Remarks on different Grains. 27 



Mr. Parker has never been able to soav more than two 

 acres, in any one season. He sent a bag of the grain, 

 intended to be brought in the Constitution frigate. A 

 culpable inattention, in those to whom he gave it in 

 charge, has rendered his kindness abortive. It was left 

 at Cherburg. Mr. Livingston, of New York state, told 

 me, that, by accident, some of this grain (obtained 

 from general Armstrong) was sown in the spring ; and 

 it has thriven so well, that he believes it to be a sum- 

 mer grain. Few of those to whom I distributed grain 

 have informed of their success. This neglect is too 

 common in all such cases, and highly discouraging. 



No. 4. The sainfoin continues to give me unfavour- 

 able prospects of its ever doing well. 



I obtained a fresh supply of the white oats ; and it 

 promises to be a great crop. I distributed several par- 

 cels of it, and those to whom I gave samples speak 

 highly in its favour. My friend, general C. C. Pink- 

 ney, who sent me the white oats, also sent some six 

 rowed rye. I have sowed a small part of it this spring, 

 and it promises well. 



In consequence of the opinion as to quantity of seed, 

 I mentioned in the foregoing letter, I have tried vari- 

 ous quantities on different acres. All are good ; but 

 I think the grain from one bushel and an half of seed 

 has the largest heads, and will yield the greatest num. 

 ber of bushels. I have a fine harvest, but much of the 

 grain fell, and is deteriorated by this misfortune. 



The wheat of this season has, generally, smaller 

 heads and more straw than usual. Wheat is never per- 

 fectly well eared, unless its growth is gradual. The 

 crops were retarded by an unfavourable spring. They 



