ANNUAL REPORT, 1939 15 



seasons' harvest of two cuttings per year of various hay seeding mixtures indicate 

 the following: (1) A number of mixtures containing varying proportions of alfalfa 

 showed slight but not significant differences in yield. One containing 50 percent 

 alfalfa (seeded) ranked high in yield — not excelled by straight alfalfa. One 

 mixture containing no alfalfa produced a significantly low yield. (2) Orchard 

 grass in mixtures, while yielding comparatively well, was overmature when 

 cutting was delayed for alfalfa blossom. Timothy seemed more desirable. (3) The 

 average annual yield of hay was 500 pounds less from a 13-pound seeding rate 

 than .from either 17 pounds or 21 pounds. (4) A significant response occurred 

 from muriate of potash, 250 pounds topdressed annually on half of each plot. 

 Increased yield of hay due to potash amounted to 1^/2 tons, or 50 percent increase, 

 the third season; and 2 tons, or 100 percent increase, the fourth season. The 

 final disappearance of alfalfa on the area receiving no potash, with a good stand 

 remaining on the treated area, apparently accounts for this difference. (See 

 photograph on page 52.) 



Pasture Investigations. (\V. G. Colby.) In Massachusetts there are four 

 principal factors which govern pasture production. They are in the ordei of 

 their impoitance as follows: (1) Soil fertility, (2) grazing management tech- 

 nique, (3) species and species stiains, and (4) climate. 



High quality pasture herbage is probably the most profitable crop which can 

 be produced in Massachusetts, but this is true only when the cultural require- 

 ments of this crop are given the same consideration which is now given to other 

 valuable crops grown in the State. Failure to recognize this fact in the past is 

 largely responsible for the present very poor condition of our pastures. It must 

 be recognized that before desirable pasture species can produce large quantities 

 of palatable, nutritious herbage, the soil must be able to supply them with ad- 

 equate quantities of all plant food nutrients. The general level of soil fertility 

 must be relatively high. Although the practices which may be necessary to 

 maintain a high level of soil fertility in pasture sods may differ from those fol- 

 lowed with other crops and may also differ from one section to anpther, the 

 principle of maintaining an adequate level of soil fertility as a prerequisite to 

 satisfactory herbage production, applies universally. 



As pastures become more productive as a result of improved soil fertility 

 relationships and the presence of heavier-producing species, grazing management 

 technique becomes increasingly important. Such practices as rotational grazing, 

 the omission of early spring and late fall grazing, the clipping of undergrazed 

 areas and the spreading of droppings are all practices which are not only beneficial 

 but in many cases essential to the maintenance of high productivity levels. 



By directly exercising a considerable degree of control over the 'first three 

 factors which govern pasture production, the adverse effects of the fourth factor, 

 climate, are greatly reduced. 



Permaneyit Pastures. Pasture areas which have never, or only infrequently, 

 been tilled and seeded are included in this category. Ten years' experience with 

 fertilizer topdressing experiments on permanent pasture sods in Massachusetts 

 has shown that, although the composition of the vegetation can be greatly im- 

 proved and a marked increase in production effected, it is not possible in the 

 great majority of cases to develop and maintain a first-rate pasture by the use of 

 topdressing materials alone. The explanation may be found by examining exist- 

 ing natural soil fertility relationships. The natural level of soil fertility in most 

 Massachusetts pastures is very low, and topdressing applications of fertilizers 

 alone do not raise this level sufficiently high to encourage the establishment and 

 growth of the more productive, desirable pasture species. 



Semi-permanent Pastures. This includes those plowable areas which are 



