Show remarkable NEW TYPE OF GRASS DEVELOPED moscow idaho june ai 8 michels grass unknown a decade ago has matured into one of the agricultural sensations of the century out of the tedium of long experimentation peri the first four seed I 1 producing plants were born under the h hand 3 nd of C A ml michels c h e 13 a assistant 1 agronomist at the university of idaho at moscow in 1932 his object was to produce a new type of grass that would have the perennial habit and drought resistant qualities of wild rye grass and the palatability and high seed production of the wheat plant university certified seed in 1939 sold for 85 cents a pound in lots I 1 of more than pounds but the demand far exceeded the supply the grass is the product of a cross between mosida monida winter wheat and elymus condensates conden satus a large coarse bunch perennial rye grass the seed its producer explained should be seeded as early as as possible in the fall on a moist awell well tilled seed bed at the rate of 10 to 20 pounds per acre it can be planted with a grain drill the crop can be harvested with an ordinary binder or a combine the seeds thrash freely from the straw when ripe and no special threshing equipment is needed A moscow idaho dairyman reported cattle are gre greedy for the grass I 1 believe it is as similar to winter wheat for pasture but it grows many times as fast forty days after planting in the spring it is ready for pasture |