AGBICULTURE. 153 



Changes of system and practice are always of slow 

 growth in a country where the tillage and the pastoral 

 establishments have ever been and are distinct, both rude, 

 as also so disproportioned to each other in extent ; and 

 when the value of animals — homed cattle and sheep — is 

 so small individually, the change of the agricultural 

 system and its amalgamation with the pastoral must be 

 especially difficult to introduce. 



It is not, however, less the duty of a writer on these 

 subjects to point to the only course which can ultimately 

 raise the agriculture of the nation to anything like a 

 rational and permanent system. This course is unques- 

 tionably the rearing and feeding of stock on farms for 

 the city markets, the excrements of which, used as 

 manure, will suffice to keep the land ' in heart,' that is, 

 maintain its fertility ; and, on the other hand, the rearing 

 and feeding of improved breeds of stock constitutes the 

 opening of a new outlet for agricultural products and 

 consequent extension of agriculture. 



The rearing and feeding of stock is desirable on other 

 grounds than that of restoration. The continuous growth 

 of the same crops on the same land has a highly preju- 

 dicial effect on its productiveness, as also on the crops, 

 superinducing diseased conditions of a parasitical descrip- 

 tion, causing blight and partial or total failure. Variety 

 and a certain rotation or change of cropping, added to 

 efficient tillage and sufficient manuring, is that which 

 agricultural experience teaches to be the most profitable, 

 as well as the most advantageous, course for the land. 

 This variety is rendered practicable and necessary when 

 stock is kept on the farms, as forage crops can, and of 

 necessity must, alternate with cereals and pasture. The 

 more suitable forage crops will be discovered in practice, 

 and the seasons best suited for theii' sowing and rise to 



