xvi Notices for a Young Farmer. 



and those composed of the Newcastle Thorn (craUegus crus 

 gallii) will he found the hest, for hardihood, durability, con- 

 stant verdure, and numbers and strength of the thorns. Live 

 fences, as well as orchards, and all fruit-trees, demand the 

 earliest attention ; and will be growing into profit, whilst 

 other improvements are progressing. If to the ditch and 

 mound faced with stone, which many deem the best, (because 

 it affords immediate protection both to your hedge plants and 

 to your field,) you prefer plain hedging ; cultivate strips along 

 your hedge, from year to year, well manured, and plant po- 

 tatoes ; and your thorns will thrive luxuriantly. In a few 

 continuations of the potato culture, you will gradually reach 

 and invigorate the whole extent of your hedge. Let no per- 

 son begin a hedge, who will not nurse and foster it, in every 

 stage of its growth. 



VII. Change your Crops, and be satisfied with a good 

 one on a small surface well prepared ; taking a pride in clean 

 and neat farming, rather than wasting your labour and means, 

 in extensive, slovenly, and ill requited culture. Harrow your 

 winter grain in the spring, in the direction of the seed fur- 

 rows, or drills ; and be not afraid of disturbing a few plants ; 

 manifold produce will remunerate for the few destroyed. 

 The cracked and baked surface is thus pulverized ; and the 

 harbours for insects broken up. See Philadelphia Agricul- 

 tural Memoirs, 3d vol. 24, 50. The wheat plant throws out 

 sets of roots in the successive stages of its growth; and most 

 requires loose earth, in its infancy. 



Accommodate your plant to the soil, in preference to fitting 

 your soil to the plant; every plant requiring a peculiar at- 

 tention to its own habits and organization. The Author of 

 Nature has placed in their proper element, both plants and 

 animals ; and they are suited to their designated positions. 

 Sand or rock plants perish in clay or rich soils ; as do those 

 calculated for fertile ground, in sand. See a valuable Essay 

 on this subject, 14th vol. Bath Society Papers, (1816,) page 

 136. By a careful attention to the facts and principles de- 

 veloped in this Essay, apparently barren sands and sterile 

 clays, may be made to produce profitable crops of appropri- 



