MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



279 



the needs of the soil. In all probability the manure can be more advan- 

 tageously used on the meadows and other crops. 



Experiments at several of the state experiment stations have demon- 

 strated that moderate amounts of complete commercial fertilizers can be 

 economically used on meadows. The more perfect the stand of grass, the 

 larger the increased yields resulting from such treatment. While the com- 

 position of the fertilizer will differ somewhat for different soils and grasses, 

 that for the grasses proper should contain about equal percentages of the 



Good Pasture Land.i 



three fertilizing constituents. Nitrogen is essential in increasing vegetative 

 growth. A home-made mixture consisting of 150 pounds per acre each of 

 nitrate of soda and acid phosphate, and 50 pounds of muriate of potash, is 

 recommended. This should be applied broadcast very early in the spring 

 just as the grass is beginning to start. 



Since nitrogen is so expensive, clovers should be used in both meadows 

 and pastures for the benefit of the grasses. They also increase the protein 

 content of both the hay and grazed product. 



Utilizing Aftermath. — The amount of aftermath or second growth on 

 meadows depends on the nature of the grasses, the time of cutting the first 



1 Courtesy of The Maemillan Company, N. Y. 



