MAXIMUM BLUEGRASS RETURNS 91 



orchard grass and bluegrass. Each should be in separate 

 fields. 



Mixing Orchard Grass with Bluegrass. The result 

 has been that animals like the bluegrass so much better 

 than they do the orchard grass that the bluegrass is kept 

 grazed too close and the orchard grass let grow too rank 

 and tall. Nevertheless, the bluegrass is steadily encroach- 

 ing on its competitor. Orchard grass is a tremendously 

 good grass, but sow it in a field by itself where it will 

 be fenced so that animals must eat it when they are 

 turned to it. 



Securing a Maximum of Bluegrass. Not many men 

 understand how to manage a bluegrass pasture ; in truth, 

 they seldom give it any thought at all. It is assumed that 

 pastures' should care for themselves and be always cheer- 

 ful carriers of all the animals that can be piled on them. 

 The following principles of good management the author 

 has observed: Feed animals on the sod in winter when 

 it is not wet enough to tramp into mire. Use the manure 

 spreader to cover thinly the poorer spots in the field. 

 Keep animals religiously off in early spring ; let the grass 

 not only start but grow till there is a good, rich, sweet 

 bite. In latitude 40 May 10 is early enough to turn on 

 bluegrass pasture. This one feature is of great im- 

 portance more than is often realized. Grasses are half- 

 killed by being gnawed to the very earth in spring when 

 they are seeking to re-establish themselves after a long, 

 cruel winter. The carrying capacity of a pasture may 

 be nearly doubled by observing this rule, though it re- 

 quires good management to accomplish it. 



