CHAPTER IX 

 MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



ALTHOUGH meadows and pastures claim more than 

 half of all the farm land of the United States, they re- 

 ceive far less attention than any other part of the farm. 

 About one-fourth of the acreage from which hay is harvested 

 is native wild meadow ; this is chiefly located in the newer 

 portions of the West. Pastures are often used from year to 

 year with no care taken to improve them. Yet in many cases 

 meadows and pastures well repay the time and expense nec- 

 essary to make them more productive. 



1 . Meadows 



Requirements of a meadow. Meadows are commonly 

 used for a double purpose the production of hay, and 

 providing the rotation of crops required to maintain the 

 fertility of the soil. It is necessary therefore to select such 

 plants for the meadow as will serve both of these ends. 

 This is possible with our wide range of grasses and legumes 

 from which to choose. 



Meadow plants should possess the following qualities : 

 (1) yield well; (2) be palatable; (3) tend to improve the 

 soil; (4) grow strong and thick enough to keep down the 

 weeds; (5) produce an even firm sod free from high tufts 

 or bunches. 



The surface of the meadow should be smooth and free 

 from obstructions that will interfere with the harvesting of 

 the hay crop. 



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