MEADOW LANDS 313 



destroy many plants, and the vacant places will be 

 occupied by weeds. It is much better to utilize the 

 second crop as hay or green forage. If pasturing 

 is practiced, care must be exercised to see that it 

 is not carried too far. 



Lands and their preparation 



Lands suitable for hay-growing range from 

 sandy loams to heavy clays, although, on the 

 lighter soils, more difficulty is experienced in get- 

 ting a stand and in securing its permanence. On 

 heavier lands, the grasses are more likely to 

 secure their needed food, and to grow without 

 deterioration for a longer period. 



The main point, particularly on the heavier 

 lands, is to have the soil suitably prepared, if a 

 good crop is to be guaranteed. The preparation 

 usually given for the seeding of wheat or rye is 

 generally very good for timothy and red -top, sown 

 at the time of seeding the grain. As already 

 pointed out, such seedings are not to be regarded 

 as the best, as the purpose in the seeding is to 

 secure the grain crop rather than the grass, and 

 the grass crop is assured only when the conditions 

 are all favorable for germination and subsequent 

 growth. It has been demonstrated that, in order 

 to secure the best results, the land intended for 

 permanent meadows should be specially prepared. 



