392 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



nials are not too plentiful, tliey may be removed by 

 cutting them with the spud when practicable below the 

 surface of the ground, with sufficient frequency, to ac- 

 complish the end sought in a single season. Where they 

 are too numerous to be thus dealt with, there is no 

 other way but to tolerate their presence until the pas- 

 ture is broken; but where a proper use is made of the 

 mower, the scythe and the spud, noxious weeds will 

 be, at least, reduced in permanent pastures, if not en- 

 tirely removed. Those who may desire to get more 

 information with reference to destroying weeds are re- 

 ferred to the book, "Weeds and How to Eradicate 

 Them,^' written by the author in 1893. 



Fertilizing and Renewing. — The necessity for having 

 the soil in a good condition as to fertility when perma- 

 nent pastures are laid down has been dwelt upon (see 

 page 392). When the land has been thus enriched, usu- 

 ally no further fertilization is necessary for a few 

 years — how many can only be determined by the needs 

 of the land. But it is evident that no soil can furnish 

 grazing indefinitely, especially for cattle without more 

 or less of depletion in fertility because of the flesh, 

 bone and milk product sold. The necessity for fertiliz- 

 ing the pastures, therefore, will always exist, and the 

 production from the same will be measurably propor- 

 tionate to the extent of the enrichment. Inattention 

 to this essential in the management of permanent pas- 

 tures furnishes one reason why they are not mor^ 

 in favor with the American farmer. 



Usually commercial fertilizers are preferred for such 

 manuring but farm yard manure, if it could be ob- 



