182 ON FALLOWING. 



little importance, as these effects are compara- 

 tively transient ; but what is termed the mecha- 

 nical change in the texture of the soil, is of the 

 greatest importance, as in this respect the land 

 may not only be considered as permanently im- 

 proved, and altered from that state in which it is 

 at all times uncertain in its produce ; — capable of 

 being worked only at particular and short inter- 

 vals; difficult and expensive in its preparation 

 for seed-crops ; and, in general, ill appropriated 

 for feeding cattle ; — to a state free from all those 

 casual defects ; — but it is rendered less capable of 

 forming and retaining that enemy to healthy vege- 

 tatioHy STAGNANT WATER, and much more capa- 

 ble of receiving and applying, the source of all 

 vitality and prolificacy in vegetables^ fresh water. 

 These are the great and most valuable effects of 

 fire, when applied as an agent in cultivation : and 

 fallowing approaches the nearest to fire, in its 

 effects, of any operation in agriculture. 



It is well known, that animals require a con- 

 stant supply of fresh air, to sustain a healthy ex- 

 istence J and the constant supply of fresh water, 

 is no less essential to the healthy existence of 

 vegetables. 



The soil and subsoil that is constituted and 

 situated the best to sustain these principles, is 

 always the most valuable ; and every operation in 



