7 



greatest perfection in their inflorescence, — that it is at this 

 period alone, all extracts from vegetable substances are 

 taken ; and as in the case of hay the whole vegetable is 

 preserved, it is of great importance that it should be mowed 

 in its highest state of perfection, that is, when the pre- 

 dominant varieties of grass are in flower. 



The practical farmer knows nothing of all this. He has 

 his own rules for deciding on maturity, and generally cuts 

 his crop, before either the cock's foot or the rye grass (the 

 two earliest of our predominant grasses) are in flower. 



I sometimes feel an ill-natured pleasure, when I see the 

 trampcocks of these early gentry collapse considerably for 

 want of substance, giving evidence of premature mowing, 

 and establishing the inferiority of the hay. 



Here the experimentalist would be useful, by enabling 

 us to compare portions of hay from the same crop, cut 

 at different periods ; — even the farmer himself, would he 

 condescend to doubt, might soon satisfy himself, by leaving 

 the amount of a trampcock uncut for one, two, or perhaps 

 three weeks later than the rest, he would probably find 

 his hay firmer and better ; he is certain, also, the quantity 

 is somewhat increased. 



Were the arrangement I recommend adopted, many 

 agricultural questions of much importance would receive 

 speedy solutions. — That of the proper seasons for sow- 

 ing our several grains has been much agitated. 



Upon this question the theorist would pronounce gene- 

 rally, that agricultural policy directed the season for 

 sowing each vegetable to be so chosen, that it might remain 

 above ground in the very best portion of the year, neither 

 exposed unnecessarily to late frosts in its tender state, 

 nor to premature winter severities when ripening its seed. 



Hence the season for sowing each vegetable, should b^ 



