186 Suggested Changes of Panning System. 



and at no additional cost, most minutely and deeply till the soil. 

 The amelioration of the soil from root action is indeed most marked, 

 and our attention has been frequently called to it, and more especially 

 in the case of the Outer Kaimrig. When we ploughed our first turf 

 the work was of such difficulty that, in my " Agricultural Changes," 

 I suggested that it might be better to begin the rotation with rape, 

 in order that time might be given for the decay of the turf ; but the 

 amelioration of the soil is now so great that there was no difficulty 

 experienced in breaking up the turf for the second rotation. It is 

 only, I may repeat, with the first turf that there is any difficulty in 

 taking turnips out of grass. Such, then, are some of the results to 

 be obtained from humus, and the use and action of deeply-rooted 

 plants and grasses, and I think I have said enough to recommend the 

 subject to your earnest attention, for it is only through the adoption 

 of agencies like these that we can hope to place our agriculture on 

 a satisfactory footing. 



My lecture is ended now. I am confident that the general 

 principles I have recommended are sound, and I say so after the 

 perusal of much public criticism on my work and opinions, and 

 hearing many private opinions of value, and after having, since my 

 "Agricultural Changes" was published, carefully studied the works 

 of the American agricultural writers. But though I am confident 

 that the general principles I have recommended are sound, it by no 

 means follows that any cut and dried particular method of carrying 

 them out can possibly be laid down. Each man must be left to carry 

 them out in whatever way is suitable to the climate, and general 

 condition of his farm and circumstances ; and I will go so far as to 

 say that not only does every farm require the principles to be worked 

 out in a different way, but that every field on the same farm may 

 require variations in the method of carrying out the principles of 

 the proposed farming system. 



One word more. Insist on your seed being guaranteed as to 

 purity, germination, and weight per bushel. See personally to the 

 mixing and sowing of the seed, and that it is sown as soon as possible 

 after being mixed. In the spring take a rake, and re-seed with your 

 own hands, as I have done, every vacant patch in the field, and you 

 will then see how well, or how ill, your work has been done. In 

 this connection I should advise farmers never to cease urging the 

 Government to establish a central seed-testing station, where farmers 

 could, for a small fee, get their seeds tested. This was recommended 

 in the report of the Committee of 1900 appointed by the Board of 

 Agriculture, but no steps appear to have been taken in the matter. 

 This neglect of the interests of the farmers seems the more astonishing, 

 seeing that the advantages of such an establishment have been amply 

 proved by the Swiss Government. There is much need also for an 

 Act to enforce that seedsmen should guarantee the purity and weight 

 per bushel of their seeds, and that the guarantee should be stated 

 on each invoice, as in the case when fertilizers and feeding stuffs are 

 sold. 



