116 NOTES ON FIELDS AND CATTLE. 



consequence his horse-power. He was wont to hoe 

 in wheat-seed at the second hoeing of his turnips on 

 sandy soils, taking care to feed them off early in dry 

 weather. 



There are those who like a shower or two upon 

 their oats in the swathe, as they consider it improves 

 the weight and size of the grain, while the straw is 

 thereby induced more easily to part with the corn. 

 The same, but in a considerably lower degree, may 

 be said with regard to barley. Beware, however, of 

 carting home either in damp weather, for the mow 

 will heat, the grain will be discoloured, the straw 

 musty, and spoilt. Barley catching too protracted 

 rain is apt to sprout ; so that upon the whole, 

 although maltsters esteem it their gain if the crop 

 escape a shower, fair weather throughout the harvest 

 is to be devoutly hoped for. 



