REPORT OF MR. AXGUS MAC KAY. 405 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



HAY CROP. 



BROME GRASS (Bromus inennis'). 



The seedings of Brome grass made previous to 1899 were too short to cut for 

 hay, but after July 4, when rains commenced, good f)asture was aflforded by all the 

 fields. 



The seeding of 1899 was cut for seed on July 23. The seed was of excellent 

 quftlity, but the crop was very light — 85 pounds per acre. 



Seeding— 1900. 



Ten acres were sown April 27, re-sown June 26. Good catch and the grass is in 

 splendid condition for winter. 



WESTERN RYE-GRASS (Agropyrum tenerum). 



Old meadow too short to cut. Pastured after July 5. 

 The seeding of 1899 was cut for seed on July 28. 

 Seed of good quality, but the crop was very light. 



Seeding— 1900. 



Four acres Western Eye grass, sown April 28. Re-sown June 26. A good catch. 

 Mixture of Brome grass and Western Rye grass. Five acres sown April 26. 

 Resown June 25. A good catch. 



SEEDING AND CULTIVATION OF BROME GRASS. 



For information regarding the seeding and cultivation of Brome grass the 

 following is quoted from the report of 1896 : — 



* This grass is better sown alone ; at least it should not be sown with a grain, 

 crop. The grain takes too much moisture from the young grass-plants, only the 

 most vigorous of which will survive the dry weather in September ; whereas, if sown 

 alone all the plants have an equal chance. 



' It is advisable to sow the seed on land that does not blow. Summer-fallow would 

 be the best preparation, but on account of its liability to drift it is not safe in many 

 parts of the Territories to use this kind of land. Stubble-land ploughed three or four 

 inches deep in April or May, and v/ell harrowed after the seed is sown is found to 

 be quite safe from winds, as the stubble harrowed to the top prevents all drifting. 



' Ten or twelve pounds of seed is required per acre. More seed will give a better 

 crop the first year, but less afterwards, as the roots thicken up each year, and in three 

 or four years this grass makes better pasture than hay. 



* The seed being light, long and thin, seeding by hand is the only practicable method 

 unless seeders constructed for the purpose are available. To seed properly a calm 

 day should be chosen, so that all parts of the land may be evenly sown. 



'While the plants are young, weeds are sure to make great headway, and it is 

 necessary to keep them at least from going to seed. The quickest way to accomplish 

 this is to go over the field with a mower, cutting just above the grass plants. If this 

 operation has to be repeated it will be necessary to cut the tops of the grass, but 

 this will not injure the plants, in fact it is an advantage in the way of giving the 

 roots a firmer hold. 



