The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-01-02
m:mhe Eatttt.
Improvement of Soils by Sheep.

In the COUNIR1 SENI lEMAS Va aug
9th are two articles from two of its
best known correspondents, on the sub
ject of seeding to grass, which are dis
tinctlv at variance, but which represent
two classes of opinion on the subject of
preparation for grass seeding. One
claims the necessity of making the most
thorough and careful preparation by
deep blowing, &c, the other that the
seed NAV be sown without blowing,
and the sod efectually renewed with
almost no expense but the manuring,
which is equally necessary in both cases.
The point under discussion by both is
the restoration Of such portions of sod
or grass land as may have " run out,
as the phrase is, or become poor and
Improbable One of these writers has
the following:
Il have noticed moving fields where
many spots are winter-killed, bound
out; : worms infest the field to the par
tial destruction Of the crop, or from
other cause, but partial crops are real
lied NY advice is, pow and reseed in
the Summer or Fall plow deep and
well, then make the best possible seed
bed by using a pulverizing harrow at
different times til the surface is reduced
to as fine filth as sward land is capable
of being reduced With this harrow
ing, l would apply and work in manure
or fertilizers freely, unless could com
mand these, | would not make the at
tempt any farther than | could do it
thoroughly When the soil is we'll re-
duced, SOW the seed with liberal hand
and harrow it in with light seed har-
row, or (Which would be better) roll to
even and compact the surface
Ia the other article the writer is add
vising as to the treatment of land with
o view to permanent sod for grazing
or moving, or both. He claims long
observation and experience in England
and in this country. He SAYS "Where
timothy and clover are growing, or
where they have grown and are wear
ing out, and it is desired to establish a
permanent sod, it can be done if the
soil is suitable (and if the fertility is
nearly exhausted it can be done), but
it takes a longer time and means to en-
rich the land. As good way, and the
quickest is to put eight or ten sheep
to the acre, and some young stock,
cows and Lorses too, if convenient ;
let them run over it in autumn and into
winter. if the climate and weather adj
mits Have such sheep as it VIII pay
to feed with oil-cake, or corn or grain
and feed the whole of the animals we'll
The trampng is good, if there is not
downright poaching Continue greater
number of sheep on it all winter if con-
venient Then SOW some bluegrass
and other good grasses that are not
coarse, or such as would kill out the
finer fibered varieties, and roll and bush
harrow till the surface is smooth; then
it would be well to shut up and not
stock till the last week in May. Con-
tinue then to keep sheep, &c; these
which will pay for feeding oil-cake or
corn till the land is rich, by which time
all the best natural grasses will have
come into life, and then, without any
assistance, there will be grass forever
The point to which | set out to call
attention, and have done SO heretofore,
is, that there is not the necessity COM
monty supposed for the elaborate pre-
paration for seeding recommended by
the first writer, | do SO because this
costly preparation is great hindrance
to the renewal of such lands. He rep
resent such improvers as have ample
means at command, and who take pleas
ure in what seems the most thorough
and complete way Of doing things with
nnf rafarnpoa 70 W. dan.
our methods, however, as much as pos
sibe to the limited means of those who
must economic to the utmost This
idea is represented by the second writer,
who does not find it necessary to plow
at all in order to get a reset of grass,
and to produce permanent grazing and
moving grounds.
1t will be observed that the special
purpose Of the second writer is to take
advantage Of our natural grasses for
permanent feeding grounds, and his
treatment has reference to these. But
1t is equally applicable to the artificial
grasses. Let any one test this himself
by sowing clover and timothy upon any
thin spot of his stubble-feld, and give
it a moderate top-dressng. Keep all
stock away from it and he will find that
there has been no occasion for replow-
ing And SO he will find that for all
small grass seeds he will hardly get
surface too compact for them, if the
conditions of surface fertility and pro-
lection against early grazing be duly
observed
The method of heavy stocking with
sheep, cattle, &c, as recommended by
the writer, has in view, it will be OBJ
served, the fertlizing of the soil by the
use of extra feed with oil-cake and other
enrichng matter This is, no doubt.
the best treatment The tramping of
sharp hoofs during Fall and Winter
upon closely grazed ground with the
action Of the frost, and the fertilzing
by the rich droppings of highly fed
stock, would make just the conditions
required for the prompt and vigorous
growth of whatever new seeds may be
sown in February and would not de-
strov the roots of natural grasses already
present.
Our people have not yet learned
feeding, and are content for the most
part with the profits that may be made
from their pastures. In this case the
stocking of course must be great deal
lighter, and other means of fertilizing
the thinner portions Of the field must be
resorted to. The seed must be sown
early in the Fall, or SO late that they
will not vegetate before Spring, and
top-dressed with any homemade ma
nure or some reliable fertilizer must
be sown with them, and harrow or
heavy bush, and roller used after BY
such method a pasture field, which
may be occasionally mown, may be
made with little expense, and at very
small loss of time from seed sowing to
first of June The natural grasses as
blue grass green praSS red ton white