N. c. Stat* coa««« 



PEEMANENT AND TEMPOEAEY 



PASTUEES. 



-ao'iit^co- 



The Extension of Pastures. 



The ' Agricultural Eeturns ' issued by the Board of Trade record 

 an increase of 3,462,423 acres of permanent grass in Great Britain, 

 alone between 1871 and 1886 inclusive.^ During the whole 

 sixteen years the progress of the movement has been uninter- 

 rupted, the highest figure being attained in 1871 with 362,586 

 acres, and the lowest in 1885 with 51,658 acres. ^ The average 

 for the entire period is 216,401 acres, and the following state- 

 ment shows the advance in each year.^ 



Concurrently with tliis enormous extension of grass there 

 has been an increase of oats, mangel, vetches, &c., and a diminu- 



' It must unfortunately be admitted that a proportion of this vast acrea<2^e has been 

 allowed to ' go to grais ' unaided, in consequence of the inability of owners or occupiers to 

 cultivate it. 



* Perhaps it is scarcely necessary to remark that the advance recorded in each year is 

 the result of sowings made in the preceding season. As a rule, grass seeds are sown upon 

 corn, and in the year of sowing the return is made under wheat, oats, or barley. 



^ The increase for 1885 is understated; see pages 13 and 14 of Agricultural Returns 

 for 1886. 



B 



