134 GROWING GRASSES FOR HAY AND PASTURE 
spring and continuing growth through much of the cool weather 
of spring and fall; (7) palatability; (8) making new growth 
quickly after cropping. 
Among the best pasture grasses to fulfil most of these Tequire- 
ments are Kentucky blue-grass for the states east of the Missouri 
River and north of the Gulf states; Bermuda grass for the southern 
states east of the semi-arid regions. In the semi-arid regions smooth 
brome grass is one of the best for permanent pastures. It is supple- 
mented by buffalo grass and other native grasses. 
Pasture Mixtures.—The benefits of growing several different 
kinds of plants together for pasture or for hay should be noted: 
(1) Different depths of feeding of roots, avoiding competition, and 
using the soil to better advantage. (2) Some may endure the 
shade of others and thus cover the surface better. (3) Their plant 
food requirements differ. (4) Some thrive better in heavy soils 
while others thrive better in sandy or otherwise different spots, 
as alkali, or lime, or sour soil. (5) Some grow better in cool. 
moist weather and others endure the hot, dry seasons. (6) Some 
endure close cropping, while others remain succulent when allowed 
to grow tall. 
In comparatively dry regions of the western states smooth 
brome grass is often mixed with blue-grass, white clover, red-top, 
and timothy. Tn the Gulf states and other southern states, the 
small cereal grains are often sown with burr-clover, to produce 
winter pasture. Burr-clover and Bermuda may be grown together. 
Bermuda is good for summer and burr-clover for winter. Hairy 
vetch may be mixed with the small grains for winter pastures. 
Lespedeza is of much help to the summer pasture when mixed 
with Bermuda. 
In the blue-grass section timothy is often mixed with it for 
uplands. Red-top is also used if the pasture is low and wet. Creep- 
ing white clover is excellent in pastures if not allowed to blossom 
and seed too much. 
Grasses for Hay.—Among the qualifications for a good hay 
grass the following may be mentioned: (1) Have good yields; (2) 
regrowing after cutting; (3) remain palatable through a fair pro- 
portion of its growth; (4) be leafy; (5) produce plenty of seed; 
(6) live several years; (7) be easily cured. Wild grasses often 
fulfil several of these conditions. (Fig. 81.) 
Several of the arguments given for mixtures in pastures hold 
for hay mixtures. In the cooler, humid regions of the United 
States, timothy is the leading grass for hay. Smooth brome oTass