SHEEP ON PASTURES. 315 



cate and desirable products, as we know they have already, on 

 the face of many a once fair pasture. 



For convenience, in speaking more particularly of the treat- 

 ment of pasture lands, I will divide the subject into three 

 classes, namely : high hills, easy rolling, and lowlands. What 

 might be considered good husbandry for the one, could not be 

 practised on the other. Many of our high hill pastures abound, 

 more or less, in those foul and sour growths to which we have 

 alluded. 



Our first effort towards the improvement of all embraced in 

 this class found worthy of being continued for grazing, is to get 

 rid of those detestable and poisonous over-growths. How this 

 shall be accomplished depends entirely upon location, the sur- 

 face, character and nature of the soil. Many of these hills are 

 very stony, and of such rugged and steep inclination that it is 

 impossible to subdue them by the plough ; therefore, we must 

 adopt some other method. The first course suggested to my 

 mind is that of stocking with sheep. Personally, I have had but 

 little experience in sheep-husbandry. I will, however, state one 

 fact which occurred on my farm. 



A few sheep were purchased in mid-winter, and in the spring 

 turned out with the usual increase in lambs, upon a small lot 

 which had a large growth of briers on different parts, cut in the 

 autumn previous, and a large, unfruitful grape-vine trailing on 

 the ground. In a single season the sheep destroyed every 

 vestige both of the briers and vine. 



I have made some inquiries of those who have turned their 

 attention to sheep-husbandry, and the testimony is that they 

 exterminate all bushy growths more effectually than any other 

 means employed. 



In my boyhood, sheep were kept on farms to some extent in 

 Framingham ; and for many years after the sheep were aban- 

 doned and cattle substituted, not a bush or wild plant was seen, 

 but only a beautiful and luxuriant growth of grass adorned 

 those pasture grounds, so effectually subdued and enriched by 

 sheep alone. Those pastures, from neglect, are now sadly 

 changed in appearance and productiveness. Instead of fine, 

 nutritious grasses, once their pride, they now presont an over- 

 growth of wild grass, bushes and moss. 



