32 A MANUAL OF FARM GRASSES 



and distributes the seed more economically than does 

 broadcasting. 



Grasses are not usually planted in rows for cultivation 

 when grown primarily for forage, though the larger kinds 

 often are when grown for seed. 



CARE OF PASTURES 



Temporary pastures which form part of a rotation will 

 be considered in another paragraph. Here a few words 

 will be said about the care of permanent pastures. On 

 fully developed farms, the land usually devoted to 

 permanent pastures is likely to be that land which can- 

 not be utilized for crops. It may be too rough or rocky, 

 or land partially covered with timber, or land lying along 

 streams or ravines. In the humid region such land is 

 naturally or artificially seeded to bluegrass, or a mixture 

 of various grasses, but in which bluegrass is likely to 

 dominate on the drier portions. There are a few general 

 principles which apply to all pasture lands to keep them 

 from deteriorating. 



In the first place care should be taken that pastures are 

 not overgrazed. The number of head of stock which a 

 given area will support depends upon conditions and 

 must be determined by experiment. The stock eat the 

 most palatable growth first, hence weeds and undesirable 

 plants are left to flourish unrestrained. Within limits 

 the natural growth of the grass will keep the weeds in 

 subjection but if the pasture is over-grazed, the weeds 

 soon get the upper hand. If coarse weeds become promi- 

 nent in a pasture it should be mowed occasionally so as 

 to give the grass a better chance to overcome them. It 



