712 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Part III. 



Sect. v. Character of Surface in regard to farming Lands. 



4404. A hUly irregular surface^ whether at a high or low elevation above the sea, is 

 unfavorable to farming. The labor of ploughing, driving home produce, and driving 

 out manure, are greatly increased, while the soil on the summit of steep hills, mounts, or 

 declivities, is unavoidably deteriorated. On the sides of slopes the finer parts of the clay 

 and mould are washed away, while the sand and gravel remain. Hence the soil in such 

 districts often wants a proper degree of tenacity for supporting corn crops. A great 

 part of the manure that is applied in such situations, is likewise soon lost. From 

 various causes also they are colder than the plains. 



4405. Many extensive countries have no perceptible rise. These have their advantages 

 from uniformity of soil, where it is rich. In other districts, the surface is of a waving 

 description, an inequality which contributes much to the ornament of the country, by 

 the agreeable relief which the eye constantly meets with in the change of objects ; while 

 the universal declivity which prevails more or less in every field is favorable to the cul- 

 ture of the land, by allowing a ready descent to any water with which the surface may be 

 encumbered. 



Sect. VI. Of Aspect in respect to farming Lands. 



4406. Aspect, in hilly or mountainous districts, is an important subject of attention to 

 the farmer ; more especially where the climate is unfavorable. It is proved in a variety 

 of instances, both in the central highlands of Scotland, and in other parts of the king- 

 dom, that where the aspect of a hill is towards the north, the soil is more fertile than 

 when it lies with a southern exposure. This is attributed to the variations from frost 

 to thaw in the spring months, which are greater in a southern than a northern aspect. 

 Hence, while the soil to the north remains locked fast, and secured from waste, the 

 other is loosened by the sun, and carried off by showers falling in the intervals of 

 thaw. 



4407. Soils which face the south are more liable to have their substance carried away by 

 heavy rains, which are generally impelled from the south and south-west. But though 

 the soil to the north often produces the heaviest crops of grass and hay, yet from possess- 

 ing a more genial climate, and from the earlier and more powerful action of the sun, 

 both corn and grass are harvested earlier on land which has a southern, than on that 

 which has a northern aspect ; and superiority of quality thus compensates for any infe- 

 riority in the quantity of the produce. 



Sect. VII. Of the Situation of Farm Lands in regard to Markets. 



4408. Ko farming can go on without markets. The system of farming to be adopted 

 on any particular farm, and the expense attending it, must materially depend on its situ- 

 ation, in regard to markets ; to the facility with which its produce can be conveyed, 

 where a contiguous market is wanting ; to vicinity to manure, to fuel, and to water. 



4409. The advantages resulting from a vicinity to a market, or to a large town, by 

 which that is insured, are very great. Some crops, as those of potatoes, turnips, and 

 clover, are frequently sold on the ground, without any further trouble or expense to the 

 farmer ; and great quantities of manure may be purchased at a moderate expense. In 

 such situations also there is a ready sale for every article the farm can produce ; and the 

 articles sold are not only brought to market at a small expense, but the payment is im- 

 mediate. For all these reasons, it is contended, and apparently with justice, that the 

 neighborhood of a capital is the most profitable spot to farm in, notwithstanding the 

 high rent of land, and the great expense of labor. 



4410. Where markets are not at hand, the farmer ought to take into consideration 

 what articles will best suit those at a distance to which his produce must be sent. In 

 such a situation, unless there are facilities for the conveyance of so bulky an article as 

 corn by good roads, or by water-carriage, it is advisable, instead of cultivating grain, to 

 attend either to the dairy husbandry, or to the breeding of stock which can be fattened in 

 other districts where good markets are more numerous. This plan, by which the dairy, 

 the breeding, and the fattening of stock, are made distinct professions, is highly bene- 

 ficial to the country at large. Stock can be reared cheaper in remote districts than 



,, where land is dear and labor high. On the other hand, the purchaser of lean stock 

 leiypids the expense and risk of breeding great numbers of animals. His attention 

 " IS not distracted by a multiplicity of objects ; he can alter his system from cattle to 

 sheep, or from sheep to cattle, as is likely to be most profitable ; his business is sim- 

 plified, and the capital he lays out is speedily returned. The division of professions 

 between breeding and feeding (though they may be united in circumstances peculiarly 

 favorable), is on the whole a most important link in the progress of agricultural pros- 

 perity. 



