BROME GRASS (Neo-Lat. bracing, Gk. bromos, kind of oats, from popc,50-Kew, bibroskcin, to eat), Bromus. A genus of annual or perennial grasses nearly allied to the fescue grasses. There are about forty species, mostly found in the north temperate zone, although some are found in South America. Some of the species are of considerable economic importance, while others are troublesome weeds. The brome grasses grow upon light soils, and are quite re sistant to drouth. On this last account several species are highly valued in the semi-arid re gions of the Great Plains, where they furnish considerable hay and forage. One of the best for this purpose is the smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis). This species is a native of Eu rope, grows to a height of 2 to 5 feet, and being perennial, soon completely occupies the land, to the exclusion of all other plants. A somewhat similar species is the annual Schrader's brome grass, or fescue grass (Bromus unioloidcs). of South America. In some of the Southern State: it is considered one of the best winter grasses for pasturage. The soft brome grass ģiol
lis) is a native of England and introduced into the United States. it has soft, downy leaves, which are readily eaten by cattle, but neither the quality nor the quantity of the herb age is very high. The seeds of this and other species have been reputed to be poisonous, but the evidence is not conclusive.
The giant brome grass (Bromus gigantcus) produces a large amount of fodder in England,but cattle do not seem to relish it. scca/inus, called rye brome chess, and cheat, is a trouble some weed in fields of wheat and rye. The seeds retain their vitality for a long time, and fre quently appear in grain-fields where from some cause the cereal has been destroyed. To this fact the somewhat common belief that 'wheat turns to cheat' is to be attributed. That there is no foundation for such an idea is easily demonstrat ed. A number of species are very ornamental, and Bromus brizalormis is sometimes grown for winter bouquets.