378 
The Winter of 1885-86. 
far as stock management and fodder crops are concerned ? In the future,, 
how could the English farmer prepare himself to meet such a season, so as ta 
avoid the losses consequent on a wholesale sacrifice of stock ? 
B.— THE SEASON AND CROPS. 
11. What has been the effect of the past winter on autumn-sown crops, and 
have you formed any opinion as to the teachings of the season on the subject 
of autumn or spring cultivation ? 
12. What eflect has the season had upon your arrangements for spring crop- 
ping ? Has it resulted in alterations being made ; and, if so, what are they ? 
13. What has been your experience with regard to the winter wheat-plant 
and the lateness of the season for barley sowing '? 
14. Are there any other points of interest which yoii have noticed in 
regard to the past season ? 
THE SEASONS AND LIVE-STOCK MANAGEMENT. 
In answer to these questions I have received in all some 350 
replies. Of these I have selected the most notewojthy, and 
have divided them into five districts — four for England and one 
for Wales, exactly as the country is divided for the Government 
returns on agricultural statistics on acreage, live-stock, and 
production. As these divisions are shown in the statistical 
tables which appear with each volume of the Society's 'Journal,' 
there is no need for detailing the counties composing them. 
The first two Divisions are the corn-growing, and the third and 
fourth the grazing counties. Division No. 1 is the Eastern 
counties : No 2, the South-Eastern and East Midland ; No. 3» 
the Western and South-Western ; and No. 4, the Northern and 
North- Western. The selected replies, and the answers to- 
Questions 1 to 10, are from the following : — 
No. 1 Division. 
Mr. John Sowerby, Conwold Hall, Caistor, Lincolnshir/s : 
"1. On the wolds of North Lincolnshire. The soil is on the chalk, and 
the conditions of climate are in normal seasons dry, but of late years the 
seasons, except 1884, have been much more variable. 
" 2. The summer of 1885 was not nearly so fine as that of 1884. The 
autumn was ungenial and the nights frosty. Winter very protracted, and 
spring of 1886 was wet, cold, and backward. 
" 3. Some of the earlier sown root crops of 1885 did fairly well. The later 
ones bulbed badly on account of the coldness of the autumn. 
" 4. The -same as usual. By folding sheep on tlie turnips, and drawing 
turnips for cattle in the yards. 
" 6. No experience of ensilage. 
" 7. No shelter is provided for sheep in this neiglibourhood, 
"9. Partly caused by the partial failure of root crops and forced sales of 
half-fattenf;d animals in some parts of the country; but, also, the general 
depression has limited the power of many consumers to purchase. 
" 10. See no reason to make auy alteration in stock management." 
