124 FOR BETTER CROPS 



save in the semi-arid west, quack grass which is widely scattered 

 over farms in the northern, central and eastern states, and 

 which persists in growing where it is not desired. Johnson 

 grass and quack grass yield well, but both are so persistent in 

 their growth that they should never be sown. Bermuda and 

 Kentucky blue grass have far higher relative adaption for pas- 

 ture than for hay, hence they should only be sown or planted 

 for pasture. 



The three grasses, timothy, Russian brome, and western rye 

 grass or slender wheat grass, as it is sometimes called, may be 

 grown with other grasses, but for certain reasons, are very fre- 

 quently sown alone, 



Timothy is the most valuable of all grasses. It stands ship- 

 ping best. It has higher adaption to the needs of horses, partly 

 on account of its composition, and partly because of its freedom 

 from dust. For these reasons it is very frequently grown alone. 



The mow^ing machine 



Russian brome grass is frequently grown alone in the Dakotas 

 and the northwestern provinces of Canada, because of its high 

 relative adaption to the conditions found there. For a similar 

 reason western rye grass is sown alone in the same areas, and 

 more particularly where the conditions are driest. 



More commonly, however, hay is sown in mixtures. The 

 following are among the chief reasons for sowing it thus: 



1. Larger yields are obtained, 



2. Usually such hay has a wider adaption for feeding than 

 is possessed by any one variety. 



• 3. It is frequently more easily cured than if grown alone. 

 Experience has shown that in growing plants in certain com- 

 l)inations, larger yields may be obtained than when they are 

 grown singly. This is owing to the fact, doubtless, that in mix- 

 tures they more completely occupy the soil, and to the further 

 fact, that each draws most heavily on its own proper food ele- 

 ments in the soil, hence more plant food is appropriated by the 



