86 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



'= Wherever it is introduced and thrives, fertility follows. The 

 value of a farm is most frequently estimated by the extent of ground 

 M'hich can be profitably devoted to this crop." 



On the less fertile soils of Northumberland, whAt is called the 

 easy-going five shift course is in use, viz. : first, oats ; second, 

 turnips; third, -wheat or barley; fourth, clover and grass: fifth, 

 clover and grass. 



That of the Lothians extends to six years, viz.: first, oats; 

 second, potatoes and beans; third, wheat; fourth, turnips; fifth, 

 barley ; sixth, grass. In other sections, different rotations prevail, 

 but these are the more prominent; and it is to be noticed that great 

 importance is attached to root crops in all, except on soils so very 

 stiff" that they cannot be cultivated to advantage. In such, beans 

 are often substituted ; but this crop adds very little to- the manure 

 heap, compared with roots, nor can it in most cases so well econo- 

 mize the elements of fertility in the soil. 



There is a plain, sensible little tract " On the general manage- 

 ment of a farm, showing how an exhausted soil may be rendered 

 fertile without the aid of any capital," purporting to have been 

 written by a farmer in the district of Montreal, which has been 

 extensively circulated in the Provinces adjoining Maine on its north- 

 eastern and north-western borders, and as I am informed, has been 

 instrumental in eff'ecting great improvements in the general style of 

 husbandry; and as the soil and climate of these sections is not 

 materially unlike our own, it may be well to quote from this also. 



"The liahi'cnis of Lower Canada are in general thrifty and 

 industiious : their firms luok well, although they are, for the most 

 part, worn out. All that they want is a ^ood sys/em^ and such a 

 system, to be available, ought to possess the following qualities, viz. : 



First. It ought to be economical, and not rcquiic more capital than 

 the actual system, or rather than the present absence of system, 

 requires. It is undoubtedly of great advantage to apply capital to 

 the land, but this advantage is in general beyond the reach of our 

 farmers, as their means are not sufficient. 



Second. It ought to restore fertility to the soil, and maintain it by 

 the pioducts of the land it.sclf. Manures got from other quarters than 

 the farm itself are always expensive, and, at a distance from town, 

 are often not to be had at all. 



Tliii'd. It ought to be simple and of easy application. 



I'uuilli. Finally, it ought to have experience clearly in ils favor. 



The author of this essay, having for a long time made the pracr- 



