110 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



The 



Management and Improvement 



OF Old Grass Land 



In 1872 there appeared in the Royal Agricultural Society's 

 Journal an account by Mr. R. H. Thompson of a personal 

 inspection of the gi'ass lands of England and Ireland. His 

 laborious journey included visits to the most famous gi-azing 

 districts, and it was undertaken when farmers were at the 

 height of their prosperity. The following are his conclu- 

 sions : — 



' 1st. That although very excellent management is to be 

 met with in parts of our best gi-azing districts in 

 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, 

 Somersetshu'e, and several other counties, this 

 must be considered quite exceptional, and the 

 treatment of the bulk of the gi-ass lands of the 

 country is very unsatisfactory, 



• 2nd. That our grass lands, if properly managed, would 



be easily able to meet the demand made upon 

 them for an increased production of meat, even if 

 the supply requu-ed were greatly in excess of the 

 present rate of consumption. 



• 3rd. That money judiciously laid out in improving 



grass land makes a better return than money laid 

 out on arable land.' 

 These remarkable statements are as worthy of profound 

 attention from those who possess old pastures, as from those 



