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ENGLISH AGRICULTURE. 191 



fallow or rag-fallow the land after they are disposed of, with 

 a view to getting it ready for wheat-sowing in September. 

 We have heard much of wheat being grown at a loss ; but as 

 long as stiff clay land is retained in arable cultivation, so 

 long will wheat be found the most suitable and most paying 

 of the cereals upon that particular description of land in 

 all localities where the climate is suitable for it. If it 

 does not pay, we may be sure that no other corn crop will 

 prove remunerative. The second year of the rotation will 

 then be devoted to wheat. The third year we shall have 

 clover, or mixed clover and grass seeds, and if the land is 

 in good condition we may expect a heavy cut, followed 

 by an abundant feed for sheep or cattle. Clover is one of 

 the best preparations for wheat. It is furnished with roots 

 which penetrate the subsoil to a depth of several feet. At 

 Rothamsted land under clover was found to have been robbed 

 of its nitrates to some fifty-four inches of vertical section. 

 These nitrates are brought up to the surface. Simultaneously 

 it removes carbon, and possibly nitrogen, from the air, and 

 then fertilizing matters are made available for succeeding 

 crops. The fact that a mown crop of clover leaves the land 

 in better condition than a fed or grazed crop at first sight 

 seems almost paradoxical. It is, however, easy of explanation, 

 when we remember that a mown crop of clover has been 

 allowed the opportunity of full development; whereas a 

 grazed crop has not been able to rear its head upward, or 

 to strike its roots downwards, as in the case of the mown 

 crop. It has been perpetually snubbed and checked. The 

 fully developed plant, fit for mowing, and in full inflorescence, 

 has done its work thoroughly, and has absorbed its due' 

 weight of solid substance from the subsoil and atmosphere. 

 Its roots have reached their full development, and the fall of 

 leaf during the continuous stages of its growth have top- 

 dressed the surface with rich, fertilizing material. It is these 



