7 . YORKSHIRE, 35 



very ihallow, acrofs the ridges (if any); and 

 the fecond, or tranfplanting plowing, long- 

 way of the lands, acrofs the firft plowing ; 

 gathering up the ridges dry againft winter. 



A manured fallow, a rich wheat ftubble, 

 or other land fufficiently clean, and in fuffi- 

 cient heart for rape, might be planted with 

 it in a fimilar manner ; raifing plants for this 

 purpofe in a detache.d feed -bed. 



VI. HARVESTING. Rape is generally ripe 

 in July : fooner or later, according to the 

 feafon. It is confidered as fit for cutting 

 when the forwardeftof the feed has begun to 

 turn black. 



It is univerfally cut with fickles, by wo- 

 men ; who, in the ordinary management of 

 the country, lay it in broad thin " reaps," 

 upon the tops of the flubble ; which they 

 generally cut about a foot high, or as high as 

 the lower branches will allow. 



In thefe " reaps," moves or open 

 fheaves, it lies until the fap be pretty well 

 dried out of the greeneft, and the ripeft is 

 ready to open its pods. If it lie too long, 

 much of the prime feed will be loft in the 

 field ; if it be thrafhed too green, much will 

 D 2 be 



