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Show USE OFJpiSS Methods for Keeping Grazing Areas in Condition. LOCATION FOR SHADE TREES No System of Agriculture Maintains Fertility of Soil Better Than Grazing Prepare Seedbed for Permanent Sod. The shade trees or brush in a pasture should he left only on the high ground and not, as is the usual custom, along the banks of streams in the lowest part of the grazing tracts. The location loca-tion of (he shade has a direct bearing on the fertility of the pasture land, it has been found by studies by specialists special-ists of (he United States department of agriculture, reported in a recently published bulletin, "The Grazing Industry In-dustry of the Bluegrass Region." This Is because pastured cattle spend much of their time under shade, and a considerable con-siderable portion of the manure is dropped at such times. If the shade is on high ground, the fertility Is spread by being washed downhill. When the trees are along streams, however, how-ever, most of the fertility contributed by the manure deposited in the shade is lost. Where animals are kept continually on the pastures, there is no system of agriculture, investigations disclosed, that maintains the fertility of the soil better than grazing. Where beef cattle or sheep are grazed, all of the resulting result-ing manure is left on the pastures, and the land is further enriched if the animals are given additional feed during dur-ing winter. This Is usually not the case on dairy farms, where the cattle spend much of the time in yards or stables. This return of the manure directly to the soil is particularly important im-portant in the grazing regions where the profits are not ssfliciently large to justify the liberal use of commercial fertilizers on pasture land. The effect ef-fect of manure on bluegrass is shown by the fact that feeding hay or corn- fodder on the poorest spots of a pasture pas-ture is a very effective means of improving im-proving the stand of grass. At the same time the increasing use of silage and, in some parts, dry-feeding methods meth-ods during the winter, may make it necessary for the grazer to take special spe-cial measures for maintaining his pasture. pas-ture. Getting a Sod. While the ordinary practice is to clear additions to the pasture fields and allow the bluegrass to come in Itself, this Is a slow process. This method takes from three to four years to get a good stand. Where the land is level enough to plow and prepare a seedbed, It is possible to permit much more grazing the first two or three years and to get a permanent sod more quickly by seeding a mixture of grasses, grass-es, such as orchard grass, red top, red or alsike clover, tall oatgrass or timothy, tim-othy, along with the blue grass. Blue-grass Blue-grass and white clover will eventually crowd out most of the other grasses, although orchard grass will persist for many years, thereby adding to the early spring and late fall grazing. The Virginia agricultural experiment experi-ment station has demonstrated that fairly close grazing will keep a blue-grass blue-grass sod in better condition than light grazing, as the latter practice allows the grass and weeds an opportunity to seed. Cleaning up a field at the close of the grazing period seems to have a similar effect. The trampling of the field by stock, unless the land is so wet that it cuts up badly, is also beneficial. bene-ficial. It must be remembered that the soil of an old turf tends to become too loose. In one case in England it was found that rolling the old pasture fields was the most effective method of eradicating moss. Very little labor is necessary to keep a good pasture In first-clas con- dltion. All loose stones and rubbish that are removed pive that much more space for grass plants to grow. AU brush or trees not needed for shade or other purposes should be cut or deadened dead-ened by girdling. In addition to the above suggestions, all tall-growing weeds should be mown at least once a year, preferably just before they form seed. It Is a common com-mon practice in central Kentucky and in some other sections of the bluegrass region to mow (he weeds. This is done with a mowing machine if the fields are sufTici'onUy smooth ; otherwise, other-wise, by a man with a scythe. The difference dif-ference in the appearance of fields In localities where weed mowing is practiced prac-ticed and whore It is not is very striking. strik-ing. Mowing will usually hold In chock most of the common weeds, such as ragweed, oxeye daisy, thistles, and briars. A few sheep on cattle pastures pas-tures have been found very efficient in keeping down many troublesome weeds. Danger of Hawkweed. There recently has been introduced Into southwestern Virginia a weed that gives promise of being more damaging dam-aging to pastures than anything that has heretofore appeared. It is the field hawkweed (Ilieracium pratense), a .low-growing plant, somewhat resembling resem-bling narrow-leaved plantain, but the stems and leaves are hairy. It spreads by underground stems and forms a dense mat, which crowds out most other oth-er plants. The flowers are bright yellow, yel-low, borne on naked, upright stalks S to 20 inches high. This weed, along with other closely related species, has already damaged the pastures of New York and New England greatly. Hawkweed may be destroyed by chopping it out with a hoe or mattock. If this method is used, care should be exercised to get all the rootstocks In the upper iut-h or two of the soil and destroy them. Another method, which seems to be about the best that can be suggested at the present time, is to spray the phiuts on a clear day with a solution of ordinary salt. Three pounds of salt to one gallon of water is the proportion that has given the best results. Every patch treated should be inspected occasionally, as it may require two or three sprayings to kill the hawkweed. If the weed is In small patches, which is the way it usually us-ually starts, a man equipped with a knapsack sprayer can cover a large area in a day. The spraying may be done at any time, but it is much easier to find the plant when It Is in bloom. The showy yellow flowers are very conspicuous and may be seen and recognized rec-ognized for a considerable distance. Profits From Bluegrass Grazing. The investigators studied carefully the industry in a number of localities to determine, If possible, the value of blue grass pasture when grazed to cattle. cat-tle. In 22 pastures studied, they found that the yearly returns per acre ranged from S7.3G to $24.0S. From these figures, fig-ures, however, had to be deducted the cost of winter feeding, in which was included roughage produced on the farm, figured at a fair price. The net returns for the pasture varied from $2.10 to $14.08 an acre, with an average aver-age of $8.60. This return per acre of pasture must pay the taxes, Insurance, Insur-ance, fencing, and labor of caring for the pastures and stock, and not much is left as interest on the investment. At the prevailing prices of land, the average bluegrass farmer, according to the data obtained from these farmers, does not make over 3 or 4 per cent on his investment. The average rental price per acre for pasture land in this region is $3 an acre for fairly good land to $5 for the best. This Is said ta be a safe and attractive business to men with considerable capital. Where sheep are grazed, the returns range from $2.90 to $12.66 pet acre in six pastures studied, and the total outlay out-lay for wintering seldom exceeds $1 a head, and usually averages 75 cents. It is pointed out, however, that the chief drawbacks of the sheep industry of the bluegrass region are dogs, internal in-ternal parasites, such as stomach worms, nodular disease, etc. |