BREEDING, STOCK-RAISINa, ETC. 465 



it, is to take measures at once to supply the deficiency. Trees 

 should be set out in different parts of the field, reference be- 

 ing had to convenience of location, character of the soil, and 

 other circumstances that the intelligent farmer will not be 

 likely to overlook. The preferable tree for the pasture is- the 

 black locust. It will grow very thrifty on even a poor, rocky 

 point ^' it bears a large sweet blossom, which, as well as the 

 leaves^is very healthful for stock; and the grass that comes 

 under it will be of more luxuriant growth, and prove more 

 palatable than the pasturing under any other tree. On some 

 rich flat the sugar-maple may be planted ; and beside the 

 creek or branch, if there be one, the willow, slip may be set 

 out and will grow with surprising rapidity. The locust also 

 grows rapidly, and all these trees make a fine shade and are 

 valuable for wood, rails, and timber. For making rails and 

 fence-posts, the locust is almost unequaled. Locust rails 

 will last a century. 



Shrubbery is a desirable feature in any pasture, and there 

 are special reasons why even the briars may profitably be 

 retained on poor, thin, or stony knobs, and along the gullies 

 and ravines. The blackberry bush will enrich a poor soil 

 almost as fast as any other known appliance, while the roots 

 will effectually prevent any washing away during heavy 

 rains. It is excellent, also, as a preventive of disease in some 

 cases, as well as a remedy. Instinct teaches the h^rse, and 

 other animals, ma^y facts that concern his health and pros- 

 perity, and thus the leaves of several trees and weeds, and 

 even those of the bramble-bush become the medication to 

 which ligature bids them resort. The principal value of the 

 blackberry in the pastures arises from its astringent qual- 

 ities, which make it of the greatest service in relieving the 

 "scours" that is so common among young colts in the early 

 spring, and which keep many of them thin and poor for . 

 nearly the whole season. This trouble generally disappears 

 when patches of briars can be got at, since both horses and 

 cattle eat of the leaves freely. Of course the briars should 

 not be permitted to overspread the whole field, or to occupy 

 30 



