Pastures for Florida


are 1/2 to 2 inches long (Fig. 45). The flowers are purple in color
and small brownish seeds are borne in small cylindrical and
jointed pods.
 This legume is used primarily as a hay crop but may be used
 also for light grazing. It is adapted to well drained soils free
 of heavy root-knot (nematode) infestation. Clay soils are pre-
 ferred because root-knot is not as injurious as in sandy soils.
 For hay it is planted at the rate of 10 to 20 pounds of seed
 per acre, while 8 to 10 pounds are generally sufficient if planted
 for grazing. It should be planted in April or early May.

 SUMMARY
 A good grazing program consists of a natural sequence of graz-
 ing crops supplied by native range grasses and both improved
 permanent and temporary pastures.
 Although improved permanent pastures produce more high
 quality herbage and beef per acre than nativegrasses, most of
 the grazing is furnished by native pastures at present. Native
 range grasses produce 5 to 10 pounds of beef per acre as com-
 pared with a range of 50 to 700 pounds for improved permanent
 pastures.
 The desirability of utilizing improved permanent pastures
 depends upon establishment and maintenance costs and subse-
 quent returns. When permanent pastures are established the
 best soils available should be utilized, as good soils produce
 better returns than poor soils.
 Primary factors to be considered when establishing permanent
 pastures include: Water control, fencing, destruction of ob-
 jectionable vegetation, adaptation of pasture plants, fertilization,
 seedbed preparation, and planting technique.
 Surface drainage is necessary in many areas where standing
water causes scalding and mortality of seedling plants. It is
best to use many shallow ditches to avoid over drainage. Deep
ditches should be provided with water gates to withhold water
flow during dry periods.
 Inexpensive, 3- to 4-strand heavy duty barbed wire fences
are generally satisfactory for controlling cattle. If hogs range
freely, woven wire should be used to exclude them, since they
damage pastures by rooting.
 The objectionable vegetation may be destroyed by heavy disks,
rotary choppers, mowers and fire or with various combinations,
depending upon the type of vegetation to be destroyed.