[ ^6 ] 



uniform consolidated bed. Even at this depth its effects, although 

 not exhausted, are nevertheless so much impaired as to demand its. 

 renewal. Will not this fact tend in some degree to elucidate its 

 Modus Operandi ? 



While it remains within two or three inches of the surface, 

 which is the case in some instances perhaps for twenty years or 

 more, it may be supposed to form a kind of pan or reservoir for the 

 nutritious and fructifying influences deposited by the atmosphere ; 

 which being there retained, and in contact with the roots of the 

 grasses, form such combinations in the laboratory of nature, as are 

 best adapted to give vigor and permanence to the elementary prin- 

 ciples of vegetation. These are evidently weakened when the 

 marie, by its descent, gets below the roots of the grasses, and 

 thereby deprives them of the matrix, which seems to preserve the 

 means of their nutrition and support. This may account for the 

 production and increase of moss on the surface, and the necessity of 

 marling afresh, not only to impede its propagation, but to destroy 

 it. 



It is observable that when marie is laid on this mossy surface, 

 which accompanies an old sward, to avoid a course of tillage ; the 

 improvement is not equal to that of laying it on clover, or marl 

 grass, the second year from the time of sowing. 



An inconsiderable portion of these lands is employed in tillage 

 under the following course of cropping. 



ist Year — Old sward ploughed up in August. 



Wheat — Harrowed in October and the beginning of 



November on one earth. 



Produce from 25 to 30 bushels (8 gallons) per acre. 

 2d Year — Wheat — Single ploughing harrowed in as before, 



Produce from 30 to 35 bushels. 

 3d Year — Wheat often. 



Produce from 25 to 30 bushels. 



Sometimes barley with or without fallow. 



Produce 56 bushels. 

 4th Year — Peas with two or three ploughings 



Produce from 20 to 25 bushels. 



Then winter fallow as a preparation for next year. 



$th Year— 



