70 FORAGE CROPS 



An average yield of ten tons for the two cuttings 

 will give for the season 5,400 pounds of dry mat- 

 ter, of which 510 pounds will be protein, while the 

 content of crude fiber is relatively greater than in 

 .rye. The digestibility, therefore, is likely to be 

 hardly as high as for rye, although no data on this 

 point are recorded. 



ITALIAN RYE -GRASS 



Another grass that has received some attention 

 as a forage crop, particularly for summer pasture 

 and soiling, is Italian rye-grass {Lolium Italicum) . 

 This grass is native of Europe, and has been 

 grown there for a long time. It is especially 

 suitable for moist soils, or for soils that can be 

 irrigated, and responds very profitably to the 

 application of water or heavy fertilization. 



Preparation of soil and seeding 



The preparation of soil and seeding should fol- 

 low the same lines as those suggested for orchard- 

 grass. When seeded in the fall, great care should 

 be exercised to ensure rapid germination and early 

 growth. 



From twenty to thirty pounds of seed should be 

 used per acre, preferably broadcasted both ways 

 by hand, and lightly covered with the harrow. 



