PASTURES, MEADOWS, AND FORAGE 18S 



may be to destroy some of the grasses in a per- 

 manent meadow. By the vigorous use of a 

 sharp-toothed harrow, much may be done to 

 relieve the "hide -bound" and mossy condition, to 

 destroy plants and to aerate the soil (270, 313). 

 A light dressing of lime will materially assist in 

 liberating plant-food and in correcting soil 

 acidity, as in pastures. 



3c. Kinds of grasses for meadows 



326. What kind and quantity of seed should 

 be sown, is the question that is asked more 

 frequently than any other, because it is most 

 difficult to answer. In the grass districts of the 

 United States, timothy or "herd's-grass" usually 

 stands first. It is extremely hardy, long lived, is 

 well adapted to grazing, and yet attains good 

 size in the meadow, and when cut at the appro- 

 priate time and not over-cured, it makes superior 

 hay. The seeds are not expensive, and can 

 usually be secured without admixture of weed 

 seeds. Timothy, then, in most cases, may form 

 the foundation. Six quarts per acre, more or 

 less, will suffice when used alone, and it may be 

 sown at any time from early spring until fall. 



327. We have seen (312, 319) that clover adds 

 to the longevity and productiveness of the pas- 

 ture or meadow. If the clovers are used, about 



