340 The French Peasant- Farmer's Seed Fund. 
maize, potatoes, 6cc. All wlio had been recipients spoke in the 
highest possible terms of the fine quality of seed sent out, 
and with the exception of the wheat crop, which was a failure — 
partly in consequence of the late period of sowing, and partly 
owing to the parching weather in the months of April and May 
— the crops were very good indeed, especially the oats and 
barley ; the average yield of the former grown from our seed I 
should estimate at about 11 sacks per acre, and that of the 
latter about 8 sacks. When I speak of the crops as being good, I 
wish to be understood that I give the estimate of the cultivators 
themselves, and at the same time I take into consideration the 
unfavourable circumstances under which the seed was sown. 
Here I had the opportunity of comparing in two instances 
barley raised from English and from French seed growing side 
by side, and in both cases the very marked superiority of the 
crop produced from our seed was apparent. The maize was 
being cultivated as a forage crop for cows, which are very partia 
to it, and produce a decided increase of milk from its use ; th( 
potatoes were in every way satisfactory, and held out hope of 
good return," 
In reference to the neighbourhood of Villandry, he remark 
that " The autumn-sown wheat was truly wretched, a great dea 
of land was occupied by crops that could not possibly yield mor 
than five bushels per acre ; and, owing to the sparseness of th 
crop and the want of attention in cleaning the land, an ove 
whelming crop of weeds, embracing almost every variety, w 
the result. The wheat sent by the Society had, in consequenc 
of the late period of sowing, failed to mature itself; but in on 
respect it had the advantage of their autumn-sown wheat, whic 
was this, — the seed had grown very well and tillered strongly, hen 
the ground was well covered with a dense coat of herbage whic 
had kept the land clean, and would yield a fair amount of fora»< 
" The barley was a most refreshing sight. The seed selecte 
was of a very fine description, and the growing crop bore eviden 
of its value, the near approach to maturity enabling me to for 
a very fair estimate of the yield. The variety was certainly tl 
long-eared Nottingham ; it was ripening off with a brilliai 
golden hue, and was remarkably plump, promising to yield 
sample which would cause the buyers of Bass, Allsopp, ai 
others, who are very dainty in their selections, to limit their pa 
in this transaction solely to the matter of price. A great dc 
that 1 saw in my morning's walk carried heads in which fro 
2 S to 36 grains could be counted. The poor peasants were vc 
loud in their praises of the English barley, and 1 found that 
was a general intention on their part to retain it for seed 
preference to the native varieties ; a very gratifying proof tli 
