80 
On Ilorse-hoehuj Flat- drilled Turnips. 
kinds of corn the inverted hoes o?i/y are preferred ; but for the root- 
crops, where the rows of plants arc wider (say 16 inches or more), an 
extra hoc, of a semicircular form, is placed on a separate lever, working 
between and in advance of the two inverted hoes, for the more effectually 
cutting all the land, however uneven the surface, by the three separate 
hoes working independently of each other between the rows. 
The hoes are of peculiar improved manufacture, the blades being of 
steel, and made separate, and attached to a socket handle in a simple 
and easy, yet effectual, manner, so that any husbandman may replace 
them; and being manufactured by the patentees at an exceedingly low 
price, no difficulty can arise in replacing those parts subject to wear. 
In order to set the hoes in a proper cutting position, for either flat or 
stetch ploughing, and so as thoroughly to cut either hard or soft ground, 
the levers are put into a more or less oblique position, causing the cutting 
edges of the hoes to be more or less inclining downwards, by raising or 
lowering the jointed irons to which the forward ends of the levers are 
suspended and swing, which is done by merely moving the pin, which 
rests upon the frame, into different holes. 
VII. — On the Advantages of Ploughing-up Down-Land. 
By Thomas Walkden. 
To Philip Puseij, Esq., M.P. 
Sir, — In reply to your inquiry whether the bringing into culti- 
vation the down pasture of the south-west of England would not 
be a great means of improving the established comfort of the 
labourer by increasing the means of employment, I am desirous 
of bearing testimony to the practicability of carrying this much- 
needed measure into execution. 
I have witnessed large tracts of forest, heath, and wold land, in 
different counties, brought into a very high state of cultivation 
under much greater disadvantages than the present state of the 
downs : but the mode adopted has been decidedly opposite — the 
occupiers enriching it with green crops and manures, instead of 
exhausting it with successive corn-crops, as has invariably.beea 
pursued in breaking up down-pasture. 
The farm I now occupy, on the lightest part of Salisbury 
Plain, was taken in 1832, on a ten years' lease, at 24y. per acre, 
rent and tithe. The first crop was wheat, which, I believe, ex- 
ceeded 4 quarters per acre. The next oats, which I ascertained 
to be nearly 8 quarters per acre. Then turnips, without manure, 
except 1 quarter per acre of bone-dust for the swedes. The oc- 
cupier then left it, declaring that the land was exhausted, and 
would ruin any one to work out the lease. I ventured to under- 
take the farm for the remaining term ; and for the first three 
