6 



throughout the entire year. The wild grasses of the State stand 

 ready to furnish hay in abundance if they are only properly cared 

 for by the cultivator. Plenty of hay will supply our markets with 

 well fed mules, horses and cattle. Moreover, the rearing of 

 animals will enrich the soil to increased production. The poor thin 

 mules and shadowy cattle to be found in so many localities are 

 t ue evidences of the lack of cultivated grass fields. We are pecul- 

 iarly blessed in regard to the salubrious climate and great varici v of 

 land that a v o ours and if we would only utilize the privileges 

 nature has thus betowed upon us with su.h a lavish hand we would 

 make our lands the feeders of nations. Oheapfood is essential for 

 the prosperity of our people, and this must be produced near the 

 place of consumption It will not do, therefore, to attempt to raise 

 toek and buy all the hay from distant markets — the profits will be 

 eaten up. 



Good authorities have furnished the following items in re- 

 gard to renovating and preparing grass lands for pasture and hay. 



Judicious management of pastures will bring in more money to 

 the farmer than any other portion of his farm. The chief require- 

 ments for success in cultivating pastures are selection of good and 

 the right kinds of seeds, thorough drainage where it is necessary 

 application of manures and the careful eradication of all weeds, 

 bushes and useless plants The question of drainage is of great 

 importance. The grass dees not thrive near so well on very wet 

 land as on moderately dry soil. Moreover, when stock are requir- 

 ed to eat grass growing on very wet marshy land they frequently 

 suffer with diseases of the liver and other vital organs. The food 

 is not so palatable as that produced on well prepared lard, What 

 i- true concerning pastures holds also good concerning the making 

 of hay for winter use. 



Grass lands do not require rotation as with lands planted in 

 other crops; but careful cultivation must be the rule. Suitable 

 mi mires must be applied at the proper time, and the pasture must 

 not he injured by permitting stock to graze too closely when the 

 hind is we : and the grass must be mowed before it goes to seed so 

 as to prevent tie 1 exhaustion of the energy and life of the roots. 



When top dressing is to be resorted to it should be done in au- 



itumn, because when applied in spring the strength of the manure 



tost, i i i ons' 1 'i*i '■>!■• degree, by the evaporation caused by the 



warm sun and March winds. In autumn, however, the rains soon 



wash the manure into the soil so that the roots of the grass can 



