4 14 Cidtivfftien of Grafs Land. Removing Mofi -Means of. 



blifli itfelf upon the furface, as in old grafs lands, both of the meadow and paf- 

 ture kinds, that are of a clayey nature and fiuated in cold expofed diftricls, to the 

 great injury and deftruclion of the natural grafies. This is that of mofs, which is 

 a vegetable that fpreadsand extends itfelf upon the furface, not only choaking up, 

 but depriving the grafs plants of the nourifhment that is neceffary for their fup- 

 port and healthy growth. Various means have been propofed by writers on huf- 

 bandry for the removal of this mcft dcftruclive vegetable. But as it requires a 

 confiderable proportion of fuperficial moifture to promote its growth a:&amp;lt;d extenfion 

 on the foils which, it infefts, it is probable that the application offuch fubfhmces as 

 have a tendency to abforb and take up the fuperabundant degree of wetnefs by which 

 it is fuppcrted, muft be of the greateft utility and advantage. 



In this view lime has alone been applied evenly over the furface, in fuch cafes, 

 with much benefit. We have, however, experienced fuperior advantage by covering 

 mofiy grafs lands with a thin even coat of attenuated calcareous matter, in union with 

 a fandy material, fuch as is fcraped up from roads, when formed into a compoft 

 with about one-fourth part of well-rotted farm-yard dung; as by this application 

 the growth of the old grafs plants is not only rendered more ftrong and healthy, 

 but a new and more vigorous defcription of grafles brought up which foon over 

 power the mofs plants, and thus wholly deftroy them. For the fame purpofe, and 

 at the fame time promoting the improvement of the lands, as well as bringing the 

 herbage into a finer ftate, the penning or folding of fheep has been advifed.* In 

 this practice advantage is obtained in different ways, as by the effecl: which the 

 treading has in opening and removing the clofe netted texture of the mofs, and that 

 of the urine and dung in promoting the more ftrong growth of the grafs plants. 

 This method may probably be had recourfe to with the mod fuccefs either in the 

 clofe of the fummer feafon or early in thefpring months : the latter is, however* 

 to be preferred ; as, from the grafs immediately covering the furface, more effecl: 

 may be produced in fmothering and deftroying the moffy vegetation. 



Harrowing with fhort iharp-tined light harrows is likewife a practice that may 

 be found ufeful in fome cafes, efpecially previous to the application of fuch fub- 

 ilances or comports as have been juft mentioned ; as, by fuch means, the matted 

 nature of the mofs is broken down, and rendered more open and fit for admitting 

 the manure to the roots of the grafs plants, and exerting its full influence in pro. 

 moting their vigorous growth, and, at the fame time, the fpreading of the mofs in 



* Kent s Hints. 



