278 FEEDIKG ANIMALS. 



and, therefore, have sought to reduce this by soiling, par- 

 tially or wholly, the stock in summer ; but this question of 

 soiling we have considered in Chapter VII, and here we 

 will discuss the 



MANAGEMEOT OF PASTURES. 



A variety of food is as important in pasturing as in stall- 

 feeding, and those pastures having the greatest variety of 

 grasses are the best. Some old pastures contain a large 

 number of varieties, each having its peculiar qualities of 

 nutriment, aroma and flavor. Such old pastures produce 

 the finest flavored beef, mutton and milk. Too little care 

 is taken in seeding for pasture to select a sufficient variety. 

 Sometimes only one grass, and that not the best for pasture, 

 although unsurpassed for hay timothy is sown. Others, 

 more liberal, sow red clover and timothy. Both of these 

 should be used in any selection of pasture grasses. Timo- 

 thy, with all its excellence as a hay crop, does not stand 

 constant cropping off by animals as well as many others. 

 Clover furnishes a large amount of most excellent pastur- 

 age, being rich in all the elements of growth, and starting 

 again quickly after being cut or eaten off. 



Blue-grass or June-grass (Poa pratensis) is native to tne 

 country, grows over a wide range, and has no superior as a 

 pasture-grass. It is seen in its greatest luxuriance and per- 

 fection in warm, rich, strong limestone soils, and in the 

 valleys west of the Alleghany Mountains. It produces 

 very early herbage, and, when kept fed off, remains fresh 

 till frost, and, under light snows, furnishes a winter pastur- 

 age. It stands close-feeding remarkably well, its creeping 

 or stoloniferous root forming an impervious network of 

 roots. 



Flat-stalked blue-grass, or wire-grass (Poa compressa), is 

 an early, low grass, common in the Middle and Northern 

 States. It is a very nutritious grass, and, when cut early, 

 makes excellent hay, but in small quantity; yet its greatest 



