774 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Now I think we could, in the first place, extend the grazing season 

 from two to three months in the year, on nearly every farm throughout 

 this state and other states similarly situated. In fact, we do not get 

 grazing more than five or six months in the year, seldom more than 

 five months. Wherever we can grow blue grass, we can extend the graz- 

 ing period to eight or nine months, without serious diflBcutly. Particul- 

 arly is that true with regard to the production of horses and of beef 

 cattle. It can not be so readily done with dairy cattle for the reason we 

 can not expose them so much, and have them out so many months in the 

 year. 



But by maintaing our lands in good condition, and providing for a 

 good growth of grass throughout the summer months, and carrying a 

 surplus into the autumn and over the winter, we can graze up till the 

 first January in nearly all parts of Illinois. From this latidude south 

 there will be no difficulty. And then, by maintaining a surplus of grass 

 on the pastures over winter, we can turn stock out by the first of April 

 instead of the first of May. So we can add two months to the grazing 

 period at the end of the* season, and one month at the beginning of the 

 season, by holding in reserve on our grass lands a surplus of feed, which 

 can be drawn upon at any time. 



In order to do this, however, it will be necessary to give attention to 

 the grass lands, in the way of building them up; in the way of culti- 

 vating them. If we expect to grow a crop of grass we must expect to 

 feed that crop the same we feed our live stock. And we must give the 

 same attention to the cultivation and maintenance of the grass lands in 

 the best state of fertility that we give to other parts of the farm. Three- 

 fourths of our grass lands are relatively neglected lands. The pasture 

 lands, as a rule, are the poorest and most inferior parts of the farm. 



It is not always the case, but as a rule, the pasture receives no con- 

 sideration, until all other parts of the farm have been brought under 

 improved methods. And if we were to give it the annual attention in the 

 way of top dressing, in the way of harrowing and distributing fertilizer, 

 in the way of renewing the grass seed, and in the way of drainage, keeping 

 the soil sweet and light and in the best possible condition, I believe that we 

 could practically double the output from our pasture lands. 



One of the first essentials is to see that we have a good stand of grass. 

 So many of our grass lands are simply set aside to grass, and they are 

 grazed closely from the beginning to the end of the season. The soil 

 bakes, and becomes what we call hide-bound at times. The grass dies, 

 and then if it is exposed when it is bare during the winter and during 

 the midsummer's severe drouth, it dries out and kills out, and very soon 

 we will have not more than half or three-quarters of a stand of grass 

 on many of our grazing lands. And whenever that condition occurs, 

 nature provides for a covering, and the weeds come in there, and they 

 take possession of the soil just as soon as there is an opportunity. Just 

 as soon as there is a reduced condition or weakened vitality of the grass 

 crop, the weeds will come on and take possession. So that over a large 

 part of our grazing lands, we have not a stand of grass at all, in many 

 cases not to exceed a half stand. 



