OF THE SOWING OF SEED. 343 



well as fed, a regular and sufficient supply of valuable ma- 

 nure is secured. By this means also, the cattle are so well 

 kept during the winter, that should a late spring ensue, or 

 a scarcity of grass be apprehended, and consequently an 

 overstocking, (an event which cannot be too anxiously 

 guarded against by the farmer), a ready market will be 

 insured for them, in districts where their food is more 

 abundant. 



It is to be hoped, that with the assistance of the facts 

 and observations above detailed, no farmer will find any 

 difficulty in arranging his crops, so as to produce profit 

 to himself, without injuring his land, or diminishing the 

 fertility of that great source of national prosperity and 

 subsistence. 



SECT. VII. On the Sowing of Seed. 



The points which it is proposed briefly to discuss in this 

 section, are, 1. The important subject of sowing crops 

 drilled or broad-cast ; 2. On the advantage of sowing ear- 

 ly ; 3. Whether a furrow should be stale or recent ; 4. On 

 sowing old seed-wheat or new ; 5. On the pickling of 

 seed-wheat ; and, 6. On a change of seed. 



1. It has long been a subject of dispute, whether it is 

 most advisable to sow the different crops usually cultivated 

 on arable land, drilled or broad-cast. Without entering 

 into so wide' a controversy, I shall endeavour shortly to 

 state the opinions entertained by the intelligent farmers, 

 with whom I have lately corresponded, on the subject of 

 Scottish Husbandry. 



