^24 Improvements in his 



fcale, and nerxtto fhew the refult. Thefe I conceive were chiefly to create ufefiil lal)nur 

 for the induftrious poor in the neighbourhood, and for trying experiments in agricu-hure 

 to exite imitation where fuccefs might encourage it. 



The Norfolk farm borders on that extenfive wafle called Bagfhot Heath, hitherto con- 

 fidered too barren for cultivation, though large trafts of a fimilar quantity have been 

 long fince rendered ufeful to the community in tlie South- weft part of Norfolk. Arable 

 land of this defcription is generally managed there under a five courfe fhift ; firft 

 wheat ; fecond turnips ; third barley with feeds, which contimie laid two years. But as 

 the feeds turn to very little account after the firft year, hrs Majefty's, which though a' 

 five courfe fhift likewife, of one hundred acres in a fhift, is upon a much improved 

 courfe ; as thus — firft, wheat or rye ; fecond, the irregular fhift ; third, turneps ; fourth^ 

 barley or oats ; fifth, clover. — The irregular fliift, which is of great ufe on a liglit hand 

 farm, may, perhaps, want a little explanation. It is meant to be^ partfy -produftive and: 

 partly preparative. Forty acres of it are fown with vetches to be fed off"; forty-one fowre 

 the latter end of Auguft with rye, for early feed the next fpring for the ewes and lambs ; 

 the remaining twenty acres are planted with potatoes, and tlie whole comes round for' 

 turneps the next year. 



From the advantage of running (heep in the park this farm has Been brought furprif- 

 ingly forward, confidering the fhort time it has been cultivated, and a. great part of it 

 which produced nothing but heath and mofs, and would have been diear at five fnillings. 

 an acre to rent, now producer crops worth more than the original fee fimple of the 

 hnJ. 



Brevity checks me from going farther into a general' defcription ; but the foLlowinr 

 particulars may deferve notice. 



The comparative advantages of the lafcour of horfes and oxen have been for fome time 

 under the confideratioK of the public. His Majefty has unqiieftionably tried the latter 

 upon a larger feale than any other perfon, as he does not work lefs than one hundred and 

 eighty oxen upon his different farms, parks, and gardens, and has found them to anfwer 

 io well that there is not now a horfe kept. Upon the two farms and the great park two' 

 hundred are kept, including, thofe coming on and going oflf. Forty arc bought in every 

 year, rifing three j^ears, apdare kept as fuccefTion oxen in- the park; one hundred and 

 twenty are under work, and forty every year are fatted frfT, rifing feven years. 



The working oxen are moftly divided into teams of fix', and! one of the number is 

 •very day refted, fo that no ox works more than five dSys out of the feven. This day of 

 •afe in every week, befides Sunday, is of great advantage to the anim&l,. as he is found to^ 

 do better with ordinary keep and moderate labour than he would' do with high and 

 Jiardei labouf , In fhort, this is the firft fccret to learn conceining him ; for an ox will 



Oct 



