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and the like; then put in the coal, and stone, (or shells,) in alternate 
layers, each deep enough to hide the preceding layer. Then fill the eye 
of the kiln with dry kindling-wood, and set fire to it. When the mass 
becomes thoroughly on fire, it may be necessary to close the eye of the 
kiln with boards, to moderate the draught; for, on very windy days, I 
have known the draught to be so strong as to carry the fire straight up- 
ward to the top, without perfectly reaching the sides. 
On limestone farms, the fields of which require that the stones be 
hauled away as they are turned up by the plow, such a kiln is the place 
to put them, that they may be turned into lime when the farmer has 
little else to do. 
ROTATION OF CROPS IN SWEDEN. 
_ The Department has been favored by the Secretary of State with the 
following dispatch from the Hon. C. C. Andrews, Minister of the United 
States at Stockholm, in relation to Swedish agriculture: 
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, 
Stockholm, June 28, 1873. 
Sir: Having visited Mr. Alex. Dickson’s estate, Kyleberg, near Odishog, in South 
Central Sweden, to witness the operation of his steam-plow, and being favorably im- 
pressed by his skillful practice of agriculture, I requested him to have the kindness to 
-put down in writing his system of rotation of crops, which he did, as follows, remark- 
ing that the soil, mixed clay and loam, though of first-rate quality, had been much 
exhausted during many generations before it came into his possession. 
“T have,” he states, ‘ three various. rotations, viz: 1st, fallow; 2d, autumn-sown 
rye; 3d and 4th, clover and seeds ; 5th, vetches, cut green; 6th, autumn-sown wheat ; 
7th, mixed grain of barley and oats. ; 
“ Second rotation.—1st, Swedes, turnips, carrots, or mangel-wurzel; 2d, barley; 3d, 
and 4th, clover and seeds; 5th, autumn-sown wheat; 6th, mixed grain of barley and 
oats. 
“ Third rotation.—1st, mangel-wurzel, Swedes, carrots, or turnips; 2d, barley; 3d 
vetches, cut green; 4th, mixed grain. 
“ The last rotation is carried out on the lightest part of the land, and is what is gen- 
erally called the Norfolk system. At present, I am giving the six years’ rotation two 
root-crops in succession, in order to get the land thoroughly cleansed from weeds and 
put into first-rate order for the succeeding crops. It is my intention to give the seven 
years’ rotation the benefit of two root-crops, (potatoes and Swedes or other bulbs,) 
after having gone over the six years’ rotation. 
“The manure is applied to the fallow or root crops. In order to secure a good crop 
of rye, it is almost indispensable to have fallow precede it. The farm-yard manure is 
from preference drawn out to the fields in winter on sleds, and put into large rectan- 
gular heaps, which ought to be covered over with peat-earth, or the earth round about 
the heaps. In spring, as early as the condition of the land allows, it is spread and 
plowed in for the root-crops, which éught to be sown very early, in order to secure a 
heavy crop. The fallow is manured after having been well wrought and cleared of 
weeds. The manure is then plowed in and left till shortly before the rye is sown, 
unless the fallow should require to be harrowed or quelled, to destroy weeds. I now 
give all the crops two hundred-weight of Balur guano superphosphate, which is 
applied to the winter-grain immediately before or after sowing, so that it may get 
harrowed in. For the spring-grain it is applied in the same manner ; and for the root- 
crops it is sown broad-cast over the field just before drilling.” 
I saw Mr. Dickson’s steam-plow in successful operation by his ordinary farm-labor- 
ers, who had acquired their skill onthe place. He considers it, on the whole, economi-. 
cal, especially as it enables him to take full benefit of favorable weather. 
I was particularly struck by his careful method of saving grain-seed. The soundest 
and best developed grain is selected for the purpose, and separately stacked and left 
unthrashed till near the time it is required for use. * 
As a general rule, the most cultivated and wealthy gentlemen of Sweden devote a 
good share of their personal attention to agriculture. The income from the larger 
estates is about 4 per cent. The rural beauty and charms of many, perhaps most, of 
BA 
