4 
PERMANENT PASTURES. 
Extract from the Latest Edition of Messrs. Carters’ “Practical Farmer,” price, post free, Is. 
geatis to customebs. 
PERMANENT PASTURES. 
For permanent pastures, the soil should be of such a texture as neither to part with moisture too readily nor to retain it 
so long as to become stagnant, and it ought to be sufficiently friable to allow of the free penetration of the finer roots of the grasses. 
These conditions are best fulfilled when a good depth of mould rests upon a well-drained clay subsoil. 
Although this combination is preferable when it can be secured, there is nevertheless much remunerative pasture under 
conditions which deviate considerably from those we have described, but which in many cases might be profitably made to 
correspond more closely to them. 
When treating of the various soils hereafter, we shall mention the most economical methods of imitating these conditions, 
or how nearly they may be approached consistently with economy. 
THE ADVANTAGES OF DRAINING AND LIMING. 
As we shall presently have to recommend draining and liming in certain cases, we will here mention their advantages. 
Drainage deepens the staple soil, so that water more freely percolates through it and superfluous water more readily leaves 
it. The roots of the grasses penetrate more easily, their feeding ground being thereby extended, whilst the formation of injurious 
chemical compounds such as are found in stagnant water is prevented. 
By a greater depth of mould and more perfect disintegration the soil has an increased power of retaining moisture in dry 
weather, and has also a greater capacity for all manurial matters. 
The temperature of the soil, and consequently that of the surrounding atmosphere, is raised. 
By draining, mossy and rushy lands may be converted into valuable pastures, rendering them fit for the reception of the 
seeds of the finest grasses, which, without such a preparation, it would be comparatively useless to sow. 
Lime is a beneficial application to a wide range of soils, and a large quantity of it may generally be profitably applied 
to land which has required draining. 
From three tons on the lightest lands, to eight tons on those containing a large proportion of clay or humus, are the usual 
applications when preparing them for permanent pastures. After the formation of the pasture a much smaller quantity will need 
to be applied at one dressing, as it is not then possible to incorporate it with the soil by means of harrowing or other mechanical 
operations. 
Lime favours the decomposition of organic matter. It neutralises acidity, and thus eliminates those worthless grasses and 
sour weeds which are favoured by such a condition of the soil. It assists in decomposing certain salts whose ingredients enter 
into the food of plants, and thus aids the nutrition of the crop. 
On some soils the finer grasses will not thrive until the land has been limed, so that in these cases its use is most essential. 
In addition to the operations of draining and liming, there are other processes which may be employed with advantage in 
altering the texture of soils-such, for instance, as clay-burning, which lessens tenacity, and green-manuring, which increases the 
vegetable matter. In some cases bulky materials, such as sand, peat or clay, may be found sufficiently near at hand to admit of 
their being used economically in altering the physical condition of soils. And, although such an operation might often be too 
expensive, we believe there is a great deaf of work of this sort which might be profitably carried out, but which, either from 
want of knowledge or capital is seldom attempted. 
THE PREPARATION OF THE LAND. 
For no plants is a fine tilth more necessary than for permanent grasses. Their roots are so very delicate, and some of 
them go so short a distance in search of food, that their feeding-ground must be thoroughly well prepared by disintegration. 
Draining, whether natural or artificial, is a most essential part of the preparation of land for permanent pasture, and in no 
other case will its good effect be more manifest. It is quite a mistaken idea that draining is of little or no use to grass land ; 
on the contrary, it is a well-ascertained fact that the most valuable grasses will not thrive on undrained land. 
The erroneous notion no doubt arises from the circumstance that a considerable bulk of grass or hay is obtained from 
undrained land ; it should, however, be remembered that the quality is of a very inferior character. 
The land should be clean, in fine tilth and good heart, and upon such land as it is practicable, these important points 
are most perfectly secured by feeding off a good clean crop of swedes with sheep, at the same time giving an allowance of 
decorticated cotton-cake. The fine tilth would be easily obtained, and the land, by the treading of sheep, is greatly benefited. 
CARTERS', 237, 238, & 97, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON. 1901. 
