OF SCOTLAND.

571

SECT. VII.

OF PUTTING IN CROPS WITHOUT PLOUGHING.

Of this practice no instance occurs in Scotch husbandry, un-less sowing oats in spring, upon land which had been plough-ed after harvest, or during winter, without a second plough-ing, merits that denomination. If so, that practice is by nomeans unusual in Scotland ; as oats are universally sown,when after grass or hay, on land which has been only onceploughed. But generally speaking, the sooner that seed issown, after the land has been ploughed, so much the betterboth for that crop, and for the after condition of the land.When the land has been ploughed long before sowing, thevivacious roots of weeds, such as couch grass and docks, areencouraged to vegetate and get possession of the soil, beforethe seed can make its way, to the manifest detriment of thecrop. The early ploughings, therefore, are generally givento those parts of the farm that are to be fallowed, or sownwith turnips or pulse, or set with potatoes, after additionalcultivation; and the ley, or grass land intended for oats, isreserved for the last of the early spring work. W T hen theturf is old and tough, it is of consequence to plough it aboutthe commencement of winter, or as soon as possible after theland for fallow or green crops, that the frost may diminish itstenacity, and give more mould for covering the seed in spring.The success of this practice may be promoted by the use ofthe scarificator, an implement which has only of late been in-troduced into Scotland ; though now strongly recommendedby that respectable body of intelligent practical farmers,“ The Dalkeith Farming Society.” It may be questioned,however, whether the scarificator would not reverse a gooddeal of the ley-turf to the injury of the oat crop.