

Orchard Grass. A perennial and a native of Europe, orchard 
grass (Dactylis glomerata) can be readily distinguished by its 
large circular bunches, folded leaf blades, and compressed or 
flattened sheaths (especially at the base of the stems). The 
shape of the flower head has suggested the English name of 
“cocksfoot’’. Though orchard grass is coarse and tufty, it has 
retained its popularity in pasture mixtures here because it is 
hardy, persistent, and aggressive and is relished in the earlier 
stages of growth by all classes of livestock. Even sheep relish 
the abundant leafage, though they are inclined to avoid the 
main culms and heads. Thus they often permit too much ma- 
turity and woodiness, and coarse tussocky bunches result, 
which lead to some complaint against this valuable grass. 
Careful management is essential, and clipping should be re- 
sorted to whenever necessary to keep orchard grass from get- 
ting beyond the stage of greatest usefulness. Per Ib. 50c. 
Meadow Fescue. A perennial and a native of Europe, meadow 
fescue (Festuca elatior) is a tall-growing bunch grass that 
normally ripens as a mid-season grass. But it is very favorably 
considered in the Middle West as a late fall feed, since it re- 
mains active very late under grazing. It is not so tufty as 
orchard grass, but contains much basal leafage which is bright 
green and very succulent. Meadow fescue starts very slowly 
in a mixed pasture and may not be much in evidence for sev- 
eral years. Under proper management it should be very dura- 
ble, particularly where summer temperatures are not too high. 
Per Ib. 60c. 
Tall Fescue. Tall fescue (Festuca elatior 29366) is a selection 
of meadow fescue and, like it, a perennial, but more drought- 
tolerant. It is thriftier in growth than the parent and bears 
more abundant basal leafage. Tests of two years here in 
California have indicated that it is adapted to a wide range of 
conditions. Per Ib. 90c. 
Harding Grass. A perennial, Harding grass (Phalaris tuberosa 
var, stenoptera) came to us from Africa though the species, P. 
tuberosa, is a native of the Mediterranean. Harding grass 
srows in large, dense, leafy tufts. When once established, it 
is very persistent. High seed prices and low germination have 
hindered the fullest use of this plant. It is one of the few per- 
ennials that makes a good growth during the winter when 
most other plants are dormant, but it will not survive the cold 
winters of northeastern California. Harding prefers heavy 
black soils and deep volcanic loams, but will produce well on 
lighter soils underlain by heavier strata. Though a tall and 
rather coarse grass, its abundant leafage is relished by all 
classes of livestock. Only a light seeding (2 or 3 pounds per 
acre) is recommended as a means of prolonging the pasture 
season in the more temperate parts of the state. Per Ib. $2.50. 
Dallis Grass. A perennial and a native of South America, 
Dallis grass (Paspalum dilatatum) normally has a deep, strong 
root system and grows in clumps which tend to die out in the 
center and enlarge around the periphery as the plant ages. 
Ladino-clover plants in association with it are often found 
occupying the centers of these old stools. After nearly 20 years 
of experience, this association is classed as ideal by graziers 
who like Dallis grass. The leaves are numerous near the 
ground but few on the stems, which are usually drooping or 
angled. In most of the state (except the colder portions where 
it will not survive the winters), it starts rather late in the 
spring and becomes dormant in the fall. But during the sum- 
mer its recovery after grazing is more rapid than that of any 
other grass we have. Its aggressiveness in this respect has 
brought it into disrepute with some operators since other 
grasses, it is not so palatable as it approaches maturity. Some 
irrigation districts oppose the use of this grass because its 
light oily seeds float on the water and the plants become estab- 
lished along the ditch banks. The contention does not seem 
well founded since such areas are generally occupied by plants 
much less desirable, and frequently more difficult to control 
than is Dallis grass. Per lb. $1.30. 
Smooth Brome. A perennial and a native of central Europe 
and China. Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) is a tall-growing 
leafy grass that spreads by underground creeping rhizomes 
which tend to become sod-bound in a few years so that renova- 
tion is essential to the best results. In northeastern Califor- 
nia, smooth brome is popular as a hay and pasture plant, but 
it has never found a place in any part of the state in which 
the winters are mild and summer temperatures high. Its gen- 
eral use is therefore not recommended. Per lb. 65c. 
Kentucky Bluegrass. A perennial and a native of Europe and 
Asia, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is a true creeping, 
or colony, grass. While it is primarily adapted to the colder 
parts of the state, it is not generally recommended there for 
planting in a pasture mixture. The objections to it are that 
it produces too dense a sod and that its growth is not luxuriant 
enough to provide adequate livestock-carrying capacity. In 
recent years Kentucky bluegrass has come into the pasture 
picture in parts of the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys. 
Some producers believe it has a place there in association with 
Ladino clover, especially for sheep. Observations in several 
counties indicate that it is crowding out the clover and that it 
does not yield so much forage as the stronger-growing plants 
available. This may be partly due to a lack of adaptation in 
these areas. Prospective planters should make observations on 
local experience, where available, before committing them- 
selves to bluegrass in irrigated pastures. Per Ib. $1.10. 
Rhodes Grass. A perennial and a native of South Africa, 
Rhodes grass (Chloris Gayana) is a fine-stemmed, leafy grass 
growing to an average height of nearly 3 feet under favorable 
conditions. It spreads by running branches which root and 
produce a tuft at every node. It will not withstand winter 
temperatures below 18° F. Rhodes grass is increasing in pop- 
ularity as an ingredient of pasture mixtures in the Palo Verde 
and Imperial valleys of southeastern California, doubtless be- 
cause it is quite at home there. Farther north, within its cli- 
matic limitations, it is not generally used except in areas that 
are too aikaline to be tolerated by most other species. On 
such sites it probably has a real place. Through its ability to 
absorb alkali salts, however, it may become so saline as to 
have a scouring effect on livestock. When this is true, the 
stock should be rotated to other and less purgative feeds. Per 
Ib. 85c. 
Tall Meadow Oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Beauvois); 
sometimes called tall oatgrass, meadow oatgrass, and ever- 
green grass, is a hardy perennial growing to the height of 
30 to 60 inches and producing large tufts or bunches. It pro- 
duces seed in an open head, or panicle, somewhat similar to 
cultivated oats, though the seed is much smaller and more 
chaffy. Per Ib. $1.10. 
Red Fescue (Festuca rubra L.) is very similar to sheep fescue, 
but the leaves are bright green and the plant does not grow in 
tufts but creeps by underground stems, so that one plant may 
eventually cover a circle 2 to 4 feet in diameter. 
PARAMOUNT No. 23 SUDAN 
A few years ago the Division of Agronomy developed a new 
strain of Sudan that is far superior to the old strains. They 
named it No. 23 and it is rapidly succeeding the old strain. The 
leaves are finer, stalks are finer and sorghum crosses have 
been eliminated. Tests conducted have shown that it will yield 
a ton and a quarter more to the acre than the old variety. 
The small difference in the costs of the seed is more than 
offset in the crop production. Good for both pasture and hay. 
Write for latest market prices. 


WE CARRY A COMPLETE LINE OF GARDEN TOOLS AND SPRAY PUMPS 33 
