FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 95 



It would seem that all masses, that are saturated with 

 fertilizing matter, loose by frequent stiring up, and ex- 

 posure to the atmosphere; while hungry earths, sand ex- 

 cepted, gain more or less by the same process. Probably 

 sand, by being too much mellowed, becomes less capable of 

 retaining moisture. At all events, give this earth a good 

 mixture of clay, and it will then receive additional fertility 

 by a fallowing process. 



For the purpose of clearing the fallow of the roots of any 

 weeds, or grass, which may infest it, the Writer last men- 

 tioned directs that, after the ground has been well mellow- 

 ed, as before directed, a roller should pass over it; and 

 then the harrow will more readily drag the roots to the 

 surface, where they will die, if the ground be sufficiently 

 dry. 



The process should be repeated, until the soil is cleansed 

 of them. The teeth of the harrow should be sharp, for the 

 purpose, and they should be turned considerably forward, at 

 the lower ends. Harrow-teeth should always have this 

 shape, when used in smooth grounds. 



The roller is also of essential use, for breaking the 

 baked clods in fallow-lands of a clay soil. The ground is to 

 be harrowed till the clods are all brought on the surface; 

 and then, by passing the roller over them, when they are 

 neither too wet, n,or too dry, they will pulverise very readi- 

 ly. The most favorable time for this is, after the clods have 

 been once fully dried, and then merely wet through again 

 with a gentle rain ; then, when they are partly dried again 9 

 they will be easily crumbled. 



On the whole, it may be laid down as a general rule, 

 that Summer-fallowings are not necessary in this Country 

 on any smooth, level, and dry soil, where a suitable rotation 

 of croping can be properly pursued, unless the soil be unfit 

 for hoed crops; as a proper intermixtfi/e of these, if the 

 ploughings and hoelngs be done effectually, will sufficiently 

 extirpate the growths of weeds in the soil. 



But, where the land is too stiff and clayey, for the growth 

 of such hoed crops as are suitable to be raised in this 

 Country, there occasional Summer- fallowings may be found 

 requisite; though they need not be near so frequent, as is 

 common amongst our Farmers. 



The objections to Summer-fallowing are, the additional 

 expense, if performed as before directed, and the loss of a 

 yeai's croping of the land: The benefits to be derived 

 from it, in general, are the additional fertility which the 

 soil thus derives, and its being freed of a superabundant 

 growth of weeds. 



When, therefore, each of these benefits may be expected 

 to accrue, in an ordinary degree, they will usually warrant 



