314 



On the Farming of Suffolk. 



some operation from the clay sticking to theshovelj and also from 

 its becoming consolidated in the heaps. 



After being spread, the stones, of which there are often a great 

 many, are picked from the land, and the clay pulverized during 

 dry weather by harrowings and rollings. Some employ people to 

 break the clods by manual labour ; but this can be done much 

 more effectually by Crosskill's clod- roller. 



The clay is ploughed in shallow ; the next ploughing deeper, 

 so as to bring it again nearly to the surface. Many prefer claying 

 on clover layers ; and when it is dry weather there is no better 

 time for laying on clay than during the few weeks preceding har- 

 vest. It is then dry, and can easily be pulverized, and the furrow 

 for wheat is always a shallow one ; the clay is well mixed up with 

 the soil by the deeper fallow ploughings. 



The quantity usually laid on per acre is from 30 to 40 cubic 

 yards ; though a much greater quantity is frequently applied to 

 fresh broken-up heath lands. 



To show the extent to which the admixture of the subsoil with 

 the surface is carried by the tenant farmers of this county, I 

 give the following list of the successful candidates for the pre- 

 mium of 41., offered by the West Suffolk Agricultural Association, 

 with the number of chaldron loads (36 bushels) spread by each 

 farmer, with the extent of his light or fen-land occupation. For 

 this information I am indebted to Mr. George Beeton, the Secre- 

 tary. 



The conditions of competition for this prize are — A premium 

 of 4.1. to the tenant who shall have carried and spread the greatest 

 number of chaldron loads of clay, loam, or marsh-earth, within 

 the last twelve months, according to the relative proportion of 

 arable land in his occupation." During the latter meetings this 

 rule has been altered to the relative proportions of light land in 

 the tenants' occupation. 



Acres. 



Occupation 150 

 „ 300 

 300 



„ 300 

 „ 500 

 (Fen land) 160 

 330 



(Fen land) 215 

 (Fen laud) 215 

 (Fen land) 215 

 „ 500 

 (Fen land) 215 

 (Fen land) 215 

 150 



For a prize of the same amount offered to tenant farmers only^ 

 by the East Suffolk Agricultural Association, we have — 







Loads. 



1834. 



Mr. John Rollinson, of Rede, clayed 

 ■ — James Lee, Whepstead • 



with 12-15 



1835. 



1679 



1836. 



— James Lee , 



1145 



1837. 



— James Lee . . . 



1512 



1838. 



— George Gayford, Rymer • 



2556 



1839. 



— George Gayford 



8485 



1840. 



— John Boldero , . , 



1730 



1841. 



— Edward Witf, Fornbam 



6776 



1842. 



— Edward Witt . 



, 10,286 



1843. 



— Edward Witt , 



, 14,590 



1844. 



— George Gayford 



4513 





— Edward Witt , , , 



8876 



1845. 



— Edward Witt . 



9325 



1846. 



' — James King, Felsham • 



1066 



