32 
On the Farming of Essex. 
The Italian rye-grass is of modern introduction, but such are its 
qualifications and superiority over common rye-grass, that it bids 
fair to supersede it altogether upon the better descriptions of soil. 
All other varieties of rye-grass remain inactive, from the time of 
the first feeding or mowing, until the succeeding autumn ; but the 
Italian rye-grass is not only much earlier, more productive, and 
better liked by the cattle, but it shoots quickly after being fed or 
mown, and advances so rapidly that two crops of seed can be 
taken in the same summer, or it can be fed until the middle of 
May, and a crop of hay or seed be afterwards taken. Inocu- 
lation by turf to procure permanent pasture has been practised 
with the utmost success ; and when turf can be obtained is de- 
cidedly the least expensive mode (taking the immediate advan- 
tages into consideration) : the remote benefit is beyond all com- 
parison, as pasture is at once obtained equal to the old pastures in 
the district. The operation is simple, and the mode of j)roducing 
it so easily understood, that a little explanation will enable any 
one readily to effect it. The land selected is usually that which 
has been previously fallowed and manured, and from which swede 
turnips or mangold-wurzel have been taken, the time selected 
being early in November. The land, being first reduced to a 
level and well-pulverized surface, is ploughed as the work pro- 
ceeds by what is termed back-striking, so as to enable the work to 
proceed without carting upon the late-ploughed soil. Turf that 
has been taken up by a plough from a good pasture of similar 
quality, cut into small pieces about 1 inch square, is then depo- 
sited at equal distances, leaving a space about 3 inches apart from 
centre to centre. This is either stamped down with the heel or 
with a rammer ; and, when all is disposed, is rolled with a heavy 
roller, and the work is complete. Some persons sow grass-seeds 
and clover in the following spring ; but it is considered by those 
most experienced not advisable. The turf of itself will spread 
better if no intervening grass is present, and will, if properly 
carried out, at once form a permanent pasture. Some, however, 
dibble in wheat or oats ; and sufficient may be grown to defray the 
whole expense ; but it is questionable if the grass will proceed 
so well ; it is, however, but fair to state that this has been the 
practice of the writer, and with the fullest success. The pasture 
from whence the turf is taken will be but little injured if a light 
covering of earth mixed with lime or dung be spread, and har- 
rowed across so as to fill the interstices from which the turf has 
been carted, which consist of long stripes about inches wide, 
and from 2 to 3 inches in depth. Mr. Wedlake, of Hornchurch 
(the late spirited inventor and improver ofagricultural implements), 
invented a complete apparatus, consisting of a plough and machine 
for cutting the turf into small pieces, so as to cover more space. 
