S0 ; 2 Cultivation of Arable Land. Preferring of Grain Management in. 



opinion, that have fo long prevailed in refpect to the uff of air in the prefervation 

 of corn in granaries; as they fufficiently fhew that when admitted in its perfectly 

 dry and elaftic Mate, it mi:ft -be particularly ufeful in carrying off any moifture or 

 difagreeable fmell that the grain may have contracted by remaining clcfely heaped 

 together for fome length of time ; as by the (Hiring which moftly accompanies the 

 ventilation it muft operate in a very extenfive manner ; but that when applied in 

 its moift heavy ftate, it muft be detrimental in an equal proportion, by imparting 

 its humidity to the corn, and by that means caufing it to become mufty. 



The ventilation of grain fhould confcquently be performed when the weather is 

 fine, but never when the air is in a damp condition, or in the time of fro ft. This is 

 the moft completely effected by ftirring the corn by proper flides or other contri 

 vances in the floors, windows, and other openings in the granaries or corn-rooms ;* 

 but it may be accornplifhed in a more flow and of courfe in a more uneconomical 

 manner, by fhovels, rakes, or other fimilar tools. But in order that this operation 

 maybe more readily as well as more perfectly executed, the grain mould never 

 be fpread too thickly over the floors of fuch granaries or ftore rooms. From one 

 to two feet or two feet and a half in depth, in proportion as it gets more dry and 

 free from moiflure, is fully fufficient for the purpofe ; as from the natural moifture of 

 the corn when heaped together to too great a thicknefs at firft, it is fometimes apt 

 to take on too much heat, by which the quality or fample is greatly injured. Soon 

 after its being depofited, frequent fcreening fhould alfo be practifed, and after 

 wards occafionally according to circumftances. There are likewife other circum- 

 Hances to be attended to, by which the due ventilation and prefervation of the 

 corn is much influenced, fuch as thofe of having the doors, windows and other 

 principal apertures of the buildings placed towards the fouth, and as clofe to the 

 ceiling as may be, fo that the rays of the fun may enter as freely as poflible. Be- 

 iides, the linings of fuch corn- rooms (hould always confift of materials that have 

 not a tendency from their coldnefs to precipitate the moifture from the atmof- 

 phere, which is often the cafe when warm damp fouth-weft winds take place after 

 cold north-caft ones, and in that way impart it to the corn that comes in contact 

 with them.f In every cafe the prevention of the entrance of wet or moifture 

 fhould be effected by flickering boards, flides, or other fimilar contrivances. 



Some management in the turning or ftirring of the grain is alfo requifite. in 

 order that ventilation may take place in the fulleft and moft complete manner. 

 When the grain is firft depofited and poffefTes much natural moifture, it fhould 



* Seftion oji Implements. + Phytologia, 



