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may still derive from the sun and air, both of which haVegreat influence in bringing it to maturity. Whereas othersare of opinion, that after the stalk hus ceased to vegetate, itcannot yield nourishment to the ear. The state of weather,however, must at the same time be Liken into consideration;because in moist and variable weather, every kind of grainthat is prematurely cut, is more liable to receive injury thanwhen completely ripened. It is advantageous, however, tocut wheat before it is in a state of the most perfect ripeness;because, when in that state, a great deal of the best grain isexceedingly apt to fall out from the ear in handling, whilethe processes of cutting, binding, stooking, and carrying tothe rick-yard are going forward. To cut, however, in toogreen a state, is likewise injurious, both to the appearance ofthe grain, which shrivels in drying, and to the quantity ofproduce. A green shear, is worse than a sore shake wind, isan ancient agricultural proverb.
All these things require to be duly considered by a capfulhusbandman, as also the state of the season, and the dangersthat may be incurred from wind, especially if the equinox beat hand. On the whole, therefore, it is the more prudentpart, to cut down wheat before it be fully ripe, as hazardingless, than by adopting the opposite extreme. Thq best timeibr cutting wheat, and every species of grain, is, when nojuice can lie expressed from the straw immediately beneaththe ear. The grain will then be comparatively clear-skin-ned and fine, and both the grain and straw will be muchmore valuable. In early harvests the wheat crop may be al-lowed to stand till more fully ripenedwhile in late harvests,which are usually attended by greater risks from winds anddamfj weather, it must necessarily be cut in a less ripenedstate, i When w heat is what is called dead ripe, the ears arevery apt to break oft' at their necks while reaping, to thegreat detriment of the crop. The grain also drops from theear in the act of reaping the'erop. It acquires a dead dusky