Agriculture of Nottinghamshire. 
43 
quantity of grain grown, as well as of live stock kept — has been 
doubled, trebled, and in some instances quadrupled, we may fear- 
lessly claim for the occupiers of such districts a position not to be 
surpassed for spirit and enterprise by any in the United King- 
dom ; for it must not be lost sight of that they have great diffi- 
culties to contend with, arising from physical causes, at least on 
the western side of the county, in a soil naturally poor, and which 
is greatly dependent on a sufficient supply of moisture, of which 
it does not, according to meteorological observations, receive even 
an average share. 
These difficulties have nevertheless been manfully met, and, as 
far as any exertions could avail, have been as successfully over- 
come. VVhatever the spirited investment of their capital could 
achieve has been realized ; and it is to high farming, in a great 
measure, that the county owes its present distinguished place 
amongst its neighbours. 
As regards the application of manures these farmers have, as 
a body of men, by patient observation, practically discovered that 
which Dr. Liebig has theoretically affirmed to be necessary to en- 
sure success when he asks whether " it be possible, after so many 
decisive investigations into the origin of the elements of animals 
and vegetables, the use of the alkalies of lime and the phosphates, 
any doubt can exist as to the principles upon which a rational 
agriculture depends ? Can the art of agriculture be based upon 
anything but the restitution of a disturbed equilibrium? Can it 
be imagined that any country, however rich and fertile, will main- 
tain its fertility without the restoration, in some form of manure, 
of those elements which have been removed from the soil, and 
which cannot be replaced by the atmosphere? Must not the 
same fate await every such country which has actually befallen 
the once prolific soil of Virginia, now in many parts no longer 
able to grow its former staple productions — wheat and tobacco ?" 
Let not the farmers of Nottinghamshire, however, suppose that 
all has been done that can be done, for they may reasonably hope 
that science will propose further improvements not only in the 
accommodation of the kinds of manures to particular crops, but 
also in the quantity and in the state in which they should be 
applied ; in other words, in the supplying most economically and 
effectually those constituents to the soil which are essential to 
plants. 
But let it be remembered, particularly by the farmers of the 
clay district, that the fullest advantages of this branch of agricul- 
ture cannot result until the injurious superfluities have been ab- 
stracted by a thorough drainage. 
Bolham Hall,- near Retford. 
