SEEDING GRASSES. 271 



unmixed with grasses. In some regions it is almost 

 deadly in it effects. It causes bloat or hoven. In 

 other regions it seems a safe enough pasture. It is 

 very noticeable, however, that where it is safe pas- 

 turage there is usually found a considerable admix- 

 ture of grasses with the alfalfa. Animals grazing 

 alfalfa get a superabundance of protein in their diet. 

 This makes them long for some grass or other car- 

 bonacQous diet. When grasses are mixed with al- 

 falfa the animals will eat alternately of each. Thus 

 a more healthful ration is compounded by the very 

 instincts of the animals. 



In using an alfalfa pasture that had in it a con- 

 siderable admixture of brome grass I never had a 

 serious case of bloating with either cattle or sheep. 

 On other alfalfa pastures with no grass I had more 

 or less trouble and some loss from death. Further- 

 more, I saw very remarkable results in growth and 

 fattening of animals grazing these plants, better 

 than I had ever seen on any other pastures in the 

 world, considering the areas of land used. 



Brome grass is not broom sedge, as some southern 

 readers might infer ; it is a grass coming to us from 

 eastern Europe. 



Brome grass thickens up fast by underground 

 stems or roots, very much as Kentucky bluegrass 

 does. A thin stand of it soon becomes a thick stand 

 if the soil is fit. It ultimately crowds out alfalfa, 

 yet for a few years they grow well together and 

 make an immense amount of grazing. All animals 

 relish it exceedingly. Even Kentucky bluegrass is 



