ORCEABD-GRASS ' 69 



crop and the character of the season will mate- 

 rially influence this point. If the season is good, 

 the second cutting may be made in August, and 

 a yield of four to six tons secured, and it will 

 be quite as rich in dry matter as the first cutting; 

 usually it will be richer in protein, as in the second 

 crop the tendency to form stems is lessened. 



Pasture and hay 



When not desired as a green forage crop, 

 orchard -grass may be pastured successfully, and if 

 it is rather closely eaten, it is an excellent crop for 

 the purpose. It should not be allowed to make too 

 large growth before the animals are turned on, as 

 it soon hardens and becomes unpalatable, particu- 

 larly if the weather is dry. If cut just at the period 

 of blooming, or even a little earlier, it makes good 

 hay, and the largest quantity of palatable and 

 digestible food per acre may be expected. 



Composition of Orchard- Grass 



r\ i. An average 



0"e ton acre-yield 



contains 



furnishes 



Per cent Lbs. Lbs. 



Water 73.0 ... ... 



Dry matter 27.0 540 5,400 



Ether extract 0.9 18 180 



Crude fiber 8.2 164 1,640 



Protein 2.6 52 520 



Ash 2.0 40 400 



Nitrogen-free extract .... 13.3 266 2,660 



