PERENNIAL RYE GRASS. 87 
Provinces. As it loves a moist climate, it may be of some value for 
the Maritime Provinces and the Pacific slope, especially on heavy 
soil of good quality. 
Habits of growth: Perennial Rye Grass is sometimes rather 
difficult to start. This is, however, not a general characteristic; it 
is often due to poor seed. If conditions are favourable and the seed 
of good quality, its development is rapid and a good growth can be 
obtained in a few weeks. It reaches its maximum yield the year 
after sowing but may continue to give fair returns for several years. 
Agricultural value: It is one of the oldest forage plants of the 
Old World. It was cultivated in England almost two hundred and 
fifty years ago and is highly esteemed in the countries surrounding 
the North Sea. ‘Although of only medium yield and nutritive value, 
in some parts of Europe it is grown in preference to any other fodder 
grass. 
Fodder: On account of its rapid development and short du- 
ration, Perennial Rye is useful in hay mixtures, pastures, or lawns 
where quick results are wanted while more valuable and permanent 
grasses are becoming established. Its greatest nutritive value is 
immediately before flowering. Being rather early, it should be mixed 
with other early-flowering grasses, such as Orchard Grass. 
Pasture: Grazing should begin before the stems are too far 
advanced. Under favourable conditions it recovers quickly and 
keeps on producing green feed until late in the fall. It stands rough 
treatment better than almost any other grass, tramping acting 
rather as a stimulant. When used alone, thirty pounds of good seed 
are enough for an acre. 
Seed: Most of the seed is grown in Scotland and England: 
When a crop is wanted, the best land should be used, for the seed is 
cheap and good returns must be secured to make the business a 
profitable one. A field can be harvested for seed only once. A 
crop of hay is secured early in the season and the second crop is 
set apart for seed production. Cutting too early gives a light seed 
which is worth little, as the price depends upon the weight. On the 
other hand, if cutting its started too late, loss will result from shelling. 
The right time is about a month after flowering, when the seeds 
begin to be leathery. 
