General View of the Agriculture of Hertfordshire - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1804. Excerpt: ... Mr. Sedgw1ck, of Rickmersworth, has known the county well for 27 years, and is clear, that it is much improved: they falLw less for wheat, and sow more turnips and clover; they also manure and plough better. Possibly both these opinions may have truth in them. In the great features of management, the agriculture may be nearly the same; yet, in some particulars, additional energy may have been exerted. SECT. I. tILLAGE. The variations found in different countries, m the operations of tillage, are much deserving attention; for though, a single county may not afford intelligence, which, separately considered, appears to be of much importance; yet when the whole kingdom comes to be examined and re? ported, and the circumstances compared and combined, as soils may require, a considerable degree of light may be thrown on the subject. The Hertfordshire farmers have an idea of their great perfection in this branch of their business; but I do not conceive, that others will be very ready to allow it. Ploughing.--On my reporting to Mr. Byde, of WarePark, the bet made between Sir John Sebright and Mr, Coke, he carried me to one of his strong-soiled fields, which had been a clover ley ploughed once in dry weather in June, as a sample of tillage, which he conceived impossible to be effected with two horses; and remarked, that on this stiff land, one such earth, in dry roasting weather does more good than several, when the land works easier; but as to touching it when moist, it is pernicious j even the the great Hertfordshire plough wanted a stone of 50 or 60 pounds weight in its body, to keep it steady. The common depth of ploughing about Westmill, is four or five inches j but Mr. Greg ploughs as deep as the staple will admit; which account of his bailiff implies, that...