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become crufted; and here it is, in my opinion, that the ſkill of the moſt aſMſiduous farmer 1s bafffled; the contrac- tion of the ſurface, moft certainly 1s injurious to vege- tation; and to prevent it, great efforts ſhould be uſed.

Why do they find the natural graſs come beft in their wheat ſtubble? Why ſo ſeldom fail of a good crop of wheat and beans, where an early ſeaſon is obtained? And why do they ſucceed ſo well after a ſeverc froſty winter, where a good plant is preſerved? The reaſon to me is obvious, that an afly or duſty ſurface is obtained, which repels and prevents the penetration of the ſun and winds; and inſtead of every limb of vegetation being torn off by the contraction of the ſoil, the plants are nouriſhed and be- come vigorous, by the progreſs they make in the horizon- tal poſition; and the úbrous roots, from running through a ſoil in that ſtate, become elaſtic, and expand with greater powers, To get land into this ftate ſhould be the grand obje; and to attain it, I ſhall beg leave to ſubmit my obſervations to that efe, under three heads, viz.

1ſt. Early ſowing.

2dly. Land draining,

zdly, and laſtly. Proper materials for altering the tex- ture of the ſoil.

I. Early ploughing for the wheat-ſeaſon, whilſt the land is in a dry fate, muſt be of infinite uſe; and the land that is intended for the ſpring=-corn, for the fame reaſon, ought to be ploughed as early as poſſible, that it may lie rough through the winter for the froſt to have the greater power over itz the farmer will then get a good ſeaſon, if he will waits and he need not fear a ſevere drought, as the land in that ſtate will always retain the moiſture. I do not pretend to advance, that late ploughing will never ſucceed; I have ſeen the reverſe, though the chance is ten to one againft fuch pradice; but when