46 THE PRINCIPLES OF 



in summer unless they have been burnt up by drought, but in 

 early spring we like to see the pastures green. The reverse 

 may be expressed as follows they are bleached, white, or 

 bluish green instead of a vivid, beautiful green, or they are 

 red and rusty looking. An abundance of sedges, daisies, and 

 " moons " (that is, ox-eyed daisies) is a very bad sign. So is 

 an abundance of " Dothering Dick" (Briza media), Yorkshire 

 fog (Holcus mollis), and barren brome (Bromus sterilis). All 

 of these are indications of either poor or wet land. Pasture 

 of this description, separated by a hedge from a good crop of 

 wheat, shows the true character of the soil. 



A spongy, wet, soaky feeling experienced in walking over 

 land is also a bad indication. Dig a turf and see whether 

 the mould is deep, or whether it is thin-skinned. Judges 

 of land do not like a thin-skinned pasture, but deep, black 

 soil and plenty of it. Thus as an indication of fertility or 

 barrenness an inspection of the pastures is of great importance., 



In the next place, let us take the crops. I have purposely 

 deferred their consideration. I am sometimes told " that good 

 crops are indications of good land, and bad crops are indications 

 of bad land ; and even that rich farmers are indications of 

 good land, and poor farmers are indications of bad land ; and 

 that good, well-built farm-houses, and good, well-built build- 

 ings indicate good land, and badly-built houses and badly-built 

 farm-buildings indicate bad land !" That is a style of answer 

 I sometimes receive. Well, all this is true in a sense, but it 

 is nevertheless rather wide of the mark. 



With reference to crops, they are not a very good indication 

 of the fertility of land. As a general truth, good land will 

 bear good crops, but good land sometimes bears bad crops 

 when it is badly farmed ; and bad land very often bears good 

 crops, but it is done at great expense. Good crops can be 

 grown on both bad and good land, but at a greater outlay. 

 Perhaps two root crops are taken in succession, and then a 



