The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-03-04
y Pastures.


The evils that are, experienced in pas
aure-grounds are: the gradual disappear
ance ofthe best grasses; the growth of
moses and weeds in their stead; and the
prevalence ofscoarse :herbage, whichcattle
reject, in situations where there exists, a
superahundence of moisture, Where there
are stagnant waters, as upon fiat surfaces.
that abonnd in springs, or which have a
superficial soil upon tenacious subsoil,
the herbage is not only mainly rejected by
tbeostock, but the pasture is unhealthy,
particularly 10, sheeg but it is remarked,
that if the water is in continued motion,
as is generally the case upon the declisi-
ties OF hills and mountains. i'll conseguen-
ces do hot so often result. g j sGdf Tis.
Toremedy the evils we have enumera-
ted, and to improve the value of pasture
grounds, one or more as the following eX-
periments may be resorted to. viz: sowing
and narrowing in grass seeds, scarifying,
bushing, draining. manuring, top-dressing,
with mari, lime or ashes. -assf ts4 - yav.
Grass seed may be sown either in Sep
temher or April, followed By the harrow,
and, if practicable, by the roller. The
harrow partially extirpates the MOSES,
breaks and puiverizes the surfaces and
buries the seeds; and the roller presses the
earth to the seeds, and smooths the sur
face. The bush harrow is to be perferred.
This may be constructed by Intervening
some strong but plant branches of trees
/ through open squares of a heavy har-
row, which then forms an efficient brush,
and when drawn over the ground performs
its duty perfectly! during q short distance;
but the branches, being pressed close, and
worn by the motion, soon become SO fat
as not to have the effect of spreading the
earth thrown upon the surface by earth
worms, ground-tniee or ants. 1t is there
foresreeommeuaed, as better mode, to
fix The. branches upright in frame, placed
in the front part of the carriage of the
roller; by which means they can be SO
placed as to sweep the ground eiIectuslly,
and when worn, can be moved little low.
er down. SO as to continue The work with
regularity Il This operation also complete
1ly breaks and scatters the, manure drop.
ped on the field by the stock, and particu
iarly Incorporates it with the surfaee-mold
Scarifying is scutting the sod and loosen
ing hesuriace.os a'aq gsao5a 3&' aI
/ Draining improves the. quality of tht
heritage, and marling. lining OF. ashing in
creases the quantity. 1t is remarked tha
the Animal dung, when dropped Oh coarse
pastures, PRODUCES little or 10 benefit; bu
when ,eaicareous matters have been lais
upon the surface, tie finer grasses soer
take possession Of it.,as. .a z,ls,v,
! Bashing, that is, drawing over tbs
ground tops or heavy branches of trees
itends to cxtiFpate moss loosens the sur
face to atmospheric influence, and covers
grass seeds which may be. sown preyiou!
Ito the operation. @ ,ee as,S i.
i Manures are seldom applied to pastures
! Especially with us; but, applied ia the form
OF compost, as q top-dressing,, they srt
i decidedly servieeaile. GYPSUM and spen
! ashes mag sbe.apnlied with andoubted ben
i eft in most eases Upland pastures hay,
I been greatly improved by drawing surface
Il drains diagonally across the face Of th'