DEY-LAND GRAINS IN THE GREAT BASIN. 33 



BROME-GRASS. 



Brome-grass has proved fairly successful at Nephi. Because of 

 the strong demand for seed the crop has not been cut for forage 

 except on two plats in 1909. These plats were not planted until 1908, 

 and hence the forage yield was small. It is thought that a yield of 

 about 1,500 to 2,000 pounds to the acre can be expected after the 

 first year and until the ground becomes sod bound. This is likely to 

 occur in five or six years. The seed yields have ranged from 62^ to 

 300 pounds per acre. The average price obtained is about 20 cents 

 a ])ound. The seed should be planted in May on a carefully pre- 

 pared seed bed at the rate of 10 to 15 pounds per acre. It is well 

 to plant just before a rain, if possible. The seed can be sown broad- 

 cast and be covered by a very light harrowing, or it can be planted 

 with a drill. Deep planting should be avoided. About 1 inch is the 

 desired depth to ])lant. The forage is relished by horses and cattle 

 and the sod furnishes excellent pasture. 



NURSERY WORK WITH GRASSES. 



A number of perennial grasses are being tested in rows to determine 

 whether this method of culture is practicable either for seed or hay. 

 As they were not planted until 1909 no data for publication has yet 

 been obtained. 



FORAGE SORGHXTMS. 



In 1909 two varieties of forage sorghums, Minnesota Amber and 

 Red Amber, were tried. A good growth was made during the late 

 summer, but a frost on September 11 prevented the plants from 

 maturing and destroyed their forage value. They yielded 2,490 

 pounds and 2,840 pounds per acre of dry material respectively. 

 Whether these crops will be profitable for the dry lands can not be 

 definitely known until the test is carried on for a few years longer. 

 It is probable that the early frosts occurring in the high altitudes 

 will prove a deterrent to their successful production. 



PEAS. 



Only preliminary work with peas has been done at the substation. 

 The results with one variety, a Canada pea obtained from Colorado, 

 indicate that the crop may become profitable, but further work must 

 be done before this can be known definitely. In addition to this 

 variety several varieties of Canada peas and of grass peas have been 

 tested in rows. So far none has produced a profitable yield. If varie- 

 ties can be secured that are adapted to the drv conditions obtaining: 

 in the mountain areas it is quite probable that peas will ])rove a 



[i'ir. Gl] 



