Place of cultivation distant by miles (4)
I believe the answer is:
farm
'place of cultivation' is the definition.
(where crops are cultivated)
'distant by miles' is the wordplay.
'distant' becomes 'far' (similar in meaning).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'miles' becomes 'm' (common abbreviation).
'far'+'m'='FARM'
(Other definitions for farm that I've seen before include "agricultural centre" , "Ranch" , "Rural workplace" , "Smallholding" , "Country workplace" .)