California Irrigated Pastures 
About 1924 Ladino Clover was introduced into Cali- 
fornia for commercial planting. It was found that this 
legume would thrive under the hot weather condi- 
tions of the California valleys if provided with an 
abundance of irrigation water. But its greatest prom- 
ise of economic value was that it thrived on shallow 
soils which would not support other legumes. This 
adaptability to hot weather and poor soils initiated 
the development of irrigated pastures in the state 
that has rapidly expanded to well over 300,000 acres 
today and will be further expanded within the next 
few years. 
The initial plantings were of straight Ladino but soon 
it was found that a better balance of feed was essen- 
tial and various grasses were introduced in mixtures. 
On page 41 is a table of pasture mixtures recom- 
mended by farm advisers for the various counties of 
California. These are general purpose mixtures and 
are applicable to probably 80 per cent of the plant 
ings to be made. It will be noted that only four coun- 
ties do not recommend Ladino as a basic legume for 
pasture planting. In these four counties Alfalfa is 
preferred by three and Alsike clover by one. All but 
six recommend Rye Grass and eight failed to name 
Orchard Grass. Alfalfa ranks fourth and Dallis Grass 
fitth. Generally speaking a mixture containing seeds 
of these five grasses in the proportions recommended 
constitute a standard mixture for planting under ordi- 
nary soil, climatic and moisture conditions in Cali- 
fornia valleys. Special mixtures are recommended for 
Alkaline soils, sandy soils or for horse pastures. On 
Alkaline soils three pounds of Strawberry clover per 
acre is the recommended legume with five pounds 
Rhodes Grass, four pounds Dallis Grass and five 
pounds Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover as added com- 
ponents. On sandy soils four pounds Alfalfa per acre 
with three pounds Orchard and four pounds Domestic 
Rye Grass is the favored mixture. 
The three main objectives of a pasture operator 
should be: the maintenance of an adequate balance 
of legumes and grasses through as much of the pas- 
ture season as possible, maintenance of highest 
possible carrying capacity, and utilization of feeds 
at their highest possible nutritive value. Proper use 
of irrigation water and proper management of live- 
stock contribute most to these objectives. 
The grasses in the recommended mixtures have a pre- 
ferred season for growth and ripening. Domestic Rye 
Grass is the earliest and tends to become semi-dor- 
mant in mid-season; Perennial Rye Grass is some- 
what later while Orchard, Dallis and Tall or Meadow 
Fescue are mid-season grasses. Alfalfa is added in 
hotter sections to provide legume pasturage when 
Ladino is inclined to sag under the hot weather con- 
ditions. Thus in a mixture of proper proportions a 
succession of grasses is obtained for proper balance 
of ration. 
Grazing of pastures should be deferred after irriga- 
tions until such time as the soil has dried to a point 
where plants will not be injured by trampling. Efforts 
should be made to rotate grazing livestock so that 
grasses will be grazed at a time when most palatable. 
This time, generally speaking, is lush growth just as 
the plants reach flowering stage. If grasses are al- 
lowed to advance to a seed stage, they are avoided 
by stock and thus the balance of grasses in a mix- 
ture is endangered. If the pasture operator does not ~ 
have sufficient stock to keep the grasses grazed prop- 
erly, the pasture should be clipped. 
Bloating of cattle and sheep in Ladino pastures is an 
ever present hazard. This may be partly avoided by 
proper balance of grasses and legumes in the pas- 
ture. In Australia where pasturage has been closely 
studied for many years, 40 to 50 per cent legumes 
has been found to meet the grazing preferences of 
these animals with a minimum of hazard. 
No pasture planting will be successful unless good 
seed is used. The planter should be careful that seed 
is of good quality with high purity and germination 
and free of noxious weeds. We insist at all times that 
the seed we offer is of the highest standard. We will 
be glad to furnish information on the seeds we stock 
and to advise you on other questions not covered in 
this catalog. 
The College of Agriculture at Davis, cooperating with 
the extension service, has contributed greatly to the 
development of irrigated pastures in California and 
Professors Burle E. Jones and J. B. Brown have issued 
an excellent circular, No. 125, which will be found 
invaluable to prospective planters. 

40 F. F. SMITH & CO., INC., Sacramento, California 
