582 Cuitication of Arable Land.—Oats.

UV

roller, may likewife be beneficial in both refpetts. Horfes have alfo been turned in for the fame purpofe by fome cultivators*. For the above reafons, it has been fuggefted as improper to put oat crops in on newly broken up land, or even in the fecond year’s cultivation of them, or what in fome diftri&s it termed a /ea-breech t+. Peas and beans, according to the nature of the foil, are generally confidered as the moft proper forts. of crops in thefe cafes.

It is moftly confidered by writers on agriculture as a better and more correét practice to fow grafs feeds with this crop than barley, as the tillage requifite for the latter may difpofe it to become rank and be lodged, by which the grafs will be drawn up weak through it, and jn that way be greatly injured; as well as the barley, by the humidity thus produced, require a longer time in the field, and in that way be expofed to more danger in cafe of a wet feafon fucceeding, while with oats there is little rifk in thefe refpetts, as the ftraw is much ftiffer and more firm. Where oat crops are thin upon the ground, they grow ftrong, and are confequently better capable of fupporting themfelves without falling on the ground.

After-culture.-—The only culture that is neceffary for this fort of crop while growing, is that of keeping it as clean and free from weeds as pofiible, by means of hand-weeding, and the ufe of the forceps. It is alfo a praétice in fome places to pafs a light roller over the crop after it is advanced a few inches in height, when the ground has been flightly moiftened by rain; by which the cloddinefs of the furface is reduced, and the plants in fome meafure earthed up, and the progrefs of the crop not only much promoted, but, where thin, the plants rendered more thick upon the land by the tillering that 1s thus produced.

Oat crops are.ready for the fcythe, or fickle, when the ftraw. exhibits a yel- Jowifh caft, the grain becomes hard, and the chaff opens in fuch a manner as to render it in fome degree naked. This fort of crop does not require to be fo dry when put into the{tack as thofe of either wheat or barley.

It is fometimes a practice in this fort of crop, as well as that of wheat, when there is danger of its being too rank or luxuriant in its growth, to feed it down with fheep in the{pring months, This is not, however, a method that is to be adcpted, except in particular circumftances, as where there is great difficulty in procuring fheep feed: at fuch periods, or where the worm is committing its ravages upon the plants; as this fort of grain is not in general apt to be injured either by the luxuriancy of its growth, or by being lodged.

* Bannifter’s Synopfis of Husbandry, pe 101. ¢ Ibid. p. 102.

1 tion growl Mon h thoug} the cul

Hip.

Of the Weeds

YO