26G TO TURN GRASS LAND INTO ARABLE. 



ing" furnish a larg'e quantity of ashes, exceedingly useful to 

 the succeeding" turnip crop. It will, therefore, he desirahle 

 to sow sainfoin on all such lands, with the view of modifying* 

 the physical character of the soil, as well as to ohtain manure 

 for turnips, and a large quantity of feed from poor thin soils, 

 sometimes exhihiting scarcely anything on the surface hut 

 the comminuted ])ortions of rock, on which, however, sain- 

 foin flourishes and remains in vigour for years. Downs are 

 principally confined to the chalk, and there sainfoin will 

 often take the place of seeds after harley, lasting- for five or 

 six years. It arrives at perfection the second year, and 

 begins to decline about the fifth, after which the breast- 

 plough is diligently used, and turnips succeed. In our 

 estimates we have considered the green crop to be comprised 

 in the term tnniip crop, which is made up of tares or vetches 

 on all the better kinds of light loams after wheat, Avhich are 

 the same season succeeded by turnips. On stiller kinds of 

 soils the green or fallow crops, which are to be partly con- 

 sumed on the land, are composed of Swedes, turnips, cabbages, 

 mangel-wurzel, vetches, and white mustard; and on good 

 loams of a sandy character, in addition to those mentioned, 

 carrots, peas, rye, and huckwheat ; and, on peaty soils, rape. 

 It will answer the farmer's purpose to vary these green crops 

 as much as possible, and not repeat the same kind on land 

 that during the previous fallov/ had been planted with it. 



In breaking iip old sward land there are almost always 

 more ashes than are required for the turnip crop. The sur- 

 plus is taken away to other parts of the farm and drilled 

 with turnips and bones, leaving the farm-yard dung' in 

 greater abundance for the Swedes. Newly broken up land 

 may thus be rendered a source of improvement on the 

 remainder of the farm. The ashes thus appropriated will 

 cause a better crop of turnips to be groAvn on the other land 

 for that season, which, when eaten off, will retain the sheep 

 longer on the land, and create more manure, and ensure a 

 better and more regular consolidation. This consolidation, 

 as well as the increased turnip crop, is of great consequence 

 on light loams, the effects being apparent through the entire 

 course. More corn is the result, and of course more farm- 

 yard manure. And when such land comes in turn for tur- 

 ni}is again, it receives a ]>etter and heavier dose of this, the 

 best find most useful manure. 



With the modern good mnnagement, and plenty of green 

 crops, to break up a piece of sward land is of considerable 



