AGRICULTURE. 173 



is, as I have said, an essential. To provide this is the 

 problem. 



In this, as in the caring of rams, a series of potreros is 

 a necessary first step ; and these must either be in direct 

 or easy communication with permanent water, pure and 

 wholesome, or have regularly supplied water-troughs. 

 These potreros must be depastured in turn, allowing the 

 grass to attain nutrient consistence before the animals are 

 allowed to graze on them. From the nature of our indi- 

 genous grasses and climate-influences, paddocks of artifi- 

 cial grasses, alfalfa, and others, would be requisite to fill 

 the blanks of the natural ones, as also to yield a larger 

 quantity on a given space. It would also be necessary to 

 have lands sown with fodder and forage crops, from which 

 to supply soiling (cut fodder), &c., for the same purpose. 

 Lucerne, ' sorgo,' bromus, meadow grasses, and broadcast- 

 sown maize, as well as many others to cut green, are 

 available ; also for the provision of dry food, such as hay, 

 for the seasons when the green fodder has not sufficient 

 consistence or fatting quality. For the same purpose, 

 * chala ' (maize straw) might prove a useful auxiliary, 

 and the grain would be available either for sale or 

 consumption. 



Borrowing the idea of one of the oldest of British agri- 

 cultural writers, I may say that, in all the farmer does in 

 this matter, in all his arrangements, and with all the seed 

 he sows, he must mix one other little seed, which will 

 assuredly bear him good fruit, and bring home good 

 store. This little seed is called ' Discretion,' or, as we 

 now-a-days express it, intelligence and judgment must 

 guide every step. 



Shed-feeding is, and will be, for a long time to come, 

 out of the question ; but large strongly-fenced yards, or 

 small paddocks, would be practicable conveniences for 



