Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/429

Rh few years; and, as they support many of the most useful quadrupeds, the art of increasing the quantity of leaves round the roots of grasses, is deservedly regarded as an object of great importance. It simply consists in eating off the central stems by sheep, horses, or other cattle, early in the season: hence Dr. justly observes, that new leaves are produced around the first joint of the stem thus grazed. This practice is especially useful in low meadows, and affords a double profit, if continued till the month of May; as, in moist situations, a crop of hay is certain to succeed, which, by this method, will not only be much finer, and more copious, but the expence that must otherwise have been incurred in providing hay, may in a great measure be saved by making use of such early grass.

Those of our readers who wish to acquire more minute information respecting the various native grasses, we refer to Mr. 's excellent Treatise, entitled "Specimens of Pasture Grasses;" (folio, 1l. 1s.), a work replete with information.

and, are chiefly formed by covering spots of ground with turf taken from a fine common or down; as this mode of obtaining verdure is more speedy, and, for durability, far preferable to that of sowing the soil with grass-seeds. But, where the latter method is practised, the seeds ought to be procured from those pastures which abound with fine and clear grass. The soil should be previously dug, and carefully divested of all clods and stones: after which it ought to be covered an inch deep with good mould. The seed is then to be thickly sown, and raked over, to prevent it from being dispersed by the wind. It will, however, be advisable to mix with the seeds a considerable portion of white clover, as this will produce a finer surface, and retain its verdure much longer than any common grass.

The turf intended to be laid in gardens, ought to be selected from such commons as are free from weeds; and, if it is to be transposed to a rich soil, it will be requisite to cover its surface beneath the turf, with sand, or an indifferent mould, that the grass may not become too rank. It will also be necessary to dress the turf late in autumn, every second year, either with ashes, or tan, so that the rains may precipitate the ameliorating particles into the ground. The grass, when a few inches high, should be mowed closely, or grazed off by sheep, to prevent it from vegetating too luxuriantly; by which means it will retain its beauty for many seasons; but, if neglected, it will in a few years be overgrown with weeds.  GRASS-HOPPERS, or Tettigoniæ, L. are a family of insects belonging to the genus of Gryllus, and comprising 69 species: they all leap by the help of their hind legs, which are strong and much longer than the fore-legs. Though their walk is heavy, they fly occasionally with great speed: the females deposit several hundred eggs in clusters under ground, by means of two laminæ or plates appended to their tail, with which they penetrate the surface. The larvae that arise from them, resemble nearly the perfect insects, but are of a smaller size, and apparently destitute of wings: these, however, are enveloped in four excrescences or knobs, which are unfolded when the