SEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X. 651 



vast sum so proudly ascribed to this commodity falls short by about 

 four million dollars of the wealth represented by Iowa pasture land. 

 When we think what meager care is given pasture land in comparison 

 to that bestowed upon the corn lands it seems to the sane observer 

 that it is somewhat like "robbing Peter to pay Paul." Would much 

 prefer to speak on the topic, "How to Maintain Pasture," but will pro- 

 ceed to make the most of my subject. The abuses of pasture land is 

 legion, and its uses are universally recognized. We will consider first 

 the proper method of making pastures in this part of Iowa. This sub- 

 ject should be further sub-divided under the heads, "Permanent Pastures" 

 and "Rotary Pastures." It is impossible to farm without a permanent 

 pasture; they are convenient around buildings, and much better to have 

 them there. You do not act wisely when you put your pasture on the 

 poorest spot of land you own on the farm. There are some farmers 

 who begrudge every foot of good land devoted to this purpose, but 

 the fact is that let the land be ever so good it is a paying proposition. 

 Personally, unless one has an abundance of land, it is not wise to 

 make permanent pastures; the best effect will be gathered from rota- 

 tion. Broken land, sown to clover, timothy and bluegrass, which each 

 supplants in turn, then turn over the soil and change crops provides 

 the good results. Natural, fertile, virgin soil, transformed by man by 

 grass sowing makes the best of pastures. 



Little woodlots from which you have used the timber, where a little 

 shade remains, make pastures of an ideal kind. No crops grow so well 

 on them as pasture; cool, and washed, not wet. Such are the pasture 

 lands of Michigan, which are recognized as the very best. On these spots 

 sow a mixture of timothy, red clover, white and alsike clover and orchard 

 grass. There is not enough known of the last named grass, which is 

 worthy of the best and thoughtful attention of farmers and dairymen. 

 This grass is the first to spring in the early season, and is the last to 

 be affected by frost. Much is said of corn breeding; the same thought 

 applies to pasture seeds. Sow different grasses and so extend the use- 

 fulness of our pastures one extra month. 



When you plan for your pasture, take your good land, not the best 

 always; make it good, stir it up, plow six or eight inches deep and 

 having made a suitable seed bed sow your seed mixture. When a good 

 stand is assured don't make the mistake of being over-conservative or 

 over-radical. Give the grass time to appear and get a good breath; then, 

 when its growth is assured, turn in your stock and make good use of it. 

 Exterminate weeds, especially thistle and sour dock. Make your pas- 

 tures many and small. Break them up occasionally by broadcast seeder, 

 and don't be afraid of tramping by stock, except as they make regular 

 runs. 



