96 THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



seeding gives the best results. It is sometimes sown with 

 winter wheat. In regions where it is inadvisable to plow on 

 account of drifting sands it has been found prac- 

 ticable, by opening the ground at intervals with a 

 spade and depositing seed, to secure such a stand 

 of this grass as to greatly improve the existing 

 range conditions. It is recommended to sow with 

 alfalfa especially for pasture, the amount of pas- 

 ture being increased thereby and the smooth brome 

 grass preventing the alfalfa from bloating the 

 cattle. (86) 



99. Time of Harvesting. Smooth brome grass 

 blooms distinctly later than Kentucky blue grass 

 and somewhat earlier than timothy. It is said to 

 get hard and woody rather rapidly, hence cutting 

 as soon as it is in bloom is advised. At the North 

 Dakota Station smooth brome grass was cut at 

 three stages of growth namely, (i) in blossom, 

 (2) in milk stage, (3) when fully mature. The 

 Spike let of we ig nt of water-free substance per acre was as 

 smooth brome follows: (i) 2,290, (2) 2,462, and (3) 2,802 pounds. 

 fagged two Comparatively little difference in composition was 

 times. found at the different stages of maturity. 1 



100. Value. Smooth brome grass makes a good yield of hay 

 when first seeded, but in a year or two the yield of hay falls 

 off, apparently on account of the dense sod formed. It is 

 thereafter best fitted for pasture, of which it furnishes a great 

 abundance. It starts early in the spring, grows late in the fall, 

 and withstands drought best of any cultivated forage grass. 

 The hay is readily eaten by horses, cattle, and sheep, and the 

 pasture is extremely palatable. At the Cornell Station cattle 



i North Dakota Sta. Bui. No. 47. 1901. 



