t^: Y O Tn. K S H I R E. 395 



thereby gaining a more free admiflion into 

 the center of the fheaf. 



If l?arlsy be fhort upon the ground, free 

 from weeds, and well-headed (efpecially the 

 four-rowed barley or *' big"), it is difficult 

 to be " gaited ;" the heads of the fheaves be- 

 ing too bulky, and the butts not fufficiently 

 fo to form a bafis broad enough to fupport 

 them. Its flippery nature alfo renders it dif- 

 ficult to be kept in a loofely tied band. Bar- 

 lev, therefore, is more comtnonlv bound after 

 the fithe than oats are. But when it runs 

 much to flraw, and is weedy, or full of gralTcs 

 at the bottom, gaiting becomes eflentially ne- 

 cefTary to good management. Barley is more 

 liable than any other grain to take damage in 

 the field ; and everv means of forwarding- its 

 drying, thereby Ihortening the length of time 

 between the cutting and the carrying, ought 

 to be employed. 



Shocks of oats and barley bound after the 

 fithe are generally left uncovered until the 

 time of carrying. If, however, the feafon be 

 iinfettlcd, and the heads be got pretty well 

 >v'cathejed while the butts are yet under-dry. 



