Improved System of Summer Fallow. 37 



the soil ; for by passing it once, twice, or even thrice, over the field, in 

 proportion as root- weeds are abundant, taking care, at the same time, 

 to give a slight harrowing, and attentively to pick up every root- weed 

 that appears, every time that the grubber has gone over the field ; the 

 soil, to the depth of from four to six inches, will be completely cleared 

 of every weed that was within reach of the coulters of the implement. 

 The land is then ploughed a fourth time, when the ridges are once 

 more gathered up ; after which the harrows are applied, and the roller, 

 if necessary, till the soil is again rendered fine enough to part with 

 the root-weeds. When these are carefully picked off, the grubber is 

 used as formerly, and the soil is soon made perfectly clean of every 

 weed that may have infested it. Dung, lime, or compost, may then 

 be applied with propriety, where necessary. 



The expense attending this operation must depend upon various 

 circumstances as the nature of the soil, whether it be stiff, or toler- 

 ably free ; whether the ground be in a medium condition, or very 

 much exhausted ; or whether the weather be wet or very dry ; all 

 of which make a great difference in the charges necessary. It is im- 

 possible therefore, to give a statement which will correspond exactly 

 with every individual case or situation. The following estimate is 

 given, as applicable to a moderately stiff soil, in tolerable condition, 

 with nothing uncommon in the state of the weather ; it being under- 

 stood, that when these circumstances are materially altered, the ex- 

 penses must likewise vary in proportion. 



Average Expense of Summer Fallmving an English Acre of strong 

 Clayey Soil. 



The three first ploughings, 10s. each, . ^..J, . . .\ 10 



Two double harrowings, * . . . . , , 034 



Rolling, . . . '. .' . O 2 



Two double harrowings, ... ., ^ . .. . 026 



Hand-picking weeds, . . . . . 016 



Grubbing, . . . . . . . 036 



One double harrowing, . ... . 03 



Hand-picking weeds, ....... O O 



Fourth ploughing, . ...... O 



One double harrowing, ..... . 03 



Rolling, . . ......OS 



One double harrowing, 'i . . . o 3 



Hand-picking weeds, . v ! ' . . D . . 9 



Grubbing, . . . . - 3 O 



One double harrowing, . . . . . , f 013 



Hand-picking weeds, . . . . .-,' 009 



Fifth and last ploughing, . . . .' O 8 



Total expense, . . . .3110 



It thus appears, that summer fallowing an acre of land, on an ave- 

 rage, occasions an expense of L.3, 1 Is. ; and had the grubber not been 

 used, one or two additional plouglungs would have been necessary, 



