TJic Winter 0/ 1885-86. 
435 
Fig. 2. — Crumjj's Portallc Sheep- Slielter, 
Lord Arthur Cecil has revived what was evidently an old 
experience by erecting new, and restoring old, " stells " on his 
Peeblesshire farm, and with advantageous results. 
The Season and Crops. — In this portion of the paper the 
reader should be directed to the very able and exhaustive 
report on the drought of 1868, and its lessons, contributed 
by Mr. John C. Morton to the 'Journal' for 1869 (Vol. v.. 
Second Series, Part 1). In this paper we have not only the 
value of drainage in a season of drought well brought out, but 
the questions relating to autumn and spring cultivation and of 
catch-cropping are well brought to the fore. On nearly the 
whole of the latter four questions (11, 12, 13, and 14) I am 
referred over and over again to the paper by Mr. Morton, and 
it may be said that most, if not all of the valuable lessons 
enunciated so powerfully in 1869, are true and germane to the 
last season. In fact, so little have many to say on the question 
that I do not here propose to give the whole of the replies, as I 
have done with regard to the combined questions of stock, crops, 
shelter, ensilage, and markets. A very short summary will give 
all that need be said. 
There is a very strong consensus of opinion in favour of 
autumn cultivation. The Duke of Rutland urges, " by all 
means, do all you can." Mr. Henry Woods says, that " doubt- 
less autumn cultivation is most desirable when circumstances 
will admit of its being done without delaying other work on 
the farm." Mr. Joseph Paget writes that — 
" The lesson is that fallows ought to be cleaned, manured, and ploughed 
in the autumn, so that they have only to be harrowed and rolled in the 
spring, before the roots are drilled on the flat in the fine soil produced by the 
frost. This has been strongly enforced." 
And Mr. Robert Loder also enforces the same lesson, but 
urges a little more. He says : — 
" The past season has taught us, more clearly, how desirable and profitable 
it is to treat generously what is young and tender. What I have said of 
yoxmg stock (see answer to Question 10) may be said of young plants. Let 
their seed-bed be well made and manured. When they gain strength they 
will be able to take care of themselves, and force their roots downwards with 
such vigour as to defy the elements. If steam cultivation is in use, discard 
the steam plough. It goes too fast to keep within the range of the seed-bed. 
Use the lightest cultivator possible, and keep all manure as much on the 
surface as you can." 
