The Farming of Cheshire. 
59 
Sand- Land Dairy Farm. 
The ordinary course of cropping on a farm of this description 
is as follows : — The first crop of corn usually taken is oats on the 
grass ley of one strong furrow ; the ploughing commences early 
in February, and the sowing at the beginning of March, or as 
soon as the ground is dry enough to receive the seed, which is 
sown by hand at the rate of 5 customary bushels of 38 quarts, or 
6 imperial bushels, per acre ; the land is then well harrowed, first 
with rather a heavy pair of harrows, and followed by lighter ones, 
until the seed is completely covered. It is not unfrequently 
rolled, if dry enough, immediately after sowing — a process which 
compresses the furrow, thereby giving the seed firm hold of the 
ground, preventing rooks and other birds from tracing the rows 
of corn with their accustomed ease when the ground is left quite 
light by the harrowing; and it gives an even surface to the land, 
by which the operations of mowing and raking are much faci- 
litated. If the rolling be deferred until the blade of corn has 
made its appearance, it has a tendency to check the growth of 
the crop in a manner which is sometimes injurious. The varieties 
of oats generally sown are : — 
The Poland, or leather back (very saleable to stable-keepers, grooms, 
&c., from their large and plump appearance). 
The Potato (yield much meal, and are preferred by millers). 
The Friezland Cuts (stand well on good land). 
The Yellow (productive on poor land). 
The Hopetown (suitable for strong soils). 
And the Tartarian, which are not very common. 
As soon as the crop is cleared off the ground, pigs, geese, &c., , 
are turned into the field to pick up the oats which are shed. The 
land is then prepared for wheat by ploughing it across the butts 
as thinly as possible ; it is next harrowed with heavy harrows, which 
bring the stubble, grass-roots, &c., to the surface. In the course 
of a week or nine days, if the weather be favourable, it is har- 
rowed again ; and i f intended to be sown by hand, is seldom 
ploughed until the second or third week in October, when it is 
formed into butts of from 5 to 9 feet wide, according to circum- 
stances ; and sufficiently deep to cover the stubble, grass-roots, 
&c., brought to the top by the previous harrowing, commencing 
in the rein of the former butts, and making the former ridges 
into reins.* If the wheat is to bedrilled,| a little difference is re- 
* Reins — a provincial term for the lower furrow or division between the 
butts. 
+ The practice of diilling corn is very limited in Cheshire at present ; 
but there is reason to believe that it is becoming more general every year, 
as, where it has been tried, it appears to have given satisfaction. Amongst 
the advantages of drilling may be specified the equal distribution of the 
seed — a saving in the quantity — the depositing of it at the same depth— 
and the facility which is atForded for hoeing, if required. 
