The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-01-26
FOR PERMANENT PASTURES
ISSUES AN INTER.
EsTiNe BULLETIN.
TeIIe Farmers How to Prepare Per.
manent Pastures In States Of the
Cotton Belt.

FeTuldueut pastures 1Or the cot
ten belt" is the subject discussed in
q bulletin Just received off the presses
OF the United States department of
agriculture at Washington. The bul.
letin ,is of interest In this SECTION be-
cause OF the determination of many
Of the farmers hcrcabouts to raise
more live stock In the future.
The bulletin says:
introduction.
Permanent pastures are q nocessi.y
In the cotton states. Even with the
present acreage devoted to cotton
and other titled crops, there is plenty
OF idle land that IL turned into pas
lures would yield a good additional
income without increasing the FARM
cr's labor bills to any nppreciablc
extent. In changing from cotton
growing to~liye.stock raising. as many
are now doing. the need of perma-
ncnt pastures becomes imperative.
Lands Suitable for Pastures.
The more fertile the land the bet
reasons the rough fields and quilted
hillsides should be the first to be used
for grass. The increasing prices Of
u
make the fertile fields more profitable
convenience of water for the stock
should not be overlooked. in choosing
a field for Il pasture.
Preparation of the Land.
The success of q permanent pasture
depends primarily on the fertility of
the land at the start. On good soil
with the proper system. of grazing,
pasture will increase in, production
for many years. 1t is slow process.
however, to build up poor soils by
pasturing alone. 1t is better TO put
the land in good tilth at the start in
order to maintain the stand OF the
more nutritious grasses and cfOvers.
II the soil Is deficient in organic
matter, some green.manure crop. such
as cowpeas or rye. should be plowed
under before seeding the grass. Sta
BILE manure would accomplish the
same purpose, but this is not often
available. Experience has shown that
phosphorus Is the one element tha. is
most likely to be profitable. in pas-
lures: SO. IL commercial fertilizers
are used, those carrying high per-
centage OF this element are most
desirable. Acid phosphate and basic
Stag are the most economical and
satisfactory materials to use.
Kinds Of Grasses for Pastures.
The Southern. states are fortunate
in having number Of first-class pns-
ture plants suitable for their condi-
tions. With proper selection /, of
these plants 1t is possible to have good
pastures throughout the entire year
In seeding,it is best to use a mix
ture OF several. grasses and .clovers.
as no one kind will meet all re-
quirements. or the many pasture
plants available, the best ones under
general conditions are Bermuda grass,
lespedeZa. bur clover and white clov-
cr. Redtop, orchard grass. CARPET,
grass. Italian rye-grass, and the
yetcaes should be added 10 this list
for the special conditions mentioned
later. Hf;
Bermuda Grass.
Bermuda grass Is unquestionably
the best summer pasture grass known
In the south. 1t occupies the game
relative position in that section that
bluegrass does In the north. 1t should
be made the basis for pasture mix
lures on all soils except the very light
sands. Bermuda grass doesi best on
rich loans along creeks. sometimes
growing large enough to make "A
tons of hay to the acre. The yield
is not SO high on uplands, but it is
sufficient to justify its use for graz
ing purposes on all sthe loans and
the heavier types of soils. 1t is iicr-
manent In its existence on fertile
soils. endures long periods of.
drought without much injury. ls bcne.
fitted rather than injured by the graz.
ing and trampling OF stock. and fur
nishes as nutritious n iced as most
other grasses. No other plant has
been found that ,is more suitable for
quilted hillsides, 10 prevent washing
and to cover UP the scars Of erosion,
1t flourishes In sunshine, but viii,
not endure. much shade. For this
reason st .sbpplG snnt7 7,be used in wood