295 
[ Variations of the Four-course System. 
surrounded by unspouted buildings, and, although the manure 
from the feeding-sheds was enriched to some extent by the residue 
of the artificial feeding-stuffs used for the fattening cattle, the 
store cattle in the yards were generally wintered on roots and 
long straw. This circumstance will enable the reader to draw 
his own deductions as to the value of the manure. A common 
custom on light or medium land was to draw off one-third of the 
crop for consumption in the yards, while the remaining two- 
thirds were eaten on the land by sheep. The fattening sheep 
consisted of draft ewes and shearling wethers, to which, in 
addition to the turnips, ^ to | lb. of corn or cake was allowed 
per head per diem, besides a foddering of hay or straw. The 
lambs or store tegs had no allowance beyond the turnips. The 
soil if closely folded was benefited by the treading, a single 
dressing of farmyard manure, such as it was, and the manurial 
residue left by the sheep, being deemed sufficient to furnish 
the food necessary to supply the wants of all the crops of the 
rotation. 
Barley followed roots. That part of the turnip break fed off 
before the middle of February, if skilfully treated and the 
seeding completed before the end of February, insured on most 
barley soils a full average crop. Root land which lias been folded 
and is intended for barley should have two clean earths. The 
plough should closely follow the fold, the second plough should 
immediately precede seeding, and the land should then be 
reduced to a fine tilth. Barley thrives best on a newly-turned 
furrow, and the substitution of the grubber and scuffler for 
the plough has injuriously affected both the quality and yield 
of barley. On the best soils, under the four-course system, 
late sowing is inevitable on a certain proportion of the break, 
hence the inferior quality of the barley. On some farms barley 
sowing is continued to the end of April. In moderately early 
seasons climatic influences hasten rajiid growth, hence we get a 
weak straw liable to lodge with the first heavy shower ; under 
any circumstances the grain is not of that plump bright colour 
so dear to the pale-ale brewer. 
Another disadvantage of late sowing is the injurious effect 
produced on the young seeds by the weak-strawed early-lodged 
crops. Till within the last decade, when the use of well-selected 
artificial manures has become more general, there had been a 
general falling-off both in the yield and qualities of the barleys 
grown where the four-course system was strictly adhered to. 
The finest qualities were grown on the stronger land after a 
wheat crop. 
The root crop where well grown has always been the most 
