326 
Itepoii on the Farm-Pi ize Competition, 1871. 
drained from 4 to 6 feet deep as needed, and is now (though 
originally in five fields) in one large grazing pasture of 52 acres, 
well sheltered by a wood bounding it on the north. This new 
grass has been brought to its present good state and quality by 
the application of bones, Mr. Clay having given it in two dressings 
one ton of pulverized bones to the acre in the last three years. 
After seeing this field no misapprehension can exist as to the 
value of bones for grass land. The old meadows and grazing 
ground have been boned at the rate of a ton to the acre, and 
Mr. Clay purposes continuing this application every eight years. 
The whole of the farm has been drained by the landlord, Mr. 
Wright of Halston, near Oswestry, — the grass land about 6 feet 
deep, and the arable 4 feet — and it appeal's to have been perfectly 
done. Nothing can excel the cultivation of the grass on this 
farm ; it is most prudently stocked, and as the bones have produced 
the best herbage, continued changes keep both stock and pastures 
in a thriving condition. Fifty-two milking cows were kept, and 
there were besides 12 two-year-olds, 11 yearlings, 3 bulls, and 
15 calves when we visited the farm. All looked healthy and 
well : the arable land is worked on the four-course system, 
growing good and clean crops : manure is applied to the clover 
root after harvest, at the rate of 12 cart-loads to the acre, some 
being reserved for mangolds. Half of the clovers are mown and 
made into clover-hay, the remainder are depastured by sheep 
and young beasts. 
Turnips. — The stubbles are autumn cultivated, and in the 
spring crossploughed, and thoroughly worked ; when ready, and 
as soon as the season admits, the land is ridged and 7 cwts. an 
acre of Lawes's superphosphate is sown upon the ridges, at a cost 
of 8/. per ton. The ridges are afterwards split, and the turnips 
drilled, a roller attached to the drill completing the work. The 
cost of hoeing is 8s. per acre by task ; width of drill is 26 inches, 
and the plants are hoed with a 9-inch hoe. Every turnip is 
drawn off and stored by the homestead. 
Mangolds. — The land for mangolds is prepared in the same 
way as for turnips ; the addition being, to the 7 cwts. per acre of 
" Lawes," 14 cart-loads of manure applied in the previous autumn. 
The roots are pulled and stored early in November. 
Barlcij. — This crop succeeds turnips that have been grown 
upon the lighter land, which has been ploughed early in the 
winter, in fact, as soon as the turnips are carted off. This prac- 
tice generally gives a fine tilth in the spring, and needs only 
harrowing to prepare for sowing ; seed is drilled at the rate of 
12 pecks to the acre, and no top-dressing is needed, as is fully 
borne out by the present luxuriant appearance of the growing crop. 
Oats. — Upon the remaining part of the turnip-land oats are 
