MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



155 



Meadow grasses and legumes. Most of our meadows 

 are mixtures of grasses, or of grasses with legumes. Al- 

 falfa seems to thrive best alone, but most meadow plants 

 grow well in company with some other variety. Red or 

 crimson clover and timothy, for example, are commonly 

 found growing together. 



Several advantages come from planting mixed meadows : 

 the different plants draw their nourishment from various 



Two profitable western industries dairying and fruit-raising 

 (Washington). 



depths of the soil, thus using its full strength more com- 

 pletely and increasing the yield of hay ; mixtures accommo- 

 date themselves to peculiarities of seasons, sometimes one 

 grass and sometimes another thriving better ; mixed forage 

 provides variety for stock, making the feed more palatable 

 and affording a wider range of food elements. 



When hay is raised for market instead of being fed on 

 the farm, however, it is often best to devote the meadow 

 to one plant alone, thus producing what is called a "pure" 



