Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-04-08

A HIGH.CLAss MEADOW.

a Al1h-CLASS MEADOW.
The meadow provides more food in
proportion to what it receives in the form
Of manure or fertilizer than any other
portion of the farm. 1t is more neg
Tested, receives less aid, and is expected
TO produce heavier than the cultivated
fields. But meadows and pastures give
out in time, and such lands are not in
exhaustible, and the farmer then finds
that he cannot quickly recover the loss
Tho United States Agricultural Depart
ment has given the subject its special
attention, and issued a bulletin that is
sent free to farmers aud which will be
found valuable. The FIRST requisite, it
claims, in starting a permanent meadow
is to 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 realized, however,
on many meadows, but if the meadow
is well plowed, the weeds destroyed and
the soil put in the best possible condi-
tion for the seed, 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 the
depth of twelve inches additional, SO as
to aerate the soil as deep as possible, as
we'll as admit warmth and moisture, the
roots Of the grasses also having more
capacity to spread and derive plant food.
The first preparation is important, as
the meadow cannot be disturbed again
after seeding. From twenty to thirty
tons of barnyard manure should be ap-
piled and narrowed into the soil, and,
although it is a heavy application for
one acre, it is well to remember that the
meadow is to do service for several
years.
SEEDING THE LAND.
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,
blowing the land again in the fall
About the middle Of August is an ex-
cellent time to seed the land, and when
seeding the field it should be gone over
twice, in two directions, using half the
quantity Of seed each time. and brush
ing it in with brush harrow, followed
by land roller. The kind of seed to
use depends upon the land and the eli
mate. For pasture or meadow va
riety of grasses should be used. A
meadow is usually supposed to be a plot
that is somewhat moist, and is more per-
manent than pasture, but no matter
how many varieties of grass are used
those that are best adapted to the soil
will gradually crowd out the others and
take possession. White clover, timothy, |
blue grass, redtop, orchard grass and
meadow fescue may be used, and the
proper proportions will be prepared by |
the scotsman if desired The two most |
ici portant grasses are timothy and blue
grass, but white clover will hold its own
for two or three years. Orchard grass
is disposed to grow in tussocks, but 9TH
erwise is one Of the most desirable Of all
grasses. Do not spare the seed; use it
beautifully, 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 very little if it is good and sound.
MANAGING THE MEADOW.
Many meadows and pastures are des-
troyed by bad management. The farmer
is in too great hurry to realize from
his investment and does not give the
grass an opportunity to become fully es
tablished, cattle being turned in to tram
pie the field at a season when the ground
is wet. or Craze it closel y when the land
may be in need Of rain. When grass is
seeded in the fall it starts of soon in
spring and makes rapid growth, offering
a strong temptation for the use Of stock,
but it will be found better to allow the
grass to grow and NOV it once for hay,
so as to induce it to thicken and stool,
but to have it trampled or cropped close
by cattle and sheep the FIRST ear lie to
do it more injury than can be regained
during the life Of the meadow or pas
ture. The FIRST years 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 or pasturiug it.
care being taken that the grass is cut
before it bears seed As there will be
different kinds of grass, it will be well
to NOW as soon as the early seeding
kinds begin to seed. With white clover
the seeding is unimportant, as it is
short grass and may not remain unless
under favorable conditions, Before seed
ing the land an application of wood
ashes narrowed in, will be found excel
lent, and lime is also beneficial.