THE CULTURE AND USES OF BROME-GEASS. 63 



Under ordinary conditions a bronie-grass meadow remains produc- 

 tive from three to four years, after which it becomes Avhat is com- 

 monly called " sod-bound." The meadow can be successfully renewed 

 by breaking the sod lightly, the time of breaking depending largely 

 on the annual rainfall. 



Mixtures of brome-grass with other grasses and clovers have 

 proved very satisfactory as far as they have been tried. Timothy, 

 slender wheat-grass, orchard grass, meadow fescue, alfalfa, and red 

 clover are used in these mixtures. 



Brome-grass is a valuable general-purpose grass, but is much better 

 adapted for use as pasture than for hay, as it furnishes a large amount 

 of grazing, especially in the spring and late in the autumn. The yield 

 of hay which it produces is good and the quality very satisfactory. 



The seed habit of brome-grass is good, which makes it compara- 

 tively easy to harvest and thrash. Average yields of about 300 

 pounds to the acre are obtained. 



In crop rotation brome-grass has not as yet become well established, 

 and by some it is looked upon rather unfavorably on account of being 

 somewhat difficult to get out of the land. Good crops, however, are 

 raised after it, and it adds a considerable amount of humus to the soil. 



It is often difficult to prepare brome-grass sod for succeeding crops, 

 as it does not rot readily, and for this reason it is necessary to backset 

 after breaking. The time of breaking depends on the rainfall. 

 21521— Bui. 111—07 5 



