2 1 2 Cultivation of Arable Land. Lettuces Time and Method of Sowing. 



much greedincfs by cows, calves, and hogs, when cut green, during the latter 

 part of the fummer and in autumn; but the roots were almoft wholly rejected at 

 thefe periods, though in winter, after they had been taken up, they were eaten very 

 well.* 



The roots frequently rife to the weight of from five to eight or ten pounds, 

 according to the goodnefs of the land, and may be preferved in the winter 

 by being taken up and packed in the manner that has been recommended for car 

 rots. 



The chief objections to this vegetable as a field plant are, the great expence of 

 its culture, its being liable to degenerate, and the fibrous nature of the roots render 

 ing their preparation as cattle food troublefome. 



Lettuces. This fort of plants has been lately advifed for being cultivated as a 

 good fummer food for pig flock, efpecially fows. There are many different 

 foits of thefe plants, but that which is mod fuitable for this culture is probably 

 the -white cofs, as growing freely and to a large fize, and being extremely fweet 

 and nutritious. But many of the other forts may be grown. 



In the preparation of the land for this crop, Mr. Young advifes that the land 

 fhould be ploughed before the frofts in winter, turning in about twenty loads of 

 rich well-rotted dung per acre, forming the lands of the right breadths to fuit the 

 drill machine and horfe hoes. In February and at the period of fowing, the land 

 fhould have good fcarifyings given it, being well harrowed afterwards. 



Seed, and time of fowing. The feed (hould be fuch as has been provided frefh 

 from the laft plants of the fort that may be made ufe of. The quantity of feed 

 is moftly about three or four pounds to the acre. The f nvings may be performed 

 at different times from the beginning of March to the latter end of April or later, 

 in order to have a proper fucceflion of crops. 



Method of fowing. The feed is put in by means of the drill, in equidiftant 

 rows at one foot apart, being covered in by means of a light bum or grafs har 

 row. 



After- Culture. The plants mould be afterwards thinned out when they have 

 attained a little growth to the diftance of about ten inches in the rows, by means 

 of hand-hoeing, as where this is neglected they are apt to be drawn up weak, and 

 never become good plants. This work may be well done by women. After 

 they are about fix inches in height, they may be horfe-hoed by means of a fcari- 

 fter or fcuffler, with the hoe four or five inches in breadth. They fhould 



* Wimpey, in Bath Paper*. 



