The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-11-12
THE DAIRY.
OF PASTURES,

portions of the farm were selected for
meadows and cultivated fields. 1t re,
quired all of the time, means and labor
to put these into a fair condition for
the production of satisfactory crops,
and it was the work of years on the
average upland farms to get the sur,
face of these fields into a shape where
good tools, implements and machines
could be safely and economically used.
This being the case, the poorer, more
difficult to work or distant portions OF
the cleared land were put in pastures,
where they have remained for years
with little or no effort to improve their
condition. The result of this course of
treatment is most unmistakable.
While the land was new and the
soil naturally we'll provided with the
elements of fertility, this course ap-
peared to be all right, but after years
Of continuous grazing with no fertiliza-
ton save the droppings Of the animals
pastured, with little or nc attempt to
otherwise improve them, it at last be-
came evident that they were sadly de-
teriorating in productiveness, and that
unless something vas soon done to rem
ovate this portion of our farms, it
would only be a matter of time when
they would become of little or no value.
What shall be done with our pas
tures9 is question that isnow puzzling
large portion of our farmers. In an
article like this only a few suggestions
can be given. On all farms, and espe
cially where summer dairying is prac-
ticed, and that includes a large portion
of the country devoted to this industry,
good pastures are of the greatest i'm
portance. i
There are some pastures or portions
that never should have been cleared of
the timber, and where practicable it
would be better to allow such places to
grow up again to woods, as a a Of
renovation or future income.
Now and then a farm, only a small
DEOpOIG1Ou hO"ONO4S Al ~ OSOSC
States, at least, is largely composed of
land that can be plowed and cultivated.
In such cases there will be little diff
as the land can be devoted to
general farm crop as needed, a~lternat-
lug between meadow and pasture.
J Where land is to be retained and
needs to be ploWed and re-seeded to
grass again, there should be no more
,Eeop taken from the ground than is
NECESSARY to get it in condition suitable
Tor good grazing. The idea should be
to enrich and not deplete the soil by
this process of renovation.
IL there is not sufficient anu to
use in this work, then it would be best
to substitute some of the approved
commercial fertilizers in sufficient
quantities to produce a lasting effect.
This can be done at a reasonable out
lay and the farmer will be pleased with
the results.
Some times there r pieces that are
quite stony and rough, and yet these
can often with diligence and patience
be plowed fairly we'll, and 80 fitted by
proper cultivation as to make excellent
pastures, increasing their value for
this purpose many times over. In
seeding a good variety of grass seed
should be used, the kinds depending
on the soil and location.
But there is much pasture land that
il is impracticable to plow and Guilt
vate, and yet is in great need of atten-
ton. If the land will permit of the
use of a good harrow, either in spring
or fall, then something can be done,
even here.
Take a spring-tooth harrow for in
stance, as these are great diggers and
puIverizers, and when the ground is in
suitable condition for work, in spring
or fall, give it a thorough going over,
tearing up and m~ellowing as much as
possible. Then SOW on grass seed and
fertilizers of some kind and a very
marked Improvement should be the
result.
Where there is a fairly good sod, a
top-dressing of bone dust and ashes, a
regular superphosphate, or on some
soil, gypsum or land plaster will have
an excellent effect.
Inclosing pieces of rough, stony land
for a night pasture for the COWS is q
very good method in some cases. This
urse is often practiced with good re-
suits on rough meadow land.
A foul growth of vegetation is taking
the place of the better grasses on MANY
of our farms which it is very difficult
to destroy.
Some of this produces seeds that in
creases and spread each year, thus
1850 VETL-A -