The Agricultural Papers of George Washington 55 



be done, then plough No. 4? for the crop of sundries. But, 

 as it is of essential importance, that the oats and barley 

 should be sown early, and the working of the fields for In 

 dian corn not so much delayed as to endanger the prospect 

 for that crop, the ploughings of both No. 6 and No. 4* must 

 be delayed, at least till the oats and barley are in, if they 

 cannot be broken up in season for the above purposes. 

 The oats ought to be sown in February, next the post-and- 

 rail fence; and the barley as soon after as possible, on the 

 other side, adjoining the corn. With both, clover and tim 

 othy, in the proportions already mentioned, are to be sown. 



After the above work is accomplished, it will be time to 

 cross-plough and sow such parts of No. 4* as are intended 

 for carrots, and this is to be done in drills four feet asunder ; 

 and, if the ground is dry enough, in the month of March, 

 and for flax, which should be sown in April. 



By the time these are done, possibly before it, the fields 

 for corn will want listing. This corn, in the south part of 

 the field, next to the woods, may be planted at five feet each 

 way, with two stalks in a hill, and in the north part, next 

 to Colonel Mason s, at four feet each way, with one stalk in 

 a hill. The ploughings and harrowings necessary for which, 

 without going into detail with respect to the manner and 

 times, must be given when wanted. 



The sowing of buckwheat in April for manure seems to be 

 the next thing which calls for the ploughs ; because it ought 

 to be in the ground as soon as all danger of frost is over, 

 that it may be in the proper state (full bloom) for ploughing 

 in before harvest. 



After buckwheat, pease will come next, and the ground for 

 these, as for the tobacco, must be laid off in squares for 

 hilling, that they may, before they begin to run and spread, 

 be ploughed each way. They ought to be planted in May. 



