338 or ROTATION ov CROPS. 



nips. Some farmers sow oats after turnips, because, in the 

 northern districts, barley is frequently so cheap, and some- 

 times lower in price than oats. But barley, to a certainty, 

 answers best to sow late after turnips, and oats are found, 

 by long experience, to do worse after turnips than any 

 grain. Besides, clover seldom does well amongst oats, 

 rather better among barley, but invariably the best with 

 spring-sown wheat. Amongst barley, if not lodged, they 

 will succeed ; but from the rich state the land is in, bar- 

 ley is apt to lodge, which ruins the seeds, except sprat or 

 battle-door barley is sown, which seldom lodges. Grass 

 seeds never fail among spring-sown wheat, which is not so 

 apt to lodge as winter and autumnal-sown wheat, or per- 

 haps any other grain. Mr John Shirreff also remarks, 

 that as the wheat is sown earlier than the barley or oats, 

 so is the clover, and this early sowing secures moisture, 

 and promotes vegetation. 



Many respectable farmers, however, prefer potatoes to 

 turnips, as a preparation for wheat ; and Mr Aitchison of 

 Clements Wells informs me, that in 1809 he planted seven 

 acres of potatoes, and seven acres of turnips, in the same 

 field, and in a good soil and climate. After the potatoes, 

 he reaped 40 bushels per Scotch acre, and after the tur- 

 nips only 20. The first was sown in November, the last 

 in February. He is positive in regard to the produce, as 

 it was threshed from the field.* 



On this experiment it is remarked, that the result of this trial does 

 not prove that potatoes are preferable to turnips as a preparation for 

 wheat ; but only that wheat sown in November, is a surer crop than 

 what is sown in February. Had the turnips been removed in November, 

 or at the same time with the potatoes, the experiment would have been 

 more decisive. 



