184 CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



crops would in no respect be diminished, and the straw, 

 being free from disease, would be much increased in value. 



" From what I have stated, if two crops of wheat be de- 

 sired in four years, the better mode of manuring for them 

 is to lay on the dung the first two years for green crops, 

 and take the two wheat crops following in the last two 

 years. There never was a more widely mistaken notion 

 than that a supply of dung given one year can be exhausted 

 either in that or the following year by cropping with any 

 thing ; but by burying it below reach of the roots, or so 

 low that it becomes inert or poisonous, the manure may 

 be worse than lost." 



Sir John Sinclair again very justly observes, " By the 

 improvements which may be effected by the observations 

 of ingenious naturalists, and the experience of intelligent 

 farmers, there is every reason to hope that the diseases of 

 wheat may, in a great measure, be so mitigated in their ef- 

 fects that they will not in future be felt as a national ca- 

 lamity. For that purpose, however, it is necessary that the 

 diligent farmer should seize every opportunity of improv- 

 ing his knowledge in the diseases of wheat; should note 

 down all the circumstances connected with the subject as 

 they occur, and should compare his observations with those 

 of others ; that, whether the causes of rust are general or 

 local, they may as much as possible be obviated." 



To this I will beg leave to add that, however repeat- 

 edly the diligent farmer may have been misled by theory, 

 he cannot be justified in wholly opposing or neglecting 

 science. The opinions I have here endeavoured to ex- 

 plain are grounded on demonstrative practical experiment. 

 And as it is in the power of every farmer to make the 

 same demonstration, I trust every one will consider it in 

 justice, due from all to do so, before they indulge in speak- 

 ing lightly of them, or in treating them with neglect. " 



