MARCH. 159 



-other weather. This has relation to the coronal 

 roots of the wheat, which shoot ont at this time of 

 the year, when the seminal ones decay ; and there 

 is a curious circumstance noted by Bonnet, which 

 is, these coronal roots striking not under the sur- 

 Jhce, but above it, into the air, and entering the 

 earth at a small distance. It is then of consequent 

 that the surface be in a pulverized state, to permit 

 their free penetration. All hoeing before that mo- 

 ment must necessarily be beneficial, because it pre- 

 pares the surface to receive these roots ; but, if 

 given afterwards, and so near the rows as to disturb 

 them, it must do mischief for the time, as Nature 

 has then her operation to perform again: and 

 though the wisdom of Nature's Author without. 

 doubt provides for the case, as in that of the blos- 

 soms of wheat being blown off, yet a delay takes 

 place, and a succession of injuries may be felt in the 

 crop. The circumstance should at least induce the 

 farmer to be early in his operations : if he is early 

 enough, he may break the surface of a nine-inch 

 interval, to the breadth of five inches, but after- 

 wards he must recede from the rows, for fear of 

 mischief. 



These tools of Mr. Cook are very effective, and if 

 used with attention, will be safe, while they dispatch 

 a great deal of work in a short time. When, how- 

 ever, it is considered, that at this season, in com- 

 THOU 'management, the teams are all in full employ- 

 ment, it must be admitted, that if there is much 

 horse-hoeing to do ; the common charge of a few 



pence 



