United States Department of Agriculture, 



DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 42. 



Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry, 



Forage-Crop Investigations, 

 WM. A. TAYLOR, Chief. 



PERENNIAL RYE-GRASS (Lolium perenne). 



Perennial rye-grass is a tufted short-lived perennial which makes 

 a fair crop of hay and is especially valuable in pastures. It should 

 not be confused with the wild ryes because of the similarity of the 

 common names. It has been known variously as ray-grass, darnel, 

 and Randall grass. Perennial rye-grass grows usually to a height of 

 from 1 to 2 feet. There are an abundance of long, narrow leaves near 

 the base of the plant, but the seed stems are inclined to be naked. The 

 under surface of the leaves is bright and glossy, which gives an attrac- 

 tive appearance to the grass, most noticeable early in the spring. It 

 has been a popular grass in England for at least three centuries and 

 was early introduced into America. 



VALUE. 



While valuable, Perennial rye-grass takes a very subordinate posi- 

 tion when compared with timothy as a hay plant. The chief use 

 which has been and should be made of this grass is as an ingredient 

 in permanent pasture mixtures and for lawn purposes. It can be 

 used for an annual hay crop if desired. 



SEED. 



The seed of Perennial rye-grass generally has been imported into 

 this country, the price usually being too low to encourage American 

 farmers to save it. The germination of the seed is usually good, 

 and the seedlings are especially vigorous. No one of the common 

 grasses excels it in this respect. The seed weighs about 24 pounds 

 to the bushel. 



USES. 



The chief uses to which Perennial rye-grass should be put are as 

 an ingredient in pasture mixtures, as a temporary covering to pre- 

 vent the washing of the soil, for lawns, and for winter grazing on 

 Bermuda-grass pastures in the South. The grass is valuable for 



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