On the Rotation of Crops. 



293 



It will be observed in this table that, except in the case of a 

 small portion of rye and winter barley, most of which is cut green 

 for the cattle, every plant is succeeded by one of a different 

 family. 



The principal objects of cultivation are wheat, rape-seed (from 

 which oil is expressed), and flax ; and these occupy exactly one 

 half of the land. The other half is devoted to roots and green 

 crops for the cattle, which are necessary to produce the manure 

 required for the principal crops, and to keep the land in good 

 heart. 



Here simple experience, without science, has anticipated the 

 rules which have been since proved to be most advantageous ; and 

 a perfectly scientific rotation is the result of long experience and 

 attentive observation alone. 



This system must have been noticed by every observant tra- 

 veller, and has been mentioned in many publications. Yvart, 

 in his excellent work ' Succession de Cultures,' which forms 

 the whole of the 12th volume of the ' Nouveau Cours complet 

 d' Agriculture ' (Paris, 1808), continually alludes to it; yet no- 

 where has it been followed but where it was first adopted. It has 

 scarcely been noticed in English agricultural publications ; and 

 if some individuals, who read foreign agricultural works for their 

 own satisfaction, have known it, they had no good opportunity of 

 communicating the information to the English farmer, for want 

 of a vehicle such as now presents itself to all important aud useful 

 communications, in the Journal of the English Agricultural 

 Society. 



W. L. Rham. 



Jan. 21, 1840. 



