Notices for a Young Farmer. xxxiii 



essential in our present arrangements, are very costly ; and 

 adds to our stores of manure, which can he applied in a less 

 advanced state of fermentation ; the seeds of weeds and coarse 

 grasses having been prevented from ripening and increasing, 

 by the frequent application of the scythe. In England, and 

 other parts of Europe, they grow the Chiccortj, very profita- 

 bly, for soiling ; and make much use of the spring and win- 

 ter Vetch. No extensive experiments have been made here, 

 in the culture of these plants ; and it would be desirable, that 

 some spirited agriculturist would give them a fair trial. In- 

 struction in their cultivation, can be readily obtained, by con- 

 sulting British and other publications on the subject. 



If cattle or sheep are penned, the pens should be frequently 

 moved ; and the dung of cattle composted. They should not 

 be placed in declining situations ; from whence the dung and 

 urine are wastefully washed away. Moveable pens for sheep, 

 have great advantages. They are safe (in proper pens) from 

 dogs ; and their dung fertilizes beyond any other. If for 

 health and convenience they must range in the day, penning at 

 nights, unless flocked (and well guarded) on an extensive 

 scale, is essentially necessary. Multiply your pens, rather than 

 crowd too many in one fold. Be not sparing of a reasonable 

 allowance of salt, to your domestic animals of every descrip- 

 tion. Some prefer rock salt for sheep, to lick at their plea- 

 sure. 



XVIII. The effects of fire on soils, are well known in fo- 

 reign countries to be salutary ; and here, proofs are not defi- 

 cient. Various modes in which it has been applied, are to be 

 found in European books. When carried to excess, it is, like 

 all good things abused, no doubt, injurious Nor would any 

 one wish to destroy the inestimable vegetable matter of a 

 sod, capable of being completely decayed, so as not to vege- 

 tate ; for this would he unnecessarily wasting the means of 

 restoring fertility, by the co-operation (with this inert vege- 

 table matter) of manures, or materials for the food of plants 

 in the earth or in the atmosphere. But where bulbs, or other 

 pests are otherwise indestructible ; or the substratum be clay, 

 proper for burning into highly fertilizing manure ; there can 



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