CULTIVATION OF GRASSES. 211 



bage the first year, which differed from old pasture only 

 in being more luxuriant. There can be but httle doubt, 

 that grasses will grow more luxuriantly in a soil which has 

 been recently meliorated by the plough and harrow, than 

 in one which has remained undisturbed for years. The 

 great difficulty is in getting the ground into proper condition 

 to receive the seeds, and in getting them to begin to grow. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



ON THE CULTIVATION OF GRASSES. 



On the judicious selection and proper cultivation of 

 grasses, materially depend the profits of the farmer. 

 These constitute, directly, the principal food of his farm- 

 stock ; and, indirectly, the food of his crops. If his 

 grasses are abundant and nutritious, a greater number of 

 domestic animals may be maintained, and the greater will 

 be the returns they will make to the soil, in manure. A 

 well-set sward is far more enriching to the soil, because 

 it contains much more organic or vegetable matter, the 

 food of plants, when ploughed under, than one that is thin 

 and meager. A judicious selection comprises those kinds 

 which are naturally best adapted to the soil. A proper 

 cultivation consists in keeping them free from stagnant 

 water, noxious weeds, and, if to remain long in meadow, 

 in giving them a triennial top-dressing of manure or com- 

 post. One acre of good grass will cut three tons of hay, 

 or keep a cow, or, if in lucerne, will soil half a dozen 

 cows five months in a year. Four acres of lean, poor 

 grass will cut little more, if any, than three tons of hay, 

 and will barely suffice to keep a cow. There is as much 

 difference between good and bad grass lands, in regard to 

 profit, as there is between a good and a bad field of corn 

 or wheat. 



The common practice in this branch of husbandry has 

 hitherto been wretchedly bad. Generally, and until late- 

 ly, we have either altogether omitted to sow grass-seeds, 



