is highly variable. In high quality seed both may average 80 percent 

 or more, although in some years seed has to be used which geminates as 

 low as 50 percent. There are approximately 105,000 seeds per pound. 

 Correctly stored, seed will retain a good viability for 4 years. Most 

 seed is produced in the northern Great Plains but if it could be ob- 

 tained, native grown seed would be preferable* 



Wheatgrass, crested (Agropyron cristatum ). Much good quality, locally 

 grown seed of this species is on the market. Seed should be clean and 

 bright. A few seeds with a greenish cast do not iiqpair its quality. 

 Seed should be well threshed so that all spikelets are shattered. 

 Purity and germination should both be above 90 percent. Under proper 

 storage seed may be expected to retain a good viability for 5 or more 

 years. The standard strain of this species has about 210,000 seeds 

 per poxuid and the Fairway strain near A00,000 seeds per pound. 



Wheatgrass, slender (Agropyron trachycaulum ) > Seed of this species is 

 produced mostly in the Great Plains but plants from such seed suffer 

 from winter- killing. Best reseeding results have come from planting 

 seed which was collected from native stands or grown locally. Both 

 germination and purity should exceed 90 percent. Average seed retains 

 its viability for but 3 years although some may last much longer. 

 There are approximately 160,000 seeds per pound. 



Wildrye, blue (Elymus glaucus ). Seed of this species is being produced 

 in the northwestern United States and is just becoming available on the 

 market. Difficulty is experienced in drilling unless the seed has been 

 de-awned. Germination and purity should be 85 percent or above but 

 seed rapidly loses its viability and seed more than 3 years of age should 

 be tested shortly before it is to be planted. 



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