SMALL HOLDINGS 77 



but it is the kind of work that pays, and time 

 should be found during a long winter to com- 

 plete it. Double digging confers two advan- 

 tages at least; the subsoil is aerated, so that 

 in the course of time the food which it contains 

 in a latent condition is prepared for the use 

 of plants, while it is rendered more porous, 

 an important point in a heavy soil through 

 which water passes with difficulty in a rainy 

 season. The roots of plants, too, are more 

 easily enabled to penetrate the subsoil, as in 

 the case of lucerne, clover, and all deep- 

 rooted plants, some of which, like kidney- 

 vetch, yarrow, and Burnet, should invari- 

 ably be sown in grass mixtures which are 

 to remain down over three years in search 

 of food and water, 



Although spade cultivation may be re- 

 garded as the chief feature of the winter's 

 work, there are many other items of labour 

 which a tenant will find that it is 

 important should be done. When digging 

 or other work on the land is impossible, 

 owing to snow, hard frost, or heavy rain, he 

 will mend his fences, clean out his ditches 

 and his drains, repair his buildings and his 

 gates, limewash, tar, or paint where either 

 is required ; for if he is a handy man, as a 



