10 A LIFE'S WORK IN IRELAND. 



in getting a close sole of grass in three years, such 

 as an English farmer might easily suppose was old 

 pasture; and most good farmers agreed that dairy 

 and stock farming paid better than anything else in 

 this district, even before the famine. 



The course of farming followed was to break up 

 the land for oats, where it would give a crop ; then 

 turnips manured, half of them fed on the land by 

 sheep with hay, and the rest given to cows and 

 young stock in the yard, only a few head being 

 fattened. The turnips were followed by oats again 

 and grass-seeds, and the land was then left in grass 

 for four or five years, or till it was convenient again 

 to go over it. The poorest fields were first attacked, 

 because it was thought if the land was let again in a 

 few years, an improved face on these parts would 

 help to let it, and ensure a better rent. But in truth 

 they looked such utter starve-alls, that for the sake 

 of one's own feelings it was needful to improve them. 

 The effect of the turnips fed off with sheep was little 

 short of magical. Even on the worst land it never 

 failed at 'once to give a good crop of oats and seeds 

 after, and to put the land thenceforth in a state to 

 pay something. 



On parts of the land that were suitable, and 

 where the old buildings answered, small dairies were 

 started ; the cows being let to some of the best of the 

 labourers, whose wives understood butter -making. 

 Any tenants who were turned out and did not 



