AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 107 



5th year, Orchard grass or herd's grass, to continue three 

 years or more. 



No. III. Light Lands. 



1st year, Potatoes or corn. 



2d do. Corn or roots. 



3d do. Flax, with seed. 



4th do. Clover, to be mown once, the after c^rowth to be 

 turned in, and rye sown thick on the furrow, which may be 

 soiled or fed in the spring by sheep or milch cows, and 

 ploughed in for, 



5th year, Corn. 



6th do. Spring ivheat or barley. 



7th do. Clover ; and the course to be pursued as before ; 

 when flax will occupy the land every seventh year. In all 

 cases, except when hemp is substituted, the tillage crops 

 should receive the dung. 



' If the land is ploughed into bedr or convex ridges, like 

 turnpike roads, about a rod wide, especially if low and level, 

 the crop will be much m.ore secure from injury by heavy 

 rains, and the grass crops will be better if it remains in that 

 form. On any soils, fall ploughing in narrow ridges will 

 facilitate its early working in spring, and should not be dis- 

 pensed with.' 



Mr. Pomeroy gives the following directions relative to 

 choice of seed. 



' That of the last year's growth should be obtained if pos- 

 sible. The usual marks of good seed are, that it be plump, 

 oily, and heavy, of a bright brown color, sinking readily in 

 the water, and when thrown into the fire to crackle and blaze 

 quick. A very simple method of trial is to sprinkle it thin 

 between two pieces of wet paper, which plunge into a hot- 

 bed or dunghill, and in less than twenty-four hours the pro- 

 portion that will vegetate can be discerned, which should be 

 ascertained, in order to regulate the quantity to be soiun. 



' On this head no particular directions can be given, as it 

 depends on the various qualities of soil, goodness of seed, 

 &c. The rule for sowing small grains is reversed ; flax re- 

 quiring to be sown thickest on rich soil, as not more than 

 one stalk is wanted from a plant. In England and Scotland 

 never less than two, nor more than three bushels to the acre 

 are sown. Two and a half is the most usual portion. In 

 Flanders and Ireland seldom less than three bushels are sown, 

 except when seed is an object. Thick sowing is to obtain 

 fine flax. In this country it will be important at present to 



