WESTERN RYE GRASS. 91 



they turn straw-coloured. A spikelet generally contains from four 

 to six flowers, each enclosed within two glumes. The outer glume 

 is similar in shape and texture to the sterile glumes at the base of 

 the spikelet. It is generally awnless but sometimes carries a short 

 awn at its top. 



Geographical distribution: It is indigenous to all Canada, 

 from coast to coast, and to the northern and western parts of the 

 United States. As its name indicates, it is especially common in the 

 west, extending from the dry belts of British Columbia to New 

 Mexico and southern California. 



Cultural conditions: Western Rye Grass grows naturally in 

 dry soil and thrives best where only a limited amount of water is 

 available. It cannot stand long flooding but responds readily to 

 careful irrigation. It is one of the few grasses that are not checked 

 by a large amount of alkali in the ground. The root being rather 

 deep and very strong, it stands severe drought without injury. It 

 is insusceptible to extreme cold, and, generally speaking, bears 

 unfavourable climatic conditions better than most other fodder 

 grasses. 



Habits of growth: It is easy to grow and makes a ready start 

 from the seed. If sown in spring, it is well-established in one season 

 and might, if conditions are favourable, head out late in the fall of 

 the same year. It generally gives the heaviest crop the third year, 

 the yield depending to a certain extent on the amount of seed sown. 



Agricultural value: It is no doubt the most valuable of the 

 western native hay grasses, and, like most other fodder grasses, in- 

 cludes many different types. Some of them give only a small quantity 

 of poor fodder; others produce much nutritious, succulent hay. As 

 grown at present, Western Rye is a mixture of types and the return 

 is therefore comparatively small. By proper selection and breeding, 

 varieties could be produced which in yield and nutritive value would 

 far surpass the average grass now grown in the Prairie Provinces. 



Fodder: Western Rye is preferably a hay grass. It should be 

 cut just when it begins to bloom, or even earlier, as it is most palat- 

 able and has its greatest nutritive value before flowering. After 

 that it becomes tough, hard and decidedly woody. Only one crop 

 of hay can be taken each year. It has its greatest value as horse feed. 

 It is, however, not as much relished as is the hay from Brome Grass, 



