On Stall Feeding and Clover Cultivation in Switzerland

Floral woodcut ornament at the top center of the page.

scythe as it should be.

If, however, the meadow is spared from autumn grazing, the late grass remains standing without noticeable loss. A portion of it, specifically everything that is leafy, rots and serves the meadow as some fertilizer; the rest withers but remains standing, and when the young grass sprouts in the spring and is still extremely tender, it finds itself as if wrapped in cotton within these withered plants and is thereby protected from the sharp spring winds.

If I am therefore to state my confession of faith regarding this important topic of agriculture, I confess freely that all grazing, especially that of adult cattle, is repugnant to my heart; that I view such a practice as ruinous in every way...