THE STATE SMALL-HOLDINGS IN DENMARK 481 



saw a waggon that cost 170 kroner (9 8 s. 6d.), a market-cart 

 bought second-hand for 120 kroner (6 13 s.), and a corn- 

 dressing machine, besides a plough, a roller, and two sets of 

 harrows, all designed to be drawn by one horse. He borrowed 

 his liquid-manure apparatus from a neighbour. 



I inspected this article, which, in view of the considerable cost 

 of such machines in England (my own came to about 22), 

 deserves a few words of description, especially as all I saw in 

 Denmark were of the same pattern. It consisted of a long 

 coopered tub measuring about 9 feet by 3, which tubs can be 

 purchased for 30 kroner (jQi 13 s.). This is placed in one of the 

 narrow-bottomed Danish waggons and pumped full of the fluid, 

 which, by means of a simple sluice-door behind, it discharges in a 

 copious stream on the land as the waggon is drawn fonvard. This 

 stuff is applied much more liberally than our carts are designed to 

 do. Mr. Larsen said that it is best used in spring and autumn and 

 after rain. Even on this small-holding there is a good liquid- 

 manure tank holding 96 cartloads of 140 litres to the load, and 

 fitted with a proper pump. 



I went over Mr. Larsen's land very carefully, being anxious to 

 ascertain how it was managed. He called it good and heavy, but 

 I should describe it as light. Indeed it must be light, since other- 

 wise one rather slenderly built horse could not drag a plough 

 through it. Near to the buildings were three small stacks one 

 of barley, one of barley and oats mixed, and one of oats. Beyond 

 these was first a strip of very good swedes and beet, about an 

 acre in all. Then came another strip from which a mixed crop of 

 barley and oats had been taken. This was sown down for clover 

 hay, and on it the blanketed cows were tethered. Next in succes- 

 sion was plough-land already drilled with rye after oats and vetches, 

 then mustard for cow food after rye, a patch of beet, and a barley 

 stubble. All of these were clean and in good heart. The little 

 farm is divided into eight portions of about three-quarters of an 

 acre each, worked in the following rotation: (1) oats, peas, and 

 vetches mixed for " stable food " ; (2) rye ; (3) roots ; (4) barley ; 

 (5) roots ; (6) barley sown down with clover and mixed seeds ; 

 (7 and 8) clover. . 



