422 Getterat View of the Agncttlture Oi^k. 



In the chapter upon " arable land," we have a clear de^ 

 tail of the feveral articles of Northumberland tillage, from 

 the fallowing of the ground till the rotation is finifhed. It 

 would appear, that the practice of naked fallows is rather on 

 the decline, and that drilled leguminous crops are now fub- 

 llituted in its place. "While we are fully convinced that 

 naked fallow can never, with advantage, be wholly laid 

 afide upon the heavy foils, we cordially concur with the 

 authors, that, with proper attention to cropping, the quantity 

 may be very much reduced. But let them fpeak for them- 

 felves — 



« Whether fallowing 15 or is not necefTary, has been much agitated 

 of lat£ years ; fo much fo, that the different parti/ans have obtained 

 the appellation of ' falloivifts,' and ' anfifatlowljls.' It happens 

 to be one of thofe fubjedtS, which can never be determined by rea- 

 foping, opinions, or bold aflettions : fair experiments only can refolve 

 it : and whatever be the refults of fuch experiments, in any particu- 

 lar place, it may be juftly concluded, they will be the fame in 

 fimilar foils, climates, and iituations. 



♦ Though we are diffident in giving a decided opinion upon fo 

 important a fubjeft, yet, from obfervations made on the above fafts, 

 v.'e cannot help being inclined to think, that the quantity of naked 

 fallow niight be very much reduced, and, in another century, xVill 

 probably be totally abolifhed, if no fortuitous circumftances arife, 

 to check the exertions and fpirit for improvement, which have been 

 fo prevalent of late years, and fo generally difiufed through this 

 diilria.' 



The information contained in the following paragraph, 

 (p, 77.) has been amply corroborated by M'hat we have prac- 

 tically experienced. Of laft unfortunate crop, the fmooth- 

 chafFed wheats were 20I. per cent, fuperior to the other va- 

 rieties, in refpe£l of quantity and quality. 



* The downy-chafFed wheats have fliorter llraw, and are lefs 

 lii;ble to have the grain (haken out by winds, (the chaff embracing 

 the grain more clofely), than the fmooth-chaffed tribes, which is 

 a confiderable advantage ; hut then we are apprehenfive that this 

 downinefs makes them retain the dews and moifture upon the ear, 

 much longer than the fmooth-chaffed kinds, and probably renders 

 them much more liable to be affedted by thofe difeafes, which give 

 a dufliy dark fhade to the chaff, and a rufly cankering upon the 

 ftraw : As we recollect few inilances of fmootb chaffed, or redwhear, 



being 



