On Rye.
Rye was much more extensively cultivated in Britain in ancient, than in modern times, being then a general article of bread-corn, though now only partially used in certain districts for that purpose, or in the distillation of spirits. Perhaps to change of taste, or want of con sumption, may be attributed the great decrease of this grain ; for, upon sandy soils, none arc more productk e, nor will any pay the farmer better for the expense of cultivation, than this unfashionable grain.
Rye ought never to be sown upon wet soils, nor even upon sandy soils where the subsoil is of a retentive na ture. Upon downs, links, and all soft lands, which have received manure, this grain thrives in perfection, and, if once covered in, will stand a ,I ought afterwards, that would consume any of the culmilerous tribe. The seve ral processes may be regarded as nearly the same with those recommended fur wheat, with the single exception of pickling, which rye does not require. Rye may be sown either in winter or spring, though the winter seeded fields are generally bulkiest and must produc tive. It may succeed either summer fallow, cloy( r, or turnips ; even after oats, good crops have been raised, and where such crops are raised, the land will always be found in good condition.
On the Cultivation of Leguminous Crops.
Though culmiferous crops have, in all ages, been regarded as most profitable for the husbandman, there is no doubt, but that rural management is most suitably exercised, when due attention is paid to the prep!irative crops, or those which are naturally calculated to enrich or fertilize the soil, and to furnish an increased stock of manure for supporting and invigorating its powers, after having carried culmiferous crops. These prepara tive or enriching crops are usually called leguminous ones; and here we shall rank under that head, 1. Bcans; 2. Pease ; S. Tares; 4. Potatoes; 5. Turnips; 6. Ruta. Baga; 7. Cabbages; 8. Carrots. Clover and rye-grass might, with propriety, have also been inclu ded; but these we shall reserve as subjects fur the next Chapter.
On Beans.
Beans are a grain long known in Britain ; but it is only of late years, that they were extensilely cultiva ted upon general soils, being formerly considered as adapted only to rich and moist clays. At that time, they were all sown according to the broad-cast system; in which way, instead of benefiting the ground, they were of incalculable detriment. AVeeds got away at
the outset, and, in dry seasons, often ruined the crop ; whilst, in every season, the grass or perennial weeds, which happened to be in the ground, increased in strength and in quantity, the openness of the bean crop at bottom allowing them to thrive without inter ruption.
The drilling of beans with a small mixture of pease is now become a general practice, in every \yell cultivated district, more particularly in those where soil and cli mate permit the practice to be successfully executed. In this way, not only heavy crops arc raised, but, what is of great importance, the ground is 1“pt constantly in good order, provided suitable attention is bestowed upon the cleaning process. This is generally carried on by horse-hoeing the crop at different times, so long as the hoe can be used without doing damage ; and in this way, an able auxiliary is brought forward to the assistance of summer fallow, whereby less stress need be laid upon that radical process than otherwise would be indispensa bly necessary.
The different branches of bean culture may be divi• ded into,—preparation, mode of sowing, quantity of seed required, hoeing process, harvest management, and pro duce. These particulars shall be briefly illustrated.
naturally succeed a culiniferuus crop ; and we betide it is not of much importance width of the varieties are followed, providing the ground is it decent order, and not worn out by the previous crop. The furrow ought to be given early in winter, and as deep as possible, that the earth may be sufficiently louscneo. and room afforded for the routs of the plant to search fur the requisite nourishment. This first furrow i-, usually given across the field, which is the best method when only one spring furrow is intended ; hut as it is now ascertained, that two spring furrows are highly ad vantageous, perhaps the one in w inter ought to be given in length, w hich lays the ground in a better situa tion fur resisting the rains, and renders it sooner dry in spring, than can he the ease when ploughed across. On the supposition, that three furrow s are to be gi‘ en, one in w inter, and two in spring, the following is the most eligible preparation.