ftct.ir. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 17$ 



beans or pease. In this case the dung is some- 

 times given to the wheat> and sometimes to the 

 beans. If the beans have been drilled, and the 

 ground made clean, the wheat crop following 

 seldom fails to be good. 



2d, Sort. On land that is cold and moist, and 

 not very strong, the red wheat is preferred ; it 

 being thought capable of standing the winter 

 better, and producing a- larger crop upon this 

 kind of land than any other. But, from the 

 defect of colour in the flour, it is not in such 

 high estimation with the bakers, and therefore 

 usually brings a lower price at market. White 

 wheat is most generally cultivated* Of this there 

 are different kinds. Velvet wheat is coming 

 much into use, and thrives well. The brown 

 or yellow is likewise sown. 



3^/, Steeping, or rather Pickling, is very ge- 

 nerally practised. This is done in different 

 \vays, either with a pickle of water and sea salt, 

 made so strong as to carry an egg, or with stale 

 urine. When this last is used, sometimes no 

 more is applied than what is just necessary com- 

 pletely to moisten the seed. The grain is al- 

 lowed to continue no longer in the pickle than 

 is necessary to separate the weak grain, which 

 swims on the top, and is carefully scummed off. 

 Then it is mixed with as much powdered lime 

 as will dry it to a degree fit for sowing, which 

 is always done immediately. Indeed, when it 

 is pickled with stale urine, it must be sown in- 

 stantly. Should it stand but for a few hours, 

 its vegetative powers will be endangered. In 

 both cases the powdered lime ought never to be 

 applied, new slacked, and very hot, as, in this 



