274 OF CROPS USUALLY CULTIVATED. 



Seed is about the second week of March,* in drills about 

 thirty inches wide; and three firlots of tares is,* in that case, 

 a sufficient quantity of seed, but it is thought better to sow 

 rows of beans and tares alternately, as the beans keep up 

 the tares ; in that case, half a boll of tares, and the same 

 quantity of beans, is sufficient for seed. On this subject, 

 Mr Dudgeon of Prora remarks, that as tares are much 

 earlier than beans, they should be sown on the surface 

 when the beans are harrowed ; this should not be done till 

 the drilled crop is near breaking the surface.f Without 

 this precaution, he has witnessed a great loss of tares in 

 reaping. If they could be kept late enough for the bean, 



* Mr Kerr observes, that the time mentioned is very proper for a crop 

 of tares intended for seed. But what are wanted for cutting or soiling, 

 ought to be sown at two or three times, to give a succession. The first 

 as early in February as the season will allow, to couie in immediately af- 

 ter the first cutting of clover. A second crop in the beginning or middle 

 of March, to stand for seed. And a third sowing in the end of March, 

 or beginning of April, to cut green for the horses during harvest. Beans 

 answer excellently, to stake the tares intended for seed ; but those which 

 are meant to be cut green, ought to have a small admixture of oats ; 

 which both serves to hold them up, admits the air, aids the scythe, and 

 increases the food. 



It is a pity our Scotch climate does not answer for winter-tares. Mr 

 Kerr tried them twice ineffectually; but was told they sometimes come 

 forward to cut before clover, but very rarely. The earliest sown tares in 

 spring, should, however, be of the winter sort, being the hardiest. Win- 

 ter-tares, it appears, would answer if sown in September. That plan, 

 however, can rarely be adopted, as it is seldom possible to get the land 

 cleared from the former crop, and ploughed for the tares, so early in the 

 season. 



f Mr John Shirreff is of opinion, that beans should not be harrowed 

 till they have broke the surface, and got several green leaves, when they 

 become pliant, and bend to the harrow; whereas, if you harrow them 

 when about to burst forth, you break them over, for the embryo plant is 

 verv brittle. 



