FARMER'S ASSISTANT. n 



We shall close our observations on this recondite sub- 

 ject, with observing, that earths, or soils, may be productive 

 of very different degrees of fertility, according as they may 

 be found in different situations, as well as in different 

 climates. 



A stiff clay, for instance, in a very cool moist climate, 

 might be found unfit for crops of grain ; but, let the same 

 clay have an understratum of sand, at the depth of about 

 ten or twelve inches, and its character for fertility would be 

 much altered for the better. At the same time, a similar 

 clay, when placed under the equator, would probably not 

 be essentially benefited by an understratum of sand. 



A light sandy soil, in the climate first mentioned, may 

 easily be rendered productive; while the same earth, when 

 long laid bare to a burning sun, may become a frightful 

 barren waste, where the sand is blown about by the winds,, 

 Yet, in such climate, if the same earth were underlaid with 

 clay, at a proper depth, the soil might be found tolerably 

 productive. 



ELM (Ulmus.) A beautiful tree to plant near houses, 

 and elsewhere. It grows pretty rapidly, and is very long- 

 lived. There are three varieties, the white, the yellow^ 

 and the red elm. The two latter are the best timber lor 

 any kind of use, and the latter in particular is very durable. 



ENCLOSURES. Throughout the most of France, and 

 some other parts of Europe; the arable and mowing-lands 

 are not fenced, but lie in common ; while the lands on 

 which cattle are usually kept are enclosed. 



This method of husbandry has some advantages ; and it 

 has its disadvantages. Much is thereby saved in the ex- 

 pense of making enclosures; but when cattle are to be fed 

 on uninclosed grounds, as must sometimes be the case, they 

 must be watched, to prevent their straying away, or geting 

 into mischief. This, says Mr. Livingston^ is generally done 

 by the Women : They may be seen at all times, during 

 the season of pasture, siting in the fields employed in spin, 

 ing, while the keeping of the cattle within their proper 

 limits does not require their immediate attention. 



It may be difficult to determine, whether this method of 

 farming may not, on the whole, be as good as any, in a 

 highly-cultivated and thick-settled country. Be this as it 

 may, those countries which have adopted this method will 

 hardly ever be found to change, owing as well to the in- 

 convenience of producing, throughout a whole country, so 

 radical an alteration, as to the difficulty of overcoming pre- 

 judices, which are almost inseparable from an ancient and 

 hereditary custom. 



