THE GRASSES, MEADOWS, ETC. 95 



fine loose earth is exposed to a sweeping current, much of the 

 soil and all the crop may be lost. 



Strong clay lands cannot be properly worked without much 

 labor, unless when under drained and well filled with manure; 

 and they seldom exist in the former condition in this country. 

 Yet these soils next to the fertile, self sustaining bottom 

 lands, are the most profitable for the various grasses. When 

 put into this crop, after first clearing off the native growth 

 of wood, the fine vegetable mold at the surface, aided by 

 the. magazine of supplies contained in the clay below, gives 

 to them the most certain and permanent growth. When 

 once plowed this mold is turned under and the intractable 

 clay takes its place on the surface; which, lacking those pecu- 

 liarities of color, texture and chemical composition, we have 

 before shown are essential to the most successful vegetation, 

 the grass is thin and comparatively unproductive for years. 

 When necessary to break up such lands, they should be 

 thoroughly manured, evenly laid down, and heavily seeded to 

 grass ; and if any deficiency of seed or growth is manifested 

 they should receive an addition of seed with a compost 

 dressing. 



The injury to plowing steep side hills is sufficiently apparent, 

 as not only the soluble matters, but many of the finer particles 

 of f.he soil are washed out and carried far beyond reach. 

 Such lands should be kept in permanent pasture if not suita- 

 ble for mowing. If fed off by sheep, they drop most of 

 their manure on the higher points which is partially washed 

 down and sustains the fertility of every part. There is 

 still another class of lands that should not be broken up for 

 meadows. These are such as are filled with small stones 

 from the surface of which they have been cleared, but which 

 plowing and harrowing will again bring to it and there leave 

 a perpetual annoyance to the mower. 



THE MEANS OF RENOVATING PERMANENT MEADOWS AND 



PASTURES. The general theory adopted in regard to pas- 

 ture lands, is that they are manured sufficiently by the animals 

 feeding on them. This opinion is only partially correct. 

 Pastures wear out less than other lands, but when milch cows 

 and working animals are fed upon them* they carry off much 

 of the produce of the soil which is never again returned to it. 

 Even the wool and carcass of sheep with the ordinary escape 

 of the salts by the washing of the rains, \vill after a long 

 time, impoverish the land. How much more rapidly when 

 much of the manure and all the milk, which is rich in all 



