66 THE 



for use in the dairy except for dry cows, young cattle, 

 and bulls, and as they are inferior to the roots men- 

 tioned, no further notice will be given them. 



CHAPTER VI. 

 GRASSES FOR PASTURES AND MEADOWS. 



Grass is the most important crop for the dairyman. 

 In the great majority of cases pasturing must be the 

 main dependence for the summer feeding, and the 

 meadow furnishes the hay for winter. Consequently, 

 the method of culture of grass should be well under- 

 stood. As a rule the sowing of grass of various kinds 

 is made with some grain crop, and usually m the fall 

 with wheat or rye. This method, however, is not just 

 to the grass, nor is it favorable for the best results to the 

 seeding. The so-called foster crop very often robs the 

 grass and exhausts the soil of its needed nutriment, and a 

 very poor catch is the result. If the soil is thoroughly 

 well prepared by manuring and sufficient tillage, the two 

 crops may grow together very well, and the grass make 

 a rrood stand. But this is seldom the case, except with a 

 few good farmers who need no advice or suggestion upon 

 the subject. The great majority of farmers need to study 

 this subject and understand the requirements of the grass 

 for its successful culture. 



The preparation of the soil should be very thorough. 

 The land should bo plowed deeply, and a liberal coat of 

 manure turned under, not buiied, but with the furrows 

 laid over at an angle of forty-five degrees, so that the 

 manure lies between the la3^ers of soil standing on edge in 

 a sloping manner. The harrow, run along the furrows, 

 works the soil and manure together, mixing them and 



