150 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY OF chap. VII. 



ly cleaned, a proper system of cropping adopted 

 and followed, and a sufficient quantity of ma- 

 nure always at command, the frequent repeti- 

 tion of fallowing will, in general, be unnecessary. 

 But I should doubt whether ground can be ever 

 so completely cleaned, as to supersede the ne- 

 cessity of fallowing for ever after. Some lands 

 .are so disposed to run into weeds, that even 

 drilled crops, the best plan next to fallowing, 

 will not avail to keep it always clean. In short, 

 as the repetition and frequency of fallowing, 

 must depend much on the nature of the soil, 

 the command of manure, and the system of 

 cropping adopted, no rule, perhaps^ can be laid 

 down capable of universal application. And 

 therefore the matter should be left to the judg- 

 ment of the farmer. No intelligent husband- 

 man will be disposed to sacrifice a valuable crop, 

 in order to secure an ideal advantage. 



In managing this branch of husbandry, it 

 would be extremely proper, if other operations 

 which may claim a preference will permit, to 

 give the land, designed for fallow, the first fur- 

 row, before the winter frost sets in, especially if 

 the ground be stiff and heavy, as the action of 

 the frost upon such soil would do more to re- 

 duce and pulverize it, than several ploughings. 

 For the moisture, contained in it, increasing in 

 bulk by congelation, will forcibly produce a se- 

 paration of its parts ; and consequently, when 

 thaw and dry weather come, the cohesion being 

 previously destroyed, the earth will fall down 

 into a crumbly or powdery state. With this 

 view the ground should be tilled across, and 

 formed into narrow ridges of two furrows plough- 



