CARTERS’ 
19 
ITALIAN RYE GRASS. 
LOLIUM ITALICUM. See illustration facing.) 
Italian Rye Grass is larger and altogether more robust than perennial Rye Grass, and it is always awned, whilst perennial 
Rye Grass seldom has any awns on the florets. 
It may be rultivated successfully upon as wide a range of soils as any of our forage plants, but gives the heaviest returns 
upon those which are well drained, deeply cultivated, and somewhat tenacious in texture. 
For some time it was only used in mixtures with other grasses and clovers for pasturage, but is now a fashionable forage 
crop, sown alone, and for which purpose, on account of its early and rapid growth, it is admirably adapted. It is, however 
in the application of this grass to the requirements of sewage farming and of irrigated grass land generally that Lolium Italicum 
has become of first importance. The enormous crop of Carters’ Italian Rye Grass produced during the past few years upon the 
Aldershot, Beeston, Birmingham, Romford, Barking, Leamington, Croydon, Doncaster, Wrexham, Eton, Nottingham, Bedford, 
Northampton, Barnet, and other leading Sewage Farms is unapproached by the yield of any other green forage crop. 
Italian Rye Grass may be sown from early spring till late autumn at the rate of four bushels per statute acre. 
If sown sufficiently early in autumn it will often give a cut before winter. 
The ground should be well prepared by the application of as much farmyard manure as the plough will turn under. At seed-time 
and immediately after each cutting, where liquid manure or sewage is not available, such portable manure as spring top-dressing! 
nitrate of soda, guano, or, indeed, any manure containing a large percentage of really available ammonia, may be^pplied. 
The surface should be finely tilled and well consolidated, a good plan being to finish the tillage operations with the 
Cambridge roller, and to sow the seed in the furrows by that implement, then cover lightly with a bush-harrow, and finish off with 
a light roller if the weather is dry. 
With regard to the quantity of produce, io tons per acre have been cut six weeks after sowing. Ir. the ordinary way 
about four or five cuttings may be made, giving 8 or io tons at each cutting, but under irrigation or sewage, as many as eight 
or ten cuttings may be taken, giving about io tons at each cutting. Thus we find that about ninety tons per acre per annum 
may be taken as the average produce under sewage or irrigation. 
Italian Rye Grass is very nutritious, is eaten greedily by all kinds of stock, and, although very succulent, it does not 
scour the animals. By its u=e a large number of stock may be kept from a comparatively limited space of ground. 
It should be mown just as the ear is beginning to show, and, if not allowed to seed, will prove of great value the second 
year, and is, moreover, earlier, except in cold, wet, spongy soils. Although Lolium Italicum is, strictly speaking, an annual, yet 
where it is regularly mown and not allowed to flower it will persist for several years. 
If it is required for the formation of flesh or muscle, as in growing or working animals, it should be cut more frequently 
than where it is given to milch cows or fattening animals. ' 3 
It is especially suitable for dairying, as securing through about nine months of the year a constant supply of succulent 
food. 
Cows will generally consume about roo lb. a day, with more or less corn or cake; fattening beasts require about the 
same quantity with rather more corn or cake; sheep will eat from io lb. to 15 lb. a day. 
Italian Rye Grass is often sown with Trifolium hybndum (Alsike), and Trifolium incarnatum (Crimson Clover), sometimes 
with Dactylis glomerata (Cocksfoot), or Phleum pratense (Timothy). 
The weed and other seeds usually found in unclean samples of Italian Rye Grass are : Holcus lanatus, Bromus mollis, 
Medicago lupulina (in the husk), Plantago lanceolata, Rumex obtusifolius , Ranunculus acris, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Festuca 
sciuroides, Myosotis arvensis (Field Scorpion Grass, or Forget-me-not). 
New Seed tested for germination and purity. 
Carters Superfine Evergreen Italian Rye Grass. — The best variety 
in cultivation. As supplied to the principal Sewage Farms in Europe. The most rapid-growing 
and best early food for Sheep and Cattle. Eighty tons per acre have been grown in 
one year with Carters’ Superfine Evergreen Italian Rye Grass 
Improved Italian Rye Grass 
Italian Rye Grass 
Italian Rye Grass. — In Bales, as imported (about 2 cwt. per Bale). Lowest price on application. 
Annual or Common Rye Grass ... 
Per quarter. Per busbel. 
■S'. d. S. d. 
70 0 9 0 
62 6 8 0 
54 0 7 0 
50 0 6 6 
IMPORTANT TESTIMONY. 
“ We have used Carters’ Superfine Evergreen Italian Rye Grass in large quantities upon the 
Corporation Farm, for nearly 20 years, with the greatest success. We find it gives continuous crops in 
enormous weights per acre, yielding five to six cuttings a year of the most succulent fodder, which is 
valuable to ourselves, and is also eagerly sought after by horse-keepers and others.”— 
Mr. J. AVIS, Corporation Farm, Nottingham. 
“ Carters’ Superfine Italian Rye Grass proved highly satisfactory to the Members of the Council who manage the Sewage Farm.” — H. L. 
CARTERS’, 237, 238. & 97. HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON.-1901. 
