THE CULTURE AND USES OF BROME-GRASS. it 
by stock. This is an important feature, especially where sheep are 
grazed. Even after the grass has become sod-bound and 'produces 
only lght yields of hay it can still be pastured profitably for two or 
three years. ‘While it is impossible at the present time to secure 
definite data in regard to the carrying capacity of Bromus inermis 
pastures, it can be conservatively stated that both in favorable and 
unfavorable seasons they furnish more grazing in the western part 
of the Dakotas than the native grasses and more in the eastern part 
than Kentucky bluegrass. 
HAY. 
Brome-grass is not an ideal hay grass, although for two or three 
years after sowing it gives a satisfactory yield of a very good quality 
of hay. On rich land the yield is better than the average for stand- 
ard grasses, and the quality is good. (See PI. VI, fig. 1.) It is 
generally agreed that the best stage at which to cut brome-grass for 
hay is just after it has passed full bloom and is in the condition 
known as the “purple.” The practice is, however, quite elastic in 
this respect, as the grass makes hay of good quality when cut either 
before or after this stage. No definite feeding experiments have as 
yet been conducted to determine the value of brome-grass hay in 
comparison with other standard hays or fodder, but general experi- 
ence indicates that it is almost, if not quite, equal to timothy for 
eattle (especially dairy cows), for horses not at work, and for sheep. 
When properly cured it 1s very palatable and is relished by all 
classes of stock, but on account of its laxative properties it can not 
be recommended as a feed for livery horses or horses at hard work. 
Different writers in discussing brome-grass disagree in regard to 
its nutritive value as compared with a standard grass such as timothy. 
Chemical analyses disagree also, and it is difficult to compare these 
grasses, since the samples have been taken at different stages of 
maturity and also under otherwise different conditions. The average 
of analyses given in Bulletin 56 of the Iowa Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station shows water-free samples of Bromus inermis to con- | 
tain 3.48 per cent of fat and 14.14 per cent of protein, and samples 
of timothy under the same conditions to contain 4.83 per cent of fat 
and 12.27 per cent of protein. These analyses indicate that the 
grasses are near enough alike to be of equal feeding value. The 
verdict of the feeder, however, is in most cases to be taken in prefer- 
ence to that of the chemist, and it is doubtful whether brome-grass 
will ever be considered quite equal to timothy as feed for stock. 
Brome-grass is usually ready to cut for hay from the last of June 
until the 20th of July, depending on the locality. When conditions 
are favorable, it is possible to secure two cuttings, the first about 
tt Vi 
