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OF SCOTLAND.

5 37

the seed of permanent rye-grass. On the other hand, wherethe ley is only intended for one year, the annual rye-grass ispreferable, both as giving an abundant produce for that year,perhaps considerably more than that of the perennial variety;and because it is less apt to remain in the ground, and act thepart of a weed when the land is broken up for a grain crop.

Somewhat of a similar difference has been observed in re-gard to the seed of red clover, procured from England andHolland. The plants from the Dutch or rather the French seed, have been generally noticed to die out before or in thesecond season, while the English seed produces plants whichstand over the second year, many of them even remaining inthe third vear. In choosing clover seeds, marked attentionought to be paid to their quality, and that they do not con-tain any admixture of other seeds, which may vegetateand become troublesome weeds. The like attention isnecessary in the purchase of rye-grass, which is very of-ten mixed with the seeds of what is called goose-grass, talloat-grass, hair-grass, and couch, together with docks andother abominable weeds. Most of these may be distinguishedby attentive examination ; but the seeds of couch so stronglyresemble those of rye-grass as not easily to be discriminated.The word and character of the disposer, therefore, are theonly securities against this terrible pest being introduced ona farm, which may afterwards occasion excessive trouble, andconsiderable expcnce to eradicate, when the land comes againinto tillage. The reporter had a very vexatious instance ofthis evil, on first commencing the business of farming. Hispredecessor had sown off a field in grass, with the sweepingsof livery stable lofts in Berwick, in which neighbourhood anumber of small foul meadows are occupied by the burgesses,who sell or use the crops as hay. When that field came after-wards to be worked as a turnip fallow, the heaps of gatheredcouch roots were not much less considerable than the cocks°f a moderate crop of hay. Clean husbandry depends mainly«n the industry with which fallow and turnip crops, and drill-