244 On Trench Ploughing. 



4. Clover, sown on the grain, early in the spring, 

 or in winter.^ Parts of some fields, in eight or ten years^ 

 were trenched again ; and the old sod was perceived 

 to be entirely decayed ; and become a manure, with 

 no pests. Lime, put on after the first trenching, was 

 found in the greatest depth the plough turned up. 



In the fall of 1787, 1 trenched (among others) a small 

 field of three and one quarter acres. Cinque-foil, gar- 

 lic, daisies, twitch, and such vile vegetation, were its 

 cover. A sandy loam, mixed with 7Jiica, or isinglass, 

 composed its soil. Its surface, after trenching, look- 

 ed like the earth of iron, or half-burnt brick clay ; 

 though its texture was loose. 



In 1789, in the spring, being then in the legislature, 

 I selected from the members, a company of the best 

 farmers of Lancaster and York counties, to dine ; wuth 

 a view to shew^ them this forbidding soil, as vvdl as to 

 enjoy their society. They asked me what I intended 

 to sow in it. I told them hemp. Some were silent — 

 conceiving I v/as amusing myself with their credulity. 

 Others supposed me an enthusiastic theorist, and did 

 not spare me, in their observations. I always join in 

 pleasantry ; though it be excited at my own expence. 



The year preceding, I had laid on about sixty 

 bushels of lime, and sixteen cart loads of dung, to the 



"^I have seen a publication condemning this practice, 

 which is common among us. I can saiely aver, from long 

 experience, that there cannot be a better mode of ensuring 

 a clover crop. I have repeatedly mov/ed my fields, and 

 had abundant crops. Failures more frequently occur, where 

 clover is sown yvith spring grain. Ti7nGthy, orchard, herd, 

 and such grasses, succeed best, when sown in the autumn. 



