34 SKETCHES OP RURAL AFFAIRS. 



gard to the weather and the sort of grain chosen for seed. 

 An old and quaint writer* on agricultural affairs says, 



" Who soweth in rain, he shall reap it with tears ; 

 Who soweth in harms, he is ever in fears ; 

 Who soweth ill-seed, or defraudeth his land, 

 Hath eye-sore abroad, with a corsie at hand." 



Kespecting the variety of soils and the benefits of 

 good cultivation, the same writer says, 



" Each soil has no liking of every grain, 

 Nor barley and wheat is for every vein ; 

 Yet know I no country so barren of soil 

 But some kind of corn may be gotten with toil." 



The sowing of wheat in autumn, if on strong clay or 

 cold soils, is commenced as early as possible, that the 

 plants may obtain strength in the ground before frost 

 sets in. From the middle of September to the end of 

 October is, therefore, considered the best time for sowing 

 upon such soils. The future growth of the crop greatly 

 depends on its gaining strength before winter ; the soil 

 itself, also, if naturally cold, is in better working condi- 

 tion at an early than at a late period. Nevertheless, 

 there must be judgment used in the matter, for wheat 

 when sown too early is liable to run to straw, or become 

 what is called winter-proud, and the grain will then 

 prove light in the ear. On those soils, known among 

 farmers as strong loams, or deep hazel moulds, sowing 

 is deferred to a later period, as there is danger on all 

 warm and rich soils of the plants growing up so rapidly 

 as to become weak and spindling. The month of No- 

 vember is the usual sowing time on such lands, and 

 also on chalky and gravelly soils, unless in cases where 

 spring-sowing is intended. The state of the weather, 

 after all, will chiefly influence the farmer, and will 

 often hasten or defer the sowing season. 



The best time being chosen for the work, it is also 

 necessary to get the best seed wherewith to sow the 

 * Tuaser. 



