Chap. Xf. O/Blight. 151 



this Benefit of frefh Air is plentifully, and pretty 

 equally, diftributed to every Row in a Field of ho'd 

 Wheat. 



Thirdly, Want of the Suns Rays. 



Sown Wheat-plants, by their irregular Pofnion, 

 may be faid to Hand in one another's Light, for want 

 of which they are apt to fall. 



'Tis true the whole Field of Plants receive the fame 

 Quantity of Sun-beams amongft them, whether they 

 ftand confufedly, or in Order : But there is a valt 

 Difference in the Diftribution of them ; for none or 

 the very leaff. Share of Beams is obtain'd by thofe 

 Parts which need the greater!: Share, in the confufed 

 Plants. And when the crural Parts, that mould f up- 

 port the whole Body of every Plant, are depriv'd of 

 their due Share of what is fo neceflary to ftrengthen 

 them, the Plants (like Animals in the fame Cafe) are 

 unable to (land. 



But in drill'd Wheat, where the Plants ftand in a 

 regular Order, the Sun-beams are more duly diftri- 

 buted to all Parts of the Plants in the Ranks ; for 

 which Way foever the Rows are directed, if they be 

 ftrait, the Rays muft, lome time of the Day, fall on 

 the Intervals, and be reflected by the Ground, whence 

 the lower Parts of the Wheat-ftalks muft receive the 

 greater Share of Heat, being neareft to the Point of 

 Incidence, having no Weeds to fhadow them. 



As to that Caufe of the Blight, viz. the Wheat's 

 dying before the full Time of its Pregnancy be ac- 

 complifh'd ; the Hoe removes all the Objections 

 againft planting early, and then it will bloflbm the 

 earlier : And it has vifibly kept Wheat green a whole 

 Week longer, than unho'd Wheat adjoining to it, 

 planted the fame Day. 



The Antients were perfect Mafters of the Vine- 

 Hufbandry, which feems to' have fo engrofs'd their ru- 

 ral Studies, that it did not allow them fo much Re- 

 flection, as to apply the Ufe of thole Methods to the 



L 4 Increafe 



