Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-07-02
PROGRESS OF ENGLISH AGRICULTURE.


We hear so much nowadays, probably |
no one department of human industry
has advanced more rapidly, or with more
benefcent results, than that Of agriculture
especially in Great Britain. a retro
spect Of the last hundred years illustrates
the truth Of this remark in a very strik-
ing and interesting manner. Such a
retrospect is furnished 10 the April num-
Der of the London Quarterly ReUie1c.-
1t could be read with profit by every .
farmer in the United States. Not only I
would it impart many valuable hints, but
it would demonstrate to every 5iiler OF
the soil the great pecuniary mot to men,
ten public advantage that would result
from close study of the nature and pc
euliarities Of soils, the best methods of
raising and improving stock, and other
important details Of his profession
In the article in the Quarterly to.
which we allude, it is stated tina; at the
close Of the eighteenth century the con-
dition of agriculture in England was
mean and depressed. Wheat, in many
districts, was rarely cultivated--and
rarely eaten by the laboring classes
Rye, oats and barley were the prevailing
crops. A naked fallow-that is TO say,
a year Of barrenness, which was TOO Of
ten year Of exhausting weeds-was
the ordinary expedient for restoring the
fertility of the soil. Farm yard manure,
exposed to the weather, was almost the
only fertilizer. Artificial grasses, with
beans, peas and cabbages, were rarely
grOwn and turnips were confined to
few counties, where they were sown
broadcast. Cultivation was performed
almost entirely by manual labor, anC
farm implements were rude and inetii
cent The cattle were chiefly valued
for their dairy qualities or their power
of draft. and were only fatted when the7
would milk or draw no longer. TIL
greater number of breeds were larg
boned and i'll shaped, greedy eaters, an,
slow in arriving at maturity. FresI
meat, for six months in the year, was
luxury only enjoyed by the wealthies
personages.
Such was the character of Englis
husbandry at the close Of the last cent?
ry. Now, as our readers we'll know
England produces the most abundar
and varied crops, and has almost affair
ed perfection in her stock, whether fC
the dairy, the shambles, or for draft, an
labor saving machinery is employed {
greater extent in farming than in an
other country in the world. The cause
however, tibet were "a produce this wor
derful improvement, were even then
successful though limited operation, E
pecially in the county Of Norfolk. II
first important step in the right directiC
appears TO have been taken shortly aft
the year 1880, by applying mari to SAINT
lands, by the help of which boundle
wilds Of rabbit warrins and sheep wal
were converted into rich grain beari
SOIL Coincident with this improveme
was the introduction of the cultivati
of the turnip, which proved quite
important as the use Of mari. Turn
answered the purpose Of fallow err
which cleaned and rested old aral
lands; they were food for fattening c
tie in winter; grown on light land a
afterwards eaten down by sheep, VIII
consolidated it by their feet, they prep
ed the way for grain crops on was
that had been previously given up to
rabbits. BY this means the sands
Norfolk, Nottingl!amshire, and Bedfo
shire, with the help of marling, and
heaihs and wolds of Yorkshire and 1
colnshire were gradually reclaimed ;
made productive.
Another improvement was the syst
OF rotation of crops that was establi
ed. Its cardinal principle was neve
take two grain crops In succession Fl
one piece of land. The importance
alternating grain with other crops
not only ascertained, but also that Ii
was a peculiar advantage in having
ley follow the lurnips, clover the bar
and wheat the clover, inasmuch as
tibrous roots Of the clover we're the
est possible pabulum for the wheat.
ihese changes were brought about
tween the years 1880 and 1850, but t
we're confined, with slight exception
Norfolk county, and it was not until
year 1867, through the labors of Art
Young, that they began to penetrate
other districts, although they have $
been universally adopted.
The first English farmer who ma
science Of breeding stock was Ro
Blackwell, who established the admir-