338 FORAGE CROPS 
RUSSIAN BROME GRASS (Bromus inermis) (Figs. 62, 63) 
This perennial grass was introduced into the 
United States in 1882, and is now widely grown 
in Canada and in North and South Dakota, and in 
the western parts of Minnesota, also in Kansas 
and Nebraska, and in parts of many other of the 
western states, both because it is itself a good 
grass crop and because it resists cold and drought. 
The habits of growth of this plant are similar 
to those of quack-grass; it has creeping root- 
stocks, branching out in every direction, and these 
produce at each joint a bud, which is capable 
of producing another plant. It grows to an average 
height of about two feet, although under good con- 
ditions it will reach a much greater height. The 
leaves are broad, thick and abundant, when the 
soil is good. This grass makes a large yield, 
because of the thickness, even though the height 
is somewhat reduced. It is well adapted to light, 
dry soils. It starts in spring earlier than any of 
the other valuable grasses. It matures usually in 
the month of June. It is a very palatable grass, 
all animals being fond of it. Because of its habit 
of growth, it makes a valuable pasture throughout 
the entire season, and is also useful as hay. The 
yields from an average crop are one and one-half 
to three tons per acre. 
Bromus inermis is adapted to a wide variety 
