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CHAPTER X. 



The commencement of the beautiful part of the valley of 

 the Neckar is a common resting-place in a tour through 

 the Rhenish districts. Few travellers have time to 

 inquire into the causes of the celebrity of the University 

 of Heidelberg ; but all can feel the majestic beauty of its 

 ruined castle leaning against its green background of 

 forest-clad hill, and reflected in the bright waves of the 

 rushing Neckar, We choose, therefore, this charming 

 spot for a survey of the agriculture of the Upper Rhine, 

 which, from Bingen onward, has maintained a constant 

 character that will be found to continue to the foot of the 

 Alps. The leading feature of the system of tillage 

 found throughout is, as we before observed, a minute 

 study of the position, soil, and other capabilities of every 

 separate field, as well as of the markets, near and distant, 

 where the produce has to be sold. Where these primary 

 conditions are found to be similar on several farms, a 

 like treatment of crops will be found to prevail. The 

 mode of tillage is generally such as is recommended by 

 agricultural authorities, and (under the limitations that 

 we have all along noted of minutely divided and scat- 

 tered lands, as well as low prices arising from over 

 competition) will be found satisfactory. If the crops are 

 not so abundant as fine soils and a propitious climate 

 would induce us to expect, it must not be forgotten that 



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