RUSSIAN BROMB GRASS. 185 



cially after the first cutting, as there is a tendency in 

 this grass to crowd out weeds when once it is established. 



The yields of hay vary exceedingly with variations in 

 soils and in seasons. Ordinarily the best yields are ob- 

 tained from the first cutting, but sometimes the second 

 cutting, that is, the cutting obtained the third summer 

 after the sowing of the seed is more productive because 

 of the thickening of the grass with age. Usually only 

 one cutting is made in a season, but the aftermath is 

 generally abundant. After the second cutting, the 

 yields of hay usually decrease from the over-thickening 

 of the gi-ass. The average crop may be put at about l-J 

 tons per acre, but under favorable conditions it is fully 

 2 tons. Four to 5 tons have been cut from an acre and 

 again the yield has been as low as ^ ton. 



Securing Seed. — Russian brome grass is ready for be- 

 ing harvested about three weeks subsequently to the 

 stage of full bloom, but this will vary somewhat with the 

 weather. The crop is sufficiently mature when the seed 

 kernel is full of meat, but the meat in the same is still 

 soft and pliable like rubber. The heads have then as- 

 sumed that purple glue tinge which indicates ripeness. 

 It should be cut with much promptness when mature, as 

 the seed when over-ripe shatters easily. 



Different modes of harvesting the seed have been 

 recommended. Some advocate cutting the seed crop 

 with the binder. It is set so high as to cut and bind 

 into sheaves the seed stems that rise above the leaves, 

 but without cutting the leaves which mass so thickly for 

 some distance above the ground. The sheaves when cut 

 are removed and put up in shocks until dry, but thny 



