The generality of agricultural writers, in treating of manures, have given innumerable directions for the man agement of the several varieties, as if the farmer had a store-house, or repository, into which each could be de posited. We have spoken of them in such a way as may serve every useful purpoee ; and, without troubling the reader with instructions which cannot be carried into execution, we have restricted our details to matters that are practicable by every farmer. We have directed his attention to the management and application of dung, because this article may be considered as the magic wand which influences every rural operation. Instead of troubling him with speculative opinions On the prin ciples of vegetation, and the pasture of plants, subjects of an abstruse nature, and on which the best informed can only form crude and uncertain notions, we have poin ted out the manner in which the greatest quantity of dung may be collected, and have described the most suitable and profitable method of applying it to the land. We have treated of lime, and other stimulants, in the same manner ; every kind of theory being avoided, un less sanctioned by experience,—the only schoolmaster deserving of attention, when the art or science of rural economy is to be illustrated.
On the If Au 10u.11 LAND, and the BANDRY best adapted to diffirent Sous.
If the landed property possessed by any nation is to be considered as the capital stock of that nation, then it becomes an important question, how and in what manner shall the capital stock be managed to the best advantage, so that the nation may derive from it the greatest possi bl• public benefit ? This is a branch of political econo my seldom much attended to, though it obviously Cc serves the most minute and serious investigation. In lact, it is only of late years tLat the art of agriculture has been reckoned worthy ol public notice. Individuals might, and many of them actually did, consider it as a parent art ; but the great body of the community were disposed to estimate manufactures and commerce as of greater importance : I fence the British nation were generally more desirous of gaining new territories, than improving what they already possessed : hence millions were expended in defending and improving- distant colo nies, when a small part of that money would have ren dered every quarter of our own island like a garden. There are numerous and extensive tracts in every part of the country, which greatly need improvement ; and, notwithstanding the high pi,ch to winch improvement has been carried in some districts, perhaps in every one of them, the national capital might be considerably in creased, were suitable means devised, and proper en couragement given. Tu investigate these matters, how ever, would lead us into a wider field than is consistent with the object of this article. On that account we re
frain from such inquiries, and proceed to illustrate the management of arable land, and the husbandry which is best adapted, to different soils.
On Rotation of Crone.
Referring to Chap. I. wherein the great and funda mental principles of agriculture are described, we en ter upon the consideration of a minor principle, viz. the most suitable Rotation of Crops. Though we are per lectly satisfied, that in the variable state of British soil and climate, DO fixed rotation can be prescribed, and even that the real value of every rotation depends in a great measure upon the fidelity shown in executing the s• oral processes of labour which belong to it; yet, abstractly speaking, some rotations must be viewed as of more value than others, because the crops therein included may be most suitable for the particular soil or soils on which they are to he cultivated, or better adapt ed to the market demand of the country, which ultimate ly must regulate the kind of produce most deserving of cultivation. Holding these things in view, alternate husbandry, or the system of having leguminous and cul mifurous crops to follow each other, must he reckoned most judicious, and deserving of recommendation. This system, with some modifications, is practicable on every soil. According to its rules, the land would rarely get into a foul and exhausted state ; at least, if foul and ex hausted under alternate husbandry, matters would be much worse, were any other system followed. The rota tion may be long or short, as is consistent with the rich ness of the soil on which it is executed, and other local circumstances. The crops cultivated may be any of the varieties which compose the two tribes, according to the nature of soil and climate of the district where the rota tion is exercised; and where circumstances render ploughing not so advantageous as pasturing, the land may remain in Bras; till these circumstances are obvia ted ; care being always taken, when it is broken up, to follow alternate husbandry during the time it is under tillage.
In this way, we think it perfectly practicable to follow the alternate system in every situation ; nor do we con si•er the land being in grass for two, three. or four years, as a departure from that system, if called for by a scar city of manure, poverty of soil, want of markets for corn, or other accidental circumst:u The basis of every rotation we hold to be either a bare summer fal low, or a fallow on which drilled turnips are cultivated, and its conclusion to be with the crop taken in the year preceding a return of fallow or drilled turnips, when, of course, a new rotation commences.