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XX. — On a Course of Cropjnng adopted in Kent. By 
R. HexVthoun. 
The object of the present communication is to show the modi- 
fications of the four-course system, which have been introduced 
and carried out both on lieavy and light soils, on the I'arm of 
E. L. Bells, Esq., of which Mr. Freeman is manager. Without 
attempting to detail the numerous trials and experiments resorted 
to before the present system was established, I may state that 
profit was throughout kept steadily in view, and an increase of 
green crops the best means that suggested itself to that end. 
The farm on which this system has been carried out consists 
of 800 acres, divided by the river Medway into two parts, of 
which the portion on the western side of the river is light land, 
that on the east heavy land. After ten years' experience, the 
cleanliness of the land and fruitful appearance of the crops bear 
witness to the efficacy of the course adopted. 
I must, however, premise that cleanliness in farming is 
essential under this system. Our plan has been, as soon as the 
crop is removed, to have the stubble (or gratten) carefully looked 
over, and the couch, crowsfoot, &c., spudded and brought olF 
bv hand and burnt. The broadshare is then set to work (for 
which purpose I have found no implement as effectual as Cole- 
man's scarifier), and, finally, the stubble is cleared and the crops 
sown. 
We have been enabled to adopt this system of autumn cultiva- 
tion by introducing the use of one-horse carts in harvest-time, and 
by stacking the corn in the field where it was grown. I thus find 
that we are enabled to carry the corn with about one-half of the 
strength which it originally took ; and, without increase in the 
number of horses permanently kept, we can apply the services of 
nearly one-half to the purpose of early cultivation. In spring, 
likewise, the hand and horse hoe must be kept in constant action, 
so that the weeds may be kept down until the standard crop has 
assumed an ascendancy which cannot afterwards be disturbed. 
I will now detail first the management of light land, following 
the cultivation of one field, of from 30 to 40 acres, through an 
eight-years' course. 
1st year. — A barley-stubble, or gratten, of the required dimen- 
sions is carefully looked over and weeded by hand, and then 
cultivated as before stated ; after which one-fourth of the land is 
ploughed and sown with rye, one-fourth is harrowed and sown 
with trifolium, one-fourth is ploughed and sown with tares, the 
remainder is subjected to a winter-fallow for mangold. This 
