59. MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 
a variety of soils, but gives best results on soil that is well supplied 
with humus. It can, however, be grown very successfully on sandy 
or gravelly land. 
In the Dakotas and the closely adjacent sections brome-grass is 
of more importance than in any other portion of this country. It 
has been grown in this region for twelve or fifteen years, but is 
as yet not so widely distributed as would be expected. Improved 
methods of growing alfalfa, making that crop more certain, are in a 
measure responsible for the comparatively limited use of brome- 
grass. This is true more especially in South Dakota than in North 
Dakota. In.sections where alfalfa can be grown brome-grass can 
not compete with it asa hay crop. In the more humid portion of the 
above-named States and on the better classes of soil it has the reputa- 
tion of being difficult to eradicate, and, whether this is warranted or 
not, this belief has a decided tendency to make thé grass unpopular 
in such sections. For the above reasons and because there is still a 
considerable quantity of native hay produced, and consequently not 
such a pressing demand for cultivated grasses, brome-grass has not 
attained more importance than is the case at present. 
METHODS OF CULTURE. 
PREPARATION OF THE SEED BED. 
For the preparation of the seed bed it is the common practice to 
plow the ground as early as possible in the spring, which in most sec- 
tions is in March or very early in April. It is then put into condition 
for seeding by a thorough harrowing, or by disking, harrowing, and 
rolling. A careful preparatory treatment is considered essential in 
the securing of a good stand of grass. Some successful growers favor 
fall plowing, since this puts the land in better condition for seeding 
in the spring. Brome-grass follows all crops with practically the 
same results. It does well after corn, as well-cultivated corn ground 
is usually quite free from weeds. Wheat and oats, however, are most 
commonly the preceding crops. 
SEEDING. 
The seed is usually sown during the first part of April or as soon as 
the weather 1s favorable, which may be even as early as the latter part 
of March. One bushel (14 pounds) to the acre is considered by most 
growers to be a sufficient quantity of seed to produce a satisfactory 
stand, and good results are often obtained with 10 to 12 pounds. At 
the Manitoba experimental farm 10 pounds of good seed is recom- 
mended, and 10 to 12 pounds at the Saskatchewan experimental farm. 
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