AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 



303 



and is peculiarly calculated for light and dry soils. Its ad- 

 vantages are, that the grass is more economically consumed ; 

 that the stock thrives better, having daily a fresh bite ; and 

 that the dung which falls, being more concentrated, is more 

 likely to be of use.' — Loudon. 



Water should be provided for every field under pasture ; 

 and also shelter and shade, either by a few trees, or by a 

 portable shed, which may be moved with the stock from one 

 inclosure to another. Where there are no trees, rubbing 

 posts are also a desirable addition. In Germany they have 

 portable sheds which are employed both in summer and win- 

 ter, and generally with a piece of rock-salt fixed to a post for 

 the cattle to lick at will. 



Some graziers mix a few sheep and one or two colts in 

 each pasture, which both turn to account, and do little injury 

 to the grazing cattle. In some cases, we are told that sheep 

 are beneficial to pastures, by eating down and destroying 

 white weed, and some other useless and pernicious plants. 



So various is the appetite of animals, that there is scarcly 

 any plant which is not chosen by some and left untouched 

 by others. The following is said to be a fact, known and 

 practised on by graziers in Holland. When eight cows have 

 been in a pasture, and can no longer obtain nourishment, 

 two horses will do very well there for some days, and when 

 nothing is left for the horses, four sheep will live upon it ; 

 this not only proceeds from their differing in the choice of 

 plants, but from the formation of their mouths, which are not 

 equally adapted to lay hold of the grass. 



Stocking a pasture with as many sheep as it will support 

 is recommended for forming a tender herbage, and causing 

 the grass to mat or grow very thick at the bottom. 



An English writer says, ' in turning out horses to grass in 

 the spring, it is usual to choose the forenoon of a fine day to 

 do it in ; the natural consequence is, the horse fills his belly 

 during the sunshine, and lays down to rest during the cold 

 of the night, thereby probably exposing himself to disorders. 

 In some parts of Yorkshire a better practice prevails : the 

 horse is turned out at bed-time ; the consequence is, he eats 

 all night, and sleeps in the sunshine of the next day.' 



POULTRY. In order to have fine fowls, it is necessary 

 to choose a good breed, and have a proper care taken of 



