34 



regulated to some extent by the system of planting, 

 whether it is on the Flat or on the Ridge. As the 

 manure on the Ridge system is applied most often at 

 the time of planting, it is obvious that there is no need 

 to arrange for this at an earlier period ; but it is very 

 important where the Flat is adopted that the manure, 

 especially the farmyard, and the mineral artificials shall 

 be on in time to become well incorporated with the 

 soil. Therefore, if the dung has not been put on in 

 autumn or winter no time should be lost in getting it 

 on. There is risk in leaving it late, because if the 

 season proves wet the prospect of a good tilth is 

 greatly injured, as the carting tends to consolidate the 

 soil, and frequently prevents a really good seed-bed 

 being obtained. There is no such favourable time for 

 dung carting as when the land is frost-bound. 



The great principle to be observed in the spring 

 workings is to work the land up to a tilth. By this 

 is meant the whole of the operations should be of a 

 nature which will tend to lighten the soil as deep 

 as it is being worked. A superficial fineness is not 

 sufficient : when the seed-bed is obtained it must be 

 a tilth from top to bottom. Too much treading by 

 horses, particularly when the soil is moist, and the 

 use of rollers to break down the clods, should be 

 obviated by judicious treatment which will pulverise 

 the soil without consolidating it. The digging-plough 

 tends to lighten the soil, whereas the common plough 

 tightens it ; harrows or drags with straight tines 

 consolidate it, particularly if the tines are blunt, while 



