so 
MAY'S CATALOUGE OF NORTHERN GROWN SEEDS, BULBS, PLANTS AND FRUITS. 
A small area on the uplands of the Experi- 
mental Farm, about an acre, is flooded from 
2 to 4 feet deep each year, the water remain- 
ing on until June. This wasbroken updurinjt 
the summer of 189<>, and sown to Bronnis 
without agrain. Good stand was obtained 
and a niagnifleent crop of grass gathered. 
This experiment sho«ild be tried by farmers 
who have depressions on their land known 
as pot holes, which are numerous in some 
I)arts of the province. 
In cutting for seed a binder is used, and 
the graso is cut, tied and stacked thesame as 
wheat or other grain. In a week or ten 
days after cutting it is ready to thresh or 
store away, as deemed best. For threshing small quantities the old 
fashioned flail is suitable, but for large lots a threshing machine 
should be used on which the wind has been closed off as much as 
practicable. 
Prom three to si.\ hundred pounds of seed mav be expected from 
an acre. 
THE FEEDING VALUE OF BROMUS INERMIS. 
During the past year we have made a comparative study of the 
hays of Timothy and Brome Grasses grown on the Central Farm, 
Ottawa, during the .season of 1897. Both grasses were cut when 
considered in the best condition. The samples were taken in 
February, from the barn. The analytical dat.a are presented in the 
following table: 
COMl'OSITION OF THK HAYS OF TIMOTHY AND IIROMB GRASS, GROWN ON 
CBNTRAL EXPERIMHNTAI, FARM, OTTAWA, 1897. 
BROMUS INERMIS. 
OR BROME GRASS, THE WONDERFUL 
RUSSIAN FORAGE GRASS. 
Outylelding Alfalfa. In nutritious qualities surpassing Timothy. One sowing; will stand for 
years. Succeeds on poor soils and yields from four to five tons per acre. For the arid regions 
this grass has no equal. We have one grade of seed only — the best. Many firms are offering this 
seed at much lower prices, but it is an Inferior article, which we are confident will not germinate 
50 per cent and Is dear at any price. Ours has been procured direct from Russia and Is a superior 
article, showing in our tests a much higher percentage of germinating qualities. 
Lb. 30c, 3 lbs. 85c, postpaid; by express or freight, i8 pounds, enough for one acre . $3.25; 
100 lbs. $16.00. 50 pound lots at 100 pound rates. 
DESCRIPTION — It originated in Russia, and is recommended on account of the manner in 
which it has stodd on the Hungary plains, where the dry, sterile nature of the countrv and 
the long continued droughts in.ike so many plants succumb. This Bromus, however, stands 
well, and has been known for thirty years to stand when such robust crops as alfalfa have 
been destroyed. It gives a luxuriant crop, particularly on fresh sandv loam soil, 
and where the climate is warm. It is found that animals eat it greedily, whether in the green 
or the dr^v state, so that it can be mown or saved for winter use. The seed is sow", in the 
early spring. It is also useful in filling up gaps where alfalfa or clover crops have failed. It 
will stand under favorable conditions for twelve years, and give as much food in one month 
as alfalfa gives in three months. 
CULTIVATION — This grass is better sown alone: at leastitshould not be sown with grain 
crops. The grain takes too much moisture from the young grass plants. It is also desirable 
to sow the seed on soil that does not blow. Summer fallow would be the best preparation, 
but on account of its liability to drift it is not safe in many parts of the extreme Northwest 
to use this kind of land. Stubble land, plowed 4 or 5 inches deep in April or May, and well 
harrowed after the seed is sown, is found to be quite safe from wind, as the stubble harrowed 
on top prevents all drifting. 
Fifteen to eighteen pounds ofseed are required to an acre. More seed will give a better ci op 
the first year, but less afterwards, as the roots thicken up each year, and in three or four 
years make better pasture. 
The seed being light, long and thin, seeding by hand is the only practicable method. To 
seed properly, a calm day should be chosen, so that all parts of the land may be evenly sown. 
While the plants are young the weeds make headway, and it is necessary at leiist to keep 
them from going to seed. The quickest way to accomplish this is to go over the field w ith a 
mower, cutting just above the grass plants. If the operation has to be repeated it will be 
necessary to cut the tops of the grass, l)ut this will not injure the plant— in fact, it is an ad- 
vantage in the way of giving the roots a better hold. The first crop of hay can be cut the 
next year after seeding, and will, in ordinary vears, be readv in July. Eight or ten da3's 
after being re.-idy to cut for hay it will be ready to cut for seed, if so desired. Cut in first 
bloom for hay, and ten days from this time it isconsidered in proper state to cut for seed. 
Many inquiries h.'ive been received in regard to growing Bromus on lands which arc flooded 
I)art of tlie year. Following we give the experience of S. A. Bedford, Esci., in charge of the 
E.xperimental Station at Br.mdon, N. W. T., Canad.'i: 
IMPORTANT. 
WE OFFER ONLY ONE ORADE, THE BEST. 
DO NOT BETE.MPTRDBV LOW OFFERS. CHEAP 
PRICES MEAN INFERIOR SEEDS. ONE POUND 
OF GOOD SEED WILL (iO FARTHER THAN TWO 
POUNDS OP THE LOWER GRADES. 
THE SEED WE OFFER, IS FROM OUR OWN 
DIRECT IMPORTATION FROM RUSSIA, AND CAN 
BE RELIED ON. i.s to 18 POUNDS IS SUFFICIENT 
FOR ONE ACRE. THE CHEAPER GRADES RE- 
QUIRE FROM 2S to 30 POUNDS PER ACRE. 
Moist- 
Album- 
Fat 
Hay 
ure 
inoids 
(Ether 
Carbo- 
Fibre 
Ash 
Extract) 
hj-d rates 
Timothv Hay 
9.72 
5.94 
5..3S 
4.1.25 
31.30 
4.41 
Brome Grass Hay... 
10.76 
6.61 
4.51 
41.01 
31.86 
5.25 
ar the most important from a feeding standpoint, and in this re- 
gard the Brome Grass is seen to be somewhat the better of the two. 
Stated in pounds per ton. we have the following figures: 
Albuminoids. Lbs. per ton. 
Timothy 118.S 
Brome OrassHay 132.2 
By calculating our data to a water-free basis we may make a 
closer comparison of the composition of the real cattle food in the 
two hays: 
COM POSITION OP THE "DRY MATTER," TIMOTHY AND BROMB GRASS HAYS. 
Hay 
Albumi- 
noids 
Fat 
(Ether 
Extract) 
Carbo- 
hydrates 
Fibre 
A!h 
Brome Grass Hay 
6.58 
7.40 
5.96 
5.05 
47.90 
45.95 
84.671 4.89 
35.691 5.91 
RENEWAL AND ERADICATION of Bromus 
Inermis, by Angus M.ackay. in charge of the 
Experimental Station at Indian Head, 
N. W. T., Canada: 
I-ast fall, just before winter set in, one- 
half acre of Brome sod was jilowcd four 
inches deep, in as narrow furrows fis pos- 
sible. Four crops of hay had been cut from 
the plot, and the roots had become ver\' 
thick. 
On the 6th of May, 1898, Prince .\Ibert 
peas were s«)wn, harrowed in and rolled. 
Shortly after the peas were sown the grass 
commenced to grow very thick, and from 
that time it was a race between Brome grass 
and jjcas, with the result that peas were one-third crop and Brome 
grass a good catch. The peas and grass were cut by mower and the 
land left to see what results can be obtained in renewing Brom sod 
without re-seeding. Threee-quarters of a ton of peas and Bromeehay 
was cut from the one-half acre. 
On the 14th, 15th. 16th and 19th of A pril Last seven acres of Brom- 
sod was plowed two inches deep. By the time the sod was rotted sufiie 
ciently to back-set, quite a heavy growth of grass was covering the 
the land. On the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 20th of Juneall but one-half acre 
of this land was back-set four inches deep. Brome roots continued to 
gj-ow after the back-setting, and the land was again plowed before 
winter set in. The one-half acre not back-set had, when the remainder 
ofthe plot was plowed the second time, a good catch of grass, which 
promises a crop of hay next year. 
Last spring, after seeding was finished, an old piece of Brome sod 
was gone over four times with iron harrows to determine whether or 
not it could be renewed without plowing. The result clearlj- demon- 
strated the impracticability of this method. 
As stated in the report of last year, several acres of Brome sod was 
plowed on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of May, 1897, and sown to peas at 
the time of back-set later on. That portioii sown with peas was plowed 
last fall, and. together with p.'irt of the baek-setting, was sown with red 
Fife wheat this spring. The balance of the back setting was used for 
jjotatoes, corn, peas and roots. The wheat averaged 20 bushels per 
acre, and the potatoes, peas, corn, and roots yielded one-third less than 
the same varieties sown on fallowed and maniired land. 
This grass, we firmly believe, is the greatest boon, especially to our 
west and northwest states, ever introduced. We have labored for 12 
years in the introduction of this famous grass, and we are pleased to 
state our efforts have been successful, as will be seen by a few ofthe 
many hundreds of testimonials we have, and it is doubtful if the supply 
ofseed this year is going to equal the demand, so great has been the call 
already from Montana, Washington and North Dakota, where hav crops 
are the one essential among the stockmen. 
