THE IMPROVKD ART OF FAllUIEUY. 357 



when kept in this manner, as when kept by feeding in 

 the pastures, w^hich, however, is in perfect contradiction 

 to all experience, as will be fully seen below. It is 

 well known, from actual trials, that almost every one 

 of the various sorts of green that have been cut by the 

 scythe, and made use of in this manner, have more full 

 and lasting effects in exciting and promoting the se- 

 cretion of milk, than the common pasture-grasses. 

 Yet, as there may be some sorts of plant and vegetable 

 productions as well as other matters that may have a 

 more powerful action on some of the glandular or se- 

 creting organs of such animals than others, it is not 

 improbable that there may be some kinds of such 

 plants and vegetables that may have a greater effect 

 and more continued influence in promoting this kind 

 of secretion than those of other sorts, so that cows fed 

 on one kind of such food, in this management, may 

 give less milk than when supported in the same way 

 on other sorts ; which is also the case in feeding them 

 on common mown grass, and grass of the tare, clover, 

 and other such kinds. 



It has been suggested likewise, that this method 

 may be less proper than that of the pasture support 

 of the cattle, in consequence of their feeding or eating 

 the food in a more imperfect manner from their being 

 confined, and wanting the more full and open air, as 

 well as exercise in the field, but where there are pro- 

 per yards and other suitable contrivances for the pur- 

 pose, nothing of the sort need take place in this mode 

 of feeding, as they ought not by any means to be con- 

 stantly kept tied or shut up in a close manner. 



There are, therefore, no solid reasons of any kind 

 which can in the least effect the propriety and great 

 utility of the soiling method of feeding, keeping, and 

 manasrement of neat cattle," but it has much to recom- 



