1 82 FORAGE CROPS. 



seeds, and, second, that the pasturing season is over 

 sufficiently early to admit of following with a 

 catch crop the same season, or of fallowing the land. 

 Soils thus managed would be much cleaner at the 

 close of the season than at its commencement. If, 

 however, grass seeds are to be sown on these pas- 

 tures, they should be grown only on clean land. 



Soils. — The most suitable soils for these pas- 

 tures are those ordinarily found on the northwestern 

 prairie, that is to say, loam soils rich in humus, with 

 enough sand in them to keep them free-working, 

 and, withal, resting on a subsoil of clay. Any soil 

 that has been found peculiarly adapted to the produc- 

 tion of heavy crops of grain will also grow good 

 cereal pastures. And these may also be grown with 

 much advantage on soils that produce straw too 

 abundant and too weak for first-class yields of grain, 

 since these pastures may be eaten down before the 

 grain is far enough advanced to lodge upon them. 

 In the northeastern states of the Union, and in the 

 eastern provinces of Canada, soils of free texture 

 should be given the preference in growing these 

 pastures. Infertile sands will not produce sufficient 

 growth. And stiff clays would be greatly injured 

 by eating down the pastures in a wet season. These 

 pastures require soils that admit of early sowing, 

 that will produce a quick growth, and that will 

 not take serious harm by grazing the pastures 

 when moist. 



Preparing the Soil. — As a rule, the ground 

 should be plowed in the fall, but to this there may 

 be some exceptions. It should be plowed in the fall 

 that the seed may be sown upon it early and for 

 pth^r reasons. Whether autumn or spring plowing 



