200 



FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



for hay. When grown for seed, it should not be seeded 

 so thickly as for hay, usually only nine or ten pounds per 

 acre being used. The crop is cut with a grain binder or 

 with a self -rake, and the bundles are either set up in shocks 

 or hauled to the barn. The yield of seed per acre varies 



Fig. 71.- 



- Plots of timothy at Cornell University, showing variation 

 in manner of growth. 



from 3 to 20 bushels, the average probably being about 

 10 bushels. After thrashing, the straw is of some value as 

 feed, though it is greatly inferior to timothy hay when 

 cut at the proper time. 



187. Improvement of timothy. — Much has been ac- 

 complished by systematic selection in the improvement 

 of the small grains, but it does not seem to have occurred 



