1869- ] HOW I GOT OVER MY '• DISENDOWMENT." 185 



Having a large tract of pleasure-ground kept under the mowing machine, it 

 occurred to me that the short grass, which hitherto had been a nuisance, might 

 in some way be utilized. I could not give it away, and when it was thrown into 

 heaps it stunk intolerably. I resolved, therefore, to try how cattle could be fed 

 upon it. On the strength of this idea I immediately set to work, and in the 

 rubbish yard made a cattle-shed and fold-yard, sufficiently large for the accom- 

 modation of four animals. The yard littered down, and the water laid on, I was 

 prepared for the cattle. A farmer close by let me have four yearling heifers, for 

 which he allowed me so much per week for their keep. This was about Christ- 

 mas, and until grass came these animals were fed with hay saved from those 

 parts of the pleasure-ground which it is not so necessary to keep closely mown. 

 When, however, grass-mowing with the machine commenced, it was carted into 

 the fold-yard, and readily eaten up by the cattle, and any excess of what they 

 required to eat was trodden under foot and speedily made into manure. All 

 refuse from the garden was thrown into this place, and was either eaten or trodden 

 into manure. In the course of the summer the cattle throve amazingly, and it 

 was now evident that the scheme was a good one, as I could manufacture manure 

 as fast as it could be dug in, and not in very moderate quantities either. 



Having thus given a brief statement of how, in the manufacture of manure, 

 I got over my "disendownient," I may be allowed also to state in what other 

 respects the fold-yard proved useful. Every one knows what luxury there is in 

 the keep of a cow for a family, and on the strength of what I knew the cattle- 

 yard could do, I bought a milch cow, for which I paid £15 10s., and during the 

 first year, besides supplying my house with what milk and butter we wanted, 

 we sold, including the price of the calf, milk and butter, as much as exactly 

 realized the purchase-money of the cow. The cow is this year free to begin 

 with, and I am pleased to say in better condition, and so far as the season has gone, 

 yields more and of even better quality than her yield of last year, which is proof 

 sufficient that her keep and habitation in the rubbish yard is as nearly as possible 

 that which she likes. In addition to the animals mentioned, I have also some 

 pigs, which thrive amazingly on short grass, cabbage leaves, run cauliflowers, &c, 

 and which add much to the richness of the manure. In the same yard I have 

 also some fowls, so that this yard not only produces a plentiful supply of manure 

 for the garden, but supplies my house as plentifully with good milk, butter, 

 bacon, and fresh-laid eggs, — things not much to be despised either in 

 town or country. In this case of " disendowment " it has happened to prove 

 better for me in the end, than if my supply from the " state farm- 

 yard" had been continued. I should only have got my supply in driblets, now 

 I have it in abundance, either well-made or under-made, at any time that I want 

 it. Lest it be considered that I was eagerly selfish in establishing a cow for my 

 own use, I should say, in justice to myself, that eight years ago this formed part 

 of my agreement ; but during that period circumstances in my house did not 



