54 Agriculture of Shropshire. 



earlier, by having the seed damped with water and dried by sift- 

 ing some guano over it. It is no doubt a good plan, for it certainly 

 has a beneficial influence on the early maturity of the crop. In 

 the south-west part of the district, and towards the Welsh borders, 

 the barley, although of good quality, does not average above 

 30 bushels per acre, whilst in the remainder it may be taken as 

 varying from 35 to 45 bushels, according to the season. There 

 is not sufficient attention given here to a change of seed. The 

 seed-barley is sown over and over again without this necessary 

 change. Some barley which had been procured from the Lothians 

 was recently tried, but it did not succeed better than the local 

 seed. My own experience is decidedly in favour of going to a 

 more favourable climate for barley, and the chalk and limestone 

 districts to the south will be found the most advantageous seed 

 markets. I have known 50 bushels of barley grown to the acre, 

 when the increased produce could only be referred to a change 

 of seed. The greater part of the barley grown finds a good 

 demand amongst the maltsters around, and is considered to make 

 malt of excellent quality. A small proportion only is consumed 

 on the farms in fattening stock ; it would, however, be better if 

 more were used in this manner, or if when sold a substitute were 

 regularly purchased. 



Oats are not as extensively grown as barley, but where the 

 land becomes heavier and more tenacious the oat is more suitable 

 and again takes the lead. Here, also, early sowing is in favour 

 and certainly answers best. The black Tartary oat is grown 

 upon the poorest land, but the potato oat is most general on the 

 best land. 



Sprivfj-Wlieat. — The impression is becoming more general 

 amongst farmers whose land is in good order, that wheat may be 

 taken twice in the course, with as little injury to the land as if 

 one crop of oats and one of wheat had been taken in the usual 

 manner. It is objected to by some landlords ; but I am disposed 

 to think that, so far as the landlords' interest is concerned, there 

 need be no fear of any injurious results. 



Clover or Seeds. — The seeds sown under spring-wheat grow 

 better than under any other spring-corn, and, consequently, this 

 favours the growth of this crop. The successful growth of seeds 

 is especially valuable on farms in this district, where the grass- 

 land is scarce. Sheep-breeders are fully aware of this, and hence 

 they persevere whilst there is any hope. 



Wheat usually follows the breaking up of clover-leys. We 

 prefer sowing the wheat upon a stale furrow, although a few think 

 otherwise. The land is ploughed about 4 or 5 inches deep, and 

 then allowed to lie for some time (two, three, or even four 



