30 Heavy Crop of Hay and Good 



the quantity of cocksfoot and yarrow used, that quite 

 a thick sod had been formed. In 1894 the land was 

 cropped with turnips, which was a fair crop, consider- 

 ing the poorness of the land. In 1895 the land was 

 again laid down with a thin seeding of oats (which 

 turned out a very fair crop), and the following seeds : — 



As the field was to be cut for hay, Italian ryegrass 

 was added to the mixture. The land was so poor 

 that I had not thought of trying to take a crop of 

 hay from it, but, as my factor wished to do so, I 

 allowed him, as an experiment, to make the attempt. 

 The result for such land was really astonishing, and 

 surprised the various agriculturists who, by my sug- 

 gestion, visited the field, for a crop of hay was grown 

 which was as good as that produced on the best 

 low-lying lands. There was no weighing machine on 

 the farm, but, from a careful estimation of the stacks, 

 the crop was not less than two tons an acre, and the 

 field yielded a fine aftermath. After such a crop of 

 hay on such poor land, which had never been manured 

 since it was enclosed from the hill some 70 years 

 before, I expected that the field would afford poor 

 grazing, but was agreeably surprised to find that an 

 excellent account of its grazing capabilities was given 

 by the shepherd and steward. 



