Ch. XI.l ON RYE. 169 



that which had been covered with shale was so uncommonly luxuriant as 

 to raise the curiosity of passengers. It had tillered so abundantly that 

 28 perfect stems were numbered on one root. The shaled part had the 

 disadvantage of the other, in being exposed to a higher climate, and in a 

 full northern aspect*." This — as many extensive hills in some parts of 

 AVales consist entirely of friable shale — might prove a valuable hint to the 

 farmers situated in those districts. 



No accurate comparisons have been made to ascertain in what degree 

 wheat, when sown on light soils, is rendered more productive in quantity 

 and superior in quality, by the addition of a small quantity of rve being 

 sown with it; but, that such is the fact is fully proved by the continual 

 occurrence of parts of fields being sown with a little rye, and other parts 

 with wheat alone, where the land is of the same description. On these 

 light soils it is evident that the shade and shelter afforded by adding about 

 one-thirtieth part of rye to a given quantity of wheat, frequently protects the 

 latter from the mildew, and renders the sample much finer. If to twenty- 

 nine parts of a bushel of wheat one-thirtieth part of rye was added, it might 

 probably lessen its value about one-fifteenth part — say sixpence per 

 bushel; but a sample of corn of this description, if fine in quality of 

 grain, would be worth as much money as a sample of inferior wheat ; 

 besides which, upon light soils, that are not properly adapted for wheat, 

 the protection given by its taller growth not unfrequently increases its pro- 

 duce by two bushels per acre. 



In most other respects the cultivation of rye nearly resembles that of 

 wheat; the chief difference being, that it requires less tillage — three 

 ploughings being considered sufficient for a fallow. It, however, profits 

 equally by careful hoeing, as well as by harrowing in the spring ; pro- 

 vided that, in the latter case, the roots be found to have taken strong- 

 hold of the ground, and that the operation be performed with light wooden 

 harrows : the land should also be afterwards rolled. It is largely grown 

 throughout the whole of the North of Europe, and in the sandy soils of 

 Flanders. The mode is there, to commence by one good ploughing and 

 harrowing; then to spread a coat of farm-yard manure upon the surface 

 of the land and plough in the dung ; the seed is harrowed in at the rate of 

 a bushel and a quarter, or in some places not more than a bushel per 

 acre ; yet the average produce is there rated at four quarters and two 

 bushels f . 



THE SEED 



Is generally put into the ground a full month earlier than wheat. It may 

 indeed be sown with advantage in the latter end of July :|: ; but the usual 

 time of sowing is some time in August, and seldom later than the 

 beginning of September ; as the crop suffers materially in produce by late 

 sowing, and the quantity of seed must be increased. Two bushels are 

 found enough in the first instance ; 2^ being requisite in the latter, or 

 near 3, if the period be longer deferred. The seed must also be more 

 lightly covered than that of wheat ; for, if it be deeply put into the ground, 

 and the land be at all tenacious, it may be prevented from germinating : it 

 should, therefore, never be ploughed under. 



It does not require so much care as that of wheat ; nor is it cus- 

 tomary to steep it. The precaution, however, can do no harm, for it is not 



* Rep. of South Wales, vol. ii. p. 115 ; of North Wales, p. 193. 



f Radcliff's Rep. of Agric. of E. and W. Flanders, p. 66. 



X It has been sown in Bedfordshire bo early as the 20th of Julj^, and fed in autumn 

 with sheep and cows ; and is said to have produced remarkably good butter. Bedford. 

 Rep., p. 387. 



