Formation of Permanent Pastures. [oct., 



of his book he significantly remarks : " The new varieties, how- 

 ever, of this species of grass which have been discovered of 

 late years remove in a considerable degree the serious objections 

 which applied to the common rye-grass." The variable character 

 of rye-grass is discussed by Sinclair's pupil, Lawson. This 

 experienced seedsman tells us that inferior qualities were very- 

 common in the beginning of the 19th century, and he mentions 

 the steps taken to obtain the better sorts suited for permanent 

 pastures. So many kinds were known in the middle of the 

 century 'that we find him writing: "It now requires no little 

 discrimination to fix on what are the most deserving of culti- 

 vation."* The highly variable character of rye-grass doubt- 

 less accounts for some of the contradictory opinions expressed 

 regarding its value. On good soil it may be a most useful 

 plant, and as a permanent plant on poor neglected land it may 

 be worthless. I have noticed De Laune's views at some length 

 because rye-grass is the only important species upon which 

 much difference of opinion exists, and because it seems to me 

 that a proper use of this grass is necessary for success in the 

 formation of pastures. 



Two centuries of study have made us pretty familiar with the 

 different pasture plants. Curtis, Sinclair, Fream, and Carruthers 

 have indicated to us the character of our best pastures, and after 

 a lengthened discussion we have come to moderate agreement 

 as to the kind of pasture we would like to form. Worlidge> 

 Stillingfleet, Lawson, De Laune, Stebler, Sutton, and Elliot have 

 prescribed mixtures for us, but we are still far from agreement 

 as to the particular type of mixture that should be used under 

 any given set of conditions, and experiments upon laying down 

 land to grass are -very much wanted. We are, as yet, without 

 either the experience or the data necessary to enable us to 

 prepare mixtures that can be recommended with any degree of 

 certainty. 



I do not forget Stebler's method of calculating the quantity of 

 seed necessary for laying down land to grass, but I do not think 

 that this method is of much use. Stebler's plan is often adopted 

 in this country, however. In a bulletin recently issued by the 

 West of Scotland Agricultural College, for example, Professor 



* "Vegetable Products of Scotland," by Peter Lawson and Sons, Division II., p. 15. 



