CU Cultivation of Arable Land. Weld Produce (J Crops of. 



fuls, and which arc of the weight of fifty-fix pounds each : fixty of thcfe bundles 

 conllituting a load.* Thefe lad are tied up by a firing made for the purpofc, 

 and fold under the title ofwoold c-ord. 



As the weld plant is extremely uncertain in its growth, and the whole crop feldom 

 becomes in a (rate to be pulled at the fame lime, it is neceffary to have an ex 

 perienced labourer to direct the bufinefs of pulling, in order that the pullers may 

 not proceed at random, but take the different parts as the plants become ready, 

 or in danger from the blight. In this laft cafe ths greateft poffible difpatch fhould 

 always be made, as the lofs of weight in the produce will daily increafe, and the 

 grower be of courfe greatly injured. 



When the weld is fufficiently dried, which may be known by the crifpnefs of the 

 leaves, and the Hems turning of a light colour, a f id when the plants are ripe, the 

 feeds (helling out ; according to fome, it fhould be Hacked up lightly in the barn in 

 order to prevent its taking on too much heat \-\ while others advife, that it fhould 

 be Hacked up clofely in the manner of wheat, being left to fweat in the fame way 

 as hay, as the more this takes place the better ; the quality of the weld being there 

 by increafed, if there be no mouldinefs. J 



If the crop has flood till it is perfectly ripe, the feed may be taken before it is 

 put into the barn, which may be eafily procured by rubbing, or flightly beating 

 each of the little handfuls againfl each other over a cloth, tub, or any other con 

 venient receptacle, as, by thrcfhing, the quantity of the weld would be much re 

 duced in weight. The price of this fort of feed is moflly about ten or twelve fhil- 

 Jings the bufhel, which may be fold to the feedfmen. 



The produce of crops of this kind is in fome degree uncertain, much depending 

 upon the nature of the feafon ; but from half a load to a load and a half is the 

 quantity mofl generally afforded, which is commonly fold to the dyers at from 

 five or fix to ten or twelve pounds the load, and fometimes confiderably more. It 

 is moflly bought by perfons who afterwards difpofe of it to the dyers occasionally 

 as they find it convenient. The demand for it is fometimes very little, while at 

 others it is fo great as to raife the pi ice to a high degree. The expence of cul 

 tivating this fort of crop has often been eflimated below one pound the acre ; but 

 that is much too low where proper attention is beflowed in preparing the land, 

 and in the hoeing and other management of the crop afterwards. Without taking 

 in the value x&amp;gt;f the land, tythes, or other charges, it muft conftantly fland much 

 higher.[| 



* Synopfis of Husbandry, t Ibid. \ Carter in Annals of Agriculture, vol. I. 



Jl Without any regard to the preparation of tlie land or the crop, with which it is blended, where 

 that mode of culture is adopted, it may ftand thus per acre : 



