The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1904-02-27
GRASS ON DRY LAND
Grazing Problem Is Apparently
Solved BY Experiments Of
Or. C. A. Hoover.

As the result OF five years OF constant
experiment, says the Statesman, DR.. {.
A. Hoover of Montpelier has, in the
opinion of competent authorities, sue
ceeded in finding a grass that can be
grown in the arid regions without the
aid OF irrigation, and which, it is conf
IDENTIFY believed, viii prove OF finestimable
value to woolgrowers and stockraisers.
The grass is known as the tall meadow
oat grass and can, it is asserted, be
grown wherever wild rye grass flour
ishes. The oat grass is said to he more
nutritious than timothy, and DR..
Hoover succeeded last season in harvest
ing between one and two tons to the
acre on land as dry as a bone.
DR.. Hoover began his experiments
some five years ago with fescue, alfalfa,
Espersets rye, Bronze grass and other
varieties. He finally succeeded in rails
ing Bronze grass (Russian) on unirrigated
land This grass, while making a good
stand, does not grow high enough in
Bear Lake county to make hay. The
tall meadow oat grass, however, grew to
height of three and four feet and
yielded handsomely.
The greatest difficulty experienced by
Dr. Hoover was in getting an even stand
Of either the Bronze or tall meadow oat
grass, not withstanding that they propa.
gate from the rootlets, every joint throw
ing up new stocks.
In seeding it was found that the seeds
were so light cased and fluffy that it was
almost impossible to get an even stand
After preparing the soil by deep plowine
and narrowing the DR.. raised crop OF
rye. Next year he cross plowed the
land, seeded in the fall and narrowed il
twice. The grass then came up il
punches, but was n't very thick. HI
let the crop stand until the seed shclle,
out and the wind carried it evenly owe
the soil. After the seed had droppe'
and been distributed, the grass was Gu
and the land disced and narrowed in tn
fall. Next spring the grass grew NJ
thickly and averaged from one to tw
tons to the acre on the 55 acres unde
cultivation. The grass should be cut i
the blossom for hay.
From the product of the 05 acres sowr
Or. Hoover is now feeding l26 head {
cattle and 20 horses, and he expects
have 30 or 90 tons left over in the spring
DR.. Hoover Is also experimenting wit
tall rye and and common alfalfa, PLAN
ing them together. He findr that tn
alfalfa will grow wherever the muistuI
comes within five feet Of the ground su
face. The tall rye and meadow graf
grows foot higher than the alfalfa an
protects the latter from spring and ia
: frosts.
1--WE believe DR.. Hoover has solve
the problem of the arid plains" sal
Horticultural Inspector Mcpherson. 9
the foothills between Georgetown Al
Montpelier he has succeeded in grown
81 acres Of the meadow grass without
drop uf water, We are satisfied tn
wherever The rye grass has grown the Il
meadow ont grass and Bronze grass W
also grow, The srcret lies, so DIR. Hoo
er has discovered. in properly preparii
the land and using good judgment
planting the seed,
81 do not believe that the tall mead,
grass will grow IN all parts OF Idaho, b
it will certainly thrive wherever the +
grass has grown,
"Thls IL great news for the Stockgro
ers and farmefs of the state and we Il
sure others cah 10 quite DE well rs J
Hoover has done if they persevere int
igently,'