169 



ON FALLOWING. 



THE concurring action of the principles 1 have" 

 laid down, will be found correctly to apply to 

 the operation of fallowing, and clearly shew the 

 real value of this process. 



In a general point of view it is obvious, that 

 both the advocates for, and opponents of, the 

 system of fallowing, have indulged in extremes $ 

 the former attributing effects which, under com- 

 mon circumstances, it cannot produce ; and the 

 latter denying those which are clearly evident. 

 I shall however hope to show, that a little giving 

 way on both sides, will tend most to the public, 

 as well as private benefit. 



Sir John Sinclair observes, " Over the greater 

 " part of Europe, it was formerly considered to 

 " be a most advantageous practice, periodically 

 " to dedicate an entire season to the cultivation 

 " of arable land, without raising from it any 

 " crop. It was supposed that the expense would 

 " be amply compensated by the texture of the 

 " soil being ameliorated, by the destruction of 

 " weeds, which would be thus effected, and by 

 " the increased produce of the succeeding crops. 



