Cultivation of Arable Land. Weld Difcafcs of. Blight. 265 



Crops of this kind are particularly liable to be injured by the bligbt, which is 

 probably the reafon that has induced cultivators to raife them with thofe of other 

 forts, efpecially thofe of the grafs kind, as by that means, where the weld does not 

 fucceed, a portion of fheep-feed may be afforded for winter and fpring ufe. 



The blight frequently comes on fo fuddenly, that crops which appear healthy 

 and in a vigorous ftate of growth during the winter and fpring, promifing a large 

 produce, are about the month of May attacked fo as to be nearly deftroyed. It is 

 known by the plants, efpecially about the lower parts of the ftems, turning of a 

 yellowifh or pale reddifti colour, while the upper parts remain green and fcem 

 healthy. When it appears early in the month of May there is always danger of 

 the crop being deftroyed ; but when it comes on at a later period, or where the 

 plants from other caufes, as the drynefs of the feafon, begin to change colour in the 

 fhanks, the only chance is that of having them pulled as expeditioufly as pof- 

 fible. 



Although the practice offowing weld with other crops has been common, it 

 would feemmore proper to cultivate it alone ; as in that way it muft be much in 

 jured and reftricted in its growth, from the great clofenefs and fhade produced by 

 the plants that furround it. The only objection to the cultivating of it alone is, 

 as has been juft feen, in the danger of the crop being deftroyed by the blight, in 

 which cafe the farmer will have nothing left to repay him for his expencc and 

 trouble ; whereas, when grown with other crops, they may in fuch cafes in fome 

 meafure defray them.* 



It is ufual with the cultivators of weld when it is grown with other crops, ef 

 pecially thofe of the grafs kind, to feed them down, in the winter and fpring, with 

 fheep or other forts of live ftock, under the notion that they will not touch the 

 weld plants : but this, is not the fact, as they are found to feed upon them, and 



Expcnces, . $. d. 



Seed, . &c. - 013 



Sowing - o 3 



Two hoeings - - - - - 7 G 



Pulling the crop and tying it in handfuls - - -080 



Binding into bundles - * o 1 6 



Woold cord - 1 O ! 



Curling, and ftacking - - 3 -o 



i 2 o 



* Synopfis of Hufbandry. ., 



VOL. II.. M m 



