334 OF ROTATION OF CROPS. 



the preceding one. All these rotations, however variedj 

 are founded on the acknowledged principle, that the alter- 

 nate husbandry is the most advantageous. 



Since the decrease of the value of barley, and the great 

 demand for wheat, they have, in the Carse of Gowrie, in 

 some degree, deviated from the regular system above point- 

 ed out, by sowing about one-half of the fourth division 

 with wheat and grass- seeds, to bring the grounds again 

 into a proper rotation, in order that the whole fifth divi- 

 sion may be under grass ; and still farther to increase the 

 quantity of wheat, a great part of the sixth division is often 

 sown with wheat instead of oats. By thus stealing from 

 the barley and oat divisions, which is done only in favour- 

 able seasons, there is often one-third part of the farm in 

 wheat, instead of one-sixth part, as the rotation before 

 points out. Such practices, however, cannot be recom- 

 mended, as good clover cannot be expected with wheat 

 that has succeeded beans. 



On the subject of this rotation, it is only necessary to 

 add, that some intelligent farmers disapprove much of sow- 

 ing wheat on limed fallows, being so frequently thrown out 

 of the soil, the lime opening the soil, and admitting the 

 frost ; the consequence frequently is, little more than half 

 a crop of inferior wheat. Some change, therefore, in the 

 rotation in this respect, or some other mode of application 

 for the time, would be advisable. Mr Dudgeon of Prora 

 very properly suggests, that perhaps barley on the fallow, 

 having been so little sown for many years past, would be 

 extremely productive ; and Mr Wight of Ormiston has no 

 hesitation in declaring, that barley, instead of wheat, on 

 limed fallows, without dung, if sown on the winter furrow, 

 would be a very productive, and not a precarious crop. 

 Some farmers have, it is said, found by long experience, 

 tbat barley is a better crop after fallow, than wheat, the 



