40 



cum colonum after the wheat crop has been removed, it would give a 

 crop of at least 2 tons of valuable hay per acre from land generally 

 left to the weeds. If cut just as the seeds were beginning to form 

 and thoroughly cured, such hay would be excellent to feed with 

 Alfalfa (lucerne), and, if properly mixed, the two would make a first- 

 class combination. A little corn added would produce an almost typical 

 ration." (Some New Mexico Forage Plants, Bulletin No. 18, March, 

 1896, p. 65.) 



The late Dr. George Vasey, in <c The Agricultural Grasses of the 

 United States," says of the Barnyard Grass : " In the Northern States 

 it is esteemed as a rough coarse weed ; in the South it is often utilised 

 and considered a very useful grass. He quotes Dr. Charles Mohe, of 

 Mobile, Alabama, who says : ' It grows luxuriantly, particularly in 

 the lowlands of the coast, is greedily eaten by horses and cattle, and 

 makes a hay of good quality. It is justly regarded as an excellent 

 grass, particularly before it ripens its seed, as in the latter stages of 

 its growth the long and stiff awns of its spikes tend to make it some- 

 what unpalatable. 5 He also quotes Professor Phares, of Mississippi, 

 who says : ' In Louisiana, Mississippi, and some other States, it is 

 mowed annually. Some farmers assure me that they harvest 4 or 5 

 tons of hay per acre. It may be cut twice each season by making the 

 first mowing as soon as it begins to bloom. I know no one who plants 

 it ; but it annually re-seeds the ground and requires no cultivation 

 or other care, save protection from live stock and the labour of 

 harvesting. Being a coarse grass, with long leaves and large succulent 

 stems, it requires care to make into hay. In one county of Missis- 

 sippi, hundreds of acres are annually mowed on single farms. Cows 

 and horses are very fond of it whether green or dry. Farmers who 

 have tested it most thoroughly for many years prefer it to the best 

 corn fodder/ " 



Here is a Canadian opinion of it : " A tall coarse grass, producing a 

 great quantity of succulent feed, which is highly relished by stock. 

 It grows in low land and around dwellings throughout the country. 

 In the early stages of growth it is excellent and nutritious feed ; but 

 as it reaches maturity, in common with most grasses, it deteriorates 

 rapidly indeed somewhat more rapidly than any other." (Fletcher, 

 Bulletin No. 19, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.) 



Mr. Fletcher also gives an analysis of a Canadian specimen of this 

 grass. The sample selected was in flower. Following is its percentage 

 composition : 



