506 Farmiufi of the North Ridincj of Yorkshire. 
The turnips being- disposed of in this manner, the land is in a 
state of great fertility, and is prepared for the next crop in the 
rotation, the 
Barley. — The plough follows the sheep as rapidly as the weather 
and circumstances will admit ; and- instead of deep ploughing, 
the greatest care is exercised for this crop to plough thin, 3 or 4 
inches being considered the maximum. Some farmers even scarify 
after the turnips, and drag Avithout ploughing, as it is considered 
unsafe to bury the rich soil too deep. We have not witnessed so 
much success attend the plan as either to approve of it or observe 
its general adoption ; and we think it scarcely admits of subdivision 
in the soil sufficient for the barley-plant to be successfully matured. 
In the month of ]\Iarch another ploughing or dragging across is 
given ; and the clods are harrowed fine, and the soil ribbed or 
drilled, as may suit the convenience or meet the views of the cul- 
tivator. When the late turnips are on the ground till April, and 
a dry spring occurs, there is often great difficuUv in reducing the 
clods, and then the moisture is lost, and possibly the crop. A 
clod-crusher may in such a case easily save the whole of its cost in 
a single year. The variety of barley usually sown is Chevalier, 
and a kind, long known and cultivated in the Riding, denomi- 
nated country barley;" and between these two the whole district 
is occupied. The Annat atone time prevailed to a certain extent, 
and the " battledore," an old variety, is nearly extinct. The quan- 
tity of seed sown varies from 2h to 3 bushels per acre, and if that 
is diminished below that amount, there is found to be a loss in 
the crop. The best time for sowing is considered from the 
21st to the 30th of March, and it is remarkable that if the 
seeding is deferred a week later there is a loss of some 8 bushels 
per acre. 
The Chevalier has a disposition to lodge, but grows a finer and 
bolder sample, and is generally preferred by the maltsters. The 
growing of this on the grey sands and most inferior land on the 
series, has placed it in their power to compete with the best soils, 
and happily on the former the lodging tendency is not generally so 
prevalent. There has been recently a disposition to be black- 
eared in the barley, but no remedy has been attempted excepting 
the change of seed, by purchasing it in Mark-lane, which is said 
to have a favourable tendency. 
As soon as the barley is in the ground and once harrowed, the 
seeds are sown, consisting of quantities varying from 14 to 18 lbs. 
per acre, composed of white clover, trefoil, and Italian rye-grass, 
if for pasturage; and if for mowing, of red clover and the Italian 
rye-grass. These are usually sown by the hand, and lightly 
harrowed over. Soon after the barley is sown and before it has 
germinated^ the roller is applied, and the surface made thoroughly 
