FOOD 203 



It is essential they should not be turned out until the 

 grass is sufficiently long, and in this respect there is a great 

 difference between old and new pastures. There is a time 

 in new pastures when the grass grows with remarkable 

 rapidity, the sooner this is eaten down the better or it 

 becomes rank. Old pastures are later in coming forward, 

 and when neglected they frequently contain weeds which 

 are largely absent from new pastures ; yet there is some- 

 thing in the quality of the grass on old pasture land which 

 gives it the most remarkable fattening properties. 



A very important point in the grazing of both cattle and 

 sheep, is that they should be frequently moved so as to 

 afford a fresh 'bite.' It is this change in the herbage 

 which is found so beneficial, and it should be effected about 

 every fortnight, if possible arranging that they pass to 

 stronger rather than poorer pastures. Where large numbers 

 of stock in different conditions are being grazed, it is well 

 to allow the most forward in condition to have the first 

 ' bite,' and when they are changed to follow on with the 

 poorer cattle, and finally with sheep if considered desirable. 



Sheep graze much closer than cattle, and in sheep 

 pastures this close grazing is encouraged, as it prevents 

 the seeding of worthless grasses, and keeps the herbage 

 fine and the pastures sweet. 



Excepting on pastures reserved exclusively for sheep, it 

 is well to turn in a certain number of store cattle with the 

 sheep in order to prevent the finer bottom grasses dis- 

 appearing, and only the coarser ones being left. 



This brings us to a consideration of heavy and hght 

 stocking of pastures, a question by no means settled among 

 graziers, for those who favour light stocking, while recog- 

 nising it is destructive to the grass by the amount wasted 

 in being trodden underfoot, yet favour the custom, as it is 

 remunerative when the day of sale arrives. Those favourmg 

 heavy stocking believe that in this way the finer grasses 

 do not suffer, but that both fine and coarse grasses get 

 regularly eaten down. Finally, there is a third school of 

 graziers who advocate mixed stocking, such as has been 



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