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Wetsel’s Dependable Pasture ana Grass Mixtures 
SHENANDOAH VALLEY’S MODERN SEED HOUSE 
PASTURE PROVIDES 
CHEAPEST FOOD 
Last year in this space we editorialized at some length on the 
economic necessity of getting cheaper feed for livestock—especially 
dairy and beef cattle and sheep—from the use of more pasture. We 
pointed out, if you recall, how this part of the country was being 
pressed by states and areas farther south where because of a warmer 
climate and a consequent longer pasture period they can produce 
livestock cheaper than can many other sections of the country. 
Finally, that we in this section, situated nearer the big consuming 
northern markets, can successfully compete with our friends to the 
south if we utilize all of our pasture opportunities. 
What we said then should be repeated. It is becoming abundantly 
clear as time passes that pasture is a profitable industry in most of 
Virginia and adjacent territories. 
During the past year, we have had several opportunities to observe 
and study various pasture situations, in respect to location, com- 
binations of grasses and the advantages derived from the use of 
fertilizer. We have space here for only a condensed comment on 
three primary points. If you desire a more lengthy comment on our 
studies and conclusions, write or ask for a copy of ‘‘Summary of 
Pasture Tour.’’ 
First, we were greatly impressed with the fact that there are many 
thousands of acres of idle land in this section of the country not | 
adapted to general cultivation and the production of grains, hay, etc., 
but ideally situated and adapted to pasture. Formerly, we had toa 
large extent assumed that the trend toward pasture would greatly 
reduce the acres now devoted to general cultivation, if not in time 
virtually eliminate them. The increased use of pasture for producing | 
livestock will most likely take many acres out of cultivation, but it 
need not be so to any marked degree. For a very large part of our 
land—because of steep hills, dense limestone, low state of fertility, 
etc.—is now being wasted. Many farms that are all but abandoned 
could be made very profitable by proper seeding and fertilization. 
But it cannot be done without wise decisions, considerable close 
attention and out-of-pocket expense. On our tours this past season 
we saw farms which had been completely transformed in two to five 
years from wild, eroded, unsightly and unprofitable acres to tame, 
tough, beautiful and highly profitable land. The transformation was 
really an amazing sight. 
Best Grasses for Pasture 
The second factor of importance that we observed was the char- 
acteristics of various kinds of grass and the results of numerous 
combinations. But here we encounter much controversy based on 
sober convictions. For this reason no hard-and-fast rule can be 
set down. The relative virtues and values of grasses cannot be re- 
duced to a one-two-three basis, either as to nutrition, tonnage of 
growth or even adaptability to specific types of soil. Concerning past- 
ure grasses the controversy revolves, in the main, around five grasses. 
The five grasses are Orchard Grass, Kentucky 31 Fescue, Ladino, 
Blue Grass and White Dutch Clover. 
It can safely be said that Ladino belongs in every pasture mixture. 
That much seems pretty certain. Another pretty well established fact 
is that either Orchard Grass or Kentucky 31 Fescue should constitute 
the bulk, in terms of pounds, of any seeding for pasture. Up to now 
Orchard Grass predominates by a wide margin but Kentucky 31 
has in the few years of its commercial use gained many friends, who 
favor it over Orchard Grass. Its use may, therefore, increase at the 
expense of Orchard Grass. Surprising as it may seem to many, Blue 
Grass is losing its popularity as a pasture. 
Profit from Fertilizer 
Actually, the kind of grass is somewhat less important than acres 
and adequate fertilization of those acres. One must first realize that 
pasture is cheaper than feed, especially feed that is shipped hundreds 
of miles and particularly when labor costs are figured. Such a 
realization will lead to the appropriation of acres for pasture. Then 
no matter what kinds of grasses are used, these acres must be fed 
if maximum results are to be obtained. 
There is no doubt about the need for fertilizer. The dollars that 
are paid out for it should not be viewed as an expense, they are, 
instead, an investment that is almost certain to yield a good profit. 
From our experience and observation we are forced to conclude 
that the generous use of fertilizer on pasture areas will yield more 
profit, dollar for dollar, than almost any investment a farmer can | 
make, provided, of course, he has enough livestock to consume the 
additional pasture thus produced. . 
And we would say that any fertilizer is better than no fertilizer. 
That holds good on pasture, grains, gardens, lawns or anything. 
To be sure, the better grades of well-balanced elements should be 
used. It is a provable fact that fertilizers containing what are known 
as the minor or supplementary elements are most profitable. Vigoro 
for example, contains thirteen elements, compared with only four 
that are in ordinary commercial fertilizers. The little more that you 
pay makes a whale of a difference. 
We go ‘‘pasture touring’? with Dr. Dunton, Chief Agronomist at 
Blacksburg, County Agent Peterson and farmers. Here we inspect 
a mixture of Ladino and Kentucky 31 Fescue. 
RESEEDING : 
In general, a pasture that has less than a 50 percent stand of de- 
sirable grasses and legumes should be reseeded. The proper use of 
lime, liberal use of fertilizer and reseeding are the quickest ways to 
bring back a run-down pasture. 
FERTILIZER INGREASES GRAZING 
Tests made by the V. P. I. Dairy Department on a fairly good 
blue grass sod showed that a well-fertilized pasture produced 60 to 70 
percent more feed than unfertilized pasture. Proper fertilization 
will provide two weeks later grazing in the fall and two weeks earlier 
grazing in the spring. The value of pasture is determined to a large 
extent by how quick new growth comes back after being grazed off. 
An abundant supply of plant food is necessary for a quick comeback. 
ONE FIELD NOT ENOUGH 
The greatest number of days of grazing cannot be had with one 
pasture field. A system of pastures must be developed, using mixtures 
that give high yields at different times of the year. 
SEEDING DATES 
Seed after the first good rain in August and up to September 15, 
or during February, March and April. 
MIXTURE FOR 
MOIST BOTTOM LAND 
Composed of eight grasses and clovers, as follows: 5 lbs. Meadow 
Fescue, 4 lbs. Alta Fescue, 1 lb. Ladino Clover, 2 lbs. Red-Top, 2 lbs. 
Timothy and 2 lbs. White Dutch Clover—a total of 16 lbs. per acre. 
The price of this combination at press time is $9.25. 
MIXTURE FOR 
NORTHERN PIEDMONT AND 
WEST OF BLUE RIDGE 
No. 1. Not adapted to shallow, drought-type soils. Orchard Grass 
6 to 8 lbs.; Ladino Clover 2 lbs.; Korean Lespedeza 8 lbs. Approxi- 
mate price per acre, $7.72. 
WETSEL’S PASTURE MIXTURE 
The following is the combination of grasses that we have recom- 
mended for quite a few years. It has acquired something of a reputa- 
tion as a good, comparatively low-cost pasture mixture: 7 lbs. Korean 
Lespedeza, 6 lbs. Orchard Grass, 3 lbs. Timothy, 2 lbs. Alsike Clover. 
Sow in February, March and April on small grain crops or old sod. 
Approximate cost at press time, $4.05 per acre. 
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