B. P. I.—322. 
THE CULTURE AND USES OF BROME-GRASS. 
By R. A. OaK.ey, Assistant Agrostologist, Forage Crop Investigations. 
INTRODUCTION. 
It is the purpose of this bulletin to describe some of the more gen- 
eral methods used in the growing and utilization of brome-grass in 
the sections where it is now of most importance, and not to discuss 
in complete detail its culture throughout the entire United States. 
While the methods described are those employed in North Dakota, 
South Dakota, and the Canadian Northwest, they are also applicable 
in general to all other sections where this grass can be grown. ‘The 
treatment given the subject is slightly inconsistent, since the methods 
actually practiced by the farmers and the suggestions and conclu- 
sions drawn by the writer from his investigations are combined in 
such a way as not to make them entirely distinct. It is hoped, how- 
ever, that the matter will in this form be of more assistance to those 
contemplating the growing of the grass than were another plan of 
arrangement followed. 
Brome-grass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), sometimes called smooth 
brome or Hungarian brome, is a vigorous perennial grass, possessing 
ageressive underground rootstocks by which it propagates readily. 
In general, it grows from 15 to 30 inches high, but under exception- 
ally favorably conditions it attains a height of 4 feet or more. The 
seed is borne in an open panicle closely resembling that of the well- 
known chess, or cheat, and is produced abundantly. (See Pl. V, 
fig. 1.) Although the grass is inclined to mat at the base, the entire 
stem is also quite leafy. (See Pl. V, fig. 2.) 
Brome-grass was introduced from Europe about 1880 and has at- 
tained considerable importance in North Dakota, South Dakota, and 
the Pacific Northwest. It is grown in this country to some extent 
throughout the general region from Kansas north to the Canadian 
boundary and west to the Pacific coast, but its importance in the 
timothy and clover region is at present very limited. The grass is 
capable of withstanding severe cold and extended periods of drought, 
but it is seriously affected by heat, and consequently can not be grown 
successfully south of the southern boundary of Kansas except at high 
altitudes or under otherwise favorable conditions. It does well on 
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