10 TMPROVEMEXT OF PASTURES IN EASTERN NEW YORK, ETC, 



THE ERADICATION OF WEEDS. 



Whenever a pasture is too rough to permit bringing it under cul- 

 tivation, other methods of weed eradication will be necessary. A 

 large percentage of the weeds can be destroyed if they are cut with a 

 scythe just before they go to seed and, if possible, at their period of 

 lowest vitality. Some of the more dangerous weeds that can not 

 be killed in this manner will have to be dug out with a hoe or pulled 

 by hand. The best cattle graziers in the Southern States find that 

 if they go over their pastures once or twice a year and destroy the 

 more dangerous weeds they have very little trouble from this cause. 



SUMMARY. 



(1) The pastures of eastern New York and the New England 

 States have deteriorated greatly. 



(2) In direct contrast, beef pastures in other parts of the country 

 of the same age are in as good condition as originally. 



(3). In the corn belt badly worn land is built up by using it as a 

 pasture and feeding on it. 



(4) Graziers of beef cattle have learned by experience that too 

 early grazing is harmful. 



(5) Graziers have also learned that close grazing does not pay. 



(6) A study of their life history shows that plants must be allowed 

 sufficient green-leaf surface to manufacture plant food. If this is 

 not done the plants will produce very little feed and will die. 



(7) Too close grazing gives opportunity for dangerous weeds to 

 become established. 



(8) The deterioration of pastures in New York and New England is 

 mostly due to close grazing, because (1) this prevents perennial 

 plants storing the food necessary for starting in spring; (2) it results 

 in a heavy loss of humus; (3) it makes the ground too dry for the 

 maintenance of native forage plants ; and (4) it causes a considerable 

 loss of plant food from the soil. 



(9) These conditions can be remedied by (1) the prevention of 

 overgrazing; (2) the prevention of too early grazing; (3) fertilizing; 

 (4) cultivating; (5) reseeding; and (6) the eradication of weeds. 



Approved : 



James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



Washington, D. C, January 8, 1910. 



[Cir. 49] 



o 



