20 VERMONT AGRICULTURAL, REPORT. 



first five are found on every long-tilled farm in Vermont and 

 meadow fescue is at least much commoner than is popularly 

 supposed. 



For the practical solution of the pasture problem the follow- 

 ing suggestions are given. 



First. Recognize frankly that much of the so-called 

 "pasture" should henceforth be called "wood-lot." Fence it ofiE 

 and encourage it to grow up to forest. Growing white pine is 

 one of the best long time investments that can be made, and in 

 many cases it should not only be allowed to grow but encouraged 

 by seeding and planting. It is amazing how quickly it will 

 double and quadruple in value. Good pine land will grow over 

 40 cords or 20 thousand feet in 40 years, and the increase in 

 value will be even greater after that. Recently, I knew of 8 

 acres of second growth pine in the Connecticut valley, Vermont, 

 to sell for over $8,500. With the increasing value of pine lum- 

 ber what better crop can be grown? The deliberate conversion 

 of much of the weediest, roughest old pasture lands to wood-lots 

 will go far toward the right solution of the pasture problem. 



Second. Rarely plow up an old pasture sod providing your 

 aim is to keep it in pasture. Instead realize that the best way 

 to keep down weeds and at the same time add to the fertility of 

 the soil is to stock heavily, if need be, supplementing the pasture 

 feed by a soiling crop and a little grain. 



Third. Renovate the pastures as needed by working fer- 

 tilizer and seed in from the top in early spring or in late sum- 

 mer. Top dress with manure or ashes where practicable. If 

 the stand needs thickening in places run over these with a har- 

 row in early spring or about the first of August and seed with 

 the following mixture : 



Timothy 10 pounds 



White clover 5 pounds 



Kentucky blue grass . 10 pounds 



Red top 5 pounds 



Add 3 pounds of each Orchard grass, Canadian blue grass and 

 Meadow fescue if good seed of these is obtainable. 



THE PROBLEM OF THE MEADOWS. 



In working out the problems of the best handling of the 

 meadow lands, the first thing is clearly to define the conditions 

 and aims in each case. If it is low, heavy land naturally suited 

 to grass and handled with difficulty for other crops, it is best 

 to lay it down with the idea of leaving it many years. In this 

 case something like the following mixture should be used, the 



