On Trench Ploughing, 241 



earth, to receive from the air and artificial applications 

 and processes, what the surface precedently possessed, 

 would be a most unnecessary and reprehensible opera- 

 tion. It is therefore only to worn and infested fields, 

 that I ever recommended the application of this prac- 

 tice. 



Many years ago I gave an account of .my process, 

 and its results. It was not theory, but the actual pro- 

 duct of repeated and successful practice. I brought 

 my fields into a fertility, and cleanness of crop, which 

 amply rev/arded me ; and surprised those who had 

 known those parts of my farm in their apparently hope- 

 less state of exhaustion. My success was attributed to 

 expenditures of money, which could not be afforded by 

 common farmers ; — to abundant quantities of manure, 

 which could not be obtained in a common course — to 

 my ground exactly suiting the operation ; — in short, 

 to any thing, but the true cause. My example was 

 therefore, not followed by my neighbours ; and I have 

 known of but few others, who have adventured on this 

 method ; from some of whom I have heard unfavoura- 

 ble accounts. On examination, I perceived they were 

 in too great haste for their profit ; and had not given 

 fair play toih^ experiment. Ihave, for many years, leas- 

 ed my farms on shares ; reserving a small part for my 

 owTi culture, and amusement. On this I always fai' ex- 

 ceed my tenants, in products ; because I do well, what 

 I perform ; and confine myself to small fields. I find 

 the exigiium colito, far surpasses the ingentia rura. I 

 never could prevail on a tenant to trench plough ; though 

 he enjoyed the advantages of my labour and expence. 

 I am, therefore, neither surprized or mortified, by Mr, 



T t 



