FORAGE PLANTS RECOMMENDED FOR TRIAL. 23 



cies are needed to fill the spaces between them. Some species make 

 an early and some a much later growth; some flower early and others 

 late, and it adds much to the value of a permanent pasture if the dif- 

 ferent species composing it mature at different periods. 



A total of from 30 to 40 pounds of seed per acre is recommended for 

 new pastures if the best results are to be obtained. It is better to err 

 on the side of too much than too little seed; for, if the ground is not 

 well covered at first, weeds will quickly occupy the bare spaces, and 

 they are much harder to eradicate when once established than to keep 

 out from the start. Experience proves that ' ' thicker seeding more 

 than repays its extra cost." 



Forage plants recommended for trial. — Only experimental culture 

 on the spot can finally determine which species are best adapted to 

 any one locality or soil; nevertheless, much waste of time, effort, and 

 expense can be avoided by studying the results alread}^ obtained from 

 experiments conducted elsewhere. For several years the collection 

 and study of forage plants has been made a prominent feature of the 

 work of the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Cali- 

 fornia, at Berkeley. These experiments have shown that, while many 

 forage plants of great value elsewhere are not adapted to the climatic 

 conditions of California, there are several which can be successfully 

 cultivated. 



The following list includes the more nutritions of those species 

 which experience proves most likely to be successful: Orchard grass 

 (Dactylis glomerata), reed fescue (Festuca arundinacea) , many- 

 flowered millet grass (Oryzopsis miliacea), tall oat grass (Arrlien- 

 athcrum elatius), awnless brome grass (Bromus inermis), red fescue 

 {Festuca rubra), rescue grass (Bromus willdenoivii), timothj^ (Phleum 

 pratense), meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), creeping bent or 

 florin (Agrostis alba stolonifera) , Italian ray-grass (Lolium italicum), 

 red clover (Trifolium pratense), perennial white clover (Trifolium 

 repens), alsike clover (Trifolium liybridum). 



Orchard-grass has already been tried with some success between 

 Willits and Sherwood, in shady places. It is said to start more rap- 

 idly and to make a better growth if the ground is burned over before 

 sowing. It is grown successfully as a forage plant in the vicinity of 

 Eureka, and has become naturalized near Berkeley and near Cres- 

 cent City. 



Timothy has been tried in Sherwood Valley and Long Valley, and 

 is still used as a hay crop in some places. It is not generally liked, 

 however, on account of a bad tendency to "run out" after a short 

 time. This tendency is probabty not inherent, however, and may 

 be caused either b}^ overstocking or by the practice of pasturing 

 late, after the ground has been softened by heavy rains, a method 

 which causes injury to the roots, especially where there is an absence 

 of thick turf. Timothy has become naturalized in northwestern 



