Report on Laying down Land to Permanent Pasture. 491 
pasture to fallow. Land prepared for remunerative permanent grass must be 
thoroughly cleaned "and liberally manured. Heavy clay should be fallowed, 
I or cropped with vetches grazed by sheep ; light land should be freed from weeds, 
I and grown with roots, penned with sheep eating cake or corn. When one fallow 
foils to clean, another may follow immediately, or after a corn crop, the essential 
condition of success is that it be thoroughly clean and highly manured. Seeds 
thrive best where they have not been recently sown ; often not for two years 
after beans, perhaps because beans abstract the lime of which clover is so fond. 
Grass land should be thoroughly and deeply drained. Though not so detri- 
mental to grass as arable land, no land can be benefited by holding stagnant 
water, and getting rid of it by evaporation. I sow in March and April, 
the light and heavy seids separately. A thin grain crop allowed to ripen 
does not isjure young seeds, and in dry places and seasons affords shelter. I 
jirefer it to rape, or corn eaten green, as the tender clover is injured by treading. 
I have only tried "inoculation" on a small scale, but tliink it advantageous 
,ia conjunction with the ordinary seeding-down. I have both mown and 
(grazed seeds during their first autumn without detriment, but the practice is 
'not generally advisable. Mowing highly manured grass does little injury if 
effected before the grasses are fully in flower. The best plan is depasturing 
with cattle liberally supplied with cake and corn. Even in localities with 
'above an average of rain, the maximum return is not obtained for six or eight 
years, unless the land is very liberally treated. By extending the area in 
grass, the summer stock is increased — the winter diminished. The heavier 
soils, unfitted for the growth of roots, and situated in a moist climate, pay best 
in grass. Deep, friable loams, easily worked, fit for roots, and dry enough for 
the winter penning of sheep, are best for arable purposes. Grasses under 
rotation are now allowed to remain for two, three, or more years ; sometimes 
until worn out. Land long under grass always fouls, especially when lye- 
;rass is with the clovers. This is cleaned by extra autumn and spring cul- 
tivation ; and in extreme cases by taking two consecutive root crops after 
Dne or two cereal crops. To improve permanent grass, extirpate moss by 
frequent harrowing in January and February, or b\' penning sheep constantly 
mpplied with roots, chaff, cake, or corn. Top-dress with soil, town- or farm- 
manure, bones, or anything except sawdust, t^alt and lime sweeten sour 
:oarse herbage. Avoid poaching and heavy stocking during winter and 
jarly spring. Farmyard-manure taken for the grass is made up to the arable 
and by portable manures and the liberal use of cake and corn amongst sheep, 
i mow 100 acres of the same land every year ; and prefer this to mowing 
md grazing alternately. I depasture with cattle, sheep, and horses, feeding- 
:;attle and sheep being kept on the best laud. 
Fin-lay Dun. 
11. TwiGWORTH Farm, Gloucester. 
I rent 418 acres under a twenty-one years' lease, terminable on either side 
ijvery seven years by one year's notice. My land is heavy cold clay, on blue- 
(ias subsoil. We have about 25 inches rainfall. This last spring 1 commenced 
aying down permanent gi-ass, and have laid down 20 acres. My farm consisted 
;)f 130 acres of arable land, and 288 acres of permanent pasture. I was induced 
0 try the grass system by the great expense of working lieavy clay, and the 
|iope of an increase of good permanent grass for rearing dairy cows. I selected 
'lean land in high manurial condition. This I did not especially prepare 
'aore than by previous crops of wheat, Cabbage, and roots. Our clay cannot 
.« made too dry for arable purposes, but may be for pasture. My land is 
Veil drained by pipes 20 to 30 feet apq,rt. My high lands before draining 
2 K 2 
