GRASS MIXTURES FOR NEBRASKA 393 



of December. Stock is kept on these pastures only in sufficient 

 number to leave plenty of grass to hold the snow. In this way 

 we have nearly eight months of pasture from our Kentucky blue- 

 grass. 



We cannot keep the clover out, and while we do not think it im- 

 proves the feeding value of the pasture, we do think it gives new 

 life to the bluegrass, which is perhaps due to the nitrogen introduced 

 in the soil by the clover. Horses in particular would be better off 

 without the clover, as it makes them slobber. Clover and timothy 

 make a good fall pasture. While we do not sow clover for that 

 purpose, it naturally comes in in that way. We sow the clover for 

 fertilizing purposes, sowing all our small grain to clover regardless 

 of what the next crop may be. Spring sowing often gives 30 to 

 40 days' good pasture during August until plowed up for winter 

 wheat, enough to pay for the seed. Alfalfa not fitting well in our 

 rotation of crops, we set aside for meadow and hog pasture, with 

 a partition fence to divide it into halves, mowing and pastur- 

 ing, turn about ; that is to say, mow one-half the first of one month 

 and pasture the next and so on, turn about. A good all-round 

 pasture was always obtained by sowing the following mixture: 



Meadow fescue, 12 pounds ; orchard grass, 4 pounds ; brome grass, 

 4 to 8 pounds; timothy, 1 pound; red clover, 1 pound. 



This mixture would be about right for central Nebraska. Going 

 north I would increase the brome grass and decrease the meadow 

 fescue in proportion ; while going south I would reverse the change ; 

 that is, increase the meadow fescue and decrease the brome grass. 

 These grasses may be sown with or without nurse-crops and if 

 once established are quite drouth and heat-resistant. We have used, 

 if convenient, the first growth for hay, but found it lacking in 

 quality when compared with clover and timothy. The pasture of 

 the mixture usually is good by May 1, and will last until killed 

 by frost. It may be improved by mowing it high when seeds are 

 formed by the principal grasses, but the clipping is usually worth 

 as much when left to lie on the ground as when taken off for hay. 

 It will renew the pasture from year to year and make a thicker 

 stand and sod, which are both desirable for this mixture of 

 grasses. Here again, the same as recommended for the bluegrass 

 pasture, a big heavy top is at all times preferable to excessive short- 

 ness, as it will hold the moisture of the soil needed, for big juicy 

 growth of vegetation, 



