52 



Farming of Northamptonshire. 



of it which has been reclaimed from woods, it being; liable to run 

 to straw and to grow an inferior sample of corn, and when con- 

 verted into pasture soon becomes mossy and inferior. The nature 

 of the subsoil is various : sometimes a continuance of black peaty 

 earth, but more frequently an admixture of clay and gravel on the 

 woodlands. The system of claying the surface, as adopted on the 

 fenland, renders that description of soil one of the most productive 

 in the kingdom. 



On the Management of the Red, Stony, and Sand// Soils of the 

 County, lohich may be cojisidered "Stock Farms. 



The most prevailing system of cultivation on this land is the 

 four-course system of husbandry, viz. : — 



1st Year — Turnips. 



2ncl Barley sown -with seeds. 



3rd Clover. 



4th Wheat. 



In some districts the five-course system is followed, viz. : — • 



1st Year — Turnips. 



2nd Barley, with seeds. 



3rd Clover. 



4th „ Wheat. 



5th Barley or oats. 



Many occupiers adopt the six-course rotation, viz. : — 



1st Year — Turnips. 



2nd Barley, with seeds. 



3rd „ Clover. 



4th Second year's clover. 



5th „ W^heat." 



6th Barley or oats. 



The follov/ing six-course system has lately been followed^ 

 viz. : — 



1st Year — Turnips. 



2nd Barley with seeds. 



3rd Clover.; 



4th „ Wheat. 



5th Winter beans, manured. 



6th „ Wheat. 



First Year, Turnip Fallow. — Whichever of the preceding 

 courses of cropping is adopted, considerable attention is paid to 

 the fallow, or turnip crop, as the foundation for the succeeding 

 crops, both with regard to its being well manured and well pul- 

 verized and cleaned. As soon after harvest as practicable, it 

 receives its first ploughing, and by many persons is previously 



