169 



ON FALLOWING. 



The concurring action of the principles I have 

 laid down, will be found correctly to apply to 

 the operation of fallowing, and clearly shew the 

 real value of this process. 



In a general point of view it is obviou.s, that 

 both the advocates for, and opponents of, the 

 system of fallowing, have indulged in extremes ; 

 the former attributing effects which, under com- 

 mon circumstances, it cannot produce ; and the 

 latter denying those which are clearly evident. 

 I shall however hope to show, that a little giving 

 way on both sides, will tend most to the public, 

 as well as private benefit. 



Sir John Sinclair observes, ** Over the greater 

 part of Europe, it was formerly considered to 

 be a most advantageous practice, periodically 

 to dedicate an entire season to the cultivation 

 of arable land, without raising from it any 

 crop. It was supposed that the expense would 

 be amply compensated by the texture of the 

 soil being ameliorated, by the destruction of 

 weeds, which would be thus effected, and by 

 the increased produce of the succeeding crops. 



