146 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



bushel. The yield of the seed frequently increases from 

 year to year for several years, and the stand also thick- 

 ens from the shattering out of the seed. Much of the 

 home grown seed is now produced in Kentucky, Indiana 

 and Idaho. 



Renewing. Since orchard grass is one of the most 

 abiding of grasses on soils which are adapted to it, or 

 these it is not difficult to renew it. When not pastured too 

 closely, some of the seed will mature. When this falls, 

 young plants spring up and renew the pasture. But 

 where this cannot be done, the pasture may be thickened 

 especially on favorable soils, by sowing seed in the early 

 fall or spring and covering the same with the harrow. 

 Under conditions of abundant moisture harrowing may 

 not be necessary. The amount of seed to sow will of 

 course vary with the needs of the pasture. If the 

 weather following such attempts at renewal should prove 

 unfavorable, it may be necessary to sow again when 

 the opportune season arrives. When the ground is kept 

 well covered with plants, the herbage will be finer and 

 consequently better than when the plants are fewer 

 and the yield in pasture is also greater. On soils 

 which are liable to heave, the roller can occasionally be 

 used with much advantage, as may be necessary, and 

 this is true also of orchard grass kept for meadow or for 

 hay. This must be done in the spring when the ground 

 is not too moist to poach, nor too dry to prevent the 

 proper firming of the plants. 



