Situation. 39 



SECT. VI. Situation. 



THE system of farming to be adopted on any particular 

 farm, and the expense attending it, must likewise depend, 

 1. On its situation in regard to markets; 2. On the facility 

 with which its produce can be conveyed, where a contiguous 

 market is wanting; 3. On its vicinity to manure; and, 4. To 

 fuel ('4). 



1. The advantages resulting from vicinity to a market, 

 or to a large town by which that is insured, are very great. 

 Some crops, as those of potatoes, turnips and clover, are 

 frequently sold on the ground, without any farther trouble 

 or expense to the farmer; and great quantities of manure may 

 be purchased at a moderate expense. In such situations 

 also, there is a ready sale for every article the farm can pro- 

 duce ; and the articles sold, are not only brought to market 

 at a small expense, but the payment is immediate ( I41 ). For 

 all these reasons it is contended, and apparently with justice, 

 that the neighbourhood of a large town, is the most profit- 

 able spot to farm in, notwithstanding the high rent of land, 

 and the great expense of labour ( I4Z ). 



Where markets are not at hand, the farmer ought to take 

 into consideration, what articles will best suit those at a dis- 

 tance, to which his produce must be sent. In such a situa- 

 tion, unless there are facilities for the conveyance of so bulky 

 an article as corn, by good roads, or by water-carriage, it is 

 advisable, instead of cultivating grain, to attend either to the 

 dairy husbandry, or to the breeding of stock, which can be 

 fattened in other districts where good markets are more like- 

 ly to be met with. This plan, by which the dairy, the breed- 

 ing, and the fattening of stock, are made distinct professions, 

 is highly beneficial to the country at large. Stock can be rear- 

 ed cheaper in remote districts, than where land is dear, and 

 labour high. On the other hand, the purchaser of lean stock, 

 avoids the expense and risk of breeding great numbers of 

 animals. His attention is not distracted by a multiplicity of 

 objects. He can alter his system, from cattle to sheep, or 

 from sheep to cattle, as is likely to be most profitable. His 

 business is simplified, and the capital he lays out is speedily 

 returned. The division of professions between breeding 

 and feeding, (though they may be united in circumstances 

 peculiarly favourable), is, on the whole, a most important 

 link in the progress of agricultural improvement ( 143 ). 



2. In regard to facility of conveyance, it cannot be dispu- 



