94 HOW TO GROW GOOD GRASSES. 



the matter by the quick-growing Italian rye-grass 

 having taken a possession, which, however, in a year 

 or two it would most probably yield ; and so it has 

 happened, that while the seedsman has been adver- 

 tising a certificate vaunting of success, the pasture is 

 declining, and the proprietor, looking for the reason 

 for such a result, either himself concludes, or is led 

 so to do, that as the seeds came up well, these were 

 not in fault : it must then be the nature of the soil ! 



In giving such directions for grass mixtures as 

 experience would seem to warrant, we confess to a 

 great deal of diffidence ; for as scarcely two cases are 

 alike, the difficulty is as great as would be that of a 

 medical man prescribing for his various patients 

 without seeing them ; indeed, to profess to do so in 

 either case, as a general rule, savours somewhat of 

 quackery. 



The following tables, then, it must be understood, 

 are only meant to convey some very general notions 

 as to sorts of grasses and other fodder plants, and 

 their quantities, which we should employ under the 

 specified conditions of soil ; albeit, even the quantities 

 should be variable, depending upon the quality of the 

 seeds, the season, and the climate in which they are 

 to be sown : — 



