THE 0H I ETC, 97 



that winild otherwise escape, are immediately absorbed by 

 leaves and stalks which every where surround it. 

 The loss of manure is trifling even in a state of active 

 decomposition, when scattered broadcast under such circum- 

 stances. 



Pasturing Meadows. There is no objection to feeding oft" 

 meadows in early autumn, while the ground is dry and the 

 sod firm. The roots of the grass are rather benefited than 

 injured by the browsing and the land is improved by the drop, 

 pings from the cattle. But they should never be pastured in 

 spring. It is economy to purchase hay at any price rather 

 than to spring-pasture meadows. 



ROTATION ON GRASS LANDS. Most soils admit of a profi- 

 table rotation or change of crops, and where this is the case 

 it is generally better to allow grasses to make up one of the 

 items in this rotation. Where these are successfully grown 

 in permanent meadows, this change or breaking up is less 

 to be sought on their own account than for the other crops, 

 which do better tor having a rich fresh turf to revel in. Thus 

 potatoes are sounder, better and yield more on turf than on 

 old plowed ground ; and the grain crops are generally more 

 certain and abundant than on other lands. But there are 

 many of the light soils which retain the grasses only for 

 a short time. These should be placed in a rotation which 

 never assigns more than two years to grass. 



TIME FOR CUTTING GRASS. This must depend on the 

 kind of grass. We have seen that Timothy affords nearly 

 double the quantity of nutriment in seed than it does in 

 flower, and it is then much more relished by stock. Timo- 

 thy therefore should never be cut except when the seed is 

 formed. The proper time is when it is between the milk 

 and dough state, and will nearly ripen alter cutting. Orchard 

 grass on the other hand, although it possesses two-sevenths 

 more nutritive value for hay in the seed, yet as it is more 

 tender, and preferred by stock when cut in flower, and as it 

 continues to grow rapidly afterwards, should be always 

 cut at that time. 



CURING GRASS. Many farmers do not consider the scorch- 

 ing effects of our cloudless July suns, and the consequence is 

 that hay is too much dried in this country. Unless the crop 

 be very large, grass will generally cure sufficiently when 

 exposed in the swath for two days. When shook or stirred 

 out, it should not remain in this condition beyond the first 

 day, as it will lose much of its nutritive juices ; nor should 

 D 



