GRASSES \\l> IWSTUKKS. 733 



Grass seed may be rendered impure and dangerous to sou (a) by the 

 presence of fungus diseases, such as Smut and Ergot, and (/>) by th ! presence 

 of weeds. Smut takes the form of a blackish powder, often found on the 

 seed of such grasses as prairie grass : Ergot is evidenced by small, black, rod- 

 shaped fungus growths attached to or taking the place of the grain in the 

 seed. Ergo! has become fairly common in this State and now occurs on Rye, 

 Fescue, Andropogon, and Hrome grasses. 



Weed seeds are more common in some grasses than others. In the cases of 

 vigorous grow in- grasses like paspalum, rye, prairie, and cocksfoot seed is 

 often fairly pure, and the quantity of weeds is very small. In weaker-growing 

 grasses, however, such as Kentucky blue, the Bent grasses, Arc, weed seeds 

 are often found in great abundance. 



The germination or vitality of seeds refers to the capacity of the germ in 

 the grain to develop under certain favourable conditions into a living plant. 

 The power of grass seed to germinate may be affected by 



(a) age (it may be too old or too young) ; 



(/>) injury done to grain through exposure to certain harmful conditions, 



such as moisture, heat, &c. 

 (c) immature state of grain through being harvested too soon. 



As a rule the grain of grass is capable of developing into healthy plants 

 for a considerable period after being harvested, and very little deterioration 

 results in any i^rass seed for at least a couple of years. Some introduced 

 grasses like rye, cocksfoot, and Fescue then appeal - to deteriorate fairly 

 rapidly. Seeds of many grasses like paspalum and couch require a resting 

 period before germinating. 



Seed is often injured in transit. This is particularly likely to occur to 

 seeds stored in loosely-fitting tins, or packed near or in a hot chamber. 

 Moist seeds are affected much more easily by temperature conditions. 



Seed harvested in an immature state is likely to wrinkle and render the 

 seed coat more susceptible to moist and other climatic conditions and the germ 

 is thus more easily affected. Affected seeds that develop are likely to produce 

 weaker seedings and consequently weaker plants. 



Methods of Sowing. 



Three methods are employed in the seeding of pastures, namely — 



(a) sowing seed in well-cultivated, prepared ground. 



(b) sowing seeds in " burns " ; and 

 (<■) scattering seed broadcast. 



Sovjing on Prepared Ground. — An ideal pasture is best obtained by sowing 

 on a thoroughly prepared seed-bed It is a serious mistake to assume that 

 grass seed can be sown on ground rougher than that required for other crops. 

 As a matter of fact, the more thorough the ploughing, cultivation, and 

 harrowing, the better will be the results. As much weed growth as possible 

 should be eliminated before sowing. Broadcasting the seed — either by hand 

 or by some mechanical contrivance which distributes the seed regularly — is 

 the method generally adopted. A tine day should be chosen for the pu?-pose, 

 and it is a good practice to sow the clover seed at right-angles to the grass. 

 By this means a more uniform distribution is obtained. 



For certain grasses like Phalaris bulbosa, Fescue grasses, cocksfoot, and 

 rye grass, drill sowing can be recommended. A better germination, and a 

 more uniform stand is invariably obtained by this method. 



