384 Spring Food.[Dec.

P. S. I de not at present recollect what the inquiry made by F. S. with respect tv mowing was. If it was, whether mowing or 1eaping wheat be preſerable, I must declare my opinion against the mowing, for mauy reasons, byt 1 have not 10o0m to detail them now..

me en SINGEN ON SPRING FOOD.- To the Editar of the Agricultural Magazine.

SIR,, Dec. 10th, 1805.

T bas, I believe, been universally acknowledged, and as

universally Jamented, in the agricultural world at least, that how great Soever may have been the provision for cattle wbich a prudent farmer häs secured against the Severity of the winter Season, yet, it frequently bappens, in an unusually backward 5pring, that an interval of a month, and Sometimes even of two months, proves exceedingly distressing for want of grass, or other spring faod to zupp)y its place. The couse- quence has been, that recourse js had to the artificial grasses in too early a State, which then receive a check tbat they Never recover from the whole ensuing Summer. Nor does the mischief end there: the cattle themselves are half-sStarved, Stopped in their growtb, and Seldom or ever become worth what they would have been, but ſor this unfortunate period of general distress.-]

Varions efforts have been made. to guard against these dis- asters; but I have heard or read of none that have hitherto fully Succeeded. ITtis very well known, that turnips, If they Survive tbe winter, will throw out abundance of Succulent food, than which perhaps none is more nutricious or palatable to cattle of every description; but their bottoms mean while lose their own quaiity, exbaust the Soil, impede the plougbing for the Succeeding crop of barley, and alſter all, ina backward Season, are very niggard]y in their Supply of Jop. Cole-seed 15 In Some measure liable to the Same objections as turnips, yet of the two, preferable fot Spring feed. Cabbages, even of the hardest ort, are too Subject to injury from the frost to bave much reliance placed upon them. While perfect, they are certainly an excellent diet, but are out of Season at the time we most want thew.. Lucerne, Saintfoin, burnet, and vetches, are all good in their kinds, but an untoward Spring Is equally unfavorable to them all, with the exception of burnet, which I am told stands the Severest winter, and which 1 wonder is not therefore more cultivated.