274 WHEAT. 



of bullocks and sheep, In the winter feethng of turnips ; 

 any such system is repugn:un to that just theory which h 

 the child, and ought to be the parent, of pradlice: it re- 

 sults from, and ought to regulate it. To sec wheat thriv- 

 ing admirably on stiff soils with one ploughing, and to be 

 lold that four are necessary on light ones, is a contradic- 

 tion to common sense. And yet the fadl certainly is so, 

 while an old ray-grass layer is alone in question. How 

 avoid the evil ? By dibbling pea?e upon the lay on one 

 ploughing, and taking the wheat after the pease. I have 

 little doubt of this avoiding the mischief. Another mode 

 is, to follow Mr. Coke's husbandry of grasses, to the ex- 

 clusion of rav, in which meiliod, I am of opinion (bar- 

 ring the red worm), that one earth would give better wheat 

 than more. And his own course of crops, already in- 

 serted, proves that this method will do. For, hovv-ever 

 useful, and even necessary in some cases, ray-grass may 

 be, never let it be forgotten, that it is comparatively an ex- 

 hausting plant, and not the best preparation for corn. — 

 Either of these modes is consistent with the nature and 

 charafler of tlie soil, the great feature of v/hich, is the 

 want of tenacity ; but the praiStice now pursued, coIncidcG 

 •with noothei idea but the want of friability. — Note, in 1784. 



Nothing is more injurious, in Mr. Thurtell's opi- 

 nion, than to give any previous tillage, commonly called 

 a bastard fallow, to a layer for wheat : this husbandry, 

 once so common, he says, is quite done with. 



It is, however, almost universal in the northern part of 

 Happing hundred, to North Walbham, ond also about 

 Aylesham. 



Mr. Cubit, of Floning, set wheat on the flag for many 

 years, but found it better to rise baulk or riffle, and the 

 crops cleaner. He sets about half his crop. 



Mr. Margateson, of North Walsham, breaks up 



tfas. 



