Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1917-03-30
THE PASTURE IS
A BIG PROBLEM
Profitable Pastures the Basis Of the
Economic Production Of
Livestock.
(By l.. w. Osborn, Arkansas Expert

(By l.. w. Osborn, Arkansas Expert
ment Station, Fayetteville.)
The basis for the economical pro-
duction of livestock on any farm is
found in the ability Of the farmer To
produce an abundance Of cheap, paid
table and nutritious roughage during
all seasons Of the year. The South
ern farmer by properly taking advan-
tage Of different pasture combinations
can do much TO attain this end.
Temporary pastures usually afford
an abundance OF grazing for short
time only. Cowpeas, late varieties OF
soy beans and velvet beans planted
alone in the spring, or after a small
grain crop is removed, or between
corn rows, or In combination with
sorghums, produce a heavy yield Of
forage which can be used for late
summer and fall grazing. Spanish
peanuts planted in about the same
way afford big possibilities in pastur-
Ing logs in late autumn when other
pastures are getting short. Corn
stalks left in the field after the
corn is removed, especially when peas
or beans are present, are always
profitable pasture.
For late fall, winter or early spring
pasture the fall seeded small grains
are most satisfactory. Fall seeded an
nual legumes such as crimson clover,
hairy yetch, and bur clover can also
be used to good advantage. :, IA
Quickly established pastures OF
short duration are cheaply obtained
on good soils in limestone sections
Of north Arkansas, and especially ON
the rich alluvial soils in northeast Ar
Kansas by seeding red clover in early
spring on winter wheat. The red
clover comes on after the small grain
is harvested, and frequently yields
very well. LespedeZa, seeded in the
same way, on wheat or winter oats
or with spring oats, in the place OF
red clover, will make a good summer
pasture on good lands in other parts
Of the state.
The basis of any permanent pasture
in any section should be the plant or
plants which grow most generally or
freely in that section. For example
in the limestone soils in northern Dor
Blue Grass fourishes and can be
made constituent in every pasture
combination in that section Bermu
da, on the other hand, will do well ir
hot weather and stands drouth we'll
AT the same time it is adapted to al
most all soils. These reasons make
Bermuda desirable basis for a pas
ture in all parts of the state. Les
pedeza is suitable for the same con
ditions as Bermuda, and the two dt
very well together. White or Dutcl
clover is persistent wherever grown
and is entitled to a place in pasture
mixtures. Red Top is adapted to !;
wide range of conditions in the state
making the best growth on moist soil
but still proving fairly drought-resist
ant and hardy on uplands. Orchart
grass has won a we'll deserved plac,
as both a pasture and meadow grass
In at least the northern half Of tn,
state. Many farmers have practicet
seeding this grass broadcast Oh Gu
over lands and have had good yesults
In some Of the northern costal plair
counties Of the state, carpet grass il
found growing naturally and makes
an excellent pasture
In seeding pasture, a variety Of
plants consisting Of both legumes anG
grasses is desirable. The different
kinds used mature at different times
and more feed is produced. Likewise
the legumes used have beneficial Ct
feet on the soil.
Getting a good pasture estab lished
is frequently no easy task. A well
prepared seed bed in which the sub
soil is firm and the surface in a fine.
loose condition, is most ideal where
small slowly terminating grass seeds
are used. Bermuda can be establish.
ed on good soils by broadcasting seed
at the rate Of 3-6 pounds per acre dur
ing April and May when moisture
conditions are favorable. Bermuda
roots can also be used and the
chances Of getting stand are in-
creased by their use, especially where
soil and moisture conditions are not
Of the best. Orchard grass, Red TOP
and most Of the clovers are best seed.
ed in the early spring
A good combination to use with
Bermuda is spotted bur clover Go.
20 pounds in the bur, in August)
| White clover GA pounds in early fall
or late winter) and Lespedeza (20-25
pounds in February or March,.
Where Bermuda Is Objectionable a
permanent pasture is more difficult to
maintain, especially on poorer types
OF soils. A mixture of Red Top (S-lD
pounds), Alsike clover (4-6 pounds),
White clover GA pounds) and Leg
pedeza OOPS pounds) should be a
desirable substitute. especially on
damp lands. In northern sections Of
the state, especially on uplands, a
mixture Of orchard grass (15-2O
pounds) Red Top CAS- pounds), Bur
clover (10-20 pounds in burr, White
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