18 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



many years until it has become a perfect mat of black twitch 

 {Alopecurus agi^estis). In despair of cleaning it at a reasonable 

 cost, the rector or owner decides to allow it to ' go to grass,' as 

 hundreds of acres have actually gone. Wisely, it is considered 

 desirable to give Nature some assistance, but it is almost a 

 misnomer to dignify that assistance by the name of prepara- 

 tion. In this instance also the routine previously advised 

 is applicable. Rigorous harrowing in autumn, a heavy top- 

 dressing during winter, and the sowing of suitable strong- 

 growing seeds in early spring, are the means by which the 

 most profitable results can be ensured. I know many cases 

 where this rough-and-ready treatment has been followed by 

 a fairly paying plant. Especially may improving crops be 

 anticipated when the land is continuously manured, or where 

 grazing cattle are liberally assisted with artificial food. 



