Farming of Lincolnshire. 



335 



springs, many artificial ponds exists — being of a circular form, 

 puddled with clay, and the clay faced with chalk-stones or flints 

 to prevent the stock from treading and removing it ; and wells 

 are sunk to the depth of 90 or lOU yards. However, there are 

 comparatively few table farms, most occupations being penetrated 

 by gorges, in which the purest springs flow upon the surface, and 

 the water, when necessary, is carried to the more elevated grounds 

 in water-carts. 



ivluch of the white corn is drilled, and dibbling is practised to 

 some extent ; but it is common to sow both oats and the wheat 

 after turnips broadcast. The usual quantity of seed-wheat is 

 10 pecks, or in some places 3 or 4 bushels per acre, being entirely 

 a matter of opinion. A great saving might be effected here ; for 

 it is certain that equally good crops have been repeatedly grown 

 from a less amount of seed than is commonly sown. 



Press drills are now often used immediately after the ploughs, 

 in preference to the usual mode of drilling, some persons thmk- 

 ing that by pressing the crop will not be so likely to lose its root 

 in February and March, and that the straw will grow stiffer, and 

 consequently less liable to be laid in wet seasons. 



All the corn is mown, but the barley left untied. The w^hite 

 wheats are most extensively grown, and the Wold wheat and 

 barley are held by millers and maltsters to be equal in quality to 

 those of any other county. The amount of produce is very variable, 

 the vield from this fictitious soil necessardy depending upon the 

 management under which it is placed. On an average of years 

 the white yields as much as the red, and is worth more per quar- 

 ter, Hunter's White" and " Taunton White" being the most 

 approved sorts. Whilst some farmers apply great quantities of 

 manure, and even put on bones for the barley crop, others neglect 

 this, and reap only a lean produce. The yield fluctuates from 

 2^ to 7 qrs. of Avheat per acre ; and the general opinion seems to 

 fix the average of the whole district at about 4 qrs., seldom weigh- 

 ing less than 17 St. or more than 18 st. per coomb. Under high 

 management, 7 or 8 qrs. per acre of barley, and oats of good 

 weight 9 or 10 qrs. per acre, are frequently obtained. An intel- 

 ligent practical farmer has estimated the average produce of a 

 number of years over the central part of the Wolds as follows : — 



Qrs. Bash. ^ 



Wheat 3 2 



Barley . . . • . 4 6 

 Oats , ... • • 54 



On the excellent soil in the neighbourhood of Barrow, and 

 stretching betw^een Barton and Grimsby, the general average is 

 computed at rather above than under — Wheat, 4 qrs. per acre 

 barley, 6 qrs. per acre, — the quantity, like the quality, varying 



