354 CORNISH MARKET GARDENING 



of lime, and an old custom that had largely fallen into 

 disuse had been to spread shell sand from the beach. 

 We were told, however, that it always had a bad effect 

 upon oats, though it benefited other crops, and where 

 the sand had stood in heaps the injury was said to be 

 manifest in the oat crop for many years. We found 

 the same opinion in other parts of Cornwall ; even 

 liming, a practice which is reviving under the stimulus 

 of the agricultural teachers, is thought to be injurious 

 to the oat crop. 



At present the shell sand is chiefly being used on 

 the upland heather, of which there is much common 

 land only now being enclosed and brought under the 

 plough. As grazing, these heathy commons are said 

 to be good for cattle and young horses, but bad for 

 sheep. Altogether farming in that part of Cornwall 

 struck one as brisk and prosperous, though, as else- 

 where, the prospects of the season were deplorable, 

 hay still being out in the field at a time when the 

 corn harvest ought to have been in full swing or 

 nearly over. 



