119 



seed has been distributed to our branch Farms as well as to various other points in 

 the Dominion, where they will be grown and the results recorded, so that before long 

 we hope to be in a position to say definitely, the locality and circumstances being 

 given, what are the best grasses to cultivate. Not only are there many different 

 gi-asses varying in quality, but the price also differs widely, and it is not always the 

 highest-priced varieties which are best to grow. Amongst the seeds examined, large 

 numbers of injurious weed seeds have been found, and hardly a sample examined 

 was free from seeds of other grasses than those for which they were sold. In addi- 

 tion to this a large percentage of some samples was found to be useless, owing to the 

 fact that the seeds of many grasses lose very quickly their germinating power. In 

 view of the above, the importance is evident of having grass seed examined and 

 tested, both to see that it is true to name and up to the standard of vitality. We are 

 now prepared to do this at the Experimental Farm, and farmers would do well to 

 avail themselves of the opportunity. In the experiments recorded below, each pro- 

 mising variety has been grown separately on plots of one square rod each. To save 

 time the seeds were sown in the forcing house, and as soon as large enough to handle 

 were first pricked out in boxes and then planted out in the grass plots in rows 9 

 inches apart and the plants 8 inches apart in the rows. Weeds were kept down by 

 hoeing. The soil is not very rich and no artificial protection has been given during 

 the winter. Up to the present, 112 different kinds have been cultivated, besides if 

 others of which the seed was sown last autumn A few packets of seed were dis- 

 tributed last spring, but none have yet been reported upon. 



(All the plates of grasses used in this Report have been kindly lent by Dr George Vasey the U. S 

 Botanist. ) 



I. — GRASSES GROWN IN PLOTS OP 1 SQUARE ROD. 



A. — Native Grasses. 



1. Agropyrum caninum, E. & S. (Bearded Wheat Grass). Seed from Brandon, 

 Man., sown in house February, 1888. Pricked out May, 1888. Transplanted to 

 present bed May, 1889. In 1890, speared June 24. Flowered, July 12. A tall grass, 

 4 feet high, growing in tufts, of a strong odour when bruised, but well liked by cattle. 

 Cut for hay July 15 ; 80 lbs. green grass to the rod. 



2. Agropyrum divergem, Nees. (Awned Blue stem). Seed from Dr. G. Yasey, 

 the United States Botanist. Sown in the open in spi-ing of 1888. Transplanted to 

 present bed June, 1889. Speared, June 17, 1890. Flowered, June 30. Seed ripe, 

 July 21. Height, 2 feet. This grass, spoken highly of in the West, made a poor 

 showing at Ottawa, Both in 1889 and 1890 it was badly attacked by Meromyza 

 Americana, the Wheat-stem Maggot, and Oscinis variabilis, the American Frit Fly. 

 Leaves and stems slender and sparsely produced. 



3. Agropyrum glaucum, E. & S. var. occidentale, V & S. (Colorado Blue-stem). 

 (Plate 1.) Brandon, Man. Sown in house Feb., 1888. Pricked out May, 1888. Tians- 

 planted to present bed June, 1889. Speared, June 24, 1890. Flowered, July 12. Cut for 

 h-dy, July 15 ; 72 lbs. grass to the square rod. Height, 2| feet. Probably the most 

 valuable grass on our western plains, whei'e it is the chief grass of the cattle ranches. 

 It produces an abundance of fine leaves from running root stocks and seeds freely. 

 By the end of the first season plants pricked out 8 inches apart had made a solid 

 mat of sod. 



4. Agropyrum repens, Jj.(Q,nack Grass. Twitch. Scutch. Couch Grass). Trans- 

 planted from roadside May, 1890. Speared, June 20. Flowered, July 3. Eipe, 

 Aug. 1. By some highly praised as a fodder plant; but undoubtedly a most pernicious 

 weed. After the first year it fills the ground with underground stems and roots, and 

 only produces a small quantity of feed. It is very subject to the attacks of rust and 

 ergot. 



5. Agropyrum tenerum (Western Bunch-Wheat-Grass). Seed from North-West 

 Territories. Sown, February, 1889. Transplanted into present bed June, 1889. Speared, 

 June 18. Flowered, July 3. Seed ripe, Julv 21. This is a true bunch grass and a 



6c— 12^ 



