Notes on Inoculation of Grass Land at Kimbolton. 
235 
time it may be deemed necessary — as usually advised when 
inoculation is practised. 
It will be seen by reference to pages 465 and 456 of the pre- 
ceeding volume of this Journal, that Mr. R. Hodgson Huntley 
calculates the expense of inoculation at 1/. per acre, exclusive of 
" my horse and drivers." In his experiment he cut the turf 
into strips of 4 inches broad, and subsequently cut them into 
4 inches square. What the labour of horse or horses and drivers 
cost is not stated. Mr. James Howard (p. 485) stated that he 
had tried the " inoculation system most successfully ;" but added 
that " it is an expensive method," as surely it must be — especially 
when not practised in the way advocated by the Duke of 
Manchester. The cost at Kimbolton is clearly stated by Mr. 
VVallis. I may, however, say that Mr. Wallis states that the 
picking and planting of three roods, according to the new plan, 
occupied one man and four women one day. Three horses were 
engaged in the work for one day to score the ground, cut and 
cart the turf, &c., but he says they could do " one acre of such 
work in a day easily." It should, however, be stated, that the 
expense of haulage at Kimbolton was but little, as the strips of 
turf were obtained close by in an adjoining field. 
I think it is evident from the foregoing that the improved 
system of inoculation practised by the Duke of Manchester is 
the most economical method known, and that he deserves great 
credit for its introduction. But there are a few points besides 
the labour-bill that require some consideration. 
Mr. Wallis very correctly states that the " portion planted with 
4-inch pieces had a rather rough and uneven appearance." And 
so it has. The 2-inch pieces have also produced a sward of a 
somewhat uneven appearance, but very much less so than the 
4-inch pieces. At the same time it must be admitted that the 
land planted with small pieces has been laid down more recently 
than that which was inoculated with the larger sized pieces of 
turf, and has not had the advantage of time which smooths 
down or raises up to a level the little inequalities of surface 
which follow inoculation. The preference, therefore, on this 
ground must decidedly be given to the system of inoculating with 
small pieces. It may be suggested whether it would not be 
advisable to cut ropes of still smaller dimensions. There would 
certainly be an increased cost for labour in planting the additional 
number of pieces. The suggestion, however, having been made, 
a useful experiment would be such as would determine the 
minimum size of turf ropes to be cut, in depth as well as 
breadth, and the relationship between a greater subdivision of 
the turl and the labour of planting, the general success and the 
economy of the operation. So far as I can see, the Duke of 
