a tad a ei 
eee ee 
able grasses on such pastures are injured or destroyed by the tramping 
of cattle, whose hoofs penetrate the wet ground. 
An eminent German scientist has demonstrated that there is an intimate connection 
between a warm, dry soil and economy in feeding cattle. Friable land absorbs more 
heat than land which is saturated with moisture, and retains the heat for a longer 
period. Upon the one, animals lie warmer, especially at night, than they do upon the 
other. Now a large portion of the food consumed by animals is utilized for the pro- 
duction of the heat which is constantly dissipated from their bodies. It follows that 
additional food becomes necessary to replace the animal heat lost by the colder sur- 
roundings.* 
The Selection of Grasses.—The selection of the proper kinds of grasses 
to be employed for meadows or pastures must depend on several cir- 
cumstances, such as soil, drainage, habit of growth, productions, ete. 
No one kind of grass can be expected to be adapted to all conditions, - 
neither can any given mixture of grasses. There has been a great 
amount of empiricism in this matter. One man finds a certain grass to 
be very thrifty and productive on his farm, and thinks he has found the 
great desideratum, and at once proclaims his grass, perhaps gives it a 
new name, and recommends its use, without regard to the conditions or 
circumstances which may be absolutely essential to its success. 
Others purchase seed of the new grass, perhaps at exorbitant prices, 
and without a knowledge of its peculiar habits or wants, give it a trial — 
and find it a failure, probably because climate or soil, or other essential 
conditions are unsuitable to its wants. 
Mr. Sutton, writing on this subject, says: 
The whole question is one of experience, and I am well persuaded that those who 
possess the largest knowledge, drawn from the widest sources, will concur in the 
opinion that each individual case should be considered independently and upon its 
own merits. Iwould lay greatstress upon the necessity of starting with a clear under- 
standing of the condition and capability of the soif. The subsoil, too, must be taken 
into account; for sooner or later its influence will tell decisively upon the existence 
of certain grasses. 
Then the purpose of the grass crop must not be overlooked. Whether it is chiefly 
for hay or entirely for grazing will prove an important consideration in determining 
the sorts to be sown. Even the kind of cattle the land is intended to carry is worth 
more than a passing thought. Milich cows, fattening stock, sheep, and horses, or a 
combination of these animals, can be provided for if a definite object is held steadily 
in view. 
In an old and well-settled country there is much accumulated experi- 
ence among farmers, which a beginner may avail himself of to the avoid- 
ance of serious mistakes. Still an observing and progressive man will 
often find occasion for a departure from established rules and practices 
in the introduction of new kinds for cultivation; indeed it is only thus 
that progress and improvement can be made; but it will also be wise to 
make such experiments with caution and without incurring too muchrisk. 
In some portions of our country the experience of the past is very 
unsatisfactory with respect to grass culture; and in other portions, as 
* Sutton on Permanent and Temporary Pastures, 
