Husbandry anatomized, or, An enquiry into the present manner of teiling and manuring the ground in Scotland for most part and several rules and measures laid down for the better improvement thereof, in so much that one third part more increase may be had, and yet more than a third part of the expence of the present way of labouring thereof saved / by Ja. Donaldson.

CHAP. I. Of the Earth's Constitution in general.

ANd first, I say, notwithstanding that Proverb is of verity, There is never a Tale without a Reason. That is, there is no Effect, but from some certain Cause; yet, 'tis as true there may be many things really true in Ef∣fect,

that we do not well know from what Cause: And seing I am neither Philosopher nor Alchymist, I hope the moderat Reader will not altoge∣ther disprove or misregard my pro∣positions, where the matter of fact is evident, altho I cannot give a Philo∣sophical definition of the Cause; Ne∣vertheless, that I may not desire the Reader to credit my bare Assertion without any ground, I shall in some measure endeavour (according to my weak capacity) to give him satisfacti∣on in this point.

And first, I say, it cannot be deny∣ed but some places of the Earth are Moist and Cold, and other places Hot and dry. The cause of which differences some aleadge to be by the influence of the Planets and other Coelestial Bodys; (by which also they make all Minerals to be En∣gendered). I shall not say but there maybe much truth in this, for in these

Climates lying nearest the Equinocti∣al, geting a larger share of the Sun's heat, are generally more fertile (pro∣viding it be not scorching) than other places more remote, as I shall afterward show.

Neither shall I altogether deny but other Planets may also have some in∣fluence; Notwithstanding of all which I cannot be perswaded through influ∣ence of the Planets, there can be with in the bounds of a mile of ground (or perhaps less) one field hot and sandy. Another cold clay ground. A third Marish and Boggie. A fourth dry Heath ground, A fifth a tollerable mixture of all these, &c. Now seing these differences cannot be from the forementioned Cause, it must be from its primitive Constitution, or I shall not dive any farther into it.

To enquire any more after the Cause of this, is like a person coming

where there is a house on fire, and in stead of endeavouring to quench the Flame, calleth out, How did the Fire break out? How was the House kend∣led? The thing required in this case (seing the Effect is unqustionable) is rather to remove the Maladie, than enquire any farther after the Cause.

I shall therefore proceed to lay down several Rules, whereby to bring each of these different kinds of Ground to such a temperature, as it may be in a condition to nourish, any Plant or Seed therein sowen or planted; which is done by removing the superfluity of that quality that prevaileth, and strengthening of that which is weak. For as in humane bodys▪ there are a Composition of the four Elements, and through the superfluity, or de∣ficiency of any one or more of them, Diseases are contracted and foment∣ed, so in the Earth there is the like

Composition of qualities, and so far as heat, Moister, cold or dryness, ex∣ceedeth the bounds of a moderat temperatur, so far is she Diseased and rendred unfruitful.

I know some assert the Salt or hot quality that is in the Earth, is the only cause of growth of Vigitables; And consequently, barreness to be on∣ly for want of this quality: I confess where this quality is wanting alto∣gether, Barrenness cannot but ensue: And also; that this quality is that which is most frequently deficient in our cold Climate. And moreover thô it be strengthned or assisted yet by teiling and Manuring of the Earth its extracted forth into the sub∣stance of grain, and other vigitables, and so needeth frequently to be re∣newed. Notwithstanding of all which with submission to men of greater Judgement, I am of opinion there may be abundance of this Hot or

Salt quality where there is as much barrenness, as any where else.

But that I may confirm this asserti∣on, I say, I have seen a field fatned sufficiently with Dung, yet by rea∣son of great drowght, it has yielded small increase, yea, scarce one third of what it has done at other times: The cause surely was not for want of this Hot or Salt Quality, but al∣lanerly for want of Moister. Again, I have seen a field that wanted not ••∣nough of this Hot quality, & by ex∣cessive Rains (after it has been tiled and sown with Good Grain) has produc∣ed little else but weeds, and Thristles, for that season, also I have seen strong Clay ground, where the clods remain∣ed firm and unbroken did not produce so much by far, for that Season, as at other times, when by reason of the Frost in the Winter, the clods have easily Mouldred to pieces, Notwith∣standing it was otherwayes, in

no better Condition, which makes me believe the want of Air, (tho there be a moderat temperature of the other qualities) hinders the growth of Vigitables, for tho it want not Air in the stalk, which is above ground, yet in this confirmed Earth, the Air cannot have free access to th•• Root. Another thing which confirms me in this opinion, is, where Trees grow closs, or near the Bottom of hedges, little or nothing doth grow. Morover, I have seen in the Bottom of a dung hill (Plewed and sown) tho round about the borders thereof the corn has been extraordiner strong and good, yet where most of the strength of dung did remain, little or nothing did grow, which says the ex∣cesse of this hot quality, (tho there be a moderat temperature of all the rest) doth hinder fruitfulness.

I observed formerly that within the bounds of a mile of ground in

some places, there may be seen fields in equal circumstances, as to the manner of Situation, and yet differing in other circumstances very much, for which I can understand no cause save the primative constitution, but for Valys being generally more fer∣tile then hills, I humbly conceive one or all of these reasons may be given; First, The internal heat of the earth, warming the Air next unto it, and in respect the hills are farder extended from the center than the Valys, and b••ing so much higher, where the Air is more pure and less warmed by this internal heat, they are so much cold∣er, and consequently more unfruit∣full. Or secondly, If it be said it is not the internal heat of the Earth that warmeth the Air, but rather the reflex heat of the Sun Beams, it is the same thing upon the Matter, for whither the heat be from the Earth it self, or the Sun's heat re••••yling,

still, the Valys have the advantage of the Mountains, in respect the Air that is lowest receiveth the greatest share thereof. 3. So much as the hills are higher than the Valys, they ly the more open to the Air, which has a quicker motion, the higher it is, and Air moved is much colder than when it is not moved, whither it be in that it is warmed by things nixt to it when it standeth still; and when it is moved, fresh Air still ap∣proaching, which has not been warm∣ed, be the cause why the one is warmer then the other, I shall not determin. But the matter of Fact is beyond con∣traversy, that the Air moved is much colder than when it is not moved, and Valys being much sheltered from the violence of Storms are keep'd so much the warmer, and consequently are the more Fertile.

Moreover hills being steep the Rain runneth presently off so soon as

it falleth, and doth not only carry that salt or hot Quality that is in it self away; But if the Ground be not well Soarded, carryeth part of the Earth also away with it self. And on the contra••e, Valys lying near level, Rain cannot run suddenly off, but getting time to soak or sink in the Ground, the salt Quality remaineth still, whereby the Earth is much In∣riched.

By the above mentioned Observa∣tions, you may see it is Heat princi∣pally that makes the Valys more fer∣tile than the Hills: It follows, ••hat if other Ground can be warmed to the like degree, it may thereby be made as fertile. I shall therefore in the following Chapters, give some Directions, how this may be perform∣ed, which may be done two wayes: First, By assisting the Internal H••at; Next, By restraining the External Cold, of each in their places.