58 



well agree as to the mode of doing it — stale urine is 

 considered the safest and surest pickle, and where it 

 can be obtained in sufficient quantities is often re- 

 sorted to. Some again are advocates for a pickle of 

 salt and water, strong enough to buoy up an egg, in 

 which the grain is to be steeped for at least 48 hours : 

 but all admit the utility of mixing the wetted seed 

 with hot lime fresh slacked. You are to oliserve, 

 however, that if the seed steeped in urine is not im- 

 mediately sown, it will not grow, and that if the 

 other pickle is not strong enough it will not be a 

 preventive against smut. 



No. XVI. 



AVhen even Doctors differ, 'tis no wonder. 

 That Farmers' notions should be wide asunder ; 

 But, if you mark the modes prescrilied by me, 

 I think it likely that you'll all agree. 



The best soil for Barley is a light rich loam llnely 

 ptdverised. It will neither grow well on a sandy 

 nor soft soil, nor on strong clays, such as are suitable 

 for wheat. The best season for so\Hng barley is from 

 the beginning of April to the middle of May ; hwtSere 

 may be sown in autumn, or as late as the first week 

 in June. The best grain for sowing is that which is 

 free from blackness at the tail, and is of a pale, hvely, 

 yeUow colour, intermixed with a bright, whitish cast ; 

 and if the rind be a little shrivelled, so much the bet- 

 ter, as this proves that the skin is thin. In this, as in 

 all other grain, the utmost care should be taken that 

 the seed be full bodied. In dry seasons steeping the 

 seed in water, 24 or 36 hours is very necessary. 

 Barley that has been wetted for malting, and begins 

 to sprout, will come up soonest and produce as good 

 a crop as any other. 



