6 



We have Sir Humphry Davy's high authority for the 

 wretched progress this important branch of agriculture 

 has made. Let us then suppose it to be taken out of the 

 possession of mercenary seedsmen and opinionated far- 

 mers, and placed in the hands of the agricultural school, ar- 

 ranged as I have supposed, and we may easily foretell the 

 result. 



The THEORIST takes up the question a priori, and 

 inquires what are the uses to which the gramina are 

 appUed 1 and then, with a reference to these uses, what are 

 the qualities, or properties that should make a grass 

 valuable ? He soon finds three are predominant, earliness, 

 luxuriance, and quick jwweis of rej^roduction when 

 mowed or eaten down. 



The theorist now hands over the question to the ex- 

 perimentalist, and desires him to find out by numerous 

 experiments, what varieties possess these properties in 

 the highest degree, that they may be recommended to the 

 practical farmer. 



Sir H. Davy now steps in to aid both: he states, a priori, 

 another most valuable property of grass, the quantity of 

 nutritive matter produced by a given portion of each, and, 

 availing himself of his exquisite chemical skill, he makes 

 the experiments himself, and gives the valuable result 

 to the world. 



I know not any question in Rural practice that more 

 requires the interference of the scientific theorist than the 

 proper period for mowing, nor any point upon which the 

 practical farmer is more ignorant or more opinionated. He 

 prides himself on having saved his bay before others, and 

 boasts of its fragrance and tea-like verdure. 



The THEORIST acquainted with natural history would 

 have told him, that the juices of all vegetables attain their 



