Rotations and Changes of Crops defended, 253 



als of manure, will linger on, its capability to produce 

 the same species of plant ; depends so much on cir- 

 cumstances beyond our ken, that no determinate judg- 

 ment, by anticipation, can be formed. But, that its ex- 

 haustion, and the deterioration of the crop, will finally 

 happen, we have the experience of the most intelligent 

 men, from the dawn of agricultural information to this 

 day, to warrant our belief. It is not an abstract and 

 speculative opinion; but a conclusion from long known 

 practical experience. Many individual animals, the 

 human race included, will begin earlier, and longer 

 continue, a state of fecundity, than the common mass. 

 But it would not be a sound conclusion to say, that, 

 generally^ animals are alike, in this regard. 



I consider such anomalous instances as the one I 

 present to the society, to be, (as they respect the ge- 

 neral subject,) unfortunate occurrences. They claim 

 from us our assent ; and should have every fair oppor- 

 tunity afforded for their publicity. Yet they tend to 

 foster and confirm bad practices ; and to root out, so 

 far as they are influential, all attention to, or reliance 

 on, system and principle. 



I continue to be convinced, that, however it may be 

 in particular instances, the general prosperity of our 

 agriculture, and that of every well cultivated country, 

 most essentially depends on adherence to the well esta- 

 blished system, of a rotation and change of crops. It 

 would be endless to cite the numberless authorities, 

 from the best writers, both elementary and practical, 

 in proof of this position. It w^ould Le still more irk- 

 some and unpleasant, to repeat ^vhat I have heretofore 

 said on this subject. 



