8 
Bulletin 61. 
plenty of forage, the cow did poorly. She lost in milk and flesh, 
so much so that it was necessary to seek some further food to secure 
good results. Early in May this grass began to fail, and from that 
time to date of this writing (December 28th) has only lived, making 
no growth whatever. 
The season has been very hot and dry, and under such con¬ 
ditions, which often prevail, the artificial application of water does 
not seem to be the requisite to produce growth and vigor of plant. 
Its behavior here tends to show that it is better adapted to a reg:on 
of lower mean temperature and greater summer precipitation, and 
that the soil should contain much more clay—what would be 
termed a stronger soil. It becomes sod bound under irrigated con¬ 
ditions, and soon fails to produce growth of any value. The grass 
is coarse and very low in nutritive qualities. I see but one place 
where it may profitably be employed, and that is as a soil retainer 
on tne banks of ditches that are liable to wash. The fact that it 
thrives where the water is applied in this way, and that it iorms 
such a dense sod, would warrant its use in cases such as above 
mentioned. 
Trials at the Plains Substation. 
J. E. PAYNE, Superintendent. 
1895. A plat was sown March 22nd on well prepared ground, 
which was broken in 1894 and thoroughly plowed in March, 1895. 
This seeding was blown out by spring winds. Later in 1895—June 
6th—the same plat was sown to Bromus inermis. A good stand 
was obtained, but grasshoppers destroyed it all. 
1896. Seed from an unknown source was used to sow a plat 
to Bromus inermis. The ground was well prepared, and had been 
cultivated in 1894 and 1895. None grew. The plat was seeded 
Mav 2nd. 
•/ 
1897. A plat was sown May 2nd, on well-prepared ground 
which had been in sorghum in 1894, 1895 and 1896. No stand 
was obtained—in fact no grass was seen to have grown from this 
planting. Seed: The same as that used in 1896. It was of un¬ 
known origin, but was bought from a reliable seed house. 
1898. A two-acre plat was sown on land which had been 
well cultivated in sorghum and corn during the four years 1894, 
1895, 1896 and 1897. Seed furnished by the Department of Agri¬ 
culture was used. This seed was imported from Russia. A good 
stand came up, and the grass promised well until late in the 
