150 FORAGE CROPS GRASSES 



Pastures may be classified into permanent and temporary, as 

 the cro'ps used in each case vary widely. Temporary pastures 

 may be produced by the growth of annual crops or other plants 

 having a short duration. A field may be used as a temporary 

 pasture after a crop has been harvested and aftermath has started. 

 The second growth of clover is very commonly used as a temporary 

 pasture. Stock are frequently allowed to graze on young grain 

 in the fall, winter or spring before the plants begin to form true 

 stems. If conditions are favorable this practice induces plants 

 such as wheat and rye to ' 'stool-out, " and send up many more 

 stems from the plant. The result is usually a better crop than 

 where grazing is not practiced. 



Permanent pastures are usually kept on farms where there 

 are hillsides too steep for tillage. Fields that are too stony, or 

 too wet, or otherwise unsuitable for cultivation, are used as perma- 

 nent pastures. The amount of stock feed grown in a permanent 

 pasture will depend largely upon the grasses and legumes used, 

 and upon the attention or conditions given them for suitable 

 growth. 



The plants to use must be adapted to the conditions. In low 

 lands, where water stands much of the year, alsike clover is one 

 of the best legumes to use, and redtop is one of the best grasses. 

 These should of course be mixed with other plants, such as Ken- 

 tucky blue-grass, white clover, meadow fescue and perhaps some 

 timothy. 



On uplands, where the drainage is better, less redtop and 

 alsike clover should be used. A mixture of timothy, Kentucky 

 blue-grass, white clover and fescue are suitable for the north- 

 eastern states where the climate is cool and humid. In states 

 farther south, Bermuda grass may take the place of timothy in 

 such a pasture, but the best of all pasture grass in humid climates 

 is Kentucky blue-grass and this should form the bulk of the mixture. 

 In semi-arid regions smooth brome grass is probably the best 

 permanent pasture grass, besides the native grasses of the region. 



Permanent pastures should be given some attention to make 

 them more permanent and profitable. There is often much 

 danger from weeds and other adversities. Places where the grass 

 becomes thin should be re-seeded from time to time. Harrowing 

 a pasture is often beneficial, particularly when more seed is sown. 

 Lime is often helpful to a pasture where the roots and decay of 

 vegetation have made the soil sour. Most grasses and legumes 



