262 



Triah of Nitrate of Soda, 



By this statement it will be seen that the increase on the wheat and 

 on the w^heat-straw is more than one-fourth ; on the oats nearly the 

 same, and on the oat-straw almost one-third. 



In my experiments the nitrate of soda was only beneficial on land 

 that was out of condition ; if this should prove to be its general cha- 

 racter, it will indeed be a valuable auxiliary as a top-dressing in the 

 spring. There are but few farmers who have not a small portion of 

 their land to which it may become useful. You are aware that a very 

 great breadth of land in this island requires a stimulus to produce even 

 a moderate crop, while, to land which is naturally fertile and in a high 

 state of cultivation, such assistance would prove injurious. 



I purpose using a greater quantity of nitrate this season, with a view 

 of trying its properties ; and as it is very important not only to know how 

 far it may prove beneficial to the first crop, but to examine the state of 

 the land in the following season, I trust every member who may have 

 the opportunity will not fail to make a report accordingly. 



Yours, most respectfully. 

 Court Farm, Hayes, Chas. Newman. 



Marc/ilS, 1841. 



VI.— aSWc Account of the Cultivation of a Cold-Clay Farm. 

 By the Rev, G. F. Holcomb. 



To Ph. Pusey, Esq. 



Sir, — The conversation which took place between our Secretary, Mr. 

 Hudson, and myself relative to the cultivation of heavy land, was in 

 consequence of my observation of the successful practice of Mr. 11. W. 

 King, a considerable landed proprietor of this parish, in growing turnips 

 upon cold soil, ill calculated naturally for the purpose. The part of 

 his farm to which I alluded is situated upon the highest point of Cam- 

 bridgeshire, twelve miles distant from Cambridge, and bordering upon 

 the county of Suffolk ; the surface of the soil is tenacious loam, shallow, 

 upon a subsoil of cold clay. 



Mr. King's method is, in the first place, to drain his land, which is 

 done with dried turf procured for the purpose from the fens, similar in 

 appearance to what used to be consumed instead of coal in the cottages; 

 the length varies from 12 to 16 inches, according to the goodness of its 

 quality, some being more brittle and more easily broken in carriage than 

 others ; the width and depth of the best turves is about 3 inches ; the 

 retail price is now *ls. per thousand : 4 horses in a waggon easily bring 

 3000. Supposing the drains to be a rod, i.e. 5J yards, asunder, the 

 usual distance, 2000 turves amply suffice for one acre of land ; the dura- 

 bility of the drainage depends upon the soundness of the clay, the 

 depth in the earth at which the turf is buried, and the goodness of 

 turf, which varies in different parts of the fen. I have myself been a 

 tile-maker for my own consumption, and used many thousands, but 

 after twenty years of practical experience of tile and turf, prefer the 

 latter; it is two-thirds cheaper than tiles, and, where sheep-folds are 



