MEADOW FESCUE. 27 



The seed of these grasses is usually of good quality and germinates 

 well. It weighs from 14 to 20 pounds per bushel. It may be sown 

 in the spring, but early fall seeding gives the best results in this 

 region. When sown alone from 25 to -10 pounds of seed per acre 

 should give satisfactory stands. The rye-grasses sown with clover 

 make excellent silage. 



ORCHARD GRASS. 



Orchard grass (Dactylis glome rata) thrives remarkably w T ell on all 

 tillable soils west of the Cascade Mountains, except those that are 

 very wet. It is the earliest grass to start to grow in the spring; it 

 revives quickly after it is cropped by stock or cut for hay, especially 

 if the soil is moist ; it remains green during the summer and fall, 

 and is relished fairly well by all kinds of stock; it stands grazing 

 and tramping much better than timothy, and lasts for a number of 

 years when given proper care. It is, therefore, eminently adapted 

 for pasture purposes and should form an important part of every 

 permanent pasture mixture. 



Orchard grass makes an excellent quality of hay if cut before or 

 just after the blooming period. If the cutting is delayed but a few 

 days beyond this period orchard grass has a strong tendency to 

 become woody, and the hay is then of poor quality. It ripens with 

 red clover, and under favorable circumstances it may be cut twice 

 during a season. It is, therefore, especially well fitted for sowing 

 with red clover when intended for hay. It growls in bunches and 

 does not make a smooth sod ; for this reason it is seldom sown alone. 

 Orchard grass is a little early, and is often ready to cut before good 

 haying weather has begun. This fact and its tendency to become 

 woody immediately after blooming are the chief drawbacks to its 

 culture west of the Cascade Mountains. Its earliness is an advan- 

 tage, however, when it is used for ensilage or soiling. 



The seed habits of orchard grass are very satisfactory, and the 

 yield is from 15 to 18 bushels of seed per acre. The seed weighs 

 from 1± to 18 pounds per bushel. When sown alone 20 to 25 pounds 

 of seed per acre will be sufficient. It is sown either in the fall or 

 spring. If sown in the early fall, without a nurse crop, it should 

 make an excellent crop the next year. 



MEADOW FESCUE. 



Although meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) is grown but little 

 west of the Cascade Mountains, it is highly prized by those who 

 know it. Like orchard grass, it is adapted to practically all of the 

 tillable soils of the region except those that are gravelly or very wet. 

 It is a perennial; lasts much better than timothy; is relished by all 



94 



