7SS Grasses and Leguminous Ceops in New York 



seasons in the course of rotation. There is room for argument 

 a& to whether or not this is in each case a desirable practice. Most 

 of this class occurs in those sections where there is little waste land 

 and where values are high. 



PASTURE IMPROVEMENT 



The first class mentioned may be immediately dismissed from 

 discussion under this head, because woodlands are more profitable 

 for timber production and the pasturage they furnish is of little 

 account in economically maintaining farm animals. On the other 

 hand, a little shade in any pasture is grateful to the animals in 

 the heat of midsummer. The essentials of good pasturage might 

 be stated — succulent, nourishing feed through the season; abun- 

 dant, pure water supply easily accessible; and sufficient shade. 

 The importance of the last is apparent when we reflect that the 

 ruminant spends only as long as necessary to gather sufficient food 

 and then needs a comfortable })lace to complete its mastication. 

 This fact explains the poor results from pastures of large area 

 with scant herbage and those too steep or rough to be easily 

 travelled. 



Except to suggest the wisdom of an addition of pasture grasses 

 to the clover and timothy sown, the fourth class needs no discussion 

 under the head of improvement, as lands in regular rotation are 

 usually in a good state of production and the pasturage is only 

 to conserve some part of the grass crop or because there is no 

 other available area on the particular farm. 



That leaves us the two larger and more important classes of 

 pasture land requiring improvement. 



PASTURE I.ANDS UNSUITED TO CUI.TIVATION 



Our definition of the second class, " cleared or partially cleared 

 lands which are too brushy, stony, steep, or otherwise unsuited to 

 cultivation," immediately precludes the most important means 

 of reclamation we have — resieeding. What then remains to be 

 done for this important division ? Much that is cheap and prac- 

 tical, even for the man of limited capital. 



Many an otherwise good pasture has been allowed to grow up 

 with thorns and brush till half or more of its area is occupied to 



