346 Of the Culture of Crops while growing. 



almost totally neglected, from the time when they are sown, 

 until the harvest commences. Any mark of their attention, 

 principally consists in pulling up docks, or cutting down 

 any thistles that make a prominent appearance, as they 

 know well, that if they were left in the ground, they would 

 render the harvesting more difficult and expensive; but where 

 the drill system does not exist, careful weeding is by no 

 means so general as it ought to be ( 16 ). 



In Essex, the greatest pains are bestowed on hand-hoe- 

 ing wheat. Five shillings per acre, are very generally expend- 

 ed ; 20s. are not uncommon ; and sometimes the expense 

 reaches L.I : 11 : 6( Itfl ), and even more. The operation 

 is frequently done twice, and occasionally thrice, when ne- 

 cessary. The hoes are powerful, and make a great impres- 

 sion upon the ground. The plants at first look sickly after 

 it; but they soon recover, and are greatly improved by the 

 operation. If executed too late, drought gets access, and 

 does evident mischief; but if executed early, and especially 

 where the plants are thin, it is very beneficial, thickening 

 and improving the crop in a considerable degree ( l6 *). 



The process of hand-hoeing broad-cast crops of wheat, is 

 likewise conducted in Gloucestershire, with great attention 

 and success. In the Vale, and forest districts in particular, 

 few farmers hoe less than twice, at an expense of 7s. 6d. per 

 acre. The first hoeing is begun as soon as the weather per- 

 mits in April ; the second follows soon after, and must be 

 completed before the crop tillers, otherwise the stalk will 

 be exposed to injury, and liable to be bent or broken. The 

 hoes are in general from five to six inches in the plate, and 

 have the corners rounded off. It requires much attention, 

 and a quick eye, to stir the surface well, and to avoid de- 

 stroying too many plants, as well as to leave the rest at pro- 

 per distances ; and this must be ascertained by the nature of 

 the crop, and the fertility of the soil. If the plants are left 

 to crowd each other, the heads will be small ; on the other 

 hand, should a greater distance be left, than at first sight may 

 seem desirable, if the land is in good condition, the heads of 

 the plants will be larger and more productive. On an ave- 

 rage, a space about six inches between the plants, is thought 

 sufficient. The advantages of this practice are great, the weeds 

 which infest arable lands, are generally luxuriant in their 

 growth, and unless checked in their early state, get the bet- 

 ter of the more valuable plants that are near them ; or, where 

 they are of the creeping sort, they exhaust the nutritious par- 



