ORCHARD-GRASS, OAT-GRASS, BROME-GRASSES 181 



ing of the seed apparently gives the best results, and some- 

 times it is broadcasted with subsequent harrowing. 



For Ohio Williams recommends 20 pounds per acre for 

 hay, and 12 to 20 pounds if for seed production. 



Werner recommends 35 pounds in Germany, and Stebler 

 the same amount in Switzerland. 



184. Life history. If sown in spring orchard-grass 

 does not come to bloom the first season. Its development 

 is very slow as compared to other grasses. In mixtures 

 it may not bloom till the third season. 



Orchard-grass is very long-lived and persists indefi- 

 nitely when once planted. Individual plants are known 

 to live eight years and they will probably live much longer. 



Where orchard-grass seed-production is carried on, 

 fields are usually allowed to lay five to seven years. 



185. Harvesting for hay. Orchard-grass should be 

 cut for hay as soon as it reaches full bloom. If permitted 

 to stand longer, the stems become much more woody. 

 Its period of maturity is usually three weeks to a month 

 earlier than that of timothy. This earlier date of harvest- 

 ing is advantageous in the case of land badly infested with 

 oxeye daisy and fleabane, as these weeds have not ripened 

 their seed at the time orchard-grass hay is cut, and con- 

 sequent^ the use of orchard-grass tends to free the land 

 of these weeds. 



After the first crop of hay has been harvested orchard- 

 grass produces a rapid and abundant second growth, 

 which consists largely of leaves, the culms being com- 

 paratively few. This second growth is much greater than 

 that of any other hay grass adapted to temperate condi- 

 tions. The yield of hay from the second crop is usually 

 smaller than the first. 



Even when the first crop is cut for seed, the second 



