15 



Cultural Preparations. 



Op all the questions which concern the laying down of land 

 to grass, perhaps there is not one which has received less con- 

 sideration than the condition of the soil at the time of sowing. 

 Grass is frequently regarded as a last resource for land which is 

 tlioroughly exhausted, and which no longer pays for the culti- 

 vation of any other crop. It is too often assumed that grass will 

 grow anywhere, and under all circumstances. And although the 

 old and wasteful process of allowing land to go to grass is no 

 longer advocated to any extent, yet it is frequently considered 

 sufficient to harrow in a few seeds, and let them take their 

 chance. Either practice is extremely mischievous, resulting in 

 immense loss both of time and money to those who follow it. 

 The fact is that no farm crop requires more care in the prepara- 

 tion of the land than does a crop of permanent grasses ; and 

 there cannot be greater folly than to sow costly seeds, especially 

 of the finer varieties, on land which has not been adequately 

 prepared to receive them. 



The choice of suitable land for permanent pasture is seldom 

 open. Other circumstances than its fitness for this purpose 

 generally determine the matter. But occasionally it does happen 

 that on some estate or farm there is a possibility of selecting the 

 fields which axe to be turned into grass. The guiding principles 

 are few and simple. It may be accepted as an established con- 

 clusion, that sharp sands and gravels are not weU adapted to the 

 formation of pastures, but that heavy loams and most strong 

 clays are eminently suitable for grasses and clovers, and will 



