180 State of Agriculture in Northumberland. 



one patch would be found mucli too thick and another destitute 

 of plants, so as to leave a good deal of land unoccupied. It is not 

 possible to ascertain the fact with precision, but I do not hesitate 

 to state an opinion, that land sown by such a machine will pro- 

 duce more hay, and graze a greater quantity of stock, than that 

 left in the patchy condition which follows the unequal distribution 

 of small seeds by the hand, subject always to the fitful influence 

 of the winds. Corn-drills are not in general use, because the 

 land is well cleaned for the turnip-crop, and unless for the extir- 

 pation of weeds, broad cast sowing produces more corn, the land 

 being more equally accessible by the roots, which draw nourishment 

 from all its parts ; whereas in drills they are clustered in narrow 

 rows, and the ears are less regularly exposed to the sun, especially if 

 the drills lie from east to west. Rollers, scufflers, scarifiers, and 

 other implements, are much the same as those found in other dis- 

 tricts ; the double turnip-drill with rollers, sowing two rows at 

 once, is universally used. 



Manures. — Lime of good quality for land is found in several 

 parts of the district, and may be had at a distance of 10 miles 

 from any part of it, although it is carried to double that distance 

 into the adjoining counties of Roxburgh and Berwick. It is not 

 applied like dung at every fallowing, but once in 10 or often 

 15 years, and then in quantities from 160 to 240 bushels per 

 acre, either spread upon the land intended for turnips, or ploughed 

 in during the previous autumn or spring. After frequent 

 repetition the effects of lime become less apparent, but at such 

 an interval they are generally to be seen, especially in producing 

 a better take of grass-seeds and a more nutritious pasture. On 

 its first application to lands newly taken into cultivation, and con- 

 taining abundant vegetable matter to work upon, the effects of 

 lime are remarkable. An anecdote illustrative of this is related 

 in Messrs. Bailey and Culley's Report of Northumberland, in 

 1797: — About 12 years since, when looking over the farm 

 of Thornington," (the same which is now occupied by that emi- 

 nent breeder of short- horned cattle and field horses, Mr. Hunt.) 



we were surprised by a sudden alteration in the verdure of the 

 land ; one side was eaten very bare, and covered with a thick mat 

 of clover and ray-grass ; the other was a dingy brown, chiefly 

 composed of small bent and sheep s fescue, and in a great measure 

 neglected by the stock. An explanation was required for so great 

 a contrast, and Mr. Hall, the tenant, informed us that when that 

 field was last in fallow the part which was eaten so bare and 

 looked so green was well limed, but the other which was left 

 uneaten had never been limed." I have seen various instances 

 of a similar effect from the use of lime upon fresh soils : land that 

 has lain long in grass will produce excellent crops of turnip 



