MIXED SEEDING — STOCK. 791 



PASTURES AND MEADOWS. 



My meadows and pasture land are used for the growing 

 stock, and are kept under my immediate control, although, 

 when there is a surplus it is sold by pasturing stock by the 

 month. This I much prefer to leasing pastures or meadows 

 for a stated time, as it is very important to protect the grass 

 at times, as well as other crops. Pastures that are wanted for 

 early Spring use should not be grazed close during the Fall or 

 Winter, and close grazing in the Spring is often disastrous, 

 especially when it is followed by a dry, hot Summer. 



In seeding land for pasture my object is to get a good sod, 

 and this can only be done by sowing a mixture of seed. I re- 

 gard clover, timothy and blue grass as best adapted for this 

 purpose in this locality. Where the hay is consumed on the 

 farm, this mixture will make a good clover and timothy mea- 

 dow for a few years, and then a clear blue grass pasture will 

 follow, as the latter will run out all other grasses. It is an 

 advantage to mow newly seeded land two or three years, as it 

 kills the weeds that might come up. I would suggest the ad- 

 vantage of keeping a field of wild prairie grass, when it is pos- 

 sible. 



During the three Summer months I regara this grass 

 second to none for grazing purposes, especially in a dry season, 

 such as the season of 1879. In improving my farm I reserved 

 two hundred and forty acres of prairie grass for pasture, and I 

 regard it as one of the most valuable fields on the farm. 



STOCK. 



Cattle is the most important item of live stock on my farm. 

 I keep from fifteen to twenty high grade and thorough-bred 

 cows, and always have a bull of good pedigree, consequently 

 my stock is kept improving in quality and value. I have never 

 introduced any thing but the Durham blood in my herd, as I 

 regard it as the best beef producer, which is my ultimate aim 

 in raising cattle. My calves are allowed all the milk, except 

 what is required to supply the family, are weaned before cold 

 weather, and put on fresh pasture and fed cut corn, meal, oats 



