ORCHARD-GRASS, OAT-GRASS, BROME^GRASSES 183 



187. Harvesting orchard-grass for seed. In the 

 United States most of the seed is grown in the counties of 

 Jefferson, Oldham and Shelby in Kentucky, Clark County, 

 Indiana, Clinton and Highland Counties, Ohio, and in 

 northern Virginia. The average yield an acre, as reported 

 by the better farmers, is ten to twelve bushels. Har- 

 vesting usually begins about the middle of June, the crop 

 being ready for cutting as soon as the seeds become straw- 

 colored. This is easily detected by bending the heads 

 in the palm of the hand, and if. some of the seeds shatter 

 out, it is ready to cut. The grass is practically always 

 harvested with an ordinary grain binder, care being taken 

 to make small bundles so as to facilitate rapid curing. 

 The bundles are commonly placed three in a shock, which 

 is tied with two bands of straw so as to hold the bundles 

 firmly and prevent the seed from shattering. Depending 

 on the weather, the shocks are left in the field up to four 

 weeks before they are cured thoroughly. Thrashing 

 usually takes place directly from the field. As a rule the 

 grass is cut high so as to avoid low-growing weeds, and 

 also because the undergrowth is thus left for subsequent 

 pasturing or to be cut as hay. The thrashing is done with 

 an ordinary grain thrasher, but using special riddles and 

 but little wind. 



188. Weeds. The most troublesome weeds in orchard- 

 grass fields in the states where the seed is mainly grown 

 are whiteweed (Erigeron strigosus and E. annuus) ; sorrel 

 (Rumex acetosella) ; oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum Leucan- 

 themum) ; milfoil (Achillcea Mittefolium) ; and buckhorn 

 (Plantago lanceolata) . 



Some seed growers cut out these weeds with a hoe 

 before the crop of orchard-grass is harvested, but this 

 method is expensive. Spraying with weed-killing chem- 



