436 
The Winter 0/ 1885-86. 
Other correspondents all point out how essential it is to be early 
with the work — economy being as valuable in tillage operations 
as in the treatment of stock. In Oxfordshire, Major Dashwood 
found that on late-ploughed lands (seeds), the wheat was much 
injured by the frosts, but on the broken land, such as after peas, 
the wheat is good and not injured by frost at all. "Cultivate 
as much as possible in the autumn, but the land must be dry." 
Mr. Martin J. Sutton sends the following note : — • 
" The effect of the low temperature during the autumn was to prevent the 
wheat-plant gettmg a firm grip of the land, consequently it was lifted by the 
intense frost of the late winter and spring, so that the plant is a very thin 
one. This applies to a certain extent to the clover plant ; but I think this 
was injured more in March than previously, for up to that time it was looking 
fairly well. All land cultivated in the autumn was brought to a beautiful 
tilth and jMwdery condition by the successive frosts, so that there was a 
particularly good seed-bed for all kinds of sowing this spring ; and notwith- 
standing the cold ungenial weather, there will probably be fewer gappy 
mangold fields, and a better turnip plant than for some years, although com 
can hardly recover the effects of the cold nights and want of sun." 
But there are a few correspondents who have practically 
given up autumn cultivation. One such is Mr. Henry J. 
Sheldon, who gives his reasons as follows : — 
" The wheat was much damaged by the frost and east winds, where the 
snow was blown off the land ; and I have had to plough up two pieces of 
wheat and plant barley. As to autumn cultivation, I used to like it, but it 
is many years since 1 have had a sufficiently early harvest and dry autumn 
to be able to practise it." 
In fact the whole experience of autumn cultivation can oe 
summed up in the words of Mr. Charles Randell : " The 
effect of the past winter has been to confirm all our experience, 
that early sowing of all autumn crops is safest and best, 
especially upon heavy land, if it can be done well — bearing in 
mind that hoio it is done is of more importance than when." 
And Mr. William Stratton, writing from the light corn district 
of the Wiltshire Downs, is equally emphatic : " After a sfevere 
winter, it is often necessary to resow a considerable proportion 
of the autumn-sown area. It is still advisable to sow freely of 
autumn crops, notwithstanding such risk." Speaking generally, 
the great consensus of opinion is that even in such a season as 
the last, the superiority of autumn-sown crops is confirmed. 
Although they were late and backward in the spring, they have 
everywhere recovered themselves much more quickly and 
effectually than have the spring-sown. " The season," says 
Mr. John Coleman, " has been very trying for autumn-sown 
crops. Wheat has suffered severely on all strong, low-lying, 
and imperfectly drained soils. The result has been great loss of 
plant and consequent deficient yields. Autumn and spring 
