CHAPTER V 



THE SYSTEM AND METHODS OF PRODUCTION 

 IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 



IX the last chapter certain general results from the 

 British and Continental systems of agriculture were 

 compared. In this chapter I propose to go into 

 some detail in regard to our methods of production, and 

 to discuss the growing of certain specific crops ; this, 

 not in the least with a view to teach the agriculturist, 

 but rather to give the layman and student a certain 

 insight into the cultivation of the land, and to indicate 

 certain shortcomings in our present system. 



The layman often thinks that the cultivation of the 

 land is a ver)' simple affair — that any half-trained person 

 who is not fitted for other professions can take up 

 farming, and that agricultural labour is unskilled labour. 

 The very reverse is the case. For every worker on the 

 farm is a skilled labourer in his own line. And more 

 knowledge, thought and forethought are required in 

 successful farming than in almost any other occupation. 

 About 140 years ago a system of agriculture began 

 to be evolved in this country, under the direction of the 

 great agriculturists mentioned in the historical intro- 

 duction — a system which is known as the Four- Year 

 Rotation. 



Taking a given field under this system : in the first year 

 it grew roots (turnips, swedes, mangfjlds) ; in the second 



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