FODDER CROPS. 67 



chasing, to avoid disappointment. Peas and oats (or rye) for ensi- 

 lage may "be sown together, as the former will climb up and help to 

 support the latter. 



Hard fescue (Festuca duriuscula) is a \ T aluable pasture grass on 

 dry, sandy soils unfit for the growth of better grasses, as it resists 

 long periods of summer drought. Although it is a bunch grass, not 

 producing a turf, it can be used to advantage in mixtures with other 

 grasses. It grows well at Berkeley. 



Johnson grass (Anclropogon sorghum lialepensis) in the Southern 

 States yields a good crop of hay, which is said to be much appre- 

 ciated b}^ stock, but in the coast region of middle and northern 

 California it has not given great promise as a hay grass. When once 

 established it becomes one of the most troublesome and most difficult 

 weeds to eradicate from cultivated ground. The root-stocks are pro- 

 duced in great abundance, literally filling the soil; thej^ develop very 

 rapidly, are fleshy, and are said to be much liked by hogs. It would 

 be well worth trial in openings among the redwoods on the headwaters 

 of the Noyo and Navarro rivers, where large bands of hogs are raised 

 in the woods. If seeds and pieces of root were carried down these 

 smaller coast streams, they would not be likely to do anj 7 damage to 

 farm lands, on account of the narrowness and depth of the gorges 

 through which the}' empty into the ocean and the absence of broad 

 alluvial flood plains. It appears unwise, however, to introduce 

 Johnson grass along the headwaters of Eel River, on account of pos- 

 sible injury to the valuable farm lands at the mouth of that river; 

 being one of the richest sections of the whole region of northwestern 

 California, deterioration of land values there would tend to increase 

 taxation over the rest of the region. Johnson grass has been tried 

 with only unsatisfactory results in dry, arid soils in California. 



Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) is being strongly recommended as a 

 forage crop on account of its vigorous growth and high nutritive 

 value. Smith states that hairy vetch is an excellent soiling crop, one 

 of the best that has been introduced into the United States, although, 

 on account of the high price of the seed and the large amount which 

 must be sown per acre, it has not been widel} T cultivated. The seed 

 should be sown at the rate of a bushel and a half per acre. The nutri- 

 tive value of the hay is high, analyses by Condon in 1890 showing 23 

 per cent of crude protein. The yield varies from 1-J to 4 tons per acre, 

 according to the fertility of the soil. Hairy vetch has proved well 

 adapted to the climate of Berkeley. It might be sown with oats or rye 

 for an ensilage crop, and is also recommended for trial as a sand 

 binder, on account of its rapid growth. 



Knot grass {Paspalum distichum) . A valuable forage grass for 

 overflowed lands, the margins of lagoons, lakes, and ponds. The yield 

 A^aries considerably with the season; in wet years knot grass will yield 

 a good crop of hay, but in dry seasons there will be scarcely enough 



