285 



When 



grasses, it will be found the most expeditious way to obtain a good sward, to replace the turf 

 on the new-formed ridges, and afterwards to give a top-dressing with compost, and then to sow 

 a mixture of the following grass-seeds: Alopccums pratensis, DactijUs glomemta, Festuca pra- 



foli 



Holcits avenaceus, and a small proportion of the Agrostis stolonifc 



Consolidat- 



ing the surface with a heavy roller would Le of infinite service, but the turf is often displaced 

 by the operation. A light bush-harrow, therefore, drawn over the surface to cover the seeds, 

 or rather to draw them into the interstices of the turfs, followed by a light w^ooden roller drawn 

 by men, in the same manner as the bush-harrow, will be found the best mode of manaoement. 



It is customary, when forming a water-meadow out of inert peat-bogs, to throw the coarse 

 surface (composed of segs and rushes chiefly), promiscuously together to form the rido-es- but 

 it would surely be more advantageous to pare and burn a surface of this nature, as it aifords an 

 abundance of excellent ashes; and without these, or a substitute perhaps of a more expensive 

 nature, to apply as a top-dressing, previous to sowing the seeds, soils of this description remain 

 for years in a state of comparative sterility. Caustic or hot lime, is found to be the very best 

 simple manure that can be applied to inert peat-moss, to bring it into a state of activity. When 

 the ridges are formed of this soil, the surface should have a copious dressing of hot lime, which 

 may be with advantage incorporated with the surface soil by a common harrow, and afterwards 

 suffered to remain unmolested for a few weeks. A thick covering of the ashes, mixed with the 

 cleanings of roads, waste headlands, &c. should then be apphed; and the seeds of the fore-men- 

 tioned grasses, with a larger proportion of the Agrostis stolonifera, and an equal proportion of 

 the ^^ro5ir25^G?/?^5^m, sown at the rate of five bushels to the acre: the ground should be well 

 rolled. I have made several trials to overcome the sterile nature of this soil (see No. XII. 

 pagelxiv. Introd.), but in none was I successful, except in that where the above means were 

 adopted. The best season for sowing the seeds of the grasses, is in the beginning of May or 

 early in August. It may be unnecessary to remark, that if the soil becomes very dry, previous 

 to the vegetation of the seed, which is seldom the case in lands of this nature, a gentle water- 

 ing for one day, will greatly promote the progress of vegetation; provided it can be effected 

 without displacing any of the surface-dressing which covers the seed. 



4 x> 



