414 On Grass Land. 



The value of any estate, where the system of permanent 

 pasture has been carried to an unreasonable extent, may be 

 easily and greatly augmented, by appropriating the manure 

 of the farm to turnips and other green crops, and by the 

 adoption of the convertible system of husbandry. Indeed, 

 there are many proprietors of land in England, who are 

 now pining in poverty, from the defective management a- 

 dopted on their estates, who would soon be rescued from 

 their debts and difficulties, by adopting the superior system 

 of cultivation above described ( 3zo ). 



4. On the Management of rich Grazing Land. 



The rules for the management of rich grazing land, are 

 neither numerous, nor difficult to execute. 



1. The sorts of manure, and the season for applying them 

 to grass lands, are first to be considered. Light dressings, 

 such as soot, coal-ashes, peat or wood ashes, lime, malt- 

 dust, &c. are often highly beneficial, if applied in February 

 or March, when the weather is dry enough to admit the ap- 

 plication, without poaching the ground ; but as they do not 

 suit all soils, their efficacy should be tried by experiments, 

 before much expense is incurred ( 3ZI ). As there are strong 

 objections to the application of pure dung to grass lands, 

 (much of its strength being evaporated, from its being ex- 

 posed to atmospheric influence) ( 3za ), composts are greatly to 

 be preferred. They may be applied, at the rate of from 30 

 to 40 cubic yards per acre. To keep grass land in good 

 condition, a dressing to this amount, is required every four 

 years ( 3 * 3 ). The application of unmixed putrescent manure, 

 will thus be rendered unnecessary ( 324 ), which ought at least 

 to be avoided, in meadows appropriated for the feeding of 

 dairy cows, from its affecting the quality of the milk. 



2. Attention to the weeding of grass lands, has been al- 

 ready recommended ( 3z5 ). It is likewise necessary to clear 

 them of all rubbish likely to affect the young grass, such as 

 the cones of ant-hills ; sticks and bushes left after hedging, 

 or strewed by the wind ; also, every thing that may injure 

 the stock, if pastured, or that can obstruct the scythe, should 

 it happen to be used. 



3. Some farmers maintain, that moles are useful in drain- 

 ing the soil, in communicating air to the roots of plants, 

 in raising fresh mould upon grass land, and in killing 

 worms, which do much mischief by feeding on the roots of 

 grass and corn, and materially injuring those plants. But 



