464 
Farming of Devonshire. 
slderation in determining the relative value of fallow-crops. 
The importance of this point will be more evident on comparing 
this root with the potato : the latter is one of the grossest feeders 
cultivated, and draws from the soil almost all the fertilizing 
qualities of the manure used, and leaves the land very slightly 
improved. The carrot, by penetrating more deeply into the 
soil, obtains food which would not be available to other plants, 
and leaves the land in a better state for the succeeding corn-crop. 
As it requires a deeply-cultivated soil of a porous character for 
its successful cultivation, the red-sandstone soils are peculiarly 
suited for it ; but, being an uncertain crop, unless carefully culti- 
vated, is probably the cause of the limited extent of land devoted 
to it. 
Rape. — The value of this plant as a preparation for wheat is 
becoming well known in this part, although at present compa- 
ratively few farmers raise it, yet their number is rapidly in- 
creasing. Its high feeding qualities render it an excellent food 
for sheep. 
There is at present great difficulty in preparing the clay-land 
in the west of the county for root-crops, and the course of hus- 
bandry now pursued is in many particulars very defective. I 
recommend that immediately after harvest the wheat-stubble 
should be ploughed and well cleaned ; it should then be thrown 
into ridges about 30 inches apart, and remain in that state until 
the following spring. The beneficial effect of this exposure to 
the sun, air, and frost will be evident on these clay-soils; and 
when the land is cross-ploughed in the spring, it will be found 
more friable and in much better condition than under the ordi- 
nary practice. In soils of this description (poor yellow clay) 
there is a peculiar sourness which is very prejudicial to vegetation, 
and not only will this be entirely destroyed, but, by the disinte- 
gration of the soil itself, much matter will be made available to 
vegetation which was previously existing in a form that plants 
could not assimilate. 
The land which is intended for the growth of mangold wurzel 
especially requires this preparation. After it has been cleaned 
and thrown into ridges (30 inches apart), the manure should be 
spread between them, when they are to be immediately split by 
a double-mouldboard plough, and remains in this state until the 
proper season for sowing the seed arrives. This method can 
only be adopted with advantage on clay soils, for in porous soils 
the passage of water would of necessity impoverish the manure. 
By this mode a fine seed-bed is provided — the delay, which 
would arise from a wet spring, is avoided ; and, moreover, the 
operations are completed more perfectly, and at less expense, 
than if postponed to the following spring : indeed, the general 
