PERENNIAL FnRACK <iR. \SSKS 87 



or meadow fescue ; it was about as readily eaten as timothy 

 and much more readily eaten than redtop. 



86. Mixtures. Because of the habit of orchard grass to 

 grow in tussocks it is generally considered best not to sow 

 orchard grass alone. European authorities recommend that 

 not to exceed 15 per cent, of the herbage shall be orchard 

 grass and that it be not all added at once. Because it ripens 

 at the same time as red clover, they make suitable plants to 

 sow together. At the Illinois Station, however, it was found 

 that red clover developed much more fully when sown with 

 9 pounds of timothy than when sown with 17.5 pounds of 

 orchard grass. The abundance of basal leaves seemed to have 

 a repressive influence both on red clover and on alsike clover. 

 It has also been recommended for seeding with alfalfa. It is 

 said to help the curing of the first cutting with which it matures, 

 and if pastured to prevent bloating. Those who have tried 

 seeding with alfalfa in the North Atlantic states have not 

 usually continued the practise. According to Spillman, how- 

 ever, this method is highly satisfactory in the Rocky Mountain 

 states. Orchard grass does not, like smooth brome grass, have 

 a tendency to spread and choke out the alfalfa. 



87. Cultural Methods. The time and manner of seeding are 

 similar to that of timothy. If sown with timothy and occupying 

 not more than 20 per cent, of the mixture by weight, it may 

 be sown in the grass seeder, but if sown alone it is best to sow 

 by hand. It is especially desirable to harrow orchard grass 

 meadows in the spring and subsequently roll. A top dressing 

 of manure in the early spring materially increases the yield 

 and improves the quality of the seed. 



88. Time of Harvesting. Orchard grass readily becomes 

 unpalatable and needs perhaps more than any other grass to 

 be harvested without delay when the proper time arrives. In 



