IMPROVEMENT OF GRASS-LANDS. 153 



generally conceded that it is better to feed off rowen 

 than to cut it as a second crop. 



ON CONVERTING ARABLE OR PLOUGH-LAND INTO PER- 

 MANENT MEADOW OR PASTURE. 



The first obstacle to encounter is the practice, yet 

 loo prevalent, of throwing plough-land into old field 

 or pasture, without stocking it with grass-seeds. 

 We lay it down as an unerring rule in good hus- 

 bandry, that ploughed fields intended to be conve r t- 

 ed in pasture or meadow should be well stocked 

 with grass-seeds ; and, as next in importance, that 

 as many species of grass-seeds be sown as can be 

 procured or are adapted to the soil ; and that, if 

 possible, there be included the seeds of those grass- 

 es which are either indigenous to, or which are 

 found to thrive well in, the immediate neighbour- 

 hood, and in similar soils. The reasons for recom- 

 mending several species are these : Each kind has 

 its particular season of growth, and exhausts a par- 

 ticular food in the soil ; and by multiplying the num- 

 ber, we are more apt to obtain a constant growth of 

 herbage, and a far more abundant supply of feed. 

 Thus, for instance, say a square foot of surface will 

 support but six stocks of timothy ; this grass, grow- 

 ing neither very early nor very late, the herbage 

 would neither be abundant nor permanent. But the 

 same square foot, which would support but six plants 

 of timothy, would support, at the same time (because 

 every kind requires its specific food), six plants of 

 five other species, say meadow fox-tail, red clover, 

 white clover, orchard, and tall oat-grass, or species 

 of the agrostis or fescue families. Of these six 

 kinds, some one would be in luxuriant growth at all 

 seasons, and the herbage would be increased from 

 three to four fold, if the soil be good, by the admix- 

 ture of the different seeds. 



We cannot too often repeat, that pastures and 

 meadows are almost as much benefited by a rich 



