92 impro\t:ment and management of farm pastures 



Fig. 26. — a T\TIC\L FORM OF SODGRASS. 

 Because the forming branches force their way through the base of the leaf sheath and grow to a con- 

 siderable length before turning upward, the stems and leaf blades are often quite remote from the 



original point of growth. 



been done over the pasture region as a whole upon which pasture- 

 management plans may safely be based. For this reason the 

 grazing systems ordinarily proposed are largely theoretical. 

 So-called " blanket " recommendations, alleged to apply to all 

 regions, types of vegetation, soils, and climatic conditions, have 

 been made. Often these are liable to be erroneous rather 

 than constructive. The follo\ving statements, taken from the 

 current Kterature on pasture management, are typical of what 

 the farmer is told to do. 



1. Let the grass head out before turning stock on it in the spring. 



2. Do not let the grass grow tall and get tough before grazing it in the 

 spring. 



