It may not lie improper to state, that barley on old grass land, unless lime is applied, is usually inferior in quality to what is produced upon old cultivated land, and of course yields a smaller produce than what the appearance or bulk of the crop upon the ground would seem to indicate. In fact, barley of good quality is not to be obtained without an application of calcareous matter.
The third crop which ought to be taken, is turnips drilled, and completely hand and horse hoed. This root may now be raised with success, as any of the surface grasses which may remain in life after the barley crop, will be weak and feeble, and easily destroyed by the work given to the turnip crop. The intervals of the drills ought not to be less than 30 inches, which will admit horse labour with effect, and probably secure a weightier crop than could be gained from narrower in tervals. The seed ought to be sown tolerably thick, perhaps not less than 31b. per acre, and the plants set out at 8, 10, or 12 inches from each other, according to the earliness of the season, state of the weather, fertility of the soil, and other circumstances.
If turnips are consumed at a proper time, say by the first of March, spring wheat may be taken as the fourth crop, provided the weather permits the land to be duly harrow ed ; but failing wheat, barley may be substituted in its place. If the ground is ridged up as the turnips are consumed, wheat may be sown every clay, taking care to protect it from rooks and pigeons, who, at that season, often occasion considerable damage. Wheat may be sown with safety upon well prepared land till the end of March, but so late a time Ca111.0t he t cconnmnued as a general practice. Grass seeds to be sown whatever grain may be cultivated, and the land to he afterwards pastured tor one or more years, as circumstances may render necessary. \Viten broken up a second time, oats, beans, and wheat, may follow in succession, and the rotation be concluded.
As many old grass lands consist of what is called l'en 4011, a few words may be necessary on this branch ol the subject. Fen land is generally incumbent upon clay or moss. If upon the Milner, they, are a valuable concern, alter being drained ; but if incumbent upon moss, it is scarcely practicable to drain them in a complete manner.
In draining clay lens, which is necessary betore they can be duly cultivated, the preliminary business is to cut otr all the water that issues front the adjoining higher grounds, whether flowing from springs, or falling from the clouds. This being attained, the deepness of the fen ought first to be- ascertained, which, in a great mea sure, will point out the number and dimension of the drains that arc required. The most accurate levels ought also to be taken, as any defect here will injure all the subsequent operations. These preliminary steps being executed, a main drain or drains, according to the extent of the fen, should be digged, into which the water front the smaller drains may be disgorged. The number and size of the small drains must be propor tioned to the quantity of water accumulated in the fen. and by the deepness of the surface soil ; but the safe extreme- is, to increase the size and number of the drains ; for, if limited or superficial, the whole business must prove abortive. The main chain or drains may be arched with brick, but land stones will do best for filling the smaller ones, or brush-wood might be used in case stones cannot be procured. When the fen is in this way laid completely dry, ploughing may be at tempted, which is commonly severe work at the outset. It is proper to take two crops of oats in succession, in order that the strong sward of all fen lands may be rot ted. A complete summer fallow, with a strong dose of lime, is then necessary. In this manner, the valuable matter deposited for ages in all fen soils, may be brought into action, and abundant crops of grain and grass in consequence procured. Every thing, however, depends upon putting and preserving the land in a dry state, which will not be difficult, if the intercepting drain and the main leader or leaders are kept in good condition.
Having now shown the most appropriate methods of introducing alternate husbandry into those districts where old grass is prevalent, it remains to give a ge neral statement concerning which might reasonably be expected from its introduction.