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CHAPTER IX. 



Ordinary Cultivation (continued) Main Differences between the Cultivation 

 of Stiff and Light Soils Root Cultivation Autumn Cultivation How 

 to clean a Foul Field. 



THE subject of land cultivation is approachable from several 

 points of view. In the first place, as it varies with the 

 character of the soil ; secondly, as it changes with the crop 

 for which it is intended ; and thirdly, as it is performed 

 by numerous implements, each of which may be separately 

 studied as, for example, by the plough, by the harrow, by 

 the roller, by steam cultivation or horse cultivation. Each 

 of these aspects comprises a great deal that is interesting and 

 useful, and we cannot do better than follow out the lines 

 indicated. 



In the first place, then, we shall take the main differences 

 between the cultivation of stiff land and light land, which 

 after all are the two principal classes of soils. We generally 

 speak of soils either as stiff corn lands or easy working 

 free lands, adapted for turnip husbandry and sheep. With 

 reference, then, to the cultivation of stiff land, I have already 

 laid stress on the importance of tilling it when it is in a fit 

 and proper condition that is, when it is dry; we have also 

 noticed the advisability of autumn cultivation. Both these 

 points are of equal importance in the cultivation of stiff land. 

 It was also recommended that stiff grounds should be treated 

 with farmyard manure in its bulkiest condition. I am not 

 going to recommend manure-heaps and the treatment of 

 manure-heaps in connection with the farming of stiff land. 



