The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-03-20
SMOOTH o GRASS.

From several years experience with
awnless bronze grass (Bromus inermis)
at the Canadian experimental farm it
appears that to obtain the best results
in hay two crops should be taken from
the field, which should then be plowed |
up, unless required for pasture. While
this will neceSsitate a little more work
In sowing a fresh field or a few acres
each spring and blowing up the same
mount of old grass land, various ad
vantages will arise from the adoption
of this course-irst, good fodder will
be supplied each year by the newly
seeded land; second, there being a first
crop of hay each year, it is likely to be
a good one; third, bronze sod is easily
plowed after the second crop, but is
very tough after the fourth or fifth;
fourth, the roots of the grass when
plowed up afford protection from
winds and in this respect are equal, so
far as experience shows, to the native
sod. This being the case, it is evident
that it will be a great advantage to
other crops to treat old worked land in
this way.
This grass is better sown alone; at
least it should not be sown with a
grain crop. The grain takes too much
moisture from the young grass plants,
only the most vigorous of which will
survive the dry weather in September,
whereas if sown alone all the plants
will have an equal chance.
1t is also advisable to SOW the seed
on soil that does not blow. Summer
fallow would be the best preparation
except OF account of liability to drift.
Stubble land plowed three or four
inches deep in April or May and well
narrowed after the seed is sown is
found to be quite safe from winds, as
the stubble narrowed on top prevents
all drifting.
Fifteen to IS pounds of seed is re-
CURED per acre. More seed will give a
better crop the first year. but less aft
erward, as the roots thicken up each
year and in three or four years makes
better pasture than hay.
The seed being light, long and thin,
seeding by hand is the only practicable
method. To seed properly a calm day
should be chosen. so that all parts of
the land may be evenly sown.
While the plants are young weeds
are sure to make great Roadway, and it
is necessary to keep them at least from
going to seed. The quickest way to ac-
complish this is to go over the field
with a mower, cutting just above the
grass plants. If this operation has to
be repeated. it will be necessary to cut
the tops of the grass, but this will not
injure the plants-in fact, it is an adj
vantage in the way of giving the roots
a better hold.
The first crop of hay a be cut the
text year after seeding and will in or
binary years be ready in July. Eight
or ten days after being ready to cut
for hay it will be fit to cut for seed if
SO desired.
On this farm it has always been cut
in first blossom for hay, and tend days
from this time it is considered in prop
err state to cut for seed.
In cutting for seed a binder is used,
and the grass is cut, tied and stocked
the same as wheat or other grain. In
a week or ten days after cutting it is
ready to thrash or store away as deem
ed best.
For t%hrashing small quantities the
old fashioned fail is suitable, but fol
large lots a thrashing machine should
be used on which the wind has beer
closed off as much as practicable. From
800 to 600 pounds Of seed may be ex
pected from an acre.