Ch.^VI.] SOWING. 71 



hoeing, and the introduction of the row culture, the General assures us 

 " that his lands were rendered much cleaner, and yielded better crops than 

 they did formerly, after all the heavy expenses of Hme and fallows*." He 

 indeed, states, that these operations produced the effect of pulverization to 

 the depth of six or seven inches, and their expense was — 



s. el. 

 Five scarifyings, with a single-horse implement, at Is. 8d. per acre 8 4 

 Two harrowings, at lOicZ. . . . . . . . I 9 s. d. 



— lb 1 

 that the whole charge of cultivation, under a four-course system upon this 

 plan, including rent, was — 



£. s. d. 

 Tares, beans, pease, &c., per acre ... 600 



Wheat . . ,,.... 500 



Oats and barley . . , , . . . . 3 13 6 



Clover and rye grass . ,, . . . . 2 15 



16 8 6 



thus only amounting to a trifle more than that of the fallow upon the former 

 plan ; that land cultivated upon his farm in this manner has yielded 460 

 sheaves of wheat per acre, whilst the average produce of the other fields 

 did not exceed 360 ; and that the difference in favour of the new method 

 amounts, upon an average — when wheat is at 10s. the bushel — to 350Z. per 

 annum upon the cultivation of 100 acres. 



On the cultivation of these farms we have no observation to offer, except 

 that they both merit attention. That, belonging to Mr. Greg, although 

 described as a tenacious clay, yet must be land of a superior quality, or it 

 could not support the course of crops under which it has been cultivated ; it 

 lias now, however, been continued under the same system for a number of 

 years with distinguished success ; and without offering any opinion upon the 

 plan, we conceive that similar experiments, upon a moderate scale, are 

 fairly entitled to a trial. Regarding Knowle Farm, we have no information 

 since the decease of its late proprietor ; but the account which he has left, 

 though inconsistent witli the established practice of farming, and appearing, 

 in some respects, not likely to be advantageously continued, yet contains 

 hints which perhaps might be carried into effect \vithout impropriety. 

 "Whether really deserving of imitation, or not, we at least do not consider 

 ourselves entitled to withhold them from our readers, in a work professing 

 to give an account of the practice of the United Kingdom. 



Chapter VI. 



ON SOWING BROAD.CAST, DRILLING, AND DIBBLING. 



In ancient times ^the only mode of sowing corn which was customary in 

 this country, was that termed broad-cast ; although we learn that in China, 



* On this subject he also observes, that " those who plough deep, and bury the seeds 

 of weeds by the first ploughing, are not aware that, by this outset of their fallow, they 

 lay the foundation of a great deal of labour and mischief, and bring upon themselves the 

 absolute necessity of a fallow, as the only means of eradicating the progeny of those 

 heeds which they have inadvertently deposited deep in the soil. Now, if the whole of 

 the stubble and its roots, with a small portion of the surface soil, winch must contain those 

 seeds, be collected and destroyed by tire, it is reasouable to suppose that lands might be 

 as effectually cleared of weeds in this manner, as by a summer fallow ; besides they 

 would have the benefit of a considerable portion of ashes. Perhaps, also, this mode of 

 burning might have a tendency to prevent the disorders of smut and blight ; disorders 

 with which my crops have not been in the smallest degree affected." — '2d edit. p. 90. 



