250 MANAGEMENT OF GRASS LANDS. 



moisture appears, by which the herbage produced is rendered 

 not only more palatable and wholesome, but the waters, by 

 being conducted gently downwards, in different small channels, 

 are prevented from cutting those deep chasms in the hill sides, 

 which not only disfigure the surface, but in times of heavy 

 rain very essentially injure the pastures.* The author we now 

 quote observes: 



The next great improvement of which such pastures are susceptible, is that 

 of filling the soil with the earlies* and most productive plants adapted to the 

 soil and climate. For this purpose, the ground where it will admit of cultiva- 

 tion, should be laid down, after being well limed, with a suitable mixture of 

 the most useful varieties of grass seeds. Rye grass, red and white or Dutch 

 clover, with the later flowering gramina, are recommended. There is no 

 mode by which upland pastures are more effectually improved, than by the ap- 

 plication of lime, either spread upon the surface [as a top dressing], or mixed 

 with the soil. In the latter case, it is essential that the lirne should be mixed 

 with the surface soil only. 



Among me rules which judicious farmers practice in the management of 

 upland pastures, the following deserve to be selected: 1. To enclose those 

 pastures; as the same extent of land, when sheltered, will feed a greater quan- 

 tity of stock, and lo better purpose, than when in an open or exposed state. 2. 

 Not to overstock upland pastures; for when this is done, the cattle are not only 

 starved and the quantity of herbage diminished, but the soil is impoverish- 

 ed. 3. When enclosed and subdivided, the stock ought to be shifted from one 

 enclosure to another, at proper intervals. This practice tends to increase the 

 quantity of grass which has thus time to get up and the ground being fresh 

 and untainted when the stock return to it, they will feed with greater appetite 

 and relish. 4. The dung dropt by stock while feeding should be spread about. 

 5. Where the large and the small animals are to be fed on the same pastures, 

 the larger species should have the first bite. 6. It is not thought by some ad- 

 visable to pasture land with a mixed collection of different kinds of live stock: 

 and it is generally found that the grass produced by the dung of cattle or 

 horses is injurious to sheep. Sinclair" 1 s Code of Agriculture. For further ob- 

 servations on mountain and upland pastures, see article Grazing. 



The rules for the management of rich grazing lands, or 

 feeding pastures, are few, simple, and of easy execution. SIN- 

 CLAIR recommends a top dressing of soot, ashes, lime, malt- 

 dust, &c. as highly beneficial when suited to the soil, which 

 should be ascertained by experiment before much expense is 

 incurred. He also recommends the application of manure in 

 the form of a well prepared compost, at. the rate of from thirty 

 to forty cubic yards per acre; while on the other hand LOUDON 

 says that the application of manures to grazing lands, which 

 not being used as hay grounds, afford no means of supply, 

 may certainly be considered as a preposterous practice, and 

 one that must be ruinous to the other parts of the farm. 



Attention to the weeding of grass lands has been already 

 recommended and is now enforced. It is necessary also to clear 

 them of all rubbish and extraneous substances calculated to in- 

 terfere with the growth of the young grass, that may injure 

 the stock if pastured, or obstruct the scythe should it be used. 



* SINCLAIR'S Code of Agriculture, first American edition, p. 270. 



* 



