.] FOLDING SHKKi'. 2/1 



xvhich is lost, if the bent be allowed to rise. In 

 all plants cul. >irng.c, there is a great 



effort the moment the seed-stem runs, to which 

 the whole growth of the plant is direcled to form 

 the seed ; till then the growth is in the leaves : 

 it is therefore palpable, that the way to have 

 the greatest abundance of leaf, is by feeding so 

 close as to prevent those stems rising at all. 

 And I may further observe, that on this system of 

 feeding, those grasses which yield a very great, but 

 coarse produce, become sweet, fine, and valuable, 

 by thus keeping them close fed. The arena elatwr> 

 or tall oat-grass, is very coarse, but in a field of 

 that grass 13^ acres, it never was suffered to rise, 

 and consequently was found on examination to ap- 

 pear as fine and pleasing to the eye as any of the 

 more delicate grasses. It is with this view that I 

 am cultivating it largely, and also the daBylus glo- 

 meratus ; and both are remarkably early. 



It is an inquiry that deserves attention, whether 

 the superior profit of grazing sheep, on comparison 

 with oxen, does not depend very much on this 

 point of close feeding ; for large cattle the her- 

 bage must be kept to a good head, to give a full 

 bite, and consequently innumerable seed stems 

 form, which tend to reduce the produce greatly. 



FOLDING SHE; 



This month begins the folding season throughout 

 England ; and the practice is (when relied on) of 

 such importance, that it should be steadily pursued. 

 Many farmers give a very slight dressing : one 



night 



