The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-02-23
Time for Seeding Near ;
State Dairy Specialist
Coming Here Friday
sy D. w. BENNETT
Assistant County Agent

The lack OF gOOu paStuIc - V"S
of the weak spots in livestock
feeding in North Carolina. Most
farmers have plenty OF land
fenced in for pasture. but they
fail 20 regard the pasture as be-
inc worth very much. Many farm
ers have been disappointed IN
their pastures because they seed
ed land that had been retired
from cultivation. Fertile land IS
lust as important for the success
Of good pasture rs any crop
grown on the farm. Under our
present method of pasture man
agement. il requires four or hvc
acres TO maintain an animal unit.
but with improved methods ot
management one to two acres VIII
MAINTAIN an animal. d.
There are many advantages "I
n good pasture among which are
the following:
Pasture controls erosion. Many
Of our steep hillSideS would be
much more profitable To the iafm-
or if il were seeded down to per-
manent pasture. Land properly
seeded in pasture loses less than
onc-half ton OF soil per year Whhe
the same land planted IN some oil
our crops will lose rs high as ~
tons of soil.
Pasture is economical. Accord
ING TO recent survey made by
the U. 8. department OF agricul-
ture il was found that nearly
one-third Of the feed consumed
nv cattle came from pasture while
the pasture cost was only one
seventh of the total feed cost.
Pasture is rich in protein. One
hundred pounds OF dry matter IN
the form OF immature pasture
grass is much higher in protein
than the same amount in the form
of mature hay. The protein is also
of an improved quality when COM /
pared 10 mature hay.
The mineral content of pasture
pras, is high. Pasture constitutes
the best source of minerals Tor
livestock. Immature grass con-
tains about twice as much phoS.
nhate as does mature hay. VI
course the amount of mineral mat
ter in the grass will be determined
by the amount present IN the son
This point should encourage the
application of more phosphate and
lime to the soil. ..
Pasture is also 4 good source OF
vitamins that are so essential 10
animal life. Grasses are rich IN
vitamin A, B and c, which are so
necessary TO prevent disease and
promote growth.
How can we make n good pas
ture? Pastures are most success
ful on heavy, fertile soils. The
Nost datos for sowing pastures in
this country are August 20 and
rrorch Is. One is more sure OF
~ccciving n GOOD catch if the pas
ture is seeded thc last of August
In case it is impossible to seed on
that date. the pasture should be
seeded around March 10.
A general application of 200 to
100 pounds of n 4-l2-4 fertilizer
should be applied per acre. 1t Is
a GOOD idea to apply about a ton
of limestone per acre for best re-
suits.
The idea seed bed for pasture
Is one that is thoroughly pulver-
led to a depth of three inches.
Lands that have been in row
crops may be thoroughly disced,
but land that has been idle may
have to be plowed shallow before
discing. 4,
Many pastures are often ruined
by too early grazing, and grazing
too closely. New pasture should
not be grazed until the grass is
five or six inches tall. 1t is also n
good practice to NOW the weeds
of the pasture two OF three times
each year.
The following mixture is one OF
the best for this county:
Kentucky Blue Grass $50 D lbs.