194 
On Rape-dust. 
in the habit of purchasing Mr. S.'s potatoes, that he will give rriore 
per acre for those manured witli rape-dust than for others grown 
by Mr. S. with farm-jard manure. There are two considerations 
of opposite tendency, which should be remembered in using rape- 
dust for this crop, viz., that though you employ it liberally, it will 
not leave you a rich fallow; at the same time, it will be a much 
cleaner one than is left after the application of farm-yard manure, 
which, in the half-fermented state in which it is usually applied, 
fills the soil with the seed of weeds. No method of application 
for potatoes can be better than that of sowing it upon the ridge, 
as the plough turns the whole of the tillage into the furrow, and 
yet so mingles it with the earth, that its fermentation does not 
injure the young sprouts. 
The cost of rape-dust is about 71. per ton, or from 21 s. to 23*. 
per quarter. 
XVI. — /Statement of the Various Systems of Cropping in the 
South of Scotland, on different Kinds of Land. By Thomas 
Balmer. Communicated by the Duke of Richmond. 
I. Ricli Loam. 
1. Oats after grass. 
2. Turnips: one-half to be eaten on the ground with sheep, and the 
other half used in feeding cattle, &c. 
3. Barley or spring-wheat. 
4. Grass : a part to be cut for hay, and the remainder pastured. 
This rotation can only be practised with advantage in the neighbourhood 
of a town, where plenty of rich manure can be procured ; and even in 
that case the land will in time become soft and less productive from 
not being rested in grass. 
II. Dry Turnip Laiid. 
1. Oats after grass. 
2. Turnips : one-half to be eaten on the ground with sheep, and the 
other half to be used in feeding cattle, &c. 
3. Barley. 
4. Grass : a part to be cut for hay, and the remainder pastured. 
5. Grass : all pastured. 
This rotation has long been practised, and is considered the best for the 
above description of land; a farm will certainly not produce a sufficient 
quantity of manure for the turnip-break ; but since the introduction of 
bone-dust, guano, and other manures, an enterprising and industrious 
tenant can be at no loss on that account ; and if once the land be put 
into good order, and properly farmed, it is believed it will continue so 
for any length of time. 
