RYE AND BARLEY 71 



any soil, provided it be fairly well drained. It has been 

 found to endure a greater amount of acidity in the soil than 

 oats, wheat; or barley plants. (R. I. Expr. Sta., Rpt. 1907, 

 p. 359.) 



While rye will grow on poor soils, it is possible to make 

 large yields of forage only on rich or highly fertilized land. 

 With rye intended for soiling, a liberal use of stable manure 

 constitutes the best fertilization. If commercial fertilizers 

 alone must be used, it is usually advisable to apply acid 

 phosphate; in addition cotton-seed meal may be applied at 

 the time of planting and not in contact with the seed, or else 

 nitrate of soda may be employed as a top dressing before 

 the stems have formed. On very sandy soils there may 

 be need for a small amount of potash. 



72. Preparation and sowing. — Rye may be sown 

 either (1) broadcast, or (2) in drills 6 or 8 inches apart by the 

 use of a grain drill, or (3) it may be sown by hand or planter 

 in drills 18 to 24 inches apart. For soiling purposes it is 

 preferable to sow in drills, but for grazing, broadcast sowing 

 is the most common. Rye may be sown through a longer 

 period than any of the other small grains. September 1 is 

 not too early for a sowing on rich land with the purpose of 

 furnishing soiling food in December, January, and February. 

 Sowings may be made at intervals throughout the fall and 

 even up to December 15, the later sowing making a smaller 

 yield. When sown broadcast, the amount of seed needed 

 for grain production is 4 to 5 pecks per acre, and for pas- 

 turage 6 to 8 pecks. In planting rye in 18-inch drills, one 

 bushel per acre is usually sufficient. For pasturage, rye 

 may be sown with crimson clover (Fig. 25) or with other 

 winter-growing legumes. 



