338 FORAGE CROPS 



RUSSIAN BROME GRASS {Bromus inermis) (Figs. 62, 63) 



This perennial grass was introduced into the 

 United States in 1882, and is now widely grown 

 in Canada and in North and South Dakota, and in 

 the western parts of Minnesota, also in Kansas 

 and Nebraska, and in parts of many other of the 

 western states, both because it is itself a good 

 grass crop and because it resists cold and drought. 



The habits of growth of this plant are similar 

 to those of quack-grass; it has creeping root- 

 stocks, branching out in every direction, and these 

 produce at each joint a bud, which is capable 

 of producing another plant. It grows to an average 

 height of about two feet, although under good con- 

 ditions it will reach a much greater height. The 

 leaves are broad, thick and abundant, when the 

 soil is good. This grass makes a large yield, 

 because of the thickness, even though the height 

 is somewhat reduced. It is well adapted to light, 

 dry soils. It starts in spring earlier than any of 

 the other valuable grasses. It matures usually in 

 the month of June. It is a very .palatable grass, 

 all animals being fond of it. Because of its habit 

 of growth, it makes a valuable pasture throughout 

 the entire season, and is also useful as hay. The 

 yields from an average crop are one and one -half 

 to three tons per acre. 



Bromus inermis is adapted to a wide variety 



