PERMANENT PASTUfi 517 



of a root crop, to sow a suitable mixture of grasses and clover with a light 

 seeding of barley. This is done when tin- land is in good tilth, in April 



lay. The clovers are sown by themselves, and th , grasses at a 



second operation. The barley produces a crop, which is harvested ; and 

 young cattle may keep the -T;I^ down, the first autumn if there is an 

 abundant growth : and the field may be mown the next year, being well 

 manured in the autumn. It should therefore be grazed annually first 

 with young stock, the cattle receiving at the same time some grain, thus 

 enriching their manun , and adding to the fertility of the land. It should 

 also be manured occasionally : bone-dust and superphosphate promoting 

 the growth of the clovers ; and nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia 

 promoting the growth of the gra<^ i >. In the course of a few years the land, 

 if in a suitable climate, will become a good permanent pasture. 



But in order to obtain on old tilled land a good turf as easily as possible, 



the best policy to sow the seeds on land suitably prepared without any 

 grain crop. One advantage of this plan is that if annual weeds spring up 

 ahead of the clover, they may be destroyed without injuring the clover 

 by moving when 4 to 6 inches high, and any places in the field where the 

 clover plant appears deficient can be re-sown at once. The risk of some of 

 the small seeds being smothered by the growth of straw is also obviated. 



It is most important for the land to be clean, firm, level, and of good 

 tilth before sowing the seeds. If the land be unlevel or rough, many of 

 the small seeds sown will not germinate. If the land be foul it may be 

 better to delay the seeding a year, and take a crop of turnips or other roots, 

 or even a summ-T fallow. Unless the field be in high condition, 200 or 

 1 Ibs. piT acre of prepared bone manure, should be well harrowed into 



-oil b.-fore sowing the seeds. This divssin^ may be repeated with ad- 



tage, or 100 of nitrate of soda be substituted as a top-dressing when 



are .3 or 4- indies hi^h. It will generally be best to obtain 



a mixture of natural and artificial gi. I clovers specially adapted to 



of the fi"ld, fnnn olio of our leading seedsmen, several of whom 



nbject. 



Th.-l.--t tini" for BOWlng ifl from the middle of April to tin- middle of 



oi.lin;r danger from spring frosts and siimm -r dr:i_;ht. A dry, 



uld be chosen, and it is better if there be a probability of an 



11 of rain t the fl Is <|uiekly. The land. In-in^ elean 



'iould he harrow. -d with li^ht harn-ws im > SO wing 



'll>-d directly aft"r. liidit harrow may SOinet ; 



ised u ] itage after the seed- ar. sown, but unless lightly done 



ne of th- small Beede will le put too de.-p, and will not evrminate. A 



