The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-03
Meadow Dat Grass.

The last quarterly report OF llie h"n
sas State Board of Agriculture has si.
en- some attention to grasses IN an anu
Gle from Prof. Sheldon, of the Agrlcul-
tural College. upon all kinds OF tame
grasses. and also one from Prof. D. W.
Robson. of Dickinson county, upon
Meadow Dat Grass. Prof. Sheldon re-
ports upon the matter as follows
ssThis grass has within two or IIlree
wears been extensively sold in the west
under the name of evergreen grass
We have the authority of Prof. Beal Ior
the statement that this new candidate
for popular favor is neither more nor less
than the old English meadow oat-gIdSS'
We are able to report but single year
trial of this grass; but this experience
short as it is, has been quite satisfactory
mo grass that we have yet trleu mas
during its first season, made sllch NlS
orous growth as meadOw-oat-grdSS 0Iu
last wear. In this respect it has greatly
surpassed our old favorite Orchard-graSs'
It made a much better stand than dld
orchard grass growing beside 1t, and en-
dured the severe and protracted drouth
of the latter part of the season better,re
tanning its intense green throughout
The grass, although sOwn late IN Aprl,
gave heavy cutting of hay in july a
feat that we have never before accom-
plished with any other sort. Whether
this grass will endure tramping, severe
drouths. and at times the cravings OF
grasshoppers, remains to be seen. we
shall watch with hopeful interest the
behavior of meadow oat-grass in the fu-
ture. We think not less than two bush
els of seed per acre should be soWn."
Prof. Robson. who has given the
grass ali extended trial says upon the
subject:
"As an official of the State Board of
Agriculture, it is my duty to report the
introduction of new tame grass in the
State which after trial on high upland
farm for the term of two years, during
which period we have watched it very
closely during the various exhibits of its
growth. we now claim that this valuable
grass possesses so many excellent quail
ties as to place it in the front of all the
cultivated tame grasses. Unlocking over
our notes we find
1st. That this seed will terminate and
grow as easily as common oats.
I'd. 1t maintains a deep-green color
all seasons of the year.
Sd. It's roots descend deeply into the
subsoil, enabling it to withstand pro
tracted drOuth.
4th. Its early growth in spring makes
it equal to rye for pastuage.
9Th. In the next year after sowing 1t
is ready to cut for hay the middle of May
not merely woody stems, but composed
in a large measure of mass of long
blades of foliage. This crOpOf hay can
be cut and cured, and slowed away in a
stack OF barn, long before winter wheat
harvest begins.
9Th. 1t grows quickly after moving,
giving denser and more succulent af-
termath than any of the present popular
tame grasses.
For several years we have been look
ing for a grass that would supply good
grazing to our cattle and sheep after the
native grasses have become dry and taSt-
less. In the early portion of 1881, Om
attention was called to tame grass
which had been introduced into the
State of Michigan from West Virginia
This forage plant was causing some eX
citement among the farmers in the neigl
borhood of Battle creek. So we entered
into a correspondence with friend liv
ing there. and obtained ten pounds o.
seed for trial. The result has been salts
factory in every respect. The seed wa:
sown April 1, 1881. 1t terminated
quickly, and the young plants grew Wig
orously. During the whole summer the.
exhibited deep-green color, and did no
become brown, like bluegrass, orchard
grass and timothy. As soon as TIT
spring of 1882 opened, growth set il
rapidly and continued till the latter enC
of May, at which period it stood from
three to four feet high. At this time i
was ready for the mower; but as th'
production of seed was the object il
view. it was not cut till the second weel
in June. The plot of ground of about
half an AGREE, on which ten pounds O
seed was sown, produced three barrel
of seed.
On the 1st day of August we went int
the plot with sickle, and cut TIVE
handfuls of aftermath which measured
twenty inches in growth. This wa
tied to a sheaf of the June cutting, ant
exhibited the same at the State Fair
where it attracted much attention anC
comment.
Here, then, we have grass that vii
insure a good catch if the seed is fresh
chat can endure drouth; that produces
an abundant supply of foliage; that i:
valuable forpasture in early spring, or