OF TENNESSEE. 41 



class pasture or meadow is the work of many years, and 

 of much care and attention. On the best limestone soils, 

 where the blue grass is indigenous, it is a comparatively 

 easy matter to get a good turf, but, unfortunately, a large 

 portion of Tennessee is not blessed with such soil, and 

 for these regions preparation and care are needed. It is es- 

 pecially for such sections that these pages are written, 

 though it cannot be denied that the pastures and meadows 

 on the very richest of Tennessee lands would be all 

 the better if the advice here given were followed. 



It would perhaps be most convenient for the majority of 

 farmers to begin rightly with pasture lands. A large deal 

 of the woodland of the farmers of Tennessee may, 

 with comparative ease, be converted into very good pas- 

 tures, simply by clearing out the undergrowth, sowing 

 down in good pasture grasses, and depasturing closely with 

 oattle. In many woodlands all that is needed for a fair pas- 

 ture is clearing up and putting on the cattle. The indige- 

 nous grass, if allowed a chance to grow, will make a passa- 

 ble pasture. But even the best of such land will be much 

 benefitted by a generous seeding of improved grasses and a 

 good top dressing of manure. In addition to clearing 

 out the undergrowth, the leaves should be raked off, and if 

 a heavy harrow be. passed over the ground it will be 

 all the better. The seeds may be sown just after the harrow 

 and followed by a light brush harrow; or, they may be sown 

 on the first snow which, in melting, will carry them into 

 the ground evenly and to about the proper depth. Once 

 the grass is set it needs only to be fed properly to improve. 

 It may be slightly grazed, by young cattle, the first summer; 

 but on no account should sheep be allowed run on young grass. 

 It is a generally accepted notion, and doubtless a true one, 

 that on old pastures sheep are a help, but they are certainly 

 very destructive to young grass. 



In addition to the woodland pastures, every farm needs 

 other pastures that have been cultivated. The preparation 



