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23 
The yield varies much with weather, soil, manure, and mode of cultivation. From a Yield. 
fertile sandy loam, Pinkert obtained a yield of 1780 Ibs. per acre, while Kielmann ob- 
tained less than 1600 Ibs. 
From a fertile loam, Sinclair obtained the following yield per acre: — 
Green. Dry. 
On 16% April 4084 Ibs. — 
, flowering 7827 ,, 3390 Ibs. 
Aftermath . 3404 _,, =" 
Vianne obtained, from two cuttings taken from a mild rich clay, 5900 Ibs. of hay per acre. Aarm- 
rodt obtained on an average, extending over 4 years, 7300 lbs. Werner reckons the average yield at 
3900 lbs. per acre, 4100 Ibs, of grass give 25—42'/2 Ibs. of hay, i. e. on an average, 33%/2 Ibs. 
As cut-grass, it yields less than others, while as pasture, it compares more favourably. 
It is essential not to commence depasturing too late in the spring, because as soon Depasturing. 
as the culms have appared, the produce is not so readily eaten by cattle. The culms are 
left standing and remain throughout the summer in a withered condition; the value of the 
pasture is thus much decreased. 
According to Woljf 100 Ibs. of hay, contain 79.2°/o of organic matter, composed of: — Nutritive 
Albumin. =. ~—-s «10.2 °/o portion assimilated 5.4 °/o vane 
ibr ; Rte aes: 
BIDS : /o i, Fe 35.3 °/o 
Non-nitrogenous extractives 36.1 °/o | 
Fat . : e Oeietin 5 a 0.8 °/o 
Ratio of nitrogenous to non-nilrogenous nutriment 1 : 7.3. 
Perennial rye-grass hay is accordingly less nutritive than meadow-hay of medium 
quality. 
Harvesting, impurities and adulterations of seed. Perennial rye-grass yields abundance of — geed- 
seed, which is easily harvested. The second cutting is used for seed in order to reduce the b@rvesting- 
loss of fodder to a minimum. Cutting should take place before the seeds begin to fall away 
which they very readily do. It is therefore best to take the crop when the seeds are be- 
ginning to assume a leathery consistence, and not to wait until they become brown and 
hard. They are in right condition about 4 weeks after flowering. The culms are still quite 
green, the radical leaves beginning to die, and the pales becoming yellowish. At this stage, 
the grass is cut with a scythe or mower, allowed to lie for one or two days, and turned 
in the morning before the dew is off; small loose sheaves can also be formed. These are 
allowed to dry and ripen in rows or stooks. By the first method, the plants are allowed 
3 to 4 days in the field; by the second, somewhat longer. They are then led in carts, 
and treshed out by hand or machine. The seed is frequently obtained merely by shaking 
and beating with forks or flails; this plan is not economical, since more or less of the 
seed remains in the hay, and is lost. If the seed is very ripe, it is advisable to beat. it 
out on the field, on cloths spread to receive it. It should be at once cleaned by the win- 
nower, and spread out in a thin Jayer. Wen laid out in heaps, the temperature rises, and 
the germinating power of the seed is considerably diminished. 
Sprengel states that over 530 Ibs. of seed can be obtained per acre. From a stiff sandy loam Yield of Seed. 
Pinkert took 700 lbs.; others obtained amounts varying from 880—1050 Ibs. In Hohenheim, 350 Ibs. 
of seed were obtained from a poor soil; from well manured land 700 lbs. Werner gives an average of 
260—350 Ibs. of seed, and 2000—2800 Ibs. of hay per acre. : 
