HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [87 



from these successive white-straw crops, nor is it sowed in suffi- 

 cient quantity. The turnip husbandry does not yet prevail over 

 all the lighter soils ; and much of the stronger soils might be made 

 to bear them to great advantage, by being previously well drained, 

 and by growing the turnips upon the Northumberland one-bout 

 ridge. Upon the turnip lands the Norfolk system should be pur- 

 sued. Upon the strong soils, instead of the present course of 1. 

 fallow, 2. wheat, 3. oats, 4. clover, it would be better to sub- 

 stitute the following rotation : 1. fallow, 2. wheat, 3. clover, 4. oats 

 upon the layer. By this mode of culture, the land would be kept 

 more clean ; the wheat and the oats would be at least as good, if 

 not better ; and the clover layer would in general be of double 

 value to what it now is. 



The next course might consist of the following shifts : 1. 

 fallow, 2. wheat, 3. beans or pease, 4. oats, by which change the 

 clover would only be put in the land once in eight years, as it 

 is well known that the land will not bear to advantage a more fre- 

 quent repetition of that crop. These we presume are principal 

 objects to be attended to in our future progress in improvement. 



Farms of Land-owners. Among the various causes which have 

 led to the improvement of the Agriculture of the County, the 

 partiality of many of the landed proprietors for this most interest- 

 ing and useful of arts, may justly be considered as a principal one. 

 Scattered about in different parts of the county, the demesnes of 

 these gentlemen may be looked upon as a sort of school in which the 

 practices of other districts may be learnt, the best implements 

 may be inspected, and the merits of the various stock of different 

 counties may be duly estimated by the practical farmer. Among 

 persons devoted to the same pursuits, the most lively and lasting 

 friendships are usually formed ; and this effect has been produced 

 among the gentlemen of this county. To inspect the improve- 

 ments carrying on upon each other's farms, has led to a social in- 

 tercourse, which could scarcely have been formed under any other 

 circumstances. In these friendly meetings, the paltry jarrings of 

 politics and party are forgotten in the contemplation of those far 

 more interesting pursuits, which have for their object to better 

 the condition of our fellow-creatures, and to place the wealth and 

 prosperity of our country upon the surest foundation. Among the 

 first of these may be placed the Lord Lieutenant of the county. 

 From the period that he came of age, Lord Talbot has devoted 

 his time and his talents to the practice of agriculture: and the 



