Report on Laying down Land to Permanent Pasture. 501 
are less injurious to grass than barley. But all the gentlemen who 
have reported on their systems, and who sow the grass-seeds with 
spring-corn, mention barley as the crop they cultivate in such 
cases. No doubt, this again generally arises from a desire 
to follow without interruption their usual system of barley- 
growing after turnips ; so that there is a general inclination to 
sow seeds in the usual crop, and in the usual way adopted in 
the ordinary four-course system. It is unnecessary to deviate 
from this, if it can be shown that it answers equally well for the 
more permanent as well as for the artificial grasses. It is no 
slight advantage, under the circumstances, to be able to grow 
the customary crop, and the one which is found to pay best, 
and at the same time to prepare for a permanent pasture. 
And as seeds usually do well in the ordinary rotation, why should 
they not do equally well when intended to remain permanent 
occupants of the soil ? Diversity of soil and climate, however, 
account for much diversity of opinion and experience. And 
perhaps the relative advantages of the two systems, and a correct 
estimate of their merits, are well exemplified in the remarks of 
Mr. John Coleman, who says, " In a climate so dry as ours (our 
rainfall averaging only about 26 inches) we consider that the 
grain-crop is invaluable as a shade to the young seeds. With a 
more humid atmosphere, I should be inclined to sow down with 
rape " (p. 459). Mr. Carter, who has tried both plans, says that, 
" provided the land be in good heart, clean condition, and a 
proper seed-bed has been secured — three essential conditions — 
it does not much matter which of the three methods be used " 
(p.470.)_ 
There is little comment necessary on the mixture of seeds used 
by the various correspondents. These are of the usual kind 
recommended by seedsmen, and will vary according to their 
natural adaptation to the soil of the district. Timothy and 
alsike appear to be increasing in popularity. These, along with 
the fescues, white clover, rye-grass, &c., are the principal con- 
stituents. It may be remarked, however, that the quantity of 
grass-seeds sown per acre appears to be much larger than was 
formerly considered sufficient for the purpose, and this for good 
and sufficient reasons. Cereal crops, where the maturity of grain 
is the great object, may be sown too thickly. But abundance of 
leaf, not seed, is the prime requisite in artificial grasses grown 
for pasture. 
The month of April is the time commonly chosen for spring- 
sowing. Mr. Carter sows at the end of March when the weather 
is propitious. A few sow at the end of April or beginning of 
May. " Upon autumn-sown wheat," says Mr. M. H. Sutton, 
" the grass-seeds might be sown as early as the middle of 
