322 GRASSES OF IOWA. 



to winter-killing. There is a decreasing yield from year to 

 year, and it is found advisable to turn old fields under. Unless 

 it is mixed with other grasses it is usually not best to keep a 

 timothy meadow longer than three years. Although Professor 

 Williams* states that there are upland meadows in Nebraska 

 which have been in constant use for fifteen years or more, and 

 in that time have not failed to yield paying crops. In this 

 state at least the timothy meadow ' 'runs out' ' and is replaced by 

 bluegrass. I have, however, seen pastures and meadows in 

 Wisconsin that have been in constant use for fifteen years 

 where considerable timothy could be found. With the timothy, 

 however, there was much bluegrass and clover. Professor 

 Williams+ siys: "Timothy is often used in reclaiming worn- 

 out native meadows and pastures, and with proper treatment 

 very good results are obtained. It seldom yields well in pas- 

 tures, however, for more than two or three years in succession 

 unless the land is very rich and moist. It is, therefore, the 

 best plan to sow bluegrass with the timothy, and by the time 

 the latter is pastured out the former will have occupied the 

 land. Sowing on native turf is usually done in early spring. 

 The seed is sown broadcast, and then the ground is gone over 

 thoroughly with a heavy harrow. Native meadows on low, rich 

 soil, that have become thin from continuous close cutting, may 

 be very materially strengthened by the addition of a little timo- 

 thy in this manner, as the writer knows from experience in" 

 both Nebraska and South Dakota." 



In spite of the early failures, timothy is to-day one of the 

 most valuable of all the meadow grasses grown in the northern 

 Mississippi and Missouri valleys. 



Opinions differ as to when timothy should be cut. Many 

 farmers wait until the seeds are in the "dough" stage; some 

 even wait longer. The farmer who waits until the seed is ripen- 

 ing lacks thrift. It is far better to cut just before the timothy 

 is in bloom or during full bloom. If cut before it blooms it is 

 much more difficult to cure. It cures better if cut just after 

 the V lossoms fall. Professor Williams|. says: "The best hay 

 is obtained by cutting durirg full bloom, or when the blossoms 

 fall. The feeding qualities are best at full bloom, but most 

 farmers prefer to cut a little later, as ihe pollen makes the hay 



•Timothy Id the Prairie Region. Year-book U. S. Dept. of Agrl. 1896: 147. 

 +Year bo( k U. S. Dept. Agrl. 1896: 149. 

 JYear-book U. S. Dept. Agrl. 1896; 150. 



