218 On Paring and Burning. 



proper as a bed for vegetation. Though some animal or 

 vegetable matter, or manure previously in the soil, may 

 thus be dissipated, yet such temporary disadvantages, are 

 abundantly counterbalanced, by the destruction of jthe seeds 

 of weeds, the roots of coarse shrubs, and the larvae of insects 

 with which such soils are infested, as well as by the texture 

 of the soil being permanently improved. In regard to soils 

 in which there is an excess of inert vegetable matter, the 

 getting rid of that excess must be beneficial ; for the re- 

 mainder will be rendered fitter for cultivated crops, not only 

 by the addition of calcareous earth, but by the carbonaceous 

 matter remaining in the ashes, which is likely to be more 

 useful, than the coarse vegetable fibre from which it was 

 produced ( 34 ). By this process also, not only a stimulant, 

 but nutriment for plants is prepared. 



It is evident, that this practice cannot be either so general, 

 or so successful, in a wet climate like that of Scotland, as in 

 a country having a less humid atmosphere, and consequent- 

 ly a greater space of time, in which the process can be 

 carried on ; but still it is a means of improvement, which is 

 entitled to be thoroughly investigated, wherever the culti- 

 vation of the soil is an object of inquiry. 



SECT. VI. On Summer Fallowing. 



OVER the greater part of Europe, it was long considered 

 as an advantageous practice, occasionally to dedicate an 

 entire season, to the cultivation of arable land, without rais- 

 ing from it any crop. The expense of the process, it was 

 supposed, would be amply compensated, by the texture of 

 the soil being ameliorated, by the destruction of weeds and 

 insects, which would thus be effected, and by the increased 

 produce of the succeeding crops. But when the rent of land 

 was increased ; when the expenses of cultivation were aug- 

 mented ; when cleansing crops, as turnips, were introdu- 

 ced ; and when the productions of the soil became more 

 valuable, it was natural for the farmer to consider, whether 

 such great sacrifices were really necessary ; and whether fal- 

 lows might not, in many cases, be diminished, and in others 

 totally given up. On this subject, a controversy has arisen 

 between two sects, the fallowists, arid anti-fallowists, which 

 has been conducted with much keenness and ability ( 341 ). 



Of late years, the question at issue, has been much nar- 

 rowed. It is now, on all sides, admitted, that light soils, 

 (where the culture of turnips is eligible), need not be kept 



