342 FORAGE CROPS 



The preparation of land, and seeding 



Russian brorue grass does not grow rapidly 

 the first season. Therefore the land should be 

 well prepared and free from weed seeds before 

 planting. It is more desirable to sow after a 

 cultivated crop, or on land that has been sum- 

 mer-fallowed part of the season. The good 

 preparation necessary for the seeding of any 

 grass will answer. It may be sown in fall or 

 spring, although, under average conditions, the 

 most favorable time is the early spring, especially 

 if sown with a nurse crop. If seeded in August 

 or September, on land that has been well pre- 

 pared, it should make a good crop the following 

 season. In the South, it is preferable to sow in 

 the fall, owing to the fear of destruction by the 

 hot, dry weather of the following summer. 



When seeded without other grasses, twelve to 

 fifteen pounds per acre is sufficient, when in- 

 tended for hay; sixteen to twenty pounds should 

 be used when intended for pasture. When it is 

 a part of a combination of other grasses, the 

 proportions may be two to five pounds, according 

 to the object of the seeding, although little expe- 

 rience has accumulated in this country as to its 

 permanent character in pasture and meadows. 

 Its natural tendency is to crowd out other less 

 vigorous grasses 



