78 ESSAYS AND OBSERVATIONS 



to doubt of the fad, till it be afcertained 

 by regular experiments. With refpecl 

 to winter-crops, the probability lies the 

 other way. When feed is laid deep, fup- 

 pofing always that it is not buried, it has 

 a warm bed, and is the better protected 



from froft. This ought to contribute to 

 an early harveft as well as to a plentiful 

 one. Another confideration concurs: 

 Wheat is a tall crop, and is apt to wind- 

 wave where the roots are not laid deep in 

 the ground ; and this muft retard its growth. 

 Barley, I acknowledge, is the better for 

 being laid near the furface, where dews 

 and the heat of the air may eafily pene- 

 trate. Its growth is alfo at that feafon of 

 the year which is the leaft infefled with 

 winds. 



Upon the whole, tho' I lean to deep 

 ploughing, I am far from being rivetted 

 in my opinion. We can trult little to 

 experience, and the foregoing reafonings 

 are too flight to afford folid convidlion. 

 Here then is a fair field opened for ra- 

 tional experiments; to promote which, 

 the Society will efleem it their grearefl 



honour. 



