144 TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 



water which falls within an inclosvire be retained, but the soil 

 would be prevented from sliding down ; which it is apt to do in 

 very steep places, when it is fully saturated with water. 



Those belts would also 3'ield occasional cuttings of grass for 

 cattle, &c. ; so that, although the whole field would not be in 

 cultivation, yet no part would be useless. 



Whoever has attentively observed the diiierence between a crop 

 at the upper and lower parts of a sloping field, must be convinced 

 of the advantage of retaining throughout an equable portion of 

 moisture. The upper part is always poor; because it has been 

 deprived of moisture, by the natural tendency of water to de- 

 scend : on the contrary, the lower part is the most exuberant, as 

 it becomes the repository of almost all the rain that falls within 

 the inclosure. This fact may be perceived in several parKs of 

 this island : and it might be further exemplified bv an easy 

 experiment. 



Let any one cultivate a square rod on the natural slope of a 

 hill, and let him take another square rod adjoining, and make it 

 perfectly level, plant them both in the same manner with pota- 

 toes, or corn : and it will be found the level spot will be infinitely 

 superior in produce. 



In regard to manuring, a great deal might be done without too 

 servile an imitation of the Chinese practices. Manure, indeed, is 

 deserving all possible attention : because it is the best means of 

 ensuring good crops ; and of obtaining, proportionally, a larger 

 profit from the labour bestowed in cultivation. 



I hope these observations maybe serviceable to those at present 

 engaged in breaking up the new lands. 1 cannot, however, con- 

 clude them without strongly recommending, that when the 

 terracing mode is not adopted, furrows, or belts, should never be 

 omitted : no field, upon a sloping surface, can properly be culti- 



