186 ON FALLOWING. 



And from the effect of these operations, other 

 important conclusions may be drawn, viz. that 

 the working of the plough, the hoe, the harrow, 

 and the roller, cannot well be overdone, during 

 the dry weather of spring, summer, and autumn ; 

 and that it cannot be too seldom done in wet 

 weather and in winter ; as these operations, when 

 the surface is dry, open the pores : and, when 

 wet, close them. 



In all cases, where the soil is so tenacious and 

 retentive of water, as to render it necessary to 

 lay the land in narrow ridges for the purpose of 

 getting rid of it; fire may be applied in the man- 

 ner before explained, so as to effect such an im- 

 provement as would amply repay both the land- 

 lord and the tenant any expense that may be 

 incurred by the operation. 



When lands are laid in narrow ridges, the best 

 and most effective manure, or that which is laid 

 on the surface, is washed away, and the spaces 

 occupied by the furrows are wasted, and so much 

 land lost. The surface-soil of such lands being 

 made friable, and open in its texture, sufficiently 

 to admit of a free percolation of water to a proper 

 depth, and well under-drained, would not only be 

 rendered more productive, but like fine sandy 

 loams, it would admit of working at all times and 

 seasons. 



