OP ROTATION OF CROPS. 321 



which he gave to the bean crop. He also ploughed nine 

 inches deep, with a swing-plough, the construction of which 

 has been justly celebrated. 



Other farmers have followed a similar system ; for in- 

 stance, 1 . Potatoes, cabbages, or hoed crops, with manure ; 

 2. Wheat; and, 3. Clover or grass: Or, 1. Hoed crop, 

 with manure ; 2. Half oats, and half barley ; 3. Clover or 

 grass. 



Dr Coventry has made some observations upon these 

 courses, to which he urges the following objections : 1. 

 That there is rather too large a proportion of fallow or 

 cleansing crop, more than what can be wanted in ordinary 

 situations, to preserve the land free of weeds. 2. By there 

 being but one-third bearing corn, it is less profitable than 

 it might be. 3. There are two species of crops in the first 

 example ; which circumstance does not permit the labour 

 to be sufficiently divided and extended over the year, and 

 leaves too much to be risked on the success of a particular 

 crop. 4. The quantity of straw obtained for food or litter, 

 to live stock, must be rather scanty, or in a deficient pro- 

 portion to what will in general be wanted. 



The advantages of such a system, he states, in the follow- 

 ing terms : 1. From the great proportion of green crops in 

 this course, much manure will be procured, for all the straw 

 will be converted into dung. 2. This scheme is calculated 

 to render or preserve the land very clean of weeds. It may 

 therefore answer as a beginning course, in situations where 

 the ground is foul, and manure wanted ; but it may be re- 

 linquished afterwards for a better one. It is not indeed in 

 general use in any district, and has only been followed by 

 some individuals, who have found it of benefit in the re- 

 spects above mentioned. 



Four Years' Rotation. Rotations of four crops, however, 

 VOL. i. x 



