312 OP ROTATION OF CROPS. 



that it is necessary for him to ascertain, not only the vari- 

 ous articles for the production of which his farm is calcula- 

 ted, and which are likely to yield him the greatest profit, 

 but also the succession in which these articles ought to be 

 raised, so as not to diminish the fertility of his soil; or, as 

 Lord Kames has well observed, so to intermix his crops, as 

 to make the greatest possible profit, consistently with keep- 

 ing his land in order.* 



The subject of judicious rotations, has been very ably 

 touched upon in one of the first reports drawn up for the 

 Board of Agriculture, by Mr Maxwell of Fletton. That 

 intelligent farmer justly remarks, that after all the volumes 

 that have been written on farming, a rational system is the 

 only true ground-work of general improvement, and that 

 those who carry into execution a profitable system of ma- 

 nagement, or, in other words, a judicious rotation of crops, 

 bid fair to engage the notice of the neighbourhood, in spite 

 of the impression of those habits which attach to unlettered 

 farmers, and thus may be the source of essential service, 

 both to the cause of agriculture, and to their country. Mr 

 Shirreff justly remarks, that if a judicious system be adopted 

 and persevered in, it must be completely bungled indeed in 

 the execution, if it does not prove beneficial even beyond 

 expectation ; that is, the difference between a good and a 

 bad system or rotation of crops, will be found greater, than 

 could have been imagined by those, who have attended but 



* Mr Church of Hitchill remarks, that to adopt a judicious mode of 

 cropping, requires a degree of judgment in the occupier, which can only 

 b? obtained by experience and observation. Where the different pro- 

 cesses are properly executed, (on which the profit of the farmer must 

 greatly depend), the difference between a good and a bad system, will be 

 found greater, than could have been imagined by those who have attend- 

 ed but little to the subject. 



