Practical Aspects. 
37 
land. Inevitable fluctuations in prices of produce and in tlie 
conditions of agriculture have, it is true, affected prejudicially 
the financial outcome of the experiment ; but, though these 
changes have caused the system to be regarded less favourably 
than seemed likely at the outset, and as being less capable of 
wider application, this in no way detracts from the importance 
of the splendid instance which is afforded of the verification 
in actual practice of scientific truths regarding agriculture. 
In the year 1881 the late Mr. Prout published a book 
entitled Profitable Clay Farming under a Just System of 
Tenant Right , and this contained an account of the inception 
and progress of the undertaking up to that year, as well as 
a separate report by the late Dr. Voelcker of the scientific 
observations and results obtained. It seems now fitting that 
it should devolve on the son of the practical founder of the 
system and on the son of the scientist associated originally 
with the work, that they should jointly continue the history of 
the farm and deal with its results from that time to the present 
day, more particularly letting the agricultural reader know 
something as to how the matter stands in regard to the two 
main questions : (a) Whether the system “pays” ; (b) whether 
the land has undergone deterioration. 
For the earlier history and details of the undertaking it is 
sufficient to refer to Mr. Prout’s book published in 1881, and 
it is only necessary now to recapitulate the leading features of 
the plan pursued. 
Practical Aspects. 
Blount’s Farm is situated about thirty miles from London, 
near Sawbridgeworth, Herts., and is 450 acres in extent, the 
land being a cold heavy clay. The average rainfall is about 
26 in. per annum. The late Mr. Prout purchased it in 1861, 
paying 3 51. per acre for it. His first work, on deciding to 
attempt continuous corn growing, was to drain the land 
thoroughly, to remove hedges (cattle being no longer needed) ; 
to level the land ; and to make firm roads on which carting 
could be conveniently done and also steam cultivation be 
carried out. By the purchase of the land he obtained freedom 
of action in regard to the cropping, and liberty to improve the 
farm in the way he thought best. What the actual cost of 
the land was, what the outlay on drainage and other initial 
improvements, on what terms the farm was paid for, are points 
with which we have nothing to do here ; though it may be as 
well to point out that the farm was bought at a time when land 
was very dear, and that a very different figure would rule if 
similar land were purchased now. Our present concern is to 
take the land as it was when it came into cultivation, and to 
