THE EXTENSION OF PASTUEES. S 



been caused by fruitless attempts to coerce Nature. But there is 

 no farm land with which I am acquainted that will not profitably 

 respond to the alternate system alluded to in the chapter on 

 ' Temporary Pastures.' The advantages of that system, however, 

 are by no means restricted to soil which is unsuitable for perma- 

 nent pastures. The practice of the Lancashire and Scotch farmers 

 has abundantly proved that no other method of farming pays 

 so well as laying down land in artificial grasses for periods 

 varying from two to four years, instead of breaking it up after 

 the first season. This system is now recommended for general 

 adoption by some of the most enlightened and able agriculturists 

 of the country, and I look forward to the wide extension of it 

 in the near future, not merely as a great means of lessening the 

 labour bill, but also because it will ensure the storage in the soil 

 of a large reserve of grain-producing energy ready for any national 

 emergency, or in the event of such an alteration of pubhc opinion 

 concerning Free Trade as will enable the farmer again to produce 

 the food of the country at a profit to himself. At present the only 

 hope of obtaining a profit from much of our strong land is to 

 grow grass permanently or in rotation, and turn it either into meat 

 or milk.^ For milk alone there is an immense future when the 

 populations of London and other large towns better understand 

 its value as an article of diet . Too much of the profit now goes 

 into the pocket of the middleman. Li the interest of farmers some 

 organisation is needed to ensure the speedy delivery of milk in 

 its freshness and purity direct to the masses of the people. This 

 would enormously increase consumption, prove a great boon to 

 the population, and augment the farmer's income. Apart from 

 this I hope that the efibrts of Lord Vernon and other noblemen, 

 assisted by competent experts, will result in the establishment of 

 butter and cheese factories throughout the country where farmers 

 may combine to turn milk into manufactured articles at re- 

 munerative prices. 



' An authority recently called attention to tlie fact that, even at the current low price, 

 a ton of milk is worth more than a ton of wheat, and costs less to produce. 



