130 



Cropping of a Derelict Estate in Sussex. [May 



spring gown oats, approximately the same acreage was again 

 sown with w-heat in the autumn of 1919. 



Much the same type of manuring was again carried out as in 

 1919, viz., approximately 7 cwt. of low-grade hasic slag per 

 acre, and, owing to the better facilities for obtaining nitrate of 

 soda, the spring dressing of wheat generally consisted of 1 cwt. 

 of sulphate of ammonia and 1 cwt. of nitrate of soda. 



About 70 acres of " Yeoman " wheat were grown in this 

 season, the remainder again being " Garton's Victor " and 

 " Little Joss." 



There was again promise of a successful harvest, and this 

 was borne out by an average yield of 33 bushels per acre (Fig. 2). 



Extension of Potato Acreage in 1920. — A larger acreage of 

 potatoes was grown in 1920, in all nearly 100 acres. 



The varieties grown were chiefly " Arran Chief " and 

 " Lochar " as these w T ere considered to be the two varieties 

 which had given the best results in the previous year. The 

 greater part of this acreage was manured with 6 cwt. of super- 

 phosphate, 1 cwt. of sulphate of potash, and 3 cwt. of sulphate 

 of ammonia per acre. Some part, however, received kainit and 

 steamed bone flour, instead of sulphate of potash and super- 

 phosphate. 



The best area of Lochar averaged over 13 tons per acre, and 

 the best of the Arran Chief slightly under 12 tons, although this 

 high average was, of course, not maintained over the whole 

 acreage. 



Nearly all the potatoes found a ready sale in Brighton and 

 were of excellent cooking quality — a quality in no small way 

 due to the very sandy soil. 



Despite the prevalence of potato disease in this district, the 

 potatoes kept remarkably healthy and free from disease. Spray- 

 ing probably did not pay in 1919, but in 1920 it undoubtedly 

 doubled the crop. Spraying was commenced early in June, 

 and continued until the potatoes began to ripen off. 



Spring Corn in 1920. — The spring-sown crops in 1920 were 

 much better than in the two previous years. This was due 

 to the exceptionally heavy rainfall in April which so materially 

 benefited the spring crops on the Sussex Downs. 



The question has frequently been asked as to how long this 

 system of farming could be maintained on such poor and im- 

 poverished land, without stock. The w 7 riter thinks that, with 

 suitable modifications, it could have been continued almost 

 indefinitely. 



