268 TO TURN GRASS LAND INTO ARABLE. 



draining, but near to and adjoining large towns. This description of land 

 should be reserved to supply milk, butter, &c. &c. to the inhabitants, 

 v.hich would pay the farmer, and, of course, the land-owner, as well and 

 perhaps better than it would if it were broken up. Such lands are favour- 

 ably situated for improvements from manure, compost, &c. 



Heavy lands that are stiff and tenacious throughout their substance 

 because of the moisture they retain, but which change their texture by 

 draining. 



Cold sandy loams, forming pastures of a medium character, frequently 

 occupied for dairy purposes, which cannot always be denominated cold 

 clays, but rather cold sandy loams on a tenacious subsoil, from the abun- 

 dance of moisture they contain, and which are comparatively barren from 

 want of draining and better cultivation. 



Pastures intrinsically of a secondary character, and a portion of those 

 which have been reduced to that state by long-continued careless dairy 

 management. Breaking up will recruit the former, and enable the latter 

 to recover their lost fertility. 



Lands of tliis description mig-lit be made a g-reat deal 

 more of than they are at present. They mig-ht be so far 

 improved as to supply the deficiency of dairy produce which 

 would arise from Dreaking" up one-fourth of the whole quan- 

 tity of such land. All the farmers thus situated would 

 afterwards find it unnecessary to purchase wheat. The 

 quantity to be broken up must always be governed by cir- 

 cumstances. There are situations where it would not be 

 desirable to break up more than 10 per cent., just barely 

 enoug'h to produce straw, &c. for litter ; and on others half 

 to three-fourths the farm ; but this cannot be recommended 

 to be done at once. Probably the situations are not very 

 numerous where it would answer to do so ; and any prudent 

 person, of course, would_/W'/ his tray by beginning- on a small 

 scale at first. On dairy farms without arable, 20 to 30 per cent, 

 may be appropriated for arable culture, but this should not 

 be all undertaken at once. If done by degrees, the effect 

 may be Avatched ; and, if unpropitious, the coming* storm- 

 may be averted by desisting in time. Except in peculiar 

 circumstances, I am not prepared to advise a greater extent 

 to be broken up. 



Lands that should not he hroken vp, or concerning which the farmer 

 should deliberate, and be fully satisfied of the nature of the under- 

 taking before he begins. 



Very stiff clay soil, with little or no surface-soil, and not drained, 

 should be trenched and planted. 



Elevated poor sandy or rocky clayey soils should be planted in pre- 

 ference. 



Lands that are poor from the thinness of the soil. 



Very light shallow loam on rock, limestone, &c. 



