Vanations of the Foxw-course Syetem. 301 
brewers. It is on the well-drained heavy clay soils that the 
introduction of the six-course system is producing the greatest 
revolution in increased production. Formerly, three crops and 
a bare fallow was the system all but universally practised on 
such soils, the advocates of this course basing their theory on 
the facilities afforded for cleaning the land, and improving its 
manurial condition by exposure to atmospheric changes. The 
first, however, often proved abortive by being undertaken at the 
wrong time, and by the use of means utterly unsuited to the 
purpose. A perfect fallow can only be made by the plough, and 
the land must be broken up in a dry state. 
I have long been imbued with the impression that well- 
drained clays can be kept clean by a skilful system of cropping 
and cultivation, and that catch- cropping can be carried out 
upon them to the gi’eatest advantage when worked on the 
six-course system. The first year’s seeds are mown early, and 
then folded by sheep eating cake or corn ; the second year’s 
seeds are folded, or part grazed with young cattle, the use of 
artificial foods being still continued. The seed layei’s are 
broken up early in February for the oat crop. This is fol- 
lowed by wheat, for which crop a dressing of 3 to 4 cwt. per 
acre of superphosphate (28 per cent, soluble) should be sown 
with the seed. As the spring advances, 1 cwt. of nitrate of 
soda should be sown broadcast over the land. Immediately 
the crop is harvested a succession of catch crops should be 
sown. If available, and if time permits, a light dressing of 
farmyard manure should be applied, and, in addition, 3 cwt. 
per acre of superphosphate, to be followed by 1 cwt. of nitrate of 
soda. These crops and the clovers will provide a succession of 
green crops throughout the summer. Part of the rotation 
should be devoted to the growth of kohl-rabi or mangel for 
supplying the cattle during the winter. The succeeding crop is 
barley, seeded down with broad clover. With the exception of 
beans and peas, which encourage the growth of weeds, the 
leguminous order of plants should be preferred, as collectors of 
nitrogen wherewith they enrich the soil. 
By the means indicated a considerable head of stock can be 
maintained where formerly few were seen, the land can be kept 
thoroughly clean, and heavy crops of cereals of fine quality can 
be grown. The free use of superphosphate and basic slag will 
enable broad clover to flourish, whilst the occasional ploughing 
in of succulent green crops, and the great mass of decaying 
matter left in the soil by the clovers, will not only add to the 
fertility of the land, but will make it more friable and easily 
worked. 
VOL. III. T. S. — 10 
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