Sharp County record., 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
LNoryntfRNyi11n \

duction of livestock on any farm Is
found in the ability Of the farmer To
produce an abundance Of cheap; pala-
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 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 hogs 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 a
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 vetch, and bur clover can also
be used to good advantage.
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 we'll Lespedeza, seeded in the
same way, on wheat or winter oats
or with spring oats, in the place of
red clover, will make 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.
der counties Of the state, Kentucky
Blue Grass fourishes and can be
made constituent in every pasture
combination in that section. Bermu'
da, on the other hand, will do well IN
hot weather and stands drouth well.
At the same time 1t is adapted to al
most all soils. These reasons make
Bermuda a desirable basis for pas
ture in all parts of the state. Les
pedeza Is suitable for the same con.
ditions as Bermuda, and the two do
very well together White or Dutch
clover Is persistent wherever grown,
and is entitled to 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-resst.
ant and hardy on uplands. Orchard
grass has won we'll deserved place
as both a pasture and meadow grass
In at least the northern half OF the
state, Many farmers have practlced
seeding this grass broadcast on cut
over lands and have had good results.
| In some Of the northern costal plain
counties Of the state, carpet grass is
found growing naturally and makes
an excellent pasture.
In seeding pasture variety OF
plants consisting Of both legumes and
grasses Is desirable. The different
kinds used mature at different times,
and more feed Ia produced, Likewise
the legumes used have beneficial e.
feet on the soil,
Getting good pasture established
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, ia 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 Ia spotted bur clover 90.
20 pounds in the bur, in August)
White clover GA pounds in carly fall
or late winter) and Lospodo2a (2O,2b
pounds In February or Mareh),
Where Bermuda Ia Objectionable
permanent pasture ID more difficult to
maintain, especially on poorer types
Of soils A mixture Of Red Top (s.1O
pounds), Alsike clover C4.6 pounds),
White clover GA pounds) and Los.
podesa (90s95 pounds) should be n
desirable substitute, especially on
damp lands, In northern seotIona OF
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