WEEDS OF AGRICULTURE. 317 



breaking down the soil, every division of a clod into two 

 parts often leaves a piece of couch running through the 

 middle of each. In wet seasons no good can be done ; and 

 as far as regards the real objects of fallowing, dry weather 

 on the whole is the more favourable. In every fallow, a 

 great many annuals are destroyed of course ; but in those 

 which are less complete, whether it be from the farmer's 

 inattention or want of power, or from the interruptions of 

 too much wet, much worse things are left behind than the 

 seeds in the soil. In point of fact, there can hardly ever be 

 above one extra ploughing required to turn down seedlings, on 

 any soil, and in the most favourable season. 



Modern writers have treated this subject as if pulverizing 

 were a new object in fallowing ; or as if the seedlings of 

 weeds did not always grow with pulverization ; or, thirdly, 

 as if all the seeds of annuals which the soil contains might 

 be easily destroyed by due attention to this object. In 

 truth, it is no such thing; for some years these extra exer- 

 tions (if extra pulverization be effected) would fill the crops 

 with a more abundant growth : and if these be all killed by 

 the hoe and the hand, and clean husbandry accomplished, 

 and so continued, the number of seeds must diminish, and 

 the labour would at length be mitigated. Nevertheless, 

 this is wholly impracticable on poor soils, where weeds most 

 abound, because the crops will not pay the expense ; and on 

 obstinate clay soils it is equally impracticable, because the 

 drill system cannot be efficiently worked thereon. 



The objects of a fallow are, and always were, ist. To 

 eradicate root weeds, and cleanse and open the soil to the 

 fibres of future crops. 2dly, To pulverize and break down 

 the texture of clay soils, and mix them with manure, in 

 order to bring the land periodically into a mild and fertile 

 condition. The convertible, or turnip system, introduces no 

 new object in fallowing ; the soils being lighter, the business 

 is accomplished in shorter time ; therefore turnips are sown 

 with the manure, and the land has thus a double advantage 

 in the renewal of its fertility ; at the same time returning a 

 valuable crop for the expenses incurred. Seedling weeds 

 are destroyed incidentally ; and good fallows, with good 



