Tlie AgrricuUure of Glamorganshire 
173 
the 25th of March ; but by the majority of the farmers the 
Candlemas term is preferred. The landlord keeps the farm- 
buildings in repair, and supplies field-gates either free of charge 
or at a nominal cost. iMany of the farm-buildings are inadequate 
for the requirements of the farm, and in other cases they are 
inconveniently situated and badly arranged. The rental of 
accommodation grass-land in the neighbourhood of the towns 
may be put down at from ol. to 5/. per acre, with the usual rates 
and taxes in addition ; but the average maximum rental of the 
best mixed arable and pasture farms is about 305. per acre, 
whilst the minimum falls as low as 10s. per acre, the secondary 
class of farms grading according to quality and position between 
the two latter rentals. To these rents have to be added tithes 
varying from 2s. Qd. to 7s. per acre in the different localities, and 
rates at from 3s. to 3s. Qd. in the pound, rateable value. The 
arable land of the whole district is chiefly farmed on the four- 
course rotation. There are exceptions, but these are principally 
on the smaller and poorer classes of farms. The stereotyped 
four-course consists of: — 
1st. Roots. 
2nd. Wheat or barley, sown down with perennial clovers 
and grasses. 
3rd. Rye-grass and clover, chiefly cut for hay. 
4th. Wheat after clover lea, and sometimes a small area of 
oats. 
The value of roots as a cleaning crop, and one which forms 
the basis of success of all the others, is duly recognised, conse- 
quently much care is taken in their cultivation. Mangolds are 
only grown to a limited extent, swedes and yellow and white 
turnips occupying the greater portion of the root break. The 
bulk of the farmyard-manure is reserved for roots and chiefly 
applied in the spring. ^Mangolds are very liberally dressed. 
Swedes come second in this respect, and the common turnips 
have a lighter dressing. Artificial manures are also extensively 
used, it being found that farmyard-manure alone will not 
produce the desired heavy crop. Mangolds are sown on raised 
drills, and on the majority of farms swedes and turnips as well ; 
but of late years drilling on the flat seems to have been gaining 
in favour, especially on the lighter class of soils near the coast. 
After the hoeing of the root crop, the scuffler is kept moving as 
frequently as possible between the rows. In some cases only 
halt the allowance of artificial manure is applied at the period 
of sowing, the other half being applied between the rows after 
the leaves of the plants partially cover the ground, when the 
scufBer follows and intermixes it with the soil. It is considered, 
and with every show of reason, that the plants are thus kept in 
