Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/302

272] , they should be gently harrowed, and smoothened over with a wooden roller. When the grass comes up, all the vacant spots are to be provided widi fresh seed; which, if it be properly rolled in, will in a short time attain the height of that first sown.

Few circumstances are of greater importance in rural economy, especially to graziers, than to ascertain the most valuable field for pasture. For this purpose, Mr. ("Agriculture the primary Interest of Britain," 8vo. 1788, 6s.) proposes to weigh all cattle previously to their going into each field, and to allow them neither food nor water, for 12 hours before. After the whole pasture is consumed, they should stand for a similar length of time, without food and drink; and then again be weighed. Thus, the increase of weight in each animal, may be easily determined.

Fields ought not to be kept too long in pasture. When land is first laid down, with a view to ameliorate the soil, the common practice is to leave it in that state for many years: for it is the general opinion, that the longer it is thus suffered to lie, the richer it will become for bearing corn. But, though the truth of this position be evident, the most important object of inquiry is, to ascertain the most beneficial rotation of crops. (See .)—The best criterion, perhaps, is to take up pasture for corn, as soon as the grass begins to be deficient both in quantity and quality; and, after a few crops, to lay it down again with grass-seeds: by this method the land may he kept in good heart, and considerable expence saved, while in the end, the soil will produce larger crops, and consequently afford greater profit.  FIG-TREE, or Ficus, L. a genus of plants, comprising forty-three species, of which one only is cultivated in this country, namely, the carica, or common fig-tree. It is propagated either by suckers arising from the roots; by layers; or by cuttings. The first are to be taken off as low down as possible; all ragged and superfluous parts being removed, and the tops left entire, especially if intended for standards. These are to be planted in nursery-rows, two or three inches apart; or, they may be set in the spot where they are intended to remain. They are then suffered to branch out and form a head, care being taken that the branches never be shortened: for, as the figs are always produced on the upper part of the young shoots, if these be cut off, no fruit can be expected.

The best season for raising fig-trees by layers, is in autumn; the young pliable lower shoots are first to be selected from the moist fruitful branches, which are to be laid in the usual way; the body of the layers being covered with soil to the depth of three or four inches, and the top kept as upright and entire as possible. In the succeeding autumn, they will be fit to be separated from the parent-stock, when they may be planted either in the nursery, or in the place of their ultimate destination.

The time for propagating by cuttings, is either in autumn, or at any time during the month of March. The shoots to be selected for this purpose, ought to be those of the preceding summer; short, and strong; from 12 to 15 inches in length; and to have at least an inch