168 



GRASS. 



From experiments made by several members of the North 

 Walsham Farmers' Club, aided by my own, 1 believe the aver- 

 age weight of turnips, when deprived of their tops and tails, 

 would not exceed eight or ten tons per acre. From similar 

 experiments with grass in its most juicy state, I conclude that 

 the average weight would be eight tons per acre ; therefore, as 

 far as weight is concerned, cattle would be fed at as cheap a 

 rate on one description of food as on the other. But it appears 

 that they consume at least a third less of grass per day than 

 of turnips; therefore, an acre of grass will go much further 

 than an acre of turnips. But grass does not retain its greatest 

 weight, nor last so long as turnips ; true, but provision can be 

 made to meet this deficiency. For instance, on my own farm 

 throughout this summer, a uniform weight and succession of 

 green crops has been kept up, aided for the first fortnight by 

 straw cut short and soaked in boiling linseed-meal and water. 

 First, my bullocks began with lucern — next clover — afterwards 

 the second crop of lucern — at the present time the second crop of 

 clover and the third crop of lucern, as fine and heavy as the first. 



Perhaps it may be objected that the present season is par- 

 ticularly favourable for grass : true, but last summer it was 

 far otherwise ; and yet, with the assistance of early potatoes, 

 upon the plan contained in my ' Suggestions,' the grass was 

 economised, and an abundant supply of food obtained. 



And here I must observe, that I cannot enforce this part 

 of my subject better than by giving the following extract 

 from the pamphlet alluded to : — " A piece of lucern, in pro- 

 portion 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 ren- 

 dered comparatively independent of turnips, which at best is 

 but an expensive and precarious crop." 



My present experience corroborates the above statements, 

 and warrants me in asserting, that the profits of summer-graz- 

 ing in boxes will be found at least equal to those of winter. 

 But. with respect to the advantages of feeding cattle with 



