512 Report on the Warwickshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1876. 
1875, and mucli of the land flooded for months), but in other 
respects are very useful pastures ; some of them of sufficient 
quality to feed cattle, and others which are mown for hay. The 
grass fields near the house are of the same character as the arable 
lands, and are therefore rather liable to " burn " in a hot or 
very dry summer. 
The old mansion of Broom Court, the seat of the families of 
Sir E. Burnell, and afterwards of Sir Humphry Clarke and Sir 
Thomas Skipwith, has long disappeared, but traces still remain 
of its fosse and moat, &c. The present residence, which occupies 
its site, is a comfortable structure, suitable to the wants of the 
farm, and pleasantly surrounded with well-timbered pastures. 
The buildings are of a very useful character, and comprise all 
requisites for the successful cultivation of the land. Water is 
laid on all over them, including the feeding-sheds, by a pump 
and ball-tap. 
Mr. Lane has occupied his farm for about twenty years, and 
has at present a lease, of which five years are unexpired. He 
is restricted from growing two white straw crops in succession. 
Straw and hay may, however, be sold off the farm, provided 
all the money so obtained is expended on artificial foods and 
manures. 
Mr. Lane's course of cropping can hardly correctly be de- 
scribed as the six course, although that is the foundation of his 
system. When, however, it is stated that on 200 acres of arable 
land he grows, in addition to about 100 acres of white straw 
crops, and 66 acres of pulse crops and seeds, as many as 80 
acres (occasionally) of roots (not reckoning stubble turnips), it 
will at once be seen that there is a peculiarity of management 
which requires some explanation ; that peculiarity consists (in 
a few words) in interpolating between the pulse and the following 
crops, and also on a portion of the seed land, a crop of roots ; a 
" catch crop," cultivated, however, in no ordinary way, but on 
a plan which reflects the greatest credit on Mr. Lane, who, in 
common with some other agriculturists in this disti'ict, has suc- 
cessfully pursued it for several years. I shall go somewhat fully 
into this system, because it is a deeply interesting one for farmers 
in many parts of England, and one which may doubtless be 
advantageously followed elsewhere. It will only be necessary 
for me to indicate the normal sequence of crops on the farm. 
1. Fallow. Eoots, nearly all mangolds. 
2. Corn. Barley, or occasionally spring wheat. 
3. Seeds. Clover seeds. 
4. Corn. Wheat. 
5. Pulse. Beans or peas with extra crops. 
G. Com. Wheat or oats. 
