OF GRASS LANDS. 209 



duce of each having afterwards been taken at three dif- 

 ferent cuttings, that of the space last cut exceeded the 

 former in the proportion of three to two ; and in one in- 

 stance, during a dry summer, the last-cropped space ex- 

 ceeded the other as nearly two to one.* It is generally 

 conceded, that it is better to feed off rowen, than to cut 

 it as a second crop. 



But when grass grounds can be alternated with arable 

 crops, and where they are not periodically overflowed, or 

 triennially dressed with compost or manure, we are de- 

 cidedly of opinion that they should be subjected to the 

 alternating system. A field well laid down in seeds, will 

 give more grass the two first seasons, or in the three sea- 

 sons following, than it will in the four seasons following 

 these, unless it is overflowed, manured, or top-dressed. 

 Besides, the grass ley, if turned under, greatly enriches the 

 soil for a tillage crop ; — which, by its ameliorating tenden- 

 cy, in pulverizing, opening it to atmospheric influence, 

 and exposing a new surface, fits the soil again for the re- 

 turn of the grasses. But the mere alternation of crops 

 tends to preserve the fertility of the soil. 



A great objection to the alternating system on clay 

 grounds is, that it is difficult to make the grass-seeds take, 

 the spring and autumn being generally too w^et to obtain 

 so complete a pulverization of the soil as will fit it for the 

 reception of grass-seeds, — and of course, if sown then, 

 they do not germinate and grow. Judge Van Bergen, of 

 Greene County, New York, has adopted a practice which 

 obviates these objections. He sows his grass-seeds with 

 buckwheat, at midsummer, when the ground can be well 

 worked. We have seen his fields, a stiff clay, of one, 

 two, and three years' seeding, as well set with grass as 

 we have seen on the most favored soils ; and, compared 

 with adjoining meadows which had not been broken up, 

 the crop was at least double. 



Where old grass-grounds are to be broken up, other 

 than for a summer fallow, the first ploughing should be in 

 autumn, in order that the vegetable matters of the sod may 



* Woburn Grasses, p. 3S9. 



18* 



