JUNE.] BUCK-WHEAT AFTER TAK1 36l 



I determined to try something; as a substitute for 

 that excellent preparation. Tares, I was aware, 

 were frequently sown, and excellent crops of wheat 

 have succeeded ; but, as there were near three 

 months between the time of cutting tares and sow- 

 ing wheat, I thought that -something might be 

 done in the interim, in order, not only to keep the 

 land clean, but to improve the succeeding crop. 



It was necessary to consider what would answer 

 this end, that would not be attended with con- 

 siderable cxpence ; buck-wheat claimed the prefer- 

 ence, as it was of quick growth, and had been re- 

 commended as a strong and lasting manure. I 

 therefore determined to try the effects of it, and 

 have reason to think that my expectation was not 

 too much raised ; for although I cannot with that 

 certainty ascertain the real produce of the land as 

 I can wish, as a considerable quantity of the wheat 

 lias been destroyed by vermin, yet still have I had 

 the satisfaction of lodging in my granary as much 

 as I usually have done in the common method of 

 husbandry. The loss I sustained was, indeed, very 

 considerable, from such small animals as mice, for 

 there was not a rat in the barn, and will be a stand- 

 ing memorial to me for threshing my corn in the 

 proper season. It was computed at one fourth of 

 the whole crop. But, even deducting the loss, and 

 allowing the increase to be equal to former years, 

 \\ill it not be right sometimes to alter the usual 

 course, and substitute a preparation equallv profit- 

 able as clover for the farmer's grand crop, wheat ? 



The 



