314 Farming of Leicestershire. 



SECOND DIVISION. . 



In this half of the county we have soils resting' on the igneous 

 rocks, coal measures, and red marls, consisting of many varieties, 

 including clay loam on clay subsoil, marl loams, loams light 

 and heavy on subsoils of sand and gravel ; and a light-coloured 

 clay on a retentive subsoil is frequently met with in some 

 parts of the coal district. 



Although in some parts clays of very close texture abound, yet 

 generally a larger proportion of friable soils are found here than 

 in our First Division, and consequently arable farming prevails 

 to a much larger extent. 



Leaving out the Charnwood Forest district, which demands a 

 separate notice, we may state that one half is under the plough, 

 the other half in permanent grass. 



Grazing farms are occasionally met with, but dairying greatly 

 preponderates ; and while the pastures on the lias grow the beef 

 and mutton, those on the red marls produce the cheese. 



Generally the soils require drainage, and the system pursued 

 has been much the same as that described in Division the First, 

 although in some instances advantage has been taken of the 

 porosity of the subsoil, and the object effected cheaply by drains 

 placed deeply and at wide and irregular intervals. The expense 

 has been met as before described, although there are exceptional 

 instances of the landlord bearing the whole expense, and the 

 tenant paying a percentage on it. 



Much drainage has been done, and a good deal is yet required 

 before the district can be said to be thoroughly drained. 



The farms generally range from 150 to 300 acres. There are 

 instances of 700 acres ; but anything over 300 acres is rather the 

 exception than the rule. 



Manafjement of Arable Land.—T\\e rotation of crops varies. 

 On the lighter soils a four-course is prevalent, and on those of a 

 heavier and better staple a five and six course ; while on some of 

 the poor retentive clays a definite system can scarcely be said to 

 prevail, and the farmer frequently crops not as lie ivould, but as 

 he can. The following are the rotations most usual, viz. : — 



Speaking generally, there can be no doubt but that within the 

 last twenty years much progress has been made in the manage- 



