;,i Mr. Edward J. Russell [Feb. 20, 



but no one can yet state in exact terms precisely what has happened. 

 A beginning has been made, and a laboratory for the study of soil 

 physics lias beeu instituted at Rothamsted, and placed under Mr. B. 

 A. Keen, where we hope gradually to develop a science of cultivation. 

 For the present cultivation remains an art, and, further, it is essen- 

 tially a modern art. The mediaeval implements, as shown in the 

 Tiberius MS. (11th Century) and the Louterell Psalter (14th century), 

 wcrt' crude and left the ground in an exceedingly rough condition. 

 Great advances were made throughout the 19th century. Robert 

 Ransome, of Ipswich, took out his first patent in 1785 to improve 

 the plough ; he was followed in 1812 by Howard, of Bedford, 

 and later by Crosskill, Marshall, Rushton, Fowler and others, who 

 have made the name of British implement makers famous throughout 

 the world. Given time and sufficient labour the good British farmer 

 using modern implements can accomplish wonders in the way of 

 cultivation. 



Unfortunately neither time nor labour is always available. 

 Ploughing is possible only under certain weather conditions, and 

 there are many days in our winters when it cannot be carried out. 

 Unless therefore a large staff of men and horses is kept, the work 

 often cannot be done in time to allow of sowing under the best 

 conditions. 



The early days of the life of a plant play almost as important a 

 part in its subsequent history as they do in the case of a child. Illus- 

 trations are only too numerous of the adverse effect of being just too 

 late for good soil conditions. One from our own fields is as follows : — 



Yield of Wheat 

 Work Completed. Seed Sowd 1916. 



Bushels per Acre. 



Just in time Nov. 24, 1915 26 '8 



Just too late Feb. 17, 1916 19-3 



The farm-horse will not be speeded up, but maintains an even 

 pace of 2 \ miles per hour. According to the old ploughman's song 

 still surviving in the village an acre a-day is the proper rate : — 



" We've all ploughed an acre, I'll swear and I'll vow, 

 For we're all jolly fellows that follow the plough." 



But under modern conditions it is impossible to get more than 

 three-quarters of an acre a-day ploughed on heavy land, and the 

 scarcity of teams threatened to bring arable husbandry into a hopeless 

 impasse. Fortunately for agriculture, the internal combustion 

 engine appeared on the farm in the shape of the tractor at a critical 

 moment, and has brought the promise of a way out. The tractor 



