382 
Agriculture of the Scilly Isles. 
duced, however, is small, only a few baskets, we were told, being' 
sent away "even in the height of the season." It thrives best or^ 
a sandy soil, and is grown in beds, as in our own gardens. In. 
winter the beds are levelled and manured with seaweed, which, 
in this case, is found to produce more effect than farmyard 
manure. In 1869 some sticks were cut as early as February. 
In ordinary seasons there are none ready before the end oS 
M arch. 
Occasionally at the beginning of the season, a few bundles arc 
sold at the rate of ^d. per stick, but the price is soon reduced. 
One farmer informed us that, after paying all expenses, he 
realized 8d. per bundle (of twenty-five sticks) for his earliest, and 
6d, per bundle for his latest produce. 
Cluver and Grass. — Clover is grown extensively and success- 
fully. A mixture of red and white clover, yellow clover {Medicago- 
hipidina), and Italian rye grass is generally sown on the barley 
land in the spring. But sometimes the seeds are hoed in among 
the mangolds or turnips in the summer or autumn. Wliere they 
fail, scarlet clover ( Trifolium incarnatuni) is frequently sown. 
Seeds are not usually left down more than three years. There i:> 
an abundance of good grass. 
"The productiveness of the fields is seen in the broad swathes 
of grass in the hay-fields, and the vigorous appearance of the 
grain and roots crops, clothing the slopes with refreshing 
verdure."* 
The Scillonians speak of 2 tons of hay per acre as an average 
crop, even more being gathered in from the low-lying land. 
In early records we find the quality of the grass commendecL 
For, says Leland, " there be countid 140 islettes of Scilley that 
bere grass, exceeding good pasture for catail."t 
Root Crops. — Mangolds and turnips do well. Swedes Avere 
cultivated with success at one time ; but now they are liable to 
premature decay. They are, therefore, only grown on poor soils. 
1868 and 1869 were bad years for roots. 
Mangolds are generally sown on the land which has produced 
the early potatoes. Two crops are thus obtained in one year. 
After the digging of the potatoes little or no tillage is required. 
The cultivator, or tormentor as the Scillonians prefer to call it, is 
sometimes passed through the land, the haulm cleared away, anil 
the mangolds drilled. Both long and globe mangolds are culti- 
vated ; 5 lb. of seed per acre is drilled in rows 16 in. to 20 in, 
apart. Guano is sometimes applied at the rate of Ih cwt. per 
acre. During growth all roots are frequently hoed, by horse 
and hand. 
* Walter White's 'Walk to the Land's End.' 
t Lclaud's ' Itinerary,' vol. iii. p. 7. 
