IMPROVEMENT OF PASTURES IN EASTERN NEW YORK, ETC 



when fertilized, and can be made worth from four to six times as 

 much as it was previous to the building-up process. 



REASONS FOR THE DETERIORATION OF DAIRY PASTURES. 



At first glance it would seem that the difference between beef pas- 

 tures and the eastern New York and New England dairy pastures is 

 due to difference of soil conditions. However, we find pastures 

 within a short distance of the highly productive ones and on the same 

 soil that have been almost denuded of their original vegetation and 

 that are no more productive than the one sho\\T^i in Plate I, figure 1. 

 Again, in a few instances small protected areas have been found in 

 the New York and New England region that are producing a large 

 quantity of feed. In fact, one such area has been found near the 

 pasture shown in Plate I, figure 1, but where the soil was not as deep. 



The investigations that have been carried on show very plainly 

 that while the diiference in soil types and climatic conditions modifies 

 to a greater or less extent the carrying capacity of pastures, the essen- 

 tial difi'erence between the dairy pastures of this region and the beef 

 pastures described is more largely due to the methods of management. 



RESULTS OF TOO EARLY GRAZING. 



. The best cattle grazers have learned that if cattle are turned on 

 pastures before the grass gets a good start, or, as they term it, ''gets 

 strong," and is 2 or 3 inches high, the cattle do not do as well and 

 the pastures are greatly retarded. In the case of New England 

 pastures, stock are usually turned out before the grass gets a good 

 start, and more cattle are kept than the pastures will maintain, 

 extra feeding in the barnyard being practiced. 



A study of the life liistory of plants shows us that they must get 

 a considerable number of green leaves started in order to make any 

 substantial growth. If the green parts are kept too closely grazed 

 the plants of necessity will grow slowly, produce very little feed, 

 and eventually become enfeebled and die out. In spite of this 

 fact the great majorit}' of eastern farmers consider that it is bad 

 for a pasture to let the grass get a start, believing that a more dense 

 sod is obtained by close grazing. The excellent stands of grass 

 obtained in many of the southern beef pastures where the grass is 

 allowed to get a good start before it is grazed (PI. II, fig. 2) show that 

 this statement does not hold true. 



RESULTS OF TOO CLOSE GRAZING. 



The beef-cattle men have learned that it is very unwise for them 

 to overstock their pastures. If an animal is to be gotten fat enough 



[Cir. 49] 



