254 Rotations and Changes of Crops defended, 



Mr. Cassat adds his own experience ; no doubt also 

 on a small spot. If practical farmers (who read little 

 on such subjects) should ever see this communication, 

 it will be happy if they should be forcibly struck with 

 Mr. C.'s suggestions of the probability, that this in- 

 tailed or settled perpetuitj/, (which is generally as inju- 

 rious in farming, as he knows such to be odious in 

 law,) ** depends upon the quantity of land a farmer 

 "will be able to manure." If this practice should in- 

 duce those who have a passion for it, to increase their 

 stores of manure, some good will come out of evil. If, 

 on account of deficiency of manure, the better prac- 

 tice be followed, from convenience and necessity, it 

 will be salutary in result ; though not so meritorious, 

 as when it flows from both convenience and principle. 

 But what can be said in favour of it, where, in our new 

 countries, the most fertile lands, requiring no manure, 

 are filled with sorrel ^^ and other pests, by the practice 

 of stubbling in, and sowing one culmiferous crop after 

 another; till the land will bear no more such? The 

 soil remains rich enough; and will bear (with better 

 ploughing and management,) any other crop, than one 

 of the species of that, whereof it had been (in the coun« 

 try phrase) sickened, A deficiency of animal and vege- 



* Where lime is easily procured, if the land overran by sorrel, 

 were dressed plentifully with the lime ; the capacity to bear wheat, 

 or any other crop, would be restored. See our list of firemiums, 

 Vol. I. page xliv. To this, Lord Dundonald*s authority may be 

 added. The efficacy of the sorreline acid on vegetation, is well 

 known. This acid is produced by the application of lime ; which 

 decomposes and banishes the sorreL R- P« 



