424 



AgriciiUare of Northiunherlaiid. 



Implements, ^"c. — The implements in use in this county are 

 of the most improved description. The light single-horse cart is 

 gradually replacing the old heavy waggons and carts; and the 

 Scotch swing-plough, drawn by two horses abreast, certainly looks 

 neater, and produces as good work in the hands of ordinary work- 

 men as any of the south-country loheeled ploughs. The great 

 disadvantage, attending many of the excellent implements shown 

 at the agricultural meetings, is their great complexity and conse- 

 quent high price. These two circumstances unfortunately place 

 many of them out of the reach of the ordinary class of farmers. 

 Many of the seed and manure drills, Crossgill's patent clod- 

 crusher, and others of the same description, are thus unfortunately 

 prevented from coming into general use. 



There are now few farms without a thrashing-machine ; and 

 the steam-engine, as applied to it, is one of the most striking ad- 

 ditions to the improved farm-buildings already named. Where 

 the farm is large it is a great acquisition. Grant's patent liorse- 

 rake is yearly becoming more generally used — a sure proof of its 

 value. The writer has used a large one of the same pattern lor 

 several years, and finds it very useful in hay-harvest. Two men 

 and one horse will sweep together from J 2 to 14 acres of hay per 

 day with it. I'he Hainault scythe for corn-harvest, has been 

 lately introduced, and is found to be a valuable acquisition. 



As the turnip season is one of great consequence in the dis- 

 trict, the most improved turnip-drills are eagerly sought after. 

 The above seem to be the only farm-implements in use in the 

 district, which require special notice. 



Description of Farming. — The systems of farming, in this ex- 

 tensive county, are as various as the soils and situations already 

 mentioned, but they mav be described under three heads — 



A. On Wheat Soil ; " 



B. On Barley or Turnip Soil ; and 



C. On Stock or Grazing Farms; — 



Of which I shall now proceed to treat in detail. 



A. On Wheat Soils — which have been described as generally 

 occupying the middle and south-east of the county, the four- 

 course system is universally in use, namely: — 1st year, fallow; 

 2nd year, wheat ; 3rd year, clover or beans ; 4th year, oats. 

 The improvement recently effected by draining, even on the most 

 stubborn wheat soils^ has led to some variation in this system of 

 cropping. The usual practice is to allot from 12 to 15 acres of 

 fallow to each pair of horses, and of these about 3 to 5 acres are 

 in potatoes or turnips, which will make the rotation as follows. 

 Suppose a farm of GO acres, of these — 



