iS DIFSQUISITIONS

Another plant that might poffibly be of ufe to the farmer in this way, is the common Laburnum. This is nearly allied to the Roman Cyzi/us, in its botanical cha- racters. Its leaves and tender fhoots are very much liked by cattle; and‘it rows with fuch a rapid luxuriance when young, as feems to promife that a very great weight of hay might be obtained from an acre of ground under this crop.

lt may perhaps appear a little extra- ordinary to fome readers, to hear of a pro- pofal for making hay from trees; yet they have feen, that the only nation of antiqui- ty which made agriculture its particular. fiudy, followed this praétice with fucce(s.

cattle was very fcarce in the north of Scotland; and the feafon was fo backward, that many cattle died before the grafs fprang up. On that occafion, one gentleman kept 250 head Of cattle alive, and in good health, for upwards of two months, without any other food but the twigs of common fir. The branches were cut freth for them every day, and in this cafe were given to the cattle in the houfe.x—Another gentleman kept feveral

cattle abroad during the whole winter, with{carce any other food but the twigs of this tree, which were cut down every day for their ufe. The cattle came and rea~ dily browfed upon them. Horfes take to this food with greater reluctance.—-Sheep, I am told, eat it heartily.

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