Agncudure in England. 



15 



is no department of agriculture in which minute inquiry is more 

 needed than this : first, to examine accurately the various diseases 

 of plants, and to note the habits of the animals which prey on 

 them ; then to ascertain, if possible, the rem.edies that may be 

 applied; and the followers of kindred sciences may be fairly invited 

 tp aid us in the formation of this branch of knowledge, which 

 may be called agricultural pathology. But even when the crop is 

 ready for harvest, it must not be supposed that there is no doubt 

 remaining, no room for further improvement. With regard to 

 corn, much injury arises to it from its being exposed to wet after 

 it has been cut^ when it may be discoloured at least, and often 

 begins to grow in the sward or the sheaf. If left too long, on the 

 other hand, in the hope of dry weather, it becomes overripe, and 

 a portion of the grain is lost hy being shed on the ground. It is 

 no new remark, however, that as soon as any portion of the straw 

 has turned yellow, the ascent of sap from the root is cut off, and 

 that though the ear be partly green, it will ripen henceforth as 

 well when severed from the ground as it will if it be left standing. 

 If this supposition be correct, it might enable the business of har- 

 vest to be commenced earlier, when a clear sky invites the reaper 

 into the wheat-field ; and would be so far beneficial, though not 

 in a very material degree. The late ripening of the corn in the 

 northern parts of this island, where from the moisture of the sum- 

 mers following cold springs, crops are sometimes not secured for 

 two months after our southern harvest is ended, requires a more 

 effectual remedy if such can be found ; and it has been suggested, 

 that as seed grown in southern climates retains for some time its 

 habits of early ripeness, though grown under the more chilly sun 

 of the north, seed might be advantageously borrowed by our 

 northern farmers from the warmer parts of the country. The 

 suggestion, however, can be regarded as yet merely as speculative. 

 But the power of improvement does not cease when the corn is 

 placed in the rickyard ; and here we have not to inquire or to 

 guess, but simply to look at the practice of the practical farmer 

 in the Lothians and in Northumberland. There, instead of the 

 thresher and his flail, may be seen the machine, not driven how- 

 ever by horses, for then the advantage might be more doubtful, 

 seeing that the labour is distressing to the animals, and withdraws 

 them, moreover, from the. work of the fields, but impelled by 

 wind or water, or steam, and that on ahnost every farm. In 

 France, too, it appears that not only travelling threshing-machines 

 are employed, as is the case here, but that it is proposed to work 

 these by steam-engines carried with them. It may be objected, 

 indeed, by the farmer, that if he gave up his hand-threshing, he 

 would be at a loss to find employment for his men in the winter. 

 The objection, however, shoAVs a want of confidence in the power 



