12 
Report of the Judges on the 
farm, the idea being that in the case of land hxid out as at Bedford in sliort plots 
on a quick fall, the sewage is more readily applied to the crop on the flat than 
if the crop were planted on ridges ; for ii the ridges ran with the fall, the sewage 
would rapidly ilow down the comparatively short length of the fields into the 
ditches at the bottom ; and if the land is ridged across the fall, even if every 
ridge was an exact contour of the land, very uneven distribution of the sewage 
would take ])lace. The objection to the tiat system adopted at Bedford, on 
account of the physical features of the land, appears to be that the sewage is 
liable to pond in places, on account of the unevenncss of the ground, and that 
the growing crop is liable to be soiled by direct contact with the sewage. The 
mangolds are drilled in rows 26 inches apart, and are hoed out to 12 inches 
from plant to plant, the quantity of seed sown per acre being 5 lbs. The 
early sown mangolds, both here and on other farms, have run to seed. The 
mangolds on this farm are a good plant ; one field especially, which was sewaged 
in the winter, was capital; they are irrigated from time to time during the 
period of growth. 
Onions. — The seed is drilled in rows 8 inches distant. The bulbs of the 
onions should be from 4 inches to C inches apart in the rows. The quantity 
of seed sown is from 8 lbs. to 10 lbs. per acre, depending upon the quality of 
the land and the time of sowing. The cost of cleaning this crop is about 
51. 10s. per acre in ordinary seasons. This year the wet weather has interfered 
very much with the cleaning, and the weeds have been a great trouble. The 
onions are thinned out the second time of cleaning. This crop was very fair 
for the season, but in places where the water lodged the plant was destroyed. 
The crop is not irrigated with sewage while growing, but sewage is applied to 
the land before the seed is sown. 
Cabhacje. — This was a good crop, considering the severe winter, and sold at 
8cZ. per dozen, delivered on rail for Manchester. Cauliflowers are usualh' 
planted in June and cleared in October. It is a crop that answers well on 
this farm. Both cabbage and cauliflowers are planted in rows, so that the 
plants are 2 feet distant from each other. The land previous to planting is 
marked out both ways with a drill. The precision thus gained in planting 
the crop is found to give greater facility for afterwards using the horse-hoe. 
Prickly Gomfrey. — A small quantity of this crop is grown for horse-fodder. 
The roots were planted in March 1878, and the crop was cut three times in 
that year. The roots are planted 24 inches apart each way, and the crop is 
said to take any amount of sewage. The manager states that he believes it to 
be impossible to damage this plant with sewage, for the crop had been con- 
tinuously flooded with sewage for three weeks in succession, and this treatment 
was found more beneficial than otherwise. 
Carrots. — Carrots are drilled in rows about 12 inches apart, and the plants 
are from 4 to C inches distant in the rows. Carrots are not sewaged during 
their period of growth. The crop, which did not appear to be a very good one, 
has, we learn, been sold, and produced nearly IGJ. 10s. per acre. 
Parsnips. — The parsnips were a very fine crop ; they are drilled in rows 
about 12 inches apart, and the plants are from 8 to 10 inches apart ; 7 lbs. of 
seed per acre is used. 
Swedes. — A small quantity of swedes are grown, but they have not been 
sewaged. They are drilled in rows 24 inches distant, and the roots are hoed 
out to 12 inches apart. Three pounds of seed per acre is drilled. 
Jihuharh. — A smalL quantity of rhubarb is grown, but on that part of the 
farm which is seldom sewaged. The roots are placed at a distance of 4 feet 
apart, and they are moved once in every five years. 
Wheat. — Red Browick is the variety grown. The crop was level, heavj', 
and good, and followed potatoes. The land had not been sewaged for two 
years, and the crop was not sewaged during the period of growth. 
Oats. — White Polish are the sort grown ; they were a very good and heavj' 
