( 1G9 ) 
XIII. — On the Bolationf! of Crops 011 Heavy Lands. 
By William Stage. 
I'RIZIJ ESSAY. 
Having had considerable experience in the cultivation of heavy 
soils, and having for many years turned my attention particularly 
to the selection of such crops as are calculated to render heavy 
soils more friable, by the mechanical action of their roots, and 
Laving by that means succeeded in growing such root crops as 
are usually grown only on lighter soils, I respond to the invita- 
tion of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and pro- 
ceed to give some account of the rotation of crops which I think 
best suited for heavy lands, and calculated to bring such lands 
more nearly on an equality ^ith those of a more friable texture 
than they at present are in the maintenance of stock. 
I am aware that it would be impossible to propose any rotation 
of crops that would be suited to all heavy soils ; nor do I pretend 
to be able to say what rotation would be best suited to each 
variety of soils termed heavy ; so infinite is that variety in tenacity 
and quality, that I believe only those who cultivate them are able 
to determine, in every case, what course of crops is the most pro- 
fitaljle to be adopted. 
Therefore, although I propose with some confidence a rotation 
which I believe to be well suited to most heavy soils, yet I readily 
admit that there are many heavy soils to which it is not suited, 
and that certain localities, or various circumstances, may render its 
adoption on some others unadvisable. 
As the object in the following rotation is to obtain from heavy 
soils profitably that which has generally been yielded only by 
light soils, I have introduced such crops in the rotations as, by 
the mechanical action of their roots on the soil, have the greatest 
tendency to ameliorate it and render it more friable : such are 
tares, winter-beans, and clover. 
Another motive to the selection of tares and winter-beans is, 
that the cultivation proper for them is required at the time of 
year when the treading of horses is least injurious, and when the 
turning up the soil and exposing it to the action of the atmosphere 
is most beneficial, so that the cultivation for them, as well as the 
crops themselves, tend to the desired effect — that of rendering 
lighter the soil on which they grow. 
The following is the course I propose : — 
First year — Winter tares, to be fed off by sheep on the land, 
followed by turnips and rape ; the rape, and also part of the 
turnips, to be fed off by sheep ; the remainder to be carried off 
and eaten in the yards. 
Second year — Wheat. 
