PERENNIAL FORAGE GRASSES 37 



not adapted. Bermuda grass, however, has been introduced in 

 the south, and more recently smooth brome grass has been in- 

 troduced in the high plains region, and their success leads to the 

 hope that these or yet other grasses may be found which will 

 be adapted to these large areas of the United States. 



PERCE.MT 



4o-6o mm 

 20-40 mm 



O-/OCH3 



Percentage of the improved farm land in hay and forage in 1899 



35. Yield. The average yield of hay from the tame grasses 

 in the United States in 1900 was i.i tons per acre, and did not 

 vary greatly in different parts of the United States. A yield 

 of 2 tons per acre of well cured hay is usually considered a 

 satisfactory yield, and a yield of 3 tons is considered rather 

 unusual, although a yield of 9 tons per acre has been reported. 

 The Cornell Station produced 47 tons of well cured timothy, 

 red, and alsike clover hay from 12 acres. 



The yield of pasture may be stated in the number of animals 

 supported or the returns obtained therefrom. An acre of first- 

 class pasture of Kentucky blue grass may support a i,ooo-pound 

 steer and produce some growth; however, one such animal to 

 2 acres without additional food is perhaps above the average. 

 The Illinois Station suggests, as the result of two years' trials, 

 that while a grain ration to young steers on good pasture may 

 increase the rate of growth in the 'animals, the gains rarely 

 repay the cost of food and labor ; and that it is doubtful whether 



