418 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



especially, when laying down permanent meadows, and 

 under their conditions, it is the proper thing to do. 

 They are favored with a moist climate and are careful 

 to maintain an equilibrium in fertility, and, consequent- 

 ly, the soil sustains both denseness in growth and vigor 

 in the same; hence, the yields are relatively high and 

 the quality of the hay is fine ; the yields would be quite 

 as large probably, though considerably less seed were 

 sown, but the quality of the hay would riot be so fine. 

 But to sow quantities so large without maintaining a 

 high state of fertility, would mean reduced yields, as 

 the food supply in the soil would be inadequate to meet 

 the needs of so many plants. To sow very large quan- 

 tities of seed on lands, where the normal supply of 

 moisture is low, would mean more or less of failure, 

 since so many plants would be unable to get enough 

 moisture to produce strong growth. To overstock 

 meadow lands thus is akin in principle to overstocking 

 pastures with animals brought to graze upon them. 



Harvesting. The grasses proper are, in nearly all in- 

 stances, cut with the field mower, when harvested for 

 hay. The same is true of clovers, sorghums, millets 

 and all varieties of cow peas and soy beans. It is neces- 

 sary to cut them thus to facilitate curing. When seed 

 is wanted, except in the cases of sorghums, cow peas 

 and soy beans, the binder is used. The sorghums, when 

 sown broadcast, are sometimes cut with the mower for 

 autumn feeding, and sometimes with the binder; when 

 grown in drills to which cultivation has been given, they 

 are now more commonly harvested with the corn har- 

 vester. The best machine probably for harvesting cow 



