t 3 ] 



Improvements in tillage, however, it feems, went 

 on very flowly, till Mr. Tull, of very refpcdtable 

 memory, taught the vaft advantages, indeed the 

 ncceflity, of a more pcrfeft tillage, in order to" a' 

 more fuccefsful and more profitable return. 



« 



Improvements which have been made in tillage 



are of very great importance, as it may truly be 

 faid to have been the bafis or real foundation on 

 which the fuccefsful introdudlion of all the new 

 articles of field culture depend, as will clearly ap- 

 pear hereafter, when we treat particularly of thofe 

 articles. When the ground is well tilled, it is in 

 the moft perfe*6l condition for receiving the fertili- 

 zing principles of the atmofphere. Rain, fnow, 

 hail, dews, and hoar froft, &c. convey the nutriment 

 of vegetation, which floats in the air, moft plenti- 

 fully into the bofom of the earth, as deep as it has 

 been broken, and well pulverized; which it im- 

 bibes very freely, and incorporates thoroughly 

 therewith. It is the only effedlual means of de- 

 ftroying weeds, fo neceffary to the beneficial growth 

 of all crops, and fhould be repeated tilt they are in 

 a great meafure deftroyed ; which, by being con- 

 tinually expofed to the fun and wind, will be much 

 fooner than can be effefted by any other means. 

 The roots and fibres of weeds are the ligaments and 

 braces which in a great meafure knit and bind the 

 B 2 clods 



