Philip Buckle 139 



legislation). There is a slight elevation in the middle line and the field 

 slopes very gradually to the eastern and western sides. 



No regular rotation has been followed upon this field, but the follow- 

 ing crops have occupied the land: (1) Potatoes and Turnips, 1917; 

 (2) Oats and Vetches, 1918; (3) Seeds, 1919; (4) second year ley, 1920. 



Previous to the commencement of the investigation in October 1919 

 the "aftermath" of the "seeds" was mown at the end of August 1919. 

 During the winter and spring the land received no treatment beyond 

 the application of a dressing of farmyard manure (10 tons per acre) at 

 the beginning of December. 



Unhke Field A, the land surrounding Field B is mostly under grass 

 and not a mixed tenure of corn and grass land. 



The soil is a fight to medium loam. There is a great abundance of 

 water in this district, but the water content of the soil does not appear 

 to affect its mechanical condition seriously, probably owing to the large 

 amount of coarse sand present. 



The effect of cultivation upon the soil fauna in this case does not 

 seem to be so drastic as with Field A. Any direct influence of cultural 

 operations is absent apart from the application of the manure. 



Field C ("Big Meadow") consists of permanent pasture or meadow- 

 land. The field falls away gently towards the south. There are a number 

 of large ponds or mill reservoirs lying on its western side between the 

 field and the stream in the hollow. There is much water present. At 

 almost the highest elevation the water-supply to the farm is maintained 

 by a wind-engine pumping from a 15 feet well, the greater amount of 

 water flowing in from the upper layers of soil. 



As with Field B the surrounding land is under grass. Strictly speak- 

 ing this land is a meadow since it is mown annually for hay. Haymaking 

 takes place at the end of June. During the winter a dressing of farmyard 

 manure was appHed as in the case of Field B. With the exception of 

 " chain-harrowing" in the spring there was no further cultural operations. 



Apart from the change in the botanical composition induced by 

 annually mowing the field, it may be considered that Field C is a typical 

 pasture or meadowland and that the same influence upon the soil fauna, 

 found in general to operate in other pastures, will be present. 



The investigation of the different areas was carried out from October 

 to May 1919-20. Although it would be desirable that the survey should 

 cover a complete year, there is a certain advantage in practice in making 

 the investigation at that time of the year. Conditions on the whole are 

 much more stable. There is not that constant migration from subter- 



