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In considering this subject, it is proposed to give, i. 

 A general view of the advantages of fallowing: 2. A 

 description of the manner in which it is performed : and, 

 3. An account of some cases, where fallowing strong lands 

 is not adopted in Scotland. Whether that practice ought 

 to be still more extended in that part of the united king- 

 dom, will be considered, when the further improvements, 

 of which the agriculture of Scotland is capable, comes to 

 be discussed. 



I. Advantages of fallowing in strong Lands. 

 The benefits resulting from this operation are very 

 ably stated by one of my East-Lothian correspondents, 

 (Mr Hunter of Tynefield.) He has always found, he 

 observes, a naked fallow necessary, once during a rota- 

 tion of six : (i. Fallow. 2. Wheat. 3. Clover. 4. Oats. 

 5. Beans. 6. Wheat -,) and he i$ persuaded, that it will be 

 found the case, in every soil not of the turnip sort. Clay 

 soils become hard when constantly cropped, by being al- 

 ways ploughed in winter, or earlv in spring, being often 

 wet during the operation of ploughing and harrowing, 

 and thereby lose their fertility, becoming as it were im- 

 pervious to the sun and air, as well as to the root of plants, 

 &c. Summer ploughing is necessary to rectify this ; be- 

 sides giving opportunity to take out all sorts of root 

 weeds, to put in lime, &c. &c. and generally pays well for 

 the summer's labour during the rotation. Other drilled 

 crops, as beans, pease, or tares, must be sown early 

 in spring Potatoes also must . be planted in April to 

 have a full crop, and cannot be substituted for a fallow to 

 any tolerable extent ; even the ruta baga seems to Mr Hun- 

 ter unfit for the purpose in our northern situations, as his 

 long of coming to its growth, and ought to be sown early 

 in May, otherwise it will seldom be a full crop. The grind 



