The Herbage of Posture.-*, 
359 
dinned into our ears that, as everyone is rearing stock, prices 
will recede to a very low point ; yet the experience of everyday 
life confirms the opinion that my contention is sound. Protect 
us from imported disease, and we can hold our own with any 
country on the globe. We are urged to import American stores, 
and thus increase our profits ; but what do the East of Scotland 
farmers say, who have had experience of American cattle for the 
last two years ? They tell us they are bought big for money, 
are slow feeders ; and, when placed beside the Aberdeens and 
cross-breds in the Metropolitan Christmas market, they do not 
realise so much by a penny per pound. Since the middle of 
May the importations of beef and cattle on the hoof have 
exceeded all precedent ; sides and whole carcasses have been 
selling in Derby Market at oiri. per pound, which must be 
a ruinous speculation. It has been asserted that every fat animal 
imported from the States since the beginning of January has 
entailed a loss of nine pounds (9/.) per head. There must 
shortly be an end to this, for no man or body of men will long 
pursue a losing game. 
Now is a favourable opportunity to make a bold effort to 
regain a portion of the trade we have lost. AYe cannot pro- 
vide for the entire wants of our population, which increases at 
the rate of a thousand per day, and must have food and raiment. 
So long as our home industries continue in a prosperous state, 
the working-classes will continue to be our best customers, as 
they have already discovered that the sapless mutton of New 
Zealand is not an economical food, though purchased at a low 
price. 
Gilbert Murray. 
THE HERBAGE OF PASTURES. 
Pastures are chiefly known by their effects, and many grazing 
lands possess a high and well-deserved reputation for their meat 
and milk producing capabilities. It was to obtain some insight 
into the botanical composition, both qualitative and quantitative, 
of the herbage of such pastures that the investigation which is 
the subject of the present record was undertaken. 
From each of the pastures selected for observation, a turf 
was dug, its dimensions being two feet long, one foot broad, and 
nine inches deep. This was put into a wooden box just large 
enough to hold it, and sent to me, so that, on opening the box, 
