FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 293 



spoken of as a most effectual way to improve pastures. There is no difference 

 of ojiiuion as to the great vahio of a top-dressing of farmyard manure on grass 

 hmd."' 



The most vahiahle manuring substances are the f ollo^wing : first, nitrogen ; 

 second, phosphates ; third, alkahes, especially potash. 



Mr. Lawes, the high authority previously referred to, says: ''You may be 

 sure that the production of pasture is a most costly operation, and it takes a 

 lifetime to convert arable land into a pasture." 



Alternate grazing and pasturing are highly recommended. Seeding by "in- 

 oculation" is rarely practiced, on account of the great expense. 



I have thus jmrposely devoted considerable time to grass-lands as treated in 

 Cfreat Britain, although ^ye may not be able to adopt their practices in eveiy par- 

 ticular. In England labor is much cheaper, land is more valuable. This makes 

 hay, pasture, meat, and grain higher. They can afford to pay more for arti- 

 ficial fertilizers. Their climate is cooler and damper in summer. On this 

 account grasses grow thriftier and are not so likely to burn out in warmest 

 weather. Their autumn, winter and spring are milder and more favorable to 

 the better sorts of grasses. They have long tried and used many sorts. 



PASTURES OF MICHIGAN. 



In the newer portions of our country timothy and clorer are about all that are 

 sown. In the best grazing sections of the older parts of the United States quite 

 a large number of grasses are employed. It is too often the case with tlie farm- 

 ers of Michigan that tlie land is run down by field crops without much manure. 

 The soil is in bad condition, timothy and clover are sown, they do not catch well 

 unless the season is very favorable, time and money are lost, the land is plowed 

 up again for more crops. At best clover cannot be relied on to last but two 

 vears without reseeding. Unless June grass comes in, the remaining timothy 

 will not make a good pasture. 



MANAGING PASTURES AND MEADOWS. 



Pastures are usually fed closely, especially in dry time. Stock are allowed to 

 ran in them in the fall as long as there is a green thing in sight. The foliage 

 is all taken off clear down, including part of the roots, which are left weak and 

 exposed all winter and spring. During winter stock ramble over fields, killing 

 the grass under their feet. Before the frost is out of the ground cattle are 

 digging away at the old turf again and treading it up full of holes. In this way 

 the poor grass is beaten and eaten, and half starved, until, after a time, depend- 

 ing upon the strength of the soil, the grass is said to "run out," and the field 

 "to need breaking up." This is not the way to treat grass land. 



Meadows are often pastured for a fresh bite in spring, the stock are turned 

 off till one crop is mowed, and then back again where they eat all off closely, as 

 in the case of the pastui'e just noticed. Plants, to remain strong and healthy, 

 need at least a little time to get nourishment ahead for winter protection. Like 

 animals, they ought to be strong when winter sets in. 



So far as I have observed, almost nothing has been done in our country in the 

 way of fertilizing and improving permanent pasture. We hardly know the value 

 of an excellent pasture of fine grasses all summer, because very few have such 

 to feed. 



