70 



Farming of Northamptonshire. 



crops, there is not much, latitude for a rotation of crops, but 

 the following system is the most prevailing : — 



1st Year — Fallow, with root-crops. 

 2nd „ Wheat. 

 3rd „ 0at5, 



or the following : — 



1st Year — Fallow, with root-crops. 

 2nd ,, Oats. 

 3rd ,, Seeds. 

 4th Wheat. 



It is not necessary again to repeat the system of ploughing and 

 preparing the land for the different crops, as it is similar to that 

 followed on the heavy land. On the fallow-crop either turnips, 

 cabbages, mangold, or potatoes will grow very successfully ; 

 but if the subsoil is too tenacious, and not well drained, it is 

 difficult in a wet season to consume them on the land, and they 

 are often drawn off in the autumn. 



Many occupiers of this soil follow a system of alternate wheat 

 and root crops, and they consider that the most profitable. By 

 an application of manure to the root crops and lime to the wheat 

 crop, a considerable annual produce may be obtained. The lime 

 has a tendency to destroy the wireworm and other insects, which 

 are often very destructive on this soil. 



The small district of fen-land commencing about a mile from 

 Peterborough, on the road to Eye, bounded on the west by 

 *' Carr Dyke," and on the east by " Catwater Drain," extending 

 northward to Crowland, and occupying about 10,000 acres, may 

 very properly be placed under this division. 



The west side of the fen district is a very deep alluvial 

 deposit, and a very productive soil ; the land becomes more light 

 and spongy as it approaches the eastern boundary of the county. 



The three principal divisions are, Peterborough Flag-fen, 

 Newborough, and Borough Fen. 



Previous to the enclosure which was executed in 1814, Peter- 

 borough Flag-fen and Newborough were " common right land," 

 the former belonging to the " commoners " of the city of Peter- 

 borough, and the latter being " common right " belonging to the 

 thirty-two parishes comprising the soke of Peterborough ; conse- 

 quently, at the time of the enclosure the land was parcelled out 

 into almost numberless allotments, varying in size from less than 

 1 acre to 10 or 12 acres. In going over this land I found it im- 

 possible to give any definite account of the system of cropping 

 pursued. Generally, on a moderate-sized field the following 

 course of cultivation is pursued : 1, Coleseed ; 2, Oats ; 3, 

 Wheat ; 4, Seed ; 5, Wheat ; but in the smaller allotments 

 wheat and green crops are grown alternately. I was referred to 



