CULTUEAL PEEPAEATIONS. 19 



As a preparation for autumn sowing, no other crop is equal 

 to an early variety of potato. The earthing up of the rows 

 exposes a great surface to atmospheric influences, and this 

 materially aids the disintegration of the soil. Another point in 

 its favour is that the crop is generally lifted by hand, and thus 

 the soil is subjected to a course of spade husbandry, which, as a 

 preparation for grass, is superior to all other modes of cultiva- 

 tion. When digging the crop the benefit may be further aug- 

 mented by instructing the labourers to fork up and throw aside 

 every bit of couch they come across. This will very effectually 

 assist the cleaning process. The only objection to sowing imme- 

 diately after potatoes is the difficulty of consolidating the land ; 

 but by planting a first early variety, such as Field Ashleaf, the 

 crop can be marketed early in July, and before the grass seeds 

 are sown in August a persistent use of the harrow and roller 

 will do much to make a firm seed-bed. 



It will now be proper to refer to some of the emergencies 

 which arise when land must be laid away to grass at the earliest 

 possible moment, whether it is in a fit condition for the purpose 

 or not. One of the commonest instances is that of a clover ley 

 which is wanted as a permanent pasture. There is a natural 

 feeling of reluctance to break up the clover plant, and the hope 

 is indulged that grass seeds will take upon it. The objections to 

 this course are man}' and serious, although they are not always 

 insurmountable. Possibly indigenous weeds have already such a 

 hold of the ground as to afford very httle chance of the grasses 

 making head against them. But whether this be so or not, in 

 soil crowded with clover roots the young grasses will have but 

 scant opportunity of estabhshing themselves. Still, however un- 

 desirable the practice of turning a ley into a permanent pasture 

 must ever remain, necessity knows no law, and sometimes this 

 unpromising experiment is crowned with success. Those who 

 leave much to chance , will deserve and obtain a poor result ; 

 but the man who is persistent and determined to succeed will 

 often secure a fair return for his labour and outlay. The chief 



3 



