20 per:\ianent and temporary pastures 



varieties which compose it may be, can by any possibility be 

 suitable for universal application. The attempt to put forward 

 even a first-class mixture of grasses for all soils and all 

 purposes savours essentially of empiricism. Those who possess 

 the widest experience on this subject are least inclined to lay 

 down rigid rules. Land agents who have had the manage- 

 ment of large estates in various parts of the country, and 

 who have had greater opportunities for extensive observation 

 than most men, are exceedingly careful to consider differences 

 of soil, subsoil, and the purpose to which each individual 

 pasture is to be devoted ; and their success is chiefly attri- 

 butable to the wise application of general knowledge to special 

 cases. 



It may be interesting to recall some of the extraordinary 

 statements which have been made in pubMc journals and at 

 local farmers' clubs as to the value of certain grasses. Several 

 years ago it was confidently declared that Italian Rye Grass 

 should not only be grown alone and in alternate leys, but that 

 no permanent pasture could be successful which did not 

 contain a large proportion of it. After this assertion had been 

 fuUy discussed and proved to be erroneous, there was a rebound 

 to the other extreme. It was freely affirmed that Italian Rye 

 Grass degenerated into twitch, and was therefore unfit for 

 cultivation. There can scarcely be a doubt that samples of 

 this grass containing seeds of twitch have been sown, but this 

 pest has never been produced by pure seed of Italian Rye 

 Grass. I entirely agree with those who hold that Italian 

 should as a rule be excluded from mixtures which are 

 intended to form permanent meadows or pastures, and I also 

 concur in the general consensus of opinion among practical 

 men that as a forage plant Italian Rye Grass has a high value 

 either sown alone or as a component of ley mixtures. 



Among the grasses which have provoked great diversity 

 of opinion. Cocksfoot affords a conspicuous example. Instead 

 of being reserved for those soils and purposes for which it 



