CHAPTER IV 

 CULTURE OF GRASSES 



THE culture of grass crops is governed by the same 

 general principles that are applicable to other farm crops. 



GENERAL PRINCIPLES 



To produce the best results, ordinary meadow grasses 

 require a fertile, well drained soil. Of course there are 

 soils upon which, because they are sandy, rocky, alkaline, 

 or are too wet or too dry, average crops cannot be grown. 

 Upon such soils it may be possible to grow species espe- 

 cially adapted to them, and such grasses may require 

 special methods of culture. These requirements are 

 mentioned under the paragraphs devoted to the indi- 

 vidual grasses. The methods of culture are similar to 

 those used in the growing of grain, in practically all 

 regions where grain is raised. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 



Meadow grasses have small seeds, hence require a soil 

 that has been put in fine tilth in which they may be 

 lightly and evenly sown and not deeply buried. A 

 coarse lumpy surface causes waste of seed, for much of 

 it will be placed in such unfavorable environment that 

 either it will fail to germinate or fail to live and grow 

 after germination. The depth of plowing must depend 

 upon circumstances. Under usual conditions the drain- 

 30 



