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Wheat on the same spot for several successive years. 



Read November 9, 1813. 



Sir, 



I enclose you the certificate of Peter Eckert, on 

 the subject of raishig wheat several years in succes- 

 sion, on the same ground. From my knowledge of Pe» 

 ter Eckert, I have reason to believe that what he states 

 is strictly true.— -I got him to state his manner of til- 

 lage and manuring, and I have no doubt from what I 

 have observed in my own experiments, that wheat may 

 be annually raised on the same ground for many years, 

 but whether it would be more profitable than a rota- 

 tion of crops, will depend upon the quantity of land a 

 farmer will be able to manure.^ 



I am, with respect, yours, Sec. 



D. GassaTo 



Capt. Anthony Robinson. 



* Those who concei^-e, that ^-ain can be perpetually raised on the same 

 field, without manure, by any changes, either of the species, or locality of 

 drills; are certainly less justifiable, than the perpetuallsts who manure 

 their grounds. I think that both would find themselves mistaken, on a scale 

 of any considerable extent. No prudent advocate for changes, or rotations, 

 would recommend constant successions of tillage-crops ; under any circum- 

 stances of change. Grasses fill the intervals, required in good husbandry, 

 between the crops calling for the plough. The period of rest, is thus bene 

 ficially employed. Rest and manure are as essential to worn lands, as chan- 

 ges of croiJs ; and neither are efficient, without tlie olbcrs. Changes of crop's 

 prolong the fertility of new lands ; which, by tlic bad farming usually prac- 

 ticed, are hurried into poverty, in a period lamentably short. Although in 

 the drill-husbandry, more may be done, (as the TulUans assert) than in 

 broadcast, toithout rest and manure; yet I must be excused for my increduli- 

 ty ; when I doubt the durably beneficial results of either mode. 



VOL. III. K t 



