NOTES. 63 



quently, they claim a preference in exposed situations. They will not admit, 

 however, the plan of bosses ; and are sometimes damp, from the rain water 

 they receive before harvest. To obviate that objection, ricks are sometimes 

 built on solid masses of stone, instead of being hollow. Derbyshire Report, 

 vol. ii. p. 67. 



1 96 For ricks, or long square stacks, the number must be even ; the prac- 

 tice of building these, called wheat-hovels in Lincolnshire, is very ancient ; 

 their posts are of stone, and covered with a stone cap, on which the timber 

 rests. 



197 Husbandry of Scotland, vol. i. p. 373. 



198 Coventry's Discourses, p. 85. The pleasures of the harvest, is thus 

 ably, and eloquently depicted by Mr Curwen : " I was never absent from the 

 harvest-field an hour from its commencement to its conclusion ; for, indepen- 

 dently of all other considerations, there is a gaiety in it, which is delightful, and 

 peculiar to itself. The successful termination of the labours of the year ; 

 the recompense of unwearied exertion ; the alleviation of solicitude ; the 

 solace of hope ; all combine to inspire the liveliest gratitude to Heaven ; to 

 call forth the sensibilities of the human heart, and to kindle the best feelings of 

 nature j whilst the responsive notes of the motley group, reiterate mutual good- 

 will, universal sympathy, and thankfulness to Providence !" Curwen's Report t 

 p. 74. 



199 In 1795, owing to the badness of the crop, some farmers paid 10s. per 

 quarter for thrashing wheat. Kent Report, p. 190. In 1 807, thrashing wheat, 

 cost in Essex, 4s. per quarter. Report, vol. ii. p. 371. In the winter of 

 1815-16, the price in Surrey was from 8s. to 9s. per quarter. But the price 

 of labour is so involved with the poor-rates in England, that it is difficult to 

 ascertain its real amount. 



200 Brown's Treatise on Rural Affairs, vol. i. p. 315. 



201 Middlesex Report, p. 548. 



202 Roxburghshire Report, p. 58. 



203 Somerset Report, p. 97. 



204 Devonshire Report, p. 149. The small mill invented by Mr William 

 Johnstone, of Langholme, in Dumfriesshire, which costs only from ten to 

 eighteen pounds, would be a valuable improvement to those western districts ; 

 for by it the ears might be thrashed, without separating the ears from the straw, 

 merely inserting the heads of the sheaves ; and the straw would remain un- 

 bruised. This mill is more likely to be adopted in foreign countries, than the 

 larger machines. It is likewise to be had at Gutzmer's, Leith Walk, Edin- 

 burgh. Baron Silvestre has likewise invented a hand thrashing-mill, which 

 saves the straw whole, and is recommended for its simplicity. 



205 Roxburghshire Report, p. 59. 



206 Brown's Treatise, vol. i. p. 356. 



207 General Report of Scotland, vol. i. p 409. 



208 A Letter to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart by Charles 

 Hatchett, Esq. Printed an. 1816, in -I to. 



209 Husbandry of Scotland, vol. i. p. 377. The corporation of bakers at 

 Perth, have a machine for that sole purpose. 



210 It may likewise be made into what are called four scones in Scotland, 

 prepared with milk instead of water, a species of bread, which is both good and 

 palatable. 



211 Instruction sur les moyens de tirer le meilleur parti possible des grains 

 cereales, &c. Redigee par ordre du Ministre de 1'Interieur, par une Commis- 

 sion de la Societe Royale et Centrale d' Agriculture. Paris, le 18 Juin, 1817. 

 The Government of France does itself infinite credit, by its attention to such 

 objects, and the useful information which it circulates. 



212 In the first volume of the collection of printed papers, known under the 

 name of ' De Re Rustica," p. 118, there is an account of a treatise on the 



