144 CONVERTIBLE HUSBANDRY. 



This is not a prediction rested on mere 

 theory ; for at a period not yet beyond memory, 

 before the introduction of convertible husband- 

 ry in Scotland, it was nothing uncommon to 

 see the farmer's stock so attenuated by the 

 dearth and insufficiency of winter food, as to 

 be almost unable to walk to their pastures in 

 spring. But with convertible husbandry came 

 the cultivation of turnips and other green crops, 

 before unknown. By the use of such green 

 crops, the straw came to be converted into va- 

 luable manure ; the soil was rendered greatly 

 more productive ; and now, at the end of 

 winter, the stock of a Scotch farmer is not the 

 mere skin and bone of former times, but in 

 the best condition, or, if such has been the 

 purpose, ready for the butcher. 



I have already made such observations on the 

 descriptions of American stock I had opportuni- 

 ties of inspecting, as occurred to me at the mo- 

 ment, and I would here remark that in the man- 

 agement of that branch of farming, there is in 

 the States, a want of attention to two things of 

 essential importance 1st, the selection of 



