298 Elementary Principles of Agriculture 



should produce an abundance of good seed and in such a 

 way that they may be easily harvested. Our best pasture 

 grasses, however, do not meet these requirements, but 

 we employ them because they produce an abundance of 

 basal leafage from persistent rootstocks. 



424. To Keep a Stand on pastures composed of annual 

 plants it is necessary to allow the plants to seed naturally, 

 or to re-seed the land each year. For pastures composed 

 of perennial plants that multiply by the growth of root- 

 stocks, or rooting stems, it is necessary to allow sufficient 

 growth to insure that food be stored to encourage the 

 growth of these parts. Just the opposite procedure is 

 followed in trying to starve out weeds. (1f 62). 



425. Management of Pastures. The amount of feed 

 produced by pasture plants is determined by the same 

 general conditions that control the growth of cultivated 

 plants. For large returns they must have a rich soil, 

 plenty of water, and develop large leaf surface. The 

 tendency in pastures is for the surface of the soil to become 

 hard, due to the trampling of stock and the binding effect 

 of the roots. Harrowings and top dressings with manures 

 are often very beneficial. We have previously learned 

 that plant food is manufactured in the green leaves. 

 The amount of leaf surface exposed to sunlight is a measure 

 of the capacity of the plant to manufacture plant sub- 

 stance. (See f 46-48; also 149 and 152). 



426. Close Grazing. Young pasture plants, or plants 

 grazed closely through the winter should not be grazed 

 when just coming out in the early spring. It greatly 

 retards the rapidity of their later growth. Pastures that 

 are grazed closely do not form vigorous plants and there- 

 fore have weak roots and soft turf. Grass pastures hav- 

 ing leaves four to six inches long will have more than treble 



