OTHER GRASSES OF SECONDARY IMPORTANCE 213 



At the present time English seedsmen advertise several 

 varieties of this grass, but in some instances these 

 " varieties " are merely seeds of different weights or sizes 

 separated by machinery. 



245. Culture. Perennial rye-grass may be sown 

 either in the fall or in the spring, the former being pref- 

 erable, as but little return can be obtained the first season 

 if spring sown. The young plants grow more rapidly 

 than most perennial grasses, so that some winter and early 

 spring pasturage is afforded, in regions of mild winters. 

 If used for pasturage the European practice is to pasture 

 heavily enough to keep the culms from developing, as 

 animals will not eat these. If grown for hay, one good 

 cutting and a second smaller one may be secured. In 

 common with most grasses, it should be cut when in full 

 bloom. 



In pure cultures perennial rye-grass lasts three or four 

 years when cut as hay, and somewhat longer if kept 

 closely pastured. In mixed hay meadows it soon dis- 

 appears. 



When sown alone, 25 to 35 pounds to the acre is used. 



246. Hay yields. The hay yield of perennial rye- 

 grass is not as large as most hay grasses. In Europe 

 Werner gives the average yield to the acre as 3800 pounds, 

 but as high as 7400 pounds has been recorded. Karmrodt 

 in four successive years on the same plot secured yields 

 to the hectare of 6791, 10,432, 9407 and 6653 kilograms, 

 the yield being decidedly best in the second and third 

 years. 



American experiment station yields to the acre in pounds 

 are reported as follows : North Carolina, 5229 ; Kentucky, 

 4640 ; Ohio, 1822, 6-year average ; Kansas, 1050, 2-year 

 average ; Arlington Farm, Virginia, 2800 ; Utah, 1410 



