Soils, Roots and Grasses.

The farmers of Great Britain are commencing to recognise that abundant pastures are not absolutely essential to successful dairying. In arable districts, where grass forms but a small percentage of the acreage, milk is in many instances produced to a much larger extent than formerly, and butter and cheese are being made with the assistance of artificial grasses, which are laid down for short periods only. I believe it can be shown—and I append the copies of two papers which I have prepared upon the subject, one contributed to the "Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society," and the ether read before the Conference of the British Dairy-farmers' Association at their Norwich meeting in May, 1888—that milk can be reduced more extensively and more cheaply with the aid of arable cultivation than solely by means of pasture or meadow-land. The question, however, as regards the Colony of New Zealand does not bear upon arable cultivation, except in an inferior degree. The comparative extent and cheapness of grass-land, together with the greater cost of labour, present the whole subject under an aspect at page 80 once more economical and more concise than it can ever be regarded by the British farmer. There may, however, be instances in which arable cultivation is necessary, especially upon soils of a light nature. In such cases it will be worth the while of the farmer to consider whether crops suitable for dairy-cattle should not be grown. He has a number from which to select, and among these are some oil the highest possible value as milk-producing foods. The mangel, for example, is always worthy of consideration in a climate similar to that of the southern portion of Great Britain. It is a food essentially adapted for cattle, producing the sweetest of butter, and it is always of great value towards the end of the winter, when other succulent foods are either scarce or altogether absent. The turnip, which is grown more extensively and more successfully in the north of England, and which, on account of its large yield and succulent character, is widely used for cattle, cannot be so strongly recommended, imparting as it sometimes does when it is liberally used a pronounced flavour to butter which depreciates its quality and character. Carrots, although little used in England for milking-cows, are extensively used in the butter-producing districts of Normandy, especially on the lighter soils, where the yield it large, the results obtained being very considerable. The parsnip, another admirable milk-producing food, is very highly prized by the Jersey farmers, who glow them upon land for which they pay from £7 to £10 an acre in rent. Potatoes are also used in many districts for cows, and are either steamed or pulped; being much richer in feeding-matter than either the turnip or the mangel, a much smaller quantity is necessary. Of gorse, or furze, I am unable to speak from experience. It has been strongly recommended by practical men in Ireland, where it is cut in its young state, and bruised by passing through a masticator. Lucerne may be strongly recommended; it may be seeded down with a grass-crop, upon a deep stiff loam containing lime. Two heavy crops may be cut during the first year after sowing, and four crops the second year. Being very bulky, lucerne probably yields twice as much food as meadow-or pasture-grasses, and, what is perhaps of greater importance, it produces that food during drought, when almost every other crop fails. There is no plant with which I am acquainted which can be grown more profitably upon deep soils that have been drained, that are dry and contain lime, and that are situated in districts where the climate is similar to that of the south of England. The roots of lucerne penetrate to a great depth, and the crop itself is of special feeding-value, the plant remaining upon the soil in a profitable condition for several years. Almost as much can be said for sainfoin, which requires a soil containing still more lime than lucerne. This plant provides at least two heavy crops yearly for three or four years when it is grown upon a suitable soil, and is under good cultivation and I have found it to be a first-rate milk-producer. Both plants are suitable for mixing with ordinary grass-seeds for laying down page 81 meadows, although they will not remain many years. The ryegrasses are also considered of great value to dairy-husbandry; the Italian rye-grass, although only a temporary grass, will grow upon almost any kind of soil, especially if it is humid and rich, and it may be sown alone, or with other grasses, providing a cut in the first year under suitable conditions. Perennial rye-grass, however, is generally found superior to Italian, especially upon heavy-clay land, although it thrives upon almost any soils which are not water-logged, excepting it be sand or gravel. It provides an abundance of rich herbage, it is greatly appreciated by cows, and is one of the heaviest croppers among known grasses. There have been differences of opinion among experts in England in the past, but there is little doubt that farmers prefer rye-grass to almost any other variety, remembering, as they do, its hardy nature, its heavy-cropping properties, and its rich-feeding value. Among the remaining leading meadow-or pasture-grasses are timothy, or cat's-tail, which grows freely upon almost all soils, except sand or gravel, and which is a heavy and hardy cropper, suitable alike for temporary and permanent cultivation. This is one of the most popular of known grasses, and the seed is especially cheap; if, however, it is too often sown it has a tendency to die out. Cocksfoot grass, again, is popular as a meadow-grass, especially when grown upon moist stiff soils. Like timothy, it arrives at its full growth during its second year. Its habit being bunchy, it is not so suitable for growing alone. This is one of the best varieties for growing under trees. Among the remainder of the grasses suitable for dairy-cattle are foxtail, which is an early grass, producing an abundant second crop upon rich heavy well-drained soils; and meadow-fescue, which is also a good cropper, upon deep moist soils, providing late herbage and good hay. Of the clovers suitable for meadows or pastures the perennial red, or cow-grass, and alsike are strongly recommended. It should be remembered that there is a great distinction, which is not generally recognised to its full, between the meadow and the pasture; and, although in some parts of New Zealand—where, I understand, I the cattle are able to graze throughout the entire year—it may not be of immediate practical importance, yet where farmers are in the habit of laying down new grass-lands it is worth bearing in mind. As the meadow is usually intended for the provision of a crop of hay, It is essential that the grasses of which it consists should as nearly as possible be selected from among those varieties which mature at one time. In the pastures, however, it is essential to success that there should be a good herbage throughout the year. In this case, therefore, grasses should be sown that vary as widely as possible in the period in which they ripen.