558 Grasses and Leguminous Crops in New York 



its origin suggest a preference for a rather moist to wet soil. 

 John Herd, from whom the synonym of timothy, herd's-grass, is 

 derived, is reported to have found the plant growing wild in a 

 l^ew Hampshire swamp. Certainly it is knovsm to make its 

 largest growth in moist, cool situations. 



Finally, the plant is known not to be tolerant of a veiy acid 

 condition of soil. leather, it thrives on soil moderately well sup- 

 plied with lime. A neutral to slightly alkaline soil may be set 

 down as best adapted for its gi'owth. However, it is not so sesnsi- 

 tive as red clover and alfalfa, but it readily shows the effects of 

 the conditions from v/liich they fail. 



THE groups of SOIL FOR TIMOTHY 



These characteristics mark out the soils on which timothy will 

 thrive. We shall next consider where such soils may be found in 

 New York State, and examine their further characters and mode 

 of occuiTence. 



The requirements enumerated, as well as tlie results of rather 

 extensive observation of the growth of timothy on the various 

 soils of the state, enable us to divide the soils adapted to timothy 

 •into four main groups ; namely, muck and swamp soils, alluvial 

 bottom soils, clay and clay loam, and upland loams and sandy 

 loams. The success of the crop on the several groups of soil from 

 the viewpoint of yield, but not necessarily of quality, may be 

 placed in the order given. The swamp and muck soils will give 

 the largest yield when reasonably drained, although not so much 

 drainage is required as for vegetable crops. This fact, together 

 with the success of the crop on such soil, makes it one of the best 

 to put on such land when first cleared. 



Swamp and Muck Soils 



The area of muck and swamp soils in the state is between two 

 and three thousand square miles. Of this area the muck and peat 

 soils constitute about one-third. The remainder is made up of 

 areas of soil that now are, or originally were, in a more or less 

 swampy condition and have accumulated sufficient organic matter 

 to have a very dark or black color. Many of these areas have 



