64 BRITISH HUSBANDRY. [Ch. V. 



to the quantity which is intended for the land. Some persons are so par- 

 ticuhir as to mark the places at which the lieaps are to be laid, by 

 running furrows at regular intervals along and across the field, by which 

 means the cross-cut indicates the spot ; but this is generally found to be 

 unnecessary, as, when once the distance at which any two heaps are to be 

 placed is pointed out, an experienced workman can measure both' the 

 ground and the manure with sufficient accuracy by his eye. A sufficient 

 number of labourers must also be employed to spread the manure with 

 regularity and expedition, as it should not be allowed to settle in heaps : 

 three or four of these follow each cart, and spread out the dung with light 

 three-pronged forks ; but women, if properly superintended, can do the 

 work equally well. The plough follows close after the spreaders, and covers 

 the dung ; the ridge being formed according to the custom of the country, 

 tliough at the same time opening the furrows to leave a clean course for 

 the water, and the land, being then well gripped, is allowed to remain in 

 that state initil the seed-furrow, by which time it may be supposed that 

 the dung will be partly decomposed and embodied with the soil. 

 F If lime is to be spread, men only must, however, be employed : — a 

 moderately calm and perfectly dry day should be chosen for the purpose, 

 not only to prevent the waste of its finer particles by their being blown 

 upon the fences and the adjoining land, but also to prevent injury to the 

 people and cattle employed in the ojieration. There is no doubt but the 

 earlier in the season the lime can be applied, after the land lias become so 

 far broken as to prevent its falling directly to the sole, or pan, the more 

 favourable will be the result. The application of it in its quick and pow- 

 dery state greatly promotes the destruction of weeds, and all the slimy- 

 coated insect tribe ; renders the land more friable in the working, and be- 

 comes intimately mixed with the soil by the further operations of the fallow, 

 the whole process of which it greatly facilitates. As soon as the lime is 

 spread, it should then be immediately harrowed lightly in whilst dry, as 

 rain will soon convert it into a viscous and adhesive pulp*. Either lime 

 or compost, if thoroughly decomposed, may indeed be effectually applied 

 by the aid of the grubber, but the spreading of stable dung cannot be 

 effected without the use of the plough ; for it cannot be properly buried 

 and covered by the grubber. 



The sixth, and generally the last ploughing, is that of the seed-furrow^ 

 which is usually completed during the month of October ; though some- 

 times as early as the middle or latter end of September: the period de- 

 pending not only upon the state of the land, but also upon that of the 

 weather. It is very desirable not to delay it upon wet soils, as many dis- 

 advantages may attend a late seed-time ; but the lateness of the previous 

 harvest may impede the preparation of the land, or the work may be pre- 

 vented by drought. If grain be sown when the land is perfectly dry, it will 

 not sprout; so that, if showers do not fall, much of it may be spoiled, to the 

 serious injury of the future crop. No precise rule can, therefore, be laid 

 down upon the subject, and it not unfrequently lip.ppens that farmers are 

 compelled to defer their sowing until late in the winter. Too much har- 

 rowing is not proper for wheat ; but when once sown, the inter-furrows 

 should be opened by the ribbing-plough, and at the ends of the ridges 



* See vol. i., chap, xii., pp. 2S6 and 296. Chalk, wlien applied fo a fallow, is, how- 

 ever, usually laid either upon the stubble, or upon a ley intended to be broken up, and is 

 carried to the land before the commencement of winter, in order that ths lumps may be 

 broken by the frost.— lb., p. 279. 



