254 Cultivation ofslrable Land. Woad Soils and Preparation proper for* 



rich, putrid, alluvial foils on the flat tracts extending upon the borders of the lar^e 

 rivers are chiefly chofen for the growth of this plant. And experience has fhovvn 

 that it fucceeds in the mod perfect manner when they are broken up from a ftate of 

 fward immediately for its reception. It is frequently the practice of cultivators of 

 this plant to take lands of this defcription at high prices, for the purpofe of break 

 ing them up and growing it upon them for a few years ; on the more low rich 

 foils, fometimes for four years, but in thofe of lefs fertility only for three ; and in 

 fome which are more elevated and expofed in their fituations, two is thought fuf- 

 ficient;* perfons accuftomed to this fort of culture, who move from place to place 

 and form a fort of colony, being engaged in the bufinefs. It has been found 

 however, by the ingenious cultivator mentioned above, to be capable of being con 

 fined to one fpot with equal ormore fuccefs, by having a fufficient extent of ground 

 for changing the place of its growth as may be neccflary, and for appropriating art 

 adequate proportion annually to the railing of the plant, by which the houfes and 

 machinery that are neceflary for its preparation may be kept regularly in employ. 

 In preparing the land, it is recommended by fome to plough it up with a good 

 deep furrow, juft before the winter commences, laying it in narrow high ridges 

 that it may have the full effect of the frofts. Early in thcfpring another ploughing 

 ihould be given in the contrary direction, leaving it in the fame kind of ridge as 

 before. After it has remained in this ftate fome time, and weeds begin to appear, it 

 muft be well harrowed down with a pretty heavy harrow, repeating the operation as 

 frequently as may be neceflary to render it perfectly fine and clean. In the begin 

 ning of June a third ploughing (hould be performed to the full depth with a nar 

 row furrow, the land being afterwards well harrowed down as in the former cafes. 

 And about the end of July or the beginning of the following month the final 

 ploughing muft be given, which fhould be light, and the furface left as even as 

 poflible for the reception of the feed.f 



Other cultivators, however, take much lefs trouble in this bulmefs. Where the 

 foils are fuflkiently dry, they break them up early in the month of February ; but 

 where the contrary is the cafe, it is deferred to a later period. In performing the 

 work, great care is taken to plough it in a perfect manner to the depth of about 

 five inches. And in order that the furrow- flices may be well turned, laid flat, and 

 nicely jointed, a perfon is employed in the furrows with a fpade for the purpofe. 

 This is found requiiite to prevent thegrafiy matters from rifingin the feamSi After 



* Correfted Agricultural Report of Lincoln flu re. 



r Martyn s Edition of Miller s Dictionary, art. Isat u* 



