And Improvement of Soils. 193 
a 
the ploughing in July and August expose so many of 
its bulbs to the sun that few shoots are to be found in 
oats sown for fall pasture. 
4th. It is an easy and profitable way of clearing grain- 
fields from every species of injurious weeds; as it will 
convert them into vegetable soil, and enable the farmer 
to raise whatever grain or grass he shall judge most 
suitable to the soil. 
5th. It will save the expence of a fruitless summer 
fallow, and the green herbage will aid the dairy. 
6th. It enriches the farm from within itself, and no 
expence is required beyond the reach of any farmer: 
by rising one hour earlier, and working one hour later 
than usual, for two weeks, he may plough, and sow 
two acres, as an experiment. The pasture will recom- 
pence his labour, while his soil is greatly improved ; it 
is equally evident, that the fertility of the soil is ac- 
quired, partly from the roots of the oats, opening the 
soil and introducing the air, and warmth, of the sun, 
and partly, from accession of vegetable soil, produced 
from the decomposed roots of such pasturage; but 
even before the roots are converted into soil, they pro- 
duce the most beneficial effects, Those from the- spring 
sowing, retain the moisture, and supply the summer sow- 
ing with it. The roots from the fall pasturage, being full 
_ of sap, introduce winter frosts every where, into the soil, 
which swelling with the congealation, separates the parti- 
cles ; for it 1s to be observed, that roots while the stem is 
eaten down by the stalk, do not become hard but are 
more numerous, than when the plant is matured into 
gram. It is however necessary to sow at least double 
the quantity of seed, to that réquired for crops of grain, 
VOL. IT. BB as 
