Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-03-14
AVrWUltUral.
Eor tLc ONruRn pTVcCEtr.
O{d Pastures.

Two excellent addresses upon the sub
ject OF the proper treatment OF New Eng
land pasture lands have lately been de-
liyercd in this section Of the country
which are well worthy Of the careful. at
tention and study Of Maine farmers. One
of them Wa, delivered by Prot Stock
bridge before the Name Board Of Agri-
culture, an interesting loTt Of which Is
published in the Maine Farmer Of the
date Of February -, 1876 The other
is the essay read by \. W. Cheeyer be-
fore the Vermont Dairymen's Association
which is published ia the New England
Farmer, Of the same date. From each
one We have taken some statements for
this article
The pasture Is cue Of tie most iupor-
tant portions Of the farm, although II Il
too often the most neglected. Il l. while
at pasture that our cattle arc expected TO
improve the mos, rapidly in flesh and 10
the production Of milk, and if the pasture
j. in good condition the greater part of
the years profit on our cattle viii he
made during the grazing season. But too
frequently cattle are turned into fields
which contain 50 little food that the AMI
mails are compelled 10 travel over so much
ground and search 80 closely for their
bed, that 5ut fraction Of the benefit they
should derive from the season Of pa'tur.
Iag Is realized Any pasture which Is so
poor rs TO be unable 10 carry COW 70
every two acres, needs 90 be improved TO
make &c O profitable grazing ground. Yet
large proportion OF Maine pastures viii
not carry more than one COW TO eight
acres One great cause Of the rapid de-
terior4ti0u Of our pastures Is that no pro-
vision Is nsde % iced cattle when sea-
son Of drouth stops the growth Of grass,
Consequently, the field which was fully
stocked, when, during the early summer,
under the influence Of abundant rain. the
grass was rapidly growing, Is sadly over
stocked later IN the season, and the cattle
10 yet a living are compelled TO gnaw 80
close TO the ground that the roots Of the
grasses are exposed 10 the burning heat
of the sun, and scorched until nearly al
vitality Is gone Ii does not pay to pas
turc cattle unless they gain in flesh or In
crease their yield Of milk upon the pas
urago, and any fields or portions Of fields
which 10 not furnish the amount Of nu-
tritiOu- grasses necessary for such a re-
suit should at once be placed in condition
10 10 50. OF permanently retired from the
pasture,
There are many fields in which cattle
are turned, which are so oyergrown with
weeds aud underbrush that they afford
little or no food for stock. Every hour
spent upon such land, and every rod
travelled over it by the stock Is a direct
loss 10 the grazier. If the land is 4 steep
hillside, rough and rocky, il should at
once be planted with different varieties Of
forest trees. They will be a profitable
crop upon such land aud nothing else will.
If it is not steep, but still too rough
10 be planted, it should be cleared Of weeds
and brush, sown with a good variety OF
grass seed and dressed abundantly with
wood ashes, or some similar top dressing.
II suitable for cultivation, let the worn
out pasture be well plowed and MANFRED,
and q liberal supply Of grass seed sown
upon it. A mixture OF herdsgrass, blue
grass, red top and clover Is highly recon-
mended. Apas;ure should comprise such
a variety Of grasses that there will always
be some kinds making growth when the
others have lowered.
Only enough stock should be placed in
the pasture 10 keep the grass fed short
not close. And animals enough should
be pastured TO prevent the grass from get
ting tall, rank and woody. Grass kept
short grows faster aud Is much sweeter
and more nutritious than that which is
allowed TO grow tall. Accordingly, iftoo
few cattle are in a field, the portions which
once grow up TO tall grass will be neglect
ed throughout the season, and spots where
the grass Is more succulent will be crop
ped too close. Thepasture should be care
IuIIy watched, especially during dry
weather, and the cattle removed to the
barnyard and fed before the pasture be-
gins to suffer from too close feeding. The
manure rendered available for use by feed
the cattle in the barnyard will amply re-
pay all care and trouble necessary, and it
should be borne in mind that when cattle
are ranging over rocky, brush fields, all
their droppings are absolutely wasted.
In Holland, where great care is taken
To keep the pastures in a high state of
produetiyeness, an acre Is considered more
than sufficient 10 carry one COW. 1t
would certainly pay our farmers to place
their pasture lands in a condition to sup
port an equal number Of cattle per acre.
1t Is absolutely necessary in order that
the full benefit OF a pasture be realized.
that some Soiling crop be grown to feed
during the dryer part Of the summer sea-
son, and to enable the farmer to remove
the cattle from the pasture early enough
10 allow a sufficient growth of grass to
protect the roots during the winter 10