THE COMMON CEREALS. l8l 



in the rotation, the soils suitable to their growth, the 

 mode of preparing the soils, of sowing the seed, and 

 of feeding them off, are essentially the same. 



Distribution. — Although grain pastures may be 

 grown successfully in any part of the country in 

 which grain will grow successfully, they are espe- 

 cially adapted to prairie soils, for reasons already 

 given. The first of these mixtures is considered the 

 most suitable in providing pasture for sheep and 

 swine. Oats for seed may commonly be obtained 

 cheaply, and pea vines furnish palatable and nutri- 

 tious food. Peas would be much injured by the 

 treading of horses and cattle. The second mixture, 

 viz., barley and oats, is a favorite in providing pas- 

 ture for swine, more especially in those portions of 

 the northwestern states in which clover has not yet 

 been successfully grown. But it will answer equally 

 well in providing pasture for sheep, and in many 

 parts of the country it can be more cheaply produced, 

 since barley is cheaper, relatively, than peas. The 

 third and fourth of the mixtures are more commonly 

 sown to provide pasture for horses and cattle. Peas 

 are not included in them, because of the injury the 

 peas would receive from being trodden upon by the 

 broad hoofs, and because of the greater relative 

 dearness'of the seed. In the upper Mississippi and 

 Hudson Bay basins, therefore, they will render the 

 best of service. 



Place in the Rotation. — These pastures may be 

 given any place in the rotation that may be con- 

 venient. When grass seeds are not to be sown upon 

 them they may be grown upon land that is foul with 

 weeds, for the reason, first, that the grazing of the 

 pastures prevents the weeds from maturing their 



