4 LEAFLET 10 4, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Under the more favorable moisture conditions of the Eastern States it 

 is not equal to timothy and other adapted grasses. 



The grass does well on productive soils of almost any texture 

 ranging from light sandy loam to heavy clay. It has done well on 

 stony loams in the Judith Basin, Mont. 



Seeding 



Crested wheatgrass, in common with many other grasses, is tender 

 in the seedling stage and requires favorable conditions for germination 

 and early growth. A firm seedbed is essential to establishing a satis- 

 factory stand. Grass seedlings are readily susceptible to soil blowing. 

 A protective cover should be established on soil that is likely to blow 

 before seeding is undertaken. The general practice considered safest 

 to avoid danger from soil blowing is to drill the seed directly into 

 grain stubble, without previous tillage. Stubbleland provides a 

 firm seedbed and makes possible seeding of large areas that otherwise 

 could not be returned to grass because of expense involved or danger 

 from soil blowing. 



The most favorable time to sow crested wheatgrass varies with the 

 locality, the moisture supply, and the abundance of grasshoppers. 

 Young crested wheatgrass plants thrive best under cool growing con- 

 ditions, such as occur during fall or early spring. Seedings made both 

 in fall and spring have been successful in the northern Great Plains. 

 Within recent years fall seeding has met with greater favor and success 

 than seeding at any other period. Early fall seeding can usually be 

 done late in August or during early September, depending upon 

 moisture conditions. Late fall seeding can be done any time from 

 the middle of October until the soil freezes. Early spring seeding 

 should be done as soon as field work can be started. Late spring 

 seeding can be done during May. 



The purpose of early fall seeding is to give the grass a chance to 

 make a good fall growth before the soil freezes. Planting at this time 

 is dependent upon rainfall to afford favorable moisture conditions 

 before seeding can be attempted. When such conditions occur, seed- 

 ing should be done as soon as possible. Clean grain stubble fur- 

 nishes one of the best preparations for early fall seeding. Drilling 

 the seed under such conditions permits the grass to make considerable 

 growth before winter, and the stubble protects the seedlings from 

 danger of soil blowing and catches snow to furnish moisture for early 

 and rapid spring growth. Well-prepared summer fallow can also be 

 used to advantage as a seedbed, especially for early fall seeding, pro- 

 vided there is little or no danger from soil blowing. Summer fallow 

 is best used for special seedings or for small acreages. The reserve 

 moisture stored in the fallow usually favors more growth and stronger 

 plants than any other preparation. Seedings made in the early fall 

 make growth before winter, much as do winter wheat and rye, start 

 growth early in the spring, and suffer the least competition from 

 weeds. Under favorable conditions such seedings make a crop of 

 seed or hay during the first year. 



Late fall seeding is not dependent upon favorable moisture con- 

 ditions at the time of seeding as the seed is put into the ground late 

 enough so that it will not germinate until early the next spring. Such 

 seedings are less subject to grasshopper damage than early fall or late 



