GRASSES FOR CANAL BANKS IN WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA. De) 
be seeded near the water’s edge and where seepage water occurs, or, if 
included in a mixture with other grasses, it will make a good growth 
on all moist parts of the bank. 
THE FESCUES. 
The three species of Festuca tested, meadow fescue, tall fescue, and 
red fescue, have not shown any particular value as soil binders in 
this region. None of them are able toendure the dry conditions of 
the higher part of the banks, nor do they make a permanent sod, 
even under more favorable conditions. 
OTHER GRASSES. 
The other grasses tested, namely, orchard grass, Italian rye-grass, 
creeping bent-grass, and Canadian bluegrass, have not shown any 
value for soil binding in this region. They are unable to endure 
the trying conditions, nor can they compete with the more resistant 
grasses when used in mixtures. 
MIXTURES TESTED. 
Several mixtures of grasses have been tested to determine if any 
combination could be found which is better adapted to the purpose 
than a single species. 
The following mixtures (by weight) have been used: 
» Mixture No. 1: Mixture, No. 3: 
Brome-grass _____- 4 parts. Western wheat- 
Western wheat- PRASS ae ee ee 4 parts. 
ER SESS Hes i pee 4 parts. Red fescue________ 2 parts. 
Meadow fescue___~- 1 part. ~ Al Talia ce es ste i part. 
Italian rye-grass___ 1 part. Italian rye-grass___ 1 part. 
Mixture No. 2: Mixture No. 4: 
Brome-grass _____-~ 4 parts. Slender wheat- 
Canadian bluegrass_ 2 parts. SLASS Ee ee ees 2 parts. 
Italian rye-grass___ 1 part. Mallee SCuee i ea ds 2 parts. 
White clover ______ 1 part: Redtopew ae 2s 1 part. 
Orchard grass_____ 2 parts. 
Mixture No. 1 combines two hardy and permanent but rather slow- 
growing grasses with others which quickly form a cover. The brome- 
grass and western wheat-grass have survived since planting in 1909 
and now form a good cover. The other species made a fair growth 
during the first season and may be desirable to use in a lawn where 
quick results are desired, but they have no permanent place on a 
canal bank. 
In mixture No. 2 brome-grass is the only species that has survived. 
The Canadian bluegrass did not do well at any time in this mixture. 
[Cir. 115] 
