Af]ricuUure of the Scilli/ Isles. 
389 
We heard that it is the intention of the proprietor to dispense 
with the okl bh)ck of buiklings by erecting^ others in proximity 
to the new block. Certainly the present arrangement is neither 
conducive to economy nor to convenience. For example, with 
a steam-engine of 8-horse power there should be no necessity 
for two horse-gears; all the chaff should be cut by steam.' 
Implements are numerous and of good construction. There 
are some good cottages, near the farm buildings, for the 
labourers. 
Punctuality on the part of the labourers is strictly exacted, 
those being fined who are late in coming to their work. The 
men receive from 125. to 16.9. a week, with extra wages in harvest 
time. They are paid during illness, and a fat ox is killed for 
them at Christmas. A good deal of work is done by the piece. 
Crops. — Few potatoes are grown, because the labour cannot be 
spared. Red and white wheat is drilled in February, at the rate 
of 7 to 8 pecks per acre. If sown in autumn it grows too 
luxuriantly. It is rolled when well up, but not hoed. The 
wire-worm is often destructive. The harvest is in August, and 
the wheat is mown. Mangolds are drilled at the end of April, 
or the beginning of May, in rows 2 feet apart, and at the rate of 
7 or 8 lbs. of seed per acre. The orange globe is the favourite 
variety. The plants are thinned by the horse-hoe, travelling at 
right angles to the rows. In the three years previous to 1869 
notice was taken of the weight of the mangolds, and five roots 
were found, in many places, to weigh 118 lbs. 
The plan of storing on this farm is to throw the roots into a 
heap with their tops on, and to leave them without further 
covering. 
Kohl rabi is sometimes grown, but does not attain a profitable 
size, nor does it keep so well as mangolds. 
The turnip-fly is very troublesome on all the islands. 
Parsnips are grown for the cattle. 
In regard to clover, alsike succeeds as well as any kind. 
White Dutch does not stand, and grass will not last more than 
two or three years on the light sandy land. 
The downs are being rapidly improved — the surface rocks re- 
moved by blasting, the furze uprooted, and grass seeds sown. 
Besides the crops above mentioned, barley, beans, peas, vetches, 
turnips, and carrots are grown as often, and in as large quantities, 
as their respective importance suggests. 
The following rotation is used for part of the farm : — 
1. Wheat, laid down with seeds. 
2. Seeds, mown twice. 
3. Vetches, followed by turnips. 
