^3^ On Soils proper for Rearing Sheep, l^ot* 



▼eftigates every corner of the lands to which (lie has accefs, of- 

 ten at the hazard of her life. This inftindlive, nice, difcrimi- 

 nating power of the ewe, in feeking after fuch food as is beft 

 adapted to her prefent fituation, exhibits a ilriking proof of that 

 care and attention which is exercifed by Nature over all her 

 works. 



Refle6ling on the hardy nature of this plant, which is feldom 

 injured by winter froll, I am inclined to think it may be propa- 

 gated on land not previoufly prepared by tillage. On this point, 

 indeed, I fpeak not from c^xperience, but only hazard an opi- 

 nion. It certainly, however, merits a trial ; and, if found to 

 anfwer, would be a great acquifition to the Highland farmer; 

 as it is well known, that in high-lying grounds, expofed to the 

 north and eaft winds, the grafs is but thin and naughty, even 

 in fummer, and for the moft part unfit for pafture in winter; 

 whereas this fpecies of bent not only yields more food in fum- 

 mer than any kind of grafs that will grow in fuch fituations, but 

 is infinitely fuperior during the winter and fpring months. The 

 latter end of March or beginning of April may be confidered as 

 the moft proper fowing feafon, provided the weather is wet ; as 

 the feeds, being carried down by the rains to the roots of the' 

 fog or mofs, would thereby be fccured, in fome degree, from 

 the eiFe£ls of future drought, and might be expelled to vege- 

 tate in fafety. I will not pretend to put this plant in competi- 

 tion with the more fucculent and nutritive gralFes, which are 

 now generally cultivated on all flieep farms, where the foil and 

 climate allow ; yet its great utility as green food in the fpring 

 months, mlvzht perhaps warrant a partial propagation of it, even 

 in the moft favoured fituations. 



The next fpecies I ftiall take notice of is called ivoite bent. 

 Perhaps it has acquired this name from having always a white 

 and withered appearance at top, even when it is green, and 

 fpringing at bottom. The root, which is generally long, fends 

 out a vaft number of fmall ftalks, about a foot long, and not 

 much thicker than horfe hair. This kind of bent feems to 

 thrive beft on the foils already noticed, as moft adapted to the 

 produdtion of y?t?(j/-ZY;// ; but its value for pafturage is far infe- 

 rior to that of the laft mentioned plant. Indeed, it yields fo 

 little food, that ftieep feldom pafture upon it unlefs it hath been 

 recently burnt, or in time of fnow, or daring fpring, when the 

 want of a fufficiency of orher food compels them to feek dili- 

 f-f'.nly into its roots. 



The hft fpecies of bent is ufually called flying bent, from its 

 light, floating nature, and the consequent cafe with which it is 

 driven by the wind. It fprings in May, and is fit for paf- 



