374 
On the Use of the Water-Drill. 
was clearly ascertained by testing these side by side with Lawes' 
superphosphate. The result is that Mr. Sowerby now uses this 
manure exclusively. Since 1855 I have continued to make experi- 
ments similar to those recorded in Table No. II. until the last two 
years. Every year the results were so palpable and unmistakeable 
that I considered it unnecessary longer to weigh the crops. The 
relative proportions have been uniformly maintained, and the 
table for 1855 would almost do for either 1856 or 1857, except that 
some of the crops during the latter years have been altogether 
heavier ; but this has not altered the relative position of the two 
drills. This increase may perhaps to some extent be attribu- 
table to the alterations I have made in my system of manuring. 
Instead of using 13 and 15 loads of farmyard manure per acre, 
as shown in Tables I. and II., I now use only 8 or 10, but apply 
an increased quantity of superphosphate, my minimum now being 
2 cwt , and the maximum 3 cwt. This year and last, instead 
of sowing mangolds in one continuous row with the old coulters, 
I have used the drop coulters invented by Mr. Chambers and 
supplied to me by Messrs. Reeves. These dropped the seeds 
in clusters about every 14 inches, leaving the manure immediately 
under them. In both years I have been very successful. There 
are evidently some advantages in having a tliick plant of man- 
golds when they first come up ; they appear less liable to be 
injured by insects, and generally grow faster and stronger. The 
manure also being so immediately under the plant, when it has 
been properly singled and thinned, must stimulate a quicker 
and secure a larger growth of the bulb. Experience confirms 
the correctness of these theories. 
The same experiments which were made, as shown by the 
tables, with mangolds were also made annually with coleseed, 
and with even more satisfactory results. In each field the trial 
was repeated ; and during the four years the increased produce 
resulting from" the use of the water-drill was from 30 to 50 per 
cent. Failure was of rare occurrence with the one drill, but very 
common with the other. This crop cannot be tested by the 
weighing machine, but I believe I have not at all exaggerated 
or overstated the case. Coleseed is a crop very largely grown 
throughout the whole level of the Fens, and is now commonly 
taken as the fallow crop, which, like the turnip crop in other 
districts, must be regarded as the basis of a good system of 
culture — its success or failure almost invariably affecting the 
whole of the succeeding rotation. It therefore behoves the fen 
farmer to give all diligence and to exert his best energies to 
secure the successful cultivation of this crop. Perhaps no agent 
has rendered him such essential service in the realisation of this 
important object as the water-drill, especially upon those weak 
