37 



mencement of a rotation, and afterwards to vary the 

 depth, according to the different crops intended to be 

 raised. 



Fallow, however, ought not to be deep ploughed, un- 

 til it is cleared of every description of root- weeds : It 

 may then get a good deep ploughing, so as to bring to 

 the surface, land that has been lying in a dormant state 

 for years ; and by afterwards ploughing alternately deep 

 and shallow for the succeeding crops, you will be en- 

 abled to change the surface, and bring up new soil for 

 each crop. 



It is said, that when the soil is incumbent on sand, till, 

 or gravel, it is much better to rest contented with the 

 depth of soil you already have, than attempt to increase 

 it, at the hazard of bringing up such unproductive arti- 

 cles. But such an idea is condemned by many intelli- 

 gent practical farmers. It is observed by them, that 

 though deep ploughing, without manure, or frequent ex- 

 posure after it is brought up, may be unprofitable, (as 

 the subsoil is less productive in its natural state than the 

 surface), yet where these are properly applied, the soil, 

 its thickness being increased, becomes more ' impervious 

 to wet, and less so to drought, and of course more fer- 

 tile ; nor where the land is shallow, is the turning up of 

 a little till to be apprehended, if the till is not of a poi- ' 

 sonous quality ; as by that means you deepen the soil, 

 which, when mixed with lime and dung, will be found a 

 great improvement *. 



* Baron Hepburn says, that though deep ploughing shall 

 bring to the surface a sour looking obdurate pale yellow co- 

 loured till, I care not, experto crcde t the manure given to tha 

 fallow mellows it sufficie: -y- 



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