Ch. VIL] ON THE ROTATION OF CROPS, lU 



Althougli the principles upon which the alternate system of husbandry 

 rest are perfectly clear, yet the specific succession of the particular crops is 

 an object of considerable perplexity, and, until ascertained by the expe- 

 rience of their effect upon differenl soils, must occasion no small degree of 

 anxiety and embarrassment; for it should combine the various considera- 

 tions which regard the best cultivation of the soil, both as it respects the 

 preservation of its fertilitv, for the production of the present and succeeding 

 crops, the state of the markets, and the repayment of the farmer's cost and 

 toil. It has indeed been justly observed by a good judge of soils, " that 

 no general principles can be laid down respecting the comparative merit of 

 the ditferent systems of cultivation, and the various systems of crops 

 adopted to different districts, unless the nature of the land, and the physical 

 circumstances to which it is exposed, are fully known. Stiff coherent soils 

 are those most benefited by minute division and aeration; and in the drill 

 system of husbandry, these effects are produced to the greatest extent ; but 

 still the labour and expense connected with its application in certain dis- 

 tricts may not be compensated for by the advantages produced. Moist 

 climates are best fitted for raising the artificial grasses, oats, and broad- 

 leaved crops ; stiff aluminous soils, in general, are most adapted for wheat 

 crops, and calcareous soils produce excellent sainfoin and clover*." The 

 course of cropping may, therefore, be said to require a considerable share of 

 judgment; but, if once established, " it remedies all confusion, distinguishes 

 and arranges the season and the appropriate mode of work, economizes 

 labour, reciprocates the improvement of both soil and stock, and forwards 

 the interest of both landlord and tenant f." 



In laying down a plan of management, it is often found impracticable to 

 have the whole of the land subjected to the same rotation. Some parts of 

 almost every farm of moderate extent vary in the nature of the soil : part, 

 perhaps, being clay, gravel, or sand, some good, some indifferent, and the 

 remainder poor ; each must, therefore, be worked in the manner most 

 suitable to its respective properties ; but were they all of equal quality, still, 

 to follow the same course regularly — though seemingly very practicable on 

 paper — is not always in the power of man. Unfavourable seasons, the 

 state of markets, and other contingencies, sufficiently obvious, will some- 

 times defeat his most earnest endeavours, and force him to have recourse to 

 measures which are contrary to his better reason. Added to this, farmers 

 have frequently to struggle with the difficulties of inadequate capital, which 

 places them under a strong and tempting necessity to prefer a small pre- 

 sent advantage to a greater but more distant benefit, which must be pur- 

 chased at an immediate expense, which they can little afford to defray ; and 

 thus compels them to use means for rendering their land productive for the 

 time, though eventually injurious to them. Men of judgment as well as 

 capital, when left to the exercise of their own discretion, will indeed be at 

 no loss to accommodate themselves to such exigencies ; for the general 

 management of a farm ought to be considered rather as a rule, the prin- 

 ciples of which are never to be entirely lost sight of, than as one wliich 

 should be always servilely obeyed. It seems, however, to be the opinion 

 of some proprietors of estates, that a proper course of cropping may be laid 

 down for the tenant and entered in his lease ; but the idea is wrong in 

 principle, and in point of practice can hardly fail to disappoint the hopes of 

 those who entertain it, as being inapplicable to circumstances which are in 



* Sir Humphry Davy's Lectures (in Agricultural Cliemistry, 

 f Radcliff, on the Agric. of E. and W. Flanders, i>. 58. 



