The Management of Grass Land. 
25 
removed without disturbing the soil; the new grasses gradually 
close upon them, and eventually supersede them. 
Some pastures, from being long neglected, become a mass of 
hassocks, as, from their strong coarse growth, no other grasses 
can endure or live with them upon these cold and neglected soils. 
In the improvement or redemption of these pastures it is usual to 
commence with draining of various depths, according to fancy; 
but in every instance we find them left even in a more difficult 
state when the water has been removed, as the pasture then 
assumes the character more of a stubble field than otherwise. 
Hence the local term, " this land has been over-drained ;'' which 
is true, as regards the then or former aquatic grasses inhabiting 
these soils, for they are left in a state of destitution, though they 
receive a sufficient support from the changed soil to linger on in 
their occupation, to the prejudice and exclusion of the new race of 
modern grasses, which it is intended should occupy their place. 
Close feeding with cattle and horses, and a plentiful supply of 
artificial manures to sweeten and increase the new herbage, is the 
surer way to effect the change. Yet some consider it the better 
plan to plough up such pastures, and, if required to be under 
grass, to renew them after one or two years' arable culture. 
Moss is exceedingly troublesome upon some soils, particularly 
those of an inferior character ; no plan is found so good as to 
harrow the pastures freely and frequently, and give them a good 
dressing of compost, for which purpose the following mixture has 
been found of great value, viz. 20 bushels of salt to 40 bushels 
of lime is sufficient for one acre, and may be prepared in the 
following order : — 1st. Place lime 6 inches thick, then place a layer 
of salt 2 inches thick upon it, repeat this plan three times, or until 
it reaches the height of 2 feet ; then turn and mix it, and repeat 
the process at intervals of ten days for at least three times, when 
it will be ready for use, and may be applied either early in the 
spring, or at the close of the year ; the above compost is valuable 
for any agricultural purpose, and is found to suit grass lands 
exceedingly well. 
Ant-hills in some parts of the midland counties are Ijoth nu- 
merous and troublesome ; there are two plans in practice for 
removing or destroying them — one is, to cut them entirely up, 
upon a level with the remainder of the pasture, and cart them 
into a heap to form a compost to be mixed with lime, and again 
returned in that shape to the pastures ; the other plan is, to throw 
them, or what is provincially termed " gelding;" in such case a 
proper implement is provided for paring off the hill sides quite 
thin, which are rolled over in suitable pieces to the bottom, where 
they remain until the interior soil has been thrown out over the 
neighbouring clear land, when the grass Is again returned, and 
