5157. Anthoxanthum odoratum, E. B. The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 4 to 13. The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is nearly as 9 to 13.

5158. Holcus odoratus, Hors. G. A. - The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 17 to 21. The grass of the lattermath crop, and of the crop at the time of flowering, taking the whole quantity, and their relative proportions of nutritive matter, are in value nearly as 6 to 10: the value of the grass at the time the seed is ripe, exceeds that of the latter-math, in proportion as 21 to 17. Though this is one of the earliest of the flowering grasses, it is tender, and the produce in the spring is inconsiderable. If, however, the quantity of nutritive matter which it affords, be compared with that of any of those species which flower nearly at the same time, it will be found greatly superior. It sends forth but a small number of flower-stalks, which are of a slender structure compared to the size of the leaves. This will account in a great measure for the equal quantities of nutritive matter afforded by the grass at the time of flowering, and the lattermath, 5159. Cynosurus cæruleus, E. B.-The produce of this grass is greater than its appearance would denote; the leaves seldom attain to more than four or five inches in length, and the flower-stalks seldom arise to more. Its growth is not rapid after being cropped, nor does it seem to withstand the effects of frost, which if it happen to be severe and early in the spring, checks it so much as to prevent it from flowering for that season; otherwise the quantity of nutritive matter which the grass affords (for the straws are very inconsiderable), would rank it as a valuable grass for permanent pasture.

5160. Avena pubescens, E. B. —The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 6 to 8. The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering bears to that of the lattermath, is as 6 to 8. The grass of the seed-crop, and that of the lattermath, are of equal value. The downy hairs which cover the surface of the leaves of this grass, when growing on poor light soils, almost entirely disappear when it is cultivated on a richer soil.

5161. Poa cærulea, var. pratensis, E. B. If the produce of this variety be compared with that of poa pratensis, it will be found less; nor does it seem to possess any superior excellence. The superior nutritive power does not make up for the deficiency of produce by 80 lbs. of nutritive matter per acre.

5162. Festuca hordiformis, H. Cant. - This is rather an early grass, though later than any of the preceding species: its foliage is very fine, resembling the F. duriuscula, to which it seems nearly allied, differing only in the length of the awns, and the glaucous color of the whole plant. The considerable produce it affords, and the nutritive powers it appears to possess, joined to its early growth, are qualities which strongly recommend it to further trial.

5163. Festuca glauca, Curtis. — The proportional value by which the grass at the time of flowering exceeds that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 6 to 12. The proportional difference in the value of the flowering and seed crops of this grass is directly the reverse of that of the preceding species, and affords another strong proof of the value of the straws in grass which is intended for hay. The straws at the time of flowering are of a very succulent nature; but from that period till the seed be perfected, they gradually become dry and wiry. Nor does the root-leaves sensibly increase in number or in size, but a total suspension of increase appears in every part of the plant, the roots and seed vessels excepted. The straws of the poa trivialis are, on the contrary, at the time of flowering, weak and tender; but as they advance towards the period of ripening the seed, they become firm and succulent; after that period, however, they rapidly dry up, and appear little better than a mere dead substance.

5164. Festuca glabra, Wither. B. — The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe bears to that of the crop at the time of flowering is as 5 to 8. The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that of the crop at the time of flowering, is as 2 to 8, and to that of the crop, at the time the seed is ripe, is as 2 to 5. The general appearance of this grass is very similar to that of the festuca duriuscula: it is, however, specifically different, and inferior in many respects, which will be manifest on comparing their several produce with each other; but if it be compared with some others, now under general cultivation, the result is much in its favor, the soil which it affects being duly attended to.

5165. Festuca rubra, Wither. B. The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 6 to 8. This species is smaller in every respect than the preceding. The leaves are seldom more than from three to four inches in length; it affects a soil similar to that favorable to the growth of the festuca ovina, for which it would be a profitable substitute, as will clearly appear on a comparison of their produce with each other. The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that at the time the seed is ripe is as 6 to 8, and is of equal value with the grass at the time of flowering,

5166. Festuca ovina, E. B. The dry weight of this species was not ascertained, because the smallness of the produce renders it entirely untit for hay.

5167. Festuca cambrica, Hud.-This species is nearly allied to the festuca ovina, from which it differs little, except that it is larger in every respect. The produce, and the nutritive matter which it affords, will be found superior to those given by the F. ovina, if they are brought into comparison.

5168. Bromus diandrus, Curt. Lond. This species, like the festuca cambrica, is strictly annual; the above is therefore the produce for one year, which, if compared with that of the least productive of the perennial grasses, will be found inferior, and it must consequently be regarded as unworthy of culture. 5169. Poa angustifolia, With. 2. In the early growth of the leaves of this species of Poa, there is a striking proof that early flowering in grasses is not always connected with the most abundant early produce of leaves. In this respect, all the species which have already come under examination are greatly inferior to that now spoken of. The culms are most valuable for the manufacture of the finest straw plait.

5170. Avena elatior, Curt. This grass sends forth flower-straws during the whole season; and the lattermath contains nearly an equal number with the flowering crop. It is subject to the rust, but the discase does not make its appearance till after the period of flowering; it affects the whole plant, and at the time the seed is ripe the leaves and straws are withered and dry. This accounts for the superior value of the lattermath over the seed crop, and points out the propriety of taking the crop when the grass is in flower.

5171. Poa elatior, Curt. The botanical characters of this grass are almost the same as those of the avena elatior, differing in the want of the awns only. It has the essential character of the holci, florets, male and hermaphrodite; calyx husks two-valved, with two florets); and since the avena elatior is now referred to that genus, this may with certainty be considered a variety of it.

5172. Festuca duriuscula, E. B. — The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 6 to 14 nearly. The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 5 to 14, and to that at the time the seed is ripe 5 to 6. The above particulars will confirm the favorable opinion which was given of this grass when speaking of the F. hordiformis, and F. glabra. (5162, and 5164.) Its produce in the spring is not very great, but of the finest quality, and at the time of flowering is considerable. If it be compared with those affecting similar soils, such as poa pratensis, festuca ovina, &c, either considered as a grass for hay, or permanent pasture, it will be found of greater value.

5173. Milium effusum — This species in its natural state seems confined to woods as its place of growth; but the trial that is here mentioned, confirms the opinion that it will grow and thrive in open exposed situations. It is remarkable for the lightness of the produce in proportion to its bulk. It produces foliage early in the spring in considerable abundance; but its nutritive powers appear comparatively little.

5174. Poa maritima, E. B. The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 4 to 18.

5175. Avena pratensis, E. B. —The proportional value which the crop, at the time the seed is ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 4 to 9.

5176. Bromus multiflorus, E. B. This species is annual, and no valuable properties have as yet been discovered in the seed. It is only noticed on account of its being frequently found in poor grass lands, and sometimes in meadows. It appears from the above particulars to possess nutritive powers equal to some of the best perennial kinds, if taken when in flower; but if left till the seed be ripe (which, from its early growth, is frequently the case), the crop is comparatively of no value, the leaves and straws being then completely dry.

5177. Festuca loliacea, Curt. Lond. The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 12 to 13; and the value of the lattermath stands in proportion to that of the crop at the time of flowering, as 5 to 12, and to that of the crop taken at the time the seed is ripe, as 5 to 13. This species of festuca greatly resembles the rye-grass, in habit and place of growth; it has excellencies which make it greatly superior to that grass, for the purposes of either hay or permanent pasture. This species seems to improve in produce in proportion to its age, which is directly the reverse of the lolium perenne.

5178. Poa cristata, Host. G. A.-The produce of this species, and the nutritive matter that it affords, are equal to those of the festuca ovina at the time the seed is ripe: they equally delight in dry soils. The greater bulk of grass in proportion to the weight, with the comparative coarseness of the foliage, render the poa cristata inferior to the festuca ovina.

5179. Festuca myurus, E. B.-This species is strictly annual; it is likewise subject to the rust; and, the produce being but little, it ranks as a very inferior grass,

5180. Festuca calamaria, E. B.—The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 12 to 18. This grass, as has already been remarked, produces a fine early foliage in the spring. The produce is very great, and its nutritive powers are considerable. It appears, from the above particulars, to be best adapted for hay. A very singular disease attacks, and sometimes nearly destroys the seed of this grass: the cause of this disease seems to be unknown; it is denominated clavus by some; it appears by the seed swelling to three times its usual size in length and thickness, and the want of the carcle. Dr. Willdenow describes two distinct species of it: first the simple clavus, which is mealy and of a dark color, without any smell or taste; secondly, the malignant clavus, which is violet blue, or blackish, and internally too has a blueish color, a fetid smell, and a sharp pungent taste. Bread, made from grain affected with this last species, is of a blueish color; and when eaten produces cramps and giddiness.

5181. Bromus littoreus, Host. G. A.- The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 6 to 14. This species greatly resembles the preceding in habit and manner of growth; but is inferior to it in value, which is evident from the deficiency of its produce, and of the nutritive matter afforded by it. The whole plant is likewise coarser, and of greater bulk in proportion to its weight. The seed is affected with the same disease which destroys that of the former species.

5182. Festuca fuitans, Curt. Lond. - The above produce was taken from grass that had occupied the ground for four years, during which time it had increased every year; it appears, therefore, contrary to what some have supposed, to be capable of being cultivated in perennial pastures.

5183. Poa fertilis, Host. G. A.If the nutritive powers and produce of this species be compared with any other of the same family, or such as resemble it in habit and the soil which it affects, a superiority will be found, which ranks this as one of the most valuable grasses; next to the poa angustifolia, it produces the greatest abundance of early foliage, of the best quality, which fully compensates for the comparative lateness of flowering.

5184. Arundo colorata, Hort. Kew. The strong nutritive powers which this grass possesses, recommend it to the notice of occupiers of strong clayey lands which cannot be drained. Its produce is great, and the foliage will not be denominated coarse, if compared with those which afford a produce equal in quantity.

5185. Hordeum pratense, E. B. The specific characters of this species are much the same as those of the poa fertilis, differing in the compressed figure of the straws and creeping root only. If the produce was of magnitude, it would be one of the most valuable grasses; for it produces foliage early in the spring, and possesses strong nutritive powers.

5186. Avena flavescens, Curt. Lond. The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 9 to 15. The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 5 to 15; and to that at the time the seed is ripe, as 5 to 9.

5187. Bromus sterilis, E. B.- Sixty-four dr. of the flowers afford of nutritive matter 2.2 dr. The nutritive powers of the straws and leaves are, therefore, more than twice as great as those of the flowers. This species, being strictly annual, is of comparatively little value. The above particulars show that it has very considerable nutritive powers, more than its name would imply, if taken at the time of flowering; but if left till the seed be ripe, it is, like all other annuals, comparatively of no value.

| 5188. Holcus mollis. Sixty-four dr. of the roots afford of nutritive matter 5.2 dr The proportional value which the grass at the time the seed is ripe, bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 14 to 18. The above details prove this grass to have merits, which, if compared with those of other species, rank it with some of the best grasses. The small loss of weight which it sustains in drying might be expected from the nature of the substance of the grass; and the loss of weight at each period is equal. The grass affords the greatest quantity of nutritive matter when in flower, which makes it rank as one of those best adapted for hay.

5189. Poa fertilis, var. . Host. G. A.-The proportional value which the grass at the time of flowering bears to that at the time the seed is ripe, is as 12 to 20. The proportional value which the grass of the lattermath bears to that at the time of flowering, is as 6 to 12; and to that at the time the seed is ripe, as 6 to 20.

5190. Phleum nodosum, Wither. This grass is inferior in many respects to the phleum pratense. It is sparingly found in meadows. From the number of bulbs which grow out of the straws a greater portion of nutritive matter might have been expected. This seems to prove that these bulbs do not form so, valuable a part of the plant as the joints, which are so conspicuous in the phleum pratense, the nutritive powers of which exceed those of the P. nodosum, as 8 to 28.

5191. Agrostis vulgaris, Wither. This is one of the most common of the bents, and likewise the earliest ; in these respects it is superior to all others of the same family, but inferior to several of them in produce, and the quantity of nutritive matter it affords. As the species of this family are generally rejected by the cultivator on account of the lateness of their flowering; and this circumstance, as has already been ob served, does not always imply a proportional lateness of foliage, their comparative merits in this respect may be better seen, by bringing them into one view, as to the value of their carly foliage.

5192. Panicum sanguinale, E. B.—This species is strictly annual; and from the results of this trial, its nutritive powers appear to be very inconsiderable.

5193. The grasses which afford the best culms for straw plait are, according to Sinclair, as follow:

For heath or moor soil. Festuca ovina, duriuscula and hordiformis, Nardus stricta.

Dry soils. Cynosurus cristatus, poa angustifolia, hordeum pratense, anthoxanthum odoratum, agrostis lobata, spica venti, flavescens and vulgaris mutica, avena pubescens, festuca heterophylla.

Moist soils. Agrostis canina, fascicularis, canina mutica, stolonifera angustifolia, stolonifera cristata, alba, stricta, repens, poa nemoralis, angustifolia.

Cereal grasses. Wheat, spelt-wheat, rye and oats, have been sown on poor soils, and cut green and bleached, but are found inferior to the above grasses for the finest plat.

5194. The period for cutting the culms is when they are in blossom. They are bleached by pouring boiling water over them, in which they remain ten minutes, and are afterwards spread on a grass plat for seven or eight days. Sinclair found letting the culms remain in hot water from one to two hours required only two or three days bleaching. When bleached they are taken up, washed clean, and put in a moist state in a close vessel, where they are subjected to the fumes of burning sulphur for two hours. Green culms, immersed for ten minutes in a strong solution of acetic acid, and then subjected to the sulphureous acid gas, are bleached perfectly white in half an hour. Green culms, immersed for fifteen minutes in muriatic acid, diluted with twenty times its measure of water, and then spread on the grass, became in four days as perfectly bleached as those culms which were scalded and bleached eight days on the grass. The texture of the straw was not in the least injured by these processes. The application of the sulphureous acid gas to the moistened culms, even after scalding and bleaching on the grass, had, in every instance, the effect of greatly improving the color, and that without being productive of the smallest injury to the texture of the straw. (Hort. Gram. Wob, 2nd edit. 427.)

5195. To imitate the Leghorn plait in the most perfect manner, the straws should be plaited the reverse way of the common English split-straw plait. In the English plait, the straws are flattened by a small hand-mill made for the purpose, but the Leghorn plait has the straws worked without flattening, and pressure is applied after the plait is made. These two points are essential to be observed by those who wish to rival the finest Leghorn manufacture. By reversing the common mode of plaiting, the fingers have a much greater power in knitting firmly and intimately the straws, and the round or unflattened state of the straws allows of their being more closely knitted; a circumstance that gives an appearance similar to the real Leghorn plait. (Ibid.)

CHAP. VII. ·

Of the Management of Lands permanently under Grass.

5196. In every country by far the greater proportion of perennial grass lands is the work of nature and it is not till an advanced period in the progress of agriculture that much attention is paid to their management. But as the extension of tillage, planting, and the formation of parks and gardens, limits the range of the domestic animals, their food becomes more valuable; and it then becomes an object to increase it by the culture of roots and artificial herbage on some lands, and by the improved management of the spontaneous productions of others. In a highly cultivated country like Britain, therefore, those lands retained in grass either are, or ought to be, such as are more valuable to the owners in that state than they would be in any other. Such lands naturally divide themselves into two classes: those which are fit either for mowing or pasture; and those which are fit for pasture only.

SECT. I.

Perennial Grass Lands fit for mowing, or Meadow Lands. 5197. Under the term meadow, we include all such land as is kept under grass chiefly for the sake of a hay crop, though occasionally, and at particular seasons of the year, it may be depastured by the domestic animals; and we usually include under this term the notion of a greater degree of moisture in the soil, than would be thought desirable either for permanent pasture or lands in tillage. Where hay is in great demand, as near large towns, and especially if a good system of cropping be but little understood, a great deal of arable land may be seen appropriated to hay-crops; but the most valuable meadows are such as are either naturally rather moist, or that are rendered so by means of irrigation. There are three descriptions of these meadows: on the banks of streams and rivers; on the uplands, or more elevated grounds; and bog-meadows; and each of these kinds may be stocked with grasses either naturally or by art, and may be irrigated by one or other of the different watering processes already described. (4053.)

5198. River-meadows, or those which are situated in the bottoms of valleys, are in general by far the most valuable. They are the most productive of grass and hay, yielding sustenance for cattle through the summer and the winter, and producing an everlasting source of manure for the improvement of the adjoining lands. The soil is deep and commonly alluvial, having been deposited by water, or washed down from the adjoining eminences; the surface is even from the same cause; and what is of considerable importance, has a gradual declivity or surface-drainage to the river or stream, which almost invariably flows in the lowest part of every valley, and which is essential to this description of meadow. The principal defects to which such lands are liable are, the oozing out of springs towards their junction with the rising lands, and the inundations of the river or stream. The former evil is to be remedied by under-draining, and the latter by

embanking. Such meadows are generally stocked with the best grasses; and their culture consists of little more than forming and keeping open a sufficient number of surfacegutters or furrows to carry off the rain-water; rooting out such tufts of rushes or bad grasses and herbage, as may occasionally appear; destroying moles, and spreading the earth they throw up; removing heavy stock whenever their feet poach the surface; shutting up, bush-harrowing, and rolling at the commencement of the growing season; and finally so adjusting the mowing and pasturing as to keep the land in good heart without laying on manure.

5199. The most suitable meadows for irrigation are of this description; the necessary drains and other works are executed with greater care, and with less expense, and the management, as we have seen (4057.), is also comparatively easier than in watering sloping surfaces.

5200. Upland meadows, or mowing lands, are next in value to those of valleys. The soil is either naturally good, and well adapted for grass, or, if inferior by nature, it is so situated as to admit of enriching it by ample supplies of manure. Of this last description are the upland meadows, or hay lands of Middlesex; which, though on the most tenacious, and often stony clays, are yet, by the abundance of manure obtained from the metropolis, rendered as productive as the best upland soils employed as hay lands. The roots of perennial grasses, whether fibrous or creeping, never strike deep into the soil; and thus deriving their nourishment chiefly from the surface top dressings of well-rotted manure repeated on the same field for centuries, forms at last a thin black stratum among the roots of the grass, which produces the most luxurious crops.

5201. The culture of upland meadows requires more attention and expense than those of valleys; being more difficult to drain, and requiring regular supplies of manure. The irregular surface of uplands is apt either to contain springs or to stagnate the surface water; the first produces marsh plants and coarse herbage, and the latter destroys or weakens whatever is growing on the surface, and encourages the growth of moss. Both evils are to be remedied by the obvious resources of drainage. Moss is a very common enemy to grass lands, and is only to be effectually destroyed by rich dressings of manure. Rolling, and top-dressings of lime and salt, have been recommended for destroying it; but there is no mode by which it can be subdued and kept under, but by adding strength to the grass plants, and thereby enabling them to suffocate their enemy. Moss is never found on rich lands unless they are completely shaded by trees. Besides mole-hills, upland meadows, when neglected, are frequently troubled with ants, which form heaps or hillocks of grass and earth, more injurious and more difficult to get quit of than those of moles. The mode of taking moles is a simple operation, and will be described in the proper place: that of destroying ants is more complicated and tedious, and being peculiar to grass lands, shall here be described,

5202. Ant-hills, or habitations, are injurious to meadow lands, by depriving the farmer of a crop in proportion to the surface they occupy, and by interfering with the operations of rolling and mowing. They consist of little eminences, composed of small particles of sand or earth, lightly and artfully laid together, which may often be computed at a tenth part, or more, of old grass lands. And in some places, where negligence has suffered them to multiply, almost half of it has been rendered useless; the hills standing as thick together as grass-cocks in a hay-field: and what is very surprising, this indolence is defended by some, who affirm, that the area or superficies of their land is thereby increased; whereas it is well known that very little or no grass ever grows thereon, and, therefore, if the surface be increased, the produce is proportionably decreased.

5203. In order to remove ant-hills, and destroy the insects, it has been a custom in some places, at the beginning of winter, and often when the weather was not very cold, to dig up the ant-hills three or four inches below the surface of the ground, and then to cut them in pieces, and scatter the fragments about: but this practice only disseminates the ants, instead of destroying them, as they hide themselves among the roots of the grass for a little time, and then collect themselves together again upon any little emi nence, of which there are great numbers ready for their purpose, such as the circular ridges round the hollows where the hills stood before. It is, therefore, a much better method to cut the hills entirely off, rather lower than the surface of the land, and to let them lie whole at a little distance, with their bottom upwards: by this means the ants, which are known to be very tenacious of their abodes, continue in their habitations until the rains, by running into their holes of communication, and stagnating in the hollows formed by the removal of the hills, and the frosts which now readily penetrate, destroy them. If a little soot were thrown on the places, and washed in with the rains, it would probably contribute greatly to the intended effect. The hills, when rendered mellow by the frosts, may be broken and dispersed about the land. By this method of cutting the hills, one other advantage is gained; the land soon becomes even and fit for mowing, and the little eminences being removed, the insects are exposed to the wet, which is very disagreeable and destructive to them. It would, perhaps, be a better practice than that of suffering the hills to remain on the ground, to collect the parts of them which have been pared off into a heap, in some convenient place, and then form them into a compost, by mixing a portion of quick-lime with them. In wet weather these insects are apt to accumulate heaps of sandy particles among the grass, called by laborers sprout-hills, which quickly take off the edge of the scythe. These hills, which are very light and compressible, may be conveniently removed by frequent heavy rolling.

5204. In the Norfolk mode of cutting and burning ant-hills, the process is, to cut them up with a heartshaped sharp spade or shovel, in irregular lumps of from ten to fifteen inches in diameter, and from two

to five or six inches thick. These are to be turned the grass-side downwards, until the mould-side is thoroughly dry, and then to be set the grass-side outwards, until they are dry enough to burn. The fire may be kindled with brushwood, and kept smothering, by laying the sods or lumps on gradually, as the fire breaks out, until ten or fifteen loads of ashes are raised in one heap, which the workmen formerly completed for a shilling or eighteen-pence each load of ashes, The places from which the hills have been removed may be sown with grass-seeds. Besides the destruction of the ants, this is a ready, though by no means an economical way of raising manure, and in some cases ought not to be neglected, on grounds where such a process is required. On some soils ashes are found in themselves an excellent manure; and, perhaps, generally, ashes raised in this way, would be found highly advantageous as bottomings for farm-yards and dunghills.

5205. Where grass lands are sufficiently rolled with a heavy roller once or oftener every 'year, no ant-hills will ever be formed greater than the roller can compress, and consequently no injury will be sustained. In this, as in most other cases of disease, proper regimen is the best cure. In domestic economy, various directions are given for destroying bugs, lice, and other vermin; but who ever had any to destroy, who attended 'properly to cleanliness?

5206. The surface of some grass lands that have been long rolled are apt to get into that tenacious state denominated hide bound. When this is the case, scarifying the turf with a plough, consisting only of coulters, or harrow-teeth, so that the whole surface may be cut or torn, is to be recommended. That tenacious state, rolling tends to in'crease; whereas, by scarifying, the surface is loosened, and the roots acquire new means of improved vegetation. This operation seems particularly useful, when it precedes the manuring. When hay land of a retentive quality is pastured by cattle or horses in wet seasons, it receives much injury from their feet, and becomes what is technically 'called poached. Every step they take, leaves an impression, which rain fills with water, and then the hole stands full like a cup. This wetness destroys the herbage, not only in the hole, but that also which surrounds it, while at the same time the roots of the grasses, as well as the ground, are chilled and injured, No good farmer, therefore, will permit any cattle to set a foot on such land in wet weather, and few during the winter months, on any consideration. Sheep are generally allowed to pasture on young grasses in dry weather, from the end of autumn to the beginning of March; they are then removed, and it rarely happens that any animal is admitted till the weather be dry, and the surface so firm as to bear their pressure, without being poached or injured.

5207. In manuring upland meadows, the season, the sort, the quantity, and the fre 'quency of application are to be considered.

5208. With regard to the season at which manure should be applied, a great difference of opinion prevails among the farmers of England. In the county of Middlesex, where almost all the grass lands are preserved for hay, the manure is invariably laid on in October (Middlesex Report, p. 224.), while the land is sufficiently dry to bear the driving of loaded carts without injury, and when the heat of the day is so moderated as not to exhale the volatile parts of the dung. Others prefer applying it immediately after the hay-time, from about the middle of July to the end of August, which is said to be the "good old time" (Com. to Board of Agriculture, vol. iv. p. 138.); and if that season be inconvenient, any time from the beginning of February to the beginning of April. (Dickson's Practical Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 915.) It is, however, too common a practice to carry out the manure during frosty weather, when, though the ground is not cut up by the carts, the fertilizing parts of the dung are dissipated, and washed away by the snow and rains before they can penetrate the soil.

5209. There is scarcely any sort of manure that will not be useful when laid on the surface of grass grounds; but, in general, those of the more rich dung kinds are the most suitable for the older sort of sward lands; and dung, in composition with fresh vegetable earthy substances, the more useful in the new leys or grass lands, In Middlesex it is the practice of the best farmers to prefer the richest dung they can procure, and seldom to mix it with any sort of earthy material, as they find it to answer the best in regard to the quantity of produce, which is the principal object in view; the cultivators depending chiefly for the sale of their hay in the London markets. It is the practice to turn over the dung that is brought from London in a tolerable state of rottenness, once chopping it well down in the operation, so as to be in a .middling state of fineness when put upon the land. It is, necessary, however, that it should be in a more rotten and reduced state when applied in the spring, than when the autumn is chosen for that purpose. (Dickson's Practical Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 915.)

5210. Some interesting experiments have been made with different kinds of manure, for the purpose of ascertaining their effects, both in regard to the quantity and quality of the produce on different kinds of land. Fourteen lots, of half an acre each, were thus manured, and the grass was made into hay, all as nearly alike as possible. The greatest weight of hay was taken from the lot manured with horse, cow, and butcher's dung, all mixed together, of each about an equal quantity. It lay in that state about two months; and was then turned over, and allowed to lie eight or ten days more, after which it was put on the land before it had done ferimenting, and spread immediately. And to ascertain the quality of the produce of the different lots, a small handful from each was laid down on a dry, clean place, where there was little or no grass, and six horses were turned out to them one after another. In selecting the lots, there seems to have been little difference of taste among the horses; and all of them agreed in rejecting two lots, one of which had been manured with blubber mixed with soil, and the other with Boot, in both instances laid on in the month of April preceding. (Lancashire Report, p. 150. et seq.)

5211. The proportion of manure that is necessary must, in a great measure, depend upon the circumstances of the land, and the facility of procuring it. In the district of London, where the manure is of a very good and enriching quality, from its being produced in stables and other places where animals are highly fed, the quantity is usually