176 Tlie Agriculture of Glamorganshire. 
impression would be wrong. Many of the farms are as well 
managed as those of the best-farmed English counties, but 
others again are conspicuous only for their slovenly manage- 
ment. 
The field-gates and fences are generally fairly well kept. 
The latter have been reduced from their huge and straggling 
dimensions, for which the district was at one time noted. 
Lime is not now so liberally applied as formerly ; but there 
seems a greater inclination to return to its use, and to limit 
the application of artificial manures. 
Though the four-course rotation has been long practised, 
there are now many objections to the system. The land not 
only gets clover-sick, but to some extent root-sick. The five- 
course, which is attained by the grass-land remaining down 
two years, scarcely meets the difficulty, seeing that wheat 
seldom succeeds so well after a second as after a first year's 
seeds. The feeling runs more in favour of two white crops in 
succession, though this is a contravention of a long-established 
rule. Modern practice has, however, proved that this can be 
done with greater impunity than was imagined. Where the 
land is in high condition, it may safely be allowed, and many 
landlords and agents are now wisely relaxing their restrictions. 
When, however, theorists and farmers' friends are loudly pro- 
claiming that corn can no longer be grown to a profit, and 
especially wheat, it may appear at first sight absurd to advo- 
cate the growing of corn to a greater extent. The problem 
remains to be solved. What other crops can be substituted in 
place of corn-growing? The farmer is continually being told 
that he must produce beef, mutton, and dair3-produce, and 
depend less on corn. This may be sound advice up to a 
certain point, but experience teaches that more of the desired 
products are obtained or realised on mixed arable and pasture 
farms than on those wholly pastoral. A certain proportion of 
arable land is necessary, but there is too much of it in the 
district in question. Instead of a proportion of two-thirds of 
arable to one-third of pasture, about equal quantities of both 
would seem to be more desirable. In this way the largest quantity 
of beef, mutton, and dairy-produce could be obtained, and at a 
reduced cost. It is difficult at present to see what can take the 
place of wheat, even though its price this season is only 32s. 
per quarter. A smaller acreage of wheat is being sown year 
by year, but, as all practical men know, wheat succeeds on soils 
where barley would be a failure, and vice versa. With when" 
forming part of the white crop, sowing can be going on a 
intervals from autumn to spring, and less horse labour and les 
expense is incurred than if the whole seedtime were confined Ui 
