46 Report on Messrs. Prout and MiddleditcK s 
Blackacre, measuring' 36 acres, was fallow in 1863, wheat in 
1864, beans in 1865, and under white crops ever since. It was 
subsoiled 15 inches deep in 1872, has received subsequently 
artificial manures to the annual value of over 60.?. per acre. 
It was perfectly clean, and the good crop of red wheat of 1874 
realised all over 9Z. per acre. 
Brook Field, 31 acres, exhibited amongst the plastic clay a 
somewhat less proportion of calcareous matter, was clean and in 
good condition, and contained 15 acres of wheat, sold at 9/. 9s., 
and 16 acres of red clover. 
Beadles, mapped at 51 acres, presented its fourth white crop 
in direct succession ; like the remainder of the farm it was per- 
fectly free from weeds of all descriptions ; the wheat sold at aljout 
10/. per acre, and amongst it clover-seeds are sown out. 
Cowcroft, one of the original small enclosures, measures 5 
acres ; some years ago it had hundieds of loads of tank-water 
applied without obvious effect : like other pieces it has been 
kept constantly producing corn-crops ; has had no fallow since 
1862 ; and being now rather foul is drilled with winter vetches, 
which some of Mr. Prout's west-country friends assure him will, 
without much trouble of cultivation, effectually choke and destroy 
all rubbish. 
Mr. Prout had, in 1874, 45 acres of clover, which, averaging 
lOZ. 85., paid as well as the cereals, and proved besides a good 
preparation for the succeeding wheat-crop. Although 27 acres 
were on land (Parkspring) wliich for five years immediately 
preceding had grown wheat, there was no difficulty in rearing 
a good plant. The success of the clover-crops depends upon the 
thorough autumn culture, and the use of the very best seed, of 
which 12 lbs. are deposited amongst wheat or with barley, usually 
by Holmes and Son's seed-drill, with 26 coulters. To ensure a 
full cut of clover, top-dressings are used. Last spring 1^ cwt. 
of Ohlondorff's guano was broadcasted in March ; the clover was 
mowed and carried in June ; and the result, in two ricks, con- 
taining 70 tons of prime hay, was offered at the sale for 320/. 
Grass being scarce, it was determined to force the second crop 
with It^cwt. of nitrate of soda. Owing to the continued drought 
prol)al)ly little benefit resulted from the dressing ; but the crop, 
which was to be mowed without seeding, brought at the auction 
sale, on the 2<Sth July, 3/. 5.s-. 9f/. Any unconsumcd artificial 
manure will doubtless tell favourably on the wheat, for on his 
heavy land Mr. Prout is convinced that even the comparatively 
soluble nitrate of soda frequently fertilises more crops than one. 
So soon as the second clover is cleared off, usually towards the 
middle of September, the land is lightly ploughed. 
East of the house and buildings lies a block of about 25 acres 
