THE EXTENSION OF PASTURES. 5 



are by no means restricted to soil wliich is unsuitable for perma- 

 nent pastures. The practice of the Lancashire and Scotch farmers 

 has abundantly proved that no other method of farming pays 

 so well as laying down land in artificial grasses for periods 

 varying from two to four years, instead of breaking it up after 

 the lirst season. This system is now recommended for general 

 adoption by some of the most enlightened and able agriculturists 

 of the country, and I look forward to. the wide extension of it 

 in the near future, not merely as a great means of lessening the 

 labour bill, but also because it Avill ensure tlie storage in the soil 

 of a large reserve of grain-producing energy ready for any national 

 emergenc3^ or in the event of such an alteration of public opinion 

 concerning Free Trade as will enable the farmer again to produce 

 the food of tlie country at a profit to himself. At present the only 

 hope of obtaining a profit from much of our strong land is to 

 grow grass permanently or in rotation, and turn it either into meat 

 or milk.^ For milk alone there is an immense future when the 

 populations of London and other large towns better understand 

 its value as an article of diet. Too much of the profit now goes 

 into the pocket of the middleman. Li the interest of farmers some 

 organisation is needed to ensure the speedy delivery of milk in 

 its freshness and purity direct to the masses of the people. This 

 would enormously increase consumption, prove a great boon to 

 the population, and augment the farmer's income. Apart from 

 this I hope that the efforts of Lord Vernon and other noblemen, 

 assisted by competent experts hke Mr. Jenkins, will result in the 

 establishment of butter and cheese factories throughout the 

 country where farmers may combine to turn milk into manufac- 

 tured articles at remunerative prices. 



The taste for fancy cheese has greatly developed in recent 

 years, and there is no reason why English agriculturists should 

 not compete successfully in the production of some of the more 

 perishable kinds, which ill bear transit. The manufacture of 



^ A competent authority recently called attention to the Tact that, even at the current 

 low price, a ton of milk is worth more than a ton of wheat, and costs less to produce. 



