SECRETARY'S REPORT. / 233 



should never have been entirely cut from them. This applies 

 to poor, thin soils at a distance from the homestead. 



Second. To plough and cultivate where this can be done on 

 strong, good soils, which are not too stubborn and rocky. This 

 applies to many lands which have been used as pastures time out 

 of mind, the soils of which are naturally good, but have run out 

 from neglect. Put soil into a good state of culture and rich 

 and nutritive grasses will flourish as naturally as weeds. The 

 former are nearly as spontaneous on good soils, as the latter 

 are on poor ones. The success will depend chiefly on good 

 culture if this mode is adopted. 



Third. To scarify the surface thoroughly with a sharp tooth 

 harrow, sowing on a suitable mixture of grass seeds spoken of 

 above, and then harrow and brush over again, the work to be 

 done in September or very early in spring, if the surface is 

 hard enough to go over Avitli cattle without too much poaching. 

 This applies to old pastures covered with moss, where the sweet 

 grasses arc run out, but which from their particular location 

 may not be desirable for woodland, nor pay for a more complete 

 and careful improvement. 



Fourth. To mix the grass seeds as evenly as possible with a 

 finely divided compost and use it as a top-dressing, first harrow- 

 ing the surface to loosen it, and after spreading the compost, 

 brushing it over with a brush harrow to break up the lumps. 

 This will cost a little more than the preceding method, but the 

 grass seed will start sooner, make a larger and finer growth the 

 first season and give greater satisfaction. This applies to very 

 much the same class of lands as the preceding. In both cases, 

 if the pasture, or any part of it is covered with bushes, they 

 should of course be cut or grubbed up ; if it is wet or covered 

 with stagnant waters they should of course be drained off so as 

 at least to leave a dry and healthy surface. It is unnecessary to 

 say that the top-dressing should be free from weed seed, and be 

 in a finely divided state. This method of improvement is per- 

 fectly practicable on thousands of acres which are now in a 

 state both discreditable and unprofitable to their owners. 



Fiftii. To pasture sheep, turning in as many as the pasture 

 will carry, stocking, in otlier words, pretty closely, for a few 

 years. The first objection that many farmers raise to this 

 method is, that the cost of fences is great, and that it is a branch 



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