THE CULTURE AND USES OF BROME-GRASS. 57 



by stock. This is an important feature, especially where sheep are 

 grazed. Even after the grass has become sod-bound and produces 

 only light yields of hay it can still be pastured profitably for two or 

 three years. While it is impossible at the present time to secure 

 definite data in regard to the carrying capacity of Bromus inermis 

 pastures, it can be conservatively stated that both in favorable and 

 unfavorable seasons they furnish more grazing in the western part 

 of the Dakotas than the native grasses and more in the eastern part 

 than Kentucky bluegrass. 



HAY. 



Brome-grass is not an ideal hay grass, although for two or three 

 years after sowing it gives a satisfactory yield of a very good quality 

 of hay. On rich land the yield is better than the average for stand- 

 ard grasses, antl the quality is good. (See PI. VI, fig. 1.) It is 

 generally agreed that the best stage at which to cut brome-grass for 

 hay is just after it has passed full bloom and is in the condition 

 known as the "purple." The i)ractice is, however, quite elastic in 

 this respect, as the grass makes hay of good quality when cut either 

 before or after this stage. No definite feeding experiments have as 

 yet been conducted to determine the value of brome-grass hay in 

 comparison with other standard hays or fodder, but general experi- 

 ence indicates that it is almost, if not quite, equal to timothy for 

 cattle (especially dairy cows), for horses not at work, and for sheep. 

 W[\e\\ properly cured it is very palatable and is relished by all 

 classes of stock, but on account of its laxative properties it can not 

 be recommended as a feed for livery horses or horses at hard work. 



Different writers in discussing brome-grass disagree in regard to 

 its nutritive value as compared with a standard grass such as timothy. 

 Chemical analyses disagree also, and it is difficult to compare these 

 grasses, since the samples have been taken at different stages of 

 maturity and also under otherwise different conditions. The average 

 of analyses given in Bulletin 56 of the Iowa Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station shows water-free samples of Bromus inermis to con- 

 tain 3.48 per cent of fat and 14.14 per cent of protein, and samples 

 of timothy under the same conditions to contain 4.83 per cent of fat 

 and 12.27 per cent of protein. These analyses indicate that the 

 grasses are near enough alike to be of equal feeding value. The 

 verdict of the feeder, however, is in most cases to be taken in prefer- 

 ence to that of the chemist, and it is doubtful whether brome-grass 

 will ever be considered quite equal to timothy as feed for stock. 



Brome-grass is usually ready to cut for hay from the last of June 

 until the 20th of July, depencling on the locality. \Vhen conditions 

 are favorable, it is possible to secure two cuttings, the first about 



111— V 



