ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION, 
19 
\ ated ? also, “ What will be the condition of the grass a few years 
hence ? ” I will answer the first question by saying that will depend 
upon the way in which they are used. If the stock'is allowed to run 
over the pasture lots when the soil is quite wet it may produce rough¬ 
ness on the surface, but generally they will remain smooth. In rela¬ 
tion to the last question, that will also depend upon how they are 
cared for. Over-feeding on grass land is very injurious to the long¬ 
evity of grass, especially on meadow lands. I believe if the farmer 
would not allow stock to feed from his meadow land on any condi¬ 
tion whatever that it would increase the yield of grass 25 per cent. 
TV hen the first blades form in the early part of spring they are verv 
essential in promoting the growth of the later-growing blades, and 
when they are cropped by the feeding of stock, the effect is as injuri¬ 
ous in retarding the growth of the plant as though it had been 
severely frozen, which will cause a light yield of grass. 
Again, I would recommend early cutting of grass, to maintain a 
vigorous growth, as in that condition the plant has stronger vitality 
to nourish the forthcoming blades. This position is demonstrated in 
all of the early-mown meadows, compared to those cut later in the 
season. Look at the beautiful rich dark green color of the early- 
mown blades; what a giant-like appearance by the side of the poor, 
pale, feeble look of those later cut. The timothy plant is very pecu¬ 
liar in its growth, and being a bulb plant, it is naturally adapted to a 
dry soil, which can be seen by the various specimens of the plant in 
our collection of grasses. The bulb is nature’s store-house of moisture 
from which the column draws a supply, increasing its demands until 
it is fully matured, leaving the roots of the plant very weak in their 
vitality, which will cause a premature decay. Hence the timothy 
plant was designed by nature for dry soils and early clipping to secure 
a strong and vigorous growth. I would not recommend the sowing 
of timothy on low, moist land, as this retains a greater degree of 
moisture through the hours of night, and when the scorching rays of 
the sun come in contact with excessive moisture on column it will 
cause the fungus on roots, which greatly decreases its nutritious value 
for winter feed. Hence here is a serious mistake with many in 
sowing timothy on lowland meadow as the base of their seeding, for 
there are other varieties of grasses that will grow most luxuriantly in 
that class of soil and withstand the attack of the fungus. Among 
those varieties foul meadow is the most prominent in maintaining its 
deep green color through the entire season of its growth. Also 
meadow fescue and orchard grasses are not easily affected by exces- 
