Variations of the Four-course System. 
303 
probably on by far the greater number of estates the four-course is 
the recognised system. This would apply to twenty years ago, 
but it is certainly not the case now. I agree with Mr. Morris 
that no uniform system of cropping ever was applicable to all 
lands, and hence the injurious effects of stereotyped agreements. 
Though he is willing to allow considerable latitude in the rota- 
tion he adopts, if suitable to the soil and locality, at the same 
time I could not go the length of cropping as he likes, whether 
he chooses a four-, five-, or six-course. It is only just to the 
interests of the landlord, or of the incoming tenant, that the 
correct proportion of seeds and fallows should be left, in accord- 
ance with the system on which the farm has been cultivated. 
An instance is adduced of the abortive effort to grow roots on 
strong land, but this is not likely to be followed by an intelligent 
farmer of the present day. There are different qualities of clay 
land, and the best clays will certainly give a much better return 
under a skilful system of cultivation than they will when laid 
down to grass. 
The advice to reduce the arable area to the lowest pos- 
sible limit must surely be a mistake. Every farmer knows 
that a mixed occupation will keep more stock than the same 
land will do if laid away to grass ; also which brings in the 
largest returns at the present moment, — the mixed occupation 
with its dairy, its breeding and feeding, where the cereal 
produce can be utilised to the best advantage, or the secondary 
pastures, where only store stock can be run during the summer 
months, and which have no provision for winter food to save 
purchasing in the open market. The illustration of the 300- 
acre farm, half permanent, with fifty acres newly laid down, is one 
that would entail very considerable outlay, and probably at the 
end of the first six years it would barely be worth the rent and 
taxes. My advice would be to adopt the six-course shift, to keep 
more stock, to consume the chief part of the produce on the land, 
to grow a series of catch crops whenever practicable, and to 
improve the existing grass land by summer folding. I am per- 
suaded that if this system was more generally carried out, it 
would not only improve the land, but also the financial position 
of the tenant. We have numerous practical illustrations in the 
successful management of the run-out clay lands in the county 
of Essex, where the north-country men have taken root, and live 
and thrive to the evident benefit at least of one class — the owners 
of the soil. 
The growth of three sti'aw crops in succession is certainly 
opposed to all preconceived ideas of good management, and 
