24 CULTIVATED FORAGE CROPS OF THE NORTHWEST. 



parts of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Two crops of hay 

 ma}' be obtained, although in western Washington the approach of the 

 rainy season may interfere with the second crop. The seed is usually 

 sown in the spring, but on sandy land in western Washington it may 

 be sown in the fall. As mentioned under the head of timothy, red 

 clover is usually sown in combination with that plant. 



Alsike clover {T. hyhrfdmn) is occasionally grown in the same local- 

 ities where red clover thrives, but it is adapted to more moist land. 



White clover (7! Tepens) is sometimes cultivated in combination with 

 bluegrass in those localities where the latter thrives. Such pastures 

 are frequently found in the mountain districts and along the upper 

 coast region. 



Forage Crops of Minor Importance. 



The following forage plants are cultivated in sufficient abundance to 

 receive attention. Some are already of importance in certain locali- 

 ties, and most of them should be cultivated over a wider area and 

 given greater attention than is now the case: 



Kentucky bluegrass {Poa pratensis). — In the mountain districts 

 and the upper coast region bluegrass is used for pasture, usually in 

 combination with white clover. Unless supplied with water during 

 the summer months this grass gives little pasture during that season, 

 but when the water supply is sufficient and properly distributed it 

 yields abundantly. Upon the ranch of Mr. Wheeler, at Reno, Nev., 

 there are several pastures of bluegrass and white clover which by 

 means of irrigation are kept in good condition through the season. In 

 some localities it is considered a pest on account of its tendency to 

 drive out other grasses where the conditions are favorable for the 

 growth of bluegrass. Mr. G. F. Chapman, of Evanston, Wyo., a 

 prominent ranchman, states that it forms a thin, low mat which can 

 not be utilized for hay, and is not as valuable for J^asture as other 

 grasses. This is usually true when the land is not irrigated, as it 

 tends to dry up during dry periods to a greater degree than native 

 grasses, but it starts early in the spring and remains green well into 

 the fall. 



Orchard grass {Dactyl Is glomerata.) — This well-known grass should 

 be grown much more extensively than it is. It resists drought better 

 than most of the tame grasses grown in the East, and can be used for 

 pasture or hay. On account of the tendency to grow in bunches when 

 sown alone, it is best, especially for meadow, to sow with some other 

 grass. For this purpose meadow fescue is well adapted. The latter 

 occupies the spaces between the bunches of orchard grass and thus 

 forms a more even and continuous surface for the mower. Both bloom 

 at about the same time, and both are capable of resisting drought to 

 about the same extent. 



