18 



some land is so wet, that, in the farmer's phrase, it 

 will not carry sheep ; that is, it is quite too wet for 

 sheep to lie out upon it. In such cases the turnips 

 must be carried, that is, removed from the field, and 

 fed out elsewhere. The last season was uncommon- 

 ly wet, and for that reason, perhaps, he could not so 

 well judge, but it appeared to him it would be an im- 

 provement in English husbandry to furnish for sheep, 

 oftener than is done, not only a tolerably dry ground 

 to lie on, but some sort of shelter against the cold 

 rains of winter.* The turnips, doubtless, are more 

 completely consumed, when dug, split, and fed out. 

 The Swedish turnip, he had little doubt, was best 

 suited to cold climates. It was scarcely injured by 

 being frozen in the ground in the winter, as it would 

 thaw again, and be still good in spring. In Scotland, 

 in the Lothians, where cultivation is equal to that in 

 any part of England, it is more the practice than far- 

 ther south, to house turnips, or draw them, and cov- 

 er them from frost.f He had been greatly pleased 

 with Scotch farming, and as the climate and soil of 

 Scotland more resembled the soil and climate of 

 Massachusetts, than those of England did, he hoped 

 the farmers of Massachusetts would acquaint them- 

 selves, as well as they could, with Scotch husbandry. 

 He had had the pleasure of passing some time in 

 Scotland, with persons engaged in these pursuits, and 

 acknowledged himself much instructed by what he 

 learned from them, and saw in their company. The 

 great extent of the use of turnips, and other green 



* See Appendix,— Note A. t Ibid,— Note B. 



