146 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



persistence that would have achieved success. Were it only- 

 possible to deal with the pests of grass land by the plough 

 and scarifier, as on arable soil, the effort would be hopeless. 

 Happily, the weeds of pastures are amenable to treatment 

 which, though far less costly, is more effective, lasting, and 

 remunerative in its results. Some few of the deep-rooted 

 plants, as thistles, coltsfoot and rushes, need repeated attention 

 with the scythe or spud for two years ; but the majority of 

 pasture weeds succumb to well-regulated and suitably adjusted 

 doses of chemical manures, which beneficially stimulate the 

 nutritious grasses. The grazier may therefore clean and enrich 

 his land at the same time, and prove by his own experience 

 that as a rule the poor pasture is foul, while the rich pasture 

 is clean. 



To effect an improvement takes time and needs patience. 

 A pasture or meadow which has become deteriorated through 

 years of neglect cannot be won back to first-class condition in 

 a single season, nor can a good and clean crop be maintained 

 in its most profitable state without unceasing vigilance. It is, 

 however, reassuring to know that the necessary cost of labour, 

 and the outlay for manures which favour the development of 

 the stronger-growing grasses and at the same time discourage 

 the growth of many forms of pernicious vegetation, will on 

 pasture land eventually yield a far more abundant return 

 than can be recouped from a similar expenditure on arable 

 land. 



In order to prevent the deterioration of pastures, or to 

 improve the herbage, worthless plants should be promptly 

 recognised, and methods of eradication be understood. This 

 involves a knowledge of the pests of pastures, their duration, 

 mode of perpetuation, and other peculiarities which may suggest 

 the readiest means of compassing their destruction. Large 

 weeds, such as thistles, docks, and coltsfoot, are too con- 

 spicuous to escape notice. Less obtrusive but equally baneful 

 subjects are too often allowed to live on ; and the bad grasses, 



