CRESTED WHEATGRASS 7 



mowed and removed the following spring. It is not advisable to 

 burn the old growth. The seedlings are small and difficult to see; 

 therefore it is advisable to leave a seeded area undisturbed the first 

 season, even though there does not appear to be a satisfactory stand. 

 As a general rule, weeds should not be clipped on a new seeding. 

 After the first year weeds give little trouble in close-drilled fields. 

 Row seedings usually require an early spring cultivation to kill 

 polunter grass seedlings and to put the soil in a receptive condition 

 for moisture, and one or two cultivations are needed later to destroy 

 weeds. 



Utilization 



In the areas to which it is adapted, crested wheatgrass fills a 

 unique place as a pasture grass, and it is probable that its greatest 

 usefulness will be for this purpose. The grass is especially valuable 

 as a supplement to native range. It can be grazed almost a month 

 before native range is ready and at a much heavier rate. When 

 native range is in the best condition for grazing, livestock can be 

 taken off the crested wheatgrass and any grass remaining can be cut 

 for hay. With favorable moisture in the fall enough growth is made 

 so it can again be grazed. Utilization in this manner increases the 

 grazing period considerably and provides succulent feed in the early 

 spring, when it is so important for calving or lambing pastures. 

 Young crested wheatgrass large enough for grazing has a high protein 

 content (20 to 30 percent) both in the spring and in the fall. 



If the grass is to furnish a good quality of hay, it is advisable to cut 

 it by the time it comes into head or at least by blooming time. As 

 the grass matures, it becomes harsh, and the protein content decreases 

 rapidly and by the time the grass is mature may be as low as 2 or 3 

 percent. The hay cures readily, and with favorable weather can be 

 stacked or stored soon after being mowed. Where the grass is adapted, 

 yields have ranged from three-fourths of a ton to 1 ton of cured hay 

 per acre over a period of years, with considerably higher yields in the 

 more favorable seasons. 



In grazing tests conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of 

 Dairy Industry at the United States Dry Land Field Station, Ardmore, 

 S. Dak., crested wheatgrass for dairy cows proved superior to brome- 

 grass, sweetclover, and native pasture. At the Judith Basin Branch 

 Station, Moccasin, Mont., crested wheatgrass has given better returns 

 as a dry-land pasture than bromegrass, sweetclover, or native grass, 

 especially in years with less than 12 inches of annual precipitation or 

 other adverse conditions. At Mandan, N. Dak., crested wheatgrass 

 makes excellent early pasture and cattle make good gains on new 

 growth. In common with other cultivated grasses, its grazing value 

 decreases as it approaches maturity. 



Crested wheatgrass is the most important grass for use in the crop- 

 replacement program in areas where it is adapted. Many thousands 

 of acres of abandoned plowed lands have been reseeded with excellent 

 results. If mixtures of grasses are used, 50 percent or more of the 

 seed in the mixture should be crested wheatgrass. 



The grass can be utilized very effectively for the control of wind 

 and water erosion. The title-page illustration shows the grass (planted 

 1923) on sloping land for protection against water and wind erosion at 

 the Northern Great Plains Field Station, Mandan, N. Dak. Its tough, 



