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 rootstock. 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. If a small quantity of seed shakes out, it is ready to har\est. 

 Cutting too early means inferior quality. It can be harvested with 



