MEADOWS AND PASTURES 95 



83. Composition of meadow mixtures. Innumerable 

 meadow mixtures have been recommended by writers, 

 based partly on observation and partly on theoretical 

 considerations. European authorities advise as a rule 

 complex mixtures. They also advise a heavier rate of 

 seeding where several or many grasses are mixed. Such 

 complex mixtures have not found much favor in America 

 as yet, either at the hands of experimenters or farmers. 



The principal objects desired in mixtures are to secure 

 plants of varying habit adapted to the conditions under 

 which they are to be grown, and to have them matijre at 

 about the same time. 



Important mixtures which are based both on sound 

 experiment and abundant observations include the fol- 

 lowing : 



1. Timothy and red clover, the standard mixture for 

 the timothy region on well-drained soils. Where red 

 clover fails, it may be replaced with alsike, or both clovers 

 may be used. Frequently redtop is added to the mixture. 



2. Redtop and alsike clover for low wet lands in the 

 timothy region. If the land is not too wet, timothy may 

 be added. Fowl meadow-grass is also well adapted to 

 such soils. 



3. Orchard-grass, tall oat-grass and alsike clover. This 

 mixture is especially desirable where timothy and red 

 clover do not succeed well. Italian rye-grass may be 

 added to this mixture to increase the yield of the first crop. 



4. For semi-humid regions brome and timothy or brome- 

 and orchard-grass. 



5. Where alfalfa thrives, it makes good mixtures with 

 timothy, tall oat, slender wheat or brome-grass. 



A complex mixture that has been recommended at the 

 Ontario Agricultural College, particularly for pasturage, 



