Agriculture of Nottinghamshire. 
7 
It is self-evident that land which was too poor in the first instance 
to produce anything useful, could not without extraneous aid yield 
what was necessary to improve its first condition : added to which, 
considerable tracts of these soils lay too far removed from any 
large towns which otherwise might have furnished, at least in some 
measure, the means necessary for their improvement ; but through 
the medium of bone-tillage and other light manures, the face of 
this extensive district has been within the present century entirely 
changed. 
Bones were originally very cheap, and as their effects were 
strikingly manifest to all who made use of them, they were, 
until the increasing demand for them raised considerably the 
price, most lavishly used. It was thought by many that as the 
quantity used was increased, the effect would follow in the same 
ratio; and considering how little science in its application to 
agriculture was then known, we need feel no surprise at an 
opinion so erroneous being entertained At length, however, it 
became evident to some intelligent minds that they were riding 
too freely a favourite hobby ; and it was asserted that the " land 
required change." The Duke of Portland was one of the first to 
direct attention to this fact, by publishing the result of experiments 
carefully made on his own farms, which tended to show that by 
repeatedly applying bones to the same soil, the good effects which 
resulted from their first application were almost or altogether 
wanting, owing to its repletion of phosphate of lime. Then it 
was that the farmer began to look out for substitutes, and hence 
have followed the long list of artificial manures in their various 
forms. 
The course of cropping usually adopted in the western division 
of the county is the Norfolk, or four years course, namely, 
1st year, turnips. 
2nd year, barley. 
3rd year, grass seeds or red clover. • 
4th year, wheat. 
First Year, Turnips. 
As soon as the wheat crop is removed the preparation imme- 
dialely commences for the crop of turnips, by giving the land 
one, two, or even more orders or workings, as it may be i;ecessary 
or convenient during the dry weather of autumn. This is now 
most commonly done by putting on the scarifier, which is in 
general use throughout the district ; the land being again crossed 
by the same, and afterwards worked by lighter harrows until the 
quitch grass is ready for being got off. It was formerly the 
custom to burn this on the ground after being raked together; but 
it is now more generally, by good farmers, carted away and put 
