280 PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



having the run of a bluegrass pasture in addition to their 

 concentrates. Milch cows do well on it. They may give 

 more milk if given a few pounds of grain in addition to the 

 pasture, but the cost of production is increased and the 

 practice may not be economical. For fattening cattle, 

 sheep, and hogs, bluegrass pasture makes an admirable 

 roughage. If rapid fattening is desired, grain should be 

 given in addition. If only fair gains are desired, no grain 

 need be fed except in the case of hogs. Hogs on blue- 

 grass should receive one-half to a two-thirds full-feed of 

 concentrates. In certain parts of Virginia and West 

 Virginia, many cattle are fattened for the export trade, 

 attaining a very superior finish upon bluegrass pasture 

 alone without the use of any grain. Work horses may be 

 turned out on bluegrass at night after they have eaten 

 their grain. 



It usually requires 1 to 2 acres of bluegrass for a horse or 

 cow. One acre of good bluegrass will provide forage for 

 10 to 14 hogs or 5 to 7 sheep. It is maintained by manj^ that 

 one cannot afford to keep expensive corn-belt land in blue- 

 grass. For the average farmer this may be true, but it is 

 almost essential to the breeder of pure-bred live stock. Also 

 the increasing cost and scarcity of farm labor may make it 

 economical to keep some of the land in permanent pasture. 



Timothy. — Timothy is more widely grown than any 

 other grass in this country. It may be pastured earlier in 

 the spring than bluegrass, but it does not produce so much 

 growth in the fall. It is neither as palatable nor as valuable 

 a feed as bluegrass. It is, however, better adapted for 

 temporary pasture, as it can be fully established in a single 

 season. For this purpose it should be mixed with clover. 



