ORCHARD GRASS. 59 
Agricultural value: Orchard Grass is no doubt one of the 
best fodder grasses and is highly esteemed by farmers. It thrives 
remarkably well in almost any kind of soil, provided it is not too 
wet; it is very resistant to drought. 
It is rather slow in getting established. The first year the plants 
are small and poor-looking, consisting chiefly of leafy shoots from 
the short rootsock. The second year the shoots appear in greater 
number and flowering stems arise in their midst, but it is only from the 
third year that its high yielding power is manifest. If slow to reach 
full development, when once established it keeps on giving a heavy 
yield for many years. It is an early grass and ready to cut before 
Timothy. For this reason it is better sown with Red Clover. 
Orchard Grass is scarcely surpassed in feeding value, provided 
that it is cut at the right time. Its nutritive quality is highest and 
its yield heaviest if cut when in bloom, or even a little earlier. It 
becomes woody after flowering is over and loses its feeding value. 
It recovers quickly after cutting, the numerous leafy shoots fur- 
nishing an excellent pasture for horses and cattle. The second 
growth, however, should not be allowed to develop too far as it: 
loses its palatability with age. There is little danger from pasturing 
too close except in an extremely dry season; on the contrary, close 
‘pasturing prevents the plants from getting coarse and woody. 
If given sufficient space and nourishment its short rootstock 
causes Orchard Grass to develop into dense tufts. This is an un- 
desirable quality that should be suppressed, either by comparatively 
heavy seeding or by sowing it with other forage plants. In either 
case the tuft formation will be less marked and a grass of finer 
texture and of superior quality will be obtained. When sown with 
other forage plants, only varieties which reach maturity at the same 
time, such as early Red Clover, Tall Oat Grass and Meadow Fescue, 
should be chosen. When seeded alone for hay or pasture, twenty- 
eight to thirty pounds of good seed should be used to the acre: a 
little less for seed production. 
Seed growing: When grown for seed, the same field can be 
harvested for five or six years, the greatest yield being obtained the 
third and fourth seasons. The yielding power is considerably in- 
creased if the field is top-dressed with manure every year. Orchard 
Grass is ready to cut for seed three or four weeks after it has flowered. 
To determine the proper time, beat some heads in the palm of the 
hand. Ifa small quantity of seed shakes out, it is ready to harvest. 
Cutting too early means inferior quality. It can be harvested with 
