CHAPTER III. 



THE TILLAGE OF FRUIT LANDS. 



THE study of the evolution of the ideas respect- 

 ing the tillage of the soil opens one of the most 

 interesting chapters in history. The subject is all 

 the more suggestive because tillage is such a com- 

 monplace and almost universal labor that no one 

 thinks of it as having had a history. Yet the 

 practice of the simple stirring of the soil has been 

 slowly evolved, like all other methods and institutions, 

 through a long period of time, and as the result of 

 many forces which were unobserved or even unknown 

 at the time. We think of tillage as a custom ; and 

 if one considers the condition of farming at the 

 present moment, he would seem to be warranted 

 in such an association, for a custom is a habit 

 which is not suggested by reason and inquiry. Per- 

 haps the only reason which most persons could give 

 for the tillage of the land is that they are obliged 

 to do it. It would seem to be the simplest and dull- 

 est thing to till the soil. It is simply the driving of 

 the animal and the holding of the plow, or taking 

 care that the harrow scarifies the entire surface ; or 

 it may be only the stubborn wielding of the hoe or 

 rake. This view of the matter is wholly correct 

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