3^)4 Letter concerning the Managenitnt Ocl. 



other parts of the field ; and this I mention as a proof that 

 there is no danger, upon a dry foil, in fowing oats much ear-f 

 lier than is generally pracliied. 



Tlic cold barren Spring gave the whole fo unfavourable an 

 appearance, that, by the middle of June, it fcarcely covered 

 the clod, and I dcfpaired of ever reapmg a crop ; but, during 

 the month of July, which was the only favourable weather 

 we experienced in 1 799, the vegetation was fo rapid, and the 

 whole becairre fo luxuriant, that I laid my account with at 

 lead fix or eight bolls per acre. But when the rains in Au- 

 guft fct in, the whole field ftill continued to vegetate, and be- 

 came fo flrong in the ftraw, that the greater part of the crop 

 lodged, without coming to maturity. As the weather conti- 

 iiutd very unfavourable, I delayed cutting it till the middle of 

 October •, by which time, it was fo much edge-grown, or full 

 of after-fnoots, that it muft foon have rotted on the ground ; 

 and I then determined to cut it, without any regard to the 

 weather. 



Such part of it as could be cul dry, was (looked in the or- 

 dinary manner j but tlie grcateft part of it was gated or Jet up 

 infifiglejfjeaves, a method v.'hich I take for granted is known 

 to every farmer. 



It continued a long time upon the ground, in hopes of more 

 favourable weather, and people were conflantly employed in 

 fetting up the flooks or gates as they were blown down ; but 

 from the dews or hoar-froft during the long nights, and the 

 little inlluence of the fun during the day, 1 found it was not 

 getting any drier, and refolved to have it off the ground at 

 any rate. Such part of the crop as had been in {looks, was 

 put into fraall llacks, with chimneys for a draught of air in 

 the middle of them. The gates that were tolerably dry, were 

 bound into fheaves, and Hacked in the fame manner ; part 

 of them were alfo bound, and built in rive ricks, or fmall 

 flacks, about four feet diameter, and feven or eight feet higli, 

 -■v'xth. a fingle fiieaf, with the head downwards, fpread over 

 the top of it. Such of the gates'as were in the wettefl (late, 

 were put up in tiic fame manner, .without being bound intcv 

 fheaves ; and the whole remained in this (late till thraflied 

 out during the Winter. 



"Vyhen the crop came to be taken in, I found, that what 

 }\ad been put in (lacks, either from Itooks or gates, was very 

 much heated, and part of it rotten upon the weft fide, which 

 had been leaft expofed to the wind, although foijie of the 

 fucks had been once or twice caft. The rive rick?, built bi 



the 



