PERMANENT PASTURES. 513 



bit of good turf is thus the principal index to the value of the field. The 

 station is made up largely of grasses, somewhat of clovers, and also to- 

 some extent of weeds. 



Pasture grasses are those smaller perennial species usually associated in 

 idows which are grown for their herbage : grain or cereal grasses beim: 

 the larger kinds cultivated for the sake of their seeds. When we examine 

 any mixed pasture we shall conclude that the plants present in it are in 

 various conditions as to vigorous growth and cultivation various states 

 of prosperity, some developing, while others it may be, are declining. And 

 if we neglect to drain, weed, manure, and roll our meadows, we neglect 

 the proper cultivative agencies which are calculated to maintain their 

 prosperity and excellence, and they will gradually relapse into a more or 

 less wild state. 



The best turf, then, is that which is composed of the best sorts of 

 grasses ; and these may be in a good or bad condition, according to the 

 state of cultivation. When only good grasses prevail, the crop of hay 

 will be of the best quality and of the greatest yield. But as a rule few 

 meadows are made up wholly of grasses; and all good natural pasti; 

 have also a varied collection of other plants, which differ greatly accord- 

 ing to the nature of the soil and the state of its cultivation. 



Besides those that are invariably present in good grazing grounds, there 

 .11 all grass land as in all arable land many weeds. They are more 

 tV.'ijuent in poor pasture than in rich grass, and much more frequent ii^ 

 lands annually mowed, than in lands which are annually grazed. Th 

 3 opportunity in the latter case for their seeding and propagation. 

 Owing to this variety in the character of its herbage and the varying 

 circuin-r it of which it has arisen, the value and capabiliti> 



9 hind vary very greatly between the extreme of the poor hill 

 : only for sheep, and the richest feeding land md 



me of our river and vail- 



Many consid affect the question of tin- most profitable mode of 



mai: ' land in ;: i locality. The climate and soil. 



In- land with regard to railways and markets and 

 tence of any special demand fur live st<>ek or for its produce of an\ 

 ription, tin- healthiness and suitability of the land for l>: 



in^ cattle, or lin^ or fattening sheep, the SUppty 



ibour, all Deed to n into ace-Mint. 



istures producing, su.-cul.-nt grasses abundantly, uiv well 



without an\ <i with 



aid of a lit 1 tte pastures, especially if on a cold 



