The Press., 1919-09-18
[ IMP ROWING TIE PASTURE
When and How This Can Be Done for the Best
 Results.
Use Barnyard Manure to Good
 Advantage.
High Grade Pasturage Provides More Feeding Capacity and Bigger
 Dividends in Milk Yields.

When farm work slackens in the Fall after the corn has been husked and the crops harvested, the farmer will do well to apply lime to the pasture. The pasture problem Is be- coming more acute everywhere eacn year. The good palatable grasses are disappearing largely because the soil has become sour, and weeds, tough inferior grasses, and in many cases, moss, are taking their place. Many pastures will not maintain one-half as many animals as they did few years ago. Observation shows that it requires more acres to maintain a COW nowadays, than it did years ago when more careful attention was given to the quality of pasturage.
 Pastures seemed to be considered sort of God given asset to the farm. They are much neglected in spite of the fact that grasses and covers respond well to good treatment especially to lime. One way or an other pastures cost the farmer be- cause upkeep of fences Is necessary and interest on investment Is contin-
 
 without care.
 There are three or four things nee essary in pasture improvement. First in importance, on most of the areas, Is an application of lime. Fortunately for the farmer lime may be applied to the pasture at any time in the year. There is no best time The point Is to get 1t on the land The most con venient time is undoubtedly in Fall when farm work has eaSed up. At this time lime may be carted and spread with little difficulty, especially the hydrated lime which comes in bags and needs no Slaking. Generally roads are also good in the Fall for hauling A ton of lime to the acre is none too much, because in most cases the soil has become very sour during a period of many years of heavy grazing, and no treatment other than the dropings of the animals which are never sufficient in themselves. Very finely pulverized lime is especially valuable because it is so readily sol uble and begins to correct acidfty as soon as it is applied. If applied In the Fall, it's action by Spring will have been sufficient to create favorable conditions for the growth of the old plants or for the growth of new plants springing from seed.
 There must be sufficient plant food in the soil. To supply it, either barn. yard manure or commercial fertilizers may be used. It Is true that where 4 or,{ malls away for a time, but that is an advantage In one way at least, in thar it will give the grass an opportunity to make start.
 It will be beneficial to work up the soil with a sharp-toOthed harrow to mix the applied material and prepare a better soil bed for the grass seed that should be applied. Spring seed ing is usually best Where the land is too steep to harrow, the seed should be applied when the soil Is honey cOmbed by frost It is important thai strong, vital seeds free of impurities are used, and they should be of kinds which will guarantee a succession of pasturage. Fifteen to twenty pounds is generous application. For most con ditions from Maine to Virginia, where lime has been used. the following mix ture will prove satisfactory:
 Timothy, 10 pounds: Kentucky blue grass, 6; Orchard grass, 4; Meadow Rescue, ?; italian rye grass, 1; Red clover, 6; Alsike clover, 4.
 Many farmers are already using this mixture. Some add pound each of white clover, alfalfa. and sweet clover. If the ground is very dry, smooth brome grass should be substituted in the mixture for an equivalent amount of orchard grass and timothy.
 After tNiS treatment has been given tIse pasture should not be Over-stock- ed. nor pasturcd too early in Spring or too late in Fall, because the plants must have some opportunity to make cnnu@i! growth so that they will have vitality to live through the winter AnH once this treatment has been given to a pasture and enough lime appIied to correct at least part Of the actlity. it should be repeated from time to time to maintain 1t in good condition. Tie application of manure, seed and lime $i.ould be repeated every five years, especially the appll. cation of lime