B24 PRACTICE OP AGRICULTURE. Paet III. 



15. When town after turnips it Is generallj ».ik.n with one furrow, which is given as fast as the 

 turnips arc consumed, the ground thui receiving much benefit from r-pri 1114 frosts. But often two 01 more 

 furrows are necessary for the Beldi last consumed 1 because, when a spring drought sets in, the surface, 

 from being poached bj the removal or consumption of 1 1»«- crop, gets 10 hardened as to render a greater 

 quantity of ploughing, bai rowing, and rolling necessary than would otherwise be called tor. When sown 

 after beans and peas, one winter and one spring ploughing arc- usually bestowed ; but, when after wheat 

 or oats, three plougbings are necessary, so that the ground may be put In proper condition. These 

 operations are very ticklish in a wet and backward season, and rarely in that case is the grower paid lor the 



expense Of hil labour. Where land U in lUCh a Situation as to require three plougbings before it can l.c seeded 



with barley, it is better to summer fallow it at once, than to run the risks which seldom tail to accompany 

 a quantity of spring labour lithe weather bed) v, moisture is lost during the different processes, and an 

 imperfect germination necessaril) follows: if it be wet, the benefit of ploughing is lost, and all the evils 

 ufa wet seed time are ausl lined by the future crop. I Brown.) 



To whatever crop barley succeeds, the harrow and roller, when the plough alone is insufficient, 

 siiouM be employed in reducing the soil to a considerable degree of fineness. In most eases more than 



earth ii given; though, alter a winter furrow, the grubber may be used in spring instead of the 



plough, Attn- turnips, eaten on tite ground by sheep, the land, being consolidated by their treading, 



sometimes ri C( ives two ploughing* ; but, if only one, it should be well harrowed and rolled ; and it is often 

 finished by harrowing alter the roller, especially if grass-seeds be sown, which are covered by this last 

 harrowing Barley is sometimes sown on the first ploughing, and covered by a second shallow ploughing. 

 As it is found of great importance, with a view to speedy and equal vegetation, that the ground should be 

 Iresh and moist, bailey is generally sown upon what is termed hut-fur, that is, as soon as possible after it 

 is turned up by the plough 



5097. Manure can seldom be given with advantage to a crop that occupies the soil so 

 short a period as barley, and therefore it generally is sown on land which has been en- 

 riched for a preceding crop. 



5098. The climate in which bailey delights is warm and dry. There are instances of 

 a crop being sown and ripened without having enjoyed a single shower of rain ; but 

 gentle showers from the time it is sown till it begins to shoot into the ear, are favourable; 

 while heavy rains at any period, and especially immediately after sowing, or during the 

 blossoming, ripening, and reaping seasons, are highly injurious. 



5099. The best season for sowing barley is considered to be from the beginning of 

 April to the middle of May ; but bigg may be so**n either in autumn to stand the winter, 

 or as late as the first week of June. In England, the winter or four-rowed barley is 

 frequently sown in autumn, and stands the most severe winters. With respect to the 

 lateness at which bigg and summer barley may be sown, much depends on the sort of 

 weather which occurs during the first three weeks after sowing. 



5100. When hurley is sown late it is sometimes steeped in common water to promote its germination ; but 

 it is seldom pickled or otherwise prepared. The advantages of steeping are, procuring an equal germination, 

 and consequently ripening, and getting the start of weeds. The following directions are given tor per- 

 forming the operation : — First, take out about one-third of the contents of the sacks of seed barley or 

 bear to allow for the swelling of the grain ; lay the sacks with the grain to steep in clean water ; let it be 

 covered with it for at least twenty- four hours; when the ground is very dry, and no likelihood ot rain tor 

 two or three days, it is better to lie thirty-six hours. Sow the grain wet from steeping without any 

 addition. The seed will scatter well as clean water has no tenacity ; only the sower must put in a fourth 

 or a third more seed in bulk than is usual of dry grain, as the grain is swelled in that proportion. Harrow 

 it in as quickly as possible after it is sown ; and, though not necessary, give it the benefit ot a fresh furrow 

 if convenient. You may expect it up in a fortnight at farthest. {Brown.) 



5101. The quantity of seed is different in different cases, according to the quality of the 

 soil and other circumstances. Upon very rich lands, eight pecks per acre are sometimes 

 sown ; twelve is very common ; and upon poor land, more is sometimes given. 



5102. Whether the practice of giving so small a quantity of seed to the best lands is advantageous or the 

 reverse, seems a disputed point amongthe best farmers. That there is a saving of grain there can be no doubt ; 

 and that the bulk may be as great as if more seed had been sown, there can be as little question. Iattle 

 argument, however, is necessary to prove that thin sowing of barley must be attended with considerable 

 disadvantage ; for if the early part of theseason be drv, the plants will not only be stinted in their growth, 

 but will not send out ott'sets ; and if rain afterwards fall, an occurrence that must take place some time 

 during the summer, often at a later period of it, the plants begin to stool, and send out a number of 

 young shoots These voting shoots, unless under verv favourable circumstances, cannot be expected to 

 arrive at maturity ; or if their ripening be waited for. 'there will be a great risk of losing the early part of 

 the crop, a circumstance that frequently happens. In almost every instance an unequal sample is pro- 

 duced, and the grain i- for the most part of an inferior quality. By good judges, it is thought preferable 

 to sow a quantity of seed sufficient to ensure a full crop, without depending on its sending out offsets: 

 indeed, w here that is done, few offsets are produced, the crop grows and ripens equally, and the grain is 

 uniformly good. {Brown on Rural Aj/hirs.) 



510:J. The modes if sowing barley are either broad-cast, or in rows by the drill or 

 ribbing. The broad-cast mode is almost universally adopted; unless in lands much 

 infested with annual weeds, where chilling and hand-hoeing, and in particular cases 

 horse-hoeing, may be employed with advantage. 



5104. Tlie 011/1/ culture which barley requires while in a growing state, is hoeing and 

 weeding if in rows, and weeding alone if broad-cast. Sometimes barley is rolled to com- 

 press a soft soil and exclude the drought, and when very thick it may be first harrowed 

 and then rolled. Grass seeds and clover are sown with the grain before the last 

 harrowing, when the broad-cast mode is adopted ; and immediately before hoeing, 

 when the barley is in rows. The forivwr is much the best mode for insuring a strong 

 plant of clover. 



5105. Latin:: down barley, which from winter or very early sowing is over-luxuriant, is practised in 

 some districts, but it is alleged that mowing is much better than feeding it ; because the scythe takes off 

 only the rank tops, but the sheep feed upon all indifferently ; nor should they even, in any case, be lelt 



