301 the best preparation for wheat or any grain crop for the ensuing season. Although the American planters and farmers say that Indian corn and tobacco ruin their land, I am convinced the contrary is the fact, The climate is the cause of the soil being so poor. Fourteen days' hot sun scorches up the grass much in England; but what would be the effect of eight months' continued much hotter sun, the winter then setting-in in the course of two days with a severer frost than the sharpest we ever experience, and that generally without snow? When snow falls in America, there is always sun sufficient during the following day to melt it, and expose the soil to the frost. Under those circumstances grass cannot grow, and for want of produce all soils will become poor. The quantity of seed sown for grain crops is from three to four pecks; I believe as often three as four. When I first got into the country, I supposed there might be an advantage in sowing more seed: but I was soon convinced to the A TOUR IN AMERICA, IN 1798, 1799, AND 1800. EXHIBITING SKETCHES OF SOCIETY AND MANNERS, AND A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE, WITH ITS RECENT IMPROVEMENTS. BY RICHARD PARKINSON, LATE OF ORANGE HILL, NEAR BALTIMORE. (Author of the "EXPERIENCED FARMER," &c.) VOL. II. LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. HARDING, ST. JAMES'S-STREET; |