MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



157 



One of the chief enemies of meadows is weeds. They 

 not only hinder the newly seeded meadow from getting a 

 good start, but injure the value of hay, reducing the mar- 

 ket price. If allowed to grow in the meadow from year 

 to year, the weeds will also leave the soil foul for the crops 

 that follow when the meadow is again tilled. 



Stacking by means of modern machinery saves much labor. 



It is no uncommon sight to see meadows grown up with 

 ragweed, dock, smartweed, foxtail and other weed pests. 

 If weeds appear after the crop of hay has been harvested, 

 they should not be allowed to go to seed, but should be 

 cut down with the mower while in bloom. 



Spring seeded meadows should not be pastured the fol- 

 lowing fall even if the plants look thriving. This is sure 

 to reduce the yield of hay the following season, and may 

 cause the plants to winter kill by exposing the roots. The 



