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grains as low as possible. By this means, a great deal morestraw is acquired, to serve both for fodder anil litter, conse-quently an enlarged quantity of muck is procured, which isthe source of future fertility and a considerable quantity ofadditional grain is gathered into the barns, at least equal invalue to the additional expence of low reaping, and givingthe increased quantity of muck as clear profit.
It requires some experience and considerable attention tobe able to ascertain when the reaped corn is properly win, orready to be led home to the stack-yard in safety. Some per-sons judge of this circumstance by thrusting the hand into thecentre of the sheaves ; when, if the hand feels colder than be-fore, they consider the straw as not sufficiently dried. Othersjudge by the lightness or heaviness of the sheaves, those thatfeel light being sufficiently dry in their opinion. Both ofthese criterions are liable to fallacy. The state of the handbefore it is thrust in, is apt to give opposite results, accordingas it may have previously been warm or cold •, and the weightof a sheaf may depend on its size as much as on its dryness ormoisture. Perhaps the best means of judging is, to take outa small handful from the centre of the middle sheaf on thelee side of the stook, and to repeat this from a number ofstooks in different parts of the field: if the knots or joints ofthe straw in all these are dry, brownish and shrivelled, thecrop may be led home in safety ; but if these remain succu-lent, the stacks may certainly be expected to heat, and thequality of the grain will consequently be materially injured.
The wages of reapers in Scotland are various in its differ-ent districts, according to the circumstances of population anddemand. In Berwickshire, these have been already mention-ed as two shillings and eightpence a day for the men, andhalf a crown for women, besides victuals. This applies tofixed reapers hired for the whole harvest; but before harvestbecomes general, of after its principal hurry is over, reapersmay always be had on lower terms. In sgme districts, how-ever, where travelling reapers can be hired as wanted, tho