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, 
