58 



Farming of Northamptonsliire. 



plant, or any portion "go-ofF" in the spring, the land is sown 

 with early pease, winter beans, or white turnips, to be eaten off 

 early. 



: Fourth Year, Wheat. — Early in October the clover-ley is 

 ploughed up, about 5 inches deep, for wheat ; this is generally 

 done by two horses abreast. Some persons have a presser follow- 

 ing the plough teams, pressing down the furrows and making a 

 groove, into which the seed, being sown broadcast, falls and 

 finds a firm bottom ; it is then harrowed in. A field, when 

 well ploughed and pressed, presents a very nice appearance, 

 showing a regular ribbed surface. When a presser is not used, 

 the land is rolled down after ploughing with a heavy roll or 

 Crosskill's clod-crusher, and the seed drilled; or, if the weather 

 is suitable, the seed is harrowed in, and the land rolled after- 

 wards. The seed used varies from 2 to 3 bushels per acre, ac- 

 cording to the condition of the land and the time of sowing. 



On this description of land, having a northern aspect, and 

 when the soil is thin, the wheat often loses plant in the spring, 

 occasioned by the rain during the winter months washing the 

 mould from the roots of the plants, and the severe frosts in 

 the spring destroying the wheat. It is also liable to suffer from 

 wireworms and grubs. Dibbling of wheat has been practised to 

 some extent. The seed saved was considered nearly to compen- 

 sate for the extra labour when the price of wheat was 75. per 

 bushel. When a dibbling machine is not used the work is per- 

 formed by a man, with two iron dibbles, v/alking backwards and 

 making the holes, into which the seed is deposited by boys, over 

 which a light harrow is then passed. 



There is great difficulty in getting the work well executed ; 

 the boys are apt to drop the seed very irregularly, and it comes 

 up in small bunches. It is an advantage to the light land, in 

 consequence of the soil being pressed down firmly by the treading 

 of the men and boys in the execution of the work. I saw a small 

 field in the parish of Eydon last summer that had been planted 

 with a hand dibbling machine, but it was much too thin and a 

 very unproductive crop. Dibbled wheat has always a great ten- 

 dency to tiller in the spring, and thereby produces an uneven 

 sample ; the crop also is more likely to mildew. With the pre- 

 sent price of wheat, dibbling is likely to become less practised, 

 as the saving of seed will not compensate for the extra labour. 



The preparation of seed wheat before sowing is very varied. 

 The old system of brining is still very prevalent, the brine being 

 made sufficiently strong to swim an egg. The wheat is put into 

 it, and the light grains are skimmed off. The wheat is then 

 placed on a dry floor, and mixed with a small quantity of fresh 

 lime. Wheat, thus prepared, when the atmosphere is damp is 



