424 Cultivation of Grafs Laud* Application of Manure on Hay Lands. 



by three or four horfes in their return from town on taking up the hay. But where 

 the manure is of inferior quality, there may be a neceflity for a much larger pro 

 portion.* 



In regard to the frequency of drefling grafs lands, it muft obvioufly depend upon 

 a variety of other circumftances, as well as that of the convenience of the farmer, 

 and the means he has of providing it. But fo far as it refpects the foil, it mould, 

 on the principles laid down above, conftantly be performed at fuch diftances of 

 time, as that the fertility and condition of the land may not be fuffered to decline, 

 but be kept up and preferred in an equal or increafed (late of heart. In this 

 Intention the manner and frequency of cutting, or otherwife confuming the pro 

 duce, muft be attended to ; as, where crops are more frequently taken off, the 

 land muft be prevented from being injured, by the great lofs of fertility that mufl 

 arife in this way, by the drefiings being applied at fhorter intervals, or in larger 

 proportions at a time. 



On meadow or grafs lands that are in a proper (late of cultivation, its being ap 

 plied every third year may be fufficient ; but on fuch as are of inferior value, every 

 fecond year may be a better practice, as the lands by this frequent application of 

 manure may attain a gradual improvement : whereas, in the other cafe, they would 

 be on the decline, and in time become poor and exhaufled. 



It is a too common practice, in diftricts where grafs hufbandry is imperfectly 

 underfrood, to almofl wholly neglect the manuring of their fward lands, in order to 

 employ it on thofe that are under the plough : but this is evidently a bad and difad- 

 vantageous method for the cultivator ; as it is only by the railing of abundant crops 

 of grafs for the purpofe of being converted into hay, and of fuitable kinds of green 

 crops for green food, that an abundant (lock of cattle can be kept, and the largeft 

 proportions of manure fupplied. 



There are fome fubftances employed in the way of manure, as top-dreffings to 

 grafs lands, that cannot be frequently repeated with either fafety or advantage. 

 Chalk, marl, chopped woollen rags, and fome other (imilar materials, are of this 

 kind. The firft of thefe kinds, efpecially when of a foft unctuous nature, fo as 

 to readily fall down in the (late of folution to the roots of the grafs plants, is found 

 to produce the mod beneficial effects, in rendering the lands more fertile and pro 

 ductive, and improving the quality of the herbage. It cannot, however, be often 

 repeated in its fimple flate with advantage, as it is fome time in producing its full 



* Se&ion on Manure. 



