I02 IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF FARM PASTURES 



it improves the grazing by rendering the crop of palatable plants 

 more readily available. 



Even more desirable than the use of the mower is mixed 

 grazing, as it affords clean, even cropping of the entire pasture. 

 It is a good practice to graze cattle, sheep, and horses in the 

 pasture together. Each class of animals has its choice of feed, 

 the result being that few weeds remain, and the whole pasture 

 is utilized evenly. 



Where weeds are a serious pest a top-dressmg of a suitable 

 fertilizer should be applied to the pasture. Winter feeding on 

 the poorer spots is also an effective means of improving the 

 grass stand. Where the grass cover is thin or contains denuded 

 spots it should be seeded to the plant or plants known to be 

 adapted to the community. It is well to disk or harrow such 

 areas after the seed is scattered. 



QUESTIONS 



1. (a) How are pastures generally classified? (b) Distinguish between an 

 annual and a permanent pasture. 



2. Name three factors that determine the value of a pasture. 



3. Name and discuss briefly three factors that cause pastures to "run out." 



4. Why is it unsafe to recommend the same treatment for the improvement 

 and maintenance of pastures irrespective of their geographic situation? 



5. Discuss the results on bluegrass pastures in Virginia with respect to 

 (a) disking, (b) disking and harrowing, (c) lack of cultural treatment, (d) 

 alternate versus continuous grazing, and (e) hght versus heavy grazing. 



6. Why do not bunchgrass pastures respond satisfactorily to the same 

 grazing practices as pastures that support sod vegetation? 



7. How would you determine the number of stock that a pasture may 

 support in good condition throughout the grazing season? 



8. On what type of pasture may deferred grazing be expected to give good 

 results? 



9. Does it pay to apply fertilizers to pasture lands? If so, what kinds? 

 What amounts should be applied? 



10. Why is it unsafe to put sheep manure on sheep pasture? 



11. (a) How may the weed pest be controlled in pastures? (b) Under 

 what conditions may cattle, sheep, and horses be grazed together with good 

 results to both stock and pasture? 



