On Paring and Burning. 245 



able to lodge than any other sort. They are likewise the most 

 valuable variety of that grain ; but they are considered a 

 very scourging crop, and, besides the ashes, 150 Winches- 

 ter bushels oflime ought to be applied per acre( 3 * 3 ). 



10. Rotation of Crops. This must depend entirely upon 

 the nature of the soil. 



In chalky downs, the following system seems highly ad- 

 vantageous : 1st year, Turnips, or tares, as already men- 

 tioned ; 2d, Barley or oats : if these crops are sown early, 

 and kept clean from weeds, the result probably will be, a 

 crop equal in value to the fee-simple of the land in its origi- 

 nal state; 3d, Clover, trefoil, or rye-grass, sown with the 

 preceding crop, to be eaten by sheep ( 3i4 ); 4th, Wheat, 

 which will probably be equal in value to double the fee- 

 simple of the land, before it was improved by paring and 

 burning; 5th, Tares, or turnips, or both in succession, and 

 eaten upon the land, which should be previously manured, 

 in proportion to the two years' straw of the crops which it 

 had, produced, mixed with any earthy substances that can be 

 obtained. Thus a foundation is laid for a fresh succession 

 of similar crops, while the land, after the original paring and 

 burning, is immediately placed in the highest state of pro- 

 ductiveness and improvement ( 3z5 ). Most of the sheep pas- 

 tures and downs, by this system, may be loaded with the 

 heaviest crops of herbs, roots, and corn ; and these, through 

 the medium of a vastly increased number of inhabitants and 

 domesticated animals, would yield to the public, from L.7 

 to even L.12 per acre, from lands, which at no time before 

 had produced as many shillings ( 3z6 ). 



For such soils, however, laying them down with sainfoin, 

 as soon as they can be got into good order, is the most eli- 

 gible plan, as it produces great crops of the best hay, for two 

 years in succession, and for several years after, excellent pas- 

 ture for sheep. 



When oats are taken as a first crop, according to the 

 practice in Scotland, dung can partly be procured, from the 

 produce of the soil itself, for raising a crop of either potatoes 

 or turnips, in the succeeding year; but the former is almost 

 always preferred. It is a good rule, that dung should be 

 applied the second year after burning; for half the quantity 

 would do more good at that time, than double the quantity 

 at any time afterwards. After potatoes or turnips, with 

 dung, an abundant crop of grain, and next of grass, may be 

 obtained, and then excellent pasture. The great object is, 

 to lay down the land, as soon as it is practicable, with the 



