MEADOWS AND PASTURES 277 



and fertilizers, (2) re-seeding of the grasses and clovers in case of failure, 

 (3) cultivation to maintain a good physical condition of the soil, and (4) 

 cutting of weeds when they become serious. 



The cultivation given to meadows, while rather unusual, will consist 

 mainly in disking and harrowing. These operations will frequently be 

 demanded wherever re-seeding is required and may be used for the 

 destruction of weeds and the loosening of the soil. There are now on 

 the market certain forms of spiked disks designed especially for this type 

 of work. 



Cultivation is even more applicable to pastures than it is to meadows. 

 Pastures are more permanent, or at least remain for a long series of years 

 without being disturbed. Certain grasses frequently become sod-bound. 

 As a result of close grazing, weeds also frequently become numerous. The 

 tramping of the animals tends to compact the soil. Cultivation is benefi- 

 cial for all of these difficulties. Harrowing spreads the droppings of the 

 animals and affords a more effective distribution of the manure for the 

 benefit of the grass. 



Meadows should not be maintained for too long a period. Better 

 results have been secured by plowing and re-seeding than to continue too 

 long in consecutive crops of grass. In pastures the situation is much 

 different. There are records of pastures forty and fifty years in grass 

 without being disturbed. This applies, however, to those regions in which 

 the soils and climate are especially adapted to the typical pasture grasses 

 and clovers, such for example as Kentucky and Canada blue grass and 

 white clover. Where pastures are prone to run out in a few years, it is 

 better as a rule to re-seed. This, of course, applies only to lands that are 

 capable of cultivation and devotion to other crops. 



Care of Meadows and Pastures. — The life of a meadow and the main- 

 tenance of its productivity may be prolonged by exercising certain precau- 

 tions in connection with its care and the harvesting of the crops. It is 

 unwise to pasture animals or to haul manure onto a field when the soil is 

 too wet. The more permanent th,e nature of the meadow the greater 

 should be the care exercised. Meadows should go into the winter well 

 protected by either sufficient second growth or proper mulching with ma- 

 nure. It is, therefore, unwise to closely pasture the aftermath of meadows 

 late in the season. In favorable years a moderate amount of pasturing 

 will not be undesirable. If weeds occur in considerable numbers, late 

 summer or fall clipping to prevent seeding is advised. 



Pastures should not be grazed too early in the spring. It is undesir- 

 able: (1) from the standpoint of not giving the grass a sufficient start, and 

 (2) through injury by tramping and compacting the soil when it is wet. 

 It is also unwise to pasture closely too late in the fall, since pastures, like 

 meadows, should have winter protection. It is never wise to pasture too 

 closely at any time of the year. Close pasturing reduces the vitality of the 

 plants and their subsequent producing capacity. The packing of the soil 



