PERENNIAL RYE GRASS. 281 



the preparation has been defective than with some other 

 grasses. 



Sowing. — Perennial rye grass may be sown in the 

 autumn or in the spring. Early sowing is to be pre- 

 ferred both seasons when practicable, that the plants 

 may enter the winter in a strong condition in the one 

 case, and that they may better withstand dry weather in 

 summer in the other. August and September would 

 be favorable months for autumn sowing. In the spring 

 it is usually considered preferable to defer sowing until 

 the seed may be sown by hand and then covered with the 

 harrow. , i , | 



The seed may be sown, alone or in certain combina- 

 tions. When wanted for soiling food, it is usually 

 sown alone ; when wanted for hay it may be sown with 

 advantage with red clover, as both mature early ; when 

 wanted for pasture it may be sown alone, but better 

 with grasses not too aggressive in character. In the 

 North, perennial rye grass, medium red clover and tim- 

 othy would make a suitable combination on average 

 soils, and in the South perennial rye grass, orchard grass 

 and tall oat grass. As with all varieties of grass, it is 

 commonly sown by hand, and covered with harrow or 

 roller or by using both. 



When sown alone not less than 1 bushel of seed is 

 required nor more than 2 bushels. When sown with 

 red clover 12 pounds of the rye grass and 10 pounds of 

 the clover should ordinarily suffice. When timothy is 

 added to the mixture the amounts of rye grass and clover 

 respectively should be reduced. With orchard grass 

 and tall oat grass in the South 12 pounds of the rye 



