Agriculture of Norfolk. 
331 
instances, I name Mr. Blomfield of Warham and Mr, Hudson of 
Castle Acre. 
Oxen are used at Holkham and at Quidenham. Mr. Coulson, 
the steward of the Earl of Albemarle, at the latter place, states 
their advantages thus: — 
" They are kept at less expense than horses ; they save the wear and 
tear and cost of horse?, by the oxen themselves growing into greater 
value, and by having more work done by the man with oxen than by 
him with horses; and thus they keep the ploughing in a state of for- 
wardness. One man has two pairs of oxen (which is, indeed, the com- 
mon custom, in order to change them in the middle of the day, and 
thus keep them in good condition), and ploughs about 2j acres of 
fallows per day, for which he receives 1*. 2c?. per acre ; he ploughs about 
2 acres of seeds, or lavers (for wheat), and is paid 1*. 4c?. per acre 
for it." 
Mr. Coulson adds, — 
" I am of opinion that horses are best calculated for harvest work ; 
but \ am convinced that, on large farms, a certain number of oxen may 
be kept with great advantage, according to the size of the farm. I use 
about eight pairs, they work four ploughs, and generally plough 9 acres 
per day, so that the four ploughs keep the drill with manure at full 
work during the time of sowing. Four horses work the drill and har- 
row once before and once after it; other horses being employed in 
preparing the land for the ' sowing earih.' " 
Although I saw cattle at work in almost every part of the 
county, they were nearly all Devons ; indeed, I only observed two 
that were not. 
There is no doubt as to the superiority of Devons for draught, 
from their peculiar activity. They do not walk so fast as some 
horses, but they take the plough quite as quickly as horses do, in 
some situations ; and, from the steady pace, and habit of walking 
exactly parallel with each other, which I observed in Devons, I 
believe the ploughman may, generally, do his work better with 
them than with horses. 
Although, as I have before stated, the general opinion seems to 
be in favour of the 4-course system, for such light soils as are in 
West Norfolk, yet there are good farmers in that district who 
think differently. For instance, one says, if the land is clean and 
highly cultivated, he is of opinion the 5-course would be better, 
if carried out as follows : — 
1st round. — 1, turnips; 2, barley; 3, layer; 4, layer; 5, wheat 
or oats. 
2nd ditto. — 1, turnips; 2, barley; 3, red clover; 4, wheat; 
5, pulse, and part vetches; to be mowed green, for immediate con- 
sumption in yards or boxes. 
For, thus, only one-fifih of the land would be sown with turnips, 
and, consequently, more likely to have a heavier crop per acre for 
