Agriculture of Berks] arc. 
15 
On the northern part of the county — • 
1st year, Roots. 
2nd year, Barley or Oats. 
3rd year, hall" Clover, half Beans. 
4tli year, Wheat. 
Much of the stronsj^ land in the Vale is cultivated as seasons 
dire(;t, but some adhere to one of the following rotations as 
nearly as circumstances allow : — 
1st year, "Wheat. I 1st year, Wheat. 
2nd year, Barlej'. | 2nd year, Beans. 
3rd year. Beans, a small portion 3rd year. Barley or Oats. 
Roots. I 4th year, Beans. 
Roots. — The preparation for, and cultivation of, the root-crop 
forms one of the most important features in modern agriculture, 
and may now be said to commence before the preceding one is 
finally gathered. No sooner are the wheat-stubbles cleared, than 
the first opportunity is seized on by the farmer to put into 
operation the broadshare or skim-plough, and the sunny days of 
autumn are found to be the great assistants in cleansing the 
fallows for the succeeding turnip-crop. The wheat-sowing once 
got through on the farm, the fallows are ploughed, and in most 
instances experience has proved that if manure from the farm- 
yard is to be applied, its early application is desirable ; the 
system of winter manuring being found not only to assist the 
crop by the thorough incorporation of the manure with the soil, 
but also much to facilitate the spring work on the farm. It is, 
therefore, now rather the exception than the rule to adhere to 
the old-fashioned wasteful method of carting out the manure 
from the yard during the spring months. 
The cultivation of mangold has been much increased of late 
years in almost every root-growing parish : they best escape that 
pest of all root-crops in their early stages, the " fly ;" and the last 
few mild winters have been so much in favour of their keeping, 
that many farmers have treated them in the same manner as their 
swedes, feeding them on the land with sheep without attempting 
to store them, and have found that, by commencing early enough 
in the season, the stomach of the sheep seems to get accustomed 
to the mangold, so that the injurious effects generally supposed to 
arise from early feeding are obviated. The present winter will, 
however, be a test how far the necessity of storing mangolds — 
essentially a spring food — must be recognised. 
Mangold cultivation is now well understood by all farmers 
who have any pretensions to skill in growing roots. Clean land, 
deep-ploughing, copious dressings of good farmyard manure, with 
a liberal application of guano or superphosphate of lime, not 
forgetting 4 to 6 cwt. of salt per acre, are requisite to ensure 
