34 SIZE AND SHAPE OF FIELDS. 



hill), with a view of having the whole field under one crop. 

 At the same time, on a farm of 400 acres, under a four 

 years' rotation, instead of having four fields of 100 acres 

 each, it would be better to have the farm divided into eight 

 fields of 50 acres each, and having two of these fields un- 

 der one kind of crop. It is proper likewise to observe, 

 that where the climate is uncertain, and the soil various, 

 the following judicious practice has been adopted, that of 

 having a proportion of every kind of grain cultivated in the 

 strong part of the farm, and another portion in the lighter 

 part. This gives the tenant a fair chance to have an equal 

 crop, whether the seasons are dry or wet, and whether they 

 are favourable to the one species of soil or crop, or to an- 

 other. 



4. Stock on the Farm. It has also been observed, that 

 the size of the fields should be somewhat in proportion to 

 the number of horses and ploughs on the farm ; for in- 

 stance, where six two-horse ploughs are kept, and where it 

 is difficult, from the nature of the soil, to keep fields of a 

 larger extent sufficiently dry, fields of from eighteen to 

 twenty-two English acres, are considered to be a convenient 

 size : there is less risk, in that case, of being overtaken by 

 bad weather, and prevented from completing the prepara- 

 tion of the land for the intended crop ; for with twelve 



average quantity of the farm, and the other crops will become so of 

 course. Every farmer of experience endeavours to have, and knows 

 the comfort of having, the produce of the farm, as equal every year, as 

 the soil and circumstances will admit of. On this subject, Mr Stewart 

 of Billhead remarks, that though it may answer the farmer in possession, 

 to have the farm divided according to the rotation he practises, yet that 

 it will be found generally advantageous for the proprietor, to have it 

 divided into double the number of fields that may be required for a four 

 or a five years' rotation, in case any alteration of system should become 

 necessary. 



