ITALIAN RYE GRASS. 287 



Preparing the Soil: — The preparation of the soil for 

 this grass is much the same as for orchard grass (see p. 

 138.) It is particuhirly essential that the seed bed shall 

 be moist or the rapid growth expected from the grass 

 will not be forthcoming. In order to accomplish this 

 considerable labor may sometimes be necessary when 

 preparing the seed bed for being sown in a dry autumn. 



Sowing: — In the Xorthern States and in Canada, 

 the seed of Italian rye grass must be so^^^l in the 

 spring, otherwise the young plants will in many in- 

 stances perish in the winter. In order to make the 

 most of the one season's growth^ it should of course be 

 sown in the early spring; in the Southern States, 

 after the autumn rains begin to fall, from August on- 

 ward. It is then ready for cutting or pasturing early 

 the following spring. October is a favorite month in 

 which to sow. It is commonly sown by hand and is 

 seldom sown in mixtures. 



There would not seem to be any advantage from sow- 

 ins; it in mixtures of anv of the winter cereals. The 

 sand vetch would answer better, as the food would then 

 be in better balance, and still better probably to sow 

 with crimson clover, as the two plants would be ready 

 for the first cutting about the same time. It is not ad- 

 visable to sow the seed along with other grass seeds to 

 make permanent pasture as it is short lived, and, in 

 dying, would, for the time being make vacancies in the 

 pasture. But there may be conditions when it would 

 be advisable to sow it for temporary pasture with a view 

 to tide over, for the time being, a shortage in pasture. 



The seed weighs 18 to 22 pounds to the bushel. The 



