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 is started too late, loss will result from shelling. 

 The right time is about a month after flowering, when the seeds 

 begin to be leathery. 



