26 MISC. PUBLICATION 194, TJ. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



In case of calcium deficiency, an acidity test should be made to 

 determine the requirements of ground limestone. \^Tiere an excessive 

 amount is required, such as 2 or 3 tons, however, a lighter appHcation 

 will probably give greater returns on the investment. Applications 

 of ground hmestone are often expensive, and since the principal effect 

 desired is to encourage the growth and abundance of legumes, this 

 effect may often be obtained by increasing the quantity of phosphate. 

 In sections where lespedezas thrive (p. 36), these legumes, which are 

 not sensitive to acid soils, may well replace the clovers and make the 

 application of lime unnecessary. Both Ume and phosphate are 

 believed to be more effective when they are worked into the soil rather 

 than appUed on the surface. 



In case of a deficiency of nitrogen, barnyard manure will furnish 

 considerable nitrogen if apphed at the rate of 5 to 10 tons per acre, 



Figure 7.— Shade trees properly located at the top of a slope in a pasture. 



and the effect of such applications continues for several years. The 

 effect of applications of commercial nitrogen is soon exhausted, and 

 they are of doubtful value for improvement of pasture grazed with 

 beef cattle or sheep at present prices. Many dairy farmers are using 

 commercial nitrogen and applying small quantities from 1 to 3 times 

 a season. Some prefer, however, to make one heavy application of 

 nitrogen in the spring and rely on supplementary grazing crops for 

 midsummer. This system seems much more practical. Frequent 

 or heavy appHcations of nitrogen usually result in a gradual disap- 

 pearance of the legumes. 



The mineral fertilizers, hmestone, and barnyard manure can be 

 applied in the fall, winter, or very early spring. Commercial nitrogen 

 should be applied about 2 weeks before increased growth is desired, 

 as it results in a quick stimulation of the growth and is lost rapidly 

 from the soil by leaching. Early applications may make it possible 



