The Management of Grass Land. 
3 
depth of soil, the period of production varying accordinpf to the 
character of the subsoil on which they are found. For instance, 
upon g^ravelly subsoils the grasses are exceedingly early in iheir 
spring-shoot, and they retain their vigour until impeded by the 
increased warmth of the summer sun's rays : the then standard ol 
heat proves too great for that character of soil, and the grasses 
remam dormant for a considerable portion of the summer, but 
rally again as the season advances, when they become exceedingly 
valuable pastures to succeed other descriptions of soil. In the 
treatment of these soils nothing of importance is required be3ond 
the usual routine. They are generally free from weeds, and re- 
quire no draining ; but they are grateful for light dressings of 
manure during the winter months, although preference is given to 
a mixture of soil with salt or lime; after this they are closed for 
early grass, and are usually ready for stocking in the early part of 
April. Careful graziers place their forward or prepared oxen 
upon them by degrees, increasing the quantity of stock with the 
increase of pasture ; the oxen are usually taken back at night to 
their yards or winter-quarters during this memth. In situations 
at a distance, however, the animals are provided with good shelter, 
and a liberal supply of stubble or refuse straw is thrown in a con- 
venient corner of the field for them to rest upon. This is a pru- 
dent, and indeed a valuable practice, as the cattle are by it in- 
duced to leave the pastures during the night, and thus their 
manure is deposited off the land, and the pasture is allowed to 
sweeten. Hay or artificial food is supplied about the spot, which 
adds materially to the value and growth of the pasture, especially 
when frosty mornings occur. The manure thus raised is reserved 
for the weaker portions of the freld, and applied the following 
winter. 
After the first run of oxen have been sent to market, which is 
usually terminated by the season, these pastures are cleaned up, 
the clots are gathered or knocked, and the weeds (if any) removed 
by mowing or spudding. At the end of ihree weeks, or according 
to the season, they are again moderately stocked with cattle from 
the sheep or second-class pastures. About September a few 
sheep are placed upon them, but not earlier, as these dry soils will 
not admit of their short bottom-grass being eaten out during the 
summer months. The next stage of management is to ])lace the 
store-stock upon them for cleaning up tlie surplus summer-grass, 
or what is termed " fog," it being exceedingly desirable to have 
an entire clearance at least once ^-year. 
Those lands which are closely fed, and consequently contain 
less fog," have but few beasts placed upon them, though they 
are usually more heavdy depastured with sheep. These soils, 
from their dry and consequently warm character, are considered 
B 2 
