22 



Farming of Derhysliire. 



1st Year. Turnips on fallow. 

 2nd Barley, seeded. 



3rd Mixed clovers with common 



or Italian rye-grass, mown. 

 4th Seeds, pasture. 



5th Wheat. 

 6th „ Fallow. 



tlje year 1849. The farms vary in size from 50 to 300 acres, and 

 are generally well cultivated, presenting a garden appearance. 



The general uniformity of its soils gives an uniformity in the 

 course of cropping throughout, and may be placed as a 5-years* 

 course : but it is subject to change to suit the farmer's con- 

 venience. These changes are not considered as objectionable : 

 they are a part of the alternate system, and are useful in the 

 general plan ; and are as follows : — 



1st Year. Turnips on fallow. 

 2nd Barley, seeded. 



3rd Mixed clovers, with rib- 



grass, rj'e-grass, or Italian. 

 4th ,, Seeds, pasture. 

 5th „ Ra])e. 

 6th „ Wheat. 

 7 th Barley or oats. 



Fallow. 



One of these plans gives a 7-years' course, and reduces the 

 tendency to clover-sickness, so much complained of. The diffi- 

 culties and the frequent losses attending the growth of clovers 

 have of late years been so serious that many occupiers have 

 abandoned their use, and for one course sown Italian rye-grass 

 instead, in the hope that the next course would be more favour- 

 able to the red clover. The introduction of rape after ley has 

 been lately introduced as a preparation for wheat, and will, 

 without any doubt, be continued. The second year's ley is 

 winter-ploughed, and crossed in the spring, dressed down, and 

 rape-seed, at the rate of 3 lbs. to the acre, sown broadcast ; but 

 no manure or tillage given, the land being in good condition. 

 The rape consumed on the ground v/ith sheep has a tendency to 

 keep it so. Excellent crops of wheat have been obtained in this 

 way, and noble crops of barley have followed. Sometimes the 

 wheat stubble is fallowed for turnips, on the principle that two 

 white crops should not be taken without a green one intervening. 

 The land is, however, after rape and oil-cake consumed on it, 

 in a fit state to grow a second white crop after the wheat. 



Pre-paring Turnip Fallout — The plan of autumn-dressing the 

 land in preparation for the turnip fallow has become general. 

 Every effort is made to accomplish this ; and the letter of Mr. 

 Pusey, in the Society's Journal, directing the farmer's attention 

 to its advantages, has given additional force to the plan. The 

 land is well scuffled on the surface, harrowed, and cleaned — the 

 weeds removed and burnt, or, if not numerous, they are ploughed 

 down by a deep furrow during the winter. Some farmers have 

 lately, to save time at a busier period of the year, given the fal- 

 low 6 or 7 loads of manure previous to the winter ploughing. 

 It then receives another ploughing and dressing in the spring, 



