User:Grubern/sandbox

Farming techniques
The use and cultivation of Glyceria fluitans disappeared little by little during the 19th and 20th century due to its long gathering time and the disappearance of wetlands. For this reason, known farming techniques are old and not very applicable to today's production systems anymore.

Harvest and postharvest treatments
Glyceria fluitans is harvested in the second half of June or early July. The maturation and harvest time of floating mannagrass were interesting for farmers in the past centuries because it preceeded the wheat and rye harvest by 1 month, a period of significant cereal shortage. The grains of floating sweetgrass were harvested with a sieve in the morning dew. The sieves were described with long handles and only strong people could use them. After the harvest, the grains were dried out and grinded in a mortar filled with straw at the bottom so that the shells could be removed. The reason why Glyceria fluitans grains were harvested in the morning dew are the following: firstly, grains tend to stick better to the sieves when humid. Secondly, the grains of dry plants tend to fall more easily on the ground at the smallest movement.

However, these harvest techniques are not suitable for today’s agricultural production and new cultivars through breeding should be developed.

Sowing
The sowing of Glyceria fluitans takes place in summer. The seeding density is 8 to 12 lbs per acre.