17 



Cultural Preparations 



Among the questions which need consideration before laying 

 down land to grass, perhaps there is not one which has 

 received less attention than the condition of the soil. Grass 

 is frequently regarded as a last resource for land which 

 is thoroughly exhausted, and which no longer pays for the 

 cultivation of any other crop. It is too often assumed 

 that grass will grow anywhere, and under all circumstances. 

 And although the old and wasteful process of allowing land 

 to ' go to grass ' is no longer advocated to any extent, many 

 farmers consider it sufficient to harrow in a few seeds, and 

 let them take their chance. The practice is extremely mis- 

 chievous, resulting in immense loss of both time and money. 

 No farm crop requires more care in the preparation of the 

 land than does a crop of permanent grasses ; and there cannot 

 be greater folly than to sow costly seeds, especially of the 

 finer varieties, on land which has not been adequately 

 prepared to receive them. 



The choice of land suitable for permanent pasture is 

 seldom open. Other circumstances than fitness for this pur- 

 pose generally determine the matter. But occasionally it does 

 happen that on some estate or farm there is a possibility of 

 selecting the fields which are to be turned into grass. The 

 guiding principles are few and simple. It may be accepted as 

 an established conclusion, that sharp sands and gravels are not 

 well adapted to the formation of pastures, but that heavy loams 

 and most strong clays are eminently suitable for grasses and 



