Delaware State reporter., 1858-09-24
Choice and Size Of Farms.

1t has been justly observed by an eminent
practical agriculturist that too much can hardly
be paid for a good soil, and that even a low
rent will not make a bad farm profitable The
labor of cultvating a rich and poor soil is
nearly the same, while the latter requires more
manure, and consequently is more expensive
than the former, and the return bears no pro-
portion in value. 1t is wise maxim in hus-
bandry, of whatever nature the soil may be,
that, like the cattle by which it is cultivated,
it should always be kept in good condition to
enable it to do the work it is expected to per-
firm. The ordinary height at which common
grain crops can be raised in the British islands
is from 600 to 800 feet, but in some situations,
from particularly favorable circumstances, toll
cradle crops Of oats and barley may be pIodu-
ced at height OF nearly 900 feet, and even
higher. In proportion as the climate is i'm.
proved by shctcring plantations and drainage,
the height at which grain crops may be real
lied becomes the greater. In general it is
more appropriate to devote high grounds TO
sheep pasturage than TO tilage; and consid-
Grafton of this circumstance will guide the Sc
lection and rent of land.
In making choice of land for farming let it
be rule to prefer a gently sloping surface.
The labor Of working of land Of irregular sur
face, is very great; independent Of other disad-
vantages; and if taken, it should be at pro.
portionally low rental. If possible, select land
that lies with an easy slope to the south
though, if well sheltered, the inclination in
other directions is If little consequence. II
the land requires drainage, or be exposed TO
heavy rains, observe if there be sufficient incli-
nation to carry off the water. If there he no
lower point to which the water may be convc-
nienlly drawn, avoid the risk of taking the
1nfp in itc pbnr CTR
frequent source of trouble and loss. In case
Of dry, calcarcous soils and in moderately rainy
districts, the inclination Of the surface and
means OF drainage are immaterial. Land on
the banks Of running stream Is likely to be
more salubrious for crops than that which is
near sluggish brooks or dull sedgy lakes. From
dull, inert waters there arise, in certain condi-
tons of the atmosphere heavy, peruciQus va
por, which steal along the surface of the adia-
cent grounds and tend TO blight and otherwise
injure the crops. The waters, also, are fertile
hot bed of insects. Running waters purify the
air, and are of great advantage to cattle. See,
however, that the land is not liable to be flood
ed-in the spring, for contingency Of that ma
ture should cause elimination in value.
Considerations respecting climate, soil, ele-
vation. &c. are, however, Of subordinate con-
sequence in comparison with the very important
matter of distance from market and roads, A
carriage to market, particularly if the roads lie
indifferent, is one of the greatest draw backs
which the agricultuIist can possibly encounter
Where bad roads inteIpose, distance of few
miles is practically as bad as n distance of hnn-
drehs, or even thousands Of miles The means
Of procuring au abundance Of ialor, at lca-
sonabe rae, ALSO iorms an important matter Of
calculation for all persons before settling on
farm