126 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



the annual repairs, but from the loss of land occupied by 

 them ; and they are further objectionable from their harbor- 

 ing weeds and vermin. Yet it is beneficial to give animals 

 a change of feed ; and the grass comes up evenly and grows 

 undisturbed, if the cattle be removed for a while. There is 

 a further advantage, in being able to favor some particular 

 individuals or classes of animals. Thus, fattening stock 

 ought to have the best feed ; milch cows and working ani- 

 mals the next ; then young stock ; while sheep will thrive 

 on shorter feed than either, and greedily consume most 

 plants which the others reject. By this means, a field will 

 be thoroughly cleansed of all plants which animals will eat, 

 and the remainder should be extirpated. The same care 

 ought to be taken to prevent the propagation of weeds in pas- 

 tures as in other fields. Many of these, mullen, thistles and 

 the like, multiply prodigiously from sufferance, and if un- 

 checked, will soon overspread the farm. 



Every pasture, if possible, should be provided with run- 

 ning water and shade trees, or other ample protection against 

 a summer's sun. The last can at all times be secured by a 

 few boards, supported on a light, temporary frame. Exces- 

 sive heat exhausts, and sometimes sickens animals ; conse- 

 quently, it materially diminishes the effects of food in promo- 

 ting the secretion of milk, and the growth of wool and flesh. 



All grounds immediately after long rains, whether in early 

 spring or late autumn, and especially, after the winter's 

 frosts have just left them, are much injured by the poaching 

 of cattle, if allowed to run upon them. Clay lands and those 

 which have been recently seeded, are peculiarly susceptible 

 of injury from this cause ; and from such fields and at such 

 times, every animal should be rigidly excluded. On late 

 and off early, is a good rule to be adopted for spring and 

 fall pasturing. 



Wherever the grasses disappear, fresh seeds should be 

 added and harrowed in ; mosses must be destroyed ; they 

 should be properly drained, and every attention paid to them 

 that is bestowed on the mowing lands, except that they sel- 

 dom require manures. But ashes, gypsum, lime and bone 

 dust may sometimes be applied to them with great profit. 

 Pastures should take their course in rotation, when they get 

 bare of good herbage or full of weeds, and it is possible to 

 break them up advantageously. Though many choice, 

 natural forage plants may thus be destroyed, yet if again 

 turned into grass at the proper period, and they are sown 



