32 TIREY. AGRICULTURE. 



The species of barley exclusively used is bear, which, 

 from its early ripening and other qualities, is best adapted 

 to the climate ; and which seems not to admit of any bet- 

 ter substitute, or of any other improvement than that of a 

 more careful selection of the seed. The insular farmer, 

 contrary to the general practice, and from mistaken notions 

 of economy, makes choice of the worst part of his 

 grain for this purpose. The same praise cannot be 

 given to the species of oats which is in most use. This 

 is a small dark grain, commonly called the grey oat, and 

 it is of a most unprofitable nature. Three returns are the 

 average produce of this grain, the aspect of which, when 

 in a state for cutting, is such, that a stranger would 

 often with difficulty believe that any serious designs of 

 that nature were entertained. The seeds, or else the 

 soil, are often so full of the Holcus avenaceus, that 

 many square yards will sometimes occur in a field, not 

 containing one plant of oats in the yard. Notwith- 

 standing the small value of this grain, and the scan- 

 tiness of the produce, the natives are still strongly 

 attached to it on account of its power of resisting high 

 winds, as it does not lose the little grain which it 

 possesses by shaking. The introduction of a better oat 

 would be among the first, and apparently among the 

 easiest improvements in the agriculture of these islands. 



The sickle is invariably used in reaping all grain, 

 although the necessity of expedition in the process of 

 harvesting, arising from the uncertainty of the climate, 

 would suggest the scythe as preferable, wherever the 

 roughness of the surface does not prevent its use. 



Great part of the straw is used in thatching, and the 

 thatch being ill applied requires constant renewal, inducing 

 a wasteful expenditure of this scarce and useful article. 

 An additional waste is produced by the process of burning 

 or graddaning, as it is called ; used in some places for 

 converting the corn quickly into bread. The grain is 

 roasted while in the sheaf, in the flame of the straw, 



