2? CULTIVATED FORAGE CROPS OF THE NORTHWEST. 
sagebrush land, and without previous preparation, a mixture of 
alfalfa, timothy, red clover, and orchard grass were sown. Beyond 
irrigation, nothing further was done. The pasture, now 3 years old, 
is in excellent condition and consists chiefly of alfalfa and timothy. 
Under this treatment the sagebrush has gradually disappeared, though 
the dead stems may be found on the ground beneath the growth of 
grass. A meadow can be established in the same manner, but it is 
then necessary to level the land by some means, such as dragging the 
surface with heavy railroad iron drawn by several horses. 
GRAIN Hay. 
In central California and parts of the interior region, hay made from 
cereals isan important product. Grain hay is made from wheat, which 
is considered the best; from barley, and, to a less extent, from oats, 
though in many localities wild oat hay is commonly preserved. As 
previously stated, alfalfa is generally consumed on the farm, while 
grain hay supplies the city markets. For convenience it is usually 
baled. It is often the case that the price of the grain determines 
whether the crop shall be converted into hay or the grain be allowed 
to mature. For hay, the grain is cut when between the milk and the 
dough stages. It is preserved the same as other hay, but is allowed 
to cure in the bunch. It may then be stacked or, if possible, baled 
from the bunch. As there is little or no rain in the grain-hay region 
of California, there is little danger of injury from this cause by leaving 
the hay in the bunches. 
On a large ranch near Lovelocks, Nev., an example was presented 
of the use of wheat to supplement the alfalfa crop. The latter had 
been seriously injured by the ravages of a variety of field mouse. 
Wheat was sown in the spring to fill up the places left bare from this 
cause and the mixed crop was converted into hay in the usual manner. 
Reptop (Agrostis alba). 
Redtop is frequently grown on wet meadows in the northern Rocky 
Mountain region and to some extent in other localities. It is not con: 
sidered as valuable a grass as timothy, but from the fact that it thrives 
in moist land and can be sown upon native meadow, where under irri 
gation it resists fairly well the encroachments of rushes (wire grass), 
it is utilized both for hay and pasture. It is not usually grown alone, 
but with other grasses or clovers. 
AwNLeEss BroME Grass (Bromus inermis). 
Awnless brome grass“ has been grown for many years in Europe, 
«¥or further information concerning this grass, see Circular No. 18, Division of 
Agrostology, U. 8. Dept. of Agriculture, ‘‘Smooth Brome Grass.”’ 
