MANAGEMENT OF GRASS LANDS. 053 



they will reject when given in the stall. Many of the grasses 

 which are sweet and succulent when young, and which cattle 

 eat with the greatest avidity, are quite offensive when suffered 

 to get into ear, and are thereby lost; but by this system of 

 cutting, no loss can occur from this quarter. Plants rejected 

 by one class of animals, when presented to them, even when 

 housed, are not on that account less acceptable to others; in- 

 deed they appear to be eaten with greater avidity. "Thus 

 grass, or other food, that has been blown or breathed upon by 

 any animal for a considerable time, becomes unpleasant to 

 other beasts of the same species, but not so to stock of another 

 class or variety; for them, indeed, it appears to acquire a 

 higher relish." 



It is contended by the friends of the cutting system that the 

 balance, so far as regards the health and comfort of cattle, is 

 decidedly in its favour over that of pasturing. Cattle are not 

 only less liable to accidents, but do not suffer the same incon- 

 veniences or annoyances to which they are subject when ex- 

 posed to the sun in the open air they suffer much less from 

 heat, flies, &c., and it is perfectly reasonable to suppose that 

 they take on flesh more readily. Tranquillity and ease are 

 essential, otherwise animals cannot thrive. An instance in 

 point has been cited, from which it appears that animals housed 

 for fattening, and well fed, did not take on fat, owing to the 

 circumstance of their becoming lousy, in consequence of fowls 

 roosting over them. The reason why they did not thrive is 

 obvious when cleansed of the vermin they fattened well. 

 Heat, restlessness, the terrible annoyance of flies, &c., when 

 cattle are exposed, as they must frequently be in pastures, 

 operate against them. 



It is asserted that the proportioned increase of manure ob- 

 tained by soiling and stall feeding abundantly evince their 

 superiority over pasturing. "Manure is the life and soul of 

 husbandry; and when tillage is an object of attention, there 

 can be no comparison between the two modes of consumption, 

 especially in regard to manure obtained by soiling live stock 

 during summer with green food, for in consequence of the in- 

 creased discharge of urine during that season, the litter, of 

 whatever substance it may consist, is speedily converted into 

 dung." 



The late Mr. LORAIN after many years experience, recom- 

 mends this system of management in the highest terms. He 

 was, in connection with the late Judge PETERS, an early and 

 ardent advocate of the convertible system of husbandry, and 

 was of opinion that, by the addition of soiling to that system, 

 the practice of agriculture would be as perfect as our present 



