No. 4.] MANAGEMENT OV MOWINGS. 867 



Italian Rye Grass and JPeremual llye Grass. — These 

 species of grass are said to be of the highest importance in 

 Great Britain, and early writers upon tlie grass crop in 

 America, copying to some extent from Englisli bool^s, fre- 

 quently urged their cultivation. They seem to be less well 

 suited to the drier climate of this country, with its more 

 severe winters, than to Great Britain, and they are less 

 hard}^ than most of our grasses. It is sometimes asserted 

 that the i)erennial rye grass is much more hardy than the 

 Italian ; but, according to the writer's observation, there 

 seems to be no great difference between the two s})ecies in 

 res})ect to their ability to endure our winters. The seed of 

 both varieties is relatively large. These species, therefore, 

 make a quick start, and are capable of soon covering and 

 occupying the ground. They are relatively early in coming 

 into flower, and, while they are not sufficiently hardy to 

 make it wise to depend upon them largely, it is the belief 

 of the writer that a moderate amount of the seed of these 

 grasses may wisely be included in mixtures composed chiefly 

 of orchard grass, because of the contribution they will make, 

 with a fairly flivorable winter, to the product of the first one 

 or two years, during which period they will help fill in be- 

 tween the larger and coarser orchard grass and other early 

 species. If but one variety is to be tried for this purpose, 

 the writer's preference would be for the Italian rye grass. 



Awnless Brome Grass. — This species belongs to the 

 same genus with some of the annual grasses which are re- 

 garded as troublesome weeds in some sections and which are 

 known by the names of chess, cheat, etc. It has very vig- 

 orous underground stems, and it is sometimes suggested that 

 it may be difficult to get rid of it when the land is plowed. 

 Experience on the Agricultural College grounds indicates 

 this fear to be groundless. Awnless brome grass is an 

 early-flowering species, and adapted, therefore, to sowing 

 in mixture with orchard grass and other relatively early va- 

 rieties. It inclines somewhat to the wiry habit of witch 

 grass, but if cut early makes fairly palatable hay. It is the 

 writer's opinion that the species has been much over-praised, 

 and yet that it is worth trial by farmers occupying the lighter 

 and drier soils. 



