. Bulletin. 1901-13. Agriculture; Agriculture. 42 RANGE IMPROVEMENT IN CENTRAL TEXAS. began, the curly mesquite held its own very much better than the Bermuda, and in midsummer clearly demonstrated its great supe- riority as a drought-resisting grass. As it is easil}^ propagated from the roots, which, cut into bits, may be harrowed or heeled in the ground after the early spring rains, it is justly regarded as one of the best of all the native grasses of the section for use in renovating the ranges. As it never grows tall enough to be cut, it is suitable only for pasture. (See fig. 3.) Everlast
. Bulletin. 1901-13. Agriculture; Agriculture. 42 RANGE IMPROVEMENT IN CENTRAL TEXAS. began, the curly mesquite held its own very much better than the Bermuda, and in midsummer clearly demonstrated its great supe- riority as a drought-resisting grass. As it is easil}^ propagated from the roots, which, cut into bits, may be harrowed or heeled in the ground after the early spring rains, it is justly regarded as one of the best of all the native grasses of the section for use in renovating the ranges. As it never grows tall enough to be cut, it is suitable only for pasture. (See fig. 3.) Everlasting Grass {Eriochloa punctata). This is the native grass that was the main reliance of cattlemen for hay in the early history of central Texas as a stock country. When old Fort Grifiin, in Shackleford County, was a United States Army post, this grass was about all that the large number of cavahy and other horses there had to rely on for winter " ; In the seventies and eighties it grew all over the section from 2 to 4 feet high, in quantities sufficient to en- able a great deal of an excellent qualit}^ of hay to be secured. Now it is a rare grass in the pastures, largely due to the fact that it will not flourish under such rough treatment as the ranges of the sec- tion received while '' free grass " was the rule. In pastures not overstocked, along the fence rows, and at the ends of the rows in cultivated fields, it is now to be found in most of the central Texas counties, and alwa3's, under such conditions, the most permanent and promising grass in sight. As it makes a vigorous growth under favorable circumstances, and furnishes an abundant yield of a comparatively soft and very nutritious hay, it should be cultivated by stockmen and farmers. Seeds of this grass sufficient to sow a good plot of ground in the grass garden were saved, and in 1899 an excellent stand was secured that grew and developed vigorously and held its own remarkably well during the l
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