[3] This manner of analysing soils is that described by M. Rose, member of the institute of France, &c. and recommended to French agriculturists.
[4] The ill effect of a succession of crops of the same kind was not unknown to the Romans. We have proof of this in the following passage of Festus: "Resistilibus ager fit qui continuo biennio seseritur farreo spico id est aristato, quad ne fiat solent, qui pradia locant, excipere."
[5] The "Sterilis tellus medio versatur in æstu" of Virgil, shows the opinion he entertained of a husbandry that left the fields without vegetation.
[6] The good effect of these mixtures was known to the ancients, from whom the practice has descended to us.
[7] See Arbuthnot on Ploughs.
[8] Mr. Levi M'Keen, of Poughkeepsie.
[9] In Flanders, wheat yields 20; rye, 26; barley, 26; and oats, 40, for one.—Wheat holds only the fifth rank in value in the harvest of Flanders. In England, wheat never yields more, on an average, than 10 or 11 for one; barley, something less than 10 to 1; and oats only between 8 and 9 for one. In some highly ameliorated farms in the county of Suffolk, Arthur Young reports a produce of 36 bushels of wheat, and 64 bushels of barley to the acre; and that in the county of Kent, soils of middling quality, equally ameliorated, yield per acre 52 bushels of wheat, and the same quantity of barley. But in Flanders, there are soils which yield much more than this—namely, 72 bushels of wheat, 120 of barley, 128 of beans, and 72 of coleseed.—These, however, are extreme cases, which do not affect the general question of comparative growths; while, however, they shew that the amelioration of land, in any country, is calculated greatly to increase its productiveness.
[10] This seems to be analogous to the condition of a frost bitten joint or limb, which is recovered by the application of cold water; but injured, sometimes destroyed, by being brought near a fire, or the influence of sudden warmth.
[11] This truly laudable enterprise, as well as many others of a similar character, (without derogating from the important services of others,) is most essentially indebted to the enlightened zeal, and public spirited benevolence of one of the Vice-Presidents, ROBERTS VAUX, Esq.—The justice of this small tribute to distinguished worth, although dictated by friendship, will be cheerfully acknowledged by his fellow citizens generally.