222 THE LAND AND ITS PROBLEMS 



crops allow the light to penetrate to the ground, and thus the 

 weeds obtain the means of growth. It is interesting to note 

 the difference in varieties of cereals themselves in their ability 

 to keep down weeds — for example, land which has carried a 

 crop of Clemrotheray oats will be much cleaner after harvest 

 than land on which Record or Leader oats have been grown. 

 n. Deep-ploughing, to bury deeply the roots of couch grass, 

 and to cut the roots of such weeds as docks and thistles below 

 the range of dormant buds, IIL The turning of the furrow 

 slice almost completely over in conjunction with a skim coulter, 

 to avoid weed growth on the furrow brows. IV. It is of the 

 greatest importance that the crop be sown immediately after 

 the plough and before the perennial weeds have time to 

 commence growth. V. Dressings of manures are valuable, 

 particularly farmyard manure. 



PEA AND OAT HAY 



The dry fodder given during the winter months is hay 

 made from a mixture of peas and oats. This crop gives very 

 heavy yields — 4 tons per acre having been obtained — is not 

 difficult to make, and gives excellent results in feeding. To 

 obtain the heaviest yields Clemrotheray or Dunn's oats should 

 be sown. The crop should be cut when the peas have formed 

 pods, but before they are filled with seeds, and it is necessary 

 to leave the hay in large cocks for a considerable time, as it 

 should not heat at all in the stack, and the stacks should be 

 thatched as soon as possible, as water easily penetrates. Pea 

 and oat hay has proved more effective in the production of 

 milk than the best meadow hay. 



THE MANAGEMENT OF THE STOCK 



It has long been known that cows can be maintained in 

 perfect health when kept entirely indoors, provided their treat- 

 ment is correct. The plan adopted in the Harper-Adams 

 system is to keep the cows tied up all the year, allowing about 

 half an hour out of doors each day for exercise. The cows 

 kept in this way have maintained their health and condition, 



