317 
may be said to have accomplished the operations of seed-time in due 
season. 
There is an advantage resulting from changing seed from soils of opposite 
natures, which cannot be depended on when the change is made from 
similar soils. Some weeds will grow only in strong deep lands, while 
others are peculiar to light and sandy soils. When, from whatever cause, 
grain abounds so much with the seeds of weeds, as to render it improper for 
sowing, by procuring seed from a soil of an opposite nature, the farmer is, 
to a great degree, certain that no dangerous seed-weeds will be introduced 
by the change. 
Grain, like all other seeds and plants, when brought from a warmer to a 
colder climate, gradually degenerates till, by being frequently cultivated, it 
becomes natural both to the soil and climate. And it is found from 
experience, that it degenerates sooner, and to a greater degree, in 
mountainous districts, than in the level and better-sheltered parts of the 
country. At the same time, it is well known, that many vegetables 
introduced from other countries, and which it was once thought would not 
come to maturity in Great Britain ; have, by proper care and attention, been 
brought to a great degree of perfection. It is said, that some of Oliver 
Cromweirs officers first introduced white oats into Scotland. Previous to 
his overrunning that kingdom (about 150 years ago), the oats generally 
cultivated in the now highly improved county of Berwick, were of the grey 
species, such as are still common in the highland districts. This circumstance, 
more conclusive than a thousand arguments, proves how much the quality 
of grain may be improved by proper attention; and further, that frequent 
and j udicious changes of seed are of the greatest importance in effecting this 
improvement. 
The long and established practice, and the acknowledged advantages 
derived from annually importing seed-wheat from England, into all the 
districts in Scotland, where that species of grain is cultivated, are well 
known. It is a practice no less general, although more local, for the farmers 
in Banffshire, where deep strong cold soils prevail, to procure, in unfavourable 
seasons, a great portion of the oats necessary for seeds from the light dry 
sandy soils in the adjoining county of Moray. Were it proper to enter into 
a particular detail of the practice of other districts where improved agiculture 
is to any considerable degree established, it would be found that frequent 
changes of seed are, for one or other of the reasons above mentioned, 
4 L 
