Agriculture of Norfolk. 
311 
common observer apparently of little value, yet immediately 
below was the valuable slate-coloured clay, ready for its improve- 
ment. 
In the fens near Downham this clay is from 4 to 6 feet below 
the surface. Pits, about 6 feet by 3, and 3 feet apart, are dug 
in rows, generally 2 rows in a chain (of 22 yards), and taking out 
2 or 3 spits deep of clay from each pit. In digging one pit, part 
of the peat is put in that which was last made. The space be- 
tween the pits is very necessary ; one of the men whom I saw at 
work, appeared, notwithstanding this caution (as well as having a 
piece of wood to support the sides), to run some risk of being 
buried by the peat. In another place, within a short distance, the 
peat stood much better. The cost varied ; being under or over 
50s. per acre, according to circumstances ; but it is very icell 
revaid by the crops of red clover, wheat, and beans, which the 
land will afterwards grow. Where this slate-coloured clay is near 
the surface, and the land in r2-furrow "stetches," the following 
method is occasionally adopted by Mr. Hudson of Castle Acre, 
on his farm at Seech : — Two of the stetches " are ploughed 
outward, so as to leave a trench between them, to get out the 
clay for casting on each side. This saves some labour in digging 
for it. Most farmers have occasioiially observed whole fields 
ploughed outward ; the ploughs commencing at the outside and 
following each other round the field until it is finished. Mr. 
Hudson's plan of raising a swamp is just reversing that system, 
and " taking the land up." By two or three such ploughlngs, 
he calculates, the land may be raised as much as by 500 loads 
per acre carted on to it. 
As Mr. Cambridge of South Runcton enjoys the honourable 
reputation, among his brother farmers in the county, of having 
made great improvements by claying, &c. (the exact expression 
of it being, " Probably no other farm in the county owes so much 
to its occupier ; for, when he first took it, a large proportion was 
nothing but a white blowing sand"), I here insert a correct state- 
ment of the quantities of clay which he has spread on some of 
his fields. I do not give the whole list of what he has applied at 
his own expense as a tenant farmer, but I hope there is sufficient 
to show how great a debt of obligation is owing to such men by 
the country, as well as by individuals whom they more directly 
benefit. 
