Breahiiu/ up Grass Land. 
513 
account heavy, because much loss would ensue from the porosity 
of the soil ; besides heavy dressings of fold-yard dung would tend 
to keep the soil open, and cause loss from drought, &c. The 
chief application ought to be given to the turnip crop, it being 
the foundation upon which the subsequent ones have mainly to 
depend. The ridge system of turnip-culture is far preferable for 
retaining the full value of the manures deposited. They should 
be covered in and thoroughly rolled down within the hour of form- 
ing, and drilled the same day.* 
Bones have become almost indispensable to the good cultiva- 
tion of these thin soils, and the small quantity of six bushels per 
acre, drilled on twenty-five inch ridges, will have great effect on 
the turnip crop. The modern discovery of dissolving them in 
(or even by) sulphuric acid is of great advantage, both in economy 
and usefulness. Bone manure is not of much benefit to any soil 
unless it is well drained and made free and open in its texture. 
Rape-dust or cake would be of great value in a cool, moist 
season, but is on that account uncertain in result. On cold or 
wet situations it would answer well. 
The consistency of these soils is surprisingly improved, and 
their fertility highly enhanced, by the application of clay, marl, 
chalk, or any heavy earthy matter. 
In every application of fold-yard dung care must be observed 
so as to retain every volatile particle for the soil. The time of 
application must be well chosen ; If for wheat, immediately before 
ploughing; for spring crops the same; for clovers or the grass 
seeds, the early part of the winter, as the snows and rains will 
wash down the constituent parts into the soil, besides protecting 
in other respects the plants. It must never be applied except to 
be ploughed in in the summer, as is commonly practised, because 
the sun and the heat will destroy its valuable properties. 
Clays, or Clay Soils. 
Loamy Clays, Cold, Heavy, and Thin Clai/s — Loamy Clays. 
— These lands frequently produce a sweet nutritive herbage, and 
where the pasture is required for dairy farming, or the rearing of 
young stock, might be kept under grass. It is, however, very 
questionable if this course is the most profitable. Young beasts 
and dairy cows may be equally grazed upon the cultivated grasses 
of mixed variety. The broad red clover, or the white Dutch, may 
be too luxuriant, or too strong, or too acrid; but this maybe 
* If the manuring is heavy, the ridges will require rolling again in about 
a month ; they require compressing as the manure decays. The turnip 
plants will not be materially mjured. 
