404 MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



Bermuda grass, and also the fact that it is readily killed by 

 cultivation. It can stand a great amount of tramping and drouth. 

 In appearance it is similar to Bermuda grass, except that the leaves 

 are more narrow, and the shoots of more even height. The two 

 grasses can readily keep the same area without being one too strong 

 for the other. The only difficulty with this grass is that it produces 

 seed in such small quantities that its distribution and propagation 

 are carried on by means of pieces of sod or runners. Otherwise, 

 it would undoubtedly be preferred to Bermuda. It can also grow 

 outside of the arid region. Here at College Station, with a rainfall 

 of 36" annually, I have found dense patches of -it holding its own 

 against the other grasses. 



UTAH. Prof. Lewis A. Merrill, Director of the Utah Experiment 

 Station, Salt Lake City : In recent years we have found that brome 

 grass is the very best grass we can grow on our arid lands. It was 

 introduced in the state some 12 years ago, and its growth has been 

 gradually extended until now there are thousands of acres of land 

 lying above the irrigation canal seeded to brome grass. We find 

 that it is absolutely essential to get a good seedbed before seeding. 

 If we attempt to seed it on the barren hillsides without preparation 

 of a proper seedbed the result is a failure. However, where the 

 seedbed is properly prepared and the seed drilled in at the rate 

 of 12 to 15 pounds per acre we get an excellent stand. The grass 

 yields when cut for hay from \}/ 2 to 2 l / 2 tons per acre. It makes 

 a splendid aftermath, and thus makes a very profitable growth for 

 cheap lands. We have tried a large number of grasses on these arid 

 lands, including Agropyron spicatum, Elymus triticoides, Elymus 

 condensatus; also orchard grass, tall meadow oatgrass, and perennial 

 ryegrass. None of these has given satisfaction. They have not 

 made a good stand, and after six years' experimental work with 

 these varieties on arid lands we have come to the conclusion that 

 brome grass_is practically the only one of the list that we can 

 recommend to our farmers for arid lands. We have tried brome 

 under irrigation, but we prefer some other grasses under these 

 conditions. 



For a pasture grass under irrigation we have found none that 

 begins to equal in importance Kentucky bluegrass. It stands at the 

 head of the list as a single grass for pasture under irrigation. As a 

 second choice under irrigation, I would place brome grass. I am 



