AND OTHER FORAGE PLANTS. 61 



I know but one objection to it. Like tall oat grass, it is dis- 

 posed to grow in clumps and leave much of the ground uncov- 

 ered. This may be obviated by thick seeding, using t^o and a 

 half or better three bushels of seed per acre.' It will not do to 

 seed thinly with the hope that seeds grown on the plants will 

 -fall, germinate and fill the gaps. They will not germinate when 

 so falling, although when properly sown on prepared soil, it is 

 one of the most certain grasses to make a good catch. 



The gaps may be prevented by sowing with it a few pounds of 

 red top seed. But as the latter multiplies annually from seeds 

 dropping, it .would in a few years root out the orchard grass. In 

 common with others, I prefer red clover with orchard grass. It 

 fills the gaps and matures at the same time with orchard grass ; 

 the mixture makes good pasture and good hay. But if mowed 

 more than twice a year, or grazed too soon after the second 

 mowing the clover will rapidly fail. One peck of red clover 

 seed and six pecks of orchard grass seed is a good proportion per 

 acre. 



Whether it is more profitable to mow orchard grass but twice 

 a year and thus have earlier, better and more prolonged winter 

 pasture ; or to mow three or four times and have later, inferior 

 and for a shorter time, winter pasture, is a question affected by 

 so many contingencies and permutations that the satisfactory 

 discussion would be so complex and occupy so many pages that 

 it is deemed proper not to entertain it here ; but leave it for 

 each reader to decide from his own stand-point in view of his 

 own purposes, objects and surroundings. I decidedly prefer 

 for my o\vn purposes and with my own experience but two mow- 

 ings a year of the mixed clover and orchard grass and not more 

 than three of orchard grass alone and this only if the season be 

 very favorable. It should not be grazed soon after mowing if 

 good, early winter pasture be expected. 



"This valuable grass is indigenous to the soil of America, and 

 from its adaptability to various soils, its early and late growth, 

 luxuriant foliage and nutritive qualities, is well entitled to an 

 equality with any grass either native or foreign." (Henderson.) 

 I therefore give several analyses. Taken green from the field 

 and in bloom, 100 parts gave : 



According to Way. Schevan and Ritthausen. 



Water, 70.00 65.00 



Albuminoids, 4.06 3.-00 



Fatty matter, .94 .80 



Carbohydrates, 13.30 12.60 



Woody fibre, 10.11 16.10 



Ash, 1.59 2.40 



100.00 99.90 



