IMPROVEMENT OF GRASS-LANDS. 14P 



prudent to keep in grass, lest the soil should be worn 

 away by the rapid flood of the waters. Others, 

 again, are too precipitous or too stony to admit of 

 arable culture. Nor should we conceal the fact, 

 that it is still a controverted point whether rich, 

 stiff clays are not most profitable when permanent- 

 ly appropriated to grass. Whatever causes prevail, 

 the fact is indisputable, that a considerable portion 

 of our lands are, and will continue to remain, in 

 meadow and pasture. It is with the view to aid the 

 farmer in correcting any defects that may exist in 

 such grass-grounds, and in improving and keeping 

 them in condition, that we offer the following sug- 

 gestions. And, first, 



OF PASTURE. 



The evils that are experienced in pasture-grounds 

 are, the gradual disappearance of the best grasses ; 

 the growth of mosses and weeds in their stead; and 

 the prevalence of coarse herbage in situations where 

 there exists a superabundance of moisture. Where- 

 ever there are stagnant waters, as upon flat surfaces, 

 the pasture is rendered peculiarly unhealthy for 

 sheep ; but it is remarked, that if the water is in 

 continued motion, as is generally the case upon the 

 declivities of hills and mountains, no ill consequences 

 follow. 



To remedy the evils we have enumerated, and to 

 improve the condition of pasture-grounds, one or 

 more of the following expedients may be advanta- 

 geously resorted to, viz., sowing and harrowing in 

 grass-seeds, scarifying, bushing, draining, manuring, 

 and top-dressing with marl or lime. 



Grass-seeds may be sown either in the autumn or 

 spring, followed by the harrow, and, if practicable, 

 by the roller. The harrow partially extirpates the 

 mosses, breaks and pulverizes the surface, and buries 

 the seeds ; and the roller presses the earth to the 

 seeds and smooths the surface. The bush-harrow 



