On the Agriculture of England^ Manures^ %£c. 95 



enricher of the soil; for the more effectually it has been 

 excited by this and other implements of husbandry, to 

 produce luxuriant crops, the more food and litter for 

 cattle are obtained, and of consequence, the more ma- 

 nure. Hence we can readily account for the great im- 

 provements which have been achieved by enterprising 

 and intelligent cultivators, on exhausted soils. The cause 

 of this is clear, for the strength and vigour of the plants 

 are promoted, and they are rendered capable of extend- 

 ing their roots through the soil, and gathering the nu- 

 triment which has been provided in it, for their sup- 

 port, and the tops also of the plants, equally invigorat- 

 ed by good cultivation, extract from the atmosphere 

 with which they are surrounded, the rich nutritive pro- 

 perties with which it is continually charged, and the 

 pulverized and open soil readily imbibes the enriching 

 properties, flowing from the same source, and conveys 

 them to the roots of the plants, with which it has been 

 covered. Why then should the enlightened cultiva- 

 tors of Britain dread the effects of the plough on their 

 grass grounds ? 



If the grounds which have been very recently laid 

 down in grass, are found too tender to bear heavy 

 stock, they may be either mown, or grazed with light- 

 er animals, and those which are heavy turned on the 

 grasses of longer standing. 



When convertible husbandry is properly managed, 

 much labour is saved. A summer fallow crop which 

 will admit of regular horse-hoeing or shimming, is the 

 first which follows after grass, the dung is spread on 

 the sod, and immediately ploughed under, and great 

 care should be taken that it is not turned up, and ex- 



