Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 15.djvu/490

PASTURE. gether. although they sometimes annoy and in- jure each other. Sheep graze much closer than horses and cattle, and so place the latter at a disadvantage when pastured with them, while, on the other hand, they are useful in keeping down certain weeds which horses and cattle do not eat. A dairy herd is always most profitably pastured by itself. In the United States, and in all countries where new lands are brought into cultivation, the native prairie is often used for pastures, while in older countries or long-set- tled regions the cultivated soil is laid down to grass for this purpose. Native grasses are hardy and adapted to the prevailing conditions of soil and climate, so that when they are used the element of uncertainty is entirely eliminated. Pasturing more stock than can be well fed in a pasture of this kind has the effect of killing out the grasses and encouraging the growth of weeds, especially during times of drought. Occa- sional light applications of well-rotted barnj-ard manure, followed by a thorough harrowing, are very beneficial when the sod has become unpro- ductive and hard. The care of native pastures further requires that the weeds be always kept down and that hardy tame or wild grasses be sown on places where the sod is becoming bare.

The practice of laying down land to pasture is common in all farming regions, and often forms a part of the crop rotation. Pastures on cultivated land intended for only a few years are called temporary pastures, and those for a long series of years permanent pastures. In starting pastures on cultivated land the first and most im- portant requisite is a good condition of the soil. The kinds of soil best adapted for pastures are loams and clays, while loose, sandy, and gravelly soils are entirely unsuitable in this connection. Before the land is seeded down the soil is brought to the best possible condition of cultivation and fertility, and if the natural drainage is inade- quate artificial drains are laid. A high state of fertility is conducive to a lu.xuriant growth of grass and a rapid formation of a good sod. A heavy dressing of barnyard manure is well adapted to gi-ass lands, because it not only fur- nishes all the necessary elements of plant food, but also has a beneficial effect on the mechanical condition of the soil. It is preferable to lay land down to pasture after a hoed crop like com. which leaves the soil in a good condition of tilth and comparatively free from weeds. The methods of preparing the'soil and sowing the grass seed are the same in pasture-making as in laying down land to grass for a meadow (q.v.).

The choice of'gra^ses depends largely upon the conditions of climate and soil. On ordinary- soils in regions where the rainfall is generally suffi- cient. Kentuckv blue grass {Poa pratensis). Cana- da blue grass Poa eompressa). tall fescue (Fcs- tuca elatior), red top (Agrostis vulgaris), per- ennial rve grass (Lolium percnne), orchard grass (BnctyUs glomerata), and red and white clover form a good mixture for pastures. Red top, alsike clover, creeping bent grass (Agrostis stolonifera). and perennial rye grass are growTi in wet pastures, and red fescue {Festuca rubra), red top, Kentuckv blue grass, and white clover in pastures on light sandy soils. In the Southern States, Bermuda grass (Cynodon Dnctiilon), carpet grass {Paspaliim platicaiile), large water grass (Paspalum dilatatum), and Texas blue grass (Pon aracluiifera ) are valuable pa.sture grasses. Timothy (Pbleum pratciiite), an excel- lent hay glass, is often .sown for pasture, but it is rather subject to injury by the trampling of stock and close grazing, and it torni a good turf. I'nlike the cour- for meadows, in .selecting pasture gr:i- spe- cies are sought which furnish a succession of green forage throughout the season. For teni- porar.v pastures annual and biennial crops and short-lived grasses are suitable, but for p<?rina- nent pastures |)erennial and good turf-makiog species are required.

ilany farmers grow forage crops near their pastures to feed to the stock during times of drought, to prevent injury being done by too close cropping. The droppings of the slock are not sufficient to keep up the fertility of tlic soil, and hence, as mentioned above, top dressings of barnyard manure and commercial fertilizers are applied to supply the deficiency. The droppings of cattle ought to be broken up and .scattered over the ground. Harrowing a pasture in the spring admits heat and light into the soil and favors the growth of grasses and leguminous plants. Weeds should never be allowed to grow- in pastures, and the coarsest and rankest grass should be mowed once or twice each year. Re- seeding old pastures is usually not .so profitable as breaking and working up the sod and growing a few crops before the land is again seeded down. An abundance of pure water in pastures is a prime necessity. A few trees on the highest points where the stock can find cixil shade are of great Ijenefit. A paddock is a small pasture generally located near the barns. Compare Meadow.

PAT'AGO'NIA. A name formerly applied to the whole southern portion of the .S>uth American continent, extending from the Strait of Magellan indefinitely northward to al)Out the 38th parallel of south' latitude. In its present use. though the name has no political signifi- cance, it is generally restricted to the region ly- ing east of the Andes and south of the Rio Negro (Map: Argentina. D 13». The name is supposed to be derived from the Spanish word pnlngoii. a 'large foot.' in allusion to the large foot])rinLs found bv the first explorers; but it may also come from the Quichua word pataciina, meaning terraces.' The region was visited by various Spanish and English explorers after it was first seen bv Magellan in 1520. It remained un- claimed by any country until 18SI. when it wa.s incorporated into Argentina, while the strip west of the Andes was given up to Chile. The latter portion now constitutes the Chilean Territory of Magallanes ( q.v. ), and Patagonia proper consists of fhe Argentine Territories of Rio Negro, Chu- but, and Santa Cruz (qqv.).

BiBLiOGB.PHY. Musters. At Home icith the Patagonians (London, 1871): Beerbohm. Pan- derings in Patagonia (ih.. 1878) : Dixie, Arross Patahonia (ib., 1880) : Milanesio. La Patagonia (Buenos Avres. 1898): Carbajal. /. Patagonm (Turin, 1890-1900) : Moreiio. Explorations in Patagonia (London, 1899): Marin Vicuila, Al traces de hi Patagonia. . . (Santiago, 1901); Campbell. Through Patagonia (London, 1901)' Prichard. Throunh the Heart of Pata- gonia '(ib.. 1902). See Argentina; Chile: and for the inhabitants. TEHt-ELCHES.

PATAGONIAN CAVY. See Cat.