OF GRASS LANDS. 207 



pastures, produces little or no benefit ; but when calcare- 

 ous matters have been laid upon the surface, the finer 

 grasses soon take possession of it. 



Bushing, that is, drawing over the ground tops or heavy- 

 branches of trees, tends to extirpate moss, loosens the 

 surface to atmospheric influence, and covers grass-seeds 

 which may be sown previous to the operation. 



Manures are seldom applied to pastures, especially with 

 us ; but, appHed in the form of compost, as a top-dressing, 

 they are decidedly serviceable. Gypsum and spent ashes 

 may be applied with undoubted benefit in most cases. 

 Upland pastures have been greatly improved in Scotland, 

 according to Sinclair, by drawing surface-drains diago- 

 nally across the face of the hills. The herbage is ren- 

 dered more palatable and wholesome, and the waters are 

 prevented from accumulating so as to cut gullies and 

 chasms in the hill-sides. 



It need hardly be added, that bushes, thistles, and other 

 perennial weeds obstruct the growth of grass, and that they 

 ought to be carefully extirpated ; and that surface stones 

 diminish the herbage in proportion to the extent of surface 

 which tliey occupy. These, then, should be converted 

 into walls, one of the most economical fences, if well 

 laid, because the most permanent, that can be constructed. 

 The weeds that infest pasture grounds are mostly bien- 

 nials or perennials. If these are cut two or three times 

 in a season, at the surface of the ground, they will die. 

 Leaves are as essential to vegetable, as lungs are to ani- 

 mal life. Divested of these elaborating organs, the vitali- 

 ty of the vegetable is soon destroyed. 



Our pasture grounds are generally left to take care of 

 themselves ; but there is no doubt that expense bestowed 

 upon their improvement, in some of the modes above 

 suggested, would be profitably laid out. Their value 

 depends upon the quality and quantity of the herbage 

 which they afford. The quality is in a great measure 

 determined by the exemption of the soil from stagnant 

 waters, the quantity by the richness of the soil, and its 

 exemption from moss, bushes, weeds, stones, and other 

 surface obstructions ; for if these are eradicated or re- 



