GRASSES, GRAINS, AND PLANTS. 559 



In an old and well-settled country, there is much accumulated 

 experience among farmers, which a beginner may avail himself 

 of to the avoidance of serious mistakes. Still, an observing and 

 progressive man will often find occasion for a departure from 

 established rules and practices, in the introduction of new kinds 

 for cultivation ; indeed, it is only thus that progress and improve- 

 ment can be made ; but it will also be wise to make such experi- 

 ments with caution and without incurring too much risk. 



'In some portions of our country the experience of the past is 

 very unsatisfactory, with respect to grass culture ; and in other 

 portions, as4n the new settlements of the arid districts, all cul- 

 ture must be in the nature of experiment, and much judgment 

 and large information are needed to guide the experimenter to 

 the best results. 



Relation of Stock to Pastures. The farmer and grazier 

 should always bear in mind that his pastures should be adapted 

 to the kind as well as the quantity of stock which he keeps. 

 Cattle and sheep are very different in theip feeding habits, the 

 sheep cropping the grass very close, and cattle requiring to 

 have the grass longer in order to get a bite. Horses, again, do 

 not bite as close as cattle. By judiciously proportioning the 

 kind of stock kept on the pasture, a much better result may be 

 obtained by keeping both cattle and sheep than by keeping 

 either alone. The field will thus be kept cleaner and in better 

 condition. 



Management of the Pasture. Care must be observed that 

 cattle or sheep be not put upon grass too early in the spring, 

 before the grass has fairly commenced to grow. This rule 

 applies particularly to sheep, who will in such cases eat the 

 heart out of the grass crown, to its entire destruction. When, 

 however, the grasses have made a good start there will be much 

 of the taller stalks and coarser culms which the sheep will reject, 

 and which cattle will crop with avidity. As the season advances, 

 there are often bunches of grass neglected by both cattle and 

 sheep, giving to the pasture a rough and uneven appearance, 

 when the mower should be run over the pasture, after which the 

 old tufts will send up another crop of tender blades. 



No precise date can be given for beginning to graze pastures 

 in the spring. Cattle should not be turned in until there is 



