65 



frequently in the rotation. This may contribute to the 

 mildew, which has of late affected that species of crop, 

 and which was certainly never formerly known to such an 

 extent in Scotland. 



2. Barley. 



This species of grain was formerly the great favourite 

 of the Scotch farmers *, before that, by the introduction 

 of fallows, crops of wheat were rendered more certain 

 and productive ; but now barley is condemned as the 

 least profitable of any of the white crops, as not being so 

 prolific as oats, nor so profitable as wheat. It is remar- 

 ked, that all crops are robbers of the earth, in propor- 

 tion as they are heavy in grain upon the acre, and pro- 

 duce the least weight of straw, to be converted into ma- 

 nure. Hence barley ought, in general, to be accounted 

 a more severe crop than either wheat or oats, because 

 the straw neither gives equal food to the animal, nor 

 dung to the earth, and of course is not so profitable to 

 the farmer, unless upon particular soils f . Good far- 

 mers, therefore, will not persist in barley, if their lands 

 are suitable for wheat or oats. 



Whilst barley is thus condemned, the culture of bear 

 or big is strongly recommended, more especially in the 

 northern districts. An intelligent farmer in the Mearns 

 assigns the following reasons for preferring* bear. The 



I 



* Some farmers particularly recommend sowing barley 

 as early as the beginning of March, as the best means of se- 

 curing an abundant crop. 



f Clover succeeds better after wheat than after barlef, 

 probably owing to the straw beirg stronger. 



