432 On Grass Land. 



and dry soils. Its advantages are, that the grass is more 

 economically consumed; that the stock thrive better, ha- 

 ving daily a fresh bite ; and that the dung which falls, be- 

 ing more concentrated, is more likely to be of use ( *" 74 ). An 

 experienced farmer in Berkshire, (Mr Stone of Basildon), 

 consumes all his pastures, in portions divided by hurdles, with 

 store sheep, (.but not when fattening) ; by which he estimates 

 that the pasture will go twice as far. He even hurdles his 

 wheat stubbles. In parks, or in the neighbourhood of woods, 

 the sheep, when thus folded, may be littered in autumn, with 

 the leaves of trees, and an addition thus made to the quan- 

 tity of manure upon the farm. By this system, it is said, 

 that lands in grass, will go twice as far, as when the stock 

 are unrestricted, and can wander at large over the pasture. 



If the ground is to be pastured after the first year, it is 

 necessary to sow a variety of grass-seeds with the clover. In 

 Flanders, by means of the application of Dutch ashes, which 

 destroys the vermin so injurious to the crops of the second 

 year, and which often contain a portion of gypsum, the clover 

 remains productive for two years ; but as it fails the second 

 year, under our management, it is necessary to supply the 

 vacancy. If it were cut earlier the first year, the crop would 

 be more abundant the next one. 



The great object to be kept in view is, to have a variety 

 of grasses, that will flourish at different seasons of the year. 

 For that purpose, the late Mr Bridge of Dorsetshire, re- 

 commended a mixture of from six to seven pounds of white 

 clover, as much of marl-grass, the same quantity of hop- 

 clover, and one bushel of the best Devonshire rye-grass. 

 By this means, there is a succession of feed during the sea- 

 son. The hop-clover and rye-grass flourish early in spring ; 

 the marl-grass is in perfection in July, when the others go 

 off; and the white clover is abundant in August, and con- 

 tinues during the remainder of the season ( 57S ). 



2. Wliite Clover. 



On rich dry soils, white clover, (trifoliumrepensj, is strong- 

 ly recommended, for bringing such lands into a state of sward; 

 being accounted the best of all pasture-grasses. It is a be- 

 neficial practice, to sow this species of clover with barley, 

 and after pasturing the land for one year, to plough it up 

 for wheat. 



