356 DRY LAND FARMING 



Pasture plants grown alone. The grass plants that 

 will prove the most satisfactory in furnishing pastures 

 under arable conditions cannot be stated with absolute 

 precision at the present time, because of the lack of ex- 

 perience in growing these. It is probable, however, that 

 when grown alone, brome grass (Bromus inermis) will 

 furnish more grazing over a wide area than any other 

 grass. Next to brome grass in general adaptation is 

 western rye grass (Agropyrum tenerum) but it will not 

 furnish as much pasture nor does the period of growth 

 cover nearly so large a portion of the growing season. 

 There will be a more limited place for tall oat grass and 

 meadow fescue. Timothy may also be grown under the 

 more moist conditions. For certain kinds of grazing, 

 alfalfa will also have an important place. The impor- 

 tance of this plant for pasture is found, first, in the large 

 growth which it produces ; second, in the long period cov- 

 ered by its growth, and, third, in the fact that a soil 

 mulch may to a certain extent be maintained in the crop. 

 The value of sainfoin in thus providing pasture has yet 

 to be determined under dry conditions. 



Pasture plants grown in combination. It is prob- 

 able that the most valuable pastures in dry areas, as in 

 other areas, will be those that are grown in certain com- 

 binations. Here, also, the grasses that will furnish the 

 best pastures cannot be stated with precision from lack 

 of experience in growing them. In the northern por- 

 tions of the semi-arid belt, a mixture of brome, western 

 rye and alfalfa will probably furnish more pasture than 

 any other grass combination that can be grown. Far- 

 ther south, tall oat grass or meadow fescue will probably 

 take the place of brome grass. In the more moist areas, 

 as where the annual rainfall is near 20 inches, the old- 

 time pasture, timothy and clover, will probably best serve 

 the end sought. 



