MEADOWS AND MAKING HAY. 407 



to insure greater fineness in the hay. When sown 

 with peas or vetches, ahout 1^ bushels of each per acre 

 will suffice, when sown with both peas and vetches, 5 

 pecks of oats, 3 of peas and 3 of vetches will probably 

 suffice. The aim should be to sow as much of peas or 

 vetches in the mixture as are likely to be sustained by 

 the oats, as these furnish not only the more valuable 

 hay plants, but also the more palatable. This can only 

 be determined by experience in growing^them. 



For the Southeastern States. — For the states included 

 in this group, see p. 344, and for grasses for temporary 

 meadows, see p. 844. The best permanent meadow 

 plant, on average soils, in this group is Bermuda grass 

 and on low lands, Johnson grass. The former of these 

 is discussed in Chapter V and the latter in Chapter 

 XII, p. 248. The most valuable grasses for permanent 

 "meadows, sown in combination, on the better class of 

 upland soils, are orchard, redtop, tall oat and meadow 

 fescue. Of these, orchard and tall oat go best together, 

 since they mature about the same time; likewise red- 

 top and meadow fescue; of the two first, 28 and 12 

 pounds respectively should be sown per acre, and of the 

 two last, 10 and 18 pounds respectively. The perma- 

 nency of these has its limits as in time they will fail. 

 In certain areas, more especially on bottom lands suffi- 

 ciently drained, and also on certain upland soils on an 

 open clay foundation, alfalfa makes good permanent 

 meadow. As stated above, from 15 to 20 pounds of seed 

 are sown per acre, but in these states the crop is prefer- 

 .ably sown in the fall. This, at least, will hold good 

 in many localities. 



