THE HA Y~ FIELD AND ENGLISH HAY. 165 



well qualified for the production of grasses, so called natural 

 meadows, or where still larger areas of natural pastures at 

 low cost compensate for an indifierent yield. 



The change from the older system to a more rational one 

 of to-day has been gradual, and more or less thorough 

 under different conditions. The introduction of modern 

 improvements in means of communication and transporta- 

 tion, accompanied by an increase in population, has been 

 invariably followed by an increase in the cost of farm lands. 

 The increase in population necessitated a corresponding 

 increase in the area of lands required for the production of 

 food for man. 



A steady growth in this direction soon furnished ready 

 markets and secured frequently a higher pecuniary compen- 

 sation for money invested and labor spent than the crops 

 obtained on indifferently managed grass lands. Remunera- 

 tive returns, from a large proportion of original pastures 

 and meadows became, under these circumstances, in the 

 same degree, a matter of doubt and uncertainty as these 

 lands proved to bo better adapted to the raising of garden 

 and field crops. None but the better class of grass land in 

 populated districts could stand the competition. 



This history of changes in the current system of farming 

 has repeated itself in every country, ours not excepted, when 

 passing from a more primitive condition of society to that 

 of a dense population. 



The fact, that the serious influence of a rapid and material 

 decrease in the original grass lands on the supply of fodder 

 for farm stock, is less striking with us to-day than at an 

 earlier period in other countries, is mainly due to the three 

 following circumstances : — 



1. The requirements for a successful management of 

 grass lands are to-day much better known than in preceding 

 periods ; we are for this reason better prepared to secure 

 larger and better crops, and to maintain at the same time a 

 high state of fertility of the lands engaged in the raising of 

 grasses. A more intensive system of cultivation replaces, 

 every day more and more, the extensive one of former times. 



Comparatively recent investigations into the life of plants 

 in general have taught us, that all of them need not only the 



