Book VI. 



HILLY PASTURES. 



841 



instances much more minute than is consistent with the value of the ground occupied 

 with fences, or necessary to the improvement of the stock. In all cases, says Marshal, 

 where fatting cattle or dairy cows make a part of the stock, and where situation, soil, 

 and water will permit, every suit of grazing grounds ought, in my idea, to consist of 

 three compartments. One for head stock (as cows or fatting cattle) ; one for followers 

 (as rearing and other lean stock); and the third to be shut up to freshen for the leading 

 stock. [MarshaCs Yorkshire, vol. ii. p. 158.) 



5253. Large enclosures are in general best adapted for sheep. These animals are not 

 only impatient of heat and liable to be much injured by flies, in small pastures often sur- 

 rounded by trees and high hedges, but they are naturally, with the exception perhaps of 

 the Leicester variety, much more restless and easily disturbed than the other species of 

 live stock. " Shieep," says Lord Kaimes, " love a wider range, and ought to have it, 

 because they delight in short grass : give them eighty or ninety acres, and any fence 

 will keep them in ; confine them to a field of seven or eight acres, and it must be a very 

 strong fence that keeps them in." (^Gentleman Farmer, p. 203.) Though fields so 

 large as eighty or ninety acres, can be advisable only in hilly districts, yet the general 

 rule is nevertheless consistent with experience, in regard to all our least domesticated 

 varieties. 



5254. With respect to the propriety of eating the herbage close, or leaving it rather in an 

 abundant state, an eminent agriculturist observes, that there seems to be a season, some 

 time during the year, when grass lands, particularly old turf, should be eaten very close, 

 not merely for the sake of preventing waste, but also for the purpose of keeping down 

 the coarser kinds of plants, and giving to the pastures as equal and fine a sward as pos- 

 sible. The most proper period must partly depend upon the convenience of the grazier ; 

 but it can hardly be either immediately before the drought of summer or the frost of 

 winter. Some time in autumn, when the ardent heat of the season is over, and when 

 there is still time for a new growth before winter, may be most suitable for the land itself, 

 and generally also for the grazier, his fat stock being then mostly disposed of, or carried to 

 the after-grass of mown grounds. The sweeping of pastures with the scythe, may be 

 employed as a substitute for this close feeding ; the waste and labor of which, however, 

 though they be but trifling, it does not seem necessary to incur on rich grazing lands, 

 under correct management. {Sup. E. Brit. art. Agr.) 



5255. Fogging jfcisture lands is a practice which is sometimes adopted in districts 

 where there is a scarcity of winter food. Under that system, fields in pasture are shut 

 up early in May, and continued in that state till November or December, when the 

 farmer's stock is turned in, and continue to pasture, till the May succeeding. Such ma- 

 nagement, however, can only be advisable on a soil of the driest nature, which will not be 

 injured by poaching in the wettest seasons. It 

 is practised in a few places in Cardiganshire ; 

 but is considered by Thos, Johnes, Esq, of Ha- 

 vod, as being the result of necessity, the farmers 

 not being able to bring suflftcient stock to eat it 

 down in season, when its nutritive powers are in 

 their best state. 



5256. Water should be provided for every 

 field under pasture ; and also shelter and shade, 

 either by a few trees, or by a portable shed, 

 which may be moved with the stock from one 

 enclosure to another. Where there are no trees, 

 rubbing posts are also a desirable addition. In Germany they have portable sheds which 

 are employed both in summer and winter, and generally with a piece of rock-salt fixed 

 to a post for the cattle to suck at. (Jig. 587. ) 



SuBSECT. 2. Of Hilly and Mountainous Pastures. 



5257. Hilly jyastures include such low hills as produce fine short herbage, and are 

 with much advantage kept constantly in pasture, though they are not altogether inacces- 

 sible to the plough ; as well as such tracts as, from their acclivity and elevation, must 

 necessarily be exclusively appropriated to live stock. The former description of grass 

 lands, though different from the feeding pastures, of which we have just treated, in re- 

 spect of their being less convenient for tillage management, are nevertheless in other cir- 

 cumstances so nearly similar, as not to require any separate discussion. These low hills 

 are for the most part occupied with sheep, a very few cattle being sometimes depastured 

 towards their bases ; and they frequently comprise herbage suflSciently rich for fattening 

 sheep, together with coarser pastures for breeding and rearing them. 



5258. In regard to the management of upland pastures, of the rules which judicious 

 farmers practise, the following deserve to be selected. To enclose those pastures, as 

 the same extent of land, when sheltered, and properly treated, will feed a greater 



