IN CL'TTIXG DOWN PLANTATIONS. 299 



15s. per acre, but after the improvement had been effected, the 

 writer sold the hay crop at £3, 10s. per acre, and the after grass, 

 which was depastured by the owner's cattle, was at least worth 

 5s. per acre more, so that the actual account stands thus : — 



Cash received for one acre plantation hay, . £3 10 

 Value of after grass, 5 



Eent of one acre, 



Paid for cutting and making hay. 



Net profit after improvement, £2 5 



As the improvement is of a permanent nature, the expense of 

 burning the rubbish, grass seeds, &c., is charged as such on 

 the estate. 



When no top-dressing or grass seeds are used, the natural 

 grasses and other plants soon clothe the surface with a green 

 sward, and some people are content to wait and allow nature 

 time to make her own selection ; but the practical experienced 

 man steps in here, and says, I must assist nature ; she is trying 

 to do what she can for me, and I must try and do something for 

 her, and he at once prepares the surface, and as experience and 

 ol3servation have taught him what species of grass inhabit the 

 different classes of soils and situations among trees, he sows and 

 acts accordingly ; and by top-dressing with bones, lime, and 

 earth mixed, or ashes, he knows what the results will be as 

 clearly as a first-class physician can tell what to prescribe for 

 his patient. In all the writer's experience, which covers a period 

 of some thirty years, he has never known a single case where 

 cattle paid by being starved ; and if we can add one half more 

 value to our pastures and meadows to administer to their wants, 

 the benefit to both landlord and tenant would be immense. 



Land is perfectly honest, and whatever is put into it in the 

 shape of manure, it will always give a satisfactory return in the 

 shape of crop. 



The most valuable grasses for permanent pasture among trees 

 and elevated districts are undoubtedly the different species of 

 fescue. They all thrive in a great variety of soils and situations, 

 and form by far the largest proportion of the best sheep pastures 

 in Scotland, and the mountainous districts of Wales, Anglesea, 

 and the mountain districts clad with natural oak in county Wick- 

 low, Ireland, all are stocked to a great extent with this grass; 

 and it is a remarkable fact that all the above named places 

 are celebrated, and justly so, for the sweet, fine quality of the 

 mutton they produce. 



