On Grass Land. 415 



where moles become abundant, their destruction is consider- 

 ed of some importance, and a variety of methods have been 

 tried for that purpose. The most efficacious practice how- 

 ever, is to dig them up. Mole catchers usually attack them 

 in the spring, watching them in the fields before sun-rise, 

 and endeavouring to discover, whether one hillock has any 

 connection with another, where the moles are to be found, and 

 what are the best means of accomplishing their destruction. 

 If mole-hills are spread about with a spade, or bush-harrow, 

 the grass will be improved by it ( 326 ). 



4. Rolling was formerly considered as indispensable in 

 the management of grass lands, as it tends to smooth and con- 

 solidate the surface; to prevent the formation of ant-hills; 

 to promote the growth of valuable herba'ge; and to ren- 

 der the effects of drought less pernicious. But scarifying 

 the turf with a plough, consisting only of coulters, or har- 

 row-teeth, so that the whole surface may be cut or torn, is 

 to be recommended, as a superior practice, when the pastures 

 are hide-bound. That tenacious state, rolling tends to in- 

 crease ; whereas by scarifying, the surface is loosened, and 

 the roots acquire new means of improved vegetation. This 

 operation seems particularly useful, when it precedes the 

 manuring of grass-lands ; for if well scarified, the ground is 

 so opened, that any manure spread on it, gets at once to the 

 roots, consequently a small quantity thus applied, goes as 

 far as a larger one, laid on according to the old mode, and 

 without any such previous operation. 



5. When land of a retentive quality is pastured by cattle 

 or horses in wet seasons, it receives much injury from their 

 feet. Every step they take leaves an impression, which 

 rain fills with water, and then the hole stands full like a 

 cup. This wetness destroys the herbage, not only in the 

 hole, but on the part which surrounds it, while at the same 

 time, the roots of the grasses, as well as the ground, are 

 chilled and injured. No good farmer therefore, will per- 

 mit any cattle to set a foot on such land in wet weather, 

 and few, during the winter months, on any consideration. 

 Sheep are generally allowed to pasture on young grasses in 

 dry weather, from the end of autumn to the beginning of 

 March ; they are then removed ; and it rarely happens, that 

 any animal is admitted, till the weather be dry, and the sur- 

 face so firm, as to bear their pressure, without being poached 

 or injured. 



5. One of the greatest difficulties in the management of 

 old pasture lands is, to prevent that immense growth of 



2n 



