OF THE SOIL. 63 



Britain, and is at present carried to a higher degree of 

 perfection in Scotland, probably, than in any other part 

 of Europe. It has, moreover, for some time, been 

 making its way into the United States, where its followers 

 are daily and rapidiy increasing. Wherever it has long 

 been in operation among us, it has greatly increased the 

 products of the soil, and the value of the land ; and yet in 

 no district do we beheve that half its advantages have 

 been developed. 



In the details of practice under the new system, much 

 will depend upon climate, soil, and upon the distance and 

 demands of the market. Where the market is remote, 

 the coarser products must be concentrated in meat, wool, 

 butter, cheese, and other articles, of the least expensive 

 transportation. Near navigable waters, and in the vicin- 

 ity of large towns, hay, roots, fruit, and coarse grains, may 

 be more profitably cultivated. The products of the soil, 

 as well as the demand for them, must also vary with lati- 

 tude. Grain, pulse, roots, grass, and domestic animals, 

 are the staples of our northern districts ; rice, cotton, and 

 tobacco constitute the principal products of the southern 

 part of our Union ; while the torrid zone produces coffee, 

 sugar, molasses, &c. Though there are no definite rules of 

 practice that will apply to all zones, or all soils, there 

 are general principles, and essential requisites, which have 

 a general appHcation. In all situations, organic matters 

 constitute the food of plants ; in all situations, heat, air, 

 and water are the essential agents to prepare and convey 

 this food to the mouths of plants, to circulate the vege- 

 table blood, to assimilate it with vegetable structure ; 

 and in all cases are capital, skill, and industry advanta- 

 geously employed in aiding, and in some measure con- 

 trolling, the operation of these natural elements and agents 

 of vegetable nutrition and growth. 



The modern improvements in husbandry, consist prin- 

 cipally, — 



1. In manuring ; 



2. In draining ; 



3. In good tillage ; 



4. In alternating crops ; 



