28 MASS. EXPERIMENT STM'ION BULLETIN 281 



8. Seeding of Kentucky blue grass and white clover seed hastened the ap- 

 pearance of white clover in one experiment, the only one in which it was 

 tried. It appears, however, that the ultimate result will be the same whether 

 or not white clover seed is sown. On some pastures the appearance of white 

 clover may be hastened one or two years by seeding. 



9. It is concluded that best results from the top-dressing of upland pastures 

 in Massachusetts may be expected from the use of lime supplemented with 

 a phosphate, a potash salt, and a nitrogenous fertilizer. In the experiments 

 reported, ground limestone, 16 per cent superphosphate, muriate of potash, 

 and Chilean nitrate of soda were used. Since no other fertilizers were used 

 in the experiment, no positive statements can be made regarding them. 

 However, it is believed that under some conditions certain other materials 

 can be substituted for those used. 



10. Although the results of these experiments are not capable of a strict mone- 

 tary interpretation, it is thought that an average investment of $5.00 to 

 $10.00 per acre in lime and fertilizer for Massachusetts upland pastures 

 will yield a fair return on the investment. This price range will at present 

 (early 1932) provide for 1 ton of ground limestone (or its equivalent in hy- 

 drated lime) every 6 years, 480 pounds of 16 per cent superphosphate and 

 160 pounds of muriate of potash every 3 years, and 160 pounds of nitrate 

 of soda annually. This or an equivalent treatment is recommended for 

 Massachusetts conditions. 



References 



1. Abbott, J. B. Pasture top-dressing with fertilizer and lime in the hay and 



pasture belt. A progress report published by Nat. Fert. Assoc. (1930). 



2. Archibald, J. G. The chemical composition of grass from plots fertilized 



and grazed intensively in 1929. Jour. Agr. Research 41:491-501 (1930). 



3. Beaumont, A. B. Toxicity of sodium nitrate for a species of moss. Science 



75:312-313 (1932). 



4. Brown, B. A. and Slate, ^^^ L. '^ihe maintenance and improvement of per- 



manent pastures. Conn. (Storrs) Agr. Expt. Sta. Bui. 155 (1929). 



5. Ellenberger, H. B., and others. Yields and composition of pasture grass. 



\t. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bui. 295 (1929). 



6. Flint, C. L. Essay on top dressings for mowing and pasture lands. Trans. 



of the Agr. Societies in the Conunonwealth of Mass. pp 76-95 (1850). 



7. Haskell, S. B. Better feed from permanent i)astures. Mass. Agr. Expt. 



Sta. Bui. 230:148-150 (1926). 



8. Mortimer, G. B., and Richards, G. Permanent pastures can be improved. 



Wis. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bui. 414 (1930). 



9. Odland, T. E., and others. Pasture experiments. W. \a. Agr. Expt. Sta. 



Bui. 235 (1930). 



10. Orr, J. B. Minerals in pastures. H. K. Lewis & Co. London (1929). 



11. Prince, F. S., and others. Top-dressing old pastures. N. H. Agr. Expt. 



Sta. Circ. 35 (1931). 



12. Reynolds, J. Restoring pasture lands. Agr. Survey of Middlesex Co. 



In Trans. Mass. Soc. Prom. Agr. New Series V. 1, Pt. 2, p. 201 (1859). 



13. Van Alstine, E., and Cook, T. D. Fertilizing Rutland County pastures. 



Report published by Rutland Co. Bankers, Rutland Co. Farm Bur., 

 \i. Ext. Serv., and!'. S. D. A. (1930). 



