CARE OF PASTURES 105 



vantages in this system. It gives a much better oppor- 

 tunity to evenly distribute on all parts of the farm the 

 fertilizer produced by the cattle. Some have abandoned 

 permanent bluegrass pastures, substituting in their 

 stead pastures of mixed grasses in rotation, believing 

 that by the latter method more grass is produced and the 

 general interests of the farm better subserved. For 

 example, in "Practical Farming and Gardening," David 

 Rankin of Missouri, known everywhere among cattlc- 



A shed in the pasture for shade where there are no trees. 



men, states unqualifiedly that he has abandoned the 

 permanent bluegrass pastures for pastures of clover and 

 timothy in rotation. 



Whether a man should choose one system or the 

 other will depend upon the location of the farm and 

 whether or not portions of it are unsuited for growing 

 crops and are well adapted for permanent pastures. 

 Where on such locations a bluegrass sod can be secured 

 and maintained perhaps no other excels it for general 

 cattle feeding purposes. With proper attention such 

 pastures improve with age. Timothy is not as rich in 

 nutrients. The clovers and alfalfa pastures are admira- 

 bly adapted to cattle feeding, except the tendency 

 they possess for causing bloat, which must be carefully 



