14S Mr. Curwen on the Means of 



Of the six millions of acres employed in feeding horses of various descriptions^ 

 suppose it to be divided between pasture and grain, allowing 4 millions for hay and 

 grass, and 2 millions for oats, I do conceive, upon a moderate estimate, a twentieth 

 pail might be spared by feeding draught horses upon potatoes, carrots, and straw, 

 instead of hay, and soiling them in summer, which would make a saving of three 

 hundred thousand acres. 



If it be correct that there are twenty-four millions of acres in pasture, deducting 

 four millions supposed to be required for horses, there would remain twenty 

 millions for the pasturage of cattle, &c. Does it admit of much doubt, that (by 

 feeding milch cows, and fattening cattle with green food both summer and winter, 

 in sheds) a saving of a sixteenth part, or one million two hundred thousand acres 

 might be made? Granting me that one million and a half of acres might be taken 

 from the ground hitherto appropriated to the pasturage of horses and cattle, we 

 may naturally suppose them to be those nearest to towns, and of the best quality; 

 most advantageously situated for manure, and consequently capable of producing 

 above the average of estimated crops. But should I be thought too sanguine in 

 my calculations, as to the quantity of ground that might be obtained, — still with a 

 less proportion (from the nature of the soil and advantages of situation, from 

 heavier crops and a more frequent rotation of wheat being taken) the object might 

 be accomplished : supposing one-fourth to be under wheat annually it would supply 

 all our present demands. By an appropriation of a fourth to green crops, a larger 

 quantity of food would be produced than was supplied by the whole whilst under 

 pasture; the remaining 750,000 acres could be left for other crops, and might 

 be managed in such a manner as would prepare the quantity of land requisite for 

 wheat. I might also with propriety state the prodigious saving which would be 

 made by the general use of the drill. Upon the farm (to which I have so frequently 

 referred) there are 100 acres sown with the drill, with a Winchester and a half to 

 the acre, whilst the common practice of the district is three Winchesters. This 

 makes a saving of 150 Winchesters, the cost of which would have been, at the 



The expense of the mode of tillage I have practised and recommended is 

 undoubtedly great, and its answering must doubtless depend upon grain keeping 

 up its price. If wheat falls much below 10s. per bushel, I should despair of the 

 profits being such as would repay the farmer. 



