70 Observations on Colonel Taylofs Letter, 



more than 40 years, I have invariably found fall and 

 tvinter ploughing, and exposure XoXhc winter frosts, and 

 temperature, with all its vicissitudes, most salutary and 

 profitable to all succeeding crops. To Indian corn most 

 strikingly. In the season of winter the earth, which is 

 more the place of deposit and store-house for the food 

 of plants, than the nourishment and support of them in 

 itself, receives every thing and parts with nothing. Even, 

 summer fallowing for killing weeds, and opening mouths 

 to receive the nutriment for future crops from the air, 

 if the stirring be frequent, is highly beneficial; — though 

 I have met with some facts which have staggered me on 

 that point. In England, I believe, the fallowists have 

 the majority on their side. I nevertheless, believe in all 

 that can be said about permanent and long cover ; and 

 in the efficacy of covering crops. I have wrote too 

 much now, to allow me time to give what I conceive 

 reasons for such opinions ; nor do I deny that there are 

 some soils, which may afford exceptions. You know I 

 do not deal in paradoxes, or fine spun theories ; howe- 

 ver these may appear. The practice o^ fall ploughing is 

 here approved by all intelligent practical men. 



The best way for colonel T. would be to try a few 

 acres ; and not speculate about it ;^ not in wet clay soil. 



* " Not in wet clay soil.'*'* — I did not mean to say, that, 

 in such ground, fall and winter ploughing should be excluded. 

 JCothing can be better if well managed ; and the field thrown 

 up in narrow ridges, to dry and drain. I have known plais- 

 ter succeed on clay, when thus freed from moisture. This 

 Itind of soil has a tendency to consolidate, and bake, or harden 

 into a crust, on the surface. And the more so, if ploughed 



