Iq4 Recent Experiences in laying doivn Land to Grass, 
{_For Schedule of Questions, seepage 126.] 
Mr. John Glutton — continued. 
12. I know of cases of land liaving formed itself into pasture, but not 
frequently. 
14. It depends upon the character of the land. I think when grass 
seeds are supplied to a tenant, it might be better to supply a cheaper quantity 
of seed, and allow the land to be broken up at the end of a short period, 
as the subsequent management is seldom properly attended to. Neither is 
cake fed on the land usually. 
15. I have, in various parts of the south and west of England, supplied 
grass seeds, and upon various soils, but tenant-farmers do not realise the 
necessity of after-management to ensure a successful permanent result. In 
my own case I have laid down many acres of poor clay land with good 
results. I have usually applied a light dressing of farmyard manure within 
two years of seeding down, and year by year have fed stock upon it with 
daily small quantities of cake, ranging from 2 to 3 lbs., never more, with 
favourable results both to the cattle and the land. On Wealden clay, sown 
down without a corn crop, with a light dressing of manure, I am enabled 
with 2 lbs. of oil-cake to make cattle fit for the butcher, and the grass year 
by year improves in abundance and quality. The time of year which is most 
favourable for sowing grass seeds depends greatly on the season and weather, 
assuming the land to bo clean. Whenever a fine tilth can be obtained with 
a firm bottom and sufficient moisture, the seeds may be sown between April 1 
and October 1, but not later. 
Sir John B. Lawes, Bart., Rotliamsted, St. Albans. 
1. Heavy loam, raw yellow clay, with chalk 9 or 10 feet below surface. 
2. No. 
3. 28 inches. Over 400 feet above level of sea. Kather cold and back- 
ward. 
4. I have adopted both, with very little difference in the result. 
5. Always in considerable proportion. 
0. With barley, using less seed than usual for an ordinary crop. 
7. Spring ; unless the harvest is got in suthciently early to enable the 
grass seeds to be sown by the end of September. 
8. Dairy cows or cattle, no sheep. Pasture with occasional mowing, some 
pasture never mown. 
9. Several grasses have become much less abundant; amongst them, rye- 
grass and timothy. 
12. 1 liave no doubt that any land without being sown will form a p.asture 
in time; flie character of the pasture will depend upon the quality of the 
land and the amount of manure applied. Some of my land was very full 
of couch grass when laid down after a third corn crop, t his has been driven 
out under high manuring. Seeding shortens the time of forming a pasture. 
(The late) IMr. John Coleman, The Mount, York. 
1. A strong drift clay, with occasional veins of gravel; naturally of a 
somewliat poor nature. 
2. Yes ; it is quite useless either to grow grass or crops unless the surface 
water is removed. 'J'lie country is very flat, and the surface somewhat uneven ; 
and unless the land is thoroughly drained at from 7 to 9 yards wide, and from 
30 to .'50 inches deep, water will stand on tlio surface in low spots, and tho 
juanure will lose half its value. 
