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CROPS OF MINOR IMPORTANCE. 25 
Cueat (Bromus secalinus).—In the eastern United States this grass 
is known as a bad weed in grain fields, but in the Willamette Valley 
of western Oregon it is used quite extensively for hay. It is common 
to see cheat sown along the draws or other low portions of grain fields. 
Mr. T. H. Cooper, a farmer near Corvallis who utilizes cheat in this 
way, sows the seed broadcast in the fall at the rate of 1 to 14 bushels 
per acre. He cuts the hay when it is in the dough state, which is 
about the last of June. The yield of seed is about 40 bushels per acre, 
a bushel weighing 35 to 40 pounds. Itis quite probable that cheat 
could be used for forage in other localities. 
PERENNIAL RYE GRASS (Lolium perenne).—This is commonly grown 
in the Willamette Valley and in some other parts of Oregon and 
Washington and proves to be a good grass for pasture and _ hay. 
Although not considered as a grass for dry regions, the trials at the 
experiment stations of Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming indicate that 
it stands well as a drought-resisting grass. The variety known as 
Italian rye grass scarcely differs from this, except in usually having 
the chaff or flowering glume provided with a bristle at the tip, and in 
growing somewhat taller. 
Rare (Brassica napus).—A plant to be recommended for pasture 
in the cooler parts of the Northwest is rape. It is now used to a lim- 
ited extent in several localities, especially in the Rocky Mountain 
region. Asa forage plant for sheep and as succulent forage for sum- 
mer and fall, rape is to be highly recommended. It is not easily 
injured by frost and hence is available as fall feed. The seed should 
be sown in June or July, and rape may consequently be grown as a 
catch crop after grain or other early maturing crops. Where there is 
sufficient moisture the seed may be sown broadcast, but in the drier 
regions much better results are obtained by sowing in drills far enough 
apart to permit of cultivation. In eight to ten weeks from sowing it 
is ready for use, and sheep can be turned into the field to pasture off 
the succulent growth. It is also an excellent feed for cattle, but they 
are likely to waste more by trampling than smaller stock. 
FIELD PEAS (Pisum arvense).—This leguminous plant is adapted for 
use as a forage plant in the northern portion of the Northwest and 
farther south in the mountains. At present it seems to be grown to 
a comparatively limited extent, but it is worthy of culture to a much 
greater degree. Canada field peas can scarcely compete with alfalfa 
in the regions where the latter can be grown; but where alfalfa is not 
successful on account of the cooler climate the peas are an excellent 
substitute, in that they are rich in protein, and hence have a high 
feeding value. It is best to sow them with grain—oats, wheat, or 
barley being used for the combination—at the rate of 1 to 14 bushels 
of peas to an equal quantity of grain. The crop can be cut for hay or 
used for pasture. 
