188 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



ficial." A very successful, practical farmer of Worcester 

 county says : " The height from the ground at which it is best 

 to cut grass, depends on the season, the soil and tlie grass. No 

 grass, except on moist ground, should be cut so low in a very 

 dry season, as it will do to cut it in a wet season. The natural 

 grasses I like to have cut witliin about two and a half inches of 

 the ground. Our old fields of cultivated grasses do not afford 

 much afterfeed after the clover is run out ; what of stubble is 

 left on them is lost, so I like to mow close." 



One of the most observing, experienced and practical farmers 

 of Hampden county says : " I prefer grass cut from an inch 

 and a half to two inches, as it starts much quicker to grow 

 when cut at that height, than when shaved close to the earth> 

 as some that are called good mowers do their work. If it is 

 true that all crops are benefited from the ammonia in the 

 atmosphere, as I have no doubt they are, judging from grass 

 side by side, the one cut close, the other two inches high, the 

 grasses should have some leaves left them to receive tliis bene- 

 fit. Grass cut two inches high will keep growing, while that 

 closely cut will be even weeks before it will show the first signs 

 of life." 



Another experienced farmer says : " "Where I top-dress imme- 

 diately after, I cut as low as I can, to save all the grass I can. 

 If I do not top-dress I cut from two to three inches high, to 

 protect and nourish the roots. I do not feed in the fall where 

 I do not top-dress. I intend to manure all ray natural upland 

 mowing land and never feed my old fields." And another: "I 

 like to cut rather near the ground, for the reason that more hay 

 is obtained. If the soil is in good condition, and not too dry, 

 it will start again immediately. I know some say cut high, the 

 stubble will manure the land and protect the roots, &c., but I pre- 

 fer to manure with something better for protection. I top-dress 

 my mowing land and prefer a compost made of woollen waste 

 and meadow mud for soil not very wet; but for a cold, heavy 

 soil, should prefer sand, or sandy loam to mix with wool waste. 

 Apply fifteen cart loads of thirty bushels each, late in autumn." 



A farmer of Franklin county says : " The farmers here cut 

 their grass as near the ground as they can conveniently, without 

 any particular reason for it, except to increase the quantity of 

 hay." Another says : " I prefer to have my grass cut at two 



