486 Report on Laying doicn Land to Permanent Pasture. 
implements and better modes of cultivation have enabled me to make the- 
labour-bill about the same as nine years ago, while the quantity of stock 
kept has been considerably increased. To graze artificial grasses through 
the summer gives the weeds a chance of germinating; then if the land is 
cultivated about harvest-time, it may be easily cleaned and left in an excellent 
state for wheat in the autumn — this method being in every way equal to & 
fallow. 
About 40 acres of poor pasture having been steam-cultivated in the winter 
season by the landlord, the seed-bed was prepared by the tenant, and sown in 
the spring following rather late without a crop. The young seeds were nearly- 
destroyed by the sun, having no shade : 18 acres produced nothing the first 
year ; it was too light, hence it was thought best to cultivate it through a 
course of five years, and sow the seeds after a fallow. It is now a fair piece 
of grazing land, very much improved by the consumption of artificial food. 
Occasionally we mow some grass land, that which has the thinnest sward, 
the seeds from the hay having a tendency to improve it. Ten acres of worthless 
grass were broken up by plough or cultivator in winter, harrowed, made level 
and fine before the roots were killed, then rolled down with a heavy roller 
and sown with seeds in the spring. Land thus managed was much improved 
the fii-st year, and the second it was svfperior to that beside it, that was not so 
treated. 
Capital judiciously invested in the improvement of land in the way indi- 
cated, or the purchase of feeding- stuffs, manures, &c., will pay better than the 
old-fashioned systems. Liberal landlords, in whom the tenants have con- 
fidence, ensure good tenants, more capital invested, improved farms, together 
with increased produce. It should be the aim of leaders in agricultural matters 
to secure increased ^rooJuce, rather than a superior class of animals to those w& 
at present possess. 
S . Egan. 
3. Clapham Pabk, Bedford. 
Exclusive of woods and plantations, I farm 561 acres ; it is my own pro- 
perty, with the exception of 160 acres, which I hold on a fifteen years' 
lease. It is all strong land on " Oxford clay " or " Boulder-clay." The rainfall 
is about 22 inches. I commenced laying down permanent grass in 1861, 
and have since — mainly for residential purjDOses — laid down about 160 acres, 
some with wheat, some after one year's dead fallow, and a smaller portion 
after two years' dead fallow, the latter proving far the best. I have tried close- 
drainage (20 feet) and drainage at wider intervals (11 yards), and find the 
former best ; and I should recommend 8 yards apart, and 3 feel deep for grass 
land. Seeds are best sown without a crop. I have sown in spring, and in 
August or September ; the latter is best, and less expensive, as vegetation 
is dormant, and the grasses cover the ground before the weeds beijiu to grow. 
The heavy and light seeds are sown separately, but simultaneously, one man 
following the other. I have tried the " inoculation " system most sticcessfully. 
The preparation was the same ; but strips were ploughed out of a good permanent 
pasture, and pieces about the size of the palm of the hand laid down about 
9 inches asunder, the man treading upon each. Seeds were sown subse- 
quently, and the whole rolled down. It is an expensive method, but a good 
pasture is much more quickly obtained. I would neither mow, nor depasture, 
new pastures ; but fold in autumn, giving roots or artificial food, and the 
third year a good coating of farmyard-manure, reix}ating it as often as it can 
be spared. On the whole I have found laying down land of this character a 
losing practice, although, as the grass acquires maturity, more stock can be 
kept, especially young horned stock. For grass, I prefer good mild loam ; 
