Agriculture of the Islands of 
of the large reaping-hook, which is more common than in the 
other island. Wheat is extremely ripe when cut, so much so that 
a great deal is lost, and the following spring is often seen growing 
up with the clover. The stacking of corn is peculiar ; the staddle 
is composed of only four stone pillars, with the frame resting on 
them ; the stack is made up in a conical shape until it becomes so 
small that no more can be added ; the summit is then thatched 
with straw. To strangers the effect of these is singular ; but 
although the natives have seen the English and other modes, 
they are satisfied with their own ; so much so as not to consider 
any change requisite. 
The threshing of corn is precisely the same as before de- 
scribed. When the harvest is ended, the land is well covered 
Avith manure : stable manure is preferred, but when the quantity 
Avill not admit of its being entirely used up for one purpose 
\Taic is substituted. For parsnips following the wheat-crop 
the manure is ploughed in sufficiently deep to ensure its 
being entirely buried. It is then left until the end of February, 
when it is again ploughed with tlie large plough, as in Jersey. 
The seed is sown broadcast, and the plants are cleaned of weeds 
three times during the season. The flat hoe is not used for the 
purpose, but a small square tool with a short handle, — so short 
that men are compelled lo kneel on the ground when using it. 
In this island parsnips are much cultivated, and their properties 
much esteemed for cattle ; 20 tons per acre are considered a good 
crop. Many oxen are fattened with this root, they are extremely 
fond of it and fatten rapidly ; for pigs also it is used with the 
greatest advantage. 
After parsnips, wheat again follows, but in this case the pro- 
duce is considerably less than when following clover, mangolds, 
or turnips. Oats come next, sown in February, and, when of a 
(certain size, clover is added for the following year. In produce, 
oats average about 5 quarters per acre. When the oats have 
I)een harvested, the clover springs up, and in the following 
summer is fed off; occasionally, if fine, it may be allowed to 
remain for another year, but, in the majority of cases, it is broken 
up in the early fall of the first year for turnips. The turnip 
c ommonly sown is the Purple-top Tankard ; the Aberdeen is also 
grown, but only partially ; as for the Swedish, it has become 
very unpopular, and is little grown, owing to its almost in- 
variable failure. The yield of Tankard turnips is usually from 
20 to 30 tons per acre. The rotation recommences with wheat, 
followed by roots, &c., as above mentioned. Mangolds are 
sown either in the second course (after wheat) or in tlie last, 
after clover. In Guernsey, mangolds yield from 40 to 50 tons 
per acre. The mode of ploughing, thinning, &c., is the same as. 
