RESCUE GRASS. 311 



Preparing the Soil. — As the seed of rescue grass 

 should be sown in the autumn, the ground may be pre- 

 pared any time previously during the summer. After 

 winter crops, ploughing and subsequently pulverizing- 

 will make a timely and suitable seed bed. But if any 

 considerable amount of the seed is allowed to drop 

 in the pastures, and if some such crop as cow peas 

 is made to foUow the seed which has fallen, it will 

 germinate in the autumn and produce grazing or hay 

 and, in some instances, both if desired. 



Sowing. — ^Rescue grass is best sown in the autumn. 

 Ordinarily it is not sown until the fall rains come, as 

 it does not germinate earlier, hence it is commonly 

 sown in September or October. But in some seasons 

 it starts earlier. In other seasons it will not start un- 

 til December or January. Moisture and reasonably 

 cool weather are two of the essentials necessary to the 

 successful growth of rescue grass. 



It is commonly sown alone, but may be sown along 

 with crimson clover and certain other plants. When 

 sown alone about 30 pounds of seed will sufEce per 

 acre. If sown with other plants the amount of seed 

 should be correspondingly reduced. 



Pasturing. — ^While this crop furnishes excellent win- 

 ter grazing, it would not be correct to claim that .it will 

 furnish more grazing in the aggregate than winter oats, 

 but it has been claimed that it has greater power to 

 furnish grazing in cool weather, as for instance, in Jan- 

 uary and February, when such grazing is most needed. 

 It is then especially serviceable in providing food for 

 brood mares with autumn foals, milch cows, ewes with 



