118 BACTYLIS GLOMERATA, L., ORCHARD GRASS. 



of blue grass. It is much more nutritious than Timothy, and 

 very nearly as valuable as red-top. It is shown by trial to grow- 

 well in many parts of Nebraska, and is considered by many to be 

 one of our best grasses." 



Hon. L. N. Bonham, of Ohio, among other things says : "If the 

 land is not too strong, orchard grass is an improvement sown 

 with clover intended for hay. In strong, black land, however, 

 I have found the culm incased by the several folds of the leaves, 

 so thick and sappy that it does not cure before the leaves are so 

 dry as to crumble into powder. On poorer land I j^refer orchard 

 grass with clover. Where pasture is desired, orchard grass adds 

 greatly to the value of the clover field. It furnishes a variety, 

 recovers quickly after mowing or being eaten down, and comes 

 early. It is not ;.ppreciated, and is neglected by farmers 

 because the seed is more difficult to sow and is more expensive 

 than clover or Timothy per acre. Its chief value is for pasture." 



As we might exjDCct where a grass has been so long in cultiva- 

 tion, it varies much in vigor and size. In England some attention 

 has been given to selecting vigorous varieties. Like Indian corn, 

 it is well to select seeds from large, thrifty, well grown plants. 



B. A. R., of Bowling Green, Kentucky, thus describes the 

 mode of saving seeds of orchard grass: 



"About the time the seeds are ripe, and before they commence 

 to shatter, take a reaper and set the sickle about one foot above 

 the ground, so as to be above the leaves or blades, and cut, bind 

 and shock as wheat, only make the bundles and shocks smaller. 

 Leave the shocks uncaj^ped for three or four weeks, exposed to 

 the action of the sun and rain. This is necessary to make it 

 thresh clean from the head. At the end of three or four weeks, 

 as above stated, place a canvass in the bottom of the bed or frame 

 in which it is to be hauled (to avoid waste, as it shatters very 

 badly at this time), and haul to the place of threshing. If not 

 ready to thresh right away, you must cover it Avith something. 



