1804. ^ofe by the Conduclor. 



^57 



otherwlfe fuch fupport would not have been bedowcd. On 

 thefe accounts, Ir always affords us much pleafure to be favoured 

 with communications from veterans in hufbancjry ; and we re- 

 turn our bell thanks to the gentleman wlio has fo dbli'nnoly 

 tranfmirted the foregoing practical remarks. 



If, under thefe circumftances, one or two obfervntions mlglit 

 be hazarded, we would lay, thnt it is phyfically impolTiblr to 

 clean land equally well when employed in the culture of po- 

 tatoes as when turnips are taken ; becaufe a greater fpace of 

 time can be devoted to the previous preparation, in the laft, than 

 in the firft cafe. That the profit arifing from potatoes, and the 

 produce of wheat in the fucceeding year, may both be greater 

 than where turnips are cultivated, we do not feel difpofed to 

 deny ; but that numerous obltacles ftand in the road of exten- 

 five potato hufbandry, a few favoured fituations excepted, we 

 think to be incontrovertible. Thefe may be lefTened, but, ge- 

 nerally fpeaking, they never can be altogether overcome. 



With regard to beans as a cleaning crop, we prefume that 

 few practical agriculturifls view them as equal even to potatoes, 

 far lefs as meriting to be ranked with turnips. In faft, when 

 beans are drilled, it is only intended to keep the land clean, not 

 to make it fo. We can fafely fay, that our befl: crops of wheat, 

 both in refpeft of quantity and quality, are generally after beans 

 drilled and horfe-hoed. The beft bean land, however, is not 

 the befl: potato land ; therefore, wliat is here faid does not in 

 the leaft impugn the accuracy of our correfpondent's remark. 



As to raifing winter tares and rye as articles of fpring food, 

 we cordially agree with our judicious correfpondent, that, in 

 this country (Scotland), fuch cannot be attempted with the 

 fmallefl profpe^l of advantage. We have feen both tried, but 

 the refult was unfavourable. Our harvefls are too late, our 

 winters too fevere, our fprings too cold and backward, for net- 

 ting benefit from articles that certainly prove beneficial refources 

 to the farmers of our fifler kingdom. N. 



TO THE CONDUCTOR OF THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



On the Mode ufed m EnJI-Lothian for Strihing the 

 Annual Fiars of Grain. 

 Sir, 



It is unneceffiiry to inquire concerning the origin of what is 

 CTiWeA Jlriking the fiars of grain ; but it may be ufeful to invefti- 

 ^ate the rules eflabliflied in different counties for carrying this 



•N 3 ancient 



