Notices for a Young Farmer. xiii 



duced there, almost magical effects. Deep ploughing is much 

 practised. 



If you cannot lime, for the Com crop, in the autumn, let it 

 be done early in the spring. The harrows mix the lime with 

 the soil, and should be frequently at work. Be not afraid of 

 cutting the Corn roots ; they send out fibres from the severed 

 parts, which more than supply the deficiency occasioned by 

 excision. Sucker your Corn, and do not sow winter grain 

 among it — to the injury of both crops, as well as your land. 

 Of all your crops, Indian Corn will the least bear neglect, 

 and it amply rewards all your attention. It is not only the 

 most valuable, take it with all its advantages, but it is, of all 

 crops, generally the most certain. If it fails, some most un- 

 common seasons or circumstances occur. We call it Corn, 

 without its specific designation, for its pre-eminence. It is 

 the best crop to subdue a stubborn, or clean a foul, soil. It 

 forces you to farm well ; which counterbalances its exhaus- 

 tion, in a very important degree. 



V. Plough in your Barn-ijard or stable manure. In what 

 state dung should be applied, is a disputed question. Some 

 plough it in, at an early stage of putrescence, and some when 

 it is more advanced. The middle course is, perhaps, the 

 best. To scarcity or other tap-roots, fresh dung is decidedly 

 hostile. But the adverse opinions on this subject, as to other 

 crops, are too diffuse, to be here inserted. You will find them 

 in books ; but the best lessons are to be gained from your own 

 experience. Your well rotted compost, is indubitably best, 

 for top dressings, on either grain or grass. Yet fresh dung, 

 as a top dressing, has its advocates. It is even believed by 

 many, that using dung by itself, is wanton waste : and that 

 it should be considered only as an ingredient, to give value 

 and activity to other materials in composts. Much more ap- 

 parently improbable revolutions in rural economy, have come 

 to pass. Intelligent Farmers hold opposite opinions. See, 

 in England, Mr. Gregg's practise; 2d vol. Philadelphia Me- 

 moirs, 71, 72 ; and Col. Taylors Jlrator. Read Sir H. Davy's 

 Discussion upon this subject, and judge for yourself. See 

 also, in Sir J. Sinclair's Tour through Flanders, 1815, an ac- 



