JULY. 433 



tages : many weeds are cut before they seed, which, 

 in a fortnight longer, would shed, and conse- 

 quently injure the ensuing crops. The trouble and 

 attention of harvest is lessened ; for a part, at least, 

 of the barley crop may be in the barn, before other 

 farmers, who do not use this sort, begin to mow. 



WHEAT. 



August is the principal month for cutting wheat, 

 under which head I shall treat of it more particu- 

 larly. I mention it at present, merely *o consider 

 the conduct of many sensible farmers, who are fond 

 of cutting their wheat, at least ten clays before it is 

 ripe. There is reason to think this practice a very 

 good one: the corn is left in the field longer than 

 common, to finish in that manner the ripening: the 

 advantage is the fineness of the grain. If you are 

 desirous of carrying to market a sample of wheat 

 that shall exceed all others, it must be thus har- 

 vested ; and I have heard more than once several 

 very attentive fanners assert, that they lose nothing 

 in measure by this management.' It is at least wor- 

 thy the trial of all good husbandmen, were it only 

 for the convenience of somewhat dividing their har- 

 vest : the last fortnight in August is so busy a time, 

 that many of them scarcely know how to get in 

 their corn, upon account of all sorts then requiring 

 attention at once, 



F f MILDEWED 



