Cultivation of ArabkLand. Farms Proportion between Arable andGrafs399 



bly, large tracts, in many diftricts, are commonly withheld from the plough, under 

 the name of barren heath land, &c. which by alternate tillage and reft would pro 

 duce more grain and keep more fheep than in the prefent ftate.* 



The different defcriptions of calcareous foils may alfo be the moft productive in a 

 tfate of arable cultivation, or with but a fmall proportion of grafs. In fome of the 

 fouth-weftern diftricts, from the farmers not being allowed r^y the land-owners to 

 plough up down lands, too large a proportion remains in grafs for admitting the 

 moft advantageous cultivation. However, the degree of fertility which they have 

 in many cafes attained, may in fome mesTure juftify the practice, on account of 

 thefupport afforded to fheep ftock in the winter.-]- 



In peaty foils, from a great proportion of them feldom being in a ftate, for want 

 of proper draining, fit for tillage, the arable fhould form a fmaller proportion to 

 the grafs than in other cafes ; it can, however, only be fully regulated by local ciiv 

 cumftances. 



But, befides thefe, the modes of application in which the lands are managed 

 muft have conliderable influence in regulating the proportions which the grafs 

 Ihould bear to the arable, as where grazing, dairying, or the rmking of hay are 

 the principal objects of the farmer, the whole of the farms are moflly in grafs. 

 In the two firft of thefe cafes it is probable that the farms might be more profita 

 bly conducted by having a fmall proportion in tillage, as from a fourth or filth 

 to a tenth, according to the nature of the lands, and the extent of cattle and 

 horfes that may be kept, as by this means not only ftraw forjitter may be more 

 conveniently obtained, but likewife green vegetables for the partial fupport of the 

 ftock,which muft otherwife be often procured at great inconvenience and expenfe. 

 In the cafe of hay farms, as they are moftly in the vicinity of large towns, it may, 

 perhaps, in moft cafes, be better to purchafe the ftraw than provide it by tillage, as 

 little will be neceflary, from fmall teams only being required. 



The bufinefs of hiring and flocking farms deferves more attention than is com 

 monly beftowed upon it. For the prefent purpofe, it is however only neceflary to 

 place before the farmer the principal circumftances which ought to regulate his 

 conduct, as the fubject has been very fully handled by an agricultor of much 

 practical experience.^ 



The changes in regard to farming property are in general, in the more fouthern 

 parts of the kingdom, made about Michaelmas. In thefe the farmer fhould delibe- 



* Communications to the Board, &c, vol. III. * Ibid. J Mr, A. Young. 



