776 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Part III. 



distrlctb often wants a proper degree of tenacity for supporting corn crops. A great 

 part of tlie manure that is applied in such situations is likewise soon lost. From 

 various causes, also, they are colder than the plains. 



4770. Many extensive countries have no perceptible rise. These have their advantages 

 from uniformity of soil, where it is rich. In other districts, the surface is of a waving 

 description, an inequality which contributes much to the ornament of the country, by 

 the agreeable relief which the eye constantly meets with in the change of objects ; while 

 the universal declivity which prevails more or less in every field is favourable to the cul- 

 ture of the land, by allowing a ready descent to any water with which the surface may 

 be encumbered. 



Sect. VI. Aspect in regard to farming Lands. 



4771. Aspect, in hilly or mountainous districts, is an important subject of attention to 

 the farmer ; more especially where the climate is unfavourable. It is proved in a variety 

 of instances, both in the central highlands of Scotland, and in other parts of the king- 

 dom, that where the aspect of a hill is towards the north, the soil is more fertile than 

 when it lies with a southern exposure. This is attributed to the variations from frost to 

 thaw in the spring months, which are greater in a southern than in a northern aspect. 

 Hence, while the soil to the north remains locked fast, and secured from waste, the 

 other is loosened by the sun, and carried off by showers falling in the intervals of thaw. 



4772. Soils which face the south are more liable to have their substance carried away by 

 heavy rains, which are generally impelled from the south and south-west. But though 

 the soil to the north often produces the heaviest crops of grass and hay, yet from pos- 

 sessing a more genial climate, and from the earlier and more powerful action of the 

 sun, both corn and grass are harvested earlier on land which has a southern than on 

 that which has a northern aspect ; and superiority of quality thus compensates for any 

 inferiority ii\the quantity of the produce. 



Sect. VII. Situation of Farm Latids in regard to Markets. 



4773. 1^0 farming can go on without markets. Tlie system of farming to be adopted 

 on any particular farm, and the expense attending it, must materially depend on its situ- 

 ation in regard to markets ; to the facility with which its produce can be conveyed, 

 where a contiguous market is wanting j to vicinity to manure, to fuel, and to water. 



4774. The advantages resulting from vicinity to a market, or to a large town, by which that is insured, 

 are very great. Some crops, as those of potatoes, turnips, and clover, are frequently sold on the ground, 

 without any farther trouble or expense to the farmer ; and great quantities of manure may be purchased 

 at a moderate expense. In such situations also there is a ready sale for every article the farm can 

 produce ; and the articles sold are not only brought to market at a small expense, but the payment is im- 

 mediate. For all these reasons, it is contended, and apparently with justice, that the neighbourhood of a 

 capital is the most profitable spot to farm in, notwithstanding the high rent of land, and the great expense 

 of labour. 



4775. Where markets are not at hand, the farmer ought to take into consideration what articles will 

 best suit those at a distance to which his produce must be sent. In such a situation, unless there are 

 facilities for the conveyance of so bulky an article as corn by good roads, or by water-carriage, it is ad- 

 visable, instead of cultivating grain, to attend either to the dairy husbandry, or to the breeding of stock 

 which can be fattened in other districts where good markets are more numerous. This plan, by which 

 the dairy, the breeding, and the fattening of stock, are made distinct professions, is highly beneficial to 

 the country at large. Stock can be reared cheaper in remote districts than where land is dear and labour 

 high. On'the other hand, the purchaser of lean stock avoids the expense and risk of breeding great 

 numbers of animals. His attention is not distracted by a multiplicity of objects j he can alter his system 

 from cattle to sheep, or from sheep to cattle, as is likely to be most profitable ; his business is simplified, 

 iind the capital he lays out is speedily returned. The division of professions between breeding and 

 feeding (though they may be united in circumstances peculiarly favourable), is on the whole a most im- 

 portant link in the progress of agricultural prosperity. 



. 4776. In regard to facility qf conveyance, the state of public roads, bridges, iron rail-ways, canals, rivers 

 rendered navigable, and harbours, deserves the consideration of the farmer, and will most materially 

 influence the value of produce. 



4777. The situation of the farm in regard to mmiures, for an easy access to lime, chalk, marl, sea- weed, 

 &c. is of essential advantage to cultivation. The price at which these articles can be purchased, their 

 quality, their distance, and expense of conveyance, are likewise of importance. Farms, for example, 

 possessing the advantage of sea- weed contiguous and in abundance, can pay from fifteen to twenty per 

 cent, more rent per acre than otherwise could be afforded. 



4778. Vicinity to fuel in the cold and moist regions of Europe are important considerations to the farmer. 

 In the same county, even in England, the difference of expense is often material. In the Hebrides, from 

 the moistness of the climate, the expense of fuel is reckoned equal to a third part of the rent of the land ; 

 and farmers who pay, in some cases, 150/. per annum, would give 200/, if the landlord would supply them 

 and their servants with fuel. 



4779. Where a farmer is under the necessity of using peat, from the labour attending the cutting, 

 spreiading, drying, and conveying it from a distance, several weeks of his horses and servants are devoted 

 to that sole purpose; and much valuable time is lost, which ought to have been employed in the culti- 

 vation of his farm. It has been well remarked, that many farmers, to save five guineas on coal, often 

 expend twenty, in thus misapplying the labour of their horses. 



4780. Where wood is used, it occupies a great deal of ground that might often be cultivated to advan- 

 tage, and it is not of a lasting quality. Coal is preferable, for general purposes, to every other species of 

 fuel ; and besides its domestic application, its superiority for burning lime, that imiwrtant source of 

 fertility, or calcareous clay, also of much value to the farmer, is an object of great moment. The tenant, 

 therefore, who resides in the neighbourhood of coal, more especially if limestone or calcareous substances 

 are at no great distance, farms at less expense, can afford to pay a higher rent, and may derive more profit 

 from the land he cultivates, than if in these respects he were differently circumstanced. 



