264 MANAGEMENT OF GRASS LANDS. 



knowledge of that art, and the instruments best calculated to 

 effect the labour, would admit. Mr. LORAIN'S high estimate 

 of the soiling system, as we have observed, was the result of 

 years of experience, and the most careful investigation. The 

 following is the substance of his opinion: 



Soiling will not only save much more than half the grass 

 necessary for pasturing the stock, but it will also introduce a 

 great additional quantity of manure. The manure thus ob- 

 tained is not only greatei in quantity, but much superior in 

 quality, is secured from injury and applied in that manner 

 deemed most beneficial to the farm. When soiling is practiced 

 the grounds are not hard trod, and sunk into holes by the feet 

 of cattle. The working horses and cattle are always at hand; 

 and, as they have no trouble in collecting their food, they are 

 quickly filled, and soon ready for service. When live stock 

 are confined in well fenced yards, the farmer may sleep quietly 

 his crops are not injured by their breaking into his fields. 

 Division fences, too, are saved; they are costly and a nursery 

 for weeds. 



Mr. NICHOLSON, in his Farmer's Assistant, refers to a com- 

 munication from Professor VON THAER,* of Hanover, detailing 

 the result of the experience of Baron DE BULOW and others. 

 The experiments made, run through a series of years, and are 

 represented by the learned Professor as highly satisfactory, 

 fully establishing the superiority of the system over all others 

 adopted for the feeding of cattle on green forage or herbage. 

 From the great mass of testimony thus collected, Dr. VON 

 THAER lays down the following as facts, which he says are 

 incontrovertible; and numerous subsequent experiments, both 

 in Europe and this country, fully confirm this opinion. 



1. A spot of ground, which, when pastured, will yield only sufficient food for 

 one head, will abundantly maintain four when left in the stable. 2. Soiling 

 affords at least double the quantity of manure from the same number of cattle; 

 for the best summer manure is produced in the stable and carried to the fields at 

 the most proper period of its fermentation; whereas, when dropped on the 

 meadow and exposed to the action of the air and sun, its power is much wasted. 



3. Cows which are accustomed to soiling, will yield much more milk when 

 kept in this manner, and fattening cattle will improve much faster in weight. 



4. They are less subject to accidents and diseases they are protected from the 

 flies which torment them in the fields during the warm weather; and they do 

 not sufier from the heat of summer. 



Many other advantages are enumerated. Grazing also has 

 its advantages. Experiments, however, render it certain that 

 soiling, under favourable circumstances, is the most profitable. 

 The Hon. JOSIAH QUINCY, of Massachusetts, ascertained in 

 1820, that seventeen acres of land, under the soiling system, 



* Professor VON THAER, of the Royal Farm and College of Agriculture, 

 established by the king of Prussia at Moegelin, near Frankfort on the Oder. 



