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254 MANAGEMENT OF GRASS LANDS. 



at least without injury." An immense mass of the most im- 

 portant and satisfactory information was collected the essence 

 of which will be found in the following synopsis, prepared by 

 Sir JOHN SINCLAIR, and published in his valuable work. 



Rick permanent pastures. There are various sorts of grass lands that ought 

 not to be broken up, as water meadows, salt marshes, lands apt to be overflow- 

 ed, lands near large populous towns, where the produce of grass land is always 

 in demand, and consequently dear and low lying tracts, in the valleys of 

 mountainous countries, (particularly in chalky districts,) where old meadow 

 land is scarce, and where a portion of it, to raise early and late food for stock, 

 gives a great additional value to the adjoining upland. But whether land that 

 has long remained in a state of turf, and continues productive, should be con- 

 verted into tillage, is a question respecting which a great diversity of opinion 

 has been entertained. 



It is proper here to give a concise description of the nature and quality of 

 the several sorts of land usually retained in the state of permanent pasture, the 

 conversion of which into tillage has been so much deprecated; and also a short 

 statement of the advantages which such lands are considered to possess. 



The lands which are accounted to be the best adapted for permanent pas- 

 ture are of three kinds: 1. Strong tenacious clays, unfit for turnips or barley, 

 which are said to improve the more the longer they are kept under a judicious 

 system in grass.* 2. Soft clayey loams, with a clayey or marly bottom or sub- 

 stratum; and, 3. Rich, !<ound," deep-soiled land, or vale land, enriched by na- 

 ture at the expense of the higher grounds, generally lying in a situation fa- 

 vourable with respect to climate. 



The advantages of such pastures have been represented in the strongest light. 

 It is affirmed that they feed cattle to a greater weight; that they are not so easily 

 scorched by the summer's drought; that the grasses are more nutritive both 

 for sheep and cattle; that milch cows fed upon them give richer milk, and 

 more butter and cheese; that the hoofs of all animals feeding upon them are 

 much better preserved; that they produce a greater variety of grasses; that 

 when properly laid down, they yield a succession of pasture throughout the 

 whole season;" that the herbage is sweeter, and more easily digested; and that 

 they return an immense produce at a trifling expense. 



To break up lands possessing these advantages, it is said, nothing can jus- 

 tify but the most urgent necessity, and to prevent the horrors of famine. 



The real value of such lands will appear by considering their rent and pro- 

 duce. 



The grass lands in Lincolnshire are accounted the richest in the kingdom. 

 The rents are various, from 1Z. 15s. to '31. per acre, and the value of the pro- 

 duce from 31. per acre, to IQl. 8s. From an average estimate, referring to se- 

 veral farms, it is proved that a rent of HI. 6s. per annum, gives a produce of 

 38/. 19s. 4d., and that for every 20s. of produce, the landlord takes 7s. Id. in rent. 

 The highest produce per acre arising from beef, mutton, and wool, is at the 

 rate of 10Z. 8s., and is obtained, subject to little variation from the nature of the 

 seasons, and at a trifling expense. 



* This assertion is thus explained. In the course of years, on the surface of 

 such a soil, there is formed a rich, light, black mould, two or three inches in 

 thickness, which is the matrix of these rich grasses. When the soil is ploughed 

 up, this valuable surface is mingled with the'colder and less fertile strata below, 

 and cannot be renewed for many years. Young's Essay, Communications vol. . 

 iii. p. 191. It is contended, on the other hand, that strong clays do not improve 

 when first sown down with grass; and that by repeated trials, it has been com- 

 pletely ascertained, that such soils will yield as much grass the first year after 

 they are sown as in the two following years. Hence, instead of keeping them 

 in grass, it is desirable to break them up often, and to stock them with fresh 

 plants. Communication of Robert Brown, Esq., of Markle. But if a rich sur- 

 lace has been got, should it be destroyed 1 ? 



