2 3 4 Smooth-stalked meadow (poa pratensis), flowers Rough-stalked meadow (poa trivialis), flowers first week in June. Smaller fescue (festaca ovina, rubra, duriuscula,) Quake-grass (briza media), flowers second week Rough cocksfoot (dactylis glomerata), flowers Tall oat (avena elatior), flowers second week in Meadow fescue (festuca pratensis), flowers third Darnel (lolium perenne), flowers fourth week in June. Dogstail (cynosurus cristatus), flowers fourth week Yellow oat (avena flavescens), flowers first week Soft grass (holous lanatus), flowers second week Fine bent (agrostis capillaris), flowers third week Meadow-barley (hordeum pratense), flowers third Catstail, (phleum pratense), flowers third week in Marsh-bent (agrostis alba), flowers third week in 2 Let us examine the structure and bearing, of this design; and thence endeavor to ascertain how far it is practicable. To simplify the enquiry, we will suppose five fields, of similar soil, to be sown agreeably to the "five-crop" system, which is set forth in the above diagraph. It may readily be admitted that such of the seeds, sown, as were natural to or culturable in the given soil, would rise; and doubtlessly delight the eye of the cultivator, the first year. The second year, some resemblance of the first might be discernible. But the third, fourth, or fifth year,— from an invariable law of nature that each species, or distinction of land, shall encorage the species of herbage that are most congenial to it, the five fields would be found to send up the same, or nearly the same, crop of herbage. Let it be admitted, however, that no such alteration would would take place; but that the very plants that were sown would hold quiet possession of the ground, to the end of time; and then consider how five hay times would answer the husbandman's purpose. In the existing practice of the island, hay time falls between turnep seed-time and corn harvest. Now, in the Southern Counties, on which the sublime conception would seem to have descended, the bustle of the former cannot well be closed before the first week in July, and the latter frequently commences in the wane of the same month.Haytime is, in every district, confined within a limited space of time, and is ever a work of precipitation. Yet if we believe in the foregoing diagraph, it ought to last from "the latter end of May" to "the latter end of July," that is to say, two months. "Two months!"a practical man might exclaim:-"Why, two or three weeks is all the time we can conveniently spare for our meadow haymaking.-Our sown grasses will sometimes break in upon our turnep sowing; but this we cannot always help." This circumstance is chiefly occasioned by the early growth of ray-grass. Hence, this most valuable of the gramineous tribe comes somewhat too early, as a hay crop, for modern husbandry. In the more southerly parts of the island it is sometimes ready for the sithe, the latter end of May, or early in June. Nevertheless in the diagraph under view, lolium stands the last of the list of "artificial grasses" proper to be sown for the third cutting! I dwell not on the "botanical arrangement of plants," in this extolled diagraph; lest a minute examination of it might tend to show a want of sufficient knowledge of the subject, in the graphist. A GENERAL REMARK on producing permanent Grass Land. That a variety of nutritious grasses and legumes ought to be made use of, in attempting to execute a plan of that intention, with the view of doing our best endeavor toward assisting Nature,-in propagating such species as may be suitable to the given soil and situation,→ is, I will presume to say, assuredly right. There is nothing new in this idea. It has been acted upon ever since HAYSEEDS" have been used for that purpose; which they probably have, for a century past; and a better plan, perhaps, will not be discovered, for a century to come:-PROVIDED a well herbaged hay ground, of a nature similar to the land to be sown, be carefully weeded, in the manner of corn crops, from time to time, during the early stages of its growth; and the swaths care fully 492 fully looked over after the crop is mown.-PROVIDED, also, that different parts of the herbage, so freed from noxious plants, be cut in different states of ripeness, that the seeds of the nutritious herbs may be saved in a state of maturity. And PROVIDED, of course, that the several parcels of hay be thrashed, as they become sufficiently dry for the operations (without being heated in bulk);the different products of seed be intimately blended by sifting them together;-and carefully stored till the season of use: whether this may be in the autumn, the spring, or the summer months, next ensuing. MOWING GROUNDS.-Oiling Hay.-This is something new.-P. 153. "The following singular and interesting method of applying linseed-oil on hay-ricks intended for fattening beasts, merits the attention of the curious. It was communicated by the Earl of Egremont. " SIR, "I received your letter in regard to oiling hay. I made practice of it about three years; but always choose to do it when the weather is fine, and can get it up without taking much rain. My method is, when stacking the hay, to take a water-pot, and sprinkle over every layer very lightly a quart of linseed-oil to a ton of hay. I find that the hay comes out of the rick very moist and very clammy fatting beasts and fatting sheep are very fond of it, and thrive upon it very fast. I think it not proper to give it to horses, or milch-cows, as I think it is too hot... I wish it not to be reported in my name, as I did it for my own security. "Your most obedient humble servant." PASTURE GROUNDS.-On the upland pastures, we find nothing of consideration; except what relates to the sheep downs; for which see Sheep, ensuing. The Marshlands of Sussex.-P. 148. "Besides the natural pasture and meadow-land, are several thousand acres of marsh-land, either situated along the coast, or in the neighbourhood of the rivers which empty themselves into the sea. These marshes perhaps are to be ranked amongst the finest of their kind that are any where to be met with; and the conduct of the grazier in the management of the fertile level, is the direct reverse of that unsystematic policy which is the guide of the upland farmer in the arrangement of his grazing land. 4 Very considerable improvements have been effected of late years in the marshes. The brooks or levels have been, and are now, sometimes subject to be flooded with the the violent rains which periodically flow from the hills, but more particularly in the winter. If, as is sometimes the case, these inundations take place in summer, the whole produce of the land for that year is lost by the stagnant muddy water; and no cattle will taste the herbage that year. The tide is another evil sometimes complained of, as the banks are not every where put into a proper state of defence against the incursions of the sea. An act was however obtained a few years ago, for widening the channel near Lewes, and making a shorter cut to the sea; and it has essentially benefited the Lewes and Laughton Levels." P. 156. "In the Level of Pevensey, cattle were universally preferred to sheep. The marsh ground about Winchelsea and Rye, as it wants fresh water, has been thought better calculated for sheep: these grounds are universally stocked with them; and the general rule is, to have no more bullocks than what are sufficient to keep the pasture fine, which is usually one to three or four acres. Pevensey having plenty of water, was considered as better adapted for oxen. It should seem as if this circumstance had governed the custom of the two marshes: the soil and rent are nearly the same; yet there are very few fortunes made in Pevensey, but many about Winchelsea and Rye; and this is attributed to sheep being found to turn out so much more profitable than oxen. "But throughout the whole range of Pevensey Level, it is to be observed, that the number of sheep have been very much increased of late years. Graziers have now discovered, from the late rapid advances in the single article of wool, and the still increasing demand for it, that sheep pay far better than beasts, whilst the loss is comparatively less.' "Men are generally employed in the Levels to mow down the over-grown herbage, as it grows rank, and sheep or cattle are not inclined to feed upon it." P. 157." The increase in the quantity of sheep annually pastured, is to be accounted for from the good management of the grazier in laying his lands dry, by opening and keeping clean the ditches, and making drains at proper times to receive the superfluous waters." Preserving Pastures, for Spring Food.-P. 155. "That admirable practice, of reserving the rouen for the pinching part of the spring, when all artificial provender fails, and before the young clover and other grasses have begun to throw out their shoots, is hardly known in the county. The Earl of Egremont has usually some portion of the Homepark wattled off for this reason, either for his Lordship's different different flocks, or for the deer; and experience has declared the beneficial effects of it, for now he has it in his power to apply the hay for other purposes, and save a considerable consumption by the deer. 66 " 1799. His Lordship has continued this practice to the present moment, and with increasing success. He is now practically convinced, through a variety of severe and open winters, that the resource of rouen is one of the most important that can be secured on a farm. It is also a constant practice with Mr. Eliman, at Glynde, and Mr. Sherwin, at Petworth. Mr. Ellman usually saves 40 acres." : P. 269. "I saw four oxen, two of which are ten years old, which his Lordship bought of my father; and two others coming eight years old, feeding upon rouen in Janue ary, through the severe frost of the end of December, and without having a mouthful of any other food, and thriving well a very satisfactory proof how much rouen is to be depended on, even in such a season, and of the great profit attending it, The advantages of kept grass can hardly be exemplified in a clearer manner than in this practice; for no slight portion of the profit throughout the scale, arises from the cheapness of this food. The calves entirely depend on it for the first winter: they have some the second also, though at straw; and the winter previous to fattening, the oxen are put to it, to improve them. Its value is best ascertained by supposing its absence; for then hay must be the substitute; and the expense of that food, if reckoned at what it would sell for, every one knows to be extremely great. I had the pleasure of seeing Lord Egremont's whole crop of lambs thriving admirably on this food also, without the addition of any other; a very severe frost leaving his turnips rotten, and yet the farmer free from all anxiety. Rouen defies the season, and places the flock-master on velvet." LIVESTOCK. GENERAL OBSERVATION.-P. 226. "The breed of Sussex cattle and sheep, and the system upon which they are founded, form the most distinguishing feature in the husbandry of this county." CATTLE.-P. 226. "The cattle must unquestionably be ranked amongst the best in the kingdom; and had Bakewell, or any of his associates, adopted the middle horned breed, either of Sussex, Devonshire, or Herefordshire, in preference to the inferior stock which the reputation of his name, and the mysterious manner in which his breeding system was conducted; had he, I say, gone to work with any of the above-mentioned breeds, it would have contributed |