336 
Agriculture of Norfolk. 
it not be so to other crops ? There are districts in the kingdom 
where two white crops are sown in succession ; nay, the two least 
suitable for following each other closely — wheat and barley, which 
is perhaps the worst possible system of cropping ; yet, if we can 
show those parties a means of getting their favourite crops at the 
usual season in a less objectionable manner (by having an inter- 
mediate green crop to plough into the land), they may be induced 
to try the plan, and, if afterwards satisfied that they shall profit 
by it in an increase of crop, possibly they may thus be taught the 
first useful lesson on the val ue of changing the nature of crops 
as often as possible. 
If useful as a preparation for turnips, why not sow it imme- 
diately after reaping an early crop of wheat or oats, drilling in 
along with it such manure as, from its price and the nature of the 
soil, might be proper for the purpose of growing a crop of cheap 
manure? This, in many parts of the south of England, could 
often be done early in August (as the horses are not generally 
wanted for other purposes), before the corn is ready for carting; 
and from that period to November there would be time for the 
growth of an abundant crop to plough in as extra manure, in 
order to act in the most powerful manner on the soil during the 
following winter. When spring arrived, the land would be found 
not only richer, but better to clean, than it would have been if left 
idle for a time, and then ploughed to make clean fallow. By 
this plan you run no risk of mischief from being caught by un- 
favourable weather, as in breaking-up layers, for, at the worst, no 
harm can be done. Besides, land, after a stubble crop, may be 
cleaned in such weather, as it certainly could not be after a layer 
newly broken up. But, as there is not the same necessity for 
cleaning effectually at once, where the following crop is to be 
turnips, as there is where it is intended for wheat, the chances 
are rendered greatly in favour of having a more suitable season to 
prepare for one crop than the other. 
So few Oats are grown in Norfolk, that it is in most districts 
difficult to find a field of them. Every reader of agricultural 
books may know the crop has had a bad name with some whose 
opinions became very influential, not only in that county, but in 
others. I was prepared to find something peculiar in the nature 
of the soil, to render it unsuitable for the crop ; but, although I 
made most diligent inquiry for evidence of this, I could not hear 
any, either from those who cultivated their own land, or who were 
tenants of others. One of the best farmers of West Norfolk, and 
occupying his own land, says, " I really know no reason, practi- 
callv speaking, why oats should not bo grown, for 1 find that, if I 
manure for them at the same rate as I do for other crops, I get 
more return than I do even from wheat ; and 1 have not yet 
