Farming of South Wales. 



155 



numerous corn-crops, and occasionally broad-cast turnips. Some 

 lew farmers of superior discernment practised turniping for barley, 

 and took wheat on clover-ley with one furrow, to the total ex- 

 clusion of summer fallow, and this has rapidly gained ground ; 

 and the four-course, or slight deviation from it, is now the com- 

 mon system. It appears that the Vale of the Wye, and some parts 

 of Radnor, were treated with better rotations earlier than most 

 parts of Wales, for we find it mentioned that the Flemish course, 

 adulterated with summer fallows, was common at the time of the 

 last Report. As has been already stated, the soils here are more 

 clayey and stiff than in the Vale of Usk, but the farming is now 

 precisely similar ; and the following account of the tillage will 

 explain the general system of this neighbourhood : — When land 

 is intended for turnips it is made quite clean by frequent plough- 

 ings, scarifying, and harrowing, and then drilled with turnips on 

 the ridge, 24 inches apart, manured either with farm-yard manure 

 or artificial, such as guano, and bones dissolved with sulphuric 

 acid. If the latter are used, two-thirds, and if the former, one- 

 half of the turnips are consumed on the land by sheep folded, 

 which are principally Leicesters. The remainder of the crop is 

 brought to the farm-yard for the fat cattle, and also for young 

 stock, which receive only the addition of straw. 



I now come to the concluding portion of the Report, viz. ' ( The 

 improvements still required, with reference to the character and 

 climate of South Wales." The advances which have been 

 recently made in the eastern counties of South Wales argue 

 well for a continued progress in agriculture, and those slight im- 

 perfections which still exist there may be easily removed by an 

 enterprising and industrious tenant, with the assistance of a just 

 and liberal landlord. It would therefore be great arrogance to 

 suggest a series of improvements in such a rapidly progressing 

 district, and the few humble remarks that follow will be found 

 chiefly applicable to the interior and western portion of South 

 Wales. 



It would be well therefore to commence at the fountain- 

 head — draining. It is perfectly unnecessary to advance argu- 

 ments to support that which all commend, but draining is par- 

 ticularly wanted in South Wales, and till the land is made dry all 

 other attempts at improvement will be abortive. There being so 

 little sun and so much moisture in the atmosphere, it is highly 

 necessary that the rays of the sun should not be employed in 

 drawing off water from the land, but that they should proceed, 

 without let or hindrance, to warm the soil and make the plant 

 grow. The small amount of capital at the command of the 

 tenantry renders it impossible for them to drain on a large scale. 

 Giving them tiles would in many instances be a perfect waste of 

 money, on account of the imperfect manner in which the draining 



