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The farmers who raise it have an opinion, that the parish of Keyn- 

 *ham is particularly favourable to the growth and perfection of it : 

 but this is most likely a vulgar error; for experiments are attested 

 of as good crops elsewhere. The soil must be strong and good 

 where it flourishes; it delights most in a deep fat loam, which 

 must have so much sand as to admit of easy pulverization. As the 

 excellence of woad consists in its size, and the succulency of its 

 leaves, it requires careful management, as well as a rich soil. It is 

 most commonly sown on land fresh broken up; and on narrowish 

 ridges. 



The first ploughing should be against winter, the second in the 

 spring, when the ridges should be formed ; a third in June, and the 

 last in July, or very early in August, just before the sowing of the 

 seed. In the intervals of the ploughing, harrowing should take 

 place, to destroy all weeds. The seed is commonly sown by the 

 best farmers in drills, for which purpose the surface fhould be har- 

 rowed very fine and level. The plants in a moist season appear in 

 a fortnight, and in two or three weeks after are fit to hoe : they 

 should be hoed out clean to the distance of about six inches at least, 

 some prefer a greater distance. In this neighbourhood hand weed- 

 ing and thinning are frequently used ; and at the employ, women 

 and children earn very high wages, especially since a cotton manu- 

 factory has been introduced in the parish. The succefs of the crops 

 depends much on the hoeing and weeding, so as to keep the ground 

 fresh and clean. Thus managed three or four crops or gatherings 

 will be produced in succession ; but the first two are the best. The 

 time of gathering is determined by the full growth of the leaves, 

 and the first appearance of change of colour at the extremities ; and 

 this rule of course governs the succeeding crops. 



The leaves are cut by hand and gathered into baskets by women 

 and children, who carry them to a very deep large cart at the edge 

 of the field. After two cuttings the crop is suffered to go to seed 

 for the next year, if seed be wanted ; but if only one crop is taken 

 the seed will be the finer. When the pods turn of a dark colour 

 the seed is deemed ripe. The stalks should then be reaped like 

 wheat, and spread abroad ; and if the weather- be favourable the 

 seed will be fit for threshing in four or five days. 



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