160 
On Preparation for the Wheat Crop in Cornwall. 
we think it so well manured that no lime is to be applied for the 
wheat crop. As to the effect of the coal-ashes on this crop of 
rape, it may be observed that on a few spots the cinders, occa- 
sionally choking the drill, prevented a perfectly regular distri- 
bution of them ; these spots are plainly to be seen, showing a 
contrast, as between a healthy and unhealthy plant. It may be 
supposed, too, that there was a large proportion of wood-ashes — ■ 
this is impossible. The original proportion of wood-ashes was 
trifling to the greatest degree as compared with the coal. 
A feeling is beginning to prevail in this county unfavourable to 
lime as a manure. I am far from participating in that feeling — 
but if by rape and sheep Ave can save a part of the lime bill, it is 
an advantage not to be lightly regarded. Those who think badly 
of hurdling long-woolled sheep on turnips will observe that their 
objection, viz. that such a practice punishes the sheep, cannot 
apply to this system, which is only in operation between June and 
October. 
October, 184.3. 
The above was written about September, 1842. A year has 
since elapsed ; and the wheat which was then to be sown has been 
reaped and saved. It is the best crop on the farm, though on 
very ordinary land. It was drilled in the usual manner, 16 gal- 
lons to the acre. A quarter of an acre of the field Avas fully 
manured with lime a little before the wheat was sown. It is 
but fair to add, that this lime was not well mixed, and that the 
quantity was greater than usual. At harvest this appeared 
rather thicker on the ground than the rest of the field, but to have 
suffered more from the rain ; its hue was not so good, and it had 
every appearance of being a lighter sheaf. A square yard of this 
was cut and separated from the rest, as was also a square yard of 
the part not manured with lime immediately adjoining. The pro- 
duce of these 2 yards has been now thrashed, and is as follows : — • 
1st. Wheat not manured with lime, 31 half-pints, weight 13^ lbs. 
2nfl. Wheat manured with lime, 28 half-pints, weight 11 lbs. 
No. 1. At the rate of 38 bushels 3 pecks per acre. 
No. 2. At the rate of 35 bushels per acre. 
The wheat from the part not manured is the brightest sample. 
All single experiments made like this on a small scale are ex- 
ceedingly fallacious, but I fully believe the difference on the 
whole piece to have been equal to that shown in the experiment. 
It is very possible that in a hot and dry summer the result might 
have been different — but, at all events, we have a very good crop 
of wheat, had the advantage of feeding many sheep through the 
summer, and saved the lime bill. 
Heligan, October , 1843. 
