The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVD) of timothy, orchard, brome, reed canary, tall fescue and mountain rye grasses decreased at the rate of approximately 0.5 per cent per day throughout the growing season. The most rapid decline in IVD began with head emergence. The earliest maturing grasses tended to be higher in IVD than the other grasses at the flowering stage. The decline in IVD as the season progressed was observed in all portions of the plant, the rate of decline for the heads and stems being greater than for the leaves. The upper segments of the stems tended to have a lower IVD than the basal segments.

Four tests were conducted on three soil types, at Ottawa, Ont., and Ste. Anne de la Pocatière, Que., to study the comparative behaviour of birds-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) in various mixtures. Data show that birdsfoot trefoil was more persistent than alfalfa in long-term leys on imperfectly drained soils. It also persisted longer than ladino or alsike clovers on the two soil types where these crops were compared. Data confirm previous findings that it possesses very little competitive ability. Accordingly, to reduce competition, birdsfoot trefoil should be used in simple mixtures with non-aggressive species. Timothy seemed generally to be the best companion grass. Red clover should be used with great care since it has a marked detrimental effect on its contribution to the crop. Preliminary results suggest the value of an orchardgrass-birdsfoot trefoil mixture in dry habitats.

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In two experiments established in 1950 and 1953, Rhizoma and Grimm alfalfa, each in a simple mixture with timothy, were subjected to seven cutting schedules in the first 2 harvest years. In the third year all plots were cut on tune 15 to determine the effect of the differential defoliation in the preceding years. The two varieties were not significantly different in five of the six seasons but after a winter of severe icing in 1953 Rhizoma outyielded Grimm. The yields of the alfalfa component in the third year tended to decrease with an increase in the number of harvests in the previous years. Protein yield per acre increased with an increase in the number of clippings. The results indicated that highest yields of alfalfa will be maintained by avoiding defoliating between August 15 and October 15.