eS ‘ 5,
“BULLETIN No. 10.00 | ohn Agros. 27.

~ U.S, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Ree DIVISION: OF AGROSTOLOGY.

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[Grass and Forage Plant Onvyestigations. |

a: Wee a

AO Wie PORT

UPON THB

RASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS

CENTRAL TEXAS.

fs a. BENTLEY 5

Special Agent in Charge of Grass Experiments at Abilene, Tex.

PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE AGROSTOLOGIST.

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WASHINGTON:
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BULLETIN No. 10. Agros. 27.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
J DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY.

[Grass and Forage Plant Investigations. |

Ae MeO REE

UPON THE

Duplicate.

GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS

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OF =

CENTRAL THX AS.

< BY
| or
EH ry BENTLEY,

1)
Special Agent in Charge of Grass Experiments at Abilene, Tex.

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PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE AGROSTOLOGIST.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1898.

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+ 18:9

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9. mS.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., March 3, 1898.

‘Srr: I have the honor to transmit herewith for publication, as Bul-
letin No. 10 of this division, a report: by Mr. H. L. Bentley, special
agent in the Division, upon the grasses and forage plants of central
Texas. This report contains brief accounts of the physical character
of central Texas; the early and present condition of the ranges; and
popular descriptions, and general observations upon the distribution
and economic importance of a large number of the grasses and forage
plants native to the region. From this report stockmen and others
will gain some idea of the extent and value of the natural forage
resources of the country, and it will, without doubt, awaken an interest

in the preservation and improvement of the forage supplies.

Respectfully,
F. LAMSON-SCRIBNER,
Agrostologist.
Hon. JAMES WILSON,

Secretary of Agriculture.

CONTENTS.

Page.

The cattle ranges and their deterioration..-...-.-------.----.---------------- 7
Purpose of report. .---..------ -2-. <= -----0- oo 2-H ene wos ene = Hons 7
Physical character of the country ....-...------------------------------- 7
Hachvacomaitiom of the TAUSES. . ~~ scien 2 2 ee ee enn en nee nen enn 8
Speculation and overstocking -...--....--. -2---- .2--5- see-2- ee eee eee: 9
ows tiielstack tanges may be renewed....---...+-4.2------2-<-+ bee -ws- 2-0 ---- 10
Needsoiulaysand abner LOTACO 65. sae ee aaa e antec ai ene ian aioe) ee == 10
Native grasses and forage plants recommended for propagation. ...-.----.---- itil
(GRAINS ~ oe Se Pace e se SOS O BSCS ROS AOG BERS Sp aE oe Sopp ee Coes eee 11
Forage plants not grasses.......----------. ---- +. ---- +--+ 2 ene eee eee 20
-Grasses and forage plants of probable value......---.---.---- Le Sase SSbnopgsee 25
Common grasses of little forage value........-.---.---- +--+ -- eee ee eee =e 28

Fig.

SOON Ha TF WHE

ILLUSTRATIONS.

. Feather Blue-stem (Andropogon saccharoides torreyanus).....----------

Blue Grama (Bouieloua oligostachya)- 2-22. == 22-2 = acs 2 eee

. Everlasting Grass (riochloa punctata). ...--..----..------------=----
. Curly Mesquite (Hilania cenchroides) === 2a = == so ase a ae eee
» Barnyard Grass |((Banteum crus-gallt) = sess 2s 4 — eee eee eee
. Colorado .Grass\(Lantcumitetanum) = -22essee eo eee eee ee eee eee
- Wild Bean=(Phaseotus helvolus) ==25-- 2-2-2 eee fees
. Buttalo Grass (Bulbilis dactyloides) === 2-254 -5-555-6 6 -2Ss- == eee
; Knot Grass (Paspalum idistichwmn)=s 5. +2554 eee eee ee
; Dumble Weed: (Amuraniiusblitowdes)) =. 225 -- == 26 = ase eee eee
: Ground Plum (Astragalus crassicarpus) ....---- ---- ---22- --=--= ===
» Alfilaria: Hrodum cicutaniwm)= 2a-25 eee ee eee ee eee eee
. Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmanni).-...------- ini So
. Mesquite Bean (Prosopis juliflora) .-...-------.--=---------5---= == ===

A REPORT UPON THE GRASSES AND FORAGE
PLANTS OF CENTRAL TEXAS.

THE CATTLE RANGES AND THEIR DETERIORATION.
PURPOSE OF REPORT.

_ The purpose of this report is to invite the attention of stockmen and
farmers to the mistakes made in the past in dealing with native grasses
and forage plants, and to offer suggestions for their future guidance.
Central Texas may be considered a typical stock section. The
problems here presented are identical with those of other regions
where overstocking and insufficient care of the natural growth of
grasses and forage plants have led to the impoverishment of the
ranges. The natural herbage of the Southwestern plains and prairies
was once as varied and as rich as could be found anywhere. The
wild grasses could not be excelled either for hay or pasturage. They
are still to be found scattered over the region, not in as great profu-
sion and abundance as in the days when the cattlemen first drove their
herds into that magnificent pasture, but enough of them are there
to make it possible by intelligent management to produce something
like the former conditions.

PHYSICAL CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY.

The central Texas of this report includes all the counties of Stone-
wall, Haskell, Throckmorton, Fisher, Jones, Shackelford, Nolan, Tay-
lor, Callahan, Runnels, Coleman, Tom Green, Concho, McCulloch, and
parts of the counties of Kent, Scurry, Mitchell, Coke, San Saba, Brown,
Eastland, Stephens, and Young. It embraces a territory about 100
miles wide, east and west, and about 200 miles long, north and south.

The characteristics common to these counties are: An open prairie
country with some black-jack, post-oak, and live-oak timber on the
uplands and ridges; a scattering growth of mesquite on the lands away
from the streams, which, together with the timber on the streams, sup-
plies ample firewood and posts for fencing purposes; numerous streams
that furnish an abundance of water, fringed along their banks with
groves of pecan, elm, hackberry, wild china, cottonwood, and other
trees; an altitude ranging from 1,500 to 1,900 feet above sea level; an
annual rainfall of from 20 to 34 inches, the average being about 27

7

8

inches, so distributed through the year that it means sufficient for range
purposes, but periodically not sufficient for the best results in farming;
a range of temperature from 90° to 102° down to 7° F.; a rich alluvial
soil in most of the valleys, while on the uplands there are loams, gen-
erally containing a large admixture of calcareous marls. The soils
vary in color from a light gray or yellow, through all the intermediate
colors—chocolate, mulatto, red, and brown—to black, all productive
and susceptible of high cultivation, and especially rich in the elements
necessary for the production of the cereals and grasses. There is a
great variety of native forage plants and grasses, comprising species
that appear in succession from February to November.

In Stonewall, Nolan, Mitchell, McCulloch, Coke, San Saba, and
Taylor counties the topography presents a greater diversity than in
the others. In Taylor County there are considerable elevations, a
mountain range extending through it from southeast to northwest, the
highest point being 519 feet above the surrounding plains. In Throck-
morton, Stephens, Shackelford, Callahan, Runnels, Coleman, and Tom
Green counties there are broken areas. In the other ten counties,
where there are neither mountains nor hills, the general surface is
gently undulating. ~

Under the direction of the Agrostologist of the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, portions of this section were visited by the writer
during August, September, and October (1897), and collections of
grasses made, notes being taken relative to the forage plants, native
and domesticated, that have given promise of future value. These
observations, owing to the limited time in which they were made, do
not cover all the counties named, but it is probable that nearly every
grass noted may be found in each of the counties, and the statements
regarding them will doubtless apply to the entire region.

EARLY CONDITION OF THE RANGES.

The natural meadows of this section when the first cattlemen took
possession were excellent. It was an ideal pasture land. The streams
were full the year round, and the absence of heavy dews or long-con-
tinued wet spells in autumn caused the abundant growth of grasses to
ripen and cure on their own roots into hay of the best quality, available
through all the winter months. There was shelter from storms in the
timber along the streams. The prairie dogs and jack rabbits were
kept in check by their natural enemies. The rapid spread of weedy
shrubs and cactus was prevented by the annual fires that swept the
country.

No attempt at systematic settlement was made until the building of
the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1885. Before that time there was no
one to assert any special claim to any particular lands. True, nearly
all belonged to private individuals, railroad companies, counties, or
to some of the State trust funds, but none of the legal owners were

3)

on the ground in person. There was nothing to prevent the cowmen
from appropriating the range, arbitrarily laying off their range bound-
aries, and claiming them under their so-called ‘“‘range rights.” The
first cowman who entered a given section established his headquarters
in some favored spot and claimed, under his range rights, everything
in sight. When the next cowman moved in, the two together divided
the range and each kept his herd on his own side of the boundary line
agreed upon between them. As others came, the range was further
subdivided until it was all fully occupied. Absolute good faith was
maintained, each recognizing the range rights of the other. There was
no need for one to crowd the other, for there was plenty, and to spare,
for all. They each and all recognized that with “free grass” the road
to wealth was an easy and certain one.

SPECULATION AND OVERSTOCKING.

With the entrance of the railroad into this pastoral region the
owners of the lands under consideration, or their agents, began to appear
with a view to looking up their properties. Then it was that the cow-
men began to realize that they could not longer depend on free grass.
The result was natural, indeed inevitable. Every man was seized with
a desire to make the most of his opportunities while they lasted.
Whereas there had previously been no rent to pay and only a minimum
of taxes, each one saw that this situation could not last. In consequence
every man who had a “range right” went into the market to buy cows
to eat as much of the grass as possible before he should be dispos-
sessed of his free holding. Soon there were more buyers than sellers.
Prices went up and a fever of speculation ensued. Range rights, herds
of cattle, and flocks of sheep changed hands at fabulous prices. Men
of every rank were eager to go into the “cow business.” In a short
time every acre of free grass was stocked beyond its fullest capacity.
Thousands of cattle or sheep were crowded on the ranges where half
the number was too many. The grasses were entirely consumed; their
very roots were trampled into dust and destroyed. In their eagerness
to get something for nothing speculators did not hesitate at the perma-
nent injury, if not total ruin, of the finest grazing country in America.

From that day to the present but little intelligent effort has been
made to improve the pastures and again cover them with the rich vege-
tation which the soil is capable of supporting. It is not yet too late to
remedy the evil, but no time is to be lost. There is need in the first
place of the enactment of more beneficent lease laws to govern the use
of county and State lands. Permanency of tenure is essential, for itis
only through such a condition that stockmen can be made to see that
itis to their own interest to improve the carrying capacity of the range.
There must be intelligent and concerted effort, and it can not be expected
that stockmen will be different from other men if they decline to make
such effort at range improvement when the results of their toil and

10

forethought are to be enjoyed by others. They are all alike, grass
destroyers, so long as it is not to their own immediate interest to be
grass preservers. Stockmen have been reckless in this direction, farmers
have been their allies. The latter still wage a war of extermination on
the grasses growing in and about their fields. In his effort to make
room for more cheap cotton the farmer ruthlessly breaks the sod thatif
properly treated and cared for as pasture would yield him far better
returns.

HOW THE STOCK RANGES MAY BE RENEWED.

In considering the question of how the ranges may be renewed, the
ideas and opinions of the leading stockmen of this section have been
solicited. They vary from that of giving the grasses absolute rest
until the ground has been reseeded with the best native varieties, to
that of partially breaking the sod and seeding down the land to sor-
ghum, Johnson grass, or the best of the tame hay grasses.

If the natural pastures are to be once more brought up to their origi-
nal condition certain precautions must be taken. There must be no
more overstocking of the range. On the contrary, as far as practicable,
the land must be systematically rested. Some of the leading stockmen
are now dividing up their holdings into several pastures, one being held
exclusively for winter use, another for spring, another for midsummer
or autumn. ‘This practice will, in the case of the winter pasture, enable
the early grasses to ripen and shed theirseeds. To be successful there
should be rotation in the seasonal use of these pastures. Thus a pas-
ture which is grazed closely during winter for three or four successive
years should then be grazed only in summer for a like term, in order
that the late-maturing grasses, which would naturally be the ones eaten
during the winter, may have an opportunity to reseed themselves and
regain their former abundance. By this system of rotation the carry-
ing capacity of the pastures may be doubled or trebled in the course of
a few years.

NEED OF HAY AND OTHER FORAGE.

It will be necessary also to provide hay and forage, which may be
used during storms or in case of unusually severe winters, or in years
when through drought or other causes the natural herbage is less than
the normal. Therange grasses, even when abundant, may be so injured
by such unusual occurrences as heavy autumn rains as to be worthless
as food for stock. During the severe winters thousands of cattle and
sheep often die from starvation. Five per cent of their value invested
in hay or other feed and kept available for use during winter storms
would not only have saved their lives, but have brought them through
the season in growing and healthy condition. Vast quantities of hay
could a few years ago be secured anywhere for the cost of cutting and
curing. With a renewed range this condition may be again attained,
aud even if the wild hay can not be depended on or can not be secured

11

a sufficient crop of sorghum, Kaffir corn, or some of the coarser culti-
vated hay grasses should be planted to supply feed in times of scarcity.

Hay meadows formed of native grasses are greatly needed. These
native grasses have in the past shown all the best qualities of hay
grasses elsewhere, and they do not require any experimental work to
determine their adaptability to soil and climate or their general value.
More than a third of all the grasses in the United States grow within
the confines of the state of Texas, and the establishment of natural
hay meadows of the wild grasses and forage plants is bound to prove
successful and profitable. The first question to be determined is, which
are the best for hay and which for grazing. Stockmen can do this work
on their own ranches and settle the question for themselves. They
can prepare and seed down lands with the best grasses and save hay
every year for winter use, thereby adding largely to the capacity of
their pastures for carrying stock. As soon as dependence is placed
on hay or fodder the pastures are bound to improve, because stock fed
a part of every year will need less pasture grass, and the pastures
being allowed this periodic rest will more rapidly attain their best
development.

NATIVE GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS RECOMMENDED FOR
PROPAGATION.

In a consideration of the different native grasses and forage plants it
has not been possible to inspect the ranges in all the couuties, but those
here discussed may be taken to fairly represent the entire section. Of
the many varieties found, the following, from personal observation and
from the accounts given by ranchmen and farmers, appear to be the
most valuable:

GRASSES.

Western Wheat-egrass (Agropyron spicatum) is a blue-stem which
is rather wiry. It is from 20 to 30 inches high, and grows luxuriantly
all over central Texas. While it will not.produce as much hay to the
acre aS some other species, stockmen value it highly for its nutritive
qualities. It withstands the droughts to which the section is period-
ically subject, and is to be found not only on the uplands, but also in
the low moist meadows. It is also known in the Northwest as Colorado
Blue-stem.

Feather Sedge or Feather Blue-stem (Andropogon saccharoides
torreyanus) (fig. 1) grows in all of the counties of central Texas. It has
a feathery looking “‘seed head” and a blue stem, grows from 2 to 34
feet tall, and ripens an abundance of seed in September. When cured
it is soft to the touch and is much relished by cattle. This is a com-
mon grass on the dry prairies and mesas from Kansas to Texas west-
ward to Arizona and southward into Mexico.

12

Bushy Blue-stem (Andropogon nutans), a very tall, cane-like grass,
growing principally in rocky places, though it is also on the open
prairies. It will produce good hay in large quantities. .
Side-oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), one of the best native
grasses in central Texas, is highly regarded by stockmen. It was
splendidly seeded in September when examined on the range. It
grows equally well on the uplands and lowlands, in fallow ground and in
the pastures. Cattle are very fond of it both before and after it ripens
seed. It produces a great many seeds that do not shatter out readily,
and, as it grows from 18 inches
to 3 feet tail and makes a large
quantity of fodder, soft when
cured, it is an excellent hay
grass. Itis common through-
out the prairie region and on
the plains extending eastward
to Pennsylvania.

i Black Grama (Boutelowa

hirsuta)—Black grama is not
as common throughout central
Texas as stockmen would like
to have it. Itis nota hay grass.
as it does not often grow tall
enough for the mower, but it is
certainly one of the best grasses
for grazing purposes. In ap-
pearance it closely resembles
the blue grama (Bouteloua oli-
gostachya), which is one of the
most common of the native
grasses of the “benches” of
Montana. Several stockmen of
Mitchell and Taylor counties
state that this black grama is
“taking the prairie” rapidly,
more of it being seen in 1897
than in former years.

Blue Grama (Bouteloua oligostachya) (fig. 2)—Very similar in
most respects to the black grama, about the only difference noticeable
by the unscientific observer being the lighter color of its “‘seed heads.”
It grows throughout all the cattle-raising States west of the Missis-
Sippi and is very common in Montana and Colorado, where it is known
as Buffalo-grass. In central Texas it is regarded with much favor by
stockmeu. As it grows well on the high arid plains and bench lands
and also on the lower and damper pasture lands, and is both a hay and
a pasture grass, too high an estimate can not be put on it for stock pur-
poses. It is said that “it far exceeds, in general opinion, the true

ULULE

Fic. 1.—Feather Blue-stem.

13

buffalo grass (Bulbilis dactyloides), which has gained much of its credit,
at the expense of Bouteloua, the two being often confused by farmers
and ranchmen.”

Rescue Grass or Arctic Grass (Bromus wnioloides).—An excellent
winter-pasture grass, but not widely distributed in this section. The
specimen forwarded for identification was found in Nolan County, in
September. At that time its seeds had shattered out badly, and its
leaves were not green, nor was there much of it. Stockmen say, how-
ever, that earlier in the sea-
son it was to be found in fair
quantities in Mitchell, Nolan,
and Taylor counties. It has
been reported from some of
the other counties of central .
Texas, where it is valued
both as a pasture and as a
hay grass. S iF \

Arizona Millet (Chetochloa £ \
macrostachya).—A tall, rather
coarse upland grass. Itisa
valuable hay grass because of
its habit of growth, producing
an abundance of fodder and
seed. It is one of the most
common grasses of this section
of Texas.

Bermuda (Cynodon dacty-
lon).—Probably not a native,
but now so common in every
part of this section that it is
regarded as one of its dis-
tinctive grasses. It grows
about the windmills where
it is freely watered tall enough
to be cut for hay. For graz-
ing purposes it is doubtful
if any other grass will furnish
more or better pasturage. if
stockmen, instead of confining the propagation of it to their yards and
lawns, would put down extensive fields of it, they would be amply
repaid for the labor and expense. One stockman who has a 10-acre
pasture well sodded with Bermuda grass says that he kept more than
a dozen calves and 4 head of horses onit month after month, and that
he frequently permitted as many as 10 extra horses to run on it
several days in succession, and that he never thought he had over-
stocked it. In the cities of central Texas it is being used to improve
the footpaths and lawns. Stockmen and farmers in the country are

sini

Fic. 2.—Blue Grama.

14

using it to advantage to strengthen their dams and the banks of their
water tanks.

Wild Rye (Elymus canadensis) grows in nearly every neighborhood.
It is to be found occasionally on the uplands, but is more common in
the valleys. Stockmen say that, when it is young and green, stock of
all kinds is fond of it. They think it willmake good hay. It is one of
the most promising of the native hay grasses.

Everlasting Grass (Hrio-
chloa punctata) (fig. 3).—This
grass was found in Shackel-
ford County in a stubble field,
where stock were eating it
greedily. This was in Sep-
tember, buf a month later it
was found in several other
localities on the benches and
in the valleys. A _ well-
informed stockman of Tay-
lor County says that it is a
good pasture grass when it
first: greens out in the spring,
affords good pasturage all
through the summer months,
and in autumn, when pro-
k tected from stock, will furnish
‘ in abundance a good quality
of hay. In the times when
Fort Griffin, in Shackelford
County, was occupied as a
United States Government
post, this grass was a main
reliance of the troops for hay.
At that time it grew all over
that vicinity from 2 to 4 feet
high, and, as large sections
were covered with it to the
practical exclusion of other
grasses, it was not difficult to secure hay in large quantities. Now, how-
ever, it is rarely to be found in quantities sufficient or under conditions
suitable for hay purposes—another instance of the reckless manner in
which the range in all central Texas has been abused. In the valley of
the Clear Fork, a few miles below Fort Griffin, this grass was seen
growing luxuriantly in a field where no stock was allowed, showing by
its strong growth what it will do under favorable conditions. Farmers
and stockmen should cultivate it with special reference to its high value
as a hay grass.

<<

op
iS Ro zx
CAS Gites

Fia. 3.— Everlasting Grass.

15

Curly Mesquite (Hilaria cenchroides) (fig. 4).—Too much can not
be said in praise of this superior pasture grass. Fortunately for stock-
men, it is found in all the counties of central Texas and is about the
most abundant, as it certainly is one of the most valuable, of all the
native grasses. It has a peculiar habit of creeping over the ground
and rooting at the joints of the stems, from which spring leafy
branches that in their turn reach out for other places in which to take
root. in protected localities it greens out very early in the spring,
makes a thick mat of leafy turf
during the summer, matures on
its roots, and in the fall and win-
ter, when not rotted by late rains,
affords excellent pasturage for
all classes of stock. No grass
stands the long dry spells to
which the section is periodically
subject better than the curly
mesquite. As it does not grow
tall, sheep, horses, and even hogs
are especially fond of it, and cat-
tle prefer it to almost any other
grass. In very dry weather it
dries up and appears to be dead,
but in a few hours after a warm
rain it becomes green to the end
of its smallest leaf blade and stem.
When matured on its roots, it is
very much better feed than at
any other time, and stock will not
only live but fatten on it without
grain. It is doubtful if acre for
acre it will support as many head
of stock, year in and year out,
as Bermuda grass, but it will
stand drought better, and for
general range purposes is cer- Lee aa ee uale:
tainly superior. When lands are sodded down to it and it is given the
advantage of irrigation even by sprinkling, as is done in the case of
Bermuda, it makes as attractive looking turf as the latter, especially
when closely cut by the lawn mower. Some of the central Texas
stockmen are sodding down small pastures, from 5 to 20 acres, with
it, to be used as calf lots and for pasturing the ranch horses used
about headquarters. They report that such pastures in a good year
will support one head of stock per acre. It grows well on any but
alkali soils, on uplands and lowlands, out in the open or in the shade.
In Jones County there is a small pasture well sodded within which

16

mesquite trees of unusually large growth stand so close together that a
wagon can with great difficulty be taken through. In this pasture
the curly mesquite grows in the early summer quite tall enough to be
cut with a mowing machine. Under very favorable conditions it could
perhaps be developed into a good hay grass, but it is primarily and pre-
eminently a pasture grass. A Callahan County stockman, finding that
there were many naked spots in his pasture, took the roots of the curly
mesquite and with an ordinary garden hoe put them in the ground,
scattering them over such spots from 3 to 4 feet apart. This was in
the early spring. By the following autumn they had rooted and sent
out their creeping stems to take root, and had covered the bare places.
This was a case of making two blades of grass grow where none grew
before, and suggests a practical way for the renewal of all the much-
abused pastures in and out of central Texas. On plowed land this
grass will spread very rapidly, soon forming a fine turf. It will pay
farmers and stockmen to make the experiment of growing it on plowed
land. :

Wild Timothy (Muhlenbergia racemosa).—Of all the native hay
grasses of central Texas, this is one of the most valuable. It does not
occur except in moist soils, but there it grows luxuriantly. A speci-
men collected near Abilene measured 4 feet 7 inches in height, and it is
often seen over 5 feet tall. It is slender and erect, its stems soft even
when cured, with an abundance of leafage that does not fall from the
stems, many seeds that do not drop readily, and short but numerous
creeping root-stalks. A farmer on whose place a lot of this was grow-
ing informed me that the only grass of the many varieties growing
together on the place preferred by his cattle over this wild timothy was
the wild oats (Uniola latifolia). An acre of good moist land seeded
down to wild timothy ought to produce in a fair season 2 to pas tons of
hay equal to the best grown in any country.

White Top (Triodia albescens) is another excellent hay grass. It
has a very soft stem with an abundance of leaves, and in September
was splendidly seeded. It is found principally in the lowlands, where
it grows from 18 to 20 inches tall; and also on the uplands, even in
sandy and rocky places. In Taylor County, near Lytle Lake, it grows
luxuriantly, but only there in places where it has the benefit of subirri-
gation. It will doubtless prove a valuable grass for hay purposes when
in cultivation. as stock are very fond of it.

Galleta or Black Grama (Hilaria mutica).—Up to a few years since
this grass was not growing in any considerable quantities in the south-
ern or eastern counties, although in the northern and western counties
it constituted a large portion of the pasturage. Now, however, it has
established itself in all the sections, and stockmen report more of it this
year in Taylor, Callahan, Eastland, and Runnels counties than was
ever seen before. It is an important grass on the Staked Plains. In
Mitchell County it grows as well on the highest as on the lowest pas-

aby

tures. Immediately on the line of the Texas and Pacific Railroad, in
the latter county, is the Iatan Valley, and a few years ago there were
several thousand acres of this grass growing there, practically to the
exclusion of other sorts. The stiff red clay soil seemed peculiarly fitted
for its growth. Stockmen in that vicinity were in the habit of cutting
it every year; it made an excellent quality of hay, much valued by
the livery-stable men of Colorado City and Big Springs. It was in
fact preferred to the baled hay shipped from other sections of Texas.
Now comparatively little of
this grass is available for hay
purposes. Itis recognized by
all stockmen as being a valu-
able pasture grass.

Alkali Saccaton (Panicum
bulbosum).—There is but little
of this grass in central Texas
and stockmen do not know
much about it. Farmers re-
port thatitonly recently made
its appearance in cultivated
fields. It will prove a valua-
ble hay grass, though it is
light for its bulk when cured.
The specimens gathered grew
on a valley farm in Eastland
County.

Barnyard Grass (Panicum
crus-gallt) (fig. 5).—The local
names for this are goose grass
and sour grass. It grows best
in moist soils, in the prairie
and Southern States, but until
about 1893 was unknown in
central Texas, so far as re-
ported. That year it made
its appearance in several of
the counties, and was sup-
posed by farmers to be Colorado grass (Panicum texanum). It is found
only in cultivated fields, or in the immediate vicinity of barnyard build-
ings. It grows in bunches from two to four feet high, makes a great
deal of fodder and seeds, and when cured is soft to the touch. Cattle
eat it with evident relish. It has a great many small roots that spread
out near the surface of the ground. One farmer referring to it said:
“Tt is easy to rid a field of it, as it van be kicked out of the ground roots
and all, or easily knocked out with the back of a hoe.” Specimens
were collected in Jones, Taylor, Eastland, Nolan, and Shackelford coun-
ties. Under cultivation it will doubtless prove to be a great hay grass.

15886—No. 10-——2

Fie. 5.—Barnyard Grass.

18

Beardless Barnyard Grass (Panicum crus-galli mutiewm) grows
best in wet lands from Louisiana to southern California and as far
north as the Dakotas. Itis similar in appearance to the common barn-
yard grass, having about the same habit growth, about the only differ-
ence being its beardless ‘‘seed-heads.” Farmers who are familiar with
it. regard it as a promising hay grass for wet meadows.

Cotton-top (Panicum lachnanthum) is found in cultivated fields and
grows from 16 to 32 inches tall. Its appearance indicates thatitis a good
hay grass. It has an upright habit, an abundance of leaves, soft stems,
and many seeds that do not
drop readily. Itis rather light
in weight considering its bulk,
but stock seems to relish it
whencured. It was not found
growing in pastures, being
entirely eaten out by cattle.

Chaparral Millet (Panicum |
reverchoni) grows on the high-
lands, in pastures, and in eul-
tivated fields. Although not
a tall grass and producing but
little fodder, its stems are soft
when green, not harsh nor stiff
when cured, and it ripens an
abundance of seed. It is an
excellent pasture grass that
stands the dry weather well,
and as such is especially
valued by stockmen. If culti-
vated it might develop into a
good hay grass.

Hurrah Grass (Panicum
reticulatum) oceurs only in ceul-
tivated fields or along the
roadsides. Itis not well known
either among the stockmen or
farmers. A farmer in whose
field it occurred says that he has been observing it several years and
esteems it highly. Cattle and horses relish it dry or green, and it is
a promising hay grass. It would doubtless show a large yield under
proper cultivation because of its abundant leaves and soft stems. It
seeds freely in September, but the seeds quickly shatter.

Colorado Grass or Concho Grass (Panicum texanum) (fig. 6).—It is
doubtful whether this can properly be classed as a native of central
Texas, though there are many farmers, especially in Tom Green,
Concho, Runnels, Coleman, and Brown counties, who insist that they

Fic. 6.—Colorado Grass.

19

have had it in their fields, a native growth, for a great many years.
It is now common throughout this section in cultivated fields. It does
not ordinarily make its appearance until such field crops as Indian corn
are about ready to be “laid by.” Then it covers the ground, and by
the time the corn is ready to be gathered it is nearly ready to be cut.
Farmers here are beginning to “lay by” their corn with special refer-
ence to this grass. Thatis to say, when they plow it the last time they
leave the ground as smooth as possible without furrows. Later they
cut the corn, leaving as little of the stalk as practicable, so that the
grass may be mowed, thus securing a hay crop hardly less valuable
than the corn. In an oat field of about 7 acres the Colorado grass
erew 18 to 24 inches tall and yielded a fraction under 2 tons of hay
per acre besides the grain. All classes of stock relish it and it is
very nutritious, but left too loug it dries out and sheds both its leaves
and seed. It was first observed many years ago growing in the valleys
of the Colorado River in Travis County, where the farmers regarded
it as the best of all their hay grasses. It is a grass that does not
have a weedy habit, and land can easily be freed from it in one season
by following with cotton, but few farmers care to get rid of it under
any circumstances.

Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum) grows in low places, on the banks
of creeks, near tanks and pools, or in valleys where there is moisture.
It is also reported from the moist uplands. Stock eats it, especially
when it is young, and after it matures they eat the seed heads and pick
off the leaves. The great abundance of the latter is a marked charac-
teristic of this grass. Specimens were secured at the Seven Wells, in
Mitchell County, which measured fully 7 feet tall. Ina pool near Baird,
in Callahan County, it was growing fully 6 feet in close compact
bunches. After the grass is seeded the stems are rather coarse and
harsh, and stock no longer relish them. If*cut before it gets too old it
makes a hay of fair quality.

Water Grass (Paspalum pubiflorum glabrum) is a strong growing
perennial which ought to make a good hay grass. It was noted only
in the valleys, but a well-informed farmer of Eastland County, on whose
place the grass occurs, reports that it also grows fairly well on the
uplands. It is found in most of the counties of central Texas. It
often grows 4 feet high, and as it produces a great abundance of soft
leaves it is regarded as a Superior grass. Meadow lands seeded down
to it would undoubtedly produce in favorable seasons quite as much
hay as an equal acreage of alfalfa or Colorado grass.

Texas Crow-foot (Leptochloa dubia).—An excellent grass found in
Nolan County. It is worthy of being cultivated. Farmers in other —
counties to whom the Nolan County specimens were shown say that
they have it growing on their farms, respectively in Taylor, Jones, and
Runnels counties. It is a promising hay grass.

Drop Seed (Sporobolus cryptandrus).—Found in several localities,

20

but always in moist soils. Specimens were collected on the shores of
Lytle Lake, in Taylor County, near the Seven Wells, in Mitchell County,
on the Clear Fork of the Brazos, in both Jones and Shackleford coun-
ties, and on the Sweetwater, in Nolan County. Itripens but few seeds.
The leaf blades are narrow but abundant. It isa bunch grass, a single
clump sometimes being 12 inches in diameter. Stockmen report that
all classes of cattle eat this grass with evident relish, especially before
flowering and in the winter when it is cured.

There are a great many other grasses that have value either for hay
or pasture purposes, or both, but those above enumerated are believed
to be the most meritorious of those native of central Texas.

FORAGE PLANTS NOT GRASSES.

Stolley Vetch (Vicia leavenworthii) is a forage plant of decided
value. It appears very early in the spring, and bears pods filled with
small peas. It is eaten by stock in the spring and early summer. As
late as September fair specimens of it were collected, but not in condi-
tion to be eaten by stock. The peas had shattered out and much of
the foliage had fallen from the stems. It is to be found in most of the
pastures in this section, and is known locally by a variety of names.
One farmer claimed to recognize it as the Butterfly pea that grew in
his native State of Georgia, but the vetch has the twining habit of a
vine while the pea grows erect. A stockman who has held stock in
Arizona and New Mexico says that a similar vetch grows there and is
known as the Buftalo pea, while a farmer from Louisiana says it resem-
bles the Partridge pea. Several parties near Putnam, in Callahan
County, experimented with this pea last year with satisfactory results.
They report that it blooms from March to the middle of May and that
the peas ripen while it is still blooming, after the habit of the English
garden pea. A county official of Callahan County says that several
years ago in February he saw this pea in full bioom about Aledo, in
Parker County, where it grows wild in great abundance.

Tallow Weed (Actinella linearifolia).—Every sheep raiser in all the
stock. counties of Texas knows the habits and value of this remarkable
forage plant. It is not a very common growth, but occurs in almost
every one of the counties in this section of Texas. It has somewhat
the form of young lettuce when it first appears. Later it puts out a
yellow blossom that fills the air with its rich perfume. Still later it
forms a seed head resembling somewhat that of a yellow clover. It
flowers in the early spring and is ready for all kinds of stock in advance
of any other weed or grass. Some of the accounts given by enthusiastic
stockmen as to its merits are almost too wonderful to be fully credited.
For instance, one who has a ranch on the Clear Fork of the Brazos, in
Jones County, says that a few years ago, when a hard, wet winter had
followed on the heels of a very dry summer, the little grass that was
available rotted before Christmas, aud, having laid up no hay, grain, or

21

other winter feed for his stock, he was gravely apprehensive that he
would lose a great many of them before the early spring weeds and
grasses would appear; but his range, it seems, was well seeded with
the tallow weed, which continued to grow all the winter, and not only
kept his stock alive but fattened them. He declares that when the
spring opened he had beef steers fat enough to be put on the market,
fattened entirely on this plant. A sheep raiser of Tom Green County,
in 1892, had his sheep on a ranch that was in both Tom Green and
Crockett counties. During the early winter of that year his ranch on
the Concho River, in Tom Green County, where he was then holding
his sheep, was overflowed and he lost all the hay and grain he had laid
up as winter feed for his stock. The roads from his ranch to the rail-
road were impassable on account of the frequent and heavy rains.
Practically all the grass on his Concho River ranch was rotted by the
rains. By midwinter his sheep were so thin that it looked as though
most of them would die from starvation before spring. Early in Janu-
ary he started his sheep to this Tom Green and Crockett County ranch.
He found there, early in January, quite a large proportion of this range
covered with tallow weed just beginning to bloom. Up to that time he
had no knowledge of its habits and value, but as his sheep ate it with
evident relish; as there was nothing else for them he permitted them
to eat their fill of it. In a short time they showed signs of improve-
ment and by the first of March, when the weed was in full bloom, they
were in satisfactory condition. Naturally this rancher is a firm believer
in the tallow weed, which, according to him, “will put more tallow on
the kidneys of any kind of stock than the same bulk of any other forage
plant that ever grew in any country under the sun.” So far as known
the tallow weed has never been cultivated in this section, and as it
rarely grows very tall on the range no effort has been made to cut it
for hay. In acultivated field it will grow tall enough to be cut for hay
which will be equal to the best. No chemical analysis of tallow weed
has been made, but a forage plant that will, while green, fatten sheep
and cattle, without other feed, in the winter and early spring must when
properly cured prove very nutritious.

Fall Tallow Weed (Aimblyolepis setigera).— Found in October grow-
ing luxuriantly, protected by a.brush fence, on a ranch about 5 miles
north of Abilene. When within 200 yards of the spot where it was
growing the familiar, rich, pungent, thoroughly agreeable perfume
characteristic of the true tallow weed (Actinella linearifolia) could be
recognized. That found as above stated was growing much after the
habit of the clovers. It promises to be a superior hay producer, and
may be recommended for cultivation by farmers and stockmen.

Careless Weed (Atriplex obovatum) grows anywhere and everywhere
all over central Texas. It often grows in soils too strong with alkali for
grasses. While not stating authoritatively that it prefers alkali soils,
yet it does thrive under such conditions, and the suggestion is ventured

22.

that it may have a special mission worthy the consideration of stockmen
and farmers—to reclaim alkali lands. It grows tall enough to be cut,
and both its leaves and small twigs are eaten by stock. I know of no
instance where stock have had to depend upon it entirely for food, but
as a rule they know what is nutritious, so that it is quite probable that
the “Careless Weed” has a special value as a forage plant. A reliable
sheepman of Concho County says that sheep eat it greedily. It pro-
duces enormous quantities of seed, and every year reseeds the land
where it grows. A Mitchell County sheepman thinks that sheep eat
it because of its tonic properties. It has a bitter principle that suggests
such an idea. On the high plains of Nevada and Utah, and in Arizona
and New Mexico a similar species (A. palmer?) furnishes a considerable
part of the winter forage for
both cattle and sheep. Cat-
tlemen who have held cattle
on the range in Arizona say
that a salt bush, sweet sage
(A. canescens), very Similar to
this in many respects, is a
principal reliance in that sec-
tion for all classes of stock.

Beggar Weed (Desmodium
paniculatum).—There is some
prejudice in the minds of
many persons against this ex-
cellent forage plant because
of the fact that its seeds have
away of fastening themselves
to one’s clothes. But this is
only an incident that ought
not to be considered in de-
ciding upon its value for for-
age. The fact is, horses, cattle, and sheep are all fond of it. It thrives
best in low and moist soils, but it is also to be found on the uplands.
The specimens collected grew in a rich, moist, sandy loam. The stems
are rather inclined to be woody, but when growing thickly, as fre-
quently happens in this section, the entire bush is easily convertible
into hay. As a renovator of wornout soils or as a green manure no
better nor cheaper fertilizer can be used than to turn under the rank
growth of the beggar weed. The tap root descends deeply into the
soil, bringing up mineral fertilizers from the subsoil which ean be util-
ized by other crops. As it makes an excellent quality and a great
abundance of feed for stock, it is recommended that farmers and stock-
men familiarize themselves with the habits and general good qualities
of this beggar weed.

Wild Bean (Phaseolus helvolus) (fig. 7) is found on low moist lands
throughout central Texas. The vines are frequently seen clinging to

Fie. 7.— Wild Bean.

23

tall trees and growing up to their very tops. One such vine in East-
land County measured nearly 50 feet in length. This bean furnishes
a large quantity of fodder that is eaten by cattle and sheep. Itisa
perennial with slender stems, and if properly cultivated will prove
avery valuable addition to the forage plants of this section. It grows
best in woodland copses along the banks of streams or in low moist
valleys where it finds tall and strong weeds or grasses upon which to
cling.

Needle Grass or Dog-town Grass (Aristida fasciculata)—There
is an impression which obtains among other than cattlemen that this
grass is a nuisance rather than an advantage to the range. But a
careful investigation demonstrates that it is one of the most valuable,
all things considered, of the pasture grasses found in this section. It
is true that the needle-like seeds when ripe render the grass in some
respects objectionable. For instance, they attach themselves to the
wool of sheep, work their way through it to the bodies, and inflict
on them ugly wounds that not only cause serious inconvenience, but
sometimes result in real injury to the animals. Especially is this the
case with lambs. Again, no class of stock seems to relish the grass
while the needles are still attached. Cattle eat it at such times when
forced to do so because of the scarcity of other grasses, but some-
times the needles pierce their tongues and otherwise wound their
mouths. However, the damage done to cattle and sheep in this way
has undoubtedly been greatly exaggerated. On the other hand the
good qualities of the grass have been greatly underestimated. It is
one of the most common pasture grasses in this section. Itis less sub-
ject than any other to the destructive tendencies of prairie dogs.
Owing to the peculiar beards on the seeds, this grass reseeds itself
after all other grasses have been destroyed by the dogs near their holes.
The seeds, when shed from the stems, are blown over the ground, fasten
themselves to the earth, and work themselves down into it. As they
are blown about over the range they fasten themselves to bare spots,
which are the result of many different causes, and so renew them. It
has been suggested by some stockmen that a very good way to speedily
renew all our ranges would be to run furrows from east to west at
short intervals through them. These furrows would catch the drifting
seeds of this and other grasses as they are blown along by the prevail-
ing south winds. The seeds would readily attach themselves to the
loose soil of these furrows. This would assist the natural tendency of
the ranges to renew themselves. But, aside from these considerations,
this grass has another special value. Itis one of the first of all the
range grasses to become green in early spring. It affords good feed to
_all classes of stock while the grass is young and before the seeds
become stiff and troublesome. That it possesses very nutritious quali-
ties no one familiar with it willdeny. Indeed, some of the best informed
stockmen of this section say that they regard it, when stock can eat it

24

safely, as being quite as fattening as the curly mesquite. After the
seeds are shed there is no better grass on the range. It has the habit
of the curly mesquite of curing on the roots. No matter how dry it
may look to be, after a warm rain it will green out to the end of its
blades and stems. Some say that horses and cattle will not eat it after
it has shed its seed and has dried out. This, however, is a mistake.
To satisfy himself on this point the writer has been on the range with
a view especially to ascertain the fact, and has seen cattle, horses,
and mules all eating it greedily under such conditions. One of the best
informed stockmen of central Texas, when asked his opinion on the value

of this grass, said: “It is about
\ the earliest of all our pasture
; grasses; it is as nutritious as
\4 the best: stock eat it before the
\ <= seeds become harsh and after
they are separated from the
stems; and it contributes more -
than any other grass to the an-
nualrenewalof therange. Itis
a main reliance with the cow
men throughout this section. I
regard it as one of the most
valuable grasses for general pur-
poses that we have.”

Buffalo Grass (Bulbilis dae-
tyloides) (fig. 8).—It is more than
probable that stockmen fre-
quently mistake this grass for
the different varieties of grama.
It is a very common grass
throughoutcentral Texas, which
is not the case with the gramas.
Certainly in this sectionit is
more valuable than the others,
since it furnishes very much
more stock feed than any, or indeed all, of the gramas put together.
There are many who perhaps esteem the buffalo grass more highly than it
deserves; but there are more who do not give to it the credit to which
it is really entitled. A range well seeded down to it, with curly mes-
quite and needle grass, is an ideal stock range so far as the grasses are
concerned; and it is a very common thing in all this section to find
just this combination. The greater the variety of pasture grasses the
better the range for practical purposes, but stockmen in this section
would not willingly exchange these three for any other mixture.

% b >
CASSSN

Fic. 8.—Buffalo Grass.

25

GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS OF PROBABLE VALUE.

In addition to the above 34 varieties of grasses and forage plants,
the following are worthy of being carefully studied by farmers and
stockmen:

Bur Grass (Cenchrus tribuloides).—This is another grass that is
much abused, even by well-informed stockmen, on account of its pecu-
liar thorny bur-like seeds, and because in cultivated fields it is a bad
weed. It is pretty well distributed throughout the United States, east
and west. In this section it has a real value that more than offsets its
disadvantages. That is to say, it withstands dry weather better than
many of the other grasses found here. A great deal of it was seen in
September on a range in Mitchell County. Every pasture grass except
those in the moist valleys was looking dry and cured except bur grass.
The latter was as green as a young wheat field, and loaded down with
seed. In traveling over this section, in September and October, when-
ever one notices an especially green spot on the range it may safely be
assumed, without examination, to be the bur grass. After it has
shed its seed it is relished by all classes of stock, and stockmen, while
finding much fault with the seed, agree that it is very nutritious. It
is also valuable when young or before the bur-like seed is formed.

Wild Millet (Chaetochloaitalica) is found as a weed in cultivated land,
in Nolan, Taylor, and Eastland counties. It grows, under such condi-
tions, to be from 18 to 30 inches tall, seeds freely and produces a fair
amount of fodder. It has the appearance of being a good hay grass.
Jts growth as a weed indicates somewhat the adaptability of millet
and Hungarian grass to these central Texas soils.

Sedges (Cyperus and Carex species).—These are not true grasses,
technically considered, but are so regarded by stockmen in this
section. They are distributed over a wide extent of country, and
while occurring chiefly in the low and moist valleys, there are some
that grow well on the uplands and even among the rocks. Stockmen
do not as a rule value the sedges highly for pasturage, because while
they become green in early spring and stock eat them until the seeds
commence to form, they do not supply a lasting forage. By that time
other and better grasses abound, and stock do not then care for them,
and will not eat them if they can get anything else.

Bog rushes (Juncus species).—These also are not true grasses,
although from their grass-like habit they are so regarded by stockmen.
The most common sort grows on high and rocky places. They pro-
duce many seeds that do not drop readily, and the stems are slender,
but rather harsh, and produce little fodder. An intelligent farmer
Says that these rushes are eaten by cattle, and possibly some of them
are of value as low-ground forage plants, as are the sedges.

Satin Grass (Muhlenbergia tenuiflora) was first found in Hastland
County, but it has since then been reported from several other counties
of this section. While not common, it is here in sufficient quantities to

26

entitle it to consideration. There is mucn difference of opinion among
farmers as to its merits. It is not met with except on farms, growing
near streams. Stockmen who are not also farmers do not appear to
know anything about it. It produces an abundance of foliage and soft
stems, and ougkt to make good hay. Specimens from Hastland County
were nearly 3 feet high. After being fully cured it is soft, has a rich
smell, and seems in many respects equal to the best native grasses of
this section. It has slender, erect stems, long, narrow leaves, strong
roots that take firm hold in the earth, and few seed (in September). If
cultivated it might prove to be a fairly good hay grass.

Grapevine Mesquite (Panicum obtusum) grows in most of the coun-
ties of central Texas. It has long, creeping, jointed stems that root
wherever they touch the ground, scanty leafage and that rather harsh,
and a fair quantity of seed that clings well to the stems. It grows inthis
section from 18 to 24 inches high. There were no indications of its
having been eaten by stock, although an observing farmer says: “They
do eat it when they can’t get anything better.” Mixed with other and -
softer grasses it will perhaps prove of some value.

Crab Grass (Panicum sanguinale).—It is scarcely necessary to dis-
cuss this well-known grass, for whether a native of this section or not,
it is here in great quantities and is a pest or a blessing according to
the point of view from which it is considered. Growing in cultivated
fields it is not very troublesome until corn and other field crops are
about to be “laid by,” when it asserts itself vigorously. Once it gets
a foothold in a field it soon occupies every foot of the ground. This is
the unfavorable view to be taken of it. On the other hand it furnishes
a great abundance of excellent pasturage for all classes of stock. That
it is nutritious can not be seriously questioned. Excepting on soils
where it is not desirable for stock to run after field crops are gathered,
this grass is valuable, adding largely to the capacity of farms to sup-
port the cattle. One class of farmers here insist that it is an unmiti-
gated pest. Others say that while they would not deliberately intro-
duce it on their farms, they are satisfied to have itremain. A few have
expressed themselves as preferring it, one of these stating that both
for pasturage and hay purposes a field well seeded to crab grass was,
in his opinion, worth more year after year than the value of any other
crop that could be grown. On the whole, it may be regarded as an
excellent hay grass primarily, and incidentally as a good pasture grass.

Knot Grass (Paspalum distichum) (fig. 9) has a local name that, in
a sense, very aptly describes it, ‘‘ Eternity grass.” A farmer on whose
ground this grass was growing luxuriantly, when asked why it was so
called, pointed out a stem of it and invited the writer to trace it back to
the original root. He followed it through a dense matting of other
stems fully 20 feet and gave it up. The farmer suggested that it be
traced the other way, and again he failed after following it in the other
direction about 20 feet. The farmer then explained: ‘‘ Eternity is

27

defined as ‘ without beginning and without end;’ if this grass has any
beginning or any ending it is difficult to determine it.” It grows in
low, moist places, especially where periodically flooded. Owing to its
creeping habit, it is not easily cut and hence is not available for hay
purposes. One farmer gravely stated that stock would noteatit. Later
the writer visited his pasture where the knot grass grew luxuriantly.
The grass was abundant, and while there were many varieties of rich
grasses all around, his horses and cattle were hunting for and eating
every little sprig of it that they could find. This conclusively demon-
strated that knot grass is valuable and

worthy of consideration by stockmen. \

The creeping stems often measure 20 \ f

to 30 feet or more. j

Wild Oats (Uniola latifolia) is an
ornamental as well as a very valuable
forage grass. It was seen only in one
place in Eastland County, where it had
made a luxuriant growth along the .
banks of small streams. Under the
shade of the trees it stood from 36 to
48 inches high, and in September it
was as green as a wheat field in spring,
with every stem loaded with seed. The
farmer at whose place it was found, in
order to prove that it possesses special
value, led a Jersey bull that he had
tethered on crab grass near by, and
turned him out where this wild oats
was growing. The bullateit greedily.
Judging from appearances it ought to
be a very valuable hay grass.

Prairie Sage Brush (Artemisia lu-
doviciana) is a showy forage plant
which grows throughout this section.
It may not have any very decided value
for stock purposes, though stockmen
say that cattle eat it. A sheep raiser
Says that sheep are fond of it and fat-
ten on it. A Mitchell County farmer
says that it grows well in alkali soils where little else will thrive. It
is probable that it can be utilized with other plants for the purpose of
reclaiming such lands.

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria mariana) was seen in several counties in this
section. It has a light purple biossom and forms a pod that fills with
peas nearly as large as the small garden pea. It grows upright and
stands erect. When cut and cured it makes a soft and rich hay that is

‘SULUL fF

Fie. 9.—Knot Grass.

28

eaten by cattle and other stock. It grows principally in low, moist soils
and on the banks of streams. A farmer in Kastland County says that
some years his meadows were covered with it, and that a field planted
to it and cultivated would yield several tons of good forage per acre.
He thinks it will not withstand the long dry spells to which this section
is periodically subject.

Bushy Knotweed (Polygonum ramosissimum) first attracted the
writer’s attention because of its enormous production of seed. Bushes of
it found in pastures appeared to have been grazed. Cattle are fond ofit
when it is young and sheep will eat it whenever and wherever they can
get it. It flourishes under many and varied conditions on high and
low lands, in rich or poor soils, and withstands drought well. A stock-
man who has been much in Montana and other Northwestern States
says that this or a similar weed grows there and furnishes nutritious
forage throughout the summer and early autumn months. It is an
annual, growing here from 15 to 30 inches high, according to the soil. |
A Callahan County farmer says that when mixed in with the hay-
grasses of the section it adds to the value of the hay, as its seeds are
rich in fattening properties. He furthermore says that when cured its
stems are very stiff, and only the seed and leaves are relished by stock.
It deserves favorable consideration by farmers and stockmen.

Woolly Plantain (Plantago gnaphalioides).—There is much difierence
of opinion here as to the value of this plantain. In September its erect
stems are loaded with seed. A Mitchell County stockman says it is
always about the earliest spring forage and that cattle then eat it
readily. It is usually to be found only in winter pastures where cattle
have been kept for months. On the other hand, some regard it as a
pest, though admitting that stock sometimes eat it.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) grows in every county in central
Texas and is known locally as “hog pusley.” It prefers fallow ground
and is to be found in all the fields, but also grows well in pastures,
especially in sandy soils. It stands dry weather well, and no matter
how dry the grasses and other weeds may be its fleshy leaves and stems
are abundantly in evidence. There is no doubt as to its value as a
forage plant. Hogs will fatten on it and sheep are fond of it. Cattle
do not appear to care for it particularly except in the droughty autumn
months, when its succulent herbage is greedily sought for.

Cotton Purslane (Portulaca pilosa) is another variety of purslane
that is a native of and grows abundantly throughout this section. It
is a smaller plant than the other species above mentioned, but has
about the same value as a forage plant.

COMMON GRASSES OF LITTLE FORAGE VALUE.

The following grasses, natives of central Texas, while perhaps less
valuable than those above described, are worthy of consideration:
Triple Awn (Aristida arizonica) resembles in some respects the

29

well-known needle grass (A. fasciculata). It is an upland rather than
a valley grass. It is more frequently found in sandy and gravelly land,
and has economic value both as a pasture and hay grass. It is not
very common in this section, but becomes abundant farther west.

Crow’s Foot (Chloris cucullata) is a showy grass known locally as
““crow’s foot” on account of the shape and general appearance of its
seed head. Although it produces a fair quantity of leafage and soft
stems, it is not considered to havé any value for either pasture or hay.

Feather Crow-Foot (Chloris alba) was noted in only one locality
in Nolan County. The specimens secured were about 32 inches high,
with an abundance of soft leaves and small seeds. It is a very orna-
mental grass, but is not worth much for forage purposes, as it is not
. eaten by cattle as long as better grasses are available.

Love Grass (Hragrostis pilosa).—This is not a common grass in this
section and is not regarded as possessing much value.

Stink Grass or Candy Grass (Hragrostis major) is well known
throughout this section. With its feathery looking ornamental “seed
head” and abundance of leaves, it would produce a large amount of
light hay, which, however, is not considered very palatable because of
its somewhat offensive odor.

Love Grass (Hragrostis secundiflora.)—This resembles the Candy
grass, but is less frequent in this section. It grows in saline and
strong alkali soils, and has little forage value.

Muhlenbergia arenicola is found in many different situations in
this section, in the valleys, on the foothills, in rich soils, and among
rocks. It resembles needle grass (Aristida fasciculata) both in appear-
ance and habit; and while not well known here it is considered a val-
uable early pasture grass. Stockmen state that it greens out very early
in the spring, withstands summer droughts, and is relished by stock. It
seems to prefer the higher and drier uplands.

Old Witch Grass or Tickle Grass (Panicum capillare) is very
abundant in this section. It prefers sandy soils and cultivated fields.
It is a very showy grass, and stock will eat it when it is young, but it is
not nutritious, and is therefore not very valuable.

Hairy-flowered Panic (Panicum ciliatissimum) is not properly
appreciated by stockmen in this section. It will not produce a great
abundance of hay, but the hay is rich and soft, and stock eat it with
evident relish. It weighs light considering its bulk, but will do well
to mix with other hay grasses. A specimen collected in 1897 measured
42 inches in length. It has the creeping rather than the erect habit,
and is certainly a fair pasture grass. It is not avery common grass in
this section. Locally known as carpet grass.

Brown Top (Panicum fuscwm) is a tall hay grass which when young
is eaten by cattle and horses. It grows chiefly in cultivated fields, and
is Similar in its habits and appearance to the barnyard grasses. It is
valuable and ought to be cultivated in this section, and may well repay

30

all the labor that may be bestowed on it by developing into a first-class
hay grass.

Hall’s Grass (Panicum hallii).—There are several varieties of grasses
common in central Texas which resemble each other so much that
only experts are able to distinguish their differences. They all pro-
duce a great abundance of small seed, one of their marked charac-
teristics. Hall’s grass is one of them. It grows in all the counties of
this section, is a fair pasture grass, and, while not so tall as some of the
other varieties mentioned, it will produce a lot of soft and nutritious
hay. Farmers and stockmen speak of it in favorable terms.

Sporobolus drummondii was noted only in Taylor County, although
it occurs elsewhere in central Texas. It
grows tall, with long, slender leaves, and
in September had no seed and no appear-
ance of having had any. The farmer on
whose place the specimen was collected
says that stock are fond of it when it is
young, and he thinks it is perhaps valu-
able both for hay and pasture purposes.

Fall Redtop (Triodia seslerioides)
grows in moist soils, especially near
streams, in several counties in central -
Texas. Specimens from a valley in East-
land County measured 88 inchesin height.
It will furnish a great abundance of seed
and soft leaves. Its stems are not large
nor are they harsh even when cured. As
a hay grass it may be worthy of special
attention. An acre of good, moist valley
land seeded down to it ought to furnish
several tons of hay in a good season.

Gunaninpil (Allionia incarnata), a
“four o’clock,” is generally regarded as
only a flower, but as an early summer
feed, especially for sheep, it has a recog-
nized value. It will grow again after being eaten down to the roots
and withstands dry weather—two good qualities.

Tumble Weed (Amaranthus blitoides) (fig. 10) is not properly appre-
ciated by stockmen. It grows extensively in all the counties of this
section, and will readily be recognized by its name as above. When
matured it either breaks from its roots or is blown out of the ground by
the winds. Gathering itself into a ball it goes tumbling over the
eround until stopped by wire fences or other obstructions. Hundreds of
these plants may frequently be seen on the broad open prairies of Texas
like balls 2 to 4 or even 5 feet in diameter, rolling before the wind like
an army of living beings. When young it is greedily eaten by cattle
and sheep, and furnishes a nutritious food. A farmer who has had some

Fic. 10.—Tumble Weed.

dl

experience in the matter of silos suggests that the tumble weed, if cut
while young and converted into silage with other forage plants, would
add much to the quantity and something to the quality of the product.

Water Purslane (Ammannia coccinea) is not a common plant in this
section, but is to be found in wet places throughout central Texas. It
has a harsh stem, few leaves (in September), but a great many seeds, that
cling tenaciously to the stem. A Jones County farmer and stockman
reports that stock eats it in the spring. The plant is worthy of being
investigated.

White Sage, Sage Brush ‘Artemisia mexicana) grows in all the
counties of this section. Opinions differ as to whether or not any kinds
of stock eat it, but the most observant stockmen and farmers are satis-
fied that they do, at least in
winter. It is quite probable
that this and other closely re-
lated sage bushes supply some
feed on the winter ranges.

Ground Plum (Astragalus

crassicarpus) (fig. 11).—Sev-
eral varieties of this and
closely related plants grow
abundantly in central Texas.
They have bean-like, purple
and white flowers, and pods
containing many seeds which
rattle in them when ripe.
Before ripening, the green and
succulent pods are eaten by Fig. 11.—Ground Plum.
cattle and horses, which im-
prove in flesh from the time these plants begin to appear. They grow
abundantly in Eastland and Shackelford counties, and wherever they
occur add much to the value of the forage on the ranges.

Fox Sedge (Carex vulpinoidea).—This is rather a common growth
in most of the counties of this section of Texas. It grows to be 2 to3
feet high and bears an abundance of wide leaves. Cattle relish it and
sheep raisers say that sheep are fond of it when it first greens out in
early spring.

Star Thistle (Centaurea americana).—There is much difference of
opinion in regard to the value of this plant. Some of those who ought
to know, insist that it is not worthy of consideration, while others claim
with equal earnestness that it is one of the most valuable early forage
plants of this section. A Callahan County farmer says that in the
early spring of this year (1897) he was becoming apprehensive that his
home buneh of cattle would suffer for feed before the grasses and
weeds on which he usually relied for their early spring sustenance
would appear. His milch cows, which were then being given the
range of his fallow land as well as of a small pasture, instead of becom-

32

ing thin improved in flesh and the milk flow considerably increased.
They came to the pens at night with their stomachs distended, and
chewed the cud as contentedly as if they had been grazing in a first-
class pasture. Investigating the matter, the fields and pastures were
found to be covered with a weed from 3 to 6 inches tall, in appearance
like a young tobacco plant, apparently this star thistle. The cows -
were eating of it greedily. Later it put up many stems from each root
that grew to be from 2 to 3 feet tall. The flower was yellow and white
and the seed head, when ripe, at a distance resembled that of the wild
sunflower. Matured specimens of star thistle were found in great
abundance in Callahan, Shackelford, Eastland, Taylor, Jones, and
Nolan counties and were identified by various farmers as this forage
plant. A farmer who resides in Burnet County saw it growing in
Callahan County and says that the farmers of his neighborhood esteem
it very highly as an early forage, especially for milch cows.

Lamb’s Quarters (Chenopodium album).—A common weed through-
out this part of Texas. When young it is used by housewives as a
salad, but farmers here regard it as a valuable forage plant for cattle.
It grows in pasture lands as well as in cultivated fields, appearing in
early spring.

Grandpa's Beard (Clematis drummondii).—This vine has some value
for forage purposes, as cattle often eat the leaves. Its fruits are very
showy and give to the plant its common name, as above.

Wild Sages (Croton spp.) grow abundantly in this section, and if
valuable for forage purposes the fact should be definitely determined
and made known. Some farmers here say that cattle and sheep both
eat them. On the other hand there are those who regard them as
poisonous. It is possible that these sages have been confounded with
other aromatic perennials which have much the same appearance and
odor but which are known to be harmless.

Red Root Sedge (Cyperus erythrorhizos).—A species of sedge that
occurs in many parts of this section and is believed to be a good forage
plant. It grows 2 or 3 feet high, has a strong root, stools out like
wheat, and forms large bunches of leafy stems which stock of all kinds
eat. If cut before it becomes too old it will produce a large amount of
nutritious hay. It grows only in wet or marshy meadows.

Hog Nut, Chufa (Cyperus esculentus)—A sedge that appears in
early spring in low places. It produces tubers similar to those of the
blue weed, though in much larger quantities. Hogs are fond of these
and will root up the ground in their search for them. In some sections
of Texas it is cultivated especially for hogs, and the tubers are said to
~ contain large amounts of starch, oil, and sugar. As it withstands dry
weather well it is recommended for cultivation in sections subject to
periodical droughts, with the caution that it may, like Johnson grass,
be difficult to eradicate when once established.

Ephedra nevadensis belongs to the same general group as the

‘kali. Both cattle and sheep

30

+t

pines, firs, and spruces. It grows throughout this entire section, but is
not very common. It is generally found on the high lands and, as a
rule, on rocky or gravelly soil. It has a bushy growth, its forage being
an abundance of slender stems, branching out from the main stem. It
is known to possess extraordinary qualities, being an excellent blood
purifier. Among the Mexicans and ‘old timers” of this part of Texas
itis used to make a tea that is said to be palatable and is known to be
healthful. Cattle eat it greedily, so that it may be considered valuable
as a forage plant.

Alfilaria (Hrodium cicutarium) (fig. 12).—A former hay contractor
at Old Fort Griffin states that he is thoroughly familiar with this
plant and that to his certain
knowledge it grows quite
abundantly in certain sections
of centralTexas. Other stock-
men who are familiar with the
range in New Mexico and Ari-
zona also state that they have
met with this plant in this part
ofTexas. The probabilities are
that this plant or Hrodiwm mos-
chatum or both, may be found.
If so, stockmen will have good
reason to be gratified, as ‘ fila-
ree” is known to produce excel-
lent forage, relished by stock.

Winter Fat (HLurotia lana-
ta) iS not very common in
this section, but is found on
the prairies in the northern
and western counties of Texas.
It is a fine winter forage
plant and thrives in soils A
strongly impregnated with al- BET 2

Fig. 12.—Alfilaria.

eat it and do well on it.

Rosin Weed or Gum Weed (Grindelia squarroea) is worthy of
notice, because its stems, leaves, and flowers exude a gum that is very
Sticky. Stockmen regard it as very much of a nuisance, because the
manes and tails of horses, the wool of sheep, and the heads and tails of
cattle frequently become gummed up with it, to the no small discomfort
of these animals.

Dwarf Broom Weed (Gutierrezia sarothre microcephala).—A well-
known plant, recognized as having fair forage properties, since stock
eat it to some extent.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is said to be an introduced weed

15886—No. 10 3

34

here, but however that may be, it is now very common. It is not only
very abundant here, but each year appears to be increasing. It is
regarded as very much of a nuisance, notwithstanding the fact that
both its leaves and seed heads make a forage that is eaten and relished
by cattle, horses, and sheep. The seeds are especially rich in oil and
very nutritious. It does not suffer, no matter how dry the seasons are,
which fact suggests that in this section the sunflower, now much
despised, may be made to cut a rather important figure in the matter
of supplying forage for stock. An improved variety, having heads
measuring from 6 to 12 inches in diameter, is being cultivated, the seed
being fed to fowls and the fodder to cattle.

Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is well known in many parts of Texas
and grows wild on the banks of a small creek in Eastland County.
It bears underground edible tubers that make good hog feed, and both
cattle and horses will eat the foliage. It should be cuitivated here.

Blue Weed (Hoffmanseggia stricta), the ‘‘Camote del Raton” of the
Mexicans. Within the past two or three years it has appeared in this
part of Texas, and is already regarded by the farmers as a pest. Hav-
ing been informed that no cultivated crops would thrive where it grew,
an investigation demonstrated the incorrectness of this popular belief.
It grows in soils strongly impregnated with alkali, where such crops
as wheat, oats, corn, and garden vegetables and vines will not thrive.
This fact explains why they and the blue weed are rarely found grow-
ing together. A specimen was sent to the Department of Agriculture
for examination by the Botanist, who says of it “I have received com-
plaints of this plant, as a weed, from Anson, Jones County, and Mur-
ray, Young County, Tex. In both instances it is stated that the
tubers are eaten by hogs and the foliage by cattle in dry weather. I
do not know of any method of exterminating it other than by cultiva-
tion and thick seeding with crops that will choke it out. It is proba-
ble that grazing with sheep during dry weather would check the
growth somewhat, but I do not think that it could be entirely exter-
minated by this means.” It forms long creeping roots bearing fleshy
tubers. From these tubers the roots branch out indefinitely. In the
digging of a well near Escota, Fisher County, roots of blue weed with
the tubers were found growing thirteen feet below the surface. As the
blue weed will produce an abundance of forage and both the foliage and
the tubers are eaten by stock it may be worth experimenting with in
alkali soils. The tubers, however, are produced at such depths that it
would be difficult to harvest them.

Wild Verbena (Lippia nodiflora).—A farmer and stockman of Jones
County, who has about an acre of ground thickly covered with this
plant, regards it quite as valuable for forage as an acre of alfalfa, He
insists that it is a clover, and that it is identical with the prairie clover
that is found growing a little farther west; but in this of course he
is mistaken. The seed heads of the two are somewhat similar in

-

af yes

a

from 6 to 10 and 12 feet high.

began to utilize it for feeding

35

appearance, but this is about as far as the resemblance goes. This
wild verbena produces an abundance of forage, that is eaten and relished
by both cattle and sheep. It deserves to be tested thoroughly to deter-
mine its qualities.

Bur Clover or California Clover (Medicago maculata).—W ell known
on the Pacific coast, and found growing in the vicinity of Colorado, in
Mitchell County. Itis supposed the seeds were brought originally into
this section in the wool of sheep shipped in from California. How-
ever, it may have come from the Gulf States, where itis common. It
is not here in quantities suf-
ficient to make it worthy of
much consideration at present.

Prickly Pear (Opuntia engel-
mannt) (fig. 13).—In many coun-
ties in central and southwest
Texas this well-known plant
grows in great abundance, often

A few years ago stockmen there

purposes. They gathered the
so-called “leaves,” singed off the
Spines with fire, and fed them
with cotton-seed cake to their
cattle. The leaves and fruit are
often fed to sheep. In this sce-
tion of Texas this plant does not
grow nearly so tall as farther
south, nor is it nearly so com-
mon here as there. Still it is
here in considerable quantities,
and must be considered in con-
nection with other forage plants

Fic. 13.— Prickly Pear.

: native to this section. Herders
who have used this plant on the dry plains of west Texas state that sheep

fed on it do not require any other food or water, as the succulent stems
contain a large amount of water and enough starch and gum to sustain
life. It is often asserted that cattle and sheep, fed on the prickly pear
with cotton-seed meal and hay, go into the markets as fat as those fed
on grain and hay. If the prickly pear be fed alone it causes laxity, and
when fed to working stock, a tendency to bloat. That it is one of
the most valuable forage plants of Texas admits of no question.

Sorrel (Oxalis corniculata).—A well-known little plant, common to
this section, called locally sheep sorrel or sour grass. It has a slightly
sour taste and is supposed to possess tonic properties. Both cattle
and sheep eat it,

36

Prairie Clover (Kuhnistera).—Stockmen here report that this species
of clover, common throughout the prairie region, is to be found in many
parts of central Texas. It contributes a considerable amount of good
forage on the ranges and is much relished by stock.

Mesquite Bean (Prosopis juliflora) (fig. 14).—There are two well-
known varieties of the small tree that produces this bean. In many of
the counties of southwest Texas and along the Rio Grande the one
bearing the screw bean or tornillo (Prosopis pubescens) is very common.
The pods or beans are not only eaten by all classes of stock, but the
Mexicans and Indians are known to use them as a food. The pods are
spirally twisted, while those
grown on the other variety are
straight or curved. There are
really two forms of this latter
variety. In one the bark of the
tree is much rougher than in the
other, and the bean is bright yel-
low when ripe and much sweeter
to the taste, the color of the other
beingreddish rather than yellow.
“A thorny, leguminous shrub,
growing in favored localities to
a tree from 20 to 40 feet high,
with a trunk sometimes reaching
24 feet in diameter. It is widely
distributed from Texas to south-
ern California, through tropical
America to Argentina. The
leaves are very good browsing
for horses and cattle. It bears
two or more crops of beans a
year, which are next to barley for
fattening horses, cattle, sheep,
and hogs. The leaves, pods, and
bark are rich in tannin, and a
gum similar to gum arabic exudes copiously from the trunk and
branches. The wood is hard, strong, and durable, and takes a high
polish. It is the most common tree of the mesas of the Southwest, and
because of its many uses is an exceedingly valuable species.” Experi.
ments in a small way have been made here to preserve the beans for
winter feeding with partial success only, because of a small weevil,
that bores into them after they are gathered and renders them unfit for
stock feed. One acre of land well covered with mesquite trees often
produces not less than 100 bushels of the beans per annum, As,
bushel for bushel, they are quite as valuable for feeding stock as cow-
peas, it will be seen that for forage purposes the mesquite tree is an
important factor in this section, where there are millions of them.

Fic. 14.—Mesquite Bean.

Actinella Uinearifolid .rsacscunncescesce-----
PAO PY NOM SPLCQLUNY... 9= = «~~ aime am anes mele
AUN. 8 OBO S eae She cecoobaeBeebonescoe
Alkali saccatone..-...--..----.-. Bsacosaee
PAN MONDUAPULCOMILOLO— =)" in (w ~\niniwinieminses <eees= =
PAVOMANTNUS OLULOLAES a2 - = wine eee eon ee
Ambliolepis setigera.-.--------.------.--.--
PANTUIMGNNUM) COCCUNEW. <\-.\-)5.--- 0-2-8 -----
ARGTOPOPON WULONS - -~-. 6-2 wenn ween ane
saccharoides torreyanus...----

AMICHIC BIREIS Sacceeneno Sees SO BUDS OREREeRe Eee
PAIS tIMaULIZODICR on nen ais neinee saw saese5-
PAN USTUL OP USCUCULALM <a mewn nisicna- sce cs ssna--
Arizon® millet .....-.-..-.- a Seer iestae tise
Artemisia ludovictand...-...---.----+------
MUCHNCOM OS winre siete vee iainin = ela sie en

PAM IN CHOKO se aia oracle cielo vinas aeicicle's eiomeinecce'
PAR IRA AUUSHCNOSSUCONPUS << ~ coe eeaes tm sce
BAU UPLETRCHILESCE TLS a(sciniciwic'e me visinicini= eis alsin. Velai=
QUOD ANU soe ae rote sninteine a tease =

DOM DORR EE ERE Oe REE e oor CoC e Eee

SATIN ATOM ON ASS ee Pace sence cncccase
Beardless barnyard grass...........-------
Beggar weed
SBE Drees errs Save iclewiaer ces Acuas fu Secicieercms
ISRO SUP SGese8se SSS eD aC eetSe See rereeeeae
ple ORAM. aco = -6<)< a alee eta atatein telat trac
weed

PE MEUS Nets esses eis ts sce wate Scie, cicie Sele
houteloua eurtipendula ..-.-..--.---------.
TLURSTL Rete ie forem See wire ctale eier— is
OlIQOSCO.ChIY (sama aineiaaen esis oe
ETOTMUSUNUOLOUMES =: ~ 2.3 2 == /- 55-2 scnce-
SEO WHMUO DP ct-y= eistareteie o= alaye atee ie\~ cicin ale = bis see
PEA ONORASH Ss sao aie ose oe eee ee eee es
SEDUCES CY lOLAES. eee tcw ee cecaces
SERUTR CLONGG Tee sistent ro oe eho fara Sinseiciniis eens Ss

PENnGKORA yep Ogeei ence. conse ces eeet ecce ess
California clover....--..---..- tS Sacco ee
NUAIDONB OLAS Sein sleet fe ciseiar= Seiieps sista sence sis
MMAMOLESS EC Uist. enemies och ee eases
CORE n GASES GRE R EOE OTE o Cane ORC roe oes
UUM UVOVLCS = a sera er eeiaree eer Seis amie
CORE UT UUS CRO TDOE see eacc saeco Hose Oeos eee
CeNtAUred AMEriCONG. «- 2a 2-2 s2ase- ss.
MEECe CO CILLO CULO LUCOaaineiai~ arama a ae nee a erajeincne
RIVOCTOSEACILY W) seem ee eee i l=
eheiparralkmiVetessen a= <cisces nose scece esac oe
Ghenopodium: album: sos... 222-6 ecccee see
CADIS QUOD SoG Se GRO ARCCO SAS tO See PEs

MOL uitepeee ene opty. Sie ee sa a 8

panicularia
CQUTONUOMUATION Gas -420s cease oclce cece se
NOOIO MEM OVOMAS Seen ae sie oS hese ses eee eae ae
ChENGING FSIS: a coe tees meee ne acre mee aeeen
Cotton purslane.........--- so oe Sac sea oe
ODRsestescct et ecca xine sseese sate eecs

(CTD GING) 5 Sansa ee tese Geena ean
Croton

(Guineygrmesquite’ssso2) cmc secon. fseeal Se
Gymodonadoctylon ©+ 28222 822s like
Cyperus -----. EEanees BRD NOS eeSeEgonss Bete eias

INDEX.

23,

Cyperus erythrorhizos ...2------2----2-002-

CREME OUU Sma co aa ser en esEoacEsoroee
ID SOW Wan OTF Rls sa bespecoHsbonepeennsacosene
LOY Ons GG! eee Seah e canes oSe ee Sere ee ace
Dwarf broom) weed: <2. - <<< soea-c-ceuce css
ENVY MAUS CANAMCNSIS. — = = eee cscs sess e
EPREULA, MEVAGCENSUS\ « a= ene -nie = =~ oe cies e aie

IROOM OSUUS MILO] Otay eaten re rata tatecralnieyi tere al =;

pilosa
: SLOUMOAULON Mee sans Se jeeiaaae se se
SPO CILOCRDUNGCLUL eae =o oe eia a acees ine

SSO O GUNONN LD Serece Gooce aSeee apap ee

PLOSC ONAN iaramtneet a min ae ello an= = ares

LOCH OTST CAC Poa Be Ree CROC SEO ee eee
TONGere AG NS AER cmos SHB Oesee aan sceeacees
Wallredtop feces se= Gees se isccdee a Sls ote
Hallstallowe weed! os 2s.) 2222 cuetem=c-ce oes
INGE: DIGG oagesaneacenecsrassses Be
CrowmOOUnsse seacoast eee:

SOC G62 hence cscs acerca sciosoee

IONS SOC OO n esse te amine cto syria isaac a
Gall erate tesco ccctesnec cine yacseseicen ne
Grandpals\beandte 2's <2 seasssee ec aa=s
GrapewinewMesq Wess eceel- saneee esc
GQRUTUA CU ORSN UT NOS Omraarneioinsnla aio iain ois a= le
(OTANI Lileees eerste bette metas) a
GUM GCOS sets ee mw lniste oe isielaisjeraia ee a2 (So so alsiareys

SETAC SOCOM CIT OUNCS Sere aaleran os a1) Set la/</- 3)

WOT Rea hes a5 aE CAS COSC ORCC EAE
Hoffimanseggia stricta .....---.--.--.-------
AG ONG ea aeisses sales store sinin- te eereninasencetse
Pea ay OP AS See oie lalene a/sterat eran aie ele area
AUMCUS A etc laa ee ee aoe eater eae ease met
IAN CUEISS ceseaoondesooods ea ehessseaeaosees
BURNISCERG. 2% ome = as a= sesne se Sa es SS eaee

PeeM SLIM [SR OEARUG Tae werner sisters oe ieee cen a

WE COGRLOORAULO Ul ee eis aie ine aa) alse Slee
LRP PU MOUWLONG ea is 2-2 = =e ee = a=
TOON OLAS S eerie saree eee ae alae aaa
WiedhieagoInacwlatte- 9-2-2 -\--- <2 = =~ =
Mlesoiinteule antec ctersietieisinie-tenseeiseice cian =
Muhlenbergia arenicola ..-..-.--..--.------
POACENUOS eae ee ents ena ee

UOMO = sekcanconcesssedas

Needlererassita. scene cecn co seecessec esos
OldGwateherassiee ss. -Sse0 seo sse ssn sesee- s- =
OpuUntinengelmanninn-a2 clone == 2 =
Onalisiconnuculutlmen asec eee ccec- e ees ~ =
PONTCUMAOULD OSU sean ao ene sors aes ==
COPUTOMNE re ana sos alesis ai oe
ciliatissimum
PUSH o 5 Soe naan eecesaenaceoeuns

reticulatum
PERERCIONME =i cs or siete ve epee ise
WMG soe, Baecbescoso > oos005e
CE RTTUTHIN 5 slaea a seeenocr Cadeanonsc me
OUR CHUUO ececoagesdcononessnosesos

38 INDEX.

Page.
Paspalum Gistichums aanae-reeresenneevennee 26 | SUNfMOWer.....-sencecsasasccsasesene
pubijlorum glabrum....--------- 19 | Switch grass
Phaseolus helvolus........---------------.-- 22 Tallow weed
PRiantago gnaphahoides: -2-- =< 3-5-2) = 28 Texas crowfoot
Polygonum ramosissimum....-.-----+------ Meh | duel ley HE soo2 Seon sased sosscsesSeeoo7----
Portulaca oleraced-------.---.-------_- ---- 28 | Priodia albescens --.-----------.----..2-. =. 16
(IAMS esheos oss ss50c5- Scceceecee ce 28 SCSIETLOLOES 0 Jn cee eee 30
Prainioielovetas me nesan see cere 36m | ehniplovanyneesen ene eee eee eee 28
SEES WHS Nee ochoa-ceececonesessesss 2a SARUM DLO WieeGa a ose o-oo aie ae eee 30
eielld hy OGRE. oso untooesssoce Soasesessocssees 3D) | Umiola latifolia). == <2 == 2 === oe eee 27
IPVOSOD1S LU LOT. One ete ee ee eee 36 | Vicia leavenworthti -.-.---.----------- : 20
lela OitG@) 4 iA. cSesck cooscuasnsodsesbedsnsaoss 215) MP WiRUOLIOVASS eee (noe aoe ope sons 19
REGTOOUISCU SO ee reer oe eres 32 purslane | .32 J. 352s. 222 3- see 31
IFGEGIMIG) GUESS socessessatsgoceeosasroreso> 13. | “Western wheat erass:---- 3. 5---- 2a eee 11
INO SHIN Wel sao oc ooene oes Saquaasassbnessos= 32)-) Wihite sagen ss eta eee 7 Naps ee 31
SEG) DANG. assesses ooosceocoeserse5 ose sés 31 COD vane soe eeine ee eee eee eee 16
SEUDID GES. soso ossssssseses seo Ssceso0emets 25> eal CAN eee ean ae ee ae ee 22
SEUGGS = sco coneescoscoedannsesecacssocscsess 25 | IM Ob eens cee = meee eee 25
Side-0ats Grama) -- 9-22-22 eee 12 GHG) 5s osSsuesseososeoecenasesssessos=: 27
SKLAR ee Chee on abe Somacecnose opbeses snes Toe 35 YC pees ee oe saeee ealaee ee ee 14
Sporobolus eryptandrus..-..-.-------------- 19 Sed S682. 52 shoe des sna s eee eee eee 32
QRUMVIUOTON = namin ere ee 30 bimoOthiy 22 eee. soe eee See See 16
Starithistle2: saSenGe sts esac fees Soe nee eee SL) WOLbONa.2)-2 26 <1. ease eee eee 34
SLU AST OSE we pena nSEOOUE aH sascen a eo 2900) Winter dati oa = o)-)7ea 2 sc See eee 33
Stolley vetch............ smcoee peeiles eee Se 200 Woolly IAN GAIN siete aleie's's/clo'e um etninivialete eile 28

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