GRASSES OF BRITAIN'. XVll 



is SO diflficult to procure, by means of artificial grasses, a sward equal 

 to that which grows naturally upon old pasture lands. As the soil 

 changes upon our artificial pastures, it becomes better fitted to nou- 

 rish other species of grass than those which we have sown. These 

 naturally spring up, therefore, and cover the soil. But these intru- 

 ders are themselves not destined to be permanent possessors of the 

 land. The soil undergoes a further change, and new species again 

 appear upon it. We cannot tell how often different kinds of grass 

 thus succeed each other upon the soil, but we know that the final 

 rich sward which covers a grass field when it has reached its most 

 valuable condition, is the result of a long series of natural changes 

 which time can only bring about. 



" The soil of an old pasture field, which has been ploughed up, is 

 made to undergo an important change both in texture and in chemi- 

 cal constitution, before it is again laid down to grass. The same 

 grasses, therefore, which previously covered it will no longer flou- 

 rish, even when they are sown. Hence the unwillingness felt by 

 practical men to plough up their old pastures — but hence, also, the 

 benefit which results from the breaking up of such as are old, worn 

 out, or covered with unwholesome grasses. When again converted 

 into pastm-e land, new races appear, and a more nourishing sward is 

 produced.* 



For the general management of grass land and directions for 

 sowing grass seed, the reader is referred to •' The Book of the Fann, 

 by Henry Stephens," and "' Professor Low's Elements of Practical 

 Agriculture." 



* For an excellent article on the superior feeding qualities of recent artificial grasses 

 over many old pasture lands by Mr Boswell, of Kingcaussie, see the Quarterly Journal 

 of Affriadture. 



