153 RURAL ^'EW YORK 



herbage. This transition in vegetation is closely 

 identilied with the increase in the acid condition of 

 the soil and the general reduction in the content of 

 organic matter. In the main, the higher the eleva- 

 tion the poorer the condition of pastures. These 

 poor pastures are not confined to a single soil type, 

 but follow certain gioups as the Volusia-Lordstown, 

 the Dutchess soils and the Gloucester and Culver 

 series. 



Since most of this land is difficult to plow, it is a 

 problem how to keep the pasture in condition to 

 produce even a little forage. The favorable condi- 

 tions for the growth of bushes and trees cause a large 

 variety to spring up and compete with the grass. 

 Often the pastures are over-grazed in hot dry weather 

 and no materials, either seed or fertilizer, are ap- 

 plied. The droppings of cattle are poorly distributed, 

 and if the growth of desirable vegetation is stimulated 

 it is poorly utilized by stock. That it is possible with 

 some attention markedly to improve poor pastures has 

 been demonstrated. 



GRAIN CROPS (See Figs. 18, 19, 21, 23) 



Com for grain is most extensively grown in the 

 region lying south of Lake Ontario. It is also a 

 prominent crop in the valleys of southern and east- 

 ern New York on both the bench soils and on the 

 first bottom land. Before settlement by white men, 

 corn was extensively grown by the Indians in these 

 latter positions. 



On the hill land above an elevation of 1000 to 



