438 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



forty years." He mentions several instances of crops ranging 

 from 40 to 90 bushels per acre. These must, of course, have 

 been produced on the best soil, and under most favorable cir- 

 cumstances. They are, however, encouraging, as results of 

 improved methods of cultivation. 



" In France," says Mr. Coleman, " the average crop in the 

 best districts, is stated at 22 bushels." But he also famishes 

 statements of crops of 44, 50 and 72 bushels per acre, and adds 

 that " the product of wheat in France has nearly doubled with- 

 in eighty years." " In France," he continues, " which produces 

 nearly 200,000,000 bushels, or more than half the crop of wheat 

 grown in Europe, much of the soil is unfavorable to this grain, 

 from its excessive dryness." This disadvantage, however, is 

 overcome by the free use of the subsoil plough, the harrow and 

 the roller. The subsoil plough, we think, may be used more 

 freely, and with great benefit in Norfolk County, and the ap- 

 plication of both harrow and roller to the growing grain, has, 

 in our own experience, been followed by a large increase of the 

 crop. " In Great Britain, the climate is particularly favorable 

 to the growth of wheat, because of its equable temperature 

 and its humidity. But its humidity renders the harvest pre- 

 carious." 



" Wetness is peculiarly unfriendly to wheat. Surface water 

 that remains long upon the soil, or wetness, which stagnates 

 and remains long in the soil, is highly prejudicial to it. The 

 soil in which it is grown to most advantage, is a deep alumi- 

 nous soil, not so clayey as to prevent its being thoroughly 

 cultivated. It requires, therefore, a good mixture of calcareous 

 or siliceous matter. A soil of excessive lightness or looseness 

 is not favorable, and a hard and impermeable soil equally un- 

 congenial." The application of clay to light soils, however, 

 renders them well suited to the growth of wheat, and produc- 

 tive of large crops. " The soil cannot be too deeply cultivated 

 for wheat. The roots of the plant descend perpendicularly, 

 and spread themselves laterally and broadly in search of food. 

 It would be a mistake to plough too deeply for this crop at the 

 time of sowing the seed, and it is always useful to roU or tread 

 the soil after it is sown ; but it is desirable that it should find 

 a deep, mellow bed below." 



" Wheat cannot be too clean, or be kept too clean from 



