TEMPORARY PASTURES. 121 



able from the cultivation of legiiminosa3 (clover, lucerne, vetches, 

 &c.). But as this class of plant will not succeed on every soil, 

 temporary " leys " with graminaceous (grass) herbage ought to 

 give, where leguminous plants do not succeed, analogous, if not 

 equally good results, and so assist materially in solving the pro- 

 blem of producing cereal, root, and other crops with increasing 

 economy.' 



Upon such soils alternate husbandry may be adopted with 

 immense advantage. The periodical breaking up of tlie land at 

 the end of every three or four years, and its treatment as arable 

 for one or two seasons, will render it capable of again yielding 

 heavy and valuable crops of grass. As a light sandy soil rarely 

 forms a satisfactory pasture, it is far wiser to sow a temporary 

 mixture upon it. 



The heavy crops that can be obtained from artificial 

 grasses during a limited number of years are only partially at- 

 tributable to the judicious selection of the grasses and clovers. 

 The chief causes are that the continual use of manure has put 

 the land into good heart, and cultural operations have allowed 

 the atmosphere to set free the elements which grasses readily 

 assimilate. The third or fourth year is generally regarded as 

 the critical time for a permanent pasture. There are, unfor- 

 tunately, plenty of instances where improper seeding or starved 

 land renders a profitable pasture impossible. To these pre- 

 ventible causes I am not now alluding, but to soils which, in 

 despite of fair treatment, agglomerate and become impervious 

 to atmospheric influences, and refuse to give up the necessary 

 elements for the free growth of grasses. 



Apart, however, from this question of an unsuitable soil, 

 there are weighty reasons for the adoption of a system of alter- 

 nate husbandry. Two-thirds of many farms might with advantage 

 always be in artificial grass. A great saving would be effected 

 in tillage operations, horseflesh, and labour. The land would 

 break up at the end of the term in excellent condition and full 

 of clover roots as a store of nourishment for the succeeding grain 



