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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



pulverization or comminution so desirable for a fallow 

 crop. But, undoubtedly, vast improvements in me- 

 chanical science, as applicable to the soil, will soon be 

 introduced, upon the advent of steam, to promote culti- 

 vation, and thus increase our means and ensure our 

 success. We have also this encouragement, in the 

 present day : our farmers are so alive to improvement 

 of any kind, that we have only to show a prospective 

 advantage, to ensure its ready introduction. Every 

 foolish prejudice gives way to cool, calculating judg- 

 ment : we have only to show that certain courses will 

 produce profitable results, to ensure its adoption. 



It has been satisfactorily proved that our poor clay 

 soils are so exceedingly benefited by repeated deep 

 stirrings, as to render them sufficiently fertile to pro- 

 duce excellent crops of wheat without the aid of 

 manure ; and that for a series of years, without inter- 

 mission, under alternate culture. Of what immense 

 advantage, then, must powerful implements, applied 

 by the aid of steam, be to our heavy clay lands, in 

 tearing them up and rending them into piecemeal ! 

 To all our light soils, the facilities thus to be provided 

 for the draught of light-land implements, and their 

 continuous working, will be of incalculable advantage. 

 The ready working of these light soils in the autumn, 

 and the cleansing and aeration then perfected, in a 

 suitable season, are like a renewal of their nature. 

 Much stirring and pulverizing in the summer often 

 causes these soils to become so light, that a brisk wind 

 frequently blows large masses away. Good loams, as 

 well as all clays, are surprisingly benefited by autumn 

 culture ; and we only await the accession of a compe- 

 tent power, to accomplish all we desire. It is quite 

 certain that, with our present appliances and power, this 

 is impossible. The climate of this country is so variable, 

 and the season is so short, that what is done must be 

 done quickly, and with all our might, or it is past ere 

 we are aware. Therefore, we must have more power 

 applicable to oui" purpose ; and every preparation must 

 be made to take advantage of it and use it. I believe, 

 then, that we merely require such great additional 

 power as the judicious application of steam can confer 

 upon us, to promote the culture of the soil, and at those 

 particular seasons, and under those conditions, when 

 every intelligent farmer's judgment dictates their appli- 

 cation to be most advantageous. It is this, and courses 

 like this, which will lead to the abandonment of the 

 present mode and design of fallowing. 



2nd, What system of culture, or order of manage- 

 ment, will ultimately supersede the present mode of 

 fallowing ? I reply : The various courses or systems of 

 partial fallowing commonly called "bastard-fallowing," 

 by which I mean fallowing at all such times and seasons 

 as can be obtained — i, e., the eff'ectual breaking up and 

 working, stirring, and pulverizing the soil whenever, in 

 a suitable season, it can be cleared of its crop, and 

 placed under culture. This is chiefly included in, and 

 is the major part of, the system which Mr. Bond, in his 

 manly address to the Farmers' Club, has so ably set 

 forth, and in such a truly business-like manner. It is 

 this partial fallovviuo;— iu the autumn mainly, and at 



every other convenient time — that is one of the very 

 systems or processes of management that will ultimately 

 supersede fallowing as now practised. Mr. Bond has so 

 clearly and pertinently described the principles it in- 

 volves, and the courses of management to be pursued, 

 and its great utility, that I freely and fully endorse most 

 of his views, and warmly commend his address to the 

 attention of every practical farmer. I have already said 

 that land is more benefited by culture in the autumn 

 than at any other period of the year. For this purpose, 

 the farmer should make due provision in laying outlhis 

 courses of cropping. He would do well to have a filed 

 or plot of winter beans, early peas, early oats or bar- 

 ley, early potatoes, or the like, so as to have it cleared 

 for his early operations in the autumn culture, while his 

 main harvest was in progress. The great thing is, to 

 permit immediate action at harvest-day, so that his cul- 

 tivators or scarifiers are kept in regular work ; and we 

 trust shortly to see his steam-horse, with all his power 

 and appliances, in effective action, while his cart-horses 

 are securing the harvest. By this early application in 

 culture, many extra crops may be obtained, such as 

 rape or turnips ; and the various processes of cleansing, 

 and other preparations for the wheat and future root- 

 crops, are thus admirably conducted ; and it is the 

 commencement, as Mr. Bond says, of a " system of 

 continued and continual cleanliness :" besides, what an 

 early and excellent preparation it is for the wheat crop 

 at this season, and the mangel-wurzel and potato crops 

 in the spring, which on the majority of soils require 

 early seeding ! This continuous and deep cultivation 

 will also give great facilities and power for a more 

 lengthened and heavier course of cropping. Customary 

 courses will be broken through ; and the farmer's judg- 

 ment will be his rule from time to time. The same 

 attention, and the like course of partial fallowing, ought 

 to prevail throughout the spring, including this " con- 

 tinual cleanliness;" indeed, it will be of no avail under 

 a careless mode of management, or under the slightest 

 inattention to keep clear of weeds. The foundation 

 of the system must be, destruction to weeds ; and 

 plough, scarifier, and harrow, and hoe and fork and 

 spade, must be in continual use, to eradicate these pests. 

 At all periods when the land, or any portion of it, is 

 clear of a crop, it ought, in suitable weather and when in 

 proper state, to be put under culture. No time should be 

 lost, under favourable circumstances. In the depth of 

 winter, all clay soils are wonderfully benefited by being 

 laid open to frosty weather. There are innumerable 

 relative advantages derived from this system. One is, 

 the destruction of thousands of insects, grubs, worms, 

 &c., &c. I need not stay to point out how the land is 

 to be cleared for operations at given periods : these 

 would be obvious at the time. In harvest, my own 

 practice is to set the stooks wide apart, and work be- 

 tween ; in turnip-feeding, to commence working fold 

 after fold, as fed off. All these minor points are the 

 matters of daily arrangement, and require providing for 

 accordingly. 



3rd, Can good green crops be generally grown with- 

 out fallowing ? I shall very briefly answer this question 



