CHAPTER XV 

 MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



ALTHOUGH meadows and pastures claim more than 

 half of all the farm land of the United States, they re- 

 ceive far less attention than any other part of the farm. 

 About one-fourth of the acreage from which hay is harvested 

 is native wild meadow; this is chiefly located in the newer 

 portions of the West. Pastures are often used from year to 

 year with no care taken to improve them. Yet in many cases 

 meadows and pastures well repay the time and expense nec- 

 essary to make them more productive. 



1. Meadows 



Requirements of a meadow. Meadows are commonly 

 used for a double purpose the production of hay, and 

 providing the rotation of crops required to maintain the 

 fertility of the soil. It is necessary therefore to select such 

 plants for the meadow as will serve both of these ends. 

 This is possible with our wide range of grasses and legumes 

 from which to choose. 



Meadow plants should (1) yield well; (2) be palatable; 

 (3) tend to improve the soil; (4) grow strong and thick 

 enough to keep down -the weeds; (5) produce an even firm 

 sod, free from high tufts or bunches. 



The surface of the meadow should be smooth and free 

 from obstructions of all kinds that will interfere with the 

 harvesting of the hay crop. 



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