320 Farming of Leicestershire. 



In the absence of farmyard clung, Griffin and Morris's arti- 

 ficial manure, at the rate of 6 cwt. per acre, is sown broadcast, 

 and the seed drilled on the flat at 20 inches apart. 



The crops of roots grown by this process are excellent, and, as 

 will be seen, at a minimum expense. 



Another plan was tried last year with very encouraging results, 

 viz., the land after the autumn ploughing was ridged, manured 

 with farmyard dung, and the ridges split to cover. In spring 

 the seed was sown on those stale ridges, producing a beautifully 

 even braird of plants, which grew into a very heavy crop of 

 swede turnips. 



Mr. Spencer's great aim in root-cultivation is to do all the 

 cleaning and weeding of his stubbles in autumn, confining 

 the spring cultivation to a simple harrow or light dragging ; he 

 thus secures the finest tilth Avith abundant moisture, followed by 

 full and vigorous brairds of plants. 



A crop of turnips is frequently got by breaking up in June a 

 portion of the land in two-year seeds. This is accomplished by 

 the pulverising plough, which gives the necessary tilth at one 

 operation ; and the seed, with a little of Proctor and Ryland's 

 turnip manure, is drilled on the flat at 18 inches apart. Very 

 fine crops of white turnips are grown in this way, which, con- 

 sumed by sheep, leave the land in first rate condition for the 

 succeeding grain-crop. 



The root-crops are all horse-hoed and hand-hoed, the setting 

 out being performed by men, followed by boys, at a cost of from 

 6s. to 7s. per acre. 



The white turnips are consumed whole by the sheep, but 

 the Swedes are cut with Gardner's Cutter, and along with the 

 roots the sheep have a liberal allowance of cake or corn. 



Where the position of the crops will admit, reaping by machine 

 is done, at a cost of about 6s, per acre, binding included. 

 Where the crops are laid, mowing and binding is done for about 

 8s. per acre. 



Ploughing is usually performed by two horses abreast, except- 

 ing the deep autumn ploughing for roots, or when the pulveriser 

 is used. 



The hours of horse labour are from eight to four o'clock. In 

 summer they are depastured on grass with oats and beans, or 

 Indian corn ; and in winter they have bruised oats, at the rate 

 of 1^ bushel per week, with hay or straw-chaff ad libit am. 



A portable engine supplies power for thrashing, grinding, 

 chaff-cutting, pulping, &c., the arrangement being both simple 

 and convenient. 



The management of the grass-land is conducted in a very 

 masterly style, cake and corn being largely consumed ; so that 



