Cultivation of Arable Land. Lucern After-management of. 381 



kinds into from thirty to forty, according to the nature of the land, confuming them 

 in the fame manner.* Thefe cuttings muft however be varied in proportion to the 

 difference in the growth of the crops and the confumption. The moft economical 

 mode of cutting the produce is without doubt by means of the fcythe, though the 

 reaping-hook has been made ufe of by fome. After being cut, the food mould be 

 conveyed as foon as poffible to the animals. This may be done by a light cart, or large 

 barrow, made for the purpofe, according to the fcaleon which the bufinefs is con- 

 dueled. One cutting only in a day is advifed by fome; but as there is a lofs as well 

 as injury done to all forts of green cut food by keeping even for a few hours in hot 

 feafons, it may be a better practice to have two cuttings in the day, efpecially when 

 the weather is warm, and the lucern at no great diftance. Befides, the food is 

 eaten better when given quite frefh. 



The produce of this fort of crop in converting it to the purpofes of foiling cattle 

 muft neceflarily be different under different circumftances ; but an acre can feldom 

 when under proper culture and management, fupport lefs than from three to five 

 or fix horfes or other cattle during the fix fummer months j the profit of which 

 cannot be lefs than from feven to ten or twelve pounds. 



And in letting it remain for hay, which is lefs advantageous, in the three mow 

 ings an acre where the crop is good will feldom afford lefs than from three to five 

 tons of dry hay. In Mr. Arbuthnot s trials, the produce was four loads, but in 

 thofe of others on rich grounds it was five. In making this fort of plant into hay 

 the fame directions mould be attended to as for clover ; the lefs the produce is 

 lhaken about, the better, provided it be fufficiently quickly dried; as the leaves 

 will be more fully preferved on the ftems, and the hay of courfe more valuable. 

 From its greater fucculence it will in common require rather more time than 

 clover or faintfoin in making. As this fort of hay is held in lefs eftimation than 

 that of either of the above graffes, it mould be confurned at home by the farm 

 horfes or other ftock, and that of other forts fent for fale. 



In the application of the crop the principal and obvioufly the moft advantage 

 ous practice is that of foiling horfes, neat cattle, and hogs. But as a dry fodder it 

 is alfo capable of affording much afliftance in many cafes. And as an early food 

 for ewes and lambs, it may be of great value in particular cafes. As this plant 

 bears repeated cutting better than moft of thofe of the artificial grafs kind, fprings 

 in a more quick and expeditious manner, and affords a healthy nutritious food, in 

 foiling it muft be of vaft utility to the farmer where horfes and cattle form a large 



* Annals of Agriculture, vol.. XX V. 



