x8o3» OhfernjationsonfroJledOatSj^^c, l^ 



ing two fets, if it be true that " each ])air might very well 

 ** work two yokings, the fame as horfes." As the adverfaries 

 of the ox-fyftem will undoubtebly fay, that the llatement pre- 

 fented corroborates what they have uniformly maintained, viz. 

 That oxen cannot be wrought fo irany hours in a day as hor- 

 fes, and that double numbers, at leaft, are necellary to carry- 

 on the like extent of farm-labour, I hope that Alfred will be 

 very particular in the anfwer to this query. 



Q^ 3. As a pair of horfes are capable of being wrought every 

 day the weather permits field-labour to be executed, and in the 

 corn-diftrids are adually employed from five to lix hours per daj', 

 for five months of the year, and from nine to ten hours per day, 

 during the remaining feven months, will Alfred be fo kind as to 

 fay whether oxen are capable of undergoing fo much fatigue ? or 

 rather, whether there is a fmgle farmer in the illand that ufes them 

 in that manner ? 



As Alfred profeffes his willingnefs to furnifh additional infor- 

 mation, I truft, that an anfwer, in courfe, to the above plain and 

 fimple aueflions, will not be wanting. I am. 



Yours, &c. 



Mago. 



TO THE CONDUCTOR OF THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



Ohfervations on frojled OatSy and a Remedy pointed out for render'^ 

 ing them Nutritious, 



Sir, 



As no fabje£l occupies the attention of the prefent age more 

 than that of agriculture, and none furely can be of greattr utility 

 to our prefent condition, I venture, through the channel of the Far- 

 mer's Magazine, an obfervation or two, which, I trull, will not 

 perhaps beany way inconiiftent with the defign of its publication. 

 I mean to Hate a few fa(3;s and circumftances, and leave it to others 

 more capable to found upon them fuch theory, or adopt fuch prac- 

 tice, as may feem deducible therefrom. 



The general idea amon. tlie farmers in the Lothians, and I may- 

 fay in every level country, is, that, in cafe of fuch frofts as oc- 

 curred during the lift harveft, all the oats in the high lands m^ll 

 be rendered ufelefs for lowing in the approaching fpring ; and the 

 higher the utULition, the worfe. This, in fa<3:, is a wrong idea ; 

 for it always happens, that though the corn in the valleys, in the 

 hilly countries, at a dillance from the fea, may fufter by thefe early 

 frolls, the cr^ps on the fummit, and, to a certain elevation, on the 

 fides of each hiil^ remain perfecfly fafe'j ar^d fo certain is the fa«51:, 



G a " that 



