54 Cultivation of Arable Land. -Bar ley .-Methods of /owing* 



care fhould be taken that the feed be well harrowed into the foil, and fo cover 

 ed, as that the grain may vegetate, and grow up in as equal and regular a manner 

 as poflible. 



It is the practice of many diftricts to fow clover, and other grafs feeds, with 

 this crop ; but where the foils are very rich, and of a good quality, this method 

 of hufbandry is improper, as much inconvenience and injury may de bone to the 

 grain by the rapid and over-luxuriant growth of fuch crops, rendering the plants 

 weak and imperfectly fed. On the thinner and lefs fertile foils where the growth 

 of fuch graiTes is lefs vigorous, it may however be adopted with advantage in many 

 cafes, as little injury will be done to the grain, while the draw may be confidera- 

 bly improved in the way of fodder. 



Where this mode of management is had recourfe to, the fowing of the grafs 

 feeds may be deferred for fome time after the grain has been fown ; and when 

 they are put in, a light harrow may be pafled over them, and the land be after- 

 ter wards well rolled. 



Thefuccefs that has attended the ufe of the drill and the fetting of grain in 

 particular cafes, fuggefb the propriety of attempting limilar practices in the cul 

 tivation of this fort of crop, efpecially on the richer defcriptions of barley foils, as 

 by fuch methods it feems probable that the quality as well as this produce may be 

 greatly improved. It is fuppofed by fome able cultivators that the method be 

 comes more important as the feafon advances, on account of the greater danger of 

 veeds ; as it is much eafier to clean drilled grain from them than to weed fuch as 

 have been fown in the broadcaft method. Where this fyilem is purfued themoft 

 proper diftanceis probably nine inches. 



Though the practice of keeping this kind of grain before it is put into the 

 ground is not in general ufe with farmers, it is probable, as has beenjuft obferved, 

 that much advantage might be derived from it, efpecially as the feafon is common 

 ly hot and dry when it is performed, from the more quick and uniform vegetation 

 of the crop. It is likewife fuppofed by fome agricultors, that by mixing foot with 

 fuch fteeps the danger from infects may be diminished. 



In the choice of feed, attention mould conftantly be paid to the colour and the 

 ftate of the (kin or rind of the grain ; as that is efteemed the beft which has a pale 

 lively bright appearance, without having the tails of the corn flamed in any way, 

 and which is full and plump, or what is often termed well-bodied. It is common 

 with practical farmers to change the feed of barley every year or two, from the 

 iuppofitiqo that the grain becomes coarfer by the repeated fowing of the fame kind 



