PLACE IN THE KOTATION EXAMPLES. 269 



place of rye ; and where the land approaches a heavy loam, 

 then colza or rape is sown for its seed produce. In Ireland 

 the practice is very similar, as is evidenced by the two 

 rotations now given, which are those of some of the 

 best flax-growing districts: 1, roots (potatoes or turnips) ; 

 2, wheat ; 3, flax with seeds ; 4, seeds cut ; 5, seeds grazed ; 

 6, seeds grazed; 7, oats; 8, flax. Or, 1, oafcs; 2, flax; 3, 

 roots ; 4, wheat with seeds ; 5, seeds cut ; 6, seeds grazed. 

 Of course there are several other rotations practised in 

 both countries. The examples given are those of successful 

 cultivation, and differ only in so far as they are influenced 

 by the difference in climate of the two countries the one, 

 Belgium, being comparatively dry and suited for grain 

 cultivation ; the other, Ireland, being humid, and far better 

 adapted to herbaceous growth. In each, however, we see 

 flax following a straw crop, and this no doubt is its best 

 position ; it then comes to maturity, and can be harvested 

 in time either for a forage crop of some kind to succeed ; 

 or for the crop sown down, in some rotations, with it 

 either to mature and be harvested, as in the case of carrots ; 

 or to make a good growth, as with seeds, before the winter 

 comes on. 



In some of the poor districts on the Continent flax is 

 taken after grass, the old pastures being ploughed up, 

 furnishing an amount of fertilizing matter sufficient to 

 enable them to take two or three crops of a better descrip- 

 tion than the natural character of the soil usually admits 

 of. In Ireland they like, when possible, to break up old 

 pasture land, take a crop of potatoes, followed by wheat, 

 and then (the third year) a crop of flax sown on the 

 stubble. In this" case they get both quantity and quality 

 of produce ; whereas, if they were to take the flax first, on 

 breaking up the old grass, it would be sure to grow rank, 

 give probably a large bulky crop, of inferior quality, and 

 be very liable to sustain injury should the weather be at all 



