Recent Exjjenemes in laying down Land to Grass, l i? 
[^For Schedule of Questions, see par/e 126.] 
Major F. L. Dashwood — continued. 
be mown the first year, and grazed with cattle the second year, no sheep. To 
be manured with dung whenever possible. The land not to be allowed to 
lay itself down, but to be well cleaned, and to be carefully ploughed, so as 
to leave no hollow places. Should the soil be at all sti-ong, it is most im- 
portant that it should be carefully ridged up according to the manner most 
approved of in the district, so as to have the advantage of the surface furrows 
to shift (so to say) the surface water. This, in my opinion, is most important, 
even on land weU drained. 
The general tendency of the replies is to show what a 
tedious and expensive task it is to make a really good meadow 
in the corn-growing counties ; in fact, in some stiff soils, or 
in harsh, dry climates, the labour and expenditure may be said 
to be almost futile in its result. On the other hand, in favour- 
ably situated portions of the western country, the pastures 
form themselves rapidly, especially if assisted by manure and 
artificial feeding of stock. In almost all cases, it becomes 
evident that whatever seeds are sown, only those survive that 
are native to the district, and the blanks where the alien grasses 
have succumbed are in course of time filled up by indigenous 
herbage. 
The question as to the perennial nature of ryegrass cannot 
be said to be solved by these inquiries. The opinions are nearly 
equally divided. Some of my correspondents maintain that it 
dies out and utterly disappears in two or three years, while 
others believe either that it is perennial, or that it seeds itself 
and so continues. There is, however, a nearly unanimous 
testimony in favour of sowing it in various quantities in per- 
manent grass mixtures, the object being apparently to secure a 
crop of some kind while the grasses of more tardy growth are 
developing. 
Mr. Martin J. Sutton, from whom I have received most 
valuable information, writes to me : — 
" I would emphasise the following facts : 
" {ft.) That ryegrass is not permanent on all soils. 
" (b.) That it is, notwithstanding, most valuable for the first few years on 
the very soils on which it does not become permanent, those soils being just 
of a character which are most subject to annual weeds, and to burn in 
di'ought. 
" (e.) That ryegrass is the best nurse yet discovered for the finer grasses 
on these light burning soils, and produces a crop on them the first two or 
three years, which cannot be obtained in any other way, after which it sur- 
renders its place to fescues, cocksfoot, foxtail, and poas, which have mean- 
while become established under its shelter. 
" {d.) That the true perennial variety is strictly permanent ou most soils, 
and forms the chief constituent of the herbage of the best pastures in the 
kingdom, many of which have not been mown within the memory of man. 
" You will not forget my calling your attention at Newcastle to the fact 
I. 2 
