26 
Agriculture of Nottinghamshire. 
nine months of tlie year, inclusive of the summer season, when by 
simply exposing the roots of weeds to the sun they are destroyed, 
it is in most cases a mere succession of ploughings, consisting 
usually of five. Where the land is liable to the growth of quitch- 
grass, the working it with light and heavy harrows is of little 
service ; it requires the more effectual operation of being forked. 
Second year, Barley or Wheat. — Although wheat is more com- 
monly sown on the fallows than barley, we think the practice ob- 
jectionable, and shall state our reasons for holding an opinion so 
directly opposed to the custom of the district. Wheat after fal- 
lows is seldom a yielding crop, it is too frequently lodged before it 
is shot fully into ear, and in consequence is more productive of 
straw than corn. It is, moreover, questionable whether, by the 
application of farm-yard manure to the fallows, the evil is not in- 
creased, as, by so doing, the nutriment of young plants is supplied 
in quantity greater than necessary, and by such means an exube- 
rant growth is fostered in the early stages of the plant without the 
soil possessing in itself, or having supplied to it, those properties 
which might serve as a counter-check. 
Mr. Topham, in his,' Chemistry made Easy,' has well illus- 
trated this where he observes, " that if wheat be sown upon a soil 
composed in a great measure of decayed vegetation, the plant will 
flourish in a most extraordinary manner for a period, and by its 
luxuriant appearance promise the farmer an abundant return in 
harvest; and could it but fortunately sustain the exuberance of its 
germination, no doubt the produce would be equal to his fondest 
anticipations. But to insure this most desirable result, it is ne- 
cessary that the stalk should be encased in a cylinder of flint ; 
and if sand is not present, and an alkali to aid in its solution, the 
plant will bend and fall under the load which its well-gorged 
organs shall have accumulated, and the cultivator be disappointed 
of the rich remuneration it promised him." Such is the opinion 
of a gentleman who has sought to serve agriculture scientijically ; 
let us now turn to one who has done so practically, for upwards of 
thirty years, by cultivating extensively strong soils ; and, after so 
long an experience, has published, for the benefit of others, the 
results. We allude to an ' Essay on the Rotation of Crops best 
suited to Heavy Lands,' published in 1842, by Mr. Richard 
Parkinson, of Knapthorpe, near Newark.* This pamphlet, from 
* This essay ought to be read by every one concerned in the culture 
of clay land, for the valuable information it contains. It may be had of 
J. Whittingham, Mansfield-road, Southwell. 
I quite agree in this observation ; and, from having lived for several 
years contiguous to Knapthorpe, can state that the system of clay-farming 
which Mr. Parkinson has adopted was crowned with the most perfect 
^success. — W. Miles. 
