824 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK ix. 



wastes both seed and labour, and the necessary operations have to be 

 attempted a second time under great disadvantages. Causes entirely 

 beyond human control may sometimes render it needful to re-sow, 

 even after the most earnest effort ; but no one should lay himself open 

 to the possibility of self-reproach for having contributed to partial 

 failure by neglect. More of the failures in attempting to create 

 pastures could, if all the facts were known, be traced directly to the 

 unfavourable state of the soil, and to its previous cultivation, than is 

 generally believed, and it is true wisdom, as well as sound economy, to 

 wait a year, or even two years, rather than risk sowing upon soil which 

 is foul or out of condition. 



"As a rule, however, bare fallow cannot be afforded. In the interests 

 of the coming pastures, a root crop is the next best preparation, and 

 unless the land is capable of growing a first-class crop of roots it will 

 be incompetent to produce even a fair pasture. Now a root crop offers 

 this advantage, that, while few are disposed to manure a bare fallow 

 heavily, a thorough dressing of farm-yard dung will not be denied to 

 the mangel or swede crop. To the young grasses also it is a great 

 gain when the land can be made rich and put into good heart before 

 the sowing takes place, in preference to their being dependent on 

 manuring processes immediately before or after the seed is put in. 

 The tender and delicate roots of young grasses may be seriously 

 impaired by contact with raw manure, and the growth of the plants 

 thereby retarded. On the other hand, they will readily assimilate the 

 previous year's rich dressing, which has had time to become mellow, 

 or to be absorbed into the staple. 



" Supposing land is prepared by feeding off a crop of turnips with 

 sheep, it may happen that the turnips have to be supplemented with 

 meadow hay. If so, it is important that the hay should be only such 

 as has been cut very early, otherwise the ripe seeds of the grasses will 

 pass the sheep undigested, and in due time spring up and make the 

 pasture foul. Such grasses as Yorkshire fog and other worthless 

 varieties often find their way into a pasture in this manner. This is 

 notably the case with the hay of water meadows. 1 



" Whether the roots are fed off during September or October b}' sheep 

 eating hay or cake and the use of cake is to be strongly commended 

 or whether the roots are carted off during autumn, in either case the 

 plough should be put into the ground the moment the latter is free. 

 This first ploughing must be deep and thorough, and should be quickly 

 followed by another ploughing to lay the land up rough for the winter. 

 In February, or as early as the land is workable, get the harrow and 

 the roller upon it until the seed-bed is fine, firm, and level. A tenacious 

 soil, which dries off lumpy, may involve the expenditure of much time 



1 As s bearing upon this point, it may be mentioned that it came under my notice 

 that, upon arable land in Wilts and Hants, rows of Yorkshire fog would sometimes spring 

 into existence from no apparent cause. Upon inquiry it was found that these rows appeared 

 in places where sheep-troughs had stood ; amongst the food put into the troughs was water- 

 meadow hay, the ripe " seeds " of the Yorkshire fog in which, becoming easily disengaged 

 and falling to the ground, gave rise in the course of the season to rows of the grass plant 

 itself. W. F 



