16 CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



in both cases, one of the proofs being, and that under re- 

 peated trials, and upon both farms, he finds that in com- 

 petition with other kinds of seed- wheat the importations 

 in both cases ripened earlier by about ten days than those 

 varieties grown for comparison. The Bedfordshire farm is 

 a retentive clay, the marsh farm a thin loam, upon a silty 

 or sea-sand subsoil. This is a fact worth knowing, and I 

 trust my readers will give us many such, and also many 

 other useful facts tending to elucidate this subject. 



" At the risk of being thought presumptuous I will offer 

 my advice. Every farmer should regulate his course in 

 these matters according to his best judgment and experi- 

 ence. The varieties of wheat are very numerous ; he best 

 knows what sorts have proved well under his culture; 

 these he should adhere to rather tenaciously, but with 

 occasional deviations, or by introductions of new sorts, if 

 well recommended. He should always change his seed ; 

 but he must be very careful that the seed is clean, and 

 from a favourable district or climate ; this he soon ascer- 

 tains, either by his own experience, or on the information 

 of others. The great thing is, that he takes care to do it. 

 Depend upon it, that if this change be judiciously effected, 

 it will amply repay the little additional cost. My opinion 

 inclines most to a change from either a chalky, gravelly, or 

 peaty soil, to a good loam, or a clayey loam, or heavy clay, 

 and vice versa; also a change from a warm or a dry climate 

 or soil, to a cold or a wet climate or soil; and I should 

 demur as to taking seed-corn from a cold or wet climate at 

 all. I should also recommend sowing the best and heaviest 

 grain, and not to drill in more than from six to nine pecks 

 per acre, always taking into consideration the fertility of 

 the soil and the order of seeding." 



8. In connection with the raining of seed for the direct 

 purposes of the farm, it is worth noticing here the ad- 

 vantages which would accrue from the habit of a close 

 observation of each field of wheat when near its period 

 of ripening, with a view to select and save those ears 

 which, from their size or the beauty of their sample, 



