MODES OF IMPROVING PASTURES. 381 



of the stable, either with the compost or to be applied 

 by itself, may be seen, also, in the fact that the exceed- 

 ing richness of guano, and the manure of all fowls and 

 birds, is due to the union of the liquids and solids. 



After fermentation has taken place in animal manures, 

 in the compost or elsewhere, they may be spread with- 

 out m^uch loss by evaporation ; and hence it matters not 

 whether the top-dressing is applied in the autumn or in 

 the spring. Plaster is better spread in the spring, when 

 the moisture of the earth makes it immediately availa- 

 ble. Some prefer the autumn for spreading compost 

 manures, while others prefer the spring, just before the 

 thick grass surrounds and protects them from the sun 

 and wind. The soil, in autumn, is not injured by the 

 loaded cart, as is liable to be the case in spring. Others, 

 still, apply them after the first mowing, and before the 

 summer rains. The new crop preserves the manure 

 from drying up and wasting. This, however, is ordi- 

 narily too busy a season to attend to it with con- 

 venience. 



We have, then, these several methods of improving 

 our pasture lands. First, To allow some of them to 

 run to wood, or, which is far better, to plant them with 

 forest trees, which should never have been entirely cut 

 from them. This applies to poor, thin soils, at a dis- 

 tance from the homestead, and chiefly in the older 

 states, where the pastures have become exhausted or 

 run out. 



Second, To plough and cultivate, where this can be 

 done, on strong, good soils, which are not too stubborn 

 and rocky. This applies to many lands which have 

 been used as pastures time out of mind, the soils of 

 which are naturally good, but have run out from neg- 

 lect. Put soil into a good state of culture, and rich 

 and nutritive grasses will flourish as naturally as 



