78 BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the same time with economy, and in a way we can make pay, 

 if possible. As Mr. Floyd said, we should do something for 

 our pastures. I think very favorably of his course, and it has 

 been my plan to some extent. My pasture last year carried, 

 notwithstanding the severe drought, twelve head of cattle and 

 thirty-four sheep and lambs. I am satisfied the sheep have 

 been a source of immense advantage in the improvement of 

 that pasture. Of course I don't know as I am right, but I 

 think that a pasture ought to be stocked so heavily that no 

 grass will be allowed to go to seed, and if an old pasture the 

 cattle will be obliged to feed on those rank grasses that occupy 

 the soil in July and August. Of course, I would not advise 

 over-stocking. It has been proposed to top-dress run-out 

 pastures, but I do not think farmers can afford to top-dress 

 their pastures. 



Mr. Flint, I think if a man will stock his pasture with 

 twice as many sheep as it will carry, and make up the defi- 

 ciency with grain, he will gain much in the condition of his 

 pasture. 



Mr. Gilbert. I am glad to hear the remarks of Dr. 

 North. I am sJad there is a man here bold enousfh to advo- 

 cate such views. A few years since I came into possession 

 of a pasture overrun with bushes. I had heard the advocacy 

 of the method usually pursued of allowing the growth of 

 grass to remain in the pasture and not feed too closely, and 

 especially to allow a portion to remain for the protection of 

 the land in the winter. So I took in additional stock and 

 turned my own into this pasture. They had more feed than 

 they could use, and as a consequence large quantities of that 

 grass remained upon the pastures through the winter. After 

 having practiced this method three or four years, I found I 

 was ruining my pastures, they were becoming by that prac- 

 tice so foul. I have been subjected to the expense of clearing 

 them from foul growth which the method pursued allowed to 

 take possession of the land. I think that occasional close 

 feeding is beneficial to pastures, and, I may say, absolutely 

 necessar}'', on all kinds of soil. 



