chirjiy as regards the Production of Meat. 419' 



were in pasture ; while the stackyard contained a hirger bulk of 

 grain and hay than when 100 acres Avere under the action of the 

 plough. When the farm was re-let at Candlemas, 1874, it 

 realised 70/. per annum more than the rent which the knowing 

 ones declared would make the previous farmer a bankrupt. 

 Such examples as the above show the necessity of a system of 

 tenant-right, where the farmer would at least be partially com- 

 pensated for permanent improvements, and for the manures 

 locked up in the soil. 



Geazing Lands. 



The best permanent pastures are mostly found near the basins 

 of rivers, where the soil is formed from a deposit caused by their 

 overflow, after heavy rains, or the breaking up of frost. There 

 are also some good fattening pastures resting upon the limestone 

 in various parts of the county, as well as here and there snug 

 little fields and paddocks close to farm buildings, which aid in 

 the production of beef and mutton. As a rule, cattle and sheep 

 are fed upon the same pasture, the grazing being of a mixed 

 character ; and while this practice is to be recommended for many 

 reasons, it must be admitted that sheep nip the finer feeding 

 grasses so close as to sadly deteriorate the pasture for cattle. On 

 the other hand, where sheep are fed exclusively, so many have 

 to be kept in the fields that the grass soon becomes foiled, and 

 this is doubtless one reason why the mixed system is so prevalent. 



Much drainage, both in grazing and arable lands, has been 

 effected during the past 21 years, especially in the early part of 

 the period, but there is still a considerable breadth which 

 requires to be freed from underground water, as evidenced by the 

 rushes and coarse grasses which are to be seen upon many of the 

 pastures. Some of the lands which were put down with stone 

 drains in the early part of the century require going over again, 

 the present drains being ineffective, either from want of depth, 

 from being cut in an improper direction, or from being put down 

 too far apart. Other grounds have never been drained at all, and 

 so the herbage is none of the sweetest, let the manageinent be 

 what it may. This want of drainage is in part attributable to 

 the apathy of landlords, but it is chiefly owing to the scarcity 

 and dearness of labour, especially during the past eight or ten 

 years. The system of drainage which is most effective is that in 

 which pipe tiles are used. Numerous drains which were made 

 when pipe tiles were first introduced, are found to be as effective 

 as when they were first cut. Many farmers of the present day, 

 in their management of pastures, are industrious to keep down 

 all bushes and weeds which tend to injure the growth of the 



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