TILLAGE. 43 



ifeaiiiireing' well; both of which increase moisture. Be- 

 sides, ground well prepared, and manured, shoots forth 

 its crops so rapidly, that the ground is soon covered and 

 shaded from the heat of the sun ; and, for this reason, 

 retains its moisture longer. The same may be observ- 

 ed of mowing lands. Sometimes lands of good soil are 

 found too closely underlaid with rock, to be sufticiently 

 retentive of moisture, in times of drought ; such may 

 answer for orcharding, for the smaller fruit trees, or for 

 pastures, by having considerable growths of locust at the 

 same time, on the grounds, to prevent the effects of 

 drought. 



In tilling lands, it is essential that it be done in the 

 right season ; that it be done effectually^ and, in order to 

 this, it is of the first importance to have the implements 

 of tillage well constructed^ and kept in good order. 



Lands should always be applied to that tillage for 

 ivhich they are best adapted ; or, in other words, in 

 which they will 3ield the greatest clear profit. If there- 

 fore, the farmer has lands which are only fitted for grass 

 let him not waste his labour in trying to raise grain on 

 them. If he has broken hills and declivities, they will 

 g'enerally but poorly repay the unpleasant labor of 

 cultivating them with the plough and the hoe : Rather 

 let such be kept for sheep-pastures, for orchards, or for 

 raising timber. High lands are most generally selected 

 for tillage. But low and moist lands, well drained, ridg- 

 ed, and water-furrowed, are often more productive ; 

 and there is less danger of exhausting them. If lands 

 are rocky and ston}^, to plough and hoe them is a diui- 

 cult and laborious employment ^ and generally can- 

 not be productive of much profit, till the impediments 

 are removed. If they are too light and sandy, they may, 

 nevertheless, be made to yield good crops of tap-rooted 

 plants, such as turnips, carrots, and clover ; or of such 

 as ripen early, as rye, for instance ; or that bear the 

 drought well, as saintfoin, lucerne, provided they are 

 not hilly ; or if hilly, such trees as flourish in sandy 

 soils, as the locust, &c. If lands be boggy, When well 

 drained, they will be found very profitable for hemp, 

 which they will bear yearly, with the aid of small year- 

 ly additions of manure; but if they be modern tely level, 

 smooth, and of a gootl medium soil ; that i-, such as is 



