below the average. In the drought tests the individual plants wilted. excessively in soil varying in moisture from 6 to 8.5 per cent. The flower stalks of white foxtail are among the earliest to appear, and are practically all produced by August 1. Matured seeds are found as early as August 15, and are practically all ripened by the end of the first week in September. Unlike most species, the seeds are not disseminated immediately upon reaching maturity, but persist for some time unless they are brushed off by direct contact or shaken off by some vigorous mechanical means. Wind is ineffective in bringing about a wide distribution of the seed, but stock, especially sheep, when they come in contact with matured plants, distribute the seed crop broadcast, the awns attaching themselves to the wool. Germination tests as well as observations on the reproduction of this plant on the range indicate a high viability. In 1907 and the two succeeding seasons an average of 43, 77, and 82.5 per cent of the seed germinated under controlled conditions. The best reproduction is taking place on sparsely vegetated soils where the seed are worked well beneath the surface and where competition with other species is not severe. The forage value of white foxtail is always low. In the spring, shortly after growth has started, the leaf blades are eaten by stock of all kinds, but this period is so short as to be negligible. Even before the majority of the flower stalks are produced the herbage becomes tough and harsh, and stockmen claim that the mouths of sheep become sore and tender if they graze it to any extent. As soon as the seeds begin to ripen white foxtail is almost wholly disregarded. If stock should consume any quantity, however, the awns may cause sore mouths and big throats, and the barbs even get into the eyes. Thus the plant is practically worthless, and the range would be better off by its absence. GRASSLIKE PLANTS. DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN GRASSLIKE PLANTS AND GRASSES. Stockmen, as a rule, do not distinguish between true grasses and grasslike plants such as sedges and rushes. The latter, because of their frequent occurrence in marshes, swales, along creek banks, and in other moist situations, are commonly referred to as "water grass,' "wire grass," "swamp grass," etc., but the three distinct groups of grasses, sedges, and rushes are almost invariably spoken of collectively as "grasses." Sedges, Carex, may readily be distinguished from grasses in the following simple ways: 1. The stems of sedges are triangular, jointless and solid, the leaves 3-ranked, and the leaf sheaths closed. 2. The stems of grasses are generally hollow, cylindrical, and jointed, the leaves 2-ranked, and the leaf sheaths usually split. Rushes (Juncus and Juncoides) are readily distinguished from grasses and sedges by: 1. The flowers of rushes are regular and, though diminutive, similar in form to those of a lily, having a perianth composed of six bractlike scales, and with three to many small seeds borne in a capsule or small pod. 2. The flowers of grasses and sedges are not symmetrical, the perianth being irregular and inconspicuous or obsolete, and are subtended by husklike scales, each flower producing but a single seed. SEDGES AND RUSHES. It is the general opinion among ranchers that, as compared with grasses, sedges and rushes are of low nutritive value. This idea is generally true, but when a grass species occupying a typical marshy bog is compared with sedges and rushes from a similar situation chemical analysis has shown that the food value differs but little. Practically all species of moist habitats are somewhat too succulent or "washy," notably in the spring of the year, and while they are eaten with relish at that time they are doubtless more nutritious later in the season. A thousand or more species of sedges (Carex) have been described. They are widely distributed and are most abundant in temperate regions. In the United States approximately 500 species are found, about half of which occur in the Western States. The rush genus (Juncus) contains over 200 species. TALL SWAMP Sedge. (Carex exsiccata.) Because of its abundance, density of stand, and height growth, this species is one of the best-known sedges on the Wallowa National Forest. It ranges from 1 to 3 feet in height, has coarse leafy culms, and broad, thick, flat leaves of a light-green color. The spikes, developed sometimes as much as 4 inches below the staminate flower clusters, are very short-stalked (Plate XXVI). The root system is somewhat meager, and new growth takes place abundantly through stolons and rootstocks. The drought tests showed that this plant wilted destructively when the rich organic soil in which it grows contained, in the one case, 22.5 per cent of moisture and in the other 24 per cent. Obviously, therefore, the species is distinctly of the marsh type. In most perennial bogs, preferably in saturated soils, it grows pure, to the exclusion of other species (Plate XXVII). In somewhat drier situations, such as over-irrigated meadows, it often produces a conspicuous growth, and when associated with some cultivated grass such as redtop, is cut for hay. Tall swamp sedge is most common in the Canadian zone, but also occurs along the border of the Hudsonian zone. The flower stocks begin to push forth about June 20, and are all out by the last week in July. The seed are comparatively slow to mature, practically none being found until the last week in August, while the entire crop is not ripened until September 15. In viability the seed ranks low. The average germination obtained from the tests made in 1908 and 1909 (no tests made in 1907) was 15.2 per cent. Low vitality in the seed of this plant, however, is of little significance, since the species propagates profusely by rootstocks. Compared with many other species of its class, the forage value of tall swamp sedge is high, and early in the season the herbage is eaten with relish by sheep. Owing to the sheep's dislike for bogs, however, many areas densely covered with this species are not visited until the soil becomes fairly dry. In the latter part of the summer the leaf blades become tough and harsh, and sheep do not consume them with the same eagerness as in the forepart of the season. Horses are particularly fond of this plant. They graze it throughout the season and seem to do well upon it for short periods, but, if left free, withdraw to better-drained soils which afford a wholly different type of herbage. Miners and campers state that their pack animals eat tall swamp sedge readily, but are unable to do the usual amount of work when grazed exclusively upon it. It is probable, therefore, that its nutritive value is low. SHEEP SEDge. (Carex illota.) Of the bog forage plants of the genus Carex, sheep sedge is possibly the most important. It is a stoloniferous perennial or densely matted species about 1 foot tall, with culms usually exceeding by one-third the numerous grasslike leaves. The latter are narrow and smooth, and soft even when the plant is mature. Inconspicuous small spikes crowded into small dark brown heads distinguish it from certain other associated species (Plate XXVIII). Sheep sedge is confined to mountain meadows, and rather closely to moist situations, though it persists in some which become comparatively dry later in the season. Conditions in the Hudsonian zone are well adapted to its highest development. The leaf blades wilted but recovered their form in the rich loam soil containing 14 per cent of moisture. The flower stalks begin to appear about the middle of July and are practically all sent forth during the following three weeks. Matured 85154°-Bull. 545-17-5 |