PASTURES, MEADOWS, AND FORAGE 185 



weakened. To prevent the tall growth, mow the 

 pasture, if there are not enough animals to pre- 

 vent the grass from seeding, and leave the cut 

 material to shade the soil. Aim to preserve 

 the living grass shade intact. Substitute young 

 plants for the old ones. Prevent the soil from 

 becoming acid by light applications of lime and 

 by harrowing it. And, so far as possible, ex- 

 ercise timely care to prevent the plants from be- 

 coming hungry and thirsty. 



317. Here, then, in a nut-shell, are the ele- 

 ments of a good, permanent pasture : superior 

 preparation of soil, suitable and abundant seeds 

 sown in August, and light pasturing the first 

 season, or, better, mowing the first year ; and 

 appropriate seeds and plant -food must be added 

 from time to time, as required. 



3. Meadows 

 3. Temporary meadows 



318. In grain-growing districts, the meadow 

 may occupy from one to three years in a rota- 

 tion. In dairy districts, meadows are often per- 

 manent. The average yield of hay in the North 

 is little more than one ton per acre, although 

 some meadows yield from two to three tons, 

 and, in rare cases, four tons. The average 



