NORFOLK SOCIETY. 459 



pasture, is from the 20th of May to the 1st of June. Ante- 

 cedent to this period no succulent food can be obtained for 

 " soiling." Preparation, however, may be made the autumn 

 previous by sowing winter rye, according to the proportion 

 required for " soiling," from the 10th or 15th of the month of 

 May to the 1 st of June. This could be done with advantage, 

 but I have never practised it more than once; because, al- 

 though I have always had rye fit for cutting at this time, 

 yet it is too valuable, as grain and straw, for me so to use 

 it ; regarding as I do winter rye, at the usual prices of grain 

 and straw in this vicinity, to be the most profitable of any 

 grain product. 



The reliance in the " soiling " system, for succulent food 

 between the 20th of INIay and the 1st of July is grass, cut and 

 delivered in the stable ; and according to my experience, one 

 and a half square rods per day for each cow " soiled " is ample 

 for this purpose. The grass thus cut was usually that which 

 is the least likely to be preferable for winter keep, such as that 

 growing by the side of my farm roads, or under trees, or that 

 having the rankest fibre. 



The food sown and cultivated for soiling, in this climate, 

 must have exclusive reference to the summer and autumn 

 months, commencing with the first of July. And the follow- 

 ing is the order of sowing, according to my practice, justified 

 by experience, the proportion of land sowed at each successive 

 period, being as above stated, one and a half, or tivo square rods 

 per day, for each cow soiled. To produce a sufficient quantity 

 of succession of succulent food, sow — 



1. As early in April as the state of the land will permit, 

 which is usually between the 5th and the 10th on properly pre- 

 pared land — oats, at the rate of four bushels to the acre. 



2. About the 20th of the same month, sow either oats or 

 barley, at the same rate per acre, in like quantity and propor- 

 tions. 



3. Early in May, sow in like manner either of the above 

 grains. 



4. Between the 10th and 15th of May, sow Indian corn (the 

 flat, southern, being the best) in drills, three bushels to the 

 acre, in like quantity and proportions. 



