260 OF CROPS USUALLY CULTIVATED. 



the most appropriate time for sowing wheat on clay soils, if 

 the weather will admit of it. But good crops may be got 

 sown long after that time, if the weather is favourable. 



An intelligent farmer strongly recommends kiln-drying 

 seed-wheat, as a better means of preserving the crop from 

 smut, than the usual practice of pickling or steeping. From 

 eight or nine years' experience, he states, that it has been 

 found at least an equal preventive against the loss produced, 

 by that disease ; and allowing it had no superiority over 

 the method more generally in use, in respect to that pro- 

 perty, still it would be entitled to a preference, because it 

 can be kept without injury, should the weather turn out 

 unfavourable for sowing at the time intended, which is not 

 the case with wheat prepared in the other way ; for unless 

 it be sown almost immediately after pickling, it becomes 

 unfit for seed,* and can scarcely be applied to any other 

 purpose. Wheat, to be prepared for seed by kiln-drying, 

 ought to be completely dried, but not subjected to a heat 

 which might in any degree scorch it.f This information, 

 is strongly corroborated by the evidence of Mr Fowler of 

 Prestonpans, who has in one year prepared 40 bolls of 

 wheat in this way for seed, and who has no doubt of its 

 answering effectually. The process, however, requires so 

 much attention and skill, that it is not likely to become ge- 

 neral, and the usual plan, when properly executed, is found 

 to be effectual. 



An important particular connected with the culture of 

 wheat in Scotland, is the practice of sowing winter wheat 

 in the spring months. The late Mr Shirreff sowed winter 



* This point will afterwards be more fully discussed. 



f Communication from Mr James Cuthbertson of Seton-Mains. This 

 plan is mentioned in the original report sent to the Board of Agriculture^ 

 regarding, the county of Clackmannan. 



