xviii Notices for a Young Farmer, 



in the Philadelphia Memoirs, who communicated the circum- 

 stance now known to every body, us if lie believed in a new 

 creation, or in equivocal generation: than which nothing is 

 more groundless and untrue. See Philadelphia Memoirs, 2d 

 vol. p. 358. Theorists •« hear, like a Turk, no brother near 

 the throne.'* Hut the facts were barely related, and no The- 

 ory was attempted to be established. 



Mr. Knight's Theory, tested by strong facts, is now much 

 credited; although at first received with great opposition. 

 He alleges, that Trees have their respective ages ; beyond 

 which the race becomes extinct. On fruit trees, manv expe. 

 riments seem to prove this idea correct. Grafting or bud- 

 ding from old trees, is now abandoned ; it being asserted, 

 that the one thus propagated will endure no longer than the 

 allotted age of the parent tree. This subject is elaborately 

 treated, in British publications ; with which the curious in- 

 quirer may amuse, if not instruct himself. 



The same kind of grain has been sown, in long succession, 

 in several instances. But these, being exceptions to general 

 experience, should be considered as anomalies. Clover fails 

 after frequent repetitions ; and the Europeans interrupt the 

 successions of this grass by sowing Tares and Vetches, After 

 such interruptions, clover may profitably again take its 

 course, in the rotation. And thus it will be, with any other 

 plant. 



Whatever be your change of crops, good farming should be 

 invariable. Wheat or barley on worn lands, without good 

 tillage and manure, will not repay the expense of culture. 

 However deep you plough, seed shallow. The coronal roots 

 are formed near the surface, and the plume and radicles pe- 

 rish ; in whatever depth the seed be deposited. The harrow 

 lays your field more level and fit for a cover of grass, than 

 the plough ; and, on this account, many harrow in their grain, 

 in preference to laying their fields in elevated lands ; which, 

 unless your soil be wet and low, are unnecessary. But care 

 must always be taken to draw furrows, as drains ; where 

 water would be likely to remain, and drown, or scald, your 

 plants. A great advantage derived from harrowing in grain, 

 is, that after your field is prepared for seeding, you can ra- 



