CHAPTER IV. 

 THE HEATHER PLOT 



THE paddock is a long field, running from end to 

 end, between the house and the public road ; then 

 a plantation, with a break in it at the middle to 

 give a sense of distance about the house, which 

 looks south, with gardens, orchard and lawn. The 

 sun shines to us across the paddock all the after- 

 noon, with the young cattle generally in view. 

 I like to keep calves where they can be seen easily 

 and often. Next come three fields, abreast, and 

 then the little river ; beyond that, the largest 

 field of all, bought separately. Thus we have four 

 main divisions, to accommodate a four course 

 rotation, apart from the strip from side to side 

 occupied by the buildings, gardens, planta- 

 tions, &c. 



Through the yard, north of the house, a private 

 road connects all the fields conveniently, and the 

 yard is washed down into a Timothy meadow on 

 low ground at the back, with the outlet from the 

 yard lined by a row of ash, flourishing immensely, 

 though planted only in the subsoil. They say ash 

 is a severe test of soil, but when we planted it 

 there .was no soil here. After the dung heap is 

 shifted in spring, I grow nearly as much mangels 

 on the track of it as my neighbours can get out of 

 their year's crop. 



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