216 On Permanent and Temporary Meadows and Pastures. 
In the case of grass-lands for mowing, it will always be 
well, in order to prevent any tendency to sourness, and also 
to hasten the decomposition of the organic debris, to top- 
dress annually before the winter with 7 9 6 cwt. of lime to the 
acre. 
In short, the maintenance of good pasturage will be effected 
by using annually 267'6 lbs. to the acre of the mineral manure 
mentioned =195. O^d. 
7'96 cwt. of lime = 7*. ^\d. 
Total = 26s. 5rf. 
On many soils it will be possible to reduce this, the maximum 
expense, by taking account of their richness in the essential 
elements, as shown by analysis ; and I am convinced that 
farmers who take the course which I suggest will not regret 
the money so laid out on the soil, for it will make them a good 
return for the expense incurred. 
Restoration of old Meadoics and Pasturage. — All that I have 
said on the maintenance of grass-lands applies equally to the 
restoration of those which, although in good condition, were 
not laid down in the manner I have indicated. Unfortunately 
a large number exist which give but poor yields, and these of 
bad quality, because they were originally laid down under 
defective conditions, and because they have subsequently been 
maintained in an insufficient and ill-advised manner, if, indeed, 
they have received any care at all. By the analyses of soils 
given above, we have learned the ordinary chemical composi- 
tion of the soils of grass-lands. They usually contain plenty 
of nitrogen, but in an almost unassimilable condition ; and 
usually there is a deficiency of potash and of phosphoric 
acid. 
If we wish to restore grass-land, we ought, first of all, to 
apply in the autumn 15*92 cwt. of lime per acre, in order 
to render a sufficient quantity of nitrogen assimilable by the 
ensuing spring. In February we should apply per acre 7*96 
cwt. of the mineral manure, at 6s. \\d. per cwt., the compo- 
sition of which has been given above. The application of this 
manure should be followed by a good harrowing, and if the 
physical condition of the soil is suitable, there will certainly be 
a very marked improvement. It is well at first to begin on 
a limited area, for it may happen that the physical conditions 
of the soil will not permit the chemical agents employed to 
produce their full effi?ct. If the expenses of liming and 
manuring are not amply recouped by the improvement in the 
yield of grass, the idea of renovating the pasture must be aban- 
doned ; we must break it up and put the soil under some other 
