HomeMy WebLinkAbout1302Article copied from the London Times, December 11, 1894, page 10 colums E.John Prout,
of Blount's Farm, Sawbridgeworth, Herts, for 33 years the exponent of "Profitable Clay Farming"
died on December 7, in his 85th year.He was born on October 1, 1810, at South Petherwin,
Launceston, Cornwall, and was brought up to farming; but, dissatisfied with the position of
tennant-farmer on the small holdings of his native county, and with the antiquated restrictions of
land tenure, he emigrated when 22 to Canada and for ten years farmed successfully at Pickering,
Ontario. Family affairs then brought him back to England. and for 20 years he engaged in
mercantile pursuits. In 1861 he bought Blount's Farm , Sawbridgeworth, comprising 450
acres of rather heavy clay, in small fields, undrained, in poor condition, and very foul. Drains
were laid, useless hedgerows grubbed up, ditches and pools filled in, and deep stirring and
thorough cultivatioin affected. On such heavy land Mr. Prout believed that the growing of green
crops and raising of livestock were undesirable. The phosphates, nitraties, potash, and lime
assimilated if presented in a fairly soluble form whate ever might be the source from which they
were obtained. The whole of the cereals and hay were accordingly sold off every year.
No farm-yard dung was either made or applied, and no livestock were kept except for ten
working horses. Mr. Prout published in 1881 a report of his system entitled "Profitable Clay
Farming under a just system of tenant right," of which several editions were sold, and
translations made into French and German. The fertility of Blount's Farm has steadily advanced,
and during the last 14 years it has produced an average yield of 35 bushels of wheat and 40
bushels of barley per acre. Mr. Prout contended that his system affords the only profitable
method yet propounded for raising grain crops on heavy lands in this country. No other method,
he was want to add, promises success in meeting the present low range of prices.
It is understood that his son. Mr. W.A. Prout, purposes following at Blount's Farm the system
which his father initiated. Mr. Prout was an early advocate of the of the abolition of The Corn
Laws and a believer in the economic value of free trade until within the last few years, when he
somewhat modified his opinion. He took a lively interest in the housing of the poor and in other
schemes for improving the condition of the masses.