CRESTED WHEATGRASS 5 



spring seedings. Late fall seeding can be extended over a longer period 

 than early fall seeding and is better adapted for planting larger 

 acreages. It is especially well adapted to land that has been damaged 

 by blowing but has a weedy cover. Seedings made at this time usually 

 start growth before it is possible to get into the field in the spring. 

 The seed can be drilled into grain stubble or abandoned land that 

 has a protective cover of weeds. This time and method of seeding 

 has resulted in the regrassing of large acreages in the northern Plains. 



Early spring seeding should be done as soon as it is possible to get 

 into the field and can best be done in clean grain stubble or on pro- 

 tected corn ground. 



Late spring seeding is usually best practiced where it is desirable 

 or practicable to prepare a seedbed, or to clean up a crop of weeds 

 before seeding. Such seedings may be made during May depending 

 upon the moisture and temperature conditions, and the prevalence of 

 insects, especially grasshoppers. Corn ground that is protected from 

 soil blowing affords a good seedbed. Grain stubble can be plowed 

 and prepared for seeding. Such planting should not be undertaken on 

 soil that is likely to blow. In all cases it is necessary to prepare a 

 firm seedbed, especially if the soil is worked to kill a crop of weeds 

 just before seeding. A good rain just before seeding will usually firm 

 the soil enough for a suitable seedbed. If a rain does not come at the 

 right time, it may be advisable to pack the soil before seeding. Late 

 spring seedings can be made on summer fallow under some conditions, 

 but in some areas weeds are much worse in grass seedings on fallow 

 at this time. 



Crested wheatgrass may be sown in close drills or in rows wide 

 enough apart to be cultivated. Where the crop is to be utilized for 

 hay or pasture, close drills are preferable. The seed should be sown 

 with a grain drill and covered about one-half inch. When seeding in 

 the early fall on fallow it may be advisable to plant the seed approxi- 

 mately an inch deep in order to place it in contact with moisture and 

 below the surface layer, which often dries out. A firm seedbed is 

 essential to uniform shallow seeding. A single-disk drill has proved 

 satisfactory for most seedings on a prepared seedbed, especially 

 fallow, as it cuts through trash and leaves the surface of the soil 

 rough. A double-disk drill can be used satisfactorily, if the depth of 

 planting is watched closely and the seedbed is in good condition. A 

 deep furrow disk-type drill (without chains) has been used extensively 

 and successfully, especially for planting abandoned land, where the 

 seedbed is firm and w T here it is necessary to cut through weedy growth 

 and trash. Broadcasting has not proved satisfactory in most cases. 



The use of clean, heavy seed cannot be too strongly emphasized. 

 Good seed should weigh 22 pounds or more to the bushel. Seed of 

 this weight will run freely through a drill without the aid of an 

 agitator. Light, chaffy seed will not feed through the drill readily 

 even with the aid of an agitator. 



If grown mainly for seed production, the grass should be sown in 

 rows and kept cleanly cultivated, as more seed of better quality can be 

 produced in rows than in close drills with a limited moisture supply 

 (fig. 2). The seeding may be made in single rows or in double rows. 

 In single rows the seed is dropped from one spout of the grain drill, 

 and in double rows from two adjacent spouts, which are usually 6 or 

 7 inches apart. The latter method is preferable as skips are less likely 



