The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1920-03-26
IMPROVING The
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 we'll 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 sell
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 a few
years ago. Observation shows that
1t requires more acres to maintain &
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 a God given asset to the farm.
They are much neglected in spite of
the fact that grasses and clovers
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-
uous. They will not pay dividends
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 carried and
spread with little difficulty, especially
the hydrated lime which cones in
bags and needs no shaking. 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 acidlty as
soon as 1t 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
ward manure or commercial fertilizers
may be used. 1t Is true that where
manure is used, it will keep the AMI
mails away for a time, but that Is an
advantage in one way at least, in that
it will give the grass an opportunity
to make q start.
It will be beneficial to work up the
soil with a sharp-toothed harrow to
mix the applied material and prepare
q better soil bed for the grass seed
that should be applied. Spring seeG-
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. 1t is important that
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
a 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, g.; Orchard grass, f; Meadow
Fescue, 2; Italian rye grass, L; Red
clover, 6; Alsike clover, 4.
Many farmers are already using this
mixture. Some add a pound each of
white clover, alfalfa, and sweet clover.
If the ground is very dry, smooth
bronze grass should be substituted in
the mixture for an equivalent amount
of orchard grass and timothy.
After this treatment has been given
the pasture should not be over-stOck-
ed, nor pastured too early in Spring
or too late in Fall, because the plants
must have some opportunity to make
enough growth so that they will have
vitality to live through the winter.
And. once this treatment has been
given to a pasture and enough lime
applied to correct at least part OF
the acidity, it should be repeated from
time to time to maintain it in good
condition. The application Of manure,
seed and lime should be repeated
every five years, especially the appn'
cation of lime.