PERENNIAL FORAGE GRASSES 85 



may be due to its better adaptation to the soil and climate of 

 that region or it may be due to the fact that timothy thrives 

 less well there. The Arkansas Station recommends orchard 

 grass as the best grass for that state for permanent meadows 

 and pastures. Orchard grass thrives especially well along the 

 Pacific coast west of the Cascade Mountains. 



84. Adaptation. Orchard grass, while perfectly hardy to 

 winter cold, is recognized to be easily injured by late spring 

 frosts. This may account for its more extended cultivation in 

 the region mentioned. Orchard grass is also recognized as 

 enduring shade well; in fact, in shady places it will persist for 

 years and yield abundantly. This has been accounted for by 

 its thick broad leaves. It may also be that the shade prevents 

 injury by late frosts. Orchard grass is not like redtop to be 

 recommended for poor or wet soils, but requires a fairly fertile 

 well drained soil. While a generous supply of moisture is more 

 necessary for its best development than with timothy, it stands 

 periodic droughts much better. The duration of orchard grass 

 is perhaps superior to timothy. Where closely pastured it is 

 said to last three to five years, when it will be generally 

 superseded by the finer grasses. 



85. Value. Orchard grass is a much praised but little cul- 

 tivated grass in Airerica. It has been cultivated in this country 

 at least since 1764, when it was brought into notice in England 

 by its re-introduction from America. While it has been culti- 

 vated more or less since that time, orchard grass hay is not 

 known commercially, and it is known to comparatively few 

 farmers. The fact, however, that it has zealous advocates may 

 indicate that there are special conditions of soil and climate 

 over limited areas in which it produces favorable results. 



Orchard grass produces an abundance of leaves early in the 

 season, being one of the earliest grasses to start in the spring. 

 It throws up seed culms nearly as high as those of timothy, 



