194 RULES AND SUGGESTIONS IN FARMING. 



First. In proportion to the augmentation of manure, by 

 reason of meadow, green crops, and roots ; 



Secondly. In proportion to the increased ratio which 

 the above-named crops and pasture bear to the grain 

 crops. And, 



Thirdly. In proportion to the amount of pasture. 



And it will be further seen, that the courses were 

 profitable, and the fertility of the soil increased, in propor- 

 tion as green, leguminous, and root crops were alternated 

 with grain crops — the two first, and least profitable courses, 

 giving three grain crops in successive years — the third 

 course intervening clover, peas, or tares between the grain 

 crops — and the fourth and most profitable course alter- 

 nating dry, green, leguminous, and root crops, followed by 

 clover mown or pastured three years. 



The inference from these experiments, made by one of 

 the most intelligent and careful of men, is, that if we would 

 preserve or increase the fertility of our lands, and thus 

 augment the profits of our labor, we should not sow dry 

 crops for two successive years, upon the same field — but 

 alternate them, as far as practicable, with roots, legumens, 

 green crops, meadow, and pasture. 



The reader will find these matters more largely treat- 

 ed of in ' British Husbandry,' and particularly in Von 

 Thaer's works on agriculture. 



CHAPTER XX. 



RULES AND SUGGESTIONS IN FARMING. 



We shall now proceed to offer some rules and sugges- 

 tions in husbandry, of general apphcation, to enable far- 

 mers, and particularly novices in the business, to judge of 

 the character and quahties of their soil, — of its adaptation 

 to particular crops, — of the causes of deterioration, — and 

 of the means of perpetuating its fertility ; or, if worn out 

 or empoverished, of restoring it to its primitive vigor. 

 These facts or suggestions form a sort of synopsis, or 



