Wheat requires more previous labour and care as to soil than any other crop.

Labour and preparation cost money, and he was determined not to spend a shilling more than he was absolutely compelled.

He contrived to escape the sowing, of wheat altogether on some part of the farm, leaving it out of the rotation.

That was a direct infringement of the letter of the agreement; but who was to prove that he had evaded it?
The steward could not recollect the crops on several hundred acres; the neighbouring tenants, of course, knew very well; but although Smith had become unpopular, they were not going to tell tales of him.

He sold everything he dared off the farm, and many things that he did not dare.