of the Liquid Manure of a Farm. 
11 
of the grass. It mig-lit bo worth wlillo to ];vy down a fow acres 
of permanent grass where an abundant supply of water can be 
cheaply obtained, using at the same time some of the concen- 
trated manures. The grasses should be selected from those 
varieties which seem to thrive so well and attain such luxuriance 
in the Cjaigentinny meadows, near Edinburgh : I may mention 
the Meadow-foxtail, Cocksfoot, and Timothy, as being the most 
prominent. 
The Earl of Essex, at Cassiobury, keeps pumps constantly at 
work forcing water from the river, by water-power, to a con- 
siderable height and distance, and occupying one man through 
the summer in distributing it by hose on the grass-land with 
the best possible effect. Slight top-dressings are here used when 
thought necessary. With pumps of the size before mentioned, 
about IJ acre can receive a dressing of nearly an inch in depth 
in the course of five hours with the aid of one man at the dis- 
tributing-pipe. 
I think it will be found that Italian rye-grass will yield a 
larger return under irrigation than any other crop. Mr. Dickin- 
son (to whom we are all greatly indebted . for having called 
public attention to his very successful cultivation of this grass), 
experimented, I believe, some years ago, on several different 
gi'asses, under similar treatment, and found that the Italian pro- 
duced a greater quantity of vegetable food than any other. 
Analysis and experience have also proved it to be a very nutri- 
tive plant, capable of producing as much milk or beef as any other 
grass grown. One great inducement to apply the liquid to grass 
in preference to other crops is, that from no other plant can you 
get so quick or so many returns in the year ; whilst the resulting 
consumption of such green-crops on the farm lays the foundation 
for future fertility. The 10 acres of irrigated grass will yield 
more food for summer soiling, and at a cheaper rate, than any 
other system of cultivation at present known ; and the addition 
of a large manure-heap at the end of the summer, representing 
the heavy crops of grass consumed in the stall, will prove a 
valuable gift to the remainder of the farm. 
Attention must be called to the fact, that each crop should 
not occupy the ground longer than its due portion of time. If 
the rate of consumption does not clear the land quick enough, 
the surplus should be cut, carried off the ground, and made 
into hay. I have found from experience that an ox will eat, in 
the house, 144 square yards of grass per week, the crop being a 
good average one, probably weighing over 12 tons : this was 
arrived at from a fortnight's observation of the quantity cut for 
some 20 head of two-year olds and a few barren cows. At this 
rate an acre will keep 33 head for one week. In the present 
