86 mAine state society. 



ESSAY 



On tho improvement of ruugli hill pastures not easily cultivated. 



BY G. C. WATERMAN. 



The principal obstructions to the cultivation of hilly pastures are 

 too steep elevation of hills, rocks and ledges ; obstructions ^vhich can- 

 not be easily removed. It is the true policy of every good farmer 

 to render his pasture lands as profitable as possible. Q'hese rough 

 hills may often be made the most profitable grazing lands on the 

 farm, aiFording the earliest and most nutritious feed. It is then a 

 "consummation most devoutly to be -wished," that these waste lands be 

 reclaimed and rendered useful. If such lands are over grown with 

 bushes and weeds thev should be carefully cut in the month of 

 August or before the seeds come to maturity, and after drying a few 

 days should be raked together into small piles, and burned in a pleas- 

 ant and not very Avindy day. Stumps, logs and other combustibles, 

 should then be piled and burned, the brands re-piled and burned, 

 till all are consumed, as early in the season as possible. The pla- 

 ces where the piles have been burned should be well raked with a 

 stout iron toothed rake, and a liberal supply of herd's grass, red top 

 and clover seed sowed and well raked in. If there should be any 

 bare knolls they should be raked and then manured with old manure 

 and ashes, which should be well mixed with the soil and seeded as 

 directed above. If the cattle should be kept from these lands during 

 the remainder of the season it would be highly advantageous. 



As soon as the snow is ofi" in the spring, three hundred pounds of 

 super phosphate of lime to the acre should be sown on a damp 

 but not very wet day ; which will give the grass an early and vigor- 

 ous start. The cattle should be kept from the pasture till the 

 ground is settled and dry. Should weeds or bushes make their 

 appearance they should be cut and when dry, raked on to some place 



