562 GRASSES AND CLOVERS 



recovery, or totally destroyed by being overshadowed by their 

 strong-growing neighbours. On the other hand, if too large a 

 proportion of permanent grasses are employed, the yield of pro- 

 duce during the first few years is very materially reduced. 



For leys of from three to six years' duration the best authorities 

 consider that the ground should not be covered to a greater 

 extent than 30 or 40 per cent, by the clovers, the smaller pro- 

 portion being used in those leys which are intended to last 

 longest. If a larger proportion is used, the pastures in a few 

 years become thin and patchy owing to the dying-off of the 

 clovers, none of which are permanent, except the white species. 



The rest of the ground, namely, 60 to 70 per cent., is covered 

 by grasses, one-half of which should belong to the short-lived, 

 the other to the more permanent species ; if a larger amount of 

 short-lived grasses is sown the pasture becomes patchy in the 

 later years. 



For permanent pastures the amount of clovers sown should be 

 such as will cover not more than 20 per cent, of the ground, the 

 lemaining 80 per cent, being taken up by grasses, of which be- 

 tween 50 and 60 per cent, should be permanent. 



The following tables indicate the general composition of these 

 two classes of mixtures : — 



(a) For leys of three to six years' duration. 



