93 



Many also approve of the system of drilling beafts, as 

 the pods of beans are placed on the stem from the root 

 upward, and of course derive essential benefit, when fill- 

 ing, from the open space left between the drills. This is 

 admitted on light or loamy lands ; but where the soil is 

 of a strong and clayey nature, the broadcast system is 

 frequently preferred, more especially in the Carse of 

 Gowrie, as in a rainy season it is found very difficult 

 to perform the necessary drilling operations in clay, 

 which renders the crop uncertain and precarious, and not 

 a cleaning one *. 



Many farmers also drill their pease, more especially 

 in light and pliable lands ; but on strong clays, it is said 

 that pease broadcast succeed better. It is remarked by 

 Mr Stuart of Hillhead, that pease sown in drills may 

 be calculated for cleaning the land, but not for obtaining 

 a crop j and Mr Charles Alexander observes, that he has 

 several times attempted the drilling of pease, but never 

 with success ; the slender nature of that plant not admit- 

 ting of horse-hoeing, except when young ; and as it is 

 not of upright growth, not well then. As that plant 

 supports itself by the plants taking hold of one another, 

 the interstices prevent the tendrils from getting hold, ex- 

 cept in the row, when the wind blowing across the drills 

 lays them over on one side, and retards their podding. 



In regard to white crops, some eminent farmers, 

 Mr Brown of Marlde in particular, consider the ad- 

 vantages of that system to be at best but proble- 

 matical f. The intelligent farmers, however, in the 



* Observations by Mr Peter Jack of Moncur. 



f One of my correspondents remarks, that in regard te 

 the drilling of white or culmiferous crops, he has had no ex- 



