254 
On ihe Farndiig of Iluiitingdon. 
in bulk, and in order still fui tlier to reduce its thickness and get 
closer to the claj-, burning lias been practised. To some extent 
this practice prevails when the land is first reclaimed from a state 
of nature. As cultivation proceeds, and by the application of 
manures the growth and feeding off on the land of green crops 
extends, the burning is discontinued, as by destroying the fer- 
tilising effects of the manures it would then be a wasteful opera- 
tion. After the land has been thoroughly drained, claying the 
surface, to the depth of from 3 to 4 inches, is the great essential 
to give the necessary consistency to the soil. This operation is 
effected by digging through the peat where it does not exceed a 
depth of from 3 to 4 feet, and producing clay on the spot, A 
trench 4 feet in width having been opened, the peat is removed 
until the clay is reached, which is then thrown out of the trench in 
sufficient quantity to cover the surface-soil on each side to the 
requisite depth. When a sufficient quantity of clay has been 
thus thrown out, the peaty soil from the next length is thrown 
into the vacant space, and the work proceeds in the same way as 
trenching is generally performed, the peaty soil from the surface 
taking the place ofthe clay,and the sides of the trench being levelled 
down with the spade so as to leave the land in a fit state for the 
plough. The cost of this operation varies from 50s. to 5/. per 
acre. When well done the land is improved to an extent the 
duration and value of which it is difficult to estimate. 
The great drawback to the fen-land farmer is the utter uncer- 
tainty of his crops ; a single night's frost in spring may blight his 
prospects and destroy the fruits of many months' toil and expenses. 
In favourable seasons good crops are grown : but to strangers they 
are always deceptive, as they seldom turn out either of the quantity 
or quality which might be supposed from their appearance. Four 
quarters of wheat and five quarters of barley are about the average 
of the best seasons. The soft nature of the soil and the large 
quantities of straw produced preclude the use of the reaping- 
inachine to any extent ; indeed the sickle and reaping-hook are 
seldom used, both wheat and barley being almost invariably 
mown and tied, at a price varying from Is. to 10s. per acre. 
The fen-land is mostly cultivated on the four-acre system. 
First year — green crops. The land when fairly treated produces 
good crops of rape, turnips, kolil-rabi, and mangold, but is not 
well suited to the growth of swedes. The best managers generally 
draw off one-fourth of their roots for consumption by cattle in 
the yards, and the rest are consumed on the land by sheep, eating 
also cake or corn. Second-year — barley and seed-clovers do not 
succeed except where the land has been clayed. Italian rye-grass, 
which obtains most favour both for mowing and pasture, is very 
useful in spring, as it invariably produces an early bite for the 
