56 Broxvsing. 



of opinion as to the mowing or grazing the first year. 

 He mentions that Siu Charles Middleton hays the first 

 year, and uses aftermath for fattening sheep and lambs, 

 giving some oilcake, and folding off as for turnips. 

 Another writer quoted says that nothing but having a 

 good coat of dung to put on before winter can justify 

 mowing. 



As I notice in the Field of Sept. 12th, 1896, attention 

 has been called to the value of loppings of trees as 

 food for stock, I may mention that Arthur Young has a 

 section on " Browsing," and gives many instances of the 

 practice of cutting faggots of branches in full leaf and 

 preserving them for winter use. Fir branches were 

 used in this way in conjunction with hay. The freshly- 

 cut branches were strewed about the field. After the 

 sheep had picked off the green matter the wood 

 was then used for firing. Elm branches were con- 

 sidered to be the best, and then poplar. Oak branches 

 were considered to be good for this purpose. Young 

 observes that a great saving of hay was effected by this 

 practice. 



I have now, I think, quoted from Arthur Young's 

 great work most of those points which seem to me to be 

 useful and interesting, but I cannot conclude the chapter 

 without expressing my admiration of the wonderful 

 combination of qualities he possessed, and which enabled 

 him, and justly so, not only to impress and influence his 

 own countrymen, bxit also all the most civilized peoples 

 of Europe. Such a union of zeal, indefatigable industry, 

 ability, perseverance, and undaunted courage it is indeed 

 very difficult to find united in any man. One instance 

 of the last I cannot help quoting from Dr. Paris' Memoir 

 (previously alluded to), in which we are told that "in 

 his second journey to France he set out alone, but he 

 had not proceeded more than 100 miles when his mare 

 fell blind ; not, however, being discouraged by this 

 incident, he travelled with her 1700 miles, and brought 

 her safe back to Bradfield." But, besides the strength 



