Explanations of the Plates. 



Seven pillars, at 7s. each, L.2 9 o 



Wood and workmanship, about 2 11 'o 



Total expense, L.5 



In the first year, by an accurate experiment, comparing the same quan- 

 tity of wheat, built on the ground, or on cast-iron pillars, the saving was 

 L.2 : 12 : 6 per stack, and the whole expense would be repaid the second 

 year. 



If the pillars were higher, say 3| or 4 feet high, the grain might be har- 

 vested sooner; but at the present height, wheat has been stacked in five 

 days, beans in eight, and barley and oats in ten days, and sometimes earlier. 

 No vermin can find their way into these stacks to consume the grain, and 

 the straw is better preserved. The boss, or triangle, keeps up a circulation 

 of air, and prevents heating, or other damage. See General Report of 

 Scotland, vol. iv. Appendix, p. 379. 



In regard to the boss or triangle, a few spars of fir, or any other common 

 wood, ought to be nailed across it, to prevent the sheaves from falling in j 

 but if these cannot be got, a straw rope will answer the purpose. 



PLATE IV. 



Description of the Culture of Drilled Turnips in Scotland. 



The advantages to be derived from drilling turnips, as practised in Scot- 

 land, and in the northern counties of England, have been already explain- 

 ed, (see p. 371). But as this is perhaps the most complete operation that 

 agriculture boasts of, it may be proper to give a more particular descrip- 

 tion of it, accompanied by an engraving, from an inspection of which, it 

 will be more clearly understood *. 



Fig. 1. Is a section of the drills, as first formed, and having the muck or 

 dung spread out in the hollow drills, with a line, pointing out where the 

 ridglets are afterwards split. 



Fig. 2. Represents these drills, as split open, to cover the muck ; what 

 was formerly the hollow drills, is converted, by this operation, into the 

 ridglets, and vice versa. 



Fig. 3. Gives an idea of the figure of the drills or ridglets, after having 

 been rolled by the drill-machine, at the time of sowing the seed. The 

 seed cannot be sown too soon after the land is thus prepared for its recep- 

 tion. 



Fig. 4. Is a representation of the appearance of the field, after the earth 

 has been gathered into the intervals between the turnip drills, as formerly 

 practised, but which has now given way to the use of the horse-hoe. 



Fig. 5. Shews the situation of the drills, on finishing off the field, accord- 

 ing to the old system, by splitting open the gathered ridglets in Fig, 4, but 

 which practice is not now generally followed. 



Fig, 6. Gives an idea of the situation of a field of drilled turnips, as now 

 generally finished off; the furrows, or hollow drills, not being opened out, 

 the shave, or tops of the plants, being removed for the use of the young 

 stock, previously to the feeding flock being laid on. 



* In the year 1797, Mr Alexander Low, an eminent land-surveyor, drew up, 

 with great clearness and ability, a short account of the Berwickshire mode of 

 turnip culture, for the late Duke of Bedford, which was the first complete de- 

 scription given of this superior practice. 



