544 GRASSES OF IOWA. 



Shepard and "Williams* sta'ie that it has endured drouth per- 

 fectly in South Dakota, and has never winter killed in the 

 least. Lamson-Scribnerf says: "The strong perennial char- 

 acter of this brome grass and its unusual drouth resisting 

 powers are qualities which recommend it for general cultiva- 

 tion, particularly in the semi- arid regions of the west and north- 

 west. Its nutritive value is comparatively low, and before 

 undertaking ils cultivation the fact should be remembered that 

 it is somewhat difficult to eradicate when once established, 

 although by no means so difficult as couch grass or Johnson 

 grass." In Iowa there has been no difficulty of clearing a field. 

 Mr. S. A. Bedford^ states that as a pasture grass for Manitoba 

 it is perhaps unequaled. It comes on early and continues 

 green until snow covers the ground. 



P. Beveridge Kennedy § says in regard to this grass: "In a 

 few years it forms a very tough sod, soon crowding out other 

 grasses, clovers, and weeds. Its remarkable drought resisting 

 qualities have proved it to be a most valuable grass for dry 

 regions where other grasses could hardly exist. It is the most 

 suitable grass yet introduced for the dry regions of the west 

 and Eorthwest. As it is thoroughly permanent and grows with 

 wonderful rapidity, producing heavy crops of hay and luxuri- 

 ant pasturage, its value to the farmers of the semi-arid regions 

 of this country cannot be overestimated. All kinds of stock 

 eat it with relish, and the chemical analyses made show that it 

 is rich in flesh-forming materials, much more so than timothy. 

 It is very hardy, and not injured by severe spring and fall 

 frosts when once establisned. As it starts to grow very early 

 in the spring, before any of the grasses upon the native 

 prairies show any signs of life, and remains green and succulent 

 far into November, it will supply the long-felt want of early 

 and late fall pastures." 



CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. 



Of this brome grass the following samples were analyzed 



•Sample 1. April 30, 1896, 6 to 12 inches high. 

 .Sample 2. June 3, 1896, 38 to 40 inches high. 

 Sample 3. June 15, 1896, 41 to 42 inches high. 



•BuU. South Dak. Agrl. Erp. Sta. 4":1U. 

 +Bun. U S. Dept. Agrl. 14:23. 

 tRej). Exp. Farms Canada 1896:337. 

 ..SBuU. JJ.S Dept. Agrlc. Dlv. Agrost. 22. 



