SYSTEMS OF FARMING 97 



roots and forage crops are grown in due rota- 

 tion, chiefly for the purpose of preparing the 

 land for the wheat and to produce manure for 

 the same object by feeding these crops to stock 

 bought in to fatten. The profit attaching to 

 this kind of farming is slender, because of the 

 keen competition by other countries and our 

 colonies in the growing of cheap wheat and of 

 a quality which is better than our climate allows 

 to be produced. Furthermore, the fattening of 

 cattle in yards is productive of very little profit, 

 apart from the manure so got ; the fattening of 

 sheep is, however, more remunerative, as they 

 eat their food where it is grown and drop their 

 manure where it is wanted, and mutton fetches 

 better prices than beef. But as typical wheat 

 land is rather heavy soil, much folding of sheep 

 is impracticable, because their treading would 

 further consolidate soil that is already too 

 compact. 



On some arable farms barley is the chief 

 product, and this is more profitable ; but barley- 

 growing can only be successfully followed on 

 soil and in a climate suited to the crop ; more- 

 over, considerable skill and judgment is required 

 in growing a good malting sample of barley. 



H 



