Ch. XIII.] , ON OATS. 179 



the only kind sown on many of the best farms. It seems to be nearly 

 allied to the Dutch oat; but the grain is plumper, better formed, and thinner 

 skinned ; the number of bushels per acre greater, and more productive in 

 meal ; it also ripens early. It is said to have lately rather degenerated ; but 

 its superiority has been confirmed by a recent trial made between it and a 

 celebrated new species, known as the '* Georgian Oat," which has been 

 reported to the Highland Society as follows : — 



The experiment was made at Preston, upon two English acres of 

 equal land: the quantity sown of potato oats being four bushels, and 

 of the Georgian six bushels per acre. The appearance of the latter 

 was by far the most luxuriant during the summer till the end of July, 

 when the potato shot out considerably longer in the straw j but the 

 Georgian was reaped ten days, and might have been a fortnight, ear- 

 lier. Both were carefully cut down and stacked till the month of 

 March, when they were thrashed, and the quantity produced was nearly 

 equal ; the potato oats yielding 69 and the Georgian 68 bushels. The 

 value, however, showed a material difference — 



St. lbs, St. IBs. 



The weight of meal being in the potato oat . 11 5 Of straw 317 6 

 Ditto ditto Georgian . 10 6 ditto 238 12 



which, when reduced into money, amounts to upwards of £2 per acre 

 in favour of the potato : thus — 



£. ». d. 



Saving of seed, 2 bushels at 3s. 4d. . . ,068 



Additional quantity of straw, 78 stone, at 2d. . . . 13 



Ditto „ meal, 12 stone 6 lbs., at 2s, . . 1 4 10 



2 4 6 

 It will thus be seen that the bulk of both crops was very great, but the 

 only advantage gained by the Georgian consisted in their earlier ripening. 



A variety of the potato species has, within these few years, been brought 

 forward in East Lothian, and having been strongly recommended by Mr, 

 Shirreff, who introduced it — and to whom the silver medal of the Highland 

 Society has been awarded — as well as by several persons who have used it, 

 has been already extensively cultivated. Some experiments made in com- 

 parison with the Angus and other Scotch oats, show it to possess a decided 

 superiority; and, although derived immediately from the potato stock, it now 

 claims a separate title, vmder the appellation of the Hojjetoun Oat. 



One of these trials was made upon a field of twenty-two Scotch acres, of 

 a rather heavy soil, and four varieties were sown on the 19tli and 20th of 

 March : namely, the Hopetoun, the grey Angus, the Potato, and the early 

 Angus ; all of which sprouted well, but the Hopetoun w'as strongest, and 

 throughout exhibited a more healthy and vigorous appearance. Two 

 portions were then laid off ; one of the Hopetoun, the other of the grey 

 Angus, where the land seemed equal, and were both cut by the same 

 reapers. The result was as follows : — 



Complaints have, however, been made of its not answering the description 



N 2 



