IMPROVEMENTS IN CLAY-LANDS. 231 



draiuing", and tiiat a considerable portion of the winter has 

 elapsed before the work has been finished. Having- g'one so 

 far, it is now the object of the farmer to prepare for cro})[)ing' 

 this improved land : and with due deference to those of 

 greater experience, I would sug-g-est that it oug'ht to underg'O 

 a summer fallow for a crop of wheat, and be dressed with a 

 proper supply of farm-yard manure. It may be proper to 

 remark, that the whole breadth of the break oug'ht to be 

 subsoil -ploughed, which is the next step after draining*. 

 This ought to be done to the depth of 12 inches, and the 

 following is the method which I would suggest: — A furrow 

 is, in the usual way, and with a common plough, to be 

 turned up to the depth of C inches ; close behind this plough 

 is to follow one of Read's subsoil-ploughs, or pulverizers, and 

 stir up the soil beneath to a farther depth of G inches ; thus 

 loosening up the " old floor," which has for centuries formed 

 the pathway of the plough team, and giving free access to 

 the air and heat to pass down and ameliorate the soil below. 

 In ploughing, two horses abreast are generally sufficient; 

 and one man ought to manage them. In some cases, three 

 may be required, but they should always be yoked abreast ; 

 as in this way they pull more equally, and are as powerful 

 as four in a line. It is of consequence that the wheat should 

 be got in moderately early ; say as soon in October as the 

 weather AviU permit. The field is supposed to be well 

 cleaned, and if so, in spring I would sow grass-seeds ; thus 

 having it the third year in grass for cutting. I would then, 

 take a crop of oats, after which, beans and turnips, and 

 finish with wheat or barley, thus adopting a six years' ro- 

 tation, viz. : — 



1st year — Summer-fallow, manui'ed. 



2nd ,, — Wheat, with seeds. 



3rd ,, — Grass, for cutting. 



4th ,, —Oats. 



5th ,, — Turnijis and beans, manured. 



6th ,, — Barley or wheat. 



It ■wall generally be requisite to sow barley after turnips, as 

 they are not often lifted in time for winter wheat. If barley 

 be objected to, wheat can be sown in spring, which often 

 produces a good and bulky crop, although rather later than 

 that sown in October. After the beans, however, wheat may 

 be invariably sown in autumn. This is carrying through 



