CULTURE OF GRASSES 33 



is a fallacy to suppose that close grazing will keep down 

 weeds. 



Another important point in preventing the deteriora- 

 tion of pastures is to keep stock off when growth starts 

 in the spring. The growth of grass should be allowed to 

 reach 2 or 3 inches before cattle are turned into the 

 pasture unless the number is so small that there is no 

 danger of retarding the growth of the grass. If the 

 green parts are kept too closely grazed, the plants do 

 not have an opportunity to generate strength for the 

 season and hence tend to die out. It is true that if the 

 grass gets ahead of the cattle and begins to head out 

 the cattle do not relish it so much, but in such cases the 

 pasture can be mowed to start new growth. Drouth 

 soon reduces the carrying capacity of a pasture and much 

 damage may result if it is full-grazed during such a period. 



Unless a pasture is fertilized at intervals, its carrying 

 capacity gradually decreases. Top-dressing with barn- 

 yard manure renews the fertility. In the absence of a 

 supply of manure, artificial fertilizer may be used. Small 

 quantities applied often give better results in the aggre- 

 gate than larger quantities applied infrequently. Of 

 artificial fertilizers, potash and phosphoric acid are likely 

 to give the best returns. Low or wet land is usually 

 improved by the application of lime. It is best not to 

 apply lime at the same time as other fertilizer as it tends 

 to release the nitrogen. 



If a pasture becomes run down, rejuvenation may be 

 helped by reseeding with a mixture of bluegrass, white 

 clover, redtop, and timothy. Timothy gives the quick- 

 est returns but soon runs out. 



