OF PLOUGHING. 235 



is much inclined to think, that it would be much better to 

 give the land another ploughing, as it would mix and soften 

 the soils, render them more capable of receiving and cover- 

 ing the seeds, and enable them to spread their roots to 

 greater advantage, by which a more certain crop would be 

 insured. Upon the whole, he is clearly of opinion, that it 

 would be impossible to keep the ground clean, and in such 

 good order for a succession of crops, without sowing barley, 

 or something of the same kind, after having gone through 

 all these operations. 



On the other hand, it is contended by a number of in- 

 telligent English farmers, that spring crops may be success- 

 fully sown without spring-ploughing : That the land can be 

 effectually cleaned from root-weeds by a couch-rake, and 

 may be sufficiently stirred and pulverized by the cultivator 

 or scuffler : That it is of infinite consequence to expose 

 strong clay soils to the winter frosts, (which can only be done 

 by early ploughing), but that the benefit of that practice is 

 lost, if that part of the soil is ploughed down, that has been 

 meliorated by the frost and the atmosphere. Can any thing, 

 it is said, be more absurd, than to bury that dry friable 

 porous surface, which the frosts have left in so favourable a 

 state, and upon which, if. rain falls, no plastering ensues, as 

 it dries speedily, and remains in a porous state ; whereas, 

 if ploughed in spring, any rain that falls, so impregnates 

 the soil with moisture, that if worked, it plasters, and the 

 north-east winds harden it like stone. It may be observed 

 at the same time, that many intelligent practical farmers in 

 Scotland, consider a spring-ploughing necessary, when 



spread their roots to sufficient advantage, so much so, that the barleys 

 are in general rather too luxuriant than otherwise. He agrees, however, 

 with Mr Paterson, that it is too early to plough clover leys before Christ- 

 mas, and that ploughing them in January or February will insure a bet- 

 ter crop, and a cleaner one. 



