12 Breaking up Pastures. 



to determine in which direction the " lands " or furrows should 

 be, with a twofold object, — 1st, for convenience in ploughing, 

 so as to avoid crooked furrows and short turnings ; and, 2ndly, 

 for the ready escape of the surface-water. I am aware that the 

 mention of Avater running down furrows may be objected to by 

 some who think it possible in all cases to dispense with water- 

 furrows ; still, on some of the strong clays, although drained 

 effectually, surface-water will sometimes be seen ; as for instance 

 when a rapid thaw sets in, after a deep fall of snow on hard 

 frozen ground : therefore I would say, be on the safe side, and 

 prepare for an exceptional case, by making water-furrows, or 

 you may suffer loss and vexation when the rain is descending- 

 and the floods come. 



In horse-ploughing for the first corn-crop experience teaches 

 us that the; furrows should be shallow ; the manure from the 

 sheep and the ashes from the burned turf will then be kept near 

 the surface. Oats are generally preferred for the first corn-crop 

 on newly-broken land ; wheat is occasionally grown ; but taking 

 the average of cases it is best to start with the oat. With the 

 oats sow a mixture of clover-seed and rye-grass, to be once 

 mown, then depastured with sheep, and ploughed in the autumn 

 for wheat ; or it may be a better course to let the clover and rye- 

 grass remain two seasons before ploughing for the second corn- 

 crop. 



On breaking up some poor grass-fields (clay soils and sub- 

 soil) in the Vale of White Horse, in Berkshire, the following 

 plan was adopted : the turf was merely horse-ploughed and 

 planted with vetches, and an excellent crop was the result. After 

 the vetches had been eaten by sheep the land was again horse- 

 ploughed, and wheat was planted, which produced an abundant 

 crop ; then the land came into the regular farm-course. In an- 

 other field of similar quality the occupier adopted the plan of 

 breast-ploughing and burning ; oats were planted, then wheat 

 Avas tried, then swedes : yet all the crops for the first few 

 seasons were either partially or wholly lost, through the ravages 

 of wire-worms. This is the only case within my knowledge 

 Avhere horse-ploughing has proved better than breast-ploughing 

 for the coi:\^'ersion of clay-land pasture into arable ; and I mention 

 it as an exceptional instance. 



Strong Loams and deep Stone-Brash. — Strong loams and deep 

 stone-brash lands may be classed together, because they should 

 have similar treatment, during the first few years of cropping as 

 arable. 



As far as I have been able to ascertain, their treatment will 

 differ from that of clay-land only on these points : that barley 

 may sometimes be substituted for oats as the first corn-crop, and 



