ENGLISH AGRICULTURE. 213 



years down, if it is successful, it ought to be growing into the 

 condition of good permanent pasture. To shorten this period 

 to bridge it over is our task ; and by proper preparation 

 of the ground, by employing the best methods of sowing, by 

 selecting the best seed, and by judicious after treatment, we 

 shall accomplish this object. I mention these points in order 

 that we may discuss them seriatim. 



With regard to the first point, it is no use sowing grass 

 seeds upon worn-out poor soil, nor yet upon foul, filthy land. 

 The ground should be well cleaned, and should be in a high 

 state of fertility. In order to produce such a condition a root 

 crop fed on the ground is desirable. As, however, we are 

 supposing the case of clay land, a bare fallow may be substi- 

 tuted. Some persons have gone so far as to bare fallow land 

 intended for permanent pasture two years in succession a 

 plan open to objection as an experiment likely to waste 

 nitrogen. Still, the object is laudable, and the result may 

 easily justify the means. The late Mr. J. Howard of Bedford 

 adopted this system, and I have seen the excellent results he 

 achieved on clay ground with the requisite liming and dung- 

 ing and proper aerating cultivation which two years bare 

 fallowing entailed. The object, whether that object is attained 

 or not, is to bring the land into a thoroughly fertile state. It 

 gives it two years' rest, two years' tillage, and good manuring. 

 The grass seeds are sown in the month of August without a 

 crop, that is, without an over-shadowing wheat or com crop, as 

 is customary. A root crop, or two successive root crops, would 

 be more in accordance with the most modern notions, but 

 would be inapplicable to the stiffest classes of soils. A root 

 crop fed, or even two root crops in succession fed, would 

 produce a state of things which would be highly conducive to 

 a rapid formation of grass roots. I am quite convinced that 

 the secret of success in laying down land to grass is in 

 securing richness of soil, and this we may assure ourselves of 



