4 THE CULTURE AND USES OF BROME-GRASS. 



a variety of soils, but gives best results on soil that is well supplied 

 with humus. It can, however, be grown very successfully on sandy 

 or ffravellv land. 



In the Dakotas and the closely adjacent sections brome-grass is 

 of more importance than in any other portion of this country. It 

 has been grown in this region for twelve or fifteen years, but is 

 as 3^et not so widely distributed as would be expected. Improved 

 methods of growing alfalfa, making that crop more certain, are in a 

 measure responsible for the comparatively limited use of brome- 

 grass. This is true more especiall}^ in South Dakota than in Xorth 

 Dakota. In sections where alfalfa can be grown brome-grass can 

 not compete with it as a hay crop. In the more humid portion of the 

 above-named States and on the better classes of soil it has the reputa- 

 tion of being difficult to eradicate, and, whether this is Avarranted or 

 not, this belief has a decided tendency to make the grass nnpojiular 

 in such sections. For the above reasons and because there is still a 

 considerable quantity of native hay produced, and consequently not 

 such a pressing demand for cultivated grasses, brome-grass has not 

 attained more importance than is the case at present. 



METHODS OF CULTURE. 

 PREPARATION OF THE SEED BED. 



For the preparation of the seed bed it is the common practice to 

 plow the ground as early as possible in the spring, which in most sec- 

 tions is in March or very early in April. It is then put. into condition 

 for seeding by a thorough harrowing, or by disking, harroAving, and 

 rolling. A careful preparatory treatment is considered essential in 

 the securing of a good stand of grass. Some successful growers favor 

 fall plowing, since this puts the land in better condition for seeding 

 in the spring. Brome-grass follows all crops with practically the 

 same results. It does well after corn, as well-cultivated corn ground 

 is usually quite free from weeds. "\^^ieat and oats, however, are most 

 commonly the preceding crops. 



SEEDING. 



The seed is usually sown during the first part of April or as soon as 

 the weather is favorable, which may be even as early as the latter part 

 of March. One bushel (14 pounds) to the acre is considered hy most 

 growers to be a sufficient quantity of seed to produce a satisfactory 

 stand, and good results are often obtained with 10 to 12 pounds. At 

 the Manitoba experimental farm 10 pounds of good seed is recom- 

 mended, and 10 to 12 pounds at the Saskatchewan experimental farm. 



Ill— V 



