Size and Shape of Fields. 



acre or two of light soil, with the strong soil contiguous, 

 and the soil in the field will then become more uniform. In 

 fields where light soils predominate, the plan might be re- 

 versed. This plan, though at first expensive, is attended 

 with such advantages, that whenever it is necessary and 

 practicable, it ought to be carried into effect. 



3. The Rotation adopted. It may be considered as a good 

 general rule, to divide a farm, according to the course of 

 crops pursued in it; that is to say, a farm with a rotation 

 of six crops, should have six fields, or twelve, according to 

 circumstances. It is proper to have a whole field, if the soil 

 be uniform, under one crop ; and every farmer of experience, 

 knows the comfort of having the produce of the farm, as 

 equal every year, as the soil and season will admit of. 



4. Number of Ploughs. It is likewise proper, that the size 

 of fields should be somewhat in proportion to the number 

 of horses and ploughs on the farm. For instance, where 

 six two-horse ploughs are kept, and where it is difficult, 

 from the nature of the soil, to have the fields of a larger ex- 

 tent, sufficiently dry, from 18 to 25 English acres are con- 

 sidered to be a convenient size. With twelve horses, a field 

 of that extent can always be finished in four, or at the ut- 

 most, in five days : there is less risk therefore of being over- 

 taken by bad weather, and prevented from completing the 

 preparation of the land for the intended crop. When the 

 fields are of too great an extent, in proportion to the stock 

 kept, a considerable interval must occur between the sow- 

 ing of the first and of the last part; and it will in general 

 be desirable to have each field cleared at the same time in 

 harvest. The harrowing also is done more economically, 

 when the field is sown at once, than when sown in several 

 portions ; and where rolling is required, that operation being 

 most effectually done across, it cannot well be accomplished 

 till the whole field has been completed. Hence the advan- 

 tages of having the size of the fields, in some degree com- 

 mensurate to the stock of working animals upon the farm. 



5. Inclination of the ground. It is, however, evident, that 

 the size of the fields, must in some respects depend on the 

 flatness, or the hilly shape of the ground. Even on dry 

 land, if there be a rise on the ground, from fifteen to twenty 

 chains is sufficient length ; for if the ridge be longer, the 

 horses become much fatigued, if compelled to plough a 

 strong furrow up-hill, beyond that length, in one direction. 

 This objection, however, to large fields, may in some mea- 

 sure be obviated, by giving the ridges and furrows, in such 



