The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-25
News Of the Farm
MAINTAINING A MEADOW.

| manure or fertilizer than any other por-
| ton of the farm. 1t is more neglected.
| receives less aid, and is expected to pro-
duce heavier than the cultivated fields
But meadows and pastures give out in
| time, as such lands are not inexhaustible,
and the farmer then finds that he cannot
| quickly recover the loss. The United
States Agricultural Department has given
| the subject its special attention and is
sued bulletin that is sent free to farm
| ers and which Will be found valuable.
| The first requisite, it claims, in starting
a permanent meadow is 10 have the land
| in good condition, as the meadow should
| last from four to six years and yield an
| average Of three TO four tons of hay per
| acre each year. Such yields are not reali-
| zed, however on many meadows, but if the
meadow is well plowed, the weeds de-
| stroyed and the soil put in the best pos
| sible condition for the sead, the stand of
| grass will be good and the advantages in
favor of large yields greatly increased
thereby. The blowing should be from six
to nine inches and the subsoil broken to a
depth of II inches additional, SO as to
areate the soil as deep as possible, as well
roots Of the grasses also having more ca
pacity to spread and derive plant food.
The first preparation is important. assthe
| meadow cannot be disturbed again after
seeding. From 20 to 80 tons of barnyard
manure should be applied and narrowed
into the soil. and, although it is a heavy
application for one acre it is well to re-
member that the meadow is to do service
for several years.
If the ground is full OF weeds, it may be
an advantage to cultivate some crop that
requires the hoe, so as to clean it. plow
ing the land again in the fall. About the
middle of August is an excellent time to
seed the land, and when seeding the field
1t should be gone over twice. in two di-
rections, using half the quantity OF seed
each time. and brushing it in with brush
harrow. followed by a land roller. The
kind Of seed TO use depends upon the land
and the climate. For a pasture or mea
dow variety of grasses should be used.
A meadow is supposed to be plot that is
somewhat moist. and is more permanent
than pasture, but no matter how many
varieties of grass are used, those that are
best adapted to the soil will gradually
crowd the others and take possession.
White clover, blue grass, redtop, orchard
grass and meadow fescue may be used,
and the proper proportions will be pre-
pared by the scotsman if desired. The
two most important grasses are timothy
and blue grass, but white clover will
hold its own for two or three years. Orch
ard grass is disposed to grow in tusocks,
but otherwise is one of the most desirable
Of all grasses. Do not spare the seed; use
1t plentifully. and the grass that will
thrive best will assert its authority after
the first two years. If the soil has been
carefully prepared the loss Of seed will be
but very little If It is good and sound.
Many meadows and pastures are de-
stroyed by bad management. The farmer
is in too great hurry 20 realize from his
investment and does not give the grass an
opportunity to become fully established.
cattle being turned in to trample the field
at season when he ground is wet, or
Craze it closely when the land may be in
need Of rain. When grass is seeded in the
fall it starts off in spring and makes rap
id growth, offering a strong temptation
for the use OF stock. but it will be found
better to allow the grass to grow and NOW
it once for hay. 50 as to induce it to thick
en- and stool, but to have it trampled or
cropped close by cattle and sheep the first
year is to do it more injury than can be
regained during the life of the meadow
or pasture. The first pears management
Is very important, and the rule to follow
is TO allow the grass TO become firmly
rooted and to make as much growth as
possible before moving os pasturing il,
care being taken that the grass is cut
before it bears seed. AS there vii be diff
ferent kinds of grass II will be well to
NOW as soon as the early-seeding kinds
begin to seed. With white clover the seed
ing Is unimportant, as 1t is short grass
and may not remain unless under favor
able conditions. Before seeding the land
an application Of wood ashes narrowed it,
will be found excellent, and lime is also
beneficial.