08 CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



Drainage has been more than once attributed as the cause 

 of failure in pasture lands, but this notion arises altogether 

 from a misapprehension of what drainage is, and what its 

 effects are if properly carried out. Professor Coleman has 

 the following very suggestive remarks o-n this and other 

 points : 



171. "I do not say in all cases, but in the majority of 

 cases where grass land is unhealthy for stock, it is either be- 

 cause an excess of moisture impoverishes the herbage, pre- 

 vents a steady growth in early spring, and causes a too rapid 

 and luxuriant herbage in summer, or else that the soil is de- 

 ficient in alkalis, lime, and bone earth. This latter we can 

 ascertain by an examination of the natural herbage. When- 

 ever we find clover, lupin, &c., we may doubt the advantage 

 of using bones ; and if we further find the soil rich in lime, 

 we may feel satisfied that our money will be thrown away on 

 bones or lime. We tried a series of experiments at Cirences- 

 ter on grass land, on the oolite, and could never see the 

 least benefit from bones, superphosphate, or lime, and this 

 experience will, I am sure, be corroborated by all who 

 farm upon .limestone formations. When, however, we 

 have to do with pastures on the sandstone or ironclay for- 

 mations, bones and lime tell marvellously, because these 

 materials are deficient in the soil naturally, and we have 

 been removing what little there was in the shape of hay, 

 milk, and meat, &e. Artificials (manures) are very costly, and 

 a mistake in using an article that is not needed will be a 

 great loss. I would, therefore, recommend every one to try 

 an experiment for himself, using bones, superphosphate, 

 and ammoniacal manures. Where bones are found to pro- 

 duce no effect, ammoniacal manures will tell; but as Mr. 

 Lawes has ably shown, well made farm-yard manure, which 

 contains all the mineral food of plants, in addition to am- 

 monia, is the best dressing for grass land, especially when 

 it is worked up into a compost with soil, lime, &e. It is 

 a great question as to whether we can best improve a pas- 

 ture, or break it up and re-sow ; some are so hidebound, 

 so overrun with couch grass and other weeds, that it seems 



