246 MANAGEMENT OF MEADOWS. 



the land from the surface to the centre, but how few ever 

 utilize these under-ground acres. From all the testimony 

 to be gathered on this subject, it is pretty apparent that the 

 cost of draining a meadow will be paid the first year by the 

 increased production of the crop. The after-crops will be 

 profits of the farmer. 



Now, it being understood the land is in a suffi- 

 ciently dry condition, either by draining or natur- 

 ally, the next thing is to put it in a state of tilth. 

 After what has been said in regard to almost every kind of 

 grass, it is almost needless to impress on the mind of the 

 farmer the necessity of thoroughly pulverizing the soil. 



Let it be well and deeply broken up, and then with the 

 harrow, drag and roller continue to work it until it is 

 smooth and not a clod appears on the surface. The roots 

 of grasses are exceedingly delicate and cannot penetrate the 

 hard, dry lumps of soil, but will exhaust their energies in 

 going around or under them. Besides, in exactly the same 

 proportion as the clods exist, are the nourishing elements 

 locked up from the use of the grass. Another reason: when 

 clods exist in great numbers, the ground will be rough and 

 the seed will not get into the soil, or will get in too deep to 

 germinate. Thus seeds are lost and the stand impaired. 



It is needless to say the soil must be fertile, for nothing 

 will thrive well on poor soil. If it is not rich it must be 

 made so. Should it be desired to sow a field that has been 

 greatly exhausted, a plan pursued in England is com- 

 mended. The fall previous to sowing, the field is put 

 in turnips. During the winter, by means of hurdles, a 

 flock of sheep is confined to a portion of the field, and they 

 are not allowed to leave until every vestige of the turnips 

 is exhausted. By this time the ground will be black with 

 their droppings. In this manner the whole field, acre by 

 acre is gone over and the ground has a fine covering of ma- 

 nure. We will suppose this consumes the winter. In the 

 spring break up, or to break up just as soon as the sheep 



