Critical Catalogue.[Oct.

But it ïs a ſubje& of regret, that this firſt and very important branch of rural induſtry, 1s ſeldom ſo much Éudied or ſo attentively execut- ed as it deſeves. Water, which is an agent indiſpenſably neceſlary in the economy of vegetation, is alſo, when retained in exceſs, the bane of all land vegetables. To support them it ought to be in the ſiate of a ligh! vapoury fluid diffaſed through the ſoil. It has of late been diſcovered to be compoſed of two principles, both of which indeed arc conſtituent parts of vegetables. But it has been proved, that the organs of vegetables can only digest a ſmall quantity of water. Whenever it exceeds what may ſerve for this purpoſe, and for ſupplying the perſpiration habitual to the diferent plants, it is injurious. Its effects on the ſoil, in winter, when vegetation is ſus- pended, are likewiſe highly prejudicial, as it counteracts the pur- poſe of cultivation, by deranging the texture which has thereby been given, and excludes the beneficial 1rfluance of the atmosphere. Hence it is, that all ſoils which have been ſoaked in ſtanding water, in winter, fufffer moſt in the ſummer?s draught. In denſe ſoils, covering an impervious bottom, this injury is beit obviated by giving the ridges a regular convex form, that the water which falls In rain may flow quickly away Without ſoaking into the ſoil, and keeping the furrows or drains between the ridges clear to receive it. In all Porous or ſoft yielding subſoils, through which water 00Zes, and approaches the ſurface, recourſe muſt be had to hollow drains?

Gypsum the author ſays, has been rried in Clydeſdale, with little or no ſucceſs, a fa alſo within our own knowledge many years ſince, Rent of land for flax crop 41. to 71- per acre!

The Clydeſdale ſyſtem of haymaking, like that of Lincolnſhire, differ eſſentially from the principles laid Cown by Profeſlor Coventry, (ſee our laſt No.) and the Profeſſor would do well to give the matter a ſecond conſideration:

‘ ARTIÈICIAL GRASS, DAIRY AND FEEDINC=—The firſt crop of ſown graſs 1s generally mown for hay. The hay harveſt commences about the beginning of July. Hay-making is condu@ed different ways. Some new hay-makers mow only when the-weather is fair and the graſs dry. Rakers immediately follow the mowers, and put up the hay into very ſmall cocks; it is afterwards turned daily, the ſize of the cocks being increaſed as it dries, till it be ready for treading up in field ricks. However this pra&ice may ſucceed in the southern counties of England, it does not ſeem to be well adapted to the-ſtate ofthis country. Unleſs the weather be uncommonly favourable, the hay always ſuffers ſomewhat in colour; and under repeated rains is greatly irjured. Many of the molt expert huſbandmen now follow 2 very different mode,‘The hay is allowed to lie in the ſwathe for three or four days, and then, if the crop is not heavier than from a ton and a half to two tons per acre, it is raked together, in a dry time, and immediately tread up into round or oblong ricks in the field, where it fands till it is thought to be in condition to be put ſafely into large ſtacks. Very heavy crops muſt be turned in the ſwathe, and both ſides expoſed to the drought; and when great rains have occurred, all the hay muſt be turned. What lies immediately