1613.] Agriculture in Berwickshire. 185 



weeds have vegetated, but not attained such growth as to impo- 

 verish the soil. Then the whole is well harrowed, and the 

 couch-grass again gathered. 



The fourth and fifth ploughings are given after such intervals 

 as may give time for the remaining weeds to show themselves. 

 The harrow again succeeds each ploughing ; and the couch- 

 grass, if any remain, is gathered. But if this part of the work 

 has been properly attended to, after the second and third 

 ploughing, few weeds, except annuals, will now remain. More 

 than five ploughings are frequently given if the soil has not 

 been already sufficiently cleaned and pulverized. 



It is to be observed, that when the field is very full of large 

 clods, it may be necessary to employ the roller, as clods are 

 often full of weeds. The manure intended for the field, whether 

 lime, or compost, or muck, is put on always at least before the 

 last ploughing; but sometimes the muck is put on before the 

 last two ploughings. We have said nothing of the particular 

 species of ploughing given each time, whether it is gathering, or 

 cleaving, or crossing, because the practice is not uniform ; but 

 we may add, that it is customary to plough across the ridges in 

 at least two of the ploughings. 



After fallowing in this manner, the wheat is sown. If the 

 season be favourable, that is, not too wet, and the soil very fine, 

 it is thought best to drill the wheat. This is either done with a 

 drill machine, or drill furrows are made with the common 

 plough deprived of its coulter. The wheat is then sown broad- 

 cast: it falls chiefly into the drill furrows, and after being har- 

 rowed, comes up in regular drills. 



Time of sowing. — Winter wheat is sown from the begin- 

 ning or middle of September even as late as Martinmas, ac- 

 cording to the season, and the convenience of the farmer. After 

 fallowing, from the middle to the end of September is consi- 

 dered as the properest time, when the season is favourable, and 

 I lie work can be overtaken ; after potatoes, as soon as the crop 

 is taken up ; after Swedish turnip, about Martinmas. This 

 season (18 11') a good deal of wheat was sown in December. 

 After common turnips, as the ground is gradually cleared, it is 

 M<wn in January, February, and March, when the weather is 

 favourable. It is then puled spring wheat: and it has been 

 found, by the experience of several judicious farmers, that 

 though the spring wheat be the same as the winter wheat, being 

 the triticum hybernum, yet the produce of what has been sown 

 in spring will, when used as seed, ripen a fortnight earlier than 

 the produce of wheat sown in autumn, or before winter. 



Skel< h of the Turnip Husbandry <>f Brrwickshire. 

 The introduction of turnips is one of the most important 



