Report on the Farm-Prize Competition of 1872. 297 
the roots of clover, especially when it is, by being left for hay, 
allowed time to semi its roots deep into the earth, and bring up 
a supply of rich and easily appropriated nourishment. 
Wheat. — This is a staple product of Slough farm, and the crops 
seen by the Judges on the 19th of June were very promising. 
Though occasionally grown after roots, and sown, as this year, 
even as late as May Ist, Mr. Parsons greatly prefers lea-wheat. 
Standing well in moist seasons, and producing a vast amount of 
straw, as well as grain, the Browick Red is his favourite sort. 
Preparation of the land for wheat may thus be briefly described. 
Where not manured for the previous root-crop, the clover-lea is 
covered, immediately the harvest is over, with 14 to 16 tons per 
acre of good dung, which is spread, and ploughed in about 
4 2 inches deep. Then, if the weather be dry, it is heavily 
pressed with a smooth roller ; for, without a thorough and 
complete firming of the land, nothing but disappointment would 
follow. After this process of consolidation is finished, the harrow 
is applied, and the seed, having been first dressed with sulphate 
of copper, is drilled, 8 inches apart, at the rate of from 2 to 2\ 
bushels per acre, towards the end of October. To those occupy- 
ing poor land, insufficiently manured, this may appear a light 
seeding, but it is ample on land well farmed, and the quantity is 
gradually increased as the season advances. Sowing of autumn 
wheat is generally concluded by the second week in November, 
and the ordinary yield is from 40 to 45 bushels per acre. Mr. 
Parsons intends to try the plan of giving the dressing of farmyard- 
manure to his young seeds, instead of applying it the following 
year to the wheat, believing that, besides greatly increasing the 
clover-crop, he will also secure a heavier yield of grain, though, 
perhaps, less straw, than by the method hitherto usually adopted. 
Catch-crops, though at one time extensively cultivated, have 
now been almost entirely given up, Mr. Parsons having satisfied 
himself that, where an attempt is made to grow rye, vetches, 
trifolium, peas, &c., after the wheat, the succeeding root-crop is 
seriously diminished in bulk. 
Beans. — Beans are sometimes planted to a limited extent on 
the stIfFer portions of the farm, but there is nothing specially 
noteworthy in their management. 
Harvesting. — At a cost of from 95. to IO5. per acre, additional 
hands undertake to cut (with reaping-hooks), bind, and stook, 
the whole of the wheat-crop, while the ordinary staff of workmen 
mow the barley with common scythes for 2s. 6<f. per acre. This 
last is not tied in sheaves ; after remaining in swathes two or 
three days it is turned, and, by the end of a week, can, if well- 
npened, be safely carted to stack, loose, three rows being first 
gathered together for convenience in loading. The custom is 
