372 



FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



barnyard manure is available for fertilization, and since 

 few farmers purchase commercial fertilizers for this crop, 

 the result is a gradually decreased yield. When land is 

 better adapted for hay production than for grains or other 

 crops, the largest profits are received by growing hay for 

 the market. This system of farming is made far more 

 profitable and permanent if fertilizers are regularly applied 

 to the grass lands to return to the soil the elements removed 



FIG. 128. Hauling hay to market. 



by the crop. Methods of fertilization of grass lands will 

 be discussed in another paragraph. 



399. Grass mixtures. When hay is grown for the 

 market, the highest price is usually received when it is 

 made from one grass rather than from a mixture of several 

 grasses. Thus, timothy hay commands a better price 

 than hay made from a mixture of timothy and redtop. 

 When hay is grown for home use, or when grasses are 

 seeded for pasture, a mixture of grasses sometimes is 

 desirable, and will usually produce a higher yield than one 



