Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-08-20
BRITISH FARMING

| 10 Tue Euitor oil t1e Farmers Monthly Visitor:
Utst 7fSburN Mass, Juiy, 1871.
DEAR SiR-l think that the the superiority
to be observed in British and Flemish agri-
culture over ours, is to be attributed to the
nice adaptation of crops-tlc perfect system
that prevails in every epartment-the free
out lay for manures TO invigorate the soil
the patience that never tires in the compile.
ton of IA task once undertaken, and the IN.
dustry that in no kind of weather, at nc
season of the year, fails to remember ant
perform its tasks and duties. An English
and in still greater degree, Flemish hus-
bandman, minds rain just as much as a Jack
tar does: in weather when an American
farmer would know it raincd only by its pat
ter on the window, he of Europe would be
blowing without thought of seeking shelter
or 50 much as glance at the sky. The au-
thor of Treatise on Rural Affairs remarks
that in two years he lost only thirteen days
by bad weather.
1t is not necessary for me to say to vou
sir, that England is remarkable for conhning
TO certain districts the productions which
| flourish best in those soils. Thus the LIGHT
sands of Norfolk are best adapted to turnips,
fed off and followed by barley and clover :
therefore in that country the rotation of tur-
nips, barley and clover prevails. 1t was by
this course that Mr.. Coke earl of Lcices-
tcr,) reclaimed from perfect barrenness his
splendid estate of Holkham. Warwickshre
is famous for beans as first comsc, follow
ed by wheat. Lancashire for potatoes as a
first crop, wheat and timothy following. SO
much briefly for adaptation.
Not less perfect is the system the allo,-
ment to Thomas Of the plow-to Harry of
the care Of the neat stock-to William ofthc
shecptold, and to Williams boy John, of
the lambs in ycaning time. Each one has
his part and his duties assigned to lm-he
is there at all times, and in all weathers, and
he stpulates to be only there. This system
pervadcs all things OH the farm-Splnters
Know in whcat-Livcress in tares-Liea-
lone in fallow, and the next year the Course
carried through them all without the posi-
bility of failure.
Upon farm in Surrey, where | spent six
pleasant and agreeable months, had OPP
porluniy to see the use and the profits of
systematic farming. 1t was hay farm, of
less than two hundred acres-thc rent paid,
about $4,000. The whole farm, except the
hay was taken care of, the fields were all
shut up until there was good feed upon
them. Then Mr. II. went TO the nearest
fair and purchased large becves nearly fat.
In these fresh, luxuriant pastures, where the
grass grew almost fast enough to render not
fabulous Sir Boyle Roche's story Of the Kite
thrown into an Irish meadow over night, hid
den by the grass next morning, the bccves
became ina very short time fit for Smithfeld
or Old Leaden-hall. After few DAYS rest,
the fair was rcsortcd to for a second drove
of cattle Of smaller size, bat IN good flesh,
which soon shared the lot of all fat oxen, and
became the roast beef of old England. The
fields were no longer in "a condition to make
beef, and therefore were TO furnish the pre-
dicament "nearly fat to take the "first bite"
in some unfed meadow. The fourth course
was herd of small Welsh cattle to be mere
ly improved. Fifth and lastly came sheep
to be kept till the meadows began to start in
the spring, when they were sold, and the
meadows shut up.
To illustrate the third division of my theme
l may also refer to the practice upon my
Surrey friends farm To recruit this farm.
the carts which took the hay to market re-
turned laden with manures to be used as a
lop-dressing. When not bringing back pro-
visions for farm use, think may say they
always came back with manures. | had
some years ago in my possession book,
which was borrowed by some kind friend or
other, who liked it so well that he forgot to
return it. This book gave the best account
of the English practice with respect to ma
nures, of any | have ever seen. 1t was said
i'll that book that five thousand tons of ma
nures had been applied in one year on sim
gle estate. know that the quantities are
immense, and that the lands in that country
are kept in hIgh state Of fertility by the
axiom impressed on the husbandman that
food is as necessary to the earth as to the
human body.
DO not think, my dcal sir, that | have
selected pattern farm for the subject of the
foregoing remarks. 1t was in ali respects
only medium farm. There could not be
the same opportunity for the more elaborate
practices OF husbandry that there is in large
Yorkshire farms. It's my opinion that's
OF the best managed farms in Enpland wcro
on the estates Of the Duke of Buckingham at
Stowe, in Bucks, The Marques Of Char
dos. the Dukes eldest, and indeed his only
son, was ambitious loading the landed in,
terests in Parliament, and thence was warm
advocate of that interest inside of ST. Ste,
phenS, and most thorough patron without.
1t is, however, the fashion in England to
patronize agriculture; heaven grant il may
became so here.
You can form no idea with what case an
American can introduce himself to the En-
glish, if he is fond OF farming. The gift of
a few cars Of Indian corn to the Horticultural
Society, brought me tickets and invitations
without number 10 their gardens and ietes al