[APRIL. 



STEEPING SPRING CORK SEED. 

 In case of an unfavourable season, by reason of 

 a drought to an uncommon degree, it should be 

 recollecled, that steeping barley and oats, &c. has 

 been tried with success. It is a practice rarely ne- 

 cessary, and mentioned here only as a hint, which 

 a farmer may apply now and then to advantage. 



MADDER. 



This is the principal season for planting madder. 

 I suppose the deep tillage to have been performed 

 in Oclober, and the land to have been thoroughly 

 water-furrowed. Early in this month it should be 

 ploughed again, and harrowed fine ; and towards 

 the latter end of it another earth should be given, 

 and the land harrowed again. It is then in order 

 for being planted. 



Great attention must, however, be paid to this 

 tillage being all given in dry weather. If the soil 

 is moist, or apt to bind, scarifying and scuffling 

 will be superior to ploughing. 



The sets are to be slipped from an old planta- 

 tion. When they are about two inches above the 

 ground is the proper size, and they should be 

 slipped off as much below the surface as possible, 

 because they will then have the better chance of 

 growing ; and as fast as they are taken up, they arc- 

 to be thrown into tubs of water. Other hands are 

 to be employed in planting ; in which work the 

 cultivator of this crop must be ruled by the me- 

 thod of disposing the beds. That which was prac- 

 tised when (more than 30 years ago) the Society 



offered 



