TEMPOEAEY PASTUEES. 131 



able from the cultivation of leguminosse (clover, lucerne, vetches, 

 &c.). But as this class -of plant will not succeed on every soil, 

 temporary " leys " with graminaceous (grass) herbage ought to 

 give, where leguminous plants do not succeed, analogous, if not 

 equally good results, and so assist materially in solving the pro- 

 blem of producing cereal, root, and other crops with increasing 

 economy.' 



Upon nearly all soils alternate husbandry may be adopted 

 with immense advantage, and on hght sandy soil, where a satis- 

 factory pasture is rarely formed, it is far wiser to sow a tem- 

 porary than a permanent mixture. The periodical breaking-up 

 of the land at the end of every three or four years, and its treat- 

 ment as arable for one or two seasons, will render it capable of 

 again yielding valuable crops of grass. 



The heavy crops that can be obtained from artificial 

 grasses during a Hmited number of years are only partially 

 attributable to the judicious selection of the grasses and clovers. 

 The chief causes are that the continual use of manure has put 

 the land into good heart, and cultural operations have allowed 

 the atmosphere to set free the elements which grasses readily 

 assimilate. There are, unfortunately, plenty of instances where 

 improper seeding or starved land renders a profitable permanent 

 pasture impossible. To these preventible causes I am not now 

 alluding, but to soils which, in despite of fair treatment, agglo- 

 merate and become impervious to atmospheric infiuences, and 

 refuse to give up the necessary elements for the continuous free 

 growth of grasses. 



Apart, however, from this question of an unsuitable soil, 

 there are weighty reasons for the adoption of a system of alter- 

 nate husbandry. Two-thirds of many farms might with advantage 

 always be in artificial grass. A great saving would be effected 

 in tillage operations, horseflesh, and labour. The land would 

 break up at the end of the term in excellent condition and full 

 of clover roots as a store of nourishment for the succeeding grain 

 crop. The custom of maintaining agricultural holdings that are 



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