322 
Agriculture of Norfolk. 
manure, and about 200 tons of linseed-cake for fattening cattle 
and sheep ; the whole of the land has been clayed or marled, 
and, where necessary, drained. Here, as on most other large 
farms in West Norfolk, a bailiff is engaged for each farm to 
superintend the different operations. Now, let us suppose that 
these have received Mr. Hudson's instructions, and commence 
operations, and that the farmers of Norfolk generally are aware of 
what is going on, and give their opinions occasionally (neighbours 
and others sometimes will) as to the policy of the modes adopted 
in the particular situation ; also hoio and wlien they ought to be 
varied under different circumstances. 
These latter I shall insert as seems convenient and necessary. 
Mr. Hudson s Course at Castle Acre (or the Common Four-course 
Shift). 
1. Turnips; 2. Barley; 3. Clover; 4. Wheat. 
Preparing Land for Turnips, Mangold, 8fc. 
First Year. 
Immediately after harvest, if the weather is too dry to plough 
clover layers for wheat, it will be particularly well adapted for 
the work of clearing and preparing part of the land for turnips 
next season ; thus — 
By skeleton-ploughing the -wheat stubbles about 3 to 4 inches deep, all the soil is 
cut, but not turned over ; therefore, the stubble, &c. -will be left on the surface. This 
is done by Ransome's SufiFolk plough, -svithout its " plat," or mould-board. Scari- 
fying across with Blakie's grubber, or some similar instrument, usually drawn by two 
or by three horses well harrowing with heavy harrows, two of them being fastened 
together when at work, and drawn by three horses. They are considered at least 
twice as effectual at this stage as those which could be drawn by one horse each, 
and therefore the work progresses more rapidly by the use of them : harrowing 
afterwards with lighter harrows, two horses drawing a gang of three. In performing 
this operation it is usual to drive the horses much more rapidlj-, by which each 
harrowing becomes more effectual than it otherwise would be : — the stubble, &c. raked 
into rows, carted into a heap, and afterwards carted into the yards, as opportunity 
offers, that it may be used for litter in winter : it is never burnt. 
These operations only apply to that part of the shift which 
there is time to get through during such a period of dry weather 
as prevents any more valuable work being attended to, and are in 
that case done during September or the first half of October. 
If no such opportunity offers, these will not be performed, but the 
whole of the land will be prepared for turnips in the following 
manner : — 
Ploughing .') inches deep (or as deep as may be without turning up dead soil) 
with Ransome's wheel-plough, drawn by two horses or oxen. 
And, as there is no instance of more being used at one time for 
common ploughing in any part of Norfolk, I shall not think it 
