OF THE SOIL, &C. 151 



by the farmer must, in a great measure, depend, on a due 

 consideration of these circumstances combined. In point 

 of fact, it is by his attention to these circumstances, that the 

 good farmer is distinguished from the bad one. 



Soils may be considered under the two great divisions 

 of strong and light lands, though there are many interme- 

 diate shades between them. The crops to be cultivated in. 

 each, as well as the mode of management, must differ ma- 

 terially ; for instance, it is a general rule, that wheat ought 

 to be the basis of profitable husbandry in strong, and bar- 

 ley in light lands. In the latter species of soil, there is no 

 difficulty in keeping the land free from weeds, by means of 

 fallow crops ; in the former, a summer fallow, once every 

 six years, is considered by all the most intelligent farmers 

 in Scotland, as essentially necessary to keep the land clean. 

 Upon the nature and quality of the subsoil also, the system 

 of management to be adopted must greatly depend. 



The importance of climate to a farmer need not be dwelt 

 upon. In many parts of Scotland, wheat cannot be raised 

 to advantage, and in some cultivated districts it has never 

 been attempted. In several districts it is also necessary to 

 sow, instead of the two-rowed barley, the inferior sort call- 

 ed bear or big ; and oats, from the hardy quality of that 

 grain, is found to be the most profitable article. In others, 

 peas or beans cannot be cultivated, from the periodical 

 wetness of the autumn. In short, without great attention to 

 the nature of the climate, no profitable system can be laid 

 down by any occupier of land.* 



* On this subject Mr Stewart of Hillside observes, that we ought to 

 do more justice to the industry of our forefathers, who grew corn in such 

 situations, and high climates, as we see were cultivated by them. Our 

 modern farmers would think it labour lost to attempt ploughing, where 

 we see there were ridges and furrows some centuries ago, and crops 



