LUCERN AND POTATOES. 



141 



engine (Dyball's), perhaps a few remarks may not be super- 

 fluous. The greatest care should be paid to the economical 

 use of straw in winter, so that a proper supply may be at hand 

 for summer-grazing. One half of the straw generally consumed 

 in farm-yards might by care and attention be reserved for this 

 purpose : first, by properly stacking and thatching it ; secondly, 

 by placing troughs * upon the buildings to conduct the rain- 

 water from the yards ; and, thirdly, by keeping cattle longer in 

 the fields in winter. There is no question as to the benefit 

 derived from consuming turnips on the land in winter, but 

 considerable doubts are entertained respecting feeding off grass 

 in summer. I have heard it repeatedly asserted that better 

 wheat is grown where grass has been mowed for hay than 

 where it has been fed down. This has been frequently proved 

 in fields divided by hurdles, one part fed, the other mowed, 

 but both treated alike for wheat. Admitting that the land 

 obtains no perceptible benefit by feeding off the grass in 

 summer, how strongly does it argue in favour of feeding 

 cattle in boxes, if only for the sake of the manure ! But the 

 advantage is greatly augmented when we consider that one 

 acre will house-feed three bullocks; whereas it will require 

 three acres to graze them in the field. Taking the value of 

 the manure into consideration, the superiority of box-feeding 

 is incalculably great. 



A piece of lucern, in proportion to the size of every farm, 

 ought to be grown, and a few acres of early potatoes planted. 

 These will always afford a supply, should the grass at any time 

 fail, and they will be found convenient as a change of food. 

 If not wanted, the potatoes of course will remain as winter 

 store. To this system let the use of compound be added, 

 and the farmer will be rendered comparatively independent 

 of turnips, which, at best, is an expensive and precarious crop. 



Great disappointment is often experienced in the use of oil- 

 cake. Bullocks will refuse to eat it, if previously fed with 

 some of a better quality ; and it is but reasonable to suppose 

 that their progress must be greatly retarded by a change for 



* Cast-iron troughs are sold at Qd. per foot, the cost of which would be 

 amply repaid the first year ; and they could remain as farm-covenants if put 

 up by the tenant. 



