NEW HUSBANDRY EXEMPLIFIED. 163 



*' greateft part was wafted. Neverthelefs, 

 '* though the horfe-hoed barley inclined every 

 " way, owing to ftorms, in various direc- 

 " tions, and entirely covered the four inter- 

 " vals fo that no land could be feen ; yet 

 " were the ftalks only bent, but no Way in- 

 44 jured : and this is one great advantage, 

 44 which horfe-hoed corn has over that fowed 

 44 at random. For, though the ears are very 

 " large, the ftems are proportionably ftrong 

 " and hard, and being conftantly expofed, by 

 " means of the broad intervals, to the iti- 

 44 fluence of the fun and air, they acquire 

 " fuch a degree of firmnefs, as generally to 

 44 refift all attacks of wind and rain. The 

 44 only inconvenience attending thefe bent 

 44 ftalks was, that they were difficult and 

 c awkward to mow ; and, by covering the 

 44 intervals, prevented their being fown, and 

 44 deprived me of a good crop of turnips. 

 For I have generally fown turnips in the 

 intervals, immediately after the laft. horfe- 

 44 hoeing about the beginning of July. The 

 " land is then reduced toexcellent tilth; andno- 

 '* thing more is neceflary than to fow the feed 

 pretty thick. The firft (hower of rain 

 44 wafhes it into the ground, and covers it, 

 4< without the aid of the harrow. The young 

 " plants enjoy the benefit of the frelh-tilled 

 44 earth ; and the corn being reaped foon af- 

 44 terwards, the whole field is left for the tur- 

 ** nips to extend their roots in it. I have had 



Ma 4 near 



