MEADOWS AND PASTURES 379 



large amounts of nitrogen, and unless clovers are growing 

 with them to supply this element, they should be applied 

 in the form of a complete fertilizer or nitrate of soda. 

 Nitrogenous fertilizers, especially nitrate of soda, should 

 be applied in the spring after the grass has started growth. 

 From 100 to 150 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre may 

 be applied with good results on impoverished fields, and a 

 lesser amount on fields in good condition. If a complete 

 fertilizer is used, 400 pounds per acre of a fertilizer analyz- 

 ing 4 per cent nitrogen, 10 per cent phosphoric acid, and 2 

 per cent of potash is considered a good application. Lib- 

 eral application of barnyard manure and frequent clipping 

 of pastures will greatly increase their productivity, while 

 fertilizers are a necessity for continuous profitable yields 

 of hay from permanent meadows. 



405. Temporary pastures. Frequently the permanent 

 or regular pasture does not supply the needs of all of the 

 animals kept on the farm, and quick growing temporary 

 pasture may be used to supplement it. The crop used for 

 temporary pastures will depend to some extent upon the 

 animals for which they are to furnish forage. Temporary 

 pastures are perhaps most useful for hogs or sheep. Rape, 

 cowpeas, soy beans, field peas, rye or wheat may be used 

 for this purpose. A temporary pasture may be planned 

 that will furnish forage from early spring to late fall if 

 several small fields are available, or if a large one can 

 conveniently be divided by temporary fences. Rye may 

 furnish pasture early in the spring followed by field peas 

 alone or with oats, two or three seedings of which a few 

 weeks apart will furnish pasture until rape, soy, beans or 

 cowpeas are available. Thus a few acres may afford pas- 

 ture for a large number of animals throughout the growing 

 season. 



