.102 
Agricultural Notes on Hertfordshire. 
numerous examples of good farming already noticed afford satis- 
factory evidence of improvement : future progress will very much 
depend on the extent to which they are imitated, and on the 
increase of the average amount of farm-capital. Among the 
improvements specially requiring attention by landlords and 
tenants, the following may be enumerated : — extended cultiva- 
tion of mangolds and early turnips on heavy land ; the use of 
more artificial and other manures ; a reduction of the cost of 
cultivation by less frequent and more effective tillage ; an in- 
creased head of live stock, with a more economical system of 
feeding ; better shelter for animals in yards, and less exposure 
of manure ; care in avoiding to sow the seeds of charlock and 
other weeds ; restriction of the growth of oats after wheat to clean 
land in good heart ; and the enlargement of fields by the removal 
of hedges and timber, accompanied by a better distribution of 
woods and plantations, so as to secure picturesque effect without 
the sacrifice of material interests. 
The labourer's condition also demands very grave consideration. 
The efforts made at Rothamsted and in other parts of the 
county to improve his lot and raise his social condition are 
entitled equally to praise and imitation. 
XIII. — Agricultural Notes on Hertfordshire. By Rev. J. 
Clutterbuck. 
Agricultural Literature — Climate — Rainfall and Percolation of Water as tested 
by Dalton's Gauge — Area and Population — Sales of Fat Stock — Physical 
Geography — Influence of Swallow-holes on Drainage and Water Supply 
— The Water-level in the Chalk — Sheep Farm at Wheathampstead — The 
Chalk district — Irrigation — Paper-Mills — Drainage of low Meadows — 
Water-Cresses — Cherry-Orchards — Woods — Straw-Plait — Seed Wheats 
— The Bennington Flock — Heavy Roller with revolving Shafts. 
Agricultural Literature. 
The agriculture of Herts has already been chronicled by Ellis 
of Little Gaddesden (quoted by A. Young), in 1732 ; by Walker, 
in his ' Report prepared for the Board of Agriculture,' in 1759 ; 
by Clutterbuck, in his History of this county (1815) ; but espe- 
cially by Arthur Young, in his ' Report,' published in 1804. 
To that distinguished pioneer in agriculture we are indebted 
for our only reliable means of contrasting the agriculture of the 
18th with that of the 19th century. Of him it has been well 
said : "If great zeal, indefatigable exertion, and an unsparing 
expense in making experiments can give a man a claim to the 
gratitude of agriculturists, Arthur Young deserved it more than 
