LEAFLET 19 6, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



until late spring in the South. Heavy pasturing is quite desirable as 

 it keeps the grass in succulent condition and utilizes all the forage pro- 

 duced during its short productive period. At Beltsville, Md., in 1931 

 and 1932, sheep were grazed on common ryegrass, largely of the 

 Italian type. As an average for the 2 years, the grazing season 

 extended from April 25 to August 1, and 650 sheep-days grazing per 

 acre were secured. In addition, approximately three-quarters of a 

 ton per acre of field-cured hay was removed about June 15, because of 

 lack of sufficient sheep to keep the grass down during the flush period 

 of growth. 



Figure 2. — Fall growth. 1 



month after seeding 

 1933. 



6£ 



Beltsville, 



Md., October 20, 



When necessary to remove hay from a grazed field, it is advisable to 

 set the mower to clip at least 3 inches from the ground. 



For pasturage, ryegrass is not often seeded alone except for tempo- 

 rary use. Because of its rapid growth and its value in producing 

 forage while other longer lived plants are becoming established, it is 

 used extensivelv in mixtures. 



Use as a Lawn Grass 



Large quantities of common ryegrass and imported Italian ryegrass 

 seed are used for lawns, particularly winter lawns in the Bermuda grass 

 sections. These are very satisfactory for seeding in the fall on other 

 grass sod to maintain a green, pleasing appearance during the winter 

 months, and do not offer any interference when other grasses and 

 legumes are in good condition. 



Because of the rapid germination and short time necessar}^ to pro- 

 duce a green covering, both common ryegrass and imported Italian 

 ryegrass often are used in lawn mixtures. When this seed is sown 

 with long-lived grasses under lawn conditions, it seldom maintains 



