletin No. It^.) Price f) cents. American firasses, Illustn\ted, II. (Bulletin No. 17.) Prjce 20 ceats. I\>a Feiidleriana and its Allies. (Circidar No. 10.) The Flat Pea. (CircularXo.il.) Rape as a P'orage Plant. (Circular No. 12. i Floridii Beggarweed. (Circular No. 13.) Studies on American Gra.s.ses: A Synopsis of the Genus Sitanion. (Bulletin No. IS.) Price 5 cents. The Structure of the (^arvop.sis of Grasses with Rel'erence \v the Division of AgTostologT since its organization Jul}' 1, 18!i5, together with a summary of the results accomplished in the way of new discoveries and the development of useful species of grasses and forage plants. Respectfully, F. Lamson-Scribner, Agrostologl.sf. Hon. James Wilson, S"cretary of Agriculture. 9 CONTENTS. Page. Introduction 9 Persons engaged and territory covered 10 Previous investigations 11 Principal problems and requirements at the beginning of the work 11 Review of the field work ])y regions 13 Atlantic coast 13 Gulf coast - - - 14 Con(liti( )ns and i)roblems 14 Work done 15 The Great Plains _ 18 Conditions and pn >] )lems 18 Work done - - - 19 Rocky Mountain region - 27 Conditions and problems 27 Work done - 28 The Northwest 39 Conditions and problems 39 Work done - - - 39 The Southwest - 42 Conditions and problems 42 Work done - - 43 The Pacific coast - . - 52 Conditions and problems 52 Work done . . - - 52 General survey and summary 55 Forage plants for alkali soil 57 Sand and soil binders - 58 Specimens secured - 58 Control of grazing land - 59 The Australian systems ■ 59 Canada - 61 Texas - 61 State school lands and railroad lands - 61 Suggestions for further work 62 3 ILLUSTRATIONS. MAPS. Page. Mai' 1 . Total territory, covered l)y the field work 10 2. Territory covered by C. R. Orcutt, C. C. Georgeson, E. R. Chase, L. H. Pammel, and T. H. Kearney, jr 10 o. Territory covered by J. G. Smith, Aven Nelson, A. Lamson-Scrib- ner, Wm. Shear and C. L. Shear, F. Lange and D. Griffiths, E. A. Bessey and C. L. Shear 10 4. Territory covered by F. Lamson-Scribner, E. N. Wilcox, M. A. Bran- non, and P. A. Rydberg 1 . . . 10 5. Territory covered by R. Combs, J. Burtt Davy, C. I^. Shear, and E. D. Merrill 10 6. Territory covered by E. Nelson, A. B. Leckenby, S. M. Tracy, D. Griffiths, F. E. Clements and C. L. Shear \ '.. 10 7. Territory covered by C. J. Elmore, C. R. Ball, and T. A. Williams.. 8. Amount and distribution of the annual precipitation 10 PLATES. Plate I. Fig. 1. — View at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, showing sand dunes and general appearance of the country. Fig. 2. — View at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, showing sand drifts burying forest trees 12 II. Fig. 1. — Natural growth of l)each grass {AmniopJula arenaria) at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Fig. 2. — Planting beach grass (^ImH/o- plilla arenaria) at Cape Cod, Massachusetts 12 III. Fig. 1. — Chinese soy bean {Glycine hispida var. ) grown on Potomac Flats, Washington, D. C. Fig. 2. — Bermuda grass 12 IV. Texas blue grass {Poa arachnifera). A native species valuable for the Gulf States U V. Big blue stem {Andropogon furcatus) . A valuable hay and pasture grass of the Great Plains. From a photograph 16 VI. Fig. l.^Blue grama {Bouteloua oUr/ostacJiya), as grown in grass station at Walla Walla, Wash. From a photograph by A. B. Leckenby. Fig. 2. — Switch grass {Panieum virgatuin) , as grown in the grass garden at Washington, D. C. From photograph by 0. L. Shear ". 18 VII. Awnless brome grass {Bromus incrmls), showing plat of the grass grown in the United States grass garden, Washington, D. C. This grass has proved a success throughout the northern portion of the Great Plains region. From photograpii by F. Lamson- ScTibner 20 • VIII. Fig. 1. — American manna grass [PaniciUaria americana). A wet meadow grass. From photograi)h by C. L. Shear, taken near Antonito, Colo. Fig. 2.— Alfalfa, Bellefourche, S. Dak., 1897... 22 5 6 ILLUSTKATIONS. Page. Platk IX. Fig. 1. —The real Red Desert, Wyoming. Fig. 2.— The Greater Red Desert, Wyoming X. Fig. 1.— Point of Rocks, Bitter Creek Valley, Wyoming. Fig. 2.— The ideal summer range, Wyoming ' 26 XI. Fig. 1.— Mountain rye grass {Ehjvim cjlancux). An excellent grass adapted to high altitudes. From photograph by C. L. Shear, taken at Buffalo Pa.ss, Colorado, altitude 10,000 feet. Fig. 2.— Side oats grama {BotUeloua (■iirtipcndnla). An imiwrtant hay and pasture grass of the Great Phiins. From photograph by C. L. Shear, near Rocky Ford, Colo -^ XII. Western wheat grass {Acjropyron occidentale). A very important native hay and pasture grass in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regi( )ns - - - XIIl. Fig. 1.— Seed of native grasses, the. result of two days' collecting near Chico, Colo. Photographed by C. L. Shear. Fig. 2.— Stack of wild hay, showing method of stacking. From photograph by C. L. Shear, near Chico, Colo '^2 XIV. Fig. 1. — Bunch wheat grass {Agropyron spicatum (Pursh) Rydb.). United States grass station at Walla Walla, Wash. Fig. 2.— Bunch wheat grass (natural growth), Oregon. From a photo- graph by A. B. Leckenby 34 XV. Nevada blue grass (Poanm«?e».s?s). An important native grass in the Northwest. Photographed from plant grown at Washing- ton, D. C 36 XVI. Fig. 1.— Winter fat {Eurotia lanata). Native growth, Parker, Wash. From a photograph by A. B. Leckenby. Fig. 2.— A field of quack-grass hay {Agropyron repem), near ^Valla Walla, Wash., showing the large crop produced. From a photograph by A. B. Leckenby 38 XVII. Fig. 1.— Sand drifts along the Columljia River, Oregon, in peach orchard. Fig. 2. — View in Grass Station at Walla Walla, Wash., showing Canadian rye grass {El.ymus canadensis). From a pho- tograph by F. Lamson-Scribner 40 XVTIl. Fig. 1. — Sheep grazing in the mountains a1)ove Wallowa Lake, Ore- gon. From a photograph Ijy C. L. Shear. Fig. 2. — In the field, Messrs. Griffiths and Williams in northern Wyoming 42 XIX. Fig. 1. — Range near Abilene, Tex., where improvement experiments were conducted, showing characteristic growth of mes(juite l>ean {Promph julijiora). From photograph by C. L. Shear. Fig. 2. — View in the Santa Cruz Valley near Tucson, Ariz., showing the manner in which the mesquite bean {Pnmip'iH s\\) is being cut. From a i)hotograph by I). Griffiths 44 XX. Fig. 1. — Bulbous panic-grass (Ponictt?;* ?'»i/w.W7H)- Grown on Poto- mac Flats, Washington, D. C, from New Mexican seed. Fig. 2. — Curly mes(iuite {Hilaria cenchroides) . Grown on Potomac Flats, Washington, D. C 46 XXI. Fig. 1. — The Range, 25 miles southeast of Tucson, Ariz., showing its condition early in April, 1901. Only a few small, scattered, annual weeds present. Photographeil by D. Griffiths. Fig. 2. — Along the right (jf way of the raili-oad near Benson, Ariz., showing the condition of the grass under protection. Photographed by D. Griffiths 48 ILLUSTRATION I'affe. Plate XXII. Fig. 1((. — Plantain {Pl. Griffiths. Fig. 2. — Wright's saccaton, showing its appearance after being grazed. Same locality. Photographed by D. Griffiths 56 XXVI. Fig. 1. — Shad scale {Atripde.r c(inesrens). Plant protected from grazing, near Tucson, Ariz. Photographed by D. Griffiths. Fig. 2. — Shad scale {Atriplex canescens). Plants in the same locality nearly destroyed by overstocking. Photographed b>- D.Griffiths/. 58 XXVn. Fig. 1. — Seaside blue grass {Poa iiKicnndlta). From a photo- graph taken near Morrison, Oreg., by A. B. Leckenby, 1889. Fig. 2. — OoUet^ting seed of seaside blue grass near Morrison, Oreg. From a photograph by A. B. Lec^kenby, 1889 60 XXVIII. Fig. 1. — Sand dune on the Pacific coast, fiand rye grass {Ely inus arenarius) covering the top of the dune and big head sedge in the foreground. Fig. 2. — »Sand dune held by seaside blue grass {Poa marrantha), near Seaside, Oreg. From a photo- graph by F. Lamson-Scribner 62 FIELD WORK OF THE DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY: A REVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE WORK DONE SINCE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DIVISION, JULY 1, 1895. INTRODUCTION. The Division of Agrostology was established by Congress in 1895 for the purpose of investigating the various problems relating to the grasses and forage plants of the United States. Progressive farmers, stockmen, and dair3^men had for some time recognized that there was urgent need of a thorough study of the various forage problems which were presenting themselves in different parts of the country. Conse- quently the then Secretary of Agriculture, Hon. J. Sterling Morton, recommended to Congress that a separate Division be established to take charge of and prosecute the work. The rapidly deteriorating con- dition of the native meadows and ranges of the great West naturally led the stockmen to inquire into the reasons for these conditions, and to try to ascertain what steps might ])e taken to improve them. The very rapid development of the stock-growing industry in the W^est, which immediately followed the Imilding of the transcontinental railroads, brought about increasing competition for the use of the grazing lands, and under the mistaken impression that the abundant forage at first found was practically inexhaustible, together with the effort on the part of each to secure as much advantage as possible from the ''free grass," great injury naturally resulted to the grazing lands. The stock-growing industry is one of great importance and one that should be carefully fostered. The vast areas of land throughout the Western States and Territories, which are at present unavailal)le for general agricultural purposes, and the greater part of which prolxibly never ^vill be availal)lc for such use on account of the insufficient water supply, should be properly controlled so as to conserve their usefulness. Of the unoccupied pul)lic lands about 365,400,000 acres are regarded at present as fit only for grazing purposes. There are, in addition, 124,300,000 acres of forest land, the greater portion of which is also used for grazing. The various evils arising from overstocking and 9 10 . FIELD WOKK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. denudino- extonsivo areas of efrazino^ and tiinhcr lands Ix^ar such a dii'cct relation to the j^eneral welfare of the whole A\^est that it is incunibent upon the General Government to make a thorouj^h investi- gation of all the questions involved and if possible devise some means of remedying the present conditions. The relation of the grazing indus- try to forest reserves, to the water suppl}^, to erosion, and the various other matters to which it more or less directly relates can not be solved except by long and careful investigation of the actual facts and conditions prevailing. While the problems presented by the vast semi- arid grazing regions of the West seemed most urgent, there were also important questions in the other portions of the country pressing for solution. The questions involved required, first of all, a thorough and accurate knowledge of the actual facts and conditions existing. Thus, field work was commenced as soon as the Division was estab- lished in order that the necessarj^ data might be secured as a l)asis for future work and recommendations. PERSONS ENGAGED AND TERIIITORY COVERED. The field work of the Division has been carried on by different mem- bers of the regular office force and b}' special agents emploved for certain periods during the summer season. Twenty -seven persons in all have })een engaged at different times in the work. The following is a list of those who have done field work, with the names of the States or Teri'itories in which such work has been done: C. R. Ball, 1898, 1900, 1901 Alabama, Louipiana, MisHissip])!, S<.)nth Carolina. E. A. Bessey, 1898 Colorado. M. A. Brannoii, 1896 North Dakota. Edw. R. Chase, 1895 Utah. F. E. Clements, 1896 Colorado. R. Combs, 1898 Florida. J. B. Davy, 1899 California. C. J. Elmore, 1896 Nebraska. C. C. Georgeson, 1 898 Texas. David ( Jritliths, 1896-97 Arizona, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming. T. II. Kearney, 189.5 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, ^'irginia. Emil F. Lange, 1900 Montana. A. B. Leckenby, 1898-1900 Washington, Oregon. E. D. Merrill, 1900 Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Wi.^^consiii, Wyo- ming. Aven Nelson, 1897. A¥yoming. Elias Nelson, 1900 Wyoming. C. R. Orcutt, 1896 Arizona, California, New INIexico, Texas. L. H. Pammel, 1896 Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyo- ming. P. A. IJy.lbcrg, 1S9.5-96 C^olorado, I.laho, Montana, Nebraska, Utah, Wyo- ming. Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S, Dept. o1 Agriculture. Map 1. Sul, 25, Div of Agrostology U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Map 2. Bui- 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Map 3. Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Map 4. Bui. 25, Div, of Agrostology. U. S. Dept of Agriculture. Map 5. o o H I m g < en O O > o <0 H O r o o < p- SL SI *;, «. r. •^ 11 i 1 r/^^-^?^!^^^ :^-;^ m o c 3D / yK'^^iSb.i /W^s B, O l~ CD o \ ^ '■' ' " ° — — — . ^ -4l — -^N_^^^/ /^-^^ mJV A f i T"''-T^^-^\tT^^ s ^^ "^ UrC^ 1 |l yi \^ C4 ~\(rn^ ^ ^ 7 - 3-^!-— i_-___ ■ ''1 ' If* [ / — J H- ATM ° V . / ■ ^7— "5ii~~H--Js §„ j 1 J — r / \\J 1 1 -- ( r 7; 1 V *ii. 4 /^ i ^ ( ^' *^L~—^ 4 h ; ty ' % 0^ O^^ ^\^ • -...,rf ,-i|ii| 1 J ^.,/Lc=<^ -r- i_^__, — --^ -51:^ ID X m» r \ / 1 -I ^^X---'—^ -U — ^1 "fa isiS( X—. ■\ 1 L r..,J , i /• ■-A ''^ iSf 8 " \ f—if 1 ) ' ' s I / o\y ^^ \ f^~V^ ' \ } \ / k i iXi/ ^iNy^iA-s i ^r^y ^^--""-"'^ ^ — "^ T T^rn '^ <^ J ^^c^ ^ j__^^^^^^,^^^i^ !j?- — ^ ■^ (^ Jl \V ^r~x \\\ V'-'^i^ ^Uf^^^^^\^" w \ ^ 3^?s^V^\^'^''^ 7W^ Ju S x^lsi^ (^;^ A^-^i^' \ \ "^ s^^-^^^^^^^aVc^ \ ^ ^7 ^ yi \ 'ir^% ^^fe^ V .^-M ^v-i^-— — "^ — iT ^-^'^^^~M,^^s»\'\ \ i "wx ( \ '■\^ O^^^ ^?T^ '"' vn "^ \ v^ L\r ^.,-^'^- a> \ \ \ .— ujT ' \ / — V rk ^ o 41 %ijfe^^fr^l5 ^^N f V~_ — ''''''^°^r''^^^^5t--^ ---C^X, ^^:5>i^°» ,—- ^■" \ \ ^\^*^ ^ ^■\ ^/.- c^'"'^''^'^'^^^ \ \ ^ r^ xiXT^A"^'^ ^ J\. — — - \ \ S^ ^^^^^'^n^ ^ ''^ \ \ ^--A"""^^ ^Ur^s \ \ ^-'-''^''''^X Yf^ >-8l «. H 81 & Bui 25, Div. ol Agrostology, U S. Dept. of Agriculture. Map 6. Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept of Agriculture. Map 7.. Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S Dept. of Agriculture. Map 8. PERSONS ENGAGED AND TERRITORY COVERED. 11 F'. I.anison-Scril)n('r, 189()-U)0() California, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, South Carolina, Washing- ton, Wyoming. A. Laiuson-Scribner, 1900 Florida, jNhissachusetts, Oregon, Washington. C. L. Shear, ISOo-lDOl Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. J. ('. Smitli, isit.'i-isits (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New ^Mexico, South Da- kota, Tennessee, Texas. William Shear, 1900 Colorado. S. M. Tracy, 1S97 Alabama, Florida, (ieorgia, Louisiana, Missis- sippi, Texas. E. N. Wild IX, 1S97 South Dakota. T. A. Williams, lS9(i-1900. Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, jNIaryland, Minnesota, Missouri, iVIon- tana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming. It will be observed from this list that the greatest amount of work has been done in the South, on the Great Plains, -and in the Rock}' Mountain region. The work in these regions was naturally undertaken first on accoimt of our insufficient knowledge of th(^ forage plants and conditions and on account of the great importance of the forage problems in these regions. PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS. At the beginning of the investigations bj' the Division exact knowl- edge of the grasses and forage plants of the greater part of the range lands of the country west of the Mississippi River was very limited. Some field work had been done in certain portions of the West under the direction of Dr. George Vasey, former botanist of the Department of Agriculture. The various Government surveying parties had made collections of more or less importance at various places, and a few private collectors had also done considerable work in this direction.^ The greater part of this work, however, had been devoted to the col- lection of the plants found, without" giving special attention to the rela- tive value and importance of the species as forage. PRINCIPAL PROBLEMS AND REQUIREMENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WORK. While the purelj'^ botanical explorations of this part of the country had afforded material for a catalogue of most of our grasses, yet verjj^ little was known of their distribution, abundance, and relative \alue ^See preface to Bull 16, Div. Agrost. for further account of work previous to the establishment of this Division. 12 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. for forage purposes. It was quite essential that accurate knowledge should be secured in regard to these matters and that field investiga- tions should be undertaken with this particular end in view. Conflict- ing accounts had been received from stockmen and ranchmen with regard to the different grasses, their value, abundance, and distribu- tion. Unfortunately reports from such sources can not alwaj^s be relied upon, as the parties making them have rarel}- had sufficient training in accurate observation and comparison of plants to arrive at correct conclusions. The grasses are so numerous and the character- istics distinguishing the species are in many cases so inconspicuous that only the trained agrostologist can distinguish them. Another liability to confusion results from lack of uniformity in the application of the common names of grasses. Another question of great importance was the actual condition of the pasture and range lands and the causes which have led to their present condition. The conditions vary greatly in different places, so that only by actual inspection of the greater portion of the range lands could a just estimate be made. The fact that, as a general thing, the ranges were becoming impaired was generally admitted, })ut to just what extent, and as a result of what causes, it was very important to accuratel}^ ascertain. Some were disposed to account for it largel}^ on the supposition that there was less annual precipitation than for- merl3\ The validity of this statement was easily determined, however, by reference to the Weather Bureau records, which, though in some cases not extending over a sufficient number of 3^ears to determine the question with absolute certaint^^, yet were sufficient to indicat(> that there was not enough, if any, decrease in the average rainfall to account for the great deterioration of the range lands. The effectiveness of the rainfall, however, is much less at present than formerly, but this is the result of the present condition of the ranges rath(n- than its cause, and involves the (piestion of the effect of overgrazing upon the con- servation of the water supply and upon erosion — questions of great importance, which demand careful and thorough investigation. Whereas overgrazing was generally admitted to be the fundamental cause of most of the trouble, it was important to learn exactly to what extent the ranges were being overstocked and the exact manner in which the resulting injury occurs. Field workers were instructed to make a thorough investigation of all the matters above referred to by a careful examination of the ranges and meadows and also by inquiry from stockmen and ranchmen. They were also instructed to make collections of all the native grasses and forage plants with full notes regarding their forage value, abundance, past and present distribution, juul also to collect seeds of all the valuable species, particularly those giving indications of use- fulness under cultivation. In cases where seed could not be secured Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate 1. Fig. 1.— View at Cape Cod, Mass., showing Sand Dunes and general Appearance OF the Country. From a photo.ifrapli by F. Lam.son-Scribner. , i ■■' . M a^* ( Fig. 2.— View at Cape Cod, Mass., showing Sand Drifts burying Forest Trees. From a |ili(Pt(itrrai>h liv F. Lanisdn-ScritiiUT. Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept of Agricultuie. Plate II. Fig. 1.— Natural Growth of Beach Grass (Ammophila arenariai at Cape Cod, Mass. From a photograph by F. Lamson-Scribner. Fig. 2.— Planting Beach Grass (Ammophila arenariai at Cape Cod, Mass. From a photograph by F. Lamj^on-Scribiier. Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S, Dept. of Agriculture. Plate III. Fig. 1.— Chinese Soy Bean (Glycine hispida var.1. Grown on Potomac Flats, Washington, D. C. Fig. 2.— Bermuda Grass. ATLANTIC COAST. 13 roots were ol)tained for tr{in8plaiiting- in order that a eareful study of the plants might l)e made under cultivation to demonstrate if possible the practicability of their general use. REVIEW OF THE FIELD WORK BY REGIONS. ATLANTIC COAST. Besides forage problems the Division was charged with the investi- gfation of grasses as soil and sand l)inders. The extensive areas of shifting sands along' the Atlantic coast have for man}^ years atti'acted attention and led to efforts to devise some means of holding them. Besides the interference with navigation f requenty caused by the shift- ing of these sands there is a continual destruction of the agricultural lands bordering the coast by the gradual encroachment of the drifting sand. Investigations along this line have been made on the coast near Provincetown, jNIass. on Cape Cod, where there are extensive areas of shifting sands, and experiments in growing and transplanting sand-binding grasses have been carried on (PI. I). The beach grass {Ammophila arenarid) which is native along the Atlantic coast has been very useful in preventing the drifting of the sand and has been transplanted over quite extensive areas on Cape Cod under the author- ity of the State of Massachusetts (PL II). Investigation of the native sand-binding grasses has also been made at various other points along the Atlantic coast, and it has been found that there are a number of very valuable native grasses which act as sand binders. Besides the beach grass, which is not indigenous south of Virginia, there is the sand rj^e-grass [Elymus arenarlus)^ occurring from Massachusetts northward: the bitter panic {Paniciivi o/marurn)^ extending from Con- necticut south along the Atlantic and Gulf coast, and sea oats ( Uniola panieidata)^ another important sand binder occurring from Virginia southward and along the Gulf coast. Experiments have demonstrated that these grasses can be readil}^ transplanted and very successfully used in preventing the drifting of the sands. Besides the transplanting of roots of sand-binding grasses large quantities of seed, especially of the beach grass, have been secured from Provincetown, Mass., for distribution and trial at various points, not onl}' along the seacoast l)ut also along the shores of the Great Lakes where similar trouble is caused by the shifting sand. The Chief of the Division has investi- gated the question of sand binders at several points on the Maine coast; at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and also in the vicinity of Charles- ton, S. C, and Savannah, Ga., where, at the request of the War Department, experiments were vuidertaken in preventing the shifting of sand in the vicinity of the fortifications. Mr. Allen Scriljner did held work on Cape Cod, collecting a large 14 FIELD W.ORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. (jiiantitv t)f beach-grass seed as well as a considerable nunibei- of roots foi- transplanting. Mr. T. A. Williams, late, assistant chief of the Division, did work in the vicinit\^ of Norfolk, Va., securing seeds and roots of the bitter panic grass and a closely related species, which was considered new, and has been described in Circular No. 29 of this Division as Panicum aniaroidoi^ Scribn. & Merrill. Mr. T. H. Kearne}^, forniorly an assistant in the Division, also did tield work at Norfolk, Va. ; Wilmington, N. C, and Savannah and Augusta, (xa. T\w question of the restoration of worn-out meadows and pasture lands is one of considerable importance in the Atlantic coast region, and particularly so in the New England States. Field studies of this question have been made by the Chief of the Division in Maine and Massachusetts, and experimental work looking toward the solution of this problem has been already arranged with the New Hampshire Experiment Station. No separate pu))lication giving the results of the held work done aloup- the Atlantic coast has been issued. Much of the matter con- tained in Professor Scribner's Yearbook article for 1894 on "Grasses as sand and soil l^inders" was the result of this work, and also the article on " Sand-])inding grasses" by the same author in the Year- book for 1898. Bulletin No. 1 of the Division contains the results of Mr. Kearne3''s work in this region. An alphabetical and systematic list of the grasses and forage plants found is given with notes upon their habitat, habit of growth, distribution, abundance, and economic value. GULF COAST. CONDITIONS AND l']iOI5I>EMS. The forage pro1)leins in the (iulf States are verv numerous and varied. Their great importance was early recognized, and investiga- tions conmienced inunediatelv after the organization of the Division. The long continued cultivation of single crops, especially cotton, had greatly impoverished the soil and led the more progressive planters to see the necessity of adopting a more diversified s3'stem of agriculture. Until (juite recentlj^ a considerable portion of the hay consumed in the Gulf States was imported from other localities, and it was commonly })elieved that good pastures and meadows could not be made in that region. The great diversity of soils and climatic conditions, together with the presence of between 300 and 100 species of native grasses found growing in these States, natui-ally suggested the belief that the com- monly accepted view regarding the forage possibilities of this region was erroneous. The great abundance of native grasses indicates that the South is naturally a grass producing country, and that considerable Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S, Dept of Agriculture. Plate IV. i V ' /. V ;r^;X ■:2>^lv y: ■■ -^■- <; i^-^r- EL. 5. Texas Blue Grass iPoa arachnifera). A native Species valuable for the Gulf States. Photograplied from specimens grown at Washington, i). C, l.iy F. Lam.son-Seribner. GULP COAST. 15 areas may ))e pi'ofitahly devoted to meadow aiid pasture purposes. It was desirable at lirst to tind what these nati^'e grasses were, the soil and climatic conditions under which the}' flourish, and the forage value of each, as well as the special purposes to which they were adapted. There was also the question of the introduction of various cultivated grasses and forage plants, and the testing of their adaptal)ility and value. The climate of this region is so favorable to the growth of grasses and forage plants that l)y proper succession pasture can be secured during the whole .year, lience it was very desirable to ascertain what plants were best adapted to each season, and what the most profitable succession of seeding might be. Another question of great impor- tance was the best method of improving and restoring the worn-out soils by the cultivation of the various leguminous forage plants, such as cowpeas, soy beans (PI. Ill, lig. 1), and clovers, which, while pro- ducing large crops of ha}' or green forage, at the same time improve the chemical and mechanical condition of the soil and act as fertilizers. WOKK DOXE. An investigation of these various problems AVfus begun by tlie Divi- sion immediately after its organization and has been continued every season since. The first work was done hy jNIr. Kearney, who visited various places in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, besides the other points mentioned in referring to the field work done in the Atlantic coast region. A large collection of the grasses and forage plants of this region was made. Valua])le information was secured by observa- tion and careful field studies and also by interviews with various people familiar with the conditions and problems in question. The great value of the native hay and pasture grasses was definitely ascertained, as well as the possibilities in the way of introduction, cultivation, and more general use of the ' ' ttime " grasses and forage plants adapted to the \arious localities. The residts of this field work were published in Bulletin No. 1 of this Division, entitled ''Notes on the Grasses and Forage Plants of the Southeastern States.'' Notes on the most impor- tant grasses and forage plants for various purposes are given, also a complete list of all the grasses collected. Prof. S. M. Tracy, formerly director of the Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station, Avho from his long experience in the South and careful study of its forage problems was especially fitted for the work, was engaged to undertake an investigation of the forage conditions and questions of the Gulf States for this Division. He has done a large amount of field work in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louis- iana, and eastern Texas, giving attention to all the various phases of the forage problems of the region. The results of this work were published as Bulletin No. 1.5 of this Division, entitled "A Heport upon 16 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGEOSTOLOGY. the Fonij;-(' Pluiits and Forage Resources of the Gulf States." In this bulletin a rather thorough discussion is given of the various soil con- ditions, natural pastures, formation and care of pastures, temporary pastures, winter pastures, and also descriptions of the more important forage plants, with methods of cultivation and care of soils, and extended notes upon the more important ha}^ and jjasture plants of the region. Professor Tracy, in speaking of the natural pastures, says: The natural forage jilants vary an widely as the .soil^. Some adapt tliemselveH to almost any situation and are quite general in their distributon, while others are extremely local. Some become more vigorous and abundant under frequent graz- ing, while others soon disappear with any change of surroundings. In regard to the formation of pastures, we may quote the following from the same report: With a climate favorable to almost continuous growth and Avith soil easily worked and promptly responding to good management it is not difRcnU. to secure permanent pastures of the highest quahty, and in order to obtain the best returns the same intelligent care must be used in their management as is given other portions of the farm. The best pastures are those which contain the greatest variety of plants yield- ing palatable food for stock. These plants should be such as make their greatest growth at different seasons, in order that there may be a continuous supply. A por- tion of them should be legumes, both for their superior fattening qualities and their effect upon the soil, and as large a proportion as possible should be perennials. Carpet grass {raspalum compressuvi) is excellent for pastures, espe- cially on the thin sandy lands along the Gulf coast. It is a native and tends to spread and increase as the other and coarser grasses are destroyed by grazing. Its increase can be materially hastened, accord- ing to Professor Tracy, b}^ mowing old pastures in Jul}^ or August, when the grass is maturing seed, and scattering the hay thus made over the new field. For the more fertile lands Bcrnuida grass is most valuable (PI. Ill, tig. 2). In speaking of the selection of varieties for pasture the following advice is given: For the whole of the Gulf States, excepting the sandy soils near the coast, Ber- muda grass and Japan clover should be the foundation of every permanent pasture. On alluvial lands add redtop and alsike clover for the damper lands, with orchard grass, sweet clover, and bur clover for the drier lands. On the uplands, yellow loam, and clay sections, orchard grass and l)ur clover do well on the dry soils, while for wet pla(;es redtop, large water grass, and alsike clover should be added. For the black ])rairie regions, Texas blue grass ( PI. IV) and sweet clover are the best additions. On the light soils of the coast region, carpet grass, large water grass, giant beggar weed, and mutton cane largely replace the redtop and clover of the more Northern sections. The question of the best crops for winter pastures is one of consid- erable importance in this region. It has been found that oats, rye and barley, and hairy vetch prove the most satisfactory. A mixture of turf oats and hairy vetch give espcciall}^ good results. Rescue grass is also valuable for the same ]:)urpose. As a hay crop Bernmda Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate V. Big Blue-Stem iAndropogon furcatus). A valuable Hay and Pasture Grass of THE Great Plains. From a photograph. aULF COAST. 17 gra.s.s i.s most largely used. The sod, however, fre(|ueiitly ))ecomes so matted that it should bo disk harrowed in order to give the grass a fresh stiirt. Of the annual hay plants, cowpeas are regarded as the most important and best. The large number of varieties, with the var3dng lengths of time required for growth, makes it possi])le to adapt them to various uses, so that they can be grown on land from which grain or any earh' crop has been harvested. The benefit which the soil derives from them is also of nmch importance. Crab grass {Panlcioit sanguinale) is also used very largely for hay. It is a volunteer crop, taking possession of fields upon which grain or similar crops have been gi'own, and produces a large amount of excellent hay, especially on the richer soils. The hay is of good quality, but needs considerable care in curing. German millet, Johnson grass, and red clover are also extensively cultiv^ated for hay. Professor Tracy's report has ])een in great demand and has done nuich to increase the knowledge and interest of the farmers of the South in forage ques- tions, and has also tended greatly toward the improvement of con- ditions. Mr. C. K. Ball did field work two seasons in Louisiana, making especially large and important collections in the northern part of the State and investigating a region whose forage problems and conditions had not been liefore carefully studied. His collections and notes have added nmch to our knowledge of this region. The report of these investigations has not yet been published, but is in course of prepara- tion and will soon 1)c submitted ih connection with a complete account of all the unpublished results of field work in the Gulf States. Mr. Robert Combs, accompanied b}^ Mr. Allen Scribner, spent sev- eral months during the summer of 1898 in northern, central, and west- ern Florida, making a careful study of the forage resources of that State. Large portions of Florida have been found to be particularly well adapted to stock raising. Over large areas onl}^ a very small proportion of the land is under cultivation, so that stock have an abun- dant range in the woodlands, where there is an excellent supply of grass and other forage. The growing season being practically contin- uous, there is no lack of feed at any time during the year. For this reason very little attention has been given to cultivated forage plants. As the area of cultivated land increases, however, it will be found nec- essary to pay more attention to the establishment of permanent pas- tures and meadows, and also to the proper preservation and care of the more important native grasses and forage plants. It is very impor- tant that these questions should be carefully looked into and the proper steps taken before the ranges reach the serious condition of those in some other parts of the country, and it is hoped that the investigations which have been undertaken will result in the conservation and proper care of the natural forage of this State. A very large collection of 1923— No. 25 2 18 hlVAA) WOKK OF l^rVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. the o-nisses aiul forage phuits was secured, which has added very materially to our knoAvledo-e of the native species, their distri))uti()ii, abundance, and \alue. 11ie oeneral results of these Held studies have not vet been i)uhlished, but the careful and valuable notes secured by Messrs. Combs and Scribner Avill be incorporated in the report on the Gulf States referred to above. Besides the al)ove-meiitioned field work in this region. Prof. F. Lamson-ocribner, Chief of the Divi- sion, has spent short periods at several points in Florida with especial reference to the question of sand-binding grasses of the region, ajid has also compiled, from the reports of the various field workers in the South, Farmer's Bulletin No. 102, '^Southern Forage Plants,'' which treats in a simple and condensed manner the various forage problems and plants of the South, giving directions for formation and care of pastures, describing soiling and fodder crops, and giving a thorough account of the more important ha}^ and pasture plants, with descriptions, illustrations, methods of cultivation, relative value, etc., of each. THK GREAT PLAIISS. CONJMTIO.NS AND I'lJOJiLEMS. The Great Plains region, as limited for the purposes of the present discussion, extends from North Dakota south to Indian Territory and west to the foothills of eastern Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Though the area undei- consideration includes many million acres, yet the grasses and forage plants and climatic conditions are very similar ^ throughout. The annual precipitation decreases over the whole region as one goes from the eastern border to the western. In the eastern por- tions of Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas the annual precipitation averages from 25 to 30 inches. In the western portion of the Great Plains the rainfall is much less, the annual precipitation averaging from 10 to 20 inches. In the first half of the last century nearly all of this territory was included on the maps of the period under the title of the "Great' American Desert." As the tide of immigration proceeded westward and the actual conditions became more definitely known, the imaginary borders of this desert were gradually pushed westward. The very fertile soils of eastern Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas were found to produce abundant crops of wheat, corn, and other cereals, and rapid settlement and development of the country immediateh' followed. Attracted by the glowing accounts given by the early settlers, farmers from the East and immigrants from Europe continued to take up land and begin the cultivation of the soil. It was soon found by experience that while excellent crops were usually certain in the eastern borders of this region, the amount of moisture available during the season decreases so rapidly as you proceed westward that after passing the ninety-eighth meridian the production of corn and wheat is a matter Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate VI. Fig. 1.— Blue Grama iBouteloua oligostachya', as grown in Grass Station at Walla Walla, Wash. From a photoj^raiili by A. K. Lt>c-kt'nt)y. Fig. 2.— Switch Grass iPanicum virgatum), as grown in the Grass Garden at Washington, D. C. From ;i photoifraph by C. L. Shear. THE GREAT PLAINS. 19 of coiisid('riil)lo >tiHHn-tiiiiity. Nevertheless, iiifluemed very often b\' unserupulous persons who were willing- to protit by the ignorance on the part of tlie home seeker of the actual conditions, people continued to take up these lands farther and farther west, in central and western Kan- sas and Nebraska, and break the virgin prairie .sod with its luxuriant growth of native grasses, in hope of growing profitable crops of cereals. In this, however, the}' were destined to disappointment. Experience has shown that beyond the ninety-eighth meridian prolitable crops of cereals are not produced oftener than one to three times in live years, so that farming without some means of irrigation can not be made a financial success. Those who possessed sufficient acumen to appreciate these facts turned their attention at once to stock raising; but under the impres- sion, apparentlv, that the torage resources of the countr}' were inex- haustible, the pastures were overstocked and soon their carrying capacity was greath' lessened. When the more progressive stockmen began to realize that the native pastures were rapidly deteriorating and were threatened with destruction if the same treatment was longer continued, they began to make inquiries regarding the matter, wish- ing to tind some remedy. Many of the people began to gradually realize that the}- had made a serious mistake in breaking these line pasture and meadow lands in a hopeless endeavor to produce paj'ing crops of wheat and corn. Thus thev l)egan to inquire as to what could be done to put down these cultivated lands to permanent meadows and pastures again. As the people turned their attention to stock raising and dairying, the question of drought-resistant soiling crops and other forage plants which might prove successful also naturally arose. It was in response to pressing demands for information along these various lines that the Division of Agrostology Ijegan immediately after its organization to undertake a thorough investigation of the different problems referred to. WORK DONK. Field work was commenced in this region by Mr. 1*. A. Rydberg and the writer. Studies and collections of the grasses and forage plants of the Platte River Valley were made at Vallev, Central City, Kearne}-, and North Platte, Nebr. Collections of roots, seeds, and specimens of the more important native species were collected and careful notes made regarding the forage value, abundance, distribution, and importance of each. With the seeds and roots secured, plots in the grass garden on the Department grounds at Washington were made and an opportunity afforded for studying the behavior of these plants under cultivation. The results of this field work were published in Bulletin No. 5 of this Division, entitled ''A Report on the Grasses and Forage Plants of the Rocky Mountain Region." The major por- 20 KIELD WOKK OF DIVISION OF AGRt)ST0LOGY. tioii of the' report was devoted to iiivcstigiitioiis made in the liocky Mountains, tlie work done in Nebraska being incidental. Other field work in Nebraska has been done by Mr. C. J. Elmore, Dr. L. H. Panmiel, Mr. T. A. Williams, late assistant agrostolog-ist, Mr. J. O. Smith, who formerly occupied the same position in the Division, and also by the writer. Mr. Elmore did field work during a portion of the summer of 1S96 in the southwestern part of the State, especially in Nemaha and Otoe counties. He devoted especial atten- tion to the collection of sheaves of the native grasses and forage plants to be used for exhibition purposes b}^ the Division and for distribution and exchange to various institutions, particularly the experiment sta- tions. In this way a considerable number of specimens were added to the herbarium, and duplicates were also secured for distribution and exchange. During the same season Dr. L. H. Paumiel, under com- mission from the Secretary of Agriculture, made a study of the forage conditions of western Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado. The points at which Avork was done were as follows: Ames, Iowa; Omaha, Lincoln, Crete, Hastings, and McCook, in Nebraska, and also in northern and central Colorado in the vicinity of Fort Morgan, Greeley, Fort Col- lins, Golden, Denver, and Colorado Springs. A discussion of the Col- orado work wUl be taken up in connection with the account of the work in the Rocky Mountain region. The results of Dr. Panmicrs work were published in Bulletin No. 9, entitled, "'" Notes on the Grasses and Forage Plants of Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado."" A quotation from Dr. Pannners report will give an idea of the sit- uation in Iowa: The forage question in central Iowa is very different now fnjni what it was fif- teen years ago. At that time considerable areas of unl^roken sod still remained. Now the wild prairies have almost ceased to be a factor in the jiroduction of hay. The extensive prairies have given way to cultivated fields and pastures. Small unbroken areas occur here and there, but these are chiefly confined to the small drainage l)asins between iiills, and exist largely because in times of considerable pre- cipitation these depressions are too moist for proper cultivation. The Boyer and Maple valleys are note z r m Cfi en ro 33 O m O > CO CO DO 3J o c CO z m 33 § CO > CO 33 I a o s^ - z ^?, Q O - I D^ • O CO CO 33 o Z H I m H m o H > o 33 > 03 CO THE GEEAT PLAINS. 21 Pereiuiiul rye grass is lu-arly worthless for this section of the State. Italian rye grass is unable to resist the cold of our winters and is a complete failure. Meadow foxtail {Ahpecurus pratensis) does fairly well as an early grass when sown the season l)efore, but is hardly adapted to this section. The most promising of the recently introduced grasses is smooth or hungarian brome. The short-awned brome has also been tried and is very promishig. Rye and barley arc often used as forage plants. German millet and Imngarian grass find extended use some seasons. Broom-corn millet is frequently sown in northern and northwestern Iowa. But one legume is generally grown and that is red clover. Mammoth or medium clover is often sown, but is much less connnon than the preceding. Alsike clover is becoming more common. Two sweet cdovers are not infrequent; the white sweet clover is more abundant than the yellow. Crimson clover has been tried repeatedly, but is not adapted to Iowa conditions. It suffers much from drought in late summer, and from insect and fungous enemies. Many native species of grasses occur, and they vary in quantity and quality in dif- ferent sections of the State. The dominant grasses of central low'a are little l)lue stem and big blue stem. Both of these species are frequently called lilue joints. Several species of Ehjnms are abundant, as wild rye, on the prairies and meadows; Lyme grass on the flood plains of streams, and Dennett grass along the borders of woods. Other common grasses are: Indian beard grass, or bushy 1)lue stem, in prai- ries and open woods; tall grama grass of the dry prairies and gravelly knolls; nod- ding fescue in woods; slender fescue in dry sterile soils; Short's fescue in low ])rairies, a most valuable species; switch grass in rather moist meadows; satin ^rasa {Mn]ilen- hergia racemosa, 3f. diffusa, M. vnlldenowli, and M. mexicana) in most soil of open woodlands an ofeneral discussion of the results of field work covered by the report there is given a complete list of the grasses and foth by experiment and practice, that the farmer who sells beef, pork, and mutton, that he has ijroduced from corn and grass raised and fed on the farm, makes more money per acre of his land and per dollar of his capital than the one who grows only wheat or corn or cotton. The following quotation, which gives a comparison between the present and past condition of the prairies, is of interest: The prairies in their wild state were (-overed with the richest possible grass flora. There was no similar region that had so many useful species and so few poisonous or injurious ones. Almost any square mile of the whole extent of territory could fur- nish in one season 50 kinds of grasses and native forage plants, grasses that would make from 1^ to 2 tons of hay per acre as rich as that from an Old World meadow. It was a magnificent legacy to the rancher and the farmer. To the one it promised food for a million cattle; to the other it proved the golden possibilities of a soil that would bring forth bountiful harvests. But within the last thirty years all this has changed. We can no longer point to our broad prairies and say that the natural forage conditions here are the best in the world. Hardly an acre remains anywhere east of the ninety-seventh meridian that will still yield its ton and a half of i)rairie hay. There is hardly a square mile of prairie sod that will produce 30 kinds of native wild grasses and clovers ])er annum. The superior qualities of the more important wild species is pointed out, especially their ability to endure drought, freezing, and flood. The futility of attempting to replace the native species by introduced ones is also clearly demonstrated. The beard grasses {A?idroj:)ogon fiircatns (PI. V) and A. nutans) are dcscri))ed, their great value for hay and their nutritive qualities given. Other important species discussed arc switch grass {Panivuni virgatuw)^ western wheat grass {A2>yi'on Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate IX. Fig. 1.— The Real Red Desert. Wyoming. Fig. 2.— The Greater Red Desert. Wyoming. THE GREAT PLAINS. 25 Occident lie) ^ the crraina grasses {Boufeloua curtipendula and B. ollgo- staehija), also buffalo grass {Bulhllk dactyloides), and prairie June grass {K(vle/'ia orlstata). Switch grass produces a very luxuriant growth, especiall}' in the bottom lands and "draws" (PI. VI, tig. 2). As it is inclined to get hard and woody when old, it should be cut before it has reached maturity. It is of most value for hay, being rather coarse for pasture. Its seeds are large and al)undant and easily harvested. As it has been found to grow well undei- cultivation, it may be recom- mended especially for use in mixtiu'es with other grasses. Western wheat grass is one of the best and most widely distributed of the native species in this region, especially for hay. It is everywhere highly esteemed and 3aelds a good crop. The grama grasses are very abundant and important constituents of the upland prairies and meadows. The blue grama {B. oUgostachya) is the most important one for pasture (PI. VI, lig. 1). It forms a dense turf to the exclusion of other species, and it will endure a great amount of trampling, close- grazing, and drought. This species, together with the buffalo grass {Bulhilis dacty- loides), forms the greater percentage of the forage over a large part of this region. It is scarcely necessary to point out the great importance and nutritive value of buffalo grass. Its qualities are well known and thoroughl}' estal)lished. It forms an excellent dense turf of ver}^ fine leaves, and spreads by means of runners. It will survive great hard- ships, and is about the last species to succumb under excessive grazing. Unfortunately this grass can not be readily propagated from seed on account of its scarcit}^ and the diflSculty of collecting it. It can, how- ever, be easily grown from roots and cuttings. The turf may be broken into fragments and planted in shallow furrows, in the same manner that Bermuda grass is planted in the South. It has also been found to adapt itself readily to conditions in moister climates and poorer soils. It has been grown very successfully for the past five years in the grass garden of the Department at Washington, D. C, where it forms an excellent turf, and endures the climatic conditions as well as in its native prairie home. The prairie June grass {Kmleria cristata) is widely distributee! through the whole prairie region, and is particularly valuable as a pasture grass on account of its early appearance in the spring. It is, however, a bunch grass in habit and does not form a continuous turf. It is much liked by stock and stands pasturing well. The seed is pro- duced in good quantity and the grass is one quite well adapted to cultivation. Mr. Smith gives the following advice regarding treatment of the native hay grasses: With such yearly yields and at such prices it will pay to improve the prairie meadows so that the product shall not decrease in amount or deteriorate in quality. The wild hay grasses should be permitted to reseed themselves, if not one year in three, at least one in four or five. Cutting the grass early in the season would help 2() FIELD WORK OB' DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. to kc'i-p «l<)\vn the weeds. It is a jnatter of observation that the species of weeds which increase most rapidly in the hay fields are those that blossom and ripen their seeds before the hay is ready to cut. Their increase can be checked only by cutting them while they are in flower and thus ].reventing the seed from ripening. The intermingled mass of weeds and grass along the "sloughs" and "draws" or on the ground where old stacks have stood should be mowed and burned, or at least raked off the liel ?5 33 O 3) > m CO H O ii > O r r H > m ^^ CD ■ Q E 0 33 m >p 's- > -r? T ■D 0 ^ 33 rn 'K r > 5o r^ z =' 5 ^ (n H H CO ^ '< 10 0 > 3 < > r 2 (K > > z c 0 no J-! T,R B > H re W 3J ^ ;=■ m > ?r C/5 ^ ^ CO ^ ■" m (- 0 z 0 -n 0 p c H I- I > m r' >^^^W^-' ^^*e^4 . ,^TT5r^^' !%■• ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION. 29 of tlie various portions of thi^ ran^v aiul its forage resources. In this way the field worker comes into direct contact also with the ranchers and stockmen and secures at first hand information reo-arding- previous conditions and treatment of the ranges, and also the views of these persons as to the best method of meeting the problems presented. During the same season Mr. F, E. Clements and the writer spent nearly three months working in Colorado. As the results of this work have never been pul)lished, it may be best to give an outline of the work done. and the results accomplished. Work was commenced in the Pike's Peak region in the vicinity of Colorado Sj^rings. The for- age plants of the region were collected and notes taken regarding theii" abundance and value. The range lands on the mesa and in the mountains were investigated. As a result of the prevailing arid con- ditions and overstocking, the pastures on the mesa and in the foothills are very poor. The most important grasses are the grama grasses {Bouteloua oligostachya and B. Ji/rsuta)^ the first being the most abun- dant and important, as it is about the last to succumi) to harsh treat- ment. As the better grasses are destroyed their places are largely occupied by species of less value and of weed}- proclivities, such as little drop seed {Sjxj7'ol(d(c.s dejxn/jkiratus) and th(; triple awns {Ar/Mida spp.). Some areas of excellent mountain pastures are to be found in the higher altitudes, especially in the vicinity of Seven Lakes. The bulk of the forage here consists of sheep's fescue {Festuca omna)^ with .occasional small areas of tufted hair grass {DescJia'mpsM aespitosa) and alpine timothy {rhlemn. alpmum). In the wetter portions about the lakes species of Ca/rex and Eleocharls predominate. The greater por- tion of the timbered areas and open mountain sides in this vicinity produce very little forage. The next point visited was Walscnburg. The soil on the plains here is rather sandy. The whole region was formerly an inmiense cattle range, which has been largel}" abandoned during recent years. Here as elsewhere the prevailing and most important pasture grass is the blue grama. It is very thin and scattered, however, owing to the overstocking of the pastures, which has been carried on until recently. If given proper opportunity to recover, there is little doubt but that this grass will rapidly spread and largely restoi-e the range. A con- siderable lamiber of other species occur in the thickets along the bor- ders of streams and cultivated lands, but not in sufficient (quantity to be of much economic importance. In the vicinity of the alkali lakes near Walsenburg, alkali meadow grass {Paccinella airoides) is rather abundant, and furnishes considerable forage, though it is notso well liked by stock as many other grasses. It possesses, however, alkali resistant qualitie-^, which enable it to grow in soils which l)etter grasses can not endure. The work was continued u]) the valley of the Cuchara to La Veta, where there are some excellent mcadoAV lands. A good oppor- 30 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. tunity was aft'orded here to note, the effect of a sliuht increase in the supply of moistui-o upon the native grasses, as many of the native uieadows here are undei- irrio-jition. Several of the wheat grasses and rve o-rasses {A(/r(>j>i/rerl),gvo^\^ very luxuriantly here. This, besides its value for pasture, gives great promise for cul- tivation. A small area of it has been grown in the grass garden at ^^^lshington, and it has shown itself readily adapted to cultivation. Efforts have been made to secure a sufficient quantity of seed to exper- iment with more extensively, and it may ultimately prove superior to the meadow fescues for cultivation, especially in the more arid regions. Western brome {Brovms jmuijjellimin^) is also found in considerable quantity in Veta Pass and vicinity. Species of blue grass, wheat grass, and rye grass also occur frequently, and furnish excellent forage. The San Luis Valley was next visited. The greater portion of this valley is a great arid plain, covered o\'er the major part with sage brush {Artemisia sp.) and buck ])rush {Bigelovia spp.). Some por- tions are irrigated from artesian wells as well as l)y water taken from the Rio Grande. There are extensive alkali areas on which salt grass {DistichUs spicata) is very abundant. Over the greater portion of the range land the grasses are few and scattered. Slender wheat grass {AifTopijnm teneruin) was originally described and named from specimens collected in this valley in the vicinity of Garland, and it is a species of considerable economic importance here as elsewhere in Colorado. After studies and collections had been made at Garland, Alamosa, and Villa Grove, the mountain meadows and pastures about Marshall Pass were visited. The condition of the range here, as well as of the forage plants, is very similar to that of Veta Pass. The range here has apparently not been overstocked to any great extent, and its carrying capacity therefore not materially diminished. The comparative inaccessibility of these higher mountain pastures prevents their being ranged over so extensively as the more accessil)le range lands of the lower altitudes. Many valuable species of native grasses occur here and grow in great luxuriance, especially in the immediate vicinity of the low lands and wet meadows. Blue grasses, bromes, rye grasses, and wheat grasses predominate. Passing from Marshall Pass to the Gunnison Valley, considerable areas of native meadow lands are found along the streams, and these produce abundant crops Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agiiculture. Plate XII. \ 1 Western Wheat Grass (Agropyron occidentale>. A very important NATIVE Hay and Pasture Grass in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Regions. ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION. 31 of excellent hay. The mesas, foothills, and mountain slopes, how- ever, are ve^y sparsely (covered with forage plants. After short stops at Salida and Canyon City, a trip was made to the Wet Moun- tain Valley. This region has ])een favora1)ly known for many years on account of the quantity and quality of native hay produced. The meadows here, by long- continued cutting, haAe become far less pro- ductive than formerly. Native meadows extend along Grape Creek for 10 or IT) miles, averaging in width from 1 to 2 miles. The quality of the hay produced is somewhat inferior on account of the presence of sedges, rushes, and similar plants which occupy the wetter portion of the meadow^s. Judicious draining of certain portions of these meadows and permitting the grasses to seed themselves occasionally would no doubt greatly imj^rove both the quantity and quality of the product. Work was also done in the vicinity of Twin Lakes, where there are considerable areas of swampy meadow lands producing chiefly sedges. Passing over the mountains into the Blue lliver Valley, an examination of the alpine and subalpine meadows and pastures was made on Mount Bartlett, near Robinson. On th(^. slopes of the higher mountains in this vicinity, above timber line, ([uite extensive areas of excellent pasture lands occur. These are chiefly used for sheep grazing. Sedges, short-leafed fescue {Festiwa hraehy- 2>h!jll(() and l)lue grasses furnish most of the grass forage. There are quite a number of other native herbaceous plants, however, which fur- nish a considerable amount of feed and are relished by sheep. The sheep grazing here does not seem to be carried on in such a manner as to do injury to the range or to the timber land. The sheep are fed here only a short portion of the year, and then not usually in large enough mmi- bers to do any serious harm. Further study of forage conditions was made at Dillon, Brecken- ridge, and Como, the latter place being situated in the northwestern portion of South Park. South Park has long been noted in Denver and other local markets for the excellent quality of its wild hci.y. In the lowlands of the park there are extensive wild hay meadows quite similar to those of Wet Mountain Valley. A considera})le portion of the hay produced here consists of Juncus haltlcus. This is generally called "wire grass," though of course it is not a true grass at all. It is very highly prized for hay, and brings a better price on the Denver market than any other hay. As a result of the work in this portion of Colorado, a very large and valuable collection of the grasses and forage plants of the region was secured, some of which proved to be new. A knowledge of the exact conditions of the different range and meadow lands was ascertained, and the relative value of the different grasses and forage plants determined. Seeds, roots, and sheaves of the more important grasses were secured. Fortunately most of the 32 FIELD WUKK OF DIVISION OF AGKOSTOLOGY. meadows and range lands of the areas just (lescri})cd have not ))een so badly injured l>ut that a period of rest would largely restore them to their original vigor and carrying capacit3\ Prof. L. H. Pammel also did work in central and northern Colorado during the summer of 1896. His investigations were carried on in the vicinity of Fort Morgan, Greely, Fort Collins, Golden, Denver, and Colorado Springs. The results were published in Bulletin No. 9 of this Division, which has already been referred to in connection with the field work in Nebraska and Iowa. In this report the forage plants and conditions of this portion of Colorado are discussed. The chemical composition of a number of the most important native species is given, showing that they compare very favorably wdth the cultivated grasses. In referring to the importance of improving the native species for cultivation, we ma}^ quote the following: If by selection from the native grasses an improved form of western wiieat grass or grama grass can be introduced into the semiarid regions, it will give greater returns than any of those already there, the live stock industry will he put on a better hasis, and its success assureil. In 189T Prof. Aven Nelson, of the Wyoming Agricultural Experi- ment Station, made a special study of the lied Desert of southern Wyoming and its forage resources. This region covers more than 11,000 square miles. ' It is a high, undulating plain or plateau, averag- ing from 6,000 to 7,000 feet elevation (PI. IX). The water sui)ply is so limited and of sucii a poor (juality that very little of the land can be used for cultivation, consequently it is distinctly a stock region. During the summer season it afi'ords very little in the way of forage, hence it is used almost entirely as a winter range. Professor Nelson says: From the 1st of .Tune to the 1st of November the region is practically devoid of stock of all kinds. With the coming of the snows the herds and flocks are worked back into the desert from the summer pastures in the hills and mountains. Through the winter and spring months thousands of head feed upon this r(jugh forage, snow- drifts furnishing the water for all. The sheep herder in his wagon, also dependent upon tlie snows, guides his flock from district to district as hew pasturage is needed. By the time the stock is taken to the sunuuer range the desert is barren indeed. Grasses, sagebrush, salt sage, white sage, rabbit brush, and even cedar, have been grazed so closely that every edible sprig is gone. In the report from which the above quotation is made (Bulletin No. 13, Division of Agrostology, "The lied. Desert of Wyoming and its Forage Resources"') Professor Nelson gives a thorough description of the forage problems of this interesting region, })oth from a scientific and economic standpoint. The topography, geology, soil, and climate are discussed. The soil over the greater portion of the desert is nearlj' all impregnated with alkali. Analyses of samples of soil taken from various localities show from 0.12 per cent to 7.20 per cent of water- soluble salts. This does not, however, represent the largest amounts Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XIII. Fig. 1.— Seed of Native Grasses, the result of Two Days' collecting near Chico, Colo. From a iilidloKraph l>y ('. L. Shear. Fig. 2.— Stack of wild Hay, showing Method of stacking. From a photograpli by C. L. Shear, near Chieo, Colo. ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION. 33 of alkali that arc found. In the bed of a dry i^ond a species of ^('irjHfs was found g-rowing- where the surface soil contained more than 60 per cent of soluble salts. Very little of this alkali is what is known as " l)lack alkali,-' the greater portion of it being what is called " white alkali," of which sodium sulphate is the chief constituent. The bulk of the forage is furnished by saltbushes, sagebrushes, and other plants than grasses. Wheat grasses {Agropyron spp.) are most a})undant. The amount of alkali in the soil renders the growth of many grasses impossible. Regarding the present condition of the ranges of this region as com- pared with the past, we may (|uote the following- According to the most relia)ile sheep men, the sanu> areas tliat twenty years ago would only support one sheej) will now support fi-oni three to five. This they attrih- ute to the gain in the strength of the soil, due to accumulating manure. It seems probable that a more potent factor is found in the following; The yegetation chiefly depended upon for forage is composed of the large number of small shru])s of many kinds previously mentioned. Gutting downi to the ground of such vegetation enor- mously increases the number of annual shoots. From winter to winter this siirubby vegetation has been browsed down closer and closer to the woody bases of the 2>lants, until now the tender annual shoots are produced in much greater abundance. The effectiveness of this browsing is, of course, dependent upon the region l)eing used as a winter pasture only, giving time for growth and recovery each summer. It will be noted that the improv^ement which has taken place here affects the shrubby forage plants and not the grasses, and that this improvement is dependent upon the resting of the range land during the greater portion ot the growing season. Regarding the native grasses the author says: The native grasses also are worthy of trial. The writer has seen wonderful results from seeding the ground to some of these, especially the wheat grasses, and this, too, where the water used for irrigation was far from the best and the ground strong with alkali. Furthermore, the increase in the water supply is not quite hopeless. The region contains many natural basins in which, by the expenditure of a little labor in the construction of dams, much of tlie water from the accunmlated winter snowdrifts might be saved for use later in the season. In addition to the subjects already mentioned, descriptions and notes regarding the forage value of the various saltbushes {Atrl^lex spp.) and sagebrushes {Artemisia spp.) are given. There is little doubt that some of these plants will prove worthy of cultivation. Seeds of many of them have already been secured and experiments commenced to demonstrate their value under cultivation in arid and alkali soils. Descriptions of the grasses of the range are also given, with full notes regarding their value and the best methods of increasing their produc- tion. Besides the Red Desert proper, an investigation was also made of the foothills and mountains which furnish grazing for stock during the summer season (PI. X, fig. 2). The forage here consists much more .largely of grasses, the most a))undant and valuable of which are 1923— No. 25 3 34 FIELD WOKK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. discussed. Besides a complete list of the forage pliiiits of the suiniiier I'ange, a systematic list, with notes on all the plants collected in the Red Desert, is given. Other Avork in the Rocky Mountain region was carried on in 18!}7 in southwestern Colorado }jy the writer, assisted l)y Mr. A. Selig, and by Messrs. Williams and Griffiths in the Big Horn Mountains of W3"oming, and in southern and western Montana. The resuirs of this field work, as well ius of all that upon which nothing had been })u1)- lished previous to 1898, were combined by Mr. Wil]ian)s in B".lletin No. 12 of this Division, under the title "A Report upon the Grasses and Forage Plants and Forage Conditions of the Eastern Eock}'^ Mountain Region.-' From the author's own extensive work in this region and from the reports and work of field agents it was ])ossible to obtain a better grasp of the forage conditions and proljlems of this region than had ])een done heretofore. In the introduction the great importance of the stock-raising industry is referred to and the growth of interest in the various problems connected with it. Besides the information derived from field work undertaken })y employees of this Division, much was secured from prominent stockmen, farmers, and others familiar with the problems l)y a circular letter of iiKiuir}^ Answers to this were received from about six hundred persons. These answers show how varied are the forage proljlems of the region. At one place it is early spring forage that is most needed, at another there is a lack of winter forage, and at another it may be summer feed. Under the heading of '''General topographical features of the region," the great amount of variation in the physical character of the country is pointed out. A description of the soil follows, and also of the water supply. Under the heading of "Present aspect of the forage problem," the important questions which present themselves are discussed, and the causes and conditions w^hich have led to the present troubles are pointed out. Unfavoral)le seasons and the destruction of the forage b}" over-stocking made it necessary for stockmen to provide feed in order to carry the herds safely through the winter. Many, however, did not attempt anything in this direc- tion until compelled to do so b}' verj^ serious losses. Thus one of the great needs of this region is a hay plant that will endure the ai'id con- ditions and alkali soils and pi-oduce protital>le crops. Of course in localities where there are facilities for irrigation alfalfa can he very successfullv iifrown. But alfalfa, to be used to the best advantage, .should be supplemented ))y some other hay. Alfalfa, also, is restricted to certain altitudes. In Montana it can not be successfully grown at a gi'eater altitude than 4,500 or 5,000 feet, and since about one-half of the area of the State lies above this limit it will be seen that some other hay plant is needed to meet the i-equirements of a large portion of this State, As we go farther south, the limit of successful gro^\■th Bui. 25, Dn'. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XIV. Fig. 1.— Bunch Wheat Grass iAgropyron spicatum Rydb. i. United States Grass Station at Walla Walla, Wash. Fig. 2.— Bunch Wheat Grass iNatural Growth), Oregon. Fniin ii pliotoffraph liy A. B. I>eckeiihy. IIOOKY MOUNTAIN KK(iI(»N. 35 is hijjjlKT. Ill the southern part of Colorado it can l>o protitahly ^rowu at an altitude of 7,500 feet, hut there are still largo areas of suital)le lands throughout this region lying- at too great an altitude to grow this crop. In this case, as in tliat of the arid and alkali soils, the solution of the pro])leni is believed to be found in the cultivation and adaptation of the native grasses and forage plants. For the higher altitudes there are several ])luc grasses {Poa spp.) which pro- duce hay of excellent quality. Other excellent species for these localities are species of Broums^ especially western ))ronie grass [Bro- iitffs j/>(//ij/ellumm) and short awned lironie grass {Brovuns iimnjl- natus). Various species of blue-joint {CalaiiaKjroHtii^ ^W-) Alpine timothy {Phleu,ii(. ed, and their particular characteristics and adapta))ility to particular con- ditions pointed out. The native grasses and forage plants are also discussed. In referring to the native grasses Mr. Williams says: The gi'wit eeononiic importance of the native grasses is at uuce apparent when one recalls the many thousands of sheep, cattle, horses, and mules that are raised in this region, and that depend entirely upon the native grasses and forage plants for sub- sistence for from eight to twelve jnonths in the year. That tlie (juality of the forage afforded is excellent is shown by the fact that most of the vast numbers of fat cattle and sheep annually shipped to eastern markets from this region received no other food than that furnished by the natural meado\\s and i)astures of the ranges. The more important native grasses are arranged for purposes of dis- cussion in two groups, nieadow grasses and pasture grasses. Of the native nnnidow or hay grasses the great value of the wheat grasses {Agropyroti spp.), the rye grasses {Ely mas spp.), and the blue grasses {l\)(i spp.) is pointed out. The native pasture grasses are treated of under two su])heads, ''Grasses of the plains" and '^Grasses of the foothills and mountains." The grasses of the plains referred to here are those which we have already discussed in dealing with the plains region. The grasses of the foothills and mountains are muuerous and consist largely of bunch grasses. Sheep's fescue (FcstKca, orlna)^ bunch wheat grass {Apyn>u splcatiun)^ needle grasses {Stlpa spp.) are al)undant and of great value. There is nothing to indicate that these grasses may not be successfully cultivated. 1 ii fact, experiments already imdertaken with some of them have shown that they adapt themselves readily to cultivation, and there is little dou})t that in the near future seeds of these species will be grown and the plants regu 36 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. larly cultivated in tiiis reoion. The native clovers, vetches, and hipinos, as well as rushes, sedges, and other miscellaneous native foraj^e plants, arc also g-iven considerable attention. The number of plants in this region, which have a greater or less degree of importance as forage plants, is particularly large, and there is no apparent reason Avhy, by proper preservation and care of the natural fo'-age resources, there should not be produced an abundant supply for all present needs. The ])ulletin closes with a chapter on " Improvement of the ranges," in which the necessity of establishing some system of control, which shall allow each person the exclusive right to graze his stock on a given piece of land/ is emphasized. Some of the evils of the present system, or rather lack of system, in the management of the free range are indicated. The importance of the conservation of the rainfall is also mentioned, and the desirability of providing reservoirs or tanks at convenient intervals for supplying stock with water, thus avoiding the necessity of their tramping long distances is pointed out. In speak- ing of the desirability of experimenting with grasses, for the purpose of selecting and securing varieties adai)ted to the different soil and cli- matic conditions of this region, the following advice is given: These experiments should not be i-onlined to the tame or introduced sorts, Imt should be extended to desirable native kinds, such as have been mentioned in the preceding pages. There is no locality without grasses or forage plants worthy of trial under cultivation, and when one can, with but little trouble, obtain enough seed for such a test. As a means of restricting the ranges in case the grasses have not been too largely exterminated a period of rest is reconuuended. This gives the grasses opportunity to produce seed and regain their vigor. The great value of disk harrowing and also of alternate grazing is mentioned.. In 1898 the writer, accompanied by Mr. Ernst A. Bessey, made a thorough investigation of the grass and forage condition of northern Colorado. A team and camping outtit were secured at Wolcott. on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. From this point we proceeded northward on the road to Steamboat Springs. Stops were made at various points, collections of the varioits grasses and foragi^ plants were made, and nmch information regarding range conditions and manage- ment secured. In the Bear River Valley, between Yampa and Steam- l)oat Springs, there are considerable areas of meadow lands, which produce, in favorable seasons, large crops of excellent hay. The most prominent grasses are the blue grasses, especially Poa Imvlgata, hair grass {Deschampsia ccesjntosa). sheep's fescue {Feduca ovlna), alkali meadow grass {PucchielUa alroldex) and wire grass {Jimcas halticus). Considerable alfalfa is grown for winter feed at this altitude. From Steamboat Springs we continued east, crossing the Park range and investigating the mountain pastures and meadows. Near Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XV. ?M < -^'•y^ ^^^ -s- -^ S^- -^^t^^ -'r*^ 'vw'"* '"^i*^ >^ Nevada Blue Grass < Poa nevadensisI. An important native Grass in the Northwest. I'bjtographfd from iilaiit grown at Washingtoii, I). ('., by F. Lamson-Scriljuer. ROOKY MOUNTAIN REGION". 37 the summit of the divide and over extensive areas in the more open tim- ber land mountain rye grass {Elymns glaucm) occurred in abundance (PI. XI, tig-. 1). This grass is a most excellent one for hay, and as it grows naturally at an aUitude of eight to ten thousand feet, is likely to l)rovo of great value for cultivation in such localities. The grass is one deserving of attention, and fi-om past experience with the native rye grasses it seems prol)al>le that there will be little ditficulty in cultivat- ing it. Seed of it has been secured, and experiments in growing it are being carried on at present in various places. A species of l>lue grass {Poa irheeleri) also grows at this altitude and gives promise of great value for cultivation. Passing from the mountains to North Park work was done in the vicinity of Higho, Lake John, and He))- ron. The general elevation here is a])out 9,000 feet. In the bottom lands along the streams there are many >vild hay meadows. Some of them, however, are badly infested with s(iuirrei tail {ILmleuvi jnha- tivrii). This grass is becoming a great nuisance throughout this region, and steps should be taken to destroy- it. As it matures before the oth(M- gi-asses are ready to cut, its seed become widely dis- tributed. If, however, it were mown before any of the seed had matured, it could be controlled without great difficulty and at the same time be used for hay. Here on the mesa was also found, in small (piantities, ]>lue grama. This altitude (9,000 feet) is the highest at which this valual^le grass is known to grow. The various Avheat grasses form an important part of the forage on the mesa. Wire grass {Jnncm haltieus) and various sedges constitute a consiiderable portion of the hay, especially in the wetter parts of the meadows. From North Park the work was continued over Muddy Pass and through Middle Park to Grand Lake, then over the Sheephorn Divide and down the valley of the Grand River, returning to Wolcott. The carrying capacity of much of the range land of this region has not greatly diminished during recent years. From 15 to 25 acres are necessary to carry one head of stock. More judicious pasturing would, however, increase the carrying capacity of much of this land. As stock must be fed during portions of the winter, more attention should be given to the improvement of meadows and the growing of hay. Much of the region is situated at too great an elevation to successfully grow alfalfa. There are, however, several of the native grasses which with proper attention would produce excellent crops of hay. The wheat grasses, western wheat grass {Agrojn/ron occidentde) (PI. XII), slender wheat grass {Agropyron tenerum), short-awned brome {Bromnx vmi'(fJ- natus), and the rye grasses, Macoun's rye grass {Ely mm iiuuxnuu'!) and mountain rye grass {Elymus glaucus) are adapted to the conditions prevailing here. Seed of these could be collected without great diffi- culty and sown upon the natural meadow lands to great advantage. All the land which lies along the water courses has been taken up 38 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. iind fenced and is lai-^-ely in the possession of a few owners, who from tlieir iibilitN' to control the water supply natui'ally control the use of all the adjacent range lands, as no stock can be kept on the range without a sulBcient water supply. Not only this, hut in many cases the public ram'-e lands themselves have been fenced, thus excluding all other people from placing stock on the land. This very evident injustice is the quite logical result of the lack of any system of controlling the public lands. The grazing lands of Colorado vary greatly in their car- rying capacity and condition. Froiu the work which has been done by the Division, not only through personal investigation but by letters of inquir}' from various stockmen throughout the State, it appears that while in some localities the ranges are in nearly as good condition as formerly, in others the carrying capacity- has been diminished as much as 50 per cent or even more. It is believed that an estimate of an average of 25 per cent deci'ease in the carrying capacitv for the State as a whole would be a fair statement of the case. No field work was done in this region in 1899, but in 1900 w'ork was carried on at several points. Dr. David Griffiths and Mr. K. F. Lange worked in Montana; Professor Scribner and Mr. E. D. Merrill in Idaho, Wyoming, and the National Park; Mr. Elias Nelson, in southern Wyoming; and Mr. William Shear and the writer in southern Colorado. The work previously done here had been sufficient to afford a ver}' good general knowledge of the forage plants and conditions as well as the most important prol^lems and requirements. Recognizing that, to secure gTasses and forage plants capable of succeeding under the unfa- vorable conditions of soil and climate prevailing over a large portion of the region, very little was to be expected from the introduction of tame grasses, which were only adapted to growth in moister regions; our efforts were directed toward the grasses and forage plants native to the region. As has already been pointed out, there is a consideral)le number of most excellent grasses native here, and it was deemed desirable to make an effort to introduce these species into cultivation. With this aim in view the chief ol)ject of the field work this year was to secure large quantities of seeds of the best native grasses and forage plants. In cases where seed could not be well secured or the plant was most easily propagated from roots these were secured. A consideraVde collection of specimens was also made incidentally. The results of the work have already l)een pul)lished by the writer in Cir- cular No. 9 of the Office of the Secretary. Much interest was shown in the work by stockmen and ranchmen of the region visited, and expressions of appreciation and encouragement as well as assistance were given. In regard to the results of this season's work we may quote the following from the report referred to: As a result of t lie work in the licM tliis siinmicr seeds of :il)oiit 180 varieties of ^rasi^es and foragi- plants were securesiriil)ility of tlic wpecics aiul the dilliciilty of scciiriiiir it. Tlic total amount roUected was about 4 tons. Besides seeds a ronsidorable i|uantity of roots were ol)tained for transplantiiiii;, also several hundred specimens of interesting^ speeies for the herbarium or exhibition purposes. Anionii the most important results of the held work was the ijiformation secured by direct o))servation of the actual conditions and problems to be met in the various regions and by intercourse with the stockmen and ranchmen. This intercourse brings into actual touch the Dei«irtment and those for whose immediate benefit the work is intended, and so promoti'S mutual understanding and profit. They come to a l)etter und._-rstanding of the methods and aims of the Department, and we come to a better knowdedge of their ditliculties and needs. The viiluc of thi.s seed work and the desirability of continuino- it wa.s particularly empha,sized. The little experience already gained by the culti\'ation of some of the native forage plants has conclu.sively shown that there are great possibilities in this direction, and that future investigations will undoubtedly prove that many of these native spe- cies can be successfully and profitably cultivated in arid and alkali soils where few or none of our introduced species wnll succeed. A list of the especially promising species of which seed was obtained in quantity was also given in this ciicular with notes regarding their distribution and their particular value for special conditions and purposes. THE NORTHWEST. CONDITIONS AND 1'RoHLEMS. Under this head the region included in western Idaho and the por- tions of Washington and Oregon lying east of the Cascade Mountains will be considered. The conditions and prol)lems here are very sim- ilar to those of the Rocky Mountain region, especially of the northern portion of that region. The annual rainfall over the greater part of this territory averages about 15 inches or less. The important forage questions presenting themselves are here, as in the Rocky Mountains, the improvement of the. greatly deteriorated range lands and the ques- tion () i" forage for arid and alkali soils. In addition there is the question of the control of the shifting sands at various points along the Colum- ])ia River. WORK nONE. Field work in this region was commenced in 1S98 by Prof. F. Lamson-Scribner, who made a general study of the region. Mr. A. B. Leckenby has done work for the division in this region during the past three years, in addition to having charge of the experimental work which was carried on at North Yakima and Walla Walla, Wash. Professor Scribiier, Mr. A. L. S(n-ibner, and the writer did work in this region during the sunnner of 1S1»9. The range lands in the vicinity of Walla Walla and in the Blue Mountains of Washington and Oregon 40 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. were investigated; also the rano-es and sand dunes in the vicinity of The Dalles. The most important native grasses of the range are bunch wheat grass {Agropyron ^plcatuin (Pursh) Rydb.) (PI. XIV) and several species of l>lue grass {Poa spp.) Winter fat {Kurotia htnata) is a native forao-e plant of considerable value here and also in manv localities throughout the arid region. The accompanying illustration shows this plant as it grows at Parker, Wash. (PI. XVI, tig. 1). Persons who have resided in this region for the past twenty-tive or thirty years state that the range lands in the vicinit}^ of the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon were in the early days practically covered with a very a])undant growth of the bunch grasses. Through overstfx-king and drought these bunch grasses have been practically exterminated over large areas and their places occupied more or less l)y weedy ammal plants, especially the soft chess {Bromm hordeaceus)^ Avhich furnishes very little forage. Besides cattle, large numl)ers of horses have ranged oyer some portions of the countr}^ and have done much to l)ring aliout the present unfavorable condition of things. Sheep have also done con- siderable injury in many places. There has been no effort made 1)V the stockmen to conserve the product of the grazing lands, the lack of any right to control them giving them no inducement to improve or care for them. Pearly in the course of the investigations in this region the great desirability of testing the more promising native and introduced forage crops which gave promise of success in this region was recognized. Two points were selected at which culture experiments were conmienced, one at Walla Walla, in connection with the Oregon Railroad and Navi- gation Company, and the other at Yakima, on land belonging to the Northern Pacific Railway Company. The work here, which was under the inunediate supervision of Mr. Leckenby, served to demonstrate very conclusively the possibilities in the way of cultivation and the great value of some of the native grasses, especially the ])unch wheat-grasses, which, as before mentioned, occupied a large portion of the range lands of this region. Other wheat-grasses, as western wheat-grass, {Agrojjyrmi occideiitale) and slender wheat-grass {Ayropyyron teneruin) also showed great adaptability to cultivation and give great promise of usefulness in this region. These grasses will grow with little or no irrigation. The l)lue grama grass {Bouteloua oligostachya), though not a nati^'e of this side of the range, proved Avell adapted to the pre- vailing conditions. The accompanying illustration shows a small field of quack grass {Agropyron rejjem) grown near Walla Walla. It pro- duced an enormous crop with little irrigation (PL XVI, fig. 2). Awn- less brome-grass, which was also tried here, gave excellent results. The sand-binding grasses along the Columbia River were given espe- cial attention. Seeds and roots of many of them were collected in ({uantity for testing here' and elsewhere. Experiments in growing them were carried on at diffei'iMit points along the river and some quite Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XVII. Fig. 1.— Sand Drifts along the Columbia River, Oregon, in Peach Orchard. Fig. 2.— View in Grass Station at Walla Walla, Wash., showing Canadian Rye Grass (Elymus canadensisi. Fruiii a photograph by F. Lam.soii-Scribner. THE NORTHWEST. 41 encouvaoing- results obtained. The drifting- sands along the Cohinibia, from The Dalles eastward, are a source of great trouble and expense to the railroad company as well as to people occupying- the land along the river. The great amount of sand present and the rapidity with which it shifts frequently causes much dehi}' to the railroad traffic, and neces- sitates considerable expense in keeping the track clear. At some points the sand:^ have encroached upon the cultivated lands, in some instances completel}' bur3dng orchards and other tracts of valuable land (PI. XVll, fig'.l). We are told by those familiar with the conditions during the early settlement of the country that there was ver}'' little sand along the river, and that it caused little or no damage, T)ut that within recent years the amount of sand l)rought down ])v the river has accumidated in greater and greater quantities eacli 3'ear. This large increase in the deposit of sand is no doubt in great part traceable to the deforesting of large areas about the head waters of the Colum])ia River and its branches, and also to the destruction of much of the plant covering of the hills and mountains by overstocking, thus giving an opportunity for the rainfall to run off rapidly, causing great erosion and canying large quantities of soil and sand down the streams. Large amounts of sediment are also the product of the mining indus- tries carried on at various points along the Columl)ia and its tribu- taries. The lack of a proper covering of the soil which will retain moisture derived from the rainfall and melting* snows is also in large part a cause of the excessive floods which have occurred during recent years. The onh" publication devoted entirely to the results of work done in this region is circular No. 22, by Professor Scribner, on "Grass and Forage Plant Investigations on the Pacific Coast,"" in which an outline of the conditions and problems presenting themselves in the region is given, and an account of the experiments carried on at North Yakima and Walla Walla, with especial reference to the native and introduced species which were tried and the degree of success attained. A lis was also given of grasses and clovers valuable in the upper Pacific coast region. Besides the large quantities of seed which have been secured, especially of bunch wheat-grass and the wild ryes {Elynius can- adensis and Elyinus condensatus)^ a number of new species of grasses have been collected. Elijmus arenicolus^ Ely inns jlavescens^ 2lX\^ Poa Ird'enhyi are new species of important sand-binding grasses wOiich have l)een found along the Columbia River, and will probabh^ prove of value for introduction into other localities. In the mountains south of WalloAva Lake, Oregon, we had an oppor- tunity to observe sheep grazing (PI. XVIII, fig. 1). The effect of the grazing here is apparently not injurious to the timber lands, and where we had opportunity to examine we saw no evidence that it was ovei-grazed to any appreciable extent. The sheep feed here largely upon the vari- 42 FIELD WOEK (»K DIVISION 0¥ AGKOSTOLOGY. oils iKitivo ])l:ints other than gTiisses, and are not held lonj^" (>noui»li in one place to cause an}' injury. The sheep-orazing- industry may ])e injurious or not, according as it is conducted. In some localities there is eA'idence that sheep grazing in th(> forest reservations is conducted in such a manner as to result in great injury to the forests and to the grazing lands, and indi recti}' to the whole country on account of the inability of the denuded soil to retain the rainfall. We are of the opinion, as already expressed by the Division of Forestr}', that sheep grazing under proper restrictions is not necessarily injurious to forest reserves. THE SOUTHWEST. CONDITIONS AND PROBLEMS. Tt is in this region, which includes westei'n Texas. New ^Mexico, Arizona, and southeastern California, that the most ditHcult conditions and problems present themselves. The greater portion of this I'egion presents conditions quite different from those found in any other part of the United States. The most favoral)Ie climatic conditions are to be found in central and western Texas. Here the annual precipitation ranges from 25 inches near the center of the State to 15 toward the western l)order. The greater portion of this pai'tof Texas is excellent grazing land. In fact, there are few areas to be found where the nat- ural conditions are so favorable to stock raising. Considerable change has taken place in- the aspect of this country since the departure of the buffalo and Indian, owing to the destruction of bushes, shrubs, and trees, caused by the prairie tires which the Indians are said to have set in order to improve the grazing or which were started accidentall}'. Very few of these plants survived except in protected situations. As soon as the prairie fires became less frequent the shru))])y Aegetation spread rapidly, especially the mesquite bean ( Promjyis sp.). This tree has spread with great rapidity in recent years and now forms a scattered growth over a great portion of central and western Texas as well as throughout the lower jiltitudes of this whole region (PI. XIX, tig. 1). The rich and nutritious native grasses and forage plants were exceed- ingly a)»undant at the time the stockmen began to bring their flocks and herds to these ranges. The territory was so inaccessible l)efore the coming of the railroads that there was a great abundance of food for all the stock, and the opinion prevailed that the forage resources of the country were inexhaustible. At this time it is said that the grazing capac- ity of large areas of land was one head of stock to 2 to 5 acres, whereas on these sam(> areas to-day it requires from 10 to 16 acres to carry a single head of stock. The building of the Texas Pacific Kaili'oad in 1888 gave great impetus to the stock-raising industry, which iiume- diately })egaii ii rapid deyidopment. The grazing being practically free, as no j)royision had yet been made by the railroads or State for Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XVIII. ?;»:mv.?"--Pfr;--' . ^:.M^:^ai-'<^ ^^PK^ ' ^^- . ~'^^.. ^^SiST'-ff^ f"^ ^ ' ^CQEMBtW*^HElBSBi0BPV^B H^^^^^'^Kr^^k^&MH^wlRn ^' — *fc ..":- ■ - ■<■ -r% ^f^S ^^H^^H^imfaL^ m# ^9F Jtv-iwwwJt Jlmi'^SmKiS'mmf^mm^Ki^^ Fig. 1.— Sheep grazing in the Mountains above Wallowa Lake, Oregon. From a |ih(itograi)h by C. L. Shear. Fig. 2.— In the Field. Messrs. Griffiths and Williams in Northern Wyoming. THE SOUTHWEST. 4H ('oiiti'olliiii;- their limds, {hvvo wiis a "oneral struooK^ oi, tJic j)ai-t oP stockiiicii to make tlic uio^it of the "free grass. '' The result was a rapid (lestriu-tion of many of the best (jfrasscs l)y overstocking-. The more \'alual)Ic grassc^s ])eing" gradually destroyed, their places were occupied l)y more or less worthless annual species, as well as weeds, cacti, and mesquite. On account of the importance of the problems and the interest in them which has been shown by the stockmen, con- siderable field work has l)een done in Texas by the Division. WOKK DONE. Mr. J. G. Smith made a special study of the forage problems of Texas and New ]\I(^xico. In 1807 he visited some thirty places in this region and made a careful stud}" of the ranges and the grazing indus- try". Information AVtis also secured by correspondence with cattle and sheep owners in the State of Texas.. These incpiiries were directed chiefly to ascertaining the present carrying capacity of the ranges and the amount of increase or decrease in carrying cai)acity that has taken place during the last twenty-five years. The results of Mr. Smith's work were embodied in Division Rulletin No. 10, "(li-azing Problems in the Southwest and how to meet them.'' This i-eport contains a very thorough account of past and present conditions of tlu^ Texas range lands; also the methods which have beea and are being followed ])y stockmen, and the results. The very great decrease in the cai'rying capacity of the range is pointed out and the reasons clearly indicated. Aside from the destruction of the grasses l)y overstocking there is a great amount of injury done by animal pests, especially prairie dogs and jack rabbits. Th(\se pests were formerh" controlled chiefl}' by their natural enemies, the gra}" wolves and coyotes, which have been killed ])v stockmen on account of their destruction of sheep and young cattle. These animals can, however, ])e eontrolk^d without great dif- ficult}" if the ])roper steps are taken. Poisoning hits proven to be very effective. The whole section of land upon which the range- improvement experiments of the Division were located at Abilene was entirely rid of prairie dogs in a very short time in this way. The amount of grass destroj^ed by these animals is enormous. The prairie dogs practical!}" exterminate all the grass in the vicinity of their bur- rows. The bettei- gi-asses thus destroyed are replaced by inferior species which have nuich less feeding value. The rapid increase of the prickly pe^ir {Oj)untla eiigrlmavrii) is discussed and also means of destroy- ing it. Fire is said to be the only remedv which is ell'ecti^'e in fight- ing this plant. The mesquite l)ean {Promjnx j Klifiora) which we ha\'c just referred to as rapidly spreading over the country can scarcel}' be looked upon as an entirely undesirable intruder. It produces a great abundance of fruit. The pods which are filled with a sweetish, palatal)le pulp, are greedily eaten by cattle and hoi-ses, and ari^ regarded as \'ei'y 44 KIEJ.I) WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. nutritious. The fallen leaves are also said to be devoured b)^ stock when forage is scarce. Besides the feed produced by this plant it also furnishes protection for stock during severe winter storms. ( )n the other hand these niesquite bean groves furnish protection for various noxious weeds and shrubs. They also interfere with the development of the better grasses, which will not thrive in the shade. In the more arid portions of New Mexico and Arizona there can be no question of the great value and importance of the mesquite bean {Pro- sopis sp.). Its relation to the forage problem here is indirect, but its influence on the general welfare of the country can scarcely be over- estimated. In the valleys of the larger streauis, as the Santa Cruz in the vicinity of Tucson^ the prevailing species grows abundantly alono- the river and also extends in a small form far })ack from the river. The trees in the immediate vicinity of the river grow to large size. The timber has, howevev, heen very largely destroyed l)y cut- ting it for fuel, and if the present practice of cutting all the available plants for this purpose is continued it will not be long before this valuable heritage will be destroyed. Eflorts should be made to pre- vent further devastation of this valuable plant. The accompanying illustration shows the method followed in cutting such trees (Pi. XIX, fig. 2). The stumps are cut very high, and as the plant possesses great vegetative power and vitality, large numbers of strong shoots arise from the stumps and, growing with great rapidity, soon produce a con siderable amount of fuel, so that successive cuttings are made in this way at intervals of a few years. ilr. Smith points out the great need of practical and scientific measures 1)eing used in order to restore and protect the natural graz- ing lands, and discusses the various methods which give promise of success. The great advantage of alternation in pasturing is partic- ularly mentioned. It has l>een shown that resting a pasture for a period, (\specially at the time of seed production, results in great improvement by giving the grass an opportunity to recuperate and to produce a crop of seed. In this connection we may (piote the fol- lowing: A rest of two or three months during the growing season in t^arly f^pring would enaljle the early grasses to ripen and shed their seeds, thus ])erpetuating the species. After the seed had fallen the cattle could l)e turned on the grass for two or three in( mtlis and again transferred to a fresh i)asture. In the same way autunui and winter pastur(is can l)e secured. The other means of range improvements which have been so success- fully tried at several places are described. The method and advantage of making stack silage when there is a scarcity of feed are given. The desiral)ility of providing water, cithei- in the form of taid' ■ ^ ^%>«¥ *; / '^- Fig. 2.— View in the Santa Cruz Valley near Tucson, Ariz., showing the Man- ner IN WHICH the Mesquite Bean iProsopis sp. i is being cut. From a [ihotoyrai)!! by D. Griffiths. THE SOUTHWEST. 45 ininicdiiitc vicinity of watciiiig phu-os, is iir^cd. Followiiii'" tho, dis- cii.ssioii of tho. jibovc sul)j(H't.s, the ^Taziii^' rej^'ions in Texas and New Mexico are ttdcen up and described. Tlie characteristics of the promi- nent grasses and forage phints are given, with special reference to the more important species and their vahie. Finally, the relation of land laws to range improvement is considered, and the necessit}^ for some method of control and management of the pul)lic grazing lands of the West is pointed out. An estimati^ is made that an increase of at least $25,OO(),0(»0 would result from the improvement: of the ranges even to the extent of 25 per cent, which improvement has heen demonstrated to be easily possible. Mr. C. C. Georgeson, Mr. T. A. Williams, Mr. II. L. Bentley, and the writer have also done lield work in Texas. Mr. Georgeson visited Texas in 1S98 for the special purpose of selecting lands and arranging for experiments in range improvement. He visited Abilene and Chan- ning, planning and inaugurating the work at T)oth places. Mr. Wil- liams did some lield work in Texas in the spring of 1900. He visited the experiment station at College Station and also the range-improve- ment experiments at Abilene and Channiug. Mr. Bentle} , in connec- tion with his duties as special agent in charge of the grass station at Abilene, has done considerable held work and made collections of seeds, roots, and specimens. His chief duty, however, has been the carr3'ing on of the experiments in range improvement which were undertaken three 3^ears ago on a section of worn-out pasture land situ- ated near Abilene. As a result of Mr. Bentley's work and experience in Texas he prepared Farmers' Bulletin No. Y2, on " Cattle Ranges of the Southwest,"" in which the various problems are discussed in a con- densed and non-technical manner. The various means to be used in the renovation and improvement of the ranges are discussed and clearly indicated. There is also a list of the promising grasses and forage plants native of the Southwest, with illustrations and descriptions of many of them. This bulletin has been in great demand and has done much to arouse interest in the subject. Mr. Bentley has also written a report upon the grasses and forage plants of centi"al Texas, which was pu])lished as Bulletin No. 10 of this division. This bulletin cov- ers much the same ground as the one just referred to, going into more detail, however, on some points and giving a much more complete list of the forage plants. It contains many valuable notes regarding the native species and indicates which are most likely to prove valuable under cultivation. It scarcely comes within the province of this bul- letin to discuss the experimental work carried on at Abilene, as Mr. Bentle}^ is now preparing a full report upon this work for publication. It may, however, be well to state that it has l^een demonstrated that disk harroAving of worn-out pasture land each si)ring for three succes- sive seasons has doubled, in the estimation of three competent disin- 4<) FTKLD WORK. oK DIVISION OK AGROSTOLOGY. tcre.sted .stockmen, the caiiyiiig capacity of the range. The eariying capacity of the range at the l)eginningof the experiment was estimated b_y the judges to l)e one head of stock to 10 acres. Stock Avas kept on the land on this Ijasis for the next season, when it Mas estimated that the carrjdng capacity Avas 1 to 10. Stocking was continued for the next year at that i-ate, and in the same way until the close of the tliird year, with the results given above. Partial results of this work have already been pul)lished. In Division Circular No. 8 Mr. .1. G. Smith gave an outline of the work as planned and inaugurated. In circular No. 23 Mr. Bentley described the progress of the experiments during the first two years. In New Mexico and Arizona the most unfavorable conditions are to be met with. A great portion of these Territories lies within Avhat is known as the Great Basin, and over considerable areas real desert conditions prevail. The annual precipitation, while reaching in a single limited area as high as 20 inches, is, over most of these Territo- ries, between 10 and 1.5 inches, whilS in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California there is an extensive region having an average rainfall of 5 inches or even less (see map s). It will be readily seen that where the amount of rainfall is so small as that indicated the question of maintaining grasses and forage i)lants is a most difficult one. Notwith- standing these untoward conditions a considera))le numl)er of good grasses and forage plants have succeeded in surviving the struggle for existence here and have become adapted to the environment. We learn from the accounts of earl}^ explorers that large areas of excellent grass lands were formerly found in this country, especially in the valleys of the rivers. Our knowledge, however, of the ranges of these two Territories as a whole is, even at present, quite limited. Alany portions of the country have never been visited by anyone who has given any special attention to the grasses and forage plants. The first work carried on by the Division in this section Avas done l)y Mr. C. li. Orcutt, who spent about three months here — from February to May — in 1890, leaving San Diego, Cal. , going eastAvard to the San Felipe Valley, thence to the Colorado Desert, and across the Mojave Desert to the Colorado River. From here he Avent to Kingman, Con- gress, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Maricopa, Tucson, Benson, and BoAvic, thence across southern Ncav. Mexico l)y Avay of Deming to El Paso. From El Paso he went northward up the Rio Grande to Albu(iuer(|ue. and from thei'e westAvard by Avay of the Atlantic and Pacitic Railroad across New Mexico and Arizona. The report of this Avork has not been published. The season during which this AVork was done was most unfavora])le for studying the forage conditions of this countiy. The reason for this Avill appear more evident after an examination of the average rainfall for each month in the year. Th(^ distril)u- tioii of the rainfall here is quite different from that of any other Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XX. Fig. 1.— Bulbous Panic-Grass, or Turnip Grass, 'Panicum bulbosumi. Grown on Potomac Flats, Washington, D. C.. from New Mexican Seed. Fig. 2.— Curly Mesquite iHilaria cenchroides). Grown on Potomac Flats, Washington, D. C. THE SOUTHWEST. 47 portion of tlic United State^-i, from 15 to 25 per cent of the iinniuil proeipitiition occurrini;- during- July and Aiig-ust, the snmlle.st anioiuits oecurrino- in May and June, the water supply rapidly decreasiui.'" dur- ing the late winter and spring months. As a result of this the grasses and forage plants are at their best during the autunm. Mr. Orciitt, however, secured a considcralde amount of informa- tion from the stockmen and ranchmen regarding the grasses and range conditions. Mr. J. G. Smith, in connection with his work in Texas, which has ah'cady been referred to, also spent some time in New Mex- ico, particularly in the Pecos Valley and a})out Silver City in the southwestern part of the Territory. Mr. AVilliams also spent a short time in New Mexico in the spring of ll*()0 and visited Tucson, Ariz. The special purpose of this trip l^eing to arrange for cooperative work with the experiment stations, very little opportunity was ati'orded for the investigation of the ranges. The results of Mr. Williams's work are.pul)lished in Circular No. S, Office of the Secretary. The particular problems in each State and Territory visited Avere discussed in this paper. The great need of undertaking some work looking to the improvement of the ranges and the introduction and cultivation of hard}^ forage plants in these two Territories was pointed out, and arrangements were made with the Arizona and NeAV Mexico experi- ment stations to carr}' on investigations along these lines. These experiments have already been undertaken, but have not progressed far enough at present to produce any decided results. During the autumn of 1900 Dr. David Griffiths, special field agent of the Division, was detailed to Arizona to look after the cooperative work just referred to, and also to make a collection of seeds of the native grasses and forage plants. Dr. Griffiths spent several Aveeks at this Av^ork and succeeded in obtaining large da^ woolly-foot grama, is one of the most valuable range grasses in this region, especially in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It is a perennial, very hardy and nutritious, and is worthy of cultiva- tion. Several other grama grasses are of more or less importance here. The blue grama, which is such an important grass on the ranges farther east, is not so abundant here. It occurs, however, in the northern part of this region, and is of great value wherever found, though not adapted to endure the extreme conditions of heat and drought to be met with in many parts of this country. Six weeks' grama {Bouteloua aristidoides) is an annual species which has assumed consid- erable importance since the destruction of the better perennial grasses (PL XXIV). It springs up immediately after the s\unmer rains, growing very rapidly, as its name indicates, and producing considera- ble feed during the autumn. Low grama {Bmitdoua poJydachija) is another one of the so-called six weeks' grasses furnishing considerable forage in many places immediately after the rainy season of this region. Quite a number of other species of grama grasses occur, l)ut are less abundant and important than the ones already mentioned. The triple- awn grasses {Aristida spp.) are also of considerable importance. They tend to spread and replace the better turf-forming grasses, which have been destroyed. When young they are quite readily eaten by stock, but w^hen they have reached maturity they are avoided by stock unless driven to them by want of better feed. Several species of Muhle))- hergla also furnish some feed in the foothills and canyons. A number of species of /Sporoholus ("saccaton") are of considerable importance in this region, especially Sjxrroholm crijptandnis, Sporoholus airoides^ alkali fine top, and Sporobolm wrightii (Wright's saccaton). The lat- ter species is an especially robust and luxuriant bunch grass, formerly found in large quantities on the river bottoms of southern Arizona. Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XXII / \ /, .^ \ -¥k-\T:re touched In- stock where more tender and succulent g-rasses were to be found, ])ut here, where there ma}" be no alternative between it and the thorny cacti to sustain life, it is devoured. The accompanying iUustration (PI, XXV, iig. 2) shows some of this grass after it has been grazed. The wool grass {Pappophorwn vaginattim)^ sprangletop {LejdocJdoad'uhia)^ blunt panic grass {Panicum ohti(sum), CMoris elegmxs and feather beard grass {Androjwgon torreyanus) are also species of considerable impor- tance. Fendler's ]>lue grass {Poa fendlerianu)^ sometimes locally called nuitton gra.ss, is a valuable species, occurring in the foothills and mountains and furnishing palatal)le and nutritious feed. During certain seasons of the year, and in some locations, plants other than grasses form the most important portion of the grazing. Some of these plants are of considerable value and worthy of serious investiga- tion with a view of introducing them into cultivation. Others are eaten only as a last resort when stock are threatened with starvation, and could scarcely l)e classified as forage plants. To this last category we may refer the various species of spin}' cacti, with which the heads of animals are occasionally found covered during periods of extreme drought and scarcity of food. Species of yucca, especially Yucca elata^ are sometimes browsed in cases of scarcity of better food.' The shad scale {Atrlplex canescens) and winter fat {Eurotta Janata) are valuable forage plants which grow naturally here, and may perhaps be cultivated to advantage. The accompanying illustration shows the shad scale grazed and ungrazed (PI. XXVI). The above are some of the most important species of native grasses and foi'age plants, and where the i-ainfall of the region must be depended upon for the supply of moisture, experience indicates that it is to these native plants that we should look for species to grow for hay and pasture. The only reasonable hope for success with intro- troduced species is in the case of those which are brought from regions where much the same climatic conditions prevail. Plants introduced from Central Austral iii and other high arid or desert regions may, perhaps, be grown with success, as for instance, the Australian saltbush. Species of spineless cacti might profitably be experimented with here and also investigations carried on in the selection and breeding of spineless forms of the native species. In regard to the restoration of the range, where the better grasses have been practi- cally destroyed, it will be necessary to break the soil by harrowing, preferably with a disk harrow, and sowing seed of the native species. This sowing should be done al)out the time of the commencement of the sunnuer rain}' season in order that the young plants may have the full benefit of the moisture supply. Stock should, of course, be kept from these seeded areas until the grasses have had an opportunity to become firmly established. Wherever possible supplies of water 52 FIELD WOKK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. should be provided at points which would not necessitate long journeys on the part of stock to secure drink. By proper treatment ranges which still have a sufficient supply of grass left to reseed them maj^ be reclaimed by disking and allowing a period of rest or Iw alternating periods of pastiu'e and rest, allowing the grasses to produce seed. Where there are facilities for irrigation there is little trouble in the selection of good forage plants. Alfalfa can be successfully grown in most portions of the region. In the Santa Cruz Valley barley is grown extensivel}' for green feed and hay. Alfalfa is also an important crop here. The different varieties of nonsaccharine sorghums and also the millets may be prohtabh^ produced under irrigation. THE PACIFIC COAST. CONDITIONS AND PROBLEMS. The Pacific Coast region, as discussed here, will l>c confined to the countr}" lying west of the Cascade and Coast Range mountains. There is considerable variation in the climatic conditions at various points in this region. For instance, near the southern part of California the annual rainfall averages 10 inches, while on the coast of northwestern Washington there is a small area having an annual rainfall of 100 inches. From San Francisco northward, however, the differences are not so great, the annual precipitation varying from 30 to 100 inches. The rainy season in this region is during the winter, the greatest rain- fall occurring in December and January, with a rapid decrease of pre- cipitation as the spring and summer advances, so that during June, July, and August there is little and sometimes no rain. It will he noticed that over the greater portion of this region there is a sufficient moisture supph' to meet the needs of most forage plants, so that it is onlj'^ in vcr^^ limited areas that arid conditions are to be met with. The real range lands here are quite restricted as compared with those in the Great Basin and Rocky Mountain region, as there are extensive forest areas all along the coast. There are, however, frequent open- ings in the woodlands which are termed '"prairies," and in many places open or brush-covered range lands in the foothills and mountains. The dairying industry is perhaps the most important one in this region. Stock growing, however, assumes consideralile importance at certain points in California and Oregon, The control of the shifting sands, which arc menacing and in man}' places destroying the agricultural lands at certain points along the coast, is a matter of great importance. WORK DONE. Considerable work remains to be done here, as there has been opportimity thus far to do but a limited amount of investigation. 'Bui 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XXIII. Fig. 1.— a ■■Wash" near Tucson, Ariz. The result of but Nine Years Erosion. From a photDgniph by D. (iriffiths. J Fig. 2.— The SiDE of the same ■■Wash," showing the Depth. From a photograpli by I), (irifflths. THE PACIFIC COAST. 58 Mr. Lockenbv h;i.s spent eonsideralilo tiino in the study of the sand dunes on the Oreaoii coast at the mouth of the Coluni])ia River, and south as far as Seaside. Professor Seribner has also investi(j;at(Hl the sand dunes in this same vicinity and at various points in California, especially at Los Angeles, San Francisco, and points northward. The most thorough and extended investigations in this region have been made in northwestern California, by Mr. J. Burt Davy, special agent of the Division. His investigations covered the region included in the counties of Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, and the western part of Siskiyou. Mr. Davy made a very careful and thor- ough study of the conditions and problems in this region, and has pre- pared a comprehensive report of the whole subject, which is nearl}^ readv for the press. The writer has also done some field work in this region. Work was done in connection with Mr. Leckenby and Pro- fessor Scribner at Seaside and Gearhart where the sand dunes and the native sand binders were studied and quantities of seed collected. Work was also done in the vicinity of Portland and McMinnville, also at San Francisco and vicinity. Very little investigation of the ranges of this region has been made, except b}" Mr. Davy. He reports the rano-os of northwestern California greatlv deteriorated on account of overstocking and injudicious methods of grazing. This has been car- ried on to such an extent that most of the forage at present found on the range consists of introduced plants which have taken possession of the land since the destruction of the native grasses and forage plants. Fortunately these introduced species have some forage value. They are chiefly soft chess (Bromus Jumieaceus)^ alfilaria {Erodimn spp.), and wild oats {Avena^ probably^, harlxitd). The wild oats, however, is said to be much less common than formerly. Of the native grasses species of wild rye {Elymus spp.), brome grasses {Broirms spp.), hair gvfvsHQH{I)escham2)f^w spp.) wild-oat grass {Dantlumki sp.), prairie June grass {K(de7'ia sp.), and fescues {Festuca spp.) are now to be found only in Y)rotected situations, though they were probably, as Mr. Dav}" points out, nuich more alnindant formerly. Several native species of clover {Tri folium spp.) are also valuable for forage. The restoration of the ranges here, as elsewhere, must depend upon proper and con- tinuous treatment. Where the nativ^e grasses have been practically exterminated seeding with some of these or with introduced species adapted to the conditions will probably be necessary. In other instances, allowing the range a period of rest or alternate periods of grazing and rest, thus giving the plants an opportunity to produce seed, will produce l)eneficial results. Where dair^dng is carried on cultivated forage plants are depended on largeh" for grazing and ha,y. Oats and wheat are most extensivel}'^ grown for hay. In western Oregon considerable chess {BrormiH i^ecalioms) is grown for hay, also the ray grasses {Lolium spp.). while velvet grass {IIolcus lanatas) is 54 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. abundiint and has taken possession of many meadows. Some timothy, redtop, and a little alfalfa have also ])een g-rown. Permanent hay meadows would no dou))t be an advantage, however, and there is rea- son to believe that there would be little ditiiculty in securing cultivated fj-rasses which would be successful here. Meadow oat grass {Arrhena- theruiii elatias)^ orchard grass {Buctylix glomerata), meadow fescue {Festuca jiratenak)^ and red clover {Trifolium prateme) can be success- fully grown according to Mr. Davy. With so large a numl)er of avail- able grasses and forage plants to choose from there should be little difficulty in providing pasture the year round, and this seems to l)e one of the things most desirable in order to secure the greatest success for the dairying business. Soiling crops could no doubt also be grown to advantage. Considerable work has been done in the study of the sand dunes and the study and collection of the native sand l)inders. Large quantities of seeds and roots of the native sand binders have been collected for distribution and transplanting. Seaside blue grass (PI. XXVII, fig. 1) {Poa iiiacrantha)^ which is abundant on the Oregon coast and which is very efficient in holding drifting sands, has been distrilnited to various places in the interior and on the Atlantic coast, where it is hoped that it may be successfully introduced. Sand rye-grass [Elyiuus anmarlus) is also an excellent native sand binder. Big-head sedge {Carex maa-o- cephaJa) is abundant on the Oregon coast at Seaside (PI. XXVIII). This is a plant which spreads very rapidly by running rootstocks and performs very efficient service in holding the drifting sands. Roots and seeds of this plant have also ])een collected for use in experiments in other localities, where it is hoped that it may l)e successfully intro- duced. Ah'onia latif(Ma and lupines are also of consideral)le impor- tance as sand binders and worthy of trial elsewhere. No publication has yet been issued })y the Division dealing specially with the work done in this region. Circular No. 22 on ''Grass and Forage Plant Investigations on the Pacific coast," with the exception of a slight reference to sand-binding grasses, treated entirely of the work done east of the Cascade Mountains, which has already l)een referred to under the discussion of the Northwest. The results of Mr. Davy's work are nearly ready for put)lication, and as they will treat of the different problems very thoroughly and in detail it will not be necessary for us to give more than the outline of the Avork which has already ])een given. The portions of this region lying between Seaside and the southern boundary of Oregon and extending from the coast to the mountains is in need of exi)loration and investi- gation, ami will no doubt repay careful study. The dairying interests are particularly important here, and the value, abundance, and distri- bution of the native grasses and forage plants is little known. Bui. 25, Div, of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XXIV. ^h^^■ The upper Plant, Six Weeks Grama fBouTELOUA aristidoides) ; THE lower, a Drop Seed 'Sporobolus cryptandrus strictus); BOTH native Arizona Grasses of considerable Importance. From a photograph by D. Griffiths. GKNKKAL SU11VP:Y AND SUMMARY. 55 GENERAL SURVEY AND SUMMARY. The field work already described includes investigations which have been carried on in 32 States and Territories. In many of these States the work has been extensive and thorough. As a result the actual conditions of the meadows and range lands hare been ascertained; the \aiious native forage plants have been collected and studied and their tilnindance, distril)ution, and relative value discovered. The forage plants cultivated in th(^ various regions have also been studied and the capal>ilities of the regions for growing others not already grown have been in many instances determined. Special attention has been given to the causes of the deteriorated condition of the vast areas of grazing lands belonging to the public domain with a view to devising means for i-emoving the causes and restoring the ranges to their original productiveness and carrying capacity. The particular problems calling for most immediate attention in each region have been determined and steps taken toward their solution. As a result of the knowledge thus t>-ained the Division is able to reconniiend to farmers and stockmen in the various parts of the country the forage crops adapted to their con- ditions and special requirements, and also to carry on intelligently experiments with introduced forage plants likely to prove valuable in any particular region. Not the least important results of these investigations has been the determination of the vast natural forage resources of the country. Our heritage in this respect has never been fully known and much less appreciated. In our search for grasses and forage plants to cultivate we have tried many from different parts of the world, while neglect- ing those all al)out us. There are growing within the bounds of the United States over one thousand species of grasses, and perhaps one hundred or more other plants of sufficient forage value to justify their investigation and cultivation. Of course, a great many of these grasses have little forage value, either on account of their scarcity, small size, or some quality which renders them unpalatable to stock. A large number of them are, however, of great value for hay and grazing pur- poses, and can probably not be surpassed by any in the world. Because they are native they have been too often not only neglected, but abused, and, in some cases, partially exterminated. It is certainly time we ])egan to properly estimate and appreciate the great value of our native grasses and forage plants and take steps toward their conservation. Experiments have already shown that many of these most valuable grasses take kindly to cultivatiDn and produce much larger quan- tities of hay and pasture when a little attention is given them. The buffalo grass, the grama grasses, l)lue grasses, the mesquites, the fescues, and the wheat and rye grasses, which furnish the. bulk of the feed for the immense iuuu))ers of stock which roam over the public 56 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. lands of the great West, are of inestimable value and could not !)e suc- cessfuU}' replaced bv any importations from foreign countries. To discover why this is true requires no great amount of research. These grasses have for ages grown under the prevailing unfavorable climatic conditions and have survived in the struggle for existence by reason of their having liecome adapted to these conditions. Judging from the wonderful feats which horticulturists have alread}^ per- formed in the selection and breeding of plants, there appears no reason why, by proper cultivation and selection, many of these native grasses should not be greatl}^ improved, and in cases wliere they pos- sess characteristics which tend to interfere with their successful cultivation, these maj" no doulit l)e eliminated. Some of these native grasses are at present excluded from becoming of great commercial importance on account of the difficulty of manipulating the seed. This difficult}^ is frequently the result of the presenc(^ of awns or hairs on the floral envelope enclosing the seed. These could, l)y careful selection and ])reeding, ])e gotten rid of. Hope for anj^ great amount of success with introduced forage plants is only to be realized in case of those lu'ought from regions whose climatic conditions are similar to ours. In all the field work special effort has been made to call the attention of stockmen and ranchmen to the value of the native grasses and to reconmiend means of perpetuating and increasing them. Investigations already carried on have demonstrated the possibility of restoring worn out range and pasture lands to nearly, if not quite, their original carrying capacit}' liy entirely practical and economical methods of treatment in cases where the grasses have not been practi- cally exterminated. Where there is still present a sufficient amount of good grass to produce seed there is a chance for restoring the range without great difficulty. Allowing the range a complete rest for a year or two produces results which astonish one who has never wit- nessed the experiment. Alternation in pasturing also produces ver}' beneficial results, with less loss of grazing. In following this method pastures should be so ai'ranged that the stock can })e kept from certain areas for a sufficient length of time to allow the grasses to mature and scatter their seed, or to regain the vigor of their root system, which has been greatly injured bj^ close grazing and trampling. Some of the best grazing grasses, as the blue grama, l)uft'alo grass, and curlj^ mesquite, reproduce most extensively by means of creeping rootstocks sent out by the plants, while others, as in the case of the })unch grasses, depend largely upon their seed for propagation. Altei'nation in pasturing gives the plants an opportunity to recuperate and regain their ^'igor. Another very efficient means of improvement is the disking of the range or pasture. The great advantage of this is that l)y the loosening of the soil the roots, which have been prevented from normal devel- ment b}^ the trampling of the stock and the lack of moisture supplv, Bui. 25, Div. of Agrcstology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XXV. Fig. 1.— WRIGHT'S Saccaton iSporobolus wrightip. In the Santa Cruz Valley, Arizona, showing bunches which have not been grazed. From a photograph by D. Griffiths. Fig. 2.— WRIGHT'S Saccaton, showing its Appearance after being grazed. Same Locality. From a photograpli by I). Griffiths. FORAGE PLANTS F()K ALKALI SOILS. 57 are iriven a chance to ptow freely. The breakino- of the soil also oives a chance for the storm waters to ))e al^sorbe.!, instead of rapidly run- ning away over the hard surface of the soil. That these methods are feasible and very successful has been thoroug-hl}' demonstrated by the work of the Division in Texas. In cases where the native grasses have been largely destroyed, in addition to the disking it will be best to sow seed of the native grasses on the disked areas. These can frequently be secured b}^ collecting them from protected places, where the grasses have l>een allowed to produce seed. Along the right of way of rail- roads the native grasses frequently grow luxuriantly, and produce an abundance of seed. We ])elieve it will not be long, however, l)efore seed of the more important of our native grasses will be collected or grown in commercial quantities and be obtaina])le on the market. FORAGE PLANTS FOR ALKALI SOILS. A great deal of attention has been given to the question of grasses and foi-age plants adapted to growth on alkali soils. There are very extensive areas throughout the West over which tlie soil is so impreg- nated with mineral salts, especially those of sodium and magnesium, that the majority of cultivated forage plants can not be grown. There are, however, a considerable numlier of native forage plants which have become adapted to the alkali soils and are able to grow upon them. Investigations along this line have shown that some of these native plants are of sufficient importance as forage plants to justify attempts toward introducing them into cultivation. This is particu- larlj^ true of a number of the native saltbushes which are able to grow" in soils containing large percentages of alkali and also to withstand excessive drought. Consideral^le ([uantities of seed of eight different species of native saltljushes were secured the past season and ])esides being grown on the experimental grounds at Washington they have been distril)uted to the experiment stations of the West for cultivation and trial. These plants are particularh" valuable for sheep grazing. They are also relished by other stock and furnish a large amount of food at times when no other is available. Several other species of saltbush which are native of the alkali regions of the interior of Australia have also been introduced and grown on the alkali lands of the West and Southwest. The Division has distri1)uted considerable quantities of seed of these saltbushes, especially the Australian saltbush {AtriphKr semihaccata). This has })een experimented with sufficiently to demonstrate its adaptabilit}" to cultivation in the warmer portions of the West and Southwest. Winter fat {E^irotni lanata) is another valuable forage plant which flourishes in alkali soils from Montana to Arizona. A number of grasses of consideral)le value also grow upon these alkali soils. Those which grow where the greatest amount of alkali is present are, however, not palatable to stock and are eaten 58 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. I)V them only when better forage is not available. Quite a munl)er of the better native grasses tolerate a considerable amount of alkali and by cultivation and selection could no doul)t be made to withstand greater quantities. SAND AND SOIL BINDERS. As mentioned in discussing the various regions, considerable work has been done in investigating the sand and soil })inding plants of the country. It has been found that we have a considerable iuunl)er of excellect species of great value for this purpose. Besides the beach grass i^Aiiiinopldla arecial efiorts have been made to show the possil)ilities in the way of cultivation and to encourage the production of seed by seedsmen. This will no (l()ul)t be done as soon as there is a suflicient demand foi- them. During the past season over four tons of seed of native grasses and forage plants were collected -md distributed. As these seed were nearly all col- lected by hand, the amount of labor recpiired may be appreciated. Besides the specimens and seeds, roots and sheaves have also been col- lected in ([uantit}'. In some cases it is impracticable to secure seed of a desirable plant, and in sucn cases roots were taken up and forwarded to vai'ious points for transplanting. Bufi'alo grass {BtdJn/./s dactij- (o/dis). IVu-muda grass {(^ynodon dactyloii)^ Texas bhu; grass {Poa ((rliged to make improvements, such as fences or some other equiv- alent. At the expiration of this lease an extension may 1)e granted if it is considered l)v the land board that the range has l)een benefited bv the occupation. The rents are appraised by local land boards ever}' five vesii's. Preference is given actual residents in the lease of areas lying near their property. Land of inferior character may be leased at auction. In Victoria a plan of licensing the grazing of stock at a certain rate per head was tried. This, however, did not prove satisfactory, and later the plan was changed and provision made for renting the range lands, according to their estimated value based upon their carrying capacity, computed at the rate of Sd. per annum for sheep and 2s. per head for cattle. Tracts as at present leased vary in size from 7,500 to 40,000 acres. No person is allowed to hold more than one ti'act. If more than one application is made for renting the land, it is put up at auction. No lessee is allowed to assipii or transfer his lease without Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. Plate XXVII. Fig. 1.— Seaside Blue Grass (Poa macrantha). From a photograph taken near Morrison, Oregon, by A. B. Leckenby, 1899. Fig. 2.— Collecting Seed of Seaside Blue Grass near Morrison, Oregon. From a photograph by A. B. Leckenby, 1899. CONTROL OF GRAZING LANDS. 61 consont from the d(>p;irtinent havino- rharo-e of tho kind. iVt present in Vietoria the rental for the orazino- lands is dxed ])y "vahiers,'" The system as at present in operation in Victoria is said to have pro- duced ver^" satisfactor}' results. In Queensland and Western Australia various methods similar to those tried in the other colonies have been in vocjue at diti'erent times. Here as elsewhere the present plans are some modification of the lease svstem, the plans for the alienation of the land having been abandoned, as they have proved detrimental to the development and prosperity of the country. CANADA. Though the grazing lands of the Dominion are far less extensive and important than ours, still provision has been made for their con- trol. The governor in council has authorit}^ to grant leases of unoc- cupied Dominion lands from time to time to any person or persons for such a term of years and at such a rent as ma}' be deemed expe- dient, with the condition that if it is thought best bv the Minister of the Interior to oHer the land for settlement he ma}', on giving the lessee two years' notice, cancel the lease at any time during its term. TEXAS.' The public lands within the State of Texas are entirely under her control. The commissioner of the general land office of tho State has charge of the land. The public lands are carefully and skillfully clas- sitied and valued and plats prepared. Provision is made for the sale of grazing lands, not to exceed four sections to the same settler, at a price not less than $1 per acre, but the purchaser must settle on one of the sections. The grazing lands are letised at not less than 8 cents per acre, the period of lease to be not more than five years. Formerly the possible period of lease was ten years. The person occupying the land has preference in re-leasing. Land may be advertised and let to the highest responsible bidder in such quantities and under such regu- lations as the commissioner may think l^est. Notwithstanding objec- tions on the part of some to different phases of the Texas lease system, it seems to have proven fairly successful, and is certainly much ])refcrable to no system at all. STATE SCHOOL LANDS AND RAILROAD LANDS. In Colorado and other States the lease system has been applied to the school lands with very satisfactory results. The large tracts of land granted to the transcontinental railways, including in some ' We are indebted to Mr. J. J. Terrell, acting commissioner of the general land office of Texas, for the above facts. 62 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AOROSTOLOGY. instance.s a strip 40 miU's wid(^ and coverins^ larj^o areas of ^^i-.wAng land, are being leased hy the corjK) rations. It will be seen from the foregoino- that different countries, States, and eorporations having possession of grazing lands have found leasing to be the most prac- tical and advantageous method of controlling them. The true measure of the success of any system of control is not the amount of income in dollars and cents derived each year, l)ut the results to the grazing lands themselves and the general development and pros- perity of the country. The funds arising from the lease of the lands might i)e very profitably used in developing the irrigation resources of the semiarid region. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER WORK. As will be noted from the preceding account, the greatest and most important investigations of the Division are necessarily based upon field work. The various problems can not be studied successfully except under the natural conditions prevailing in the different regions. There are yet various phases of the work of the division, both scien- tific and economic, which require careful field observations and inves- tipations. While from the work already done we are familiar with the condition of the ranges over considerable areas during certain sea- sons of the year, still it is desirable that a thorough knowledge of the conditions should be ascertained at different seasons. Investigations thus far have been carried on chiefiy during the summer. In order, however, to get an adequate idea of the grazing lands, they should also be observed and studied during the spring and late autumn. An examination made during the most unfavorable season is apt to lead to an incorrect estimate of the capacity of the range, while an examina- tion made when the range is at its best naturally leads to an error in the opposite direction. The questions concerning the relation of grazing to the forests and w^ater supply are still in need of considerable study, as conclusions based upon work carried on in one region may be entirely inapplicable to another. These problems are already being studied by the forest- ers and others interested in these subjects, but there is also need of careful work with special reference to the methods and manner of graz- ing these areas and the plants which furnish the forage. This work can no doubt be most economically and advantageously carried on in con- nection with the Division of Forestry. Aside from the special prob- lems there are large areas of grazing lands in the West which have never been examined by our field workers. No Avork has been carried on by the Division in Nevada, and the greater portions of Arizona and New Mexico have never been studied. Little in the way of accu- rate observation has been done on the grazing lands and conditions in portions of California, Oregon,- and Idaho. There are also special Bui. 25, Div. of Agrostology, U. S. Dep1. of Agnculture. Plate XXVII!. Fig. 1.— Sand Dune on the Pacific Coast. Sand Rye Grass i'Elymus arenarius) COVERING THE TOP OF THE DUNE AND BiG HEAD SEDGE IN THE FOREGROUND. Fig. 2.— Sand Dune held by Seaside Blue Grass < Poa macranthai, near Seaside, Oregon. From a photograph by F. Lamson-Scribncr, l,s'.)9. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUKTHKK WORK. 63 pn>l)lonis in Now Eno-land and the Soutlicin and Central States which are in need of careful field .study. There is also need of a much more careful and jiccurate study of the various species of native u-rasses in the field. The dried si)eciinens, which are prepared for the herbarium, arc \'ery valua))lc for study and comparison, hut they do not retain all the characteristics which are necessary to a full and satisfactory knowledt^e of the plants. It is g-radually becoming- recognized by students of plants that in order to o]>tain a thorough and accurate knowledge of the species they must be studied in the living state, growing uiuUm- natural conditions and in their natural environment. Descriptions of species in ordei- to be accurate and have the greatest scientihc value should be made from the living, gfrowing plant in situ. Drawings and illustrations should also be made from the same material. Good photographs tiro also very valuable for illustrating the habits of growth of various species. Notwithstanding the great amount of literature published and widely (listril)uted each year by the Division there seems to be a large num- ber of people who should naturally be interested in and benefited by the work done who are not reached l\v this means. A plan somewhat similar to that adopted ])y the Division of Forestry would, no doubt, greatly increase the usefulness of the work. This is the M-ivinj? of lee- tures on (juestions relating to grasses and forage plants at the various points visited by field workers. These lectures or talks, illustrated by stereopticon views, would Ijring much more forcibly to the atten- tion of the people the various problems and methods of dealing with them. Under the stimulus of such direct and individual contact nuich greater and more important and ])eneficial results would be secured. Direct assistance and advice in the solution of any of the prolilems which present themselves would be a great advantage and result in greatly widening the field of influence and the practical importance of the work. The more closely we come in contact with the people who are struggling with the various forage problems the greater benefit will be derived by both. This contact will also promote a mutual under- standing which will lead to a ))etter appreciation of the difficulties to be overcome and a more thorough sympathy and cooperation in the work. GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. [List of the grasses and forage plants mentioned in this bnlletin, arranged alphabetically and with ^'liiiii."" linrii iiv'nt *-i in till-"* i_»i*itt it*i, <»»!< the pages where references are made.] Page. ,\hronia latifolia 54 AgropjTon occidentale 23. 37. 40 repens 40 spicatnm 35. 40 spp 30, 33, 3.5 tenernm 23, 30, 37, 40 Alfalfa 20. 26. 34. .52. .54 Alfilaria 53 Alkali tine top 50 meadow grass 29, 36 Alopecuru.s occiden talis 35 pratcnsis 21 Alpine timothy 29.35 Al.sike clover 16. 21 American vetch 21 Ammophila arcnaria 13, .58 .\ndroiiogon 26 furcatus 24 halepensis .5.s nutans 24 occidentalis 24 torreyanus 51 Ari.stida .spp 27, 29, 50 Arrhenathernm elatins .54 Artemisia spp 30, 33 Astragalus canadensis 21 Atriple.x canescens 51 semibaccata .57 spp 33 Australian .saltbush 51, .57 Awnless brome grass 26. 40 Beach grass 13. .58 Beard grasses 24 Bearded wheat grass 21 Bermuda grass 16, 59 Big blue-stem ; 21 cord-grass ,58 head sedge .54 sand grass 21 Bigelovia spp 30 Bitter panic grass 13, .58 Black grama .50 Blue grama 25. 29, 37, 40, .56 grass 21, 20, 22 grasses 35 joint ; 21,35 Blunt panic grass .51, .58 Bouteloua aristidoides .50 curtipendula 25 eriopoda 50 1923— No. 25 5 Page. Bouteloua hirsuta 29 oligostachya 25,29,40 polystachya 50 spp 30, 50 Brome grass 53 Bromus hordeaceus 40, .53 inermis 22, 26 marginatiis 35, 37 polyanthus paniculatns 48 pnmpellianns 30, 35 .secalinus 53 spp 53 Broom-corn millet 21 Buck brush 30 Buffalo grass 25, .55, .56, .59 pea 21 Bulbilis 26 dactyloides 2.5, 59 Bulbous panic grass 47 Bunch grass 21 wheat gra.ss 35, 40, 41 Bur clover 16 Calamovilfa longifolia 58 Canadian rattleweed 21 rye grass 48 Carex 29 macrocephalns 54 Carpet grass 16 Cedar 32 Chess Chloris elegans Clover Common reed grass Corn 53 51 53 21 26 Cowpeas 17,26 Crab grass ; 17 Creeping panic grass .58 Crimson clover 21 Crotolaria sagittalis 21 Curly mesquite 49, 56 Cynodon dactylon 59 Dactylis glomerata 54 Dalea alopecuroides 21 Danthonia spp 53 Dennett grass 21 Peschampsia csespitosa 29, 36 spp 53 Distichlis spicata 30 Eatonia 26 Eleocharis 29 65 66 C4RASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. Page. Elymnsarenariiis 13, arcnicolus canadensis :U. eoiidensatns flavescens glaucus macounii spp 30, Eragrostis Erodium spp Euphorbia marginata Enrotia lanata 40, Feather beard grass Fendler's bhie grass Fescues Festuca brachyphylla ovina 29, pratensis rubra ^PP thurberi Field peas Floating manna grass Fowl meadow grass German millet Giant beggarweed Gietta Grama grass 25, 29, grasses Gramas Ground plum Hair grass Hairy vetch Hilaria cenehroides mutica rigida spp Holeus lanatus Hordeum j ubatum Hungarian brome Indian beard-grass millet Italian rye-grass Japan clover Johnson grass Juncus balticus 31, Koeleria eristata »PP Large rush grass water-grass Leptochloa ditbia Little blue-stem dropseed Lolium spp Loco plant Low grama Lupines Lyme grass Macoun's rye-grass Manna grasses Meadow fescue foxtail oat-grass Mesquite bean -12, 68,54 41 41,48 41 41 37 37 35, .53 I 27 53 ! 22 51, .57 51 48, .51 .53 ' 31 35,36 .54 35 53 30 [ 26 ■ 21 21 ! 17 16 50 32,50 55 30 21 36 16,26 49 .50 50 49 53 37 22 21 58 21 16 17 36, 37 26 24, 25 .53 21 16 48, 51 21 29 53 21 .50 54 21 37 30 54 21 54 49 ,43.44 Page. Mesquites 55 Metcalfe bean 48 Millet 52 Millets 26 Mountain brome 48 ryegrass 37 Mnhlenbergia 50 diffiLsa 21 mexicana 21 racemosa 21 willdenowii 21 Mutton grass 51 Needle grasses '. 35 Nodding fescue 21 Non-saccharine sorghums 52 Opuntia engelmanni 43 Orchard grass 16, 20, 26, 54 Oryzopsis cuspidata 58 Oxytropis lambertii 21 Panicum amaroides 14 amarum 13, 58 bulbosum 47 obtusum .^1,-d8 repens 58 sanguinale 17 spp 30 virgatum 24 Pappophorum vaginatum 51 Paspalum compressnm 16 Perennial rye-grass 21 Petalostemon candidns 21 violaceus 21 Phalaris arundinacea 58 Phaseolus retusus 48 Phleum alpinum 29, 35 Phragmites vulgaris 58 Plantago fastigiata 48 P( )a arachnifera 59 fendleriana 48, .51 laevigata 36 leckenbyi 41 niacrantha .54, 58 spp 35 wheeleri 37 Prairie June-grass 24, 25, .53 Prosopis juliflora 43 spp 42, 44 Prickly pear 42 Puecinellia airoides 29, 36 Quack-grass : 40 Rabbit brush 32 Rattlebox 21 Ray-grasses 53 Red clover 17, 20, 21, 26, 54 fescue 35 Redlieldia tle.xuosa 58 Redtield's grass 58 Redtop 16, 20, 54 Keed canary grass 21, 58 grass 58 Rescue gra.ss 16 Running buffalo clover 21 Rye-grass 55 grasses 30, 3.5, 58 Saccaton 50- s^age brush 32 GRASSES AND FORAUE PLANTS. 67 i-age. Sago brushes 33 Salt bushes 33 grass 30 sage 32 Sand grass yS rye-grass 13, 5-J, 58 Sat in grass 21 Seirpus 33 Sea oats 13, 58 Si?aside bhie-grass 54, 58 Sedge rush 30 Shad scale 31 Sheep's fescue 29, 35, 36 Short-awned brome 21, 35, 37 Short-leafed fescue 31 Short's fescue 21 Six- weeks grama 50 Slender fescue 21 wheat-grass '. 23, 30, 37, 40 Slough grass 21 Smooth brome 21 Snow-on-the-mountain 22 Soft chess 40, 53 Solidago canadensis 22 rigida 22 Southern poverty grass 22 Soy beans 2G Spartina cynosuroides 58 Spiny cacti 51 Sporobolus 27, 50 airoides 50 cryptandrus 50 depauperatus 29 wrightii 50 Sprangle top 48, 51 Squirrel-tail 21, 37 Stiff mesquite 50 Stipa spp 26, 35 Page. Stipa vasey i 58 S «amp chess 21 Sweet clover 16 Switch grass 21, 24, 25 Tall grama grass 21 meadow fescue 26 oat-grass 20 Texas blue-grass 1 6, 59 Thurber's fescue. 30 Timothy 20, 54 Tufted hair-grass 29 Turf oats 16 Trifolium spp 53 pratense 54 stolonifernni 21 Triodia 27 Triple-awn grass 29, 50 Uniola paniculata 13, 58 Vasey's needle-grass 58 Velvet grass 53 Western brome grass 30, 35 foxtail 35 wheat-grass 21, 23, 24, 32, 37, 40 Wheat-grass 55 grasses 30, 33, 35 White clover 20 . sage 32 Wild oat-grass 53 oats 53 rye 21, 53 rye-grass 23 vetch 21 Winter fat 40, 51, 57 Wire grass 21, 31, 37, 36, 53 Wool-grass 51 Woolly foot grama 50 Wright's saccaton 50 Yucca elata 51 o Southern Forage Plants. (Farmers' Bulletin No. 102.) Crimson C'lover. (Circular No. 17.) Smooth Bromo-sr.iss. (Circirhir No. IS.) Saltbiishes. (Fiirnii-rs' Bulletin No. lOS.) New or Little Known Cntsse?. from Mexico. (Circular No. 19.) Experinionts with Forage Plants in Ontario. (Circular No. 20.) Cooperative Range Grass and Forage Plant Experiments at Highmore. S. Dak. (Circular No. 21.) Grass and Forage Plant Investigations on the Pacitie Coast. (Circular No. 22.) American Grasses, Illustrated, III. (Bulletin No. 20.) Descriptions of the North .\meriean Tribes and Genera. Price 15 cents. Studies on American Grasses: Revision p£ the North American Species of Chaetochloa. (Bulletin No. 21.) Price .1 cents. .' - Cooperative Exi)eriments with Grasses and Forage Plants. (Bulletin No. 22.) Price 15 cents. Progress ol Experiments with Forage Cnips and in Range Improvement at A")ilene, Te.x. (Circular No. 23.) Cowpeas and Corn for Silage and Fodder. (Circular No. 24.) Bidletin No. 2. Revised. Price 5 cents. Bulletin No. 7. Third edition. Price 30 cents. Bulletin No. II. Revised. Price 10 cent.s. Bulletin No. 19. Revised. Price 10 cents. Turkestan Alfalfa. (Circular No. 25.) Studies on American Grasses; Revision of the Genus Bromus. (Bulletin No. 23.) Price 5 cents. Rescue Grass. (Circidar No. 20.) Agrosloliigical Notes. (Circular No. 27.) Studieson American (brasses: (1) Some recent Collections of Mexican Grasses. (2) Notes on Panicum nitidnm Lam.. Panicum .scoparium Ijam., and Panicinii piibescens Lam. (3) Miscellaneous Notes and Descriptions of New Species. ( Bulletin No. 24.4 Price . Grasses and Fodder Plants on the Potomac Flats. (Circular No. 28.) Grasses in Elliott's Sketch of the Botany of South Carolina and Georgia. (Circular No. 29.) New or Little Known Grasses. (Circular No. 30.) Bernnida (irass. (Circular No. 31.) Some Arizona (Trasses. (Circular No. 32.) Range Grass and Forage Plant Experiments at Highmore, S. I>ak. (Circular No. 33.) Aristida purpurea Nutt. and its .Ulie.s. (Circular No. 34.) Agrostological Notes. (Circular No. 35. ) List of the Publications of the Division of Agrostology. (Circular No. 36.) REPRINTS FROM THE YEARBOOK. Year- book. 1S9L Grasses as Sand and Soil Binders. ,1895. Grasse-'? of Salt Marshes. 1895. Gra.ss Gardens. Exhausted. 1895. Forage Conditions of the Prairie Ixegion. Exhausted. 1890. Timothy in the Prairie Region.. 1890. Cowpeas. (Reprinted and publishi-d iis Farmers' Bidletiu No. 89.) 1897. The Division of Agrostology. 1897. Lawns and Lawn Making. I 1897. Leguminous Forage Crop.s. 1898. Sand-binding Gra.sses. 1898. Fonige Plants for Cultivation on .\lkali Sodls. 1898. Millets. (Reiirinted and published as Farmers' Bulletin No. 101.) 1899. Progress of Economic and Scientific .Agrostology. 1899. Succulent Forage for the Farm and Dairv. 1900. Our Native Pasture Plants. New York Botanical Garden Librar 3 5185 00259 8520