42 



inon throughout the South. All grow in stools similar to those of wheat or oats, 

 with erect stems 3 to 5 feet high; leaves and spikes like those of rye. 



Eather coarse grasses, common along fence rows and creek bottoms, where the soil 

 is rich and somewhat damp. The Canadian wild rye (E. canadensis) is the tallest 

 and coarsest of the three, and has but little value. Dennett-grass {E: striatus) i.s 

 more valuable, but not as good ;is the Terrell-grass ( E. rirf/inicits). The latter grows 

 in woodland pastures and furnishes a large amount of grazing through the winter 

 and early spring. 



Woodland Bunch-grass (Eraf/rostis glomeraia). — Perennial; often in large 

 clumps; stems slender, erect, smootli, 1 to 2 feet; leaves numerous, slendtsr, rather 

 short; panicle sometimes a foot in length, slender and couipact, jjroducing a 

 very large amount of seed. 



This is an excellent summer grass for moist woodland pastures, often growing on 

 the edges of marshes and other damp locations where l)ut few good grasses are 

 found. Cattle appear to be very fond of it, and it is doubtless worth planting in 

 pastures. This is almost the only species of EragrosUs which is of value found in 

 the Gulf Sates. 



MISCELLANEOUS FORAGE CROPS. 



Alfalfa {Medicaf/o saliva) (fig. 2). — One of tlie most common cultivated forage 

 plants of the West, and rapidly coming into favor in the South. It is a very deep- 

 rooted plant which bears drought well, but the roots can not endure stagnant water 

 or sour soil, so that it must always be grown on lands which have good drainage. It 

 is a very prolific hay plant, as it will give from two to four, or more, cuttings annu- 

 ally, each cutting making from 1 to 2 tons of hay. It should be cut as soon as it 

 comes into bloom, or before the stems become hard and woody. The hay should 

 be handled ;is little as possible, as the leaves drop ofi:' very easily, and when badly 

 handled the hay is little more than coarse stems. Well-made hay has about the 

 same value as that from red clover. As a pasture plant it is good for horses, mules, 

 and sheep, but not safe for cattle, as it occasionally causes bloating. It is one of 

 the best plants for a summer hog pasture, and also affords considerable winter graz- 

 ing. The greatest difficulty in growing it is in securing a good stand. The land on 

 which it is to be sown shoiild be put in the best possible condition, and seeded in 

 September at the rate of 15 to 20 jiounds per acre, though good results are often 

 secured with 10 pounds of seed. The ground should be rolled after sowing. On 

 most lands crab-grass and weeds will come up thickly with the nlfiilfa, but will be 

 killed by the first heavj- frosts, and by spring the alfalfa will be strong enough to 

 smother oth(?r growths. 



Seeding may also be done in the spring, but if the field is not watched many of 

 tht! alfalfa plants will be smothered by grass and weeds. If weeds threaten to 

 injure the stand, the field should be mowed, setting the mower as high as possible 

 to avoid cutting the young alfalfa, after which it will usually be strong enough to 

 l)rotect itself. When a stand is once secured it is permanent. Professor Newnum, 

 director of the South Carolina experiment station, states that he has known a field 

 of alf.ilfa to give good crops fourteen years in succession in Alabama, and twenty- 

 five years in Georgia. It springs up quickly after each cutting, and Dr. Taliaferro, 

 of r)r;ing(! County, I'la., states that he has cut five crops within twelve months from 

 seeding, while Dr. Stubbs, of tin- Louisiana station, reports fourteen cuttnigs in 

 eighteen months from seeding. Farther north it is less prolific, but is everywhere 

 one of the best soiling crops. 



Alsike Clover (TrifoUum Inihriihnn). — Perennial; intermediate between the white 

 ami red cioxers in hiibit and appearance. 



Alsike is the best of the clovers for wet grounds, but is of no value on dry soils. 

 r)n thf^ holders of marshes, seepy hillsides, and jtlaces too wet for other cloveis this 

 makes its l>est growth. It seldom grows sulliciently large to make a good yield of 

 hay, but is an excellent pasture plant, and should always be sown with redtop on 



