CHAP. x. ADVANTAGES OF SOILING. 163 



it invariably occurs that those patches in our pastures which happen 

 to have been once eaten bare in the beginning of the season are kept 

 very short throughout the year by the animals preferring them to 

 other parts of the field where the grass is longer, while the latter are 

 often suffered to continue in a great measure untouched. 



Another circumstance, not very generally known, is, that grass 

 even the leafy parts of it when it has attained a certain length, 

 becomes stationary; and, notwithstanding that it will retain its 

 verdure in that state for some months, yet, had it been cut, it would 

 have continued in a constant state of growth, proportioned to the 

 frequency of its being cropped. 1 Several experiments have been 

 brought forward to prove that with clover, rye-grass, lucerne, and 

 tares, at least double the number of cattle may be supported in much 

 better condition when the crops are cut than when they are pastured ; 

 hence there cannot be any doubt that, by judicious management in 

 this respect, the profits of the grazier can be greatly augmented. 



The practice of soiling and stall-feeding cattle was adopted to 

 a considerable extent on the Continent by Baron von Bulow and 

 others, the results of whose experience are inserted in the first volume 

 of the " Communications to the Board of Agriculture," by Dr. Thae'r, 

 Physician to the Electoral Court of Hanover : 



1. " A spot of ground that, when pastured upon, yields sufficient food 

 for only one beast, will abundantly maintain four head of cattle in the 

 stable, if the vegetables are mowed in proper time, and given to the 

 cattle in a proper order. 



2. " The stall-feeding yields at least double the quantity of manure 

 from the same number of cattle, for the best and most efficacious 

 summer manure is produced in the stable, and carried to the fields at 

 the proper period of its fermentation ; whereas, when dropped on the 

 meadow, and exhausted by the air and sun, its power is materially 

 wasted. 



3. " The cows used to stall-feeding will yield a much greater quantity 

 of milk, and increase faster in weight when fattening than those which 

 go into the field. 



4. " They are less subject to accidents do not suffer by the .heat, 

 or from flies and insects are not affected by the baneful fogs that are 

 frequent in Germany, and bring on inflammations ; on the contrary, if 

 everything is properly managed, they remain in a constant state of 

 health and vigour." 



The system under discussion is just one of those which are apt to 

 captivate the fancy of the enthusiast and cause him to imagine that 

 the profits of catttle feeding and dairying can be at least doubled by 

 following it. Zeal is an admirable thing so long as it does not outrun 

 discretion, but when the hobby-horse is mounted there is no knowing 

 where its career will end. And so with this system of soiling, its 

 advocates in rightly praising its usefulness have too often forgotten to 



1 See Dr Anderson's "Essays on Agriculture, " &c., vol. ii., Disquisition v., where this 

 interesting fact is corroborated by experimental proofs, which our limits forbid us to 

 introduce. 



