138 OUR FARM CROPS. 



in Cumberland, in 1788. This oat is seldom bearded or 

 awned, except when cultivated too long without changing 

 the seed the presence of the awn often recurring from 

 the effects of cultivation or climate. 



Hopetoun. Straw rather longer and stouter than the 

 preceding, and not so liable to lodge; somewhat earlier 

 at harvest; panicle larger and more spreading; grain 

 of excellent quality, and not so liable to shell out when 

 ripe; rather darker in colour, and easily distinguishable 

 from it by a small reddish mark in the centre of the front 

 of the grain ; very extensively cultivated throughout the 

 north ; more suitable for the lighter quality of soils than 

 the heavier clays ; by many considered to be more delicate 

 than the Potato Oat, and more liable to the attacks of 

 fungi, <fec. 



Sandy. A hardier variety than the Potato Oat, and 

 better adapted for late or uncertain districts. The straw 

 is heavy, firm in texture, and rarely seen lodged or broken 

 down by bad weather. The produce is large, of good 

 quality, and the sample is less affected by bad weather 

 than most others. It was discovered in Aberdeenshire in 

 1825, and is very extensively cultivated in the adjoining 

 counties. 



Angus (Early, Late, and Gray). Three varieties largely 

 cultivated in the central and in the late and exposed dis- 

 tricts of Scotland. Quality similar to the Potato, nearly 

 as early, and less liable to shake out at harvest. The 

 grain of the late variety is a trifle longer and darker 

 in colour than the other, and from ten days to a fortnight 

 later in ripening. In the Gray Angus the grain is still 

 longer, and of a bluish-gray colour. Quality the same. 



Blainslie. This is the favourite variety of the south- 

 east of Scotland, where it is largely cultivated. The grain 

 is round, and well filled, and of good quality. It is an 

 early variety, and well suited to late districts. 



