30 



Farming of Derby sJiire. 



The price paid for draining — including cutting 3 feet deep, 

 tiling, and finishing — is 2s. Qd. per acre of 28 yards, and varies 

 only when occasional stones are found. In this locality there is 

 a difference of opinion prevailing as to the advantage of placing 

 gravel or coal-slack over the tile ; the occupier of one farm con- 

 tending that " it is of no use draining without gravel," while 

 another contends " that it is unnecessary," that " if the tile is 

 properly placed at the bottom of the drain, the water cant be 

 kept out of it." Perhaps an examination of the subsoil would 

 solve the difference of opinion, and show a greater percentage 

 of sand in one than the- other. . In the parish of Alfreton lime 

 has been extensively used on the wheat fallow for years ; " it is 

 now less thought about " — ^" the land has had enough," and 

 rape-dust, at the rate of 4 to 5 cwt. per acre, is taking its place, 

 and saving the great v/ear and tear in the cartage of this heavy 

 material, and reducing the cost of growing wheat. The rape-dust 

 is drilled with the seed on a stale furrow, and noble crops of 

 wheat follow; but no figures are produced in the experiment to 

 show the advantage of such application. The noble crop of 

 wheat may be owing to other causes — to the thorougldy-drained 

 land, to a clean summer fallow, and last — but not least — to the 

 wheat being drilled on a stale and solid furrow. It is to be 

 regretted that farmers generally do not apply the pounds, 

 shillings, and pence calculation to their trials and experiments, 

 but satisfy themselves with the eye, and are content without 

 pocket proof. 



On the farm of James Oakes, Esq., Riddings House, winter 

 beans were tried for the first time last year (1851-2), but the 

 crop was considered a failure. At the present time they are 

 looking very well, drilled on a clover-ley, after which, with an 

 autumn dressing and a little manure, a good crop of wheat is 

 expected. The growth of winter-tares, mixed with rye and 

 wheat for summer folding, is extending, and in a few instances 

 the crop has been consumed on the ground with sheep, and the 

 following wheat-crops have yielded what is considered the fair 

 average on these soils of 4 quarters to the acre. In this case the 

 ploughs follow the sheep, and the land receives a slight dressing 

 of manure the last furrov/ ; the wheat is then drilled at the rate 

 of 2 bushels to the acre. The great staple of the district is 

 wheat, and many acres at the present time (February, 1853) are 

 left unsown, and must stand over for Lent corn. On the farm- 

 stead there is a novelty in the construction of stalls, intended for 

 the use of either cows or horses, which is worth notice. The 

 stalls are 8 feet wide, and in the centre rises an iron horse- 

 manger and rack, such as are in common use, and on each side 

 the horse-manger are troughs for the cows. The stalls have no 



