MASSACHUSETTS STATE COLLEGE GOODELL LIBRARY Per y:Z9 No. 1, Vol. XXIX.] JANUARY, 1866. [Third Series. THE 1 FARMER'S MAGAZINE, AND 1 ^ » I j 1 t MONTHLY JOURNAL i OF TFTE ACIEICULTUEAL INTEREST. 1 i 1 IBelJuatelr 1 TO THE i j 1 FARMERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, I j 1 1 i 1 LONDON : PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 246, STRAND. 1 1 ! PRICE TWO SHILLIKGS. 1 1 1 KOGEBSON AND TOXWED,] [PEillTlM, 846, STBAIID. i H O W A BD S' CHAMPION PLOUGH Gained at the LAST TRIALS of the Royal Agricultural Socikty op England, at Newcastle, The FIRST and ONLY PRIZE for the BEST WHEEL PLOUGH FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. This is tlie most important Prize for Ploughs offered by the Society; And for the last TEW YEARS J. & F. HOWARD havb bben the Winners of it. HOWARDS' CHAMPION PLOUGH HAS RECEIVED FIFTEEN FIRST PRIZES from the Royal Agricultural Society of England, being the Largest Number of Prizes awarded to any kind of Plough ever exhibited. HOWARDS' CHAMPION PLOUGH WON THE FIRST ALL ENGLAND MATCH OF 1865, And at the Last Two Years' Autumnal Matches tlie unprecedented number of Forty-one All England Prizes, and upwards of 500 Local Prizes^ The Largest Number ever gained by any Maker. MORE THAN SIXTY THOUSAND ARE NOW IN USE. At the Plymouth Mehting of the Royal Agricultural Society op England, July, 18G5, J. & F. PIOWARD won erery Prize for which they competed, viz. — Two FIRST PRIZES for the Best Haymaking Machines, and the FIRST PRIZE for the Best Horse Rake. These Machines have won every First, Prize at every competitive trial, both at liome and abroad. The following Prizes have been awarded to J. & F. Howard by the Royal Agricultural Society of England : — FORTY-POUR FIRST PRIZBS FOR THE BEST PLOUGHS FOR LIGHT LAND, BEST PLOUGHS FOR HEAVY LAND, BEST PLOUGHS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. BEST RIDGING PLOUGHS, BEST SUBSOIL PLOUGHS, BEST HARROWS, BEST HORSE RAKES, BEST HAYMAKERS, AND BEST HORSE HOES; ALSO THE GOLD MEDAL, AND OTHER PRIZES, FOR STEAM-CULTIVATING MACHINERY. full I'ARTICULARS may be had of their agents throughout the TTORLD, or TflLL BE SENT FREE ON APPLICATION TO JAMES AND FREDERICK HOWARD, BRITANNIA IRON WORKS, BEDFORD, ENGLAND. LONDON OFFICE : 4, Cheapside-Three Doors from St. Paul's. m > @ sg @S] 5 y) m 1^ !=> ?^ c=J] llri5 ^ ^ ^ &5, M G- t s THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. JANUARY, 1866. PLATE I. PORTRAIT OF MR. ROBERT LEEDS. PLATE II. THE SALISBURY HOTEL AND FARMERS' CLUB HOUSE. MR. ROBERT LEEDS, OF WEST LEXirAM, BRANDON, NORFOLK, Chaibman of the Farmers' Club for 1865, " They all knew very well what Mr. Leeds was in public life, but he would tell them what their Chairman was amongst his friends and neighbours. The best criterion they could have of a man's cha- racter was the estimation in which he was held by those amongst whom he lived. He ventured to say of Mr. Leeds, that he was one of the best far- mers in Norfolk, being one of the most enterpris- ing and active tenants on the celebrated Holkham Estate, and that he possessed all the virtues which should adorn a farmer." This is a character in it- self, as given by Mr. Sewell Read, the new mem- ber for Norfolk, when proposing the health of the Chairman the other day at the annual dinner of the Farmers' Club. There has long been a certain sort of distinction associated with the farming of Norfolk, more particularly as practised on the Holkham property, and Mr. Leeds supplies us with an apt illustration of his order, being a Nor- OiD Series.] folk man born and bred. He first saw the light at Barney, in that county, in the year 1812, while the home of the family is more properly at Whit- well, where the Leeds, have held an estate of their own for upwards of two hundred years. Brought up to the business of agriculture under his father's eye, the son commenced farming on his own ac- count at Witchingham, near Norwich ; but in the course of a few years — in 1847 that is — he shifted to Lexham, where he continues to hold under Lord Leicester about twelve hundred acres of land, eleven hundred being arable, and fifty acres of the pasture in water meadows. The terms of tenure embrace a twenty years' lease, with the right of the shooting, and the letting of fifteen cottages and a public-house also in the hands of the tenant, who has thus the whole place and its belongings en- tirely under his control. Some of the cottages, by the way, as more recently built, have three bed- B [Vol. MX,— No. 1. rooiijy to each, with a fire-place in one of the bed rooms, a good bit of garden-ground, and every other convenience that can be required — a sufficiently strong contrast to the dwelhngs of the poor on some other properties in Norfolk. It is scarcely necesary to add that Mr. Leeds' own residence is a capital one, very different from the general notion of a farm-house, while it is beautifully situate, and " faced" with a large piece of water, of more than an acre and a-half in extent. Then, of course, the homestead is fitted up with the best possible ma- chinery, where corn is dressed, chaff cut, seed crushed, and cake ground by steam power. And this said cake is a grand consideration at Lexham, where from three to four times the rent of the farm is annually expended in feeding-stuffs and artificial manures. The plan of the home premises is com- ])leted by the best of bullock sheds and loose boxes, and from two to three hundred beasts, chiefly Shorthorns, are turned out during the year from Lexham, where the system pursued is, to buy in forward animals at from £20 to £25 each, and to put these on all the cake and corn they can eat, but never more than two bushels of roots a day. The beasts are thus on the farm from twelve to sixteen weeks, and the yards are contiually filled up with animals as those fit are disposed of. In- deed, with the exception of the bullocks bought in for grazing the water meadows, and Vv^hich do not require any imtil July, everything else at Lexham is always eating cake, and the flock of ewes are now having half-a-pound of cotton cake, with a limited ration of bran at night. The breeding flock here averages three hundred ewes, and about twelve hundred hoggets are fattened during the winter. This brief summary will still be sufficient to show the liberality with which " an enterprising and active tenant" sets about his business, and the grounds upon which Mr. Robert Leeds comes to be recognised as " one of Ihe best farmers in Nor- folk." We may, without getting beyond the bounds of good breeding, say further, that we believe Lord Leicester as the landlord and Mr. Leeds as the occupier are mutually proud of each other. But Mr, Leeds is something more than what the world might call " a mere famer." With the manner of a gentleman he unites the tastes of a sportsman ; and he is well-bred again in this way as a nephew of Mr, Michael Beverley, of Forncett, THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. who for many years was celebrated for his clever pack of harriers; while Mr. Leeds himself, on Lord Sondes giving up the fox-hounds some seasons since, started a pack of stag-hounds, for which he guaranteed the subscription as honorary secretary. Then the shooting at Lexham will always supply some amusement for the hospitable host or his friends; and, proh jnidor! we cannot help thinking that we have been able ere now to identify a white hat and a smart cob on Newmarket Heath. There are, however, graver calls which now frequently take Mr, Leeds from home, for he has gone quite as energetically into what may be called the pub- lic life of agriculture. He is a Member of the Council of the Sraithfield Club, a Member of the Committee of the Farmers' Club, a Director of the Agricultural Hall Company, a Director of the Agri- cultural Hotel Company, a Director of the Nitro- Phosphate Manure Company, and the Vice-Chair- man of the new Hail-storm Insurance Company. He was one of the first to join the Nitro-phosphate Company which soon grew into a most successful business ; and when too many were merely talking and grumbling about " better accommodation," he went bodily to work with a few others, neither sparing his time nor his money to build both the Agricultural Hall and the Agricultural Hotel. At Islington, Mr. Leeds is never seen to more advan- tage than as Steward of the Horse Show, where his knowledge of the "noble animal", his acquaint- ance with most of our " gentlemen sportsmen," and his genial pleasant bearing must tell greatly in the management of the meeting. As Chair- man of the year during which the new house was opened, we have coupled his portrait with a draw- ing of the Salisbury Hotel and Farmers' Club House, and the Club will be fortunate indeed if it can year by year continue to select men of the same stamp to fill the office of President. As he himself said at the dinner in the Show week, " long speeches are not in his line;" but he has far more substantial recommendations for the appoint- ment; and although we know that he accepted it with reluctance, no one has discharged the duties of such a position with more benefit to the Societ)^ whose business he was called upon to conduct. With a quick eye to a point, a thorough dislike to all superfluous nonsense, and the best practical know- ledge of the art of agriculture, Mr. Leeds could command support, as he could enforce order; and it is by such a sample that a chairman should be chosen. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, THE SALISBURY HOTEL AND FARMERS' CLUB HOUSE. On the occasion of the opening of this Hotel to- wards the end of last June, v.'e gave some accouut of its origin and capabilities, which we may here re- produce:— " The increased hotel accommodation required in the metropolis, now that oui* net-work of rail- ways has accustomed men of business and country families to pay more frequent or longer periodical visits to this great centre of attraction, has been sensibly felt for some time past, and with an en- terprise which does credit to their spirit and judg- ment, a few of the older members of the London Farmers' Club, who knew the wants of their friends as well as their own desires, i*esolved to remedy this objection, by building such a hotel as should be suitable to their modern requirements. The site chosen for this purpose was either a lucky wind- fall or a very happy negociation. Salisbury-square was the only available place left, in this over-crowded and business-beridden city, which combined the ad- vantages of being light and free from the rattle and hum of traffic, at the same time that it is within a few steps of an old main artery, and but little far- ther from a greater new one — the Thames embank- ment, now being formed. The central situation of this site too, being as it is about half-way between and in a line with the great city business offices, markets, marts, and institutions, and the Houses of Parliament, the Government offices, and the fashionable places of public resort and amusement, gives it additional advantages as a temporary town domicile for country visitors, who, as a matter of course, and very properly, combine a little lioniz- ing and amusem^ent with business ; or, rather, do their business first, and then enjoy themselves at the theatre or concert, or as tastes may run, after- wards. " We have it on the authority of licensed vic- tuallers— who ought to be good judges, and who know the opinions of ' the trade' — that this Salis- bury Hotel is in the very best situation in London for accommodating the middle-classes, for which it was built ; for apart from its being, as they say, * handy to almost everywhere,' it is quiet and re- tired for being ' set down at,' to sleep in during a stay, and for being ' taken up from' on departing. These are points which cannot be avoided or over- come in a thronged street, and they are of great consideration to many visitors to town, whose nerves are more accustomed to clear country roads than to the rush of Hansom cabs, the close-shaving of omnibuses and the lumbering railway vans. Londoners may become unconsciously and unenvia- bly insensible to the present irritating streets of the metropolis; and residents in the leading thorough- fares might imitate the miller when his water-wheel stopped and his house ceased to shake, by jumping out of bed in a fright, if street noises were to sud- denly cease. But when country folks come to town to endure its bustle and noise, in addition, it may be, to serious business and more pleasant excitements, they do not want to have a course of training by night, that their tympanum may be easy and their brain sleep the sound sleep which refreshes in the midst of loud and discordant sounds. These drawbacks to the pleasures of a visit to Lon- don are positive afflictions, in many situations, to most temperaments ; but the patrons of the Salis- bury Hotel may retire to rest in the full assurance that, although they are in the midst of this ever- restless metropolis, they will be free from the dis- turbances from which they have often before suf- fered and many others will elsewhere have to en- dure. " The hotel itself forms the entire south side of Salisbury-square, and its architectural character is at once striking for its correct mathematical lines and substantial and comfortable-looking features. No gaudy gilt-gingerbread effect has been attempted ; but while a becoming taste and judgment have been exercised to produce a creditable modern building, the shareholders' capital has been prudently and wisely husbanded. The interior possesses every requisite comfort that the most particular visitor can desire. Light and air, two great essentials, are everywhere well distributed by the loftiness of the rooms and the depth of the windows. On the ground floor there is a lofty coffee-room 50 feet long by 25 feet wide ; while in the west wing the Farmers' Club have three rooms, the largest being nearly 40 feet long by 20 feet wide, and from which are easily reached a coffee room, a library and smoking room. The ordinary bar, managers', and servants' rooms are as conveniently arranged in communication with the entrance hall. On this floor there is also a large room or hall for public meetings, discussions, and dinners. The size of this hall is 70 feet by 30, and 20 feet in height: it is lighted with a pov/erful sun-light, and is well adapted for hotel purposes during the pressure of such times as Smithfield Club Show weeks and other similarly attractive meetings, and for letting out to companies, deputations, and conferences, or any object which may call 'citizens together, or B 2 4 THE TAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. require countrymen to meet for some common interest in London. " On tlie upper floors there are several suites of large sitting-rooms, bed-rooms, and dressing- rooms in communication; private dining and sitting- rooms ; and an excellently arranged coffee-room for ladies who may prefer more society and the lesser charges which belong to this more sociable department. The bed-rooms altogether are nearly 100 in number. " The basement is partly divided into extensive kitchens and the requisite accompanying offices, the fish, meat, and other larders being lined throughout with white glazed tiles, which give them a very cool, as well as clean, appearance. The re- mainder is bricked off into convenient divisions as ale stores and wine and spirit cellars ; and, from their ample size and well-filled floors and shelves, there is evidently great confidence in the future consumption, and in which confidence we fully share. In the front of the basement is the butler's pantry, which contains a large stock of plate in the form of dishes, spoons, tea and coffee pots, urns, ale tankards, and candelabra, all of which have been specially manufactured for the Hotel by Messrs. Dixon, of Sheffield. Beneath this is a sub-basement, containing cellars in connection with a tap, and other offices, the entrance to which is in a side street, and which are intended to be let off. " The minor arrangements such as lifts or hoists for luggage, and dinners, baths, and other modern appliances which we need not fully detail, are of the most practical and useful as well as comely and elegant order, as the case may be. In fact, all the arrangements of the interior are of the most excel- lent kind, and this simply from the object kept in view by the authorities of the Company and the designer and builder having been solid comfort within, in preference to anything beyond a sub- stantial and imposing front and exterior. The cheerful aspect of the entrance, sustained as it is by the corridor and staircase running round the centre to the glass dome, cannot fail to please and gratify the well-to-do classes for whom this Hotel has been designed and completed." The Times also gave the weight of its recom- mendation in this wise : — " Another addition has been made to the list of magnificent hotels of which London can now boast, by the opening of this new and excellently arranged Agricultural Hotel in Salisbury-square. The success which has already attended the Charing-cross and the Langham would seem to justify the expectation which is confidently entertained that others of a similar kind will have a similar career before them. The Salisbury Hotel has neither the size nor pretensions of any of its great predecessors. It is of the Itahan type of architecture, and has the same internal arrange- ments for domestic comfort which are so pre- eminent in the Langham. Situated in the centre of the metropolis, and literally within a stone's throw of the great historic thoroughfare of London — Fleet-street — it yet, from the comparative seclu- sion of Salisbury-square, enjoys a quiet which seems scarcely possible in the heart of the city. Raised on the site of a well-known agricultural hotel, the Salisbury is especially laid out for the convenience of travellers of that class. It is, in fact, essentially a comfortable, plain, roomy, well adapted family hotel. It contains nearly 100 bed- rooms, besides private sitting-rooms, private dining- rooms, and ladies' coffee-room on the upper floors. On the ground floor is the ordinary hotel coftee- room, 50 feet by 25 ; three rooms for the purposes of the farmers' Club, the largest being a noble saloon, besides the ordinary manager's offices, lifts, telegraph rooms, &c. There is also on this base- ment a large dining-room or hall for public meet- ings, &c., and the arrangements of the upper floors as regards the clear, well ventilated bed-rooms, &c., are of the most perfect kind. The whole building has been furnished throughout by Messrs. TroUope and Sons in a plain but massive and most substan- tial manner, and it is stated that from the free use of iron girders in all parts of the structure it has been completed at little more than half the expense incurred in the erection of recent large metropolitan buildings of the same class. Every part of the building is fireproof, and on every floor a high service main connected with leathern hose gives an almost absolute guarantee against any accidental outbreak of fire." The Salisbury Hotel was built at the instance of the Agricultural Hotel Company, as formed with that object, and of which the following gentlemen con- stituted the first Board of Directors :— The Hon. Eliot T. Yorke, late M.P. for Cambridgeshire, Chairman ; Mr. John Clayden, Littlebury, Saffron Walden ; Mr. William Cheffins, Moorgate-street ; Mr. Thomas Congreve, Peter Hall, Brinklow, Coventry; Mr. Joseph Druce, Eynsham, Oxon ; Mr. James Howard, IBedford ; Mr. Robert Leeds. West Lexham, Norfolk ; and Mr. Henry Trethewy, Silsoe, Ampthill. ]Mr. John Giles is the architect, Messrs. Trol- lt)pe and Son the builders, and Mr. Thomas Higgs, who has had a deal of experience at the Euston Hotel, the manager. During the recent Smithfield Show week, the House was, of course, full ; but the aim is by no means to confine the custom to any particular set, but the rather to establish the Salisbury as a good Family and General Hotel, where the middle classes may command all the comforts without the extreme fashion of the West, and at the same lime avoid the dingy contrivances and obsolete usages of the old Commercial Inn. THE FARMEH'S MAGAZINE. IRRIGATION W A T E R S BY CUTHBEKT W. JOHNSON, F.E.S. Tlie good ert'ect produced upon the grasses by the use of certain waters is well known. The reason why other springs are of little or no advantage in irrigation is not so well nnderstood. Various theories have been propounded, to dear np the difficnlty ; but none of these appear to be of general application. ^lore than half a century since, the celebrated Davy applied himself to the question. In his lishing days on the banks of the Kenneth and the Itchin, he had noted the noble meads in their valleys, watered by only the bright springs issuing from the chalk formation. Here he found water producing the most luxuriant growth of grass — water in which he found but slight traces of or- ganic matter. It abounded with carbonate of lime and carbonic-acid gas ; but, then, Davy noted that the soil it irrigated rested on the chalk formation. The chemical , composition of the water, therefore, aiforded Davy little aid in explaining its fertiliiiing power. This great philo- sopher, however, carried his thermometer with him ; and he found that the temperature of the soil beneath the irrigating water was commonly eleven degrees higher than the surface of the water, even when that water had a thin covering of ice. The water, therefore, concluded Davy, keeps the grasses warm — preserves them from the effects of low and rapid transitions of temperature. This good effect, it is very probable, may be produced by the waters issuing from the chalk, which Davy was used to haunt in his days of fly-fishing, for the temperature of some of the springs of that great formation is very considerable, and uniform. The water of the Sui'rey Wandle, for instance, is of the temperature of about 50 degrees in all seasons : its stream never freezes. The temperature, therefore, of such waters may reasonably be expected to produce consider- able benefit to the grasses over which they flow. But, then, wefiud that even these waters are materially increased in their irrigating value by the admixture of foreign substances. The bright chalk waters of the Itchin become sensibly more valuable to the irrigator after they have ])assed through the city of "Winchester ; and the same remark applies to other streams. In the case of the Clip- stone meads, below the town of Mansfield, we are told by Mr. J. E. Dennison, when describing the valuable water meadows formed by the Duke of Portland fJoi/r. .Roy. Ag. Soc, vol. i., p. 362) : "Soft water is the best; mineral water and water from peat mosses and bogs are found to be injurious. After strong rains, the washings of streets and sewers of the town of jNIansfield, which discharge themselves into the Mann, give great additional efficacy to the water. It will sometimes deposit a sedi- ment, in ouc watering, of the thickness of a sheet of paper." The same remark applies to the water of the Wandle. Its fertilizing power is very greatly increased as it flows through a well- inhabited district towards the fhames, The value in irrigation, of the matters thus added lo the water of a river by the sewers and di'ains of towns, may be in some degree estimated by the composition of the sewer and street waters of populous places. Those of the city of London were, some time since, analyzed by Professor AVay : the sewage was examined before and after it had been passed through a depth of six inches of a red soil, from the Berkshire estate of Mr. Pusey. This soil contained in 100 parts :— Water ... ... ... 20.56 Vegetable matter ... ... 6.17 Sand and clay ... ... 59.0 Carbonate of lime (chalk) ... 5.9-1 Oxide of iron and alumina ... 7.90 Potash ... ... ... 0.31 Soda ... ... ... 0.13 The following table gives the contents in grains of an imperial gallon of this sewer fluid before and after it had been.filtered through the soil : — Before. After Organic matter and salts of ammonia ... 301.82 — Organic matter ... ... ... — 00.58 Sand and detritus of the granite from the streets ... ... ... ... 20.69 — Soluble sihca ... ... ... 12.51 — Phosphoric acid .,, ... ... 10.44 — Sulphuric acid ... ... ... 14.73 — Carbonic acid ... ... ... 15.59 — Carbonate of lime ... ... ... — 104.98 Lime ... ... ... ... 24.53 — Sidphate of lime ... ... ... — 17.49 Magnesia ... 2.87 Peroxide of iron and alumina ... 6.20 Potash ... 48.13 __ Soda 1.51 Common salt ... 33.24 53.73 Chloride of calcium ... — 8.89 Magnesium — 0.67 Loss iu analyzing, &c. — 3.16 Total ... ... 492.26 248.50 And then, the washings of the streets of London were found to contain, where macadamised, from about 44 to 194.62 grains of solid matters ; and from the granite-paved streets, from about 126 to 276.23 grains per imperial gallon. These matters consisted of: — Granite. Macadam. Water of combiuatiou and some so- luble organic matter ... ... 77.56 29.07 Silica ... ... ... ... 0.51 3.81 Carbonic acid ... ... ... 15.84 13.23 Sulphuric acid ... ... ... 36.49 38.23 Lime ... ... ... ... 6.65 13.38 Magnesia ... ... ... — 23.51 Oxide of iron and alumina, with a little phosphate of lime ... ... 3. 58 1.25 Chloride of potassium ... ... — 10.99 Cldoridc of sodium ... ... 53.84 44.88 Potash 82.76 18.27 276.23 194.62 It is evident, then, that the foreign substances added to natural waters materially aff'ect their agricultiu-al value. Now; those matters are either juechauically-suspended 6 THE FARMER'S ]\1AGAZINE. substances, which siibside when the water is allowed to rest, or they are chemically combined with the water. Of the fu'st class, in which the suspended matters greatly pre- ponderate, we have well-known instances in the waters of the Kile and other foreign rivers, and, in our own island, in the wai-j^ing waters of the Trent and the Humber. The water of the JS'iie, taken at the height of the flood, possesses a bright, almost a blood-red, coloiu'. This being analyzed by Prolessor Voelcker {ibkl, vol. xsv., p. 237), was foimd to contain, per imperial gallon, of mechanically- suspended matters 87.51 grains. These consisted of: — Extremely fine clay, sand, and oxide of iron ... 81.66 Organic matters (containing nitrogei" .26, ecjual to ammonia, .31) ... ... ... 5.85 87.51 Then the dear filtered water was found to contain 11.88 grains of sohd matter per gallon. This con- sisted of: — Organic matter ... ... ... 1.54 Oxides of iron and alnmiiia, with traces of phosphate of lime ... ... 1.04 Carbonate of lime ... ... ... 1.41 Silicate of Hme ... ... ... 3.87 Sulphate of lime ... ... ... 1.33 Common salt ... ... ... 0.79 Carbonate of soda ... ... ... 0.4S Nitrate of potash ... ... ... 0.84 Carbonate of magnesia ... ... 1.15 • Such is the composition of perhaps the most celebrated of all foreign streams for the value to the land of its mechanically-suspended matters. In om- own country, the waters of the Humber and the Trent are the most valuable for the large amoimt of soUd matters they contain in suspension. We have seen that the water of the Nile contains, per imperial gallon, 87.51 grains of suspended matters ; but that of the Trent, ana- lyzed by !Mr. Herapath {ibid, vol.ii., p. 101), was foimd to oontain 283.380 grains. The composition of this mud, or warp, was as follows : — Organic matters... ... Carbonate of lime Carbonate of magnesia Potash and soda, combined with sUica Lime ... Magnesia Peroxide of ii-on Alumina Superphosphate of iron ... Sand and siUcates 16.341' 22.813 3.547 0199 2.111 6.640 10.419 10.487 0.215 160.605 233.380 This water, after having been allowed to rest for some time on the land, was let oil, and then it contained, per gallon, only 23.720 grains of suspended matters. These, then, are specimens of waters whose value to the irrigator chiefly consists in their abounding impmi- ties : but there are other general advantages deiived by watering meadows which are common to most waters. To some of these Professor Yoelcker alluded on a recent occa- sion, when addi-essiug the members of the Koyal Agricul- tm"al Society — such as the gases they carry into the soil, as well as the the temperaliu-e they increase. He then remarked {ibid, vol. i., x. s., p. 464) : — " Water carries air into the soU. I say into the soU, for I take it to be a well-recognised principle that on irrigated meadows the water shoiild not merely flow over the soU, but also 'percolate through the soil. The soil, for this reason, must be porous ; not only its suiface drained, but its under-drainage must be either naturally good, or rendered perfect by art. In bringing down air then into the soU, and with it fertilising matter — am- mouia and carbonic acid — fi'om the atmosphere, water also can-ies along with it chemical agents, which render both organic and mineral fertilisers soluble and fit to be- come food for plants. First, the organic matters are rapidly destroyed by the oxygen of the air ; the nitro- genous substances are converted into nitrates, which we know have a most powerful stimulating efi'ect on the growth of all vegetable produce. The nitrates, which invariably occur' in all drainage-waters, and which are also found in all natm-al spring-waters, are evidently the products of the oxydation of organic matter originally present in the soil. There is a wise provision that no organic filth should accumulate. The air which is carried down in the water, bringing oxygen into immediate con- tact with those organic remains, destroys them, and converts an obnoxious material into one that is of the greatest value. The change which water produces on a variety of mineral matters is no less important, I just now observed that all natural water (rain-water as well as spring-water) invariably contains carbonic acid in solution. This carbonic acid acts as a solvent for many mineral matters which are insoluble in pure water. Coming from rocks that contain small quantities of phosphate of lime, it dissolves these important constituents, and renders them available for the use of the plants. Again, water charged with carbonic acid decomposes some of our natural silicates, and renders them available as plant-food. Lastly, water carries warmth into the soO. It is well known to aU scientific men that water is heaviest and densest at 40 deg. — that is 8 deg. above the freezing point. When the air is at 32 deg., the water as it cools, instead of becoming denser and sinking, actually rises in the upper layer of the soil : the colder particles of water rise higher until they are at 32 deg., when a sheet of ice is fonued, which preserves the water below at 40 deg., so that under ice the temperatm-e of water is at least 8 deg. higher than that of the air during fi'ost. On an average, perhaps, the temperature of our natm-al spring- waters may be said to be about 10 deg. above that of the air diu-ing the months in which irrigation is practised, though we find in them gi'eat variations. Some that feel cold during the summer, and warm dm-ing the winter, when tested with a thermometer will be found of a uni- form temperature throughout the year ; they ai-e not aff'ected by the temperatiu-e of the atmosphere. I take it that such waters, other cu'cumstances being equal, ai-e particularly useful for ii-rigation, as they convey into the soil and to the roots of the plants a considerable degree of warmth. These may be said to be some of the chief benefits that arise, speaking generally, from the percola- tion of water through the soU. Of the most desirable quahties of water used for UTigation, the best is no doubt sewage-water ; because it is a natural water, which con- tains refuse excrementitious matters, that are exceedingly useful fertilising agents. In no natm-al waters do we find the amount of ammonia or of phosphoric acid that occm-s even in the most dilute sewage ; and as ammonia and phosphoric acid, perhaps also potash (which occurs in sewage in appreciable quantities), ai'e fertilizers of the greatest importance, we ought not to waste them, but apply them to the laud, if possible. The organic matters, in percolatiag through the soU, are converted into nitrates, the greater portion of which, no doubt, is rapidly taken up by the succulent produce which is best suited to irrigated lands. Rye-grass ought to be extensively, and perhaps exclusively, grown on soils adapted for irri- gation, in order that the soluble matters, as soon as they become available, may be elaborated into vegetable pro- duce, and that good food, after being produced on the land, may not be afterwards washed away. Do, however, what we will, we cannot prevent altogether the waste of a great deal of fertilisLug matters in the drainage of trri- THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE. gated fields. This is a gi-eat fact well kuowu to those who have seen the irrigated meadows on Lord Hather- ton's estate at Teddesley, in Staffordshire. I have strong reason for bclie\^ng that drainage-water is occasionally more useful for irrigation than the natural spring-waters of the locality. On highly-mauured fields, we cannot doubt that water, in passing through the land, actually takes out more than it imparts to the soil. It is quite true that in other instances the water itself conveys food to the land: but when the land is highly manui-ed, or if the soluble matters are, as in the case of sewage, brought on the land in great abundance, a gi-eat deal of fertilising matter will pass away in the di"ainage-water. In proof of this I may mention two analyses of water, that I find in the third Report of the Commission which sat to in- quii-e into the best mode of distributbg the sewage of towns. That Report states, at page 4S, that the sewage, when applied to the soil, contained in solution 44. S 7 gi-ains per gallon of soluble matter : the drainage fi'om the SOU contained 37.52 ; thus showing that a consider- able quantity of soluble matter is retained in the sewage. It is true that most of the ammonia has been absorbed (or transformed), for the 5.74 grains originally present in the sewage became reduced to 1 grain ; still there is 1 grain in a gallon left. TMiat is of yet greater importance is this fact — that whilst the sewage contains no nitric acid, the drainage contains no less than 4 and a fraction per cent, derived from nitrogenous matter, or even from ammonia : for I belive that ammonia is capable of osvda- tion, and of being largely converted into nitric acid, which is perhaps the very best form in which it can be presented to the growing plant. I do not think hardness in water is prejudicial to irrigation. Some of the irrigated meadows in the neighbourhood of Cirencester, and in other parts of Gloucestershire, are irrigated with very hard water, and the effect produced on them is mai-- veUous. I can conceive that on some land the lime that is conveyed to it in the shape of water is of no advantage ,; but I cannot conceive how lime in water can have an in- jurious effect. Let me give you an illustration showing how apt men are, who perhaps take a little too much credit for their practical sense, to theorise, notwithstand- ing their strong protestations to the contrary. Practical writers on the subject of irrigation have remarked that soft waters are good, because theii' softness is due to a soapy constituent — potash or some kind of alkali. Xow, chemical examination shows that soft water generally contains no traces of alkali. It is the hard waters which usually contain the most potash and soda, for the simple reason that, as they ti-averse soil or rock, potash and soda must be dissolved at the same time as the mineral sub- stances which they take up. As a matter of fact I may mention that it is the hard waters that contain alkalis, not those which feel greasy and soft ; these last are soft simply because of the absence of mineral matters, such as lime, oxide of iron, and magnesia. I wotdd allude briefly to the waters which either are altogether unfit, or else require special treatment to fit them for irrigation. Such are the waters which rise from peaty or boggy groimd ; these positively do harm. I have found it stated that it is the tannin dissolved in the water that does mis- chief ; but this is evidently a mistake. Tannin is a sub- stance which is very rapidly affected and destroyed by atmospheric influences ; so that in tanning care must be taken to bring the materials used as soon as possible in contact ^vith liquids containing tannin. "^A'e use solutions containing tannin as a test to ascertain the presence of oxygen. Tannin, then, is evidently not the injurious thing which it is sometimes supposed to be, when it is present in peaty waters. Xor are the organic acids which are known to the chemist under the name of ulmic or humic acids as injurious in water as some have considered them. In peaty waters the quantity of these acids is but small ; and it is ver\- doubtful whether they produce any injurious effect upon vegetation. But there is very fre- quently present in peaty water stdphate of iron, or green \"itriol ; and this is the constituent that docs all the mis- chief. AVaters containing this ingredient are recognised by the ochrous deposit they produce in their channel-bed. Sometimes waters which flow through even a small por- tion of soil, especially if it be calcareous, are deprived of this ochi-ous matter, and become again fit for irrigation ; but in niue eases out of ten it is the sulphate cf iron which occurs in waters rising in peaty localities that does the mischief." There are few river waters, however, which may not be rendered available by the irrigator ; for all the waters of springs and rivers (as the late Professor Johnston remarked) contain a sensible, and in many of them, large proportion of silica and other substances in a state of solution ; all therefore ai'c capable of more or less fully supplying the food of plants. As a general rule it may be stated that the value of a water for the purposes of the irrigator depend — first, upon the quadtiiy, and se- condly, upon the quality of the solid matters it contains. The value of spring <»nd ri^-er water for the pur^joses of iiTigation naturally leads to the consideration of their chemical composition. The water of many of these were examined by Professor Johnston. In au imperial gallon of various spring and brook waters he found — Locality. Solid matter. Renfrewshire 7.44 grains. 10.64 „ Monti ose (near) 11.36 „ 2-1 3-1 J) ' •"- 5J AJloa (near) , 12.75 „ Edinburgh (near) 16.20 „ 23.40 „ Durham (comity) 26.80 „ 15.56 „ „ 17.0S „ Inverness 5.60 „ Berwickshire 23.40 „ The following table gives the nature of the solid sub- stances per ^llon found in river water : — RlVXKS. Ale. Organic matter 1.75 Sulphate of potash 1.6S Soda and chlorides Gypsum 0.64 Carbonate of lime 5.2S Carlxinate of magnesia 1 .00 Chloride of magnesia 1.S2 Oxide ofiron 0.56 Sulphimc acid 1.44 Chlorine 0.36 Snica 0.24 All natural waters, indeed, contain foreign substances. The water of the Holy TVell from the Malvern Hills was found by Phillips to contain about 14.61 grains per gallon of various salts ; even in rain-water we detect ammonia and nitric acid. It is of great importance that these facts should be senerally understood, and the water meads of oiur countrj- extended. The enormous amount of grass produced upon the water meads is too little known. And this great produce, let us mark, is not confined to the sewage- irrigated meads of Edinbm-gh, Croydon, and Mansfield. It is true that on those meadows more than thirty tons of srass per acre are produced ; but then some of the watered lands of our Southern chalk formations yield nearly as much, although the water is bright and coloar- Eve. Wear 1.64 0.9-2 O.SO 0.44 \ 1.50 1.46 0.88 3.4S 7.92 1.24 2.04 O.SO 0.4S 0.56 0.9S 0.96 0.70 1.10 o.os IJIO THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. less. A AViltsliire fanner — Mv. J. Cooiiibes, of Tisbury — long since described their produce, when be was remark- ing (Fanner's Magazine, vol. xlvii., p. 217) upon " what may be considered the average produce of the water mea- dows in South Wilts. In doing so," he observed, " I will take a meadow of 20 acres, depastured in spring by sheep. The spring feed of this meadow as fed in April will keep 400 couples of sheep 25 days, during which time these 400 couples will fold ten acres of arable land, and it will after this yield, in the first and second cuttings of grass, about 40 tons of hay. As I have said, this may be considered the average produce of the these water meadows." These are facts which I would earnestly commend to the consideration of the landowner. They involve ques- tions of the most vital importance to our agriculturists — the increased production of animal food. I need hardly, in conclusion, remind the reader that this, the most pro- fitable branch of English farming, is not likely to become less remunerative, as our population rapidly increases, and our skilled and well-paid labourers become yearly more nmnerous. HOW TO PUT OFF THE CATTLE PLAGUE BY MANAGEMENT. BY A PRACTICAL I'AEJIER. To the majority of cattle-owners, the profusion of in- structions given out, and the various means suggested for thcLi' guidance, in reference to the cattle plague, have be- come so contradictory and perplexing, that they know not what to do. In presuming to ofter a few plain remarks and directions upon this absorbing subject, I hope to es- cape the charge of adding thereto. I wish to bring the proper management of cattle, in the present crisis, before the suffering owners in such a way as to meet their ap- proval, and hoping it may induce them to adopt very energetically the courses I suggest, or an improvement thereon, or modification thereof, as may accord with their circumstances or convenience. The suggestions I shall make are very common-place ones, i. e., that at once, and daily afterwards, every cattle-owner shall cause every head of stock to be closely inspected, either by himself or some competent person on his fann : I mean minutely and individually, to ascertain their external and internal state. If upon this daily examination any deviation from a cor- rect and healthy condition is observable, then by all means adopt the best means at hand to remedy the evil. It is to no purpose to say, '" Oh, it's only a slight cold! he'll be better to-mori-ow;" or, " Oh, his ' body' is a little loose; he'll soon be all right." No, this won't do in these l^Jarjuy times. These slight atfections must be checked at once. A warm hovel and a good wiping down daily, with suitable opening food, not cold roots, will be best in the first case. In the second, a warm shed, and hay or other dry food, will generally sufl&ceto stay the bowels. I am well aware that all cattle-owners are up to these tilings. The worst of it is, they won't attend to these common matters as they ought. Hence follow most of these devastating calamities. The great thing now is to keep all cattle in a thorough, cleanly, and healthy condi- tion— yes, at whatever cost. I don't mean to say, then, that all such cattle will escape " The Plague," but I do say they are far less liable to take it. It has been fully proved that milch cows and poor or " out-of-couditioued" stock have suifered most from it. There is no doubt about it. Cattle in low condition are far more likely to succumb to a ma- lignant attack of a low typhus fever — i. e., rinderpest — than the stronger and more healthy ones, and, what is more, they more readily imbibe the infection. Why ? Because they are already in a semi-state of low fever, and the slightest contact or breath, or, I had almost said, waft of the air from an infected yard, will cause an immediate outbreak. I again repeat that all cattle must be kept in a thriving state, in these ticklish times. Are they, unfor- tunately lean, and poor ? They must be gradually and care- fully brought forward by judicious treatment, but not too fast ; caution is as requisite as to over-feeding, or to an overdose in medicine. A moderate quantity of good clean food, and close attention to lairagc, &c., is all that is re- quired. Very much will depend upon close attention to these ordinary suggestions. Should the cattle plagiie manifest itself in your immediate neighbourhood^ then double caution is imperatively required, so as to avoid all contact or infection from any cause whatever. Neither yourself nor men must, through curiosity, visit the infected animals, nor must you permit any intercourse with in- fected farms. Remember that the slightest con- tact with a diseased animal in any way will suffice to spread the disease — i. e., your foot, or your umbrella-shaft, our your walking-stick, if touched with the excrement, or discharges of the nostrils, will suffice to propagate it readily. Then, again : your horses' hoof, your carriage-wheel, your dog, or your cat ; yes, and "fowls of the air," and field vermin, will cany the infection from place to place. Much is said about spontaneous outbreak ; this is as yet without proof; no one may be able to tell through what agency the infection comes ; but this we do know, that it is a disease indigenous to some couuti'ies, but almost unknown in this, so that the question of spontaneous production will not hold good, or why should this visitation afflict us after an absence of about 120 years? No doubt, if the disease was indigenous, or of spontaneous production, we should more frequently suffer from it. I would have every cattle owner, therefore, take this view of it, and adopt every precaution to prevent its introduction amongst his stock. It may be at great inconvenience to every occu- pier, but for a time at least his whole stock should be isolated, and at whatever cost their food should be brought to them in the safest way possible. Isolation may be attended with considerable diflaculty, but it is very im- portant. The writer of this paper saw, in one year, a closed shed containing twenty-three cows which were free from the disease, although eighty- one cows had died from THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. it or beea ilcbtroyed, out of tlic cstablisliuicnt ; tliis sheJ being within teu yards of a like shed in which at that very time several diseased animals were standing, and had been so located with others already dead for six or more weeks. Let every stock-owner therefore do his utmost to prevent contact or infection. Uon't be greatly in fear of infected particles of matter, however volatile ; they would lose their vitality or activity on travel, even for a few hundred yards merely. " Inspectors" are not infallible, nor are their dresses impervious to taint or contact with excrement or noxious matter from the animals they visit ; thei'efore keep disinfectants at hand, and do not permit an Inspector to examine your stock till he disinfects himself and his clothing to your satisfaction. No sensible magistrate win convict you in penalties for insisting upon these pre- cautious. As much depends upon the precise state of each animal as to the reception and circulation of the disease. It is highly desirable that disinfectants be in constant use throughout every cattle-yard and shed. Should, unfor- tunately, your dog come in from feasting upon an un- buried carcase, or licking the blood from one slanghtered, the chances are that a good disinfected yard may prevent the ill-effects from such contact. Dogs and cats should either be kept in confinement or be destroyed. The usual disinfectants every chemist can supply ; but there are many homely and expedient ways of disinfecting yards and sheds. I am usiug old guano and phosphate bags, well saturated with gas-tar water from our gas-works, and hang them up in the sheds, and redip thein as the scent dissi- pates. With the water I sprinkle the lairage. This mode freely carried ont will keep even extensive premises in one uniform smell of gas-tar water. Gas tar will also sufficiently taint the purest water, if well mixed. The great thing is to keep the bags wet. Some prefer to dab the nostrils of each animal with tar daily. Others are dressing or anointing their animals frequently with dis- infectants. This is a judicious but troublesome course ; but bear in mind you have to prevent the most insidious of all infections probably ever known ; so that if the ani- mal's nostrils are anointed, or his body occasionally moist- ened with disinfectants, the great probability is that he will escape, as contagious or infectious particles cannot find entrance into his system, these particles becoming dis- infected from the application upon the animal's body. It is superfluous to advise extreme caution relative to new purchases of stock. At present the trade is almost nomi- nal, but the spring will soon pnt in, when it wiU be abso- lutely necessary to relax some of the stringent measures about to be established. It will then be as requisite for every stock buyer to require as clean a bill of health as is required of sheep-owners at any of our ports ; and to this a warranty must be added by all who have stock to sell. Warranties wiU be as general for cattle as for iirst-class horses. I look forward with much apprehension, but timely caution and prompt and uniform action may yet prevent great losses and trouble. P. F. IRISH AGRICULTURE. BY LORD WILLIAM LEX.XOX. At a period like the present, when the state of Ireland and the futile I'enian movements are being discussed by all classes, both on this and on the other side of the Atlantic, it may not be uninteresting (o the reader to lay before him a brief account of the agricultural position of the Emerald Isle. There can be no doubt that the re- som-ccs of this portion of Her Majesty's dominions would be greatly increased if landowners would reside on their estates more than they have been wont to do, and assist, by the aid of their advice and purse, to bring the land into even a higher state of cultivation than it is now .in ; to improve the condition of the labourer ; and to co-ope- rate in converting wild, barren tracts into green pastm'es and fertile meadows. Nothing can form a stronger con- trast than the small cottages and gardens of the poorer classes who live near a resident landlord, and those who only know their landlords by name as absentees. In the one, neatness without and cleanliness within prevails ; the humble cottage looks cheery with its blazing peat fire during the winter, and bright when the summer suu shines gaily on its whitewashed front. The garden, too, abounds in fruit, vegetables, and flowers ; and the inha- bitants are happy and content, knowing that "his honour," or " her ladyship's honour," who live at the mansion, wiU attend to their wants, relieve their distress, and sympa- thise with their grief. Look at the reverse of the medal ! Discontent prevails, traitorous feelings are entertained, hatred to the higher orders takes root in the heart, where absenteeism is carried on. The cottage is neglected, squalid childreu ciy for food, dirt predominates, ill- weeds spring up in every direction, and misery is suc- ceeded by crime. Happily in many counties the evil we have alluded to have been averted by the presence of good landlords, who by their example and exertions have made all around them happy ; and it may here not be uninte- resting to give an extract from the Agricultural Statistics of Ireland for 1SG5, drawn up by the Registrar-General, William Donnelly, Esq., and presented to both Houses of Parliament, by command of Her Majesty. The total acreage under all 'crops in 1865 was 5,648,103 acres. That in 1865 was 5,676,321, showing a decrease in the total extent under crops in 1865 of 28,218. The crops which diminished in extent were — Acres. Acres. Cereals— A^licat 8,-110 Oats 70,635 79,035 Green crops — Turnips 3,40-1; ,, Vetches and rape • 653 4,057 Flax „ 50,159 Total decrease ni> •<<'■■ .133,251 10 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. The crops which increased in extent were- Acres. Acres. 0,585 Cereals — ^Barley 4,507 „ Bare and rye 1,238 „ Beans and peas , 840 Green crops — Potatoes 20,170 „ Mangel and beet 301 „ Cabbage 1,091 „ Carrots, parsnips, and other gi-een crops 1,316 20,4.78 Meadow and clover 08,970 Total increase 105,033 The following abstracts exhibit the acreage under cacli crop in 1864 and 1865, and the increase or decrease in the latter year : — Abstract of Ceue.vl Crops. 1801-. Acres. Wheat 276,483 Oats 1,8M.,SS6 Barley 172,700 Bere and rye . . . 8,894 Beans and peas 10,090 Total 2,289,053 2,216,003 0,585 79,035 Decrease in cereal crops in 1865, 72,450 acres. Abstract of Green Crops. 1806. Increase. 1865. Decrease 1805. Acres. Acres. Acres. 268,073 — 8,410 1,744,261 — 70,625 177,207 4,507 — 10,132 1,238 — 16,930 840 — 1864. 1865 Increase. Decrease. Acres. Acres. Potatoes 1,039,724 1,005,894 1865. Acres. Turnips 337,355 Mangel & beet 14,128 Cabbage 31,821 Carrots, pars- nips, & other gieeu crops . 23,149 Vetches & rape 29,829 333,951 14,429 33,512 24,465 29,170 1865. Acres. 20,170 — — 3,404 301 — 1,691 — 1,316 — — 653 Total 1,476,000 1,501,427 29,478 Increase in green crops in 1865, 25,421 acres Gener-m Summary. Acres. Decrease in cereal crops in 1865 72,450 Ditto flax in ditto 60,159 Increase in green crops in 1805 25,421 Ditto meadow and clover in ditto... 08,970 Total decrease in the extent of land under crops in 1865 4,057 Acres. 122,609 94,391 28,218 The retiu-ns of live stock for 1865, compared with 1864, show an increase in the number of cattle of 231,120 ; of sheep, 321,801 ; and of pigs, 241,413 ; and a decrease in horses of 14,291. The following are the numbers for each year from 1855 to 1863, inclusive : — Tears. Horses. 1855 556,287 1856 573,408 1857 599,782 1858 611,321 1859 629,075 1800 019,811 1861 614,232 1863 602,894 1803 579,978 1804 502,158 1865 547,867 Cattle. 3,564,400 .. 3,587,858 .. 3,620,954 .. 3,667,304 .. 3,815,598 .. 3,606,374 .. 3,471,688 .. 3,254,890 .. 3,144,231 .. 3,202,294 .. 3,493,4,14! ., Sheep. 3,002,342 .. 3,694,294 .. 3,452,252 .. 3,494,993 .. 3,592,804 .. 3,542,080 .. 3,550,050 .. 3,450,132 .. 3,308,204 .. 3,300,941 .. 3,688,743 .. Pigs. 1,177,605 918,525 1,255,180 1,409,883 1,205,751 1,271,072 1,102,042 1,154,.324 1,067,458 1,058,480 1,299,893 Difference in number between 1864 and 1865 — Decrease. Increase. Increase. Increase. Horses. Cattle. Sheep. Pigs. 14,291 ... 231,120 ... 321,801 ... 24.1,413 In conclusion we will give the value of live stock for the last year. The total estimated value of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs in 1805 was £82,772,609, being an in- crease of £2,043,699, compared with the previous year. The value of live stock in each year from 1855 to 1865, inclusive, was as under : — Estimated Value of Live Stock in Ireland in each year from 1855 to 1865, calculated according to the rates assumed by the Census Commissioners of 1841, viz., for horses, £8 each ; cattle, £6 10s. ; sheep, 22s. ; and pigs, 25s. each. 1855 1850; 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1805 Horses. £ 4,450,290 4,587,204 4,798,250 4,890,568 5,032,000 4,958,488 4,913,850 4,823,152 4,039,824 4,497,264 4,382,936 Cattle. £ 23,168,000 23,321,077 23,530,201 23,837,476 24,801,387 23,441,431 22,565,972 21,156,785 20,437,501 21,204,911 22,707,191 Sheep. £ 3,902,576 4,063,723 3,797,477 3,84^1,492 3,952,084 3,896,288 3,911,055 3,801,745 3,039,024 3,703,035 4,057,616 Pigs. & 1,472,000 1,148,150 1,508,000 1,702,000 1,582,000 1,588,840 1,377,552 1,442,905 1,334,322 1,323,100 1,624,800 Total value £ 33,053,478 33,120,220 33,700,910 34,334,890 35,308,259 33,885,047 32,709,035 31,-224,5S7 30,050,071 30,728,910 32,772,009 Difference in value between 1864 and 1865 — Decrease. Increase. Increase. Increase. Increase. Horses. Cattle. Sheep. Pigs. £114,.S28... £1,502,280. ..£353,981. ..£301,766. ..£2,043,699 Without wishing to make any invidious remarks, know- ing that, as Mrs. Malaprop says, "comparisons are odo- riferous," we cannot refrain from pointing out how high the county of Kilkcnuy stands in an agricultural point of view: Kilkenny (509,733 acres, including water) : — Year. Wheat. Oats. Barley. Bere and rye. Beans 1 p Tur- riips. 1805 ... Acres. 30,823 Acres. 41,003 Acres. 9,807 Acres. 182 Acres. 21 Acres. 27,909 Acres. 9,557 Green Crops, &c. Id . Pars- other rops. -3 ■^ cS -^^ ^ cS ,.-^ " y; ^ f ^ E, ' ' %'l aS O tn tu t^ S SO -sy o n^ o > s ^ 1 Acr. Acres. Acres. Acr. Acr. Acres. Acres. Acr. 1805 .. 554 1,439 499 672 255 6,782 184,213 5,338 Live Stock. — Horses. Year Agricultural. Traffic and manufactures. Recrea- Total tion. number, 1 1805 13,301 1 473 i 786 i 14,500 Add to the above 1,148 one-year-olds and under two ; 1,111 under one, makes a total of 16,819 horses. To this equine list we must add 100,627 cows, 98,444 sheep, and 52,221 pigs. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 11 CHIPS. THE fi:n'ger-and-toe in turnips. It is pcrliaps one of the most curiously suggestive circumstances, connected witli farming in its most modern development, that the most valuable crops are the most subject to disease, the causes of which ai-e baffling even to the closest scrutiny, and, by consequence, the remedies for which are as uncertain as they are numerous. Take, for instance, the inrnip crop. How fi'equently do we find a most promising field of plants attacked by some disease, and actually swept off the fields, leaving but a plant here and there, as if to testify to the fact that an attempt had been made to grow them, but which attempt had miser- ably failed ! The very names of the diseases to which our crops are subjected yield abundant evidence of the un- certainty which prevails respecting their nature ; thus, in connection with the turnip crop, the names of " finger- and-toe" and of "anbury" are used as if they wei'e synonymous — as, iu fact, merely different names for the same disease ; whereas they are truly two essentially dis- tinct diseases. In view, then, of the diversity of opinions held, not only as to the natm-e but as to the mode of treatment of those diseases which so frequently destroy the hopes of the husbandman, it is of great importance to have every point connected with them fully discussed, and to become, as well as we are enabled to do so, ac- quainted with the " conditions that seem to cause as weU as to mitigate and to aggravate" those diseases. In the space of oue article it is manifestly impossible to glance at, far less to discuss in anything like a satisfactory way, the diseases of all om farm crops. We shall therefore confine our notice to one disease of one crop — the finger- and-toe of tuniips — taking, as the basis of our " chips" a very suggestive paper on the cause of this disease by the able writer, Mr. R. Russell, the editor of the Highland Society's Transactions; this being chosen by us, if not for any other, yet from the one circmnstance which makes it somewhat peculiarly valuable — that the writer traces or attempts to trace a parallelity of nature between the cause of " tinger-and-toe" in tm-nips and the "sickness" in clover, another of the mysterious diseases which baffle the wisdom of our wisest men sometimes to discover the cause of, and remedy for. Before proceeding, however, to give the reader the '" man'ow," so to say, of this ably- written paper, we deem it right to oft'er a cor- rection of its title, in so far that, for "finger- and-toe," the name of the disease of which it treats should have been given as "anbmy," which it really is. It is so far unfortunate that many writers on the diseases of turnips confound these two dis- eases, and we are compelled to confess our sm'prise that so distinguished an agi'icultural savant and so successful a practician as the author of the paper now before us should have so confounded them. Whatever may be the exact causes of these two diseases, we feel pretty sm"e that those causes, or that cause if there is only »ne, of " finger-and- toe," arises more from the mechanical condition of the soil in which the roots are grown than from any other. " Finger-and-toe" we would define, as we take it to be, an abnormal development of the root, which causes it to lose its normal or usual shape, and to throw out variously- formed — sometimes curiously- distorted — branches, or, shall we call them, rootlets. On the other hand, " anbury" is that disease in which the turnips are covered more or less with stunted, wart-like excrescences, wMch are often filled with putrefiying matter, and more or less affected by the presence of insects. Turnips, it is true are often found afflicted with the two diseases — so often indeed, that we believe it has given rise to the notion that they are the same ; but this distinction must be noted, in considering their nature, that in "anbury", the excrescences are always soft, purifying, or infected with disease ; whereas, the rootlets or abnormal develop- ments of the fleshy part of the tm'uip, which constitutes what we call " finger-and-toe," may be, and often are, perfectly sound : not that we mean to maintain that these rootlets are not infected with soft wart-like excrescences ; but when they are, it only jiroves that the turnip is afflicted with two diseases : fij-st, " finger-and-toe," and that the " fingers" and " toes" or rootlets are themselves afflicted with " anbmy." We have here in these two distinctions pointed out the means fimiished us of decid- ing which of the two diseases it is with which any tm'nip is affected. "Anbury" is always denoted by the presence of what may be called pustular eruptions — finger-and-toe by abnormal developments, or rootlets more or less dis- torted in fonu, but which may be sound : this much by way of clearing the ground previous to taking up the consideration of the points before us. This opens with a statement of parallel conditions, which have similar effects on the turnip aud on the clover, of which we here present a rapid resume: (1). Soils which produce good red clover are generally admitted to be more liable to produce "anbmy." (2). The oxides of iron in soil (distinguished therein by their brown colom*, and known generally as "deaf soils") produce bad clover, and are liable to produce " anbury." (3). While coloured or yeUow-colom'ed sand, containing little vegetable matter, offers an opposite effect from deaf soils. (4). JMuch vegetable matter in soils yield poor crops of clover, and often diseased turnips. (5). Calcareous soils are well adapted for the growth of clover, and ai-e comparatively free from diseased turnips, and, as arising from this application of chalk or lime to soils, are often found to be preven- tives if not curative agents of disease in turnips. (6), Frequent repetition of both crops in the same soil often tends to disease. (7). Manures found to favour the healthy growth of clover are also found to favoui* that of turnips. (8). Many authorities attribute the disease (let the reader note here that we throughout this paper mean by this anbmy not finger-and-toe) of tm-nips to the attacks of insects : clover plants are also often attacked by insects. Such IS a brief statement of those .points of analogy in the conditions fonning the healthy and the diseased growth of turnips and of clover. The following is a statement of a few of the special facts relating to the tm-nip alone. {a). Ditch cleanings spread over laud have been found to cause the disease ; {b), disease, in the experience of some farmers, attacks all kinds and varieties of tm-nips ; (c), the swede, on the contrary, is found generally to be less liable to the disease than other varieties; {cl), the disease is found to prevail most upon dry and light soils ; {e), flooded fields have been found much infested with the disease; (/"), turnips sown late in the season are much. less liable to the disease than those sown cai'ly. At this stage of our paper, it will be well to note that while there are many points of analogy existing between the con- dition favouring the healthy growth of turnips and clover 12 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. and vice versa, there is one condition of soil which while favourable to the clover is decidedly the reverse to (he turnip, that is, a hard compressed soil, such as is found on the headlands of fields which have been trodden upon hy the horses. In gi^''ii§ ^ brief notice of the theories which have been held as to the cause or causes of the disease in turnips, our author brings forward some useful facts, and offers some praijtically suggestive statements. lu the head No. G we stated that the frequent repetition of both crops on the same soil often caused the disease in both clover and in tnnips. This would seem to favour De Candolle's theory of rotation which maintained that each plant exuded a certain sub- stance or substances, which, left in the soil, was inimical to the jjlauts of the same kind Avhen again grown in the soil. This, the excretory theory, as it is called, does not, however, account for the disease, inasmuch as we find in practice that turnips grown for the first time in a soil arc much affected with the disease. As to the theoi'y which maintains (see No. 8) that the disease is caused by the attacks of insects, the author believes that it had its origin in the fact that caustic lime is found, when added to the soil in sufficient quantity, to act as a specific for the disease, the lime destroying the insects. Against this view, or, at all events, as modifying it, it should be remembered that chalk and marl, which are neutral substances, and are Bot caustic, are also spe- cifics against the disease. We are inclined, as the result of our observation, to believe in the accuracy of the opinion of Mr. Curtis, that the disease is not the result of the at- tack of insects, but that insects, being found in all soils, attack those plants which are themselves in a diseased state ; that is, that the diseased roots invite the attack of the insects, rather than that the insects cause the disease. But against this " insect" theory as great an array of facts can be brought, says our author, as against the "ex- cretory" theory of De CaudoUe, akeady alluded to. "For example," he says, " it .would compel us to suppose that the trampling or fiooding of the laud had the efi'cct of breeding or attracting the insects, and so also in the case of our clearings of ditches. * * From these instances we would be led into many strange hypotheses in regard to the habits of the insects, in accounting for their preva- lence. "When we consider, too, the measures that mitigate the disease, the idea of its being caused just where the particular insects abound would give rise to some curious suppositious. AVe would require to believe that superphos- phate of hme and guano attracted or produced the insects, while rich farmyard manm-e destroyed or repelled them — that the insects sometimes fled from the swedes in one part of a field, and destroyed the common sorts of another." Not satisfied with any of the generally received theories as to the cause of the disease in turnips, the author was compelled to bring his attention in a direction difterent to those which gave rise to them ; and the result of his observation and study led him to the conclu- sion that the disease in turnips is " owing to the plants being unable to take up a sufficient supply of the earthy and alkaline bases. In consequence of this inability on the part of plants of taking up a full supply of earthy matters, the juices of the plants, being in a corrupt state, are in a condition to become the nidus for insects, which attack the plants, and give the disease its lieculiar forms. It is a most important circumstance, however, to bear in mind that although the disease does sometimes arise from au absolute want of the alkaline and earthy matters in the soil, yet it commonly arises from an inability on the \mxi of the plant of taking up the food that is abundantly diffused throughout the soil. This opinion is based on the theory that the roots of plants virtually exercise special absorption, not only on those substances that are soluble, but on those that are in- soluble." It is impossible in the brief space allotted to us in this ai'ticle to go into all the points stated in favour of this view of the cause of the decline in turnips; we can but at the best glance — and glance briefly — at a few of the leading arguments, referring the reader to the paper itself, which will be found iu the " Journal of Jz/ric/'Jiiire/' and which will repay an intelligent perusal. There are those who maintain that the disease is caused by a defi- ciency of plant-food in the soil ; but it is nevertheless often met with in market gardens, which contain au abun- dant supply of plant food : it is there, but the plants can- not avail themselves of it. When dressed with guano and superphosphate of lime alone, the disease is often pre- sent ; but when farm-yard manure is added, the failure of the crop is not so marked : this shows, or tends to show, that the want of a due supply of minerals is the cause of the disease, for the farm-yard manure contains them ; and it should be noted that the nearer the surface the farm-yard manure is placed, the more easily will the roots of the plants get to it. On the other hand, it is found that the disease appears in the turnips grown upon soil where mauure-heaps have been, thus proving that a superabund- ance of organic matters seems "to be inimical to the heal- thy absorption of the alkalies and alkaline earths, as sometimes is the case in market gardens." That swedes have a greater power for abstracting food from the soil appears to be pretty well established. Early sowing, as already stated, is often found, or said to be, the cause of the disease; this is by one author accounted for, by the consideration that " early-sown turnips are possessed of less vigour when the season is not so propitious, and accord- ingly their power" of abstracting food from the soil is less developed. He also explains the virtue of calcareous soils, and of applications of lime in the prevention of disease, by assuming that the " calcareous matter exer- cises a specific action on the decomposition of the vegeta- ble nuitter within the soil. The compounds arising from the decomposition of vegetable matter are changed by the action of lime, and iu this manner the soil becomes a healthy medium, through which the roots of plants can extend, and exercise a s])ecial absorption of the soluble and insoluble substances that constitute their food." This deeomposition of vegetable matter iu the soil by the action of lime, he further says, " causes the products of decay to be difterent, and suited to the main- taining the healthy functions of the roots. When tur- nips are repeated year after year iu soils abounding iu vegetable and deficient in calcareous matters, the immense mass of roots which are left, rather than excremeutitious matter, seem to inoculate soils, so as to impart those con- ditions that are inconsistent with plants exercising the powers of special absorption." Lime thus added to soils " directs the nature and character of the products of de- cay, and brings the soils into a state fit for the healthy action of the roots, whereby they are enabled to absorb a proper amount of those earthy materials which constitute their food." Under the section of the " function of the roots of plants," our author gives many interesting statements in support of the theory of special absorption, or what he calls the selecting powers of roots, which he explains as a power which mugt be " regarded as a mere chemical allinity, subsisting between the newly-formed cells, or cell- contents, and those insoluble earths which constitute the food of plants. The cell-walls of the spougelets of the roots of plants being so thin and delicate, we believe that they form no greater barrier to the ceU-contents acting upon the earthy matters against which they are pressed as the roots run through the soil, than the cell- walls of the leaves do the carbouic acid of the atmos- phere," Pid space permit it, we could give more on the t THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 13 interesting points involved in the iliseussiou of tlie special absorption of plants, and of the functions of their roots ; but we umst refrain, and conclude by recapitulating the remedies for the turnip disease. " liime is the most etti- cacious, and, besides, it destroys many kinds of weeds, the healthy functions of whose roots are quite tlie opposite to those of tlie tnrni]). In those cases, however, in which it is not convenient to lime, the disease may be greatly mitigated by the application of suitable manures. Com- posts, formed by earth, bones, ashes of wood, and small quantities of lime, are well worthy of a trial. It should not be distributed through the soil, but placed in handfuls as near the surface as possible, and the seed dropped upon it. By this means a healthy young plant would be ob- tained ; and it woidd afterwards be enabled to push its roots through the soil. By applying rich farmyard manure, and substituting the swede for the common sorts of turnijis, the disease, iu many districts, has lost half of its terrors." THE RECLAIMING AND FARMING OF LAND BY SMALL HOLDINGS. The problem how to make the most of the land is one that is no sooner solved, than it lequires to be solved and solved again. From time immemorial farmers have been contending manfully to the contrary as it were, the triumphs of the current period having generally been pronounced satisfiictory ; but tlie sleepless brain of Discovery has always been so active that the coming day has invariably introduced something fresh, and thus the improvements of yesterday and to-day have given place to those of to-morrow ; and, to all appearance, the agricultural body will thus continue to run the race of pro- gress to the end of lime. But as the chain of events thus move onwards iu continuous progression, the experience of tlie past is, at the same time, teaching something practically use- ful, and the reclaiming of farming-land by poor people, in small lioldings» furnishes an instructive lesson to the present age, in e\ery corner of the kingdom. Qu this topic we propose offering a few remarks, principally in reference to its political economy, in order to illustrate several practical characteristics which, iu the tenant-right controversy of the present day, do not appear to be more tlian sufficiently understood, more especially as regards Ireland, where religious sectarianism is so coutentiously thick as to obscure the face of everything. The system of reclaiming land by small holdings involves a heavy sacrifice of time, labour, and capital iu the out-set, with a reduction of the productive value of the land eventually, generally speaking. This is equally true, whether the land is good or bad ; but it is more especially applicable to those qualities of soil that require a large investment in drainage, trenching, mixture of soils, and manure, to put them into a profitable crop-bearing state. We have examined large areas of land in England, Scotland, and Ireland, broken up from its original state, for example, where an investment of £20, £30, and even £10 per acre woidd have been required to put them into a profitable crop-bearing state, but wliere poor people, without a penny to begin the work with, had struggled on for long terms of years, and even generations, as in the province of Ulster, Ireland, without being able to reclaim the land, properly speaking. During special seasons, adapted to the peculiar nature of the land, the crops were promising to appearance, and in some cases to the return of corn ; but generally speak- ing it was otlierwise, so that although the amount of rent per' acre was nominal, it had frequently to be paid either from resources extraneous of the farm, as from the wages of the small tenant when engaged upon large farms, or else from some branch of manufacture, or carting with a horse, carried on at home. Under such conditions it follows that the system could never have existed of itself. In other words, it is not a self-supporting system, while the lauds referred to were iu a worse state for the investment of capital, thoroughly to reclaim them with profit, than before the poor people entered upon their possession. The reason of this reduction of value is easily accounted for, more especially by those who have had experience in the consolidation of small holdings, and in the reclaiming of similar qualities of sod. from their original state. Thus the principal deterioration arises from the exhaustion of vegetable matter in the soil. In their natural state such soils contain, for the most part, a large per-centage of vegetable matter, in the form of a thick coarse sward of heath, or other plants, as the case may be. This is generally in a partially ej'ete state, and much of the success of reclaiming this description of land lies iu the conversion of this ej'efc organic matter into mauure, and in the neutralization of the noxious saUs that liave accumulated between soil and subsoil, by their judicious exposure to the action of the sun and atmosphere. Deep drainage when requisite, and trenching, with heavy doses of manure, including in the majority of cases lime, will effect a healthy decom- position of this effe/e matter, and put the land otherwise into a fertile crop-bearing state, so as to yield heavier crops than lands producing a rich sward, as when fine meadow-grass is broken up to aration by the plough, or even by single-spit digging. For works of this description we have paid from £20 to £40 per acre, as already stated ; the reclaimed land returning fair interest to the landlord for his investment. The second cause arises from the shallow imperfect drain- age of the small tenants, the filling and levelling of the ditches and fences of the small fields, and the removal of antiquated houses. To reclaim such land successfully it requires to be thoroughly drained, treuched, and manured, as in the previous example, and to etfect this considerably more capital is re- quired ; and although twice tlie sum for manure be given, the land wiU seldom be so productive as when directly broken up from the original state. Where a large tenant succeeds the small holders, the labourers of the latter in the work of cousolida- tion may be of some avail to him, as be may perform the work of reclaiming by degrees, but upon the whole less perfectly and at a greater expense, when all things are counted, than when the work is done, as it should be at the first, ))y thorough drainage, trenching, and manuring as aliove ; and as a general rule, the work of reclaiming should always be done l)y the landowner's capital ; for although an active pushing tenant may reclaim the land by degrees, this is generally done at the expense of the rest of the farm, besides the heavy tear and wear upon teams and the smashing of implements, upon which contracting parties generally place too little value. A tliird cause arises from the land becoming a hot-bed of weeds, and when clayey it is poached, consolidated, and " soured" in such a manner as to incur a heavy expense of faUowlug and manure at short intervals, in order to effect its aeration and fertility ; whereas when the coarse heathy effete herbage is thoroughly rotten, and incorporated with the staple, it not only furnishes the crops with nourishment directly, but it also promotes the drainage and aeration of the land, and likewise the economy of manure. In the case of the labouring-man who is regularly or con- stantly employed upon a large farm, if he squats upon a piece of waste land imder an obligation to the landlord to reclaim, either he must hire hands to do the work by trenching, or else make up with liis employer for a day or two of his teams annually, until the whole is brought under the plough. If he is only partially employed at job-work, he may under such conditions reclaim his small holding during those inter- vals when he falls out of work, upon large farms. This he may do by trenching, or if he is a deserving man he may get some assistance from large farmers at slack seasons of the year, or he may get a yoking or two of a team on condition that he and his family give their services in the harvest-time (of course, for the ordinary rate of wages), the farmer's object being to secure bands. Again, if a labouring-man aims at a holding of a size suffi- cient to supply him with regular employment when it is all broken up, the work of reclaiming is one of degrees, so that unless he has acquired some capital before entering into the contract with his landlord, he will have to hunt about for jobs 14 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. elsewhere. If he is an honest, iudustrious, and deserving man, he will, under such circumstances, exiJcrience no difiiculty in finding the necessary amount of employment to enable him to get on with the enterprise ujiou wliich he has entered ; hut if otherwise, a renewal of his lease may be reciuired, to enable him to finish what he contemplated doing within the currency of his first tenn. We need not go further into the details of these several cases, and others of a kindred character, arising out of com- binations of them, as enough has been said to show the heavy sacrifice of time, labour, and capital which they involve gene- rally speaking, and the still more serious loss sustained indi- vidually by the contracting parties — the landowner and tenant. The former of these losses is owing to the manner the system retards the general march of improvement, viz., the establish- ment of society upon a solid foundation ; and the latter from the land never having been put into the most profitable state of cropping and management. In the first example of a labourer as a ploughmau engaged by the year upon an adjoining large farm, or who holds a croft of liis employer, his few acres make liim a slave during those hours of the day he is not working for his employer ; and as he is often obUgcd to work in Ijad weather, he not only injures liis land, but soon stiffens and makes an old man of himself . And it is not only against himself, but his master's teams also ; for the ploughing and sowing of the small holdings are works for the most part done late in the season, and at often and long hours. In short, small holdings, under such circumstances, are a curse to all parties interested, and wo have known them taken from the labourers and added to the large farm, by way of conferring a lasting IjlessLug upon the cottagers, morally and physically, a good garden being enough to employ the leisure hours of our agricultural labour- ers when regularly employed. The second and third examples have still less to commend them to a favourable notice, as they both increase the evil which they are intended to remedy — viz., profitable employ- ment. For a time they may have their advantages over no employment at all, but this is no solid argument ; and when young families grow up to manhood and womanhood, so that every cottage contains twice, thrice, audfour times the original number of hands, the industrial position of the small holdings may be more easily imagined than practically described. Suffice it to say that the United Kingdom has still too many examples of this kind to furnish as an illustration, where cottages and everything else are a long way out of date. To all this it may be answered, on tlie ground of expediency, first, that but for the small holdings a very large area of the country would never have been reclaimed from its original state ; secondly, that the system is necessary to supply farmers with the reciuisite number of hands they require during the busy season of the year, as seed-time and harvest, at a low rate of wages ; and third, to supply the army with recruits, railroads with navvies, &c. But theobjection falls to the ground, for more reasons than one. Thus : The first plea is a futile attempt to justify landowners who fail to perform their duty to themselves and the public. It may be true enough as to fact ; for it cannot be denied that a large area of country has been broken up into small holdings, and at an after-period consolidated into large farms ; but this lias been done at a serious sacrifice of time, labour, and capital, while during its existence it was experienced a heavy draw- back to the progress of properly sub-divided labour and the establishment of society upon a solid and healthy foundation, as has already been shown ; consequently the latter fact con- demns the former. It may be farther true that the rents which large tenants give for land broken up from a state of nature to aration wiU not pay redeeming interest, so as to justifj- the investment of the landowner's capital ; but this can only be received as proof-practical that the work of reclaiming has been unsuccessfully performed by the landowner, a conclusion which, in the majority of cases, is doubtless too true. But the day is gone by, when landowners can be allowed to justify themselves for breaking up their waste lands on the small- holding system, and then, when the work of reclaiming is half done, finish it by consolidation into large farms at the expense of the large tenant, on the plea that it wiil not pay them for doing the work at the outset at less labour and money, and on more advantageous terms in every other respect ; for tenant- right, in its true and legitimate sense, is in this, and every similar case, (M the Imulhrd reclaim the land, bnUd (he home- stead and lahonrers' cottages, and hand over the farm to the tenant in a profitable crop-hearhiy and tenantahle state. The other class of objections, relative to the miserable mud- hovels in which so many of the ancestors of our English and Scottish labourers were nursed, which produced cheap labour, soldiers, &c., is even a century farther out of date than the previous one. Tliis is manifest ; for the thrashing-inachiue, reaping-machine, and steam-plough could never have made their appearance so long as such a system formed the general illustration of the industrial organization of our rural popu- lation. But Necessity is the mother of Invention ; so that when fewer labourers and higher wages became the ruling principle of action, so to speak, farmers then made the dis- covery that labour could be abridged by machinery, and that a greater amount of marketable produce could be procured from the land with fewer hands directly employed. To this rule, a large extent of Ireland and of the Highlands and islands of Scotland are still the exception ; and although the old practice of squatting upon waste lands and reclaiming them, and also the subdivision of reclaimed arable land, are advocated by a few political economists in Ireland for the old-school purpose of cheap labour and soldiers, it has wholly lost in the United Kingdom its talismanic influence over the minds of the more intelligent portion of the labouring classes, who prefer emi- grating, and reclaiming lands on their own account in our colonies, to doing so in this country to thankless landowners for naught. And this samecurrentof opinion is growing stronger and stronger every day in the sistjjr-country and Higlilands of Scotland too ; so that, eventually, the miserable homes of the southern and western provinces of the former (Ireland) will lose the high pecuniary price put upon them at present, and the much boasted tenant-right of Ulster falit so low in the estimate of intelligent labourers as hardly to possess a market- able value when brought to the hammer. No doubt these are distant results ; but, granting they are so, it is, nevertheless, equally true that they already begin to be seen looming in the distance ; for, as v/ages advance so as to enable the poor people to better their circumstances at home or to emigrate, they will cease to scramble for a miserable subsistence in mud hovels, or give, as is now done in the province of Ulster, a sum for a sounding but empty title to an acre of land, that would pay their passage to America. Political agitators may have a right to dream dreams so long as they suit the purpose they have in view ; but, however far our Celtic populations may have fallen behind iu the race of progress, and however strongly they may naturally feel disposed to chng to ancestral traditions and customs, they are, nevertheless, the very jjcople who, when they find out practically the difference between American corn and Irish chaff, will not liesitate long which to choose and which to reject, Mith all due respect to their old teachers. At a time when tlie labouring population of England and Scotland arc Ijegiuniug to advocate strongly a reduction in tlie daily hours of labour, in order to gain leisure hours for intellectual improvement, it is rather anomalous to see Ireland, considering the intellectual faculties of the Celtic mind, ad- vocating small holdings and everything else that has an opposite tendency — viz., long hours of labour and low wages for her labouiing classes ! There cannot be a doubt that the sooner such an inconsistent and out-of-date advocacy is given up, tlie better for aU parties — more especially the ecclesiasti- cal ; for the upshot of faUacious leaching of this kind never fails to recoil back upon its authors with a retributive force ; and if this is applicable to the Saxon temperament, it is some degrees more so to the Celtic, under the peculiar and temper- trying circumstances of the case. Tliere remains one argument why farmers and labourers in the United Kingdom feel more and more disposed to subscribe to the now-generally admitted rule that small holdings as nursery grounds for labourers are out of date, and that waste lands capable of being profitably reclaimed should be so with the landowner's capital, that must be told — viz., the work of reclaiminfj land is not a permanent one. Thus houses, roads, fences, drains, ploughing, trenching, liming, and manuring are all improvements of only short duration. Houses, roads, fences, and drains may be worse than worthless at the end of the tenant's term ; cropping soon removes manures; and as to ■« orks of cultivation, the land through mismanagement may return to a state many degrees worse than its original. In all these cases, the subdivision of labour and our extensive co- lonies are l^eginning to tell practically upon the antiquated THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 15 customs i\ud routiuc of tlie mothev-couutiy ; ami as science contiuues to move ou in tlie same advancing direction, the duty of the hiudlord will become more and more imperative. As yet there are no doubt many exceptions to the senerul rule, our village system of (he United Kingdom l)eiug similar in principle to the small lioldings of the olden time, and of the sister-conntry at the present day ; Ijoth producing a super- abundance of labourers witli an increase of poor-rates and pau- perism, together with a demand for small holdings aud clamour for tenant-right, or rather repayment for doing work vliieh ought to have beei; doue by landlordSj sucli being in point of fact the true and "practical interpretation of " tenant-right " as against the landowier for permanent im- provements. In those provinces where tenants are permitted by custom to sell the lease of their holdings, old worn-out hovels hardly fit for piggeries aud land exliausled to excess may, under such a slate of increased pauperism, fetch more than the original tenant-right claim ; but, if this is true under increased pauperism, the reverse will become the rule, and is fast becoming the rule, under higher \A'ages, regular employ- ment, with rent-free cottages and gardens for agricultural labourers, Emgiweer. HEDGES AND HEDGEROW TIMBER. A Pi\jEK EEAD BY Mr. M'Intosh, Factok, Minto, befoke THE Teviotdale Faemers' Club. The state of the fences wliich enclose and subdivide the fields of a farm is a matter of much importance. Indeed, it is not overstating the fact to say that a farm well fenced is in- creased in value at least 2s. per acre. Of the various plants used in hedge construction the hawthorn is decidedly the best. Tim shrub itself, for it can scarcely be called a tree, is ex- tremely hardy, long-lived, and endures frequent pruning ; its roots are not of a spreading habit ; and its branches from their stiffness, and its thorns from their sharpness, render it a most ctTectual barrier against the outbreaks of cattle, and sometimes agaiust the inroads of ti'ospassers. No doubt there are other plants which may, with tolerable success, be used in making field hedges. Beech, for instance, succeeds very well, and has this advantage, that it will thrive on exposed situations and li,!^ht soils where the thorn will not ; it is also well adapted for filling gaps iu old hawthorn hedges. Beech plants are some- times mixed \\ith thorns, in certain proportions at the outset ; this may be advisable in certain cases ; but, as a general rule, there is nothing to justify the jjractice, for the nature and habits of the two plants considerably differ. Fortunately the oiijectionable practices of double hedgerows aud high embank- ments is now giving way, on this side of the Border at least, to other methods, having reason and economy to recommend tliem. The two plans now most commonly followed are — first, planting on slightly raised ground, with an open ditch alongside, which serves to dry the side of the hedge aud carry oft" surface water. The other method is, to plant on the flat — after trenching the ground to a depth of 31 or 21< inches — a plan which has much in its favour, and is too seldom adopted. Without entering fully into the merits of tliese two systems, I would simjily say that on good soil and on drained or naturally dry laud the latter plan should be adopted ; in other cases it is best to follow the ditch and bank style. In describing the various operations connected with the planting of hedges, it will, perhaps, be the simplest way to state my own practice in a case with which I had to deal at Minto, in December last. A thorn hedge, of which the oldest inhabitant could not tell me the age, having become useless as a fence, and distasteful to the eye, we determined to have it replaced by a new one. Our first step was to secure good thorns, with well-fibred roots, tu'o years transplanted : these were cut 6 to 7 inches above the roots, and in doing so any unhealthy plant was rejected ; we then removed the site of the fence 10 feet into the field to have the advantage of fresh soil, and in order to escape the drip and shade of a belt of beech ; next, the new line was laid down as gracefully as could be managed ; and this Ijeing done, we had to decide whether to plant on the flat, or adopt the ditch and bank system. The latter plan was followed, because the soil was stiff and somewhat wet ; next, we raised the plant bed four inches above the surface by the top soil of the ditch, leaving a scarcement between it and the brow of the ditch of 7 inches ; on the bed thus formed the thorns were horizontally laid, leaving uncovered only an inch of the stem. At this stage, after covering the plants with a few inches of earth, we applied some rich lime compost ; the ditch was then dug to the desired depth of 2-1 inches, and finishing the bank with the ex- cavated materials completed the work. The Ijcst time of the year for planting is the month of November, or the beginning of December. Of course hedges may be planted in the spring, but the plants are not likely to put forth such vigorous shoots the first season as iu the other case, My experience of spring planting leads me to recommend that it should not bo done later than the middle of March, and if the work can be over- taken in February so much the l>etter. The distance apart at which to put iu the plants must be regulated according to the situation and character of the soil. In exposed places aud poor soils they should not Ije furtlier apart than 4? or 5 inches, while on good soil well sheltered the distance may range from 5 to S inches. Some recommend wider distances, iu order to secure more strength in the plants ; but I question whether so much can he gained in that respect as to make up for the additional time which they must taKc to fill up so as to become a fence. When the fields are pastured, a hedge in its young state re- quires to be protected on both sides by means of wooden paling. This paling, or other temporary fence, should not be placed too close upon the plants, as is frequently done to their serious injury ; nor should it be removed until the permanent fence acquires strength enough to resist cattle. Attention to this is particularly necessary when the fields are depastured with sheep, as their grease and wool tend to canker the hedge plants. Having now referred to the plants best adapted for field hedges, file best system of planting, &c., I will now briefly bring under your notice the after-treatment which the hedge should receive. First, then, it should be regularly cleaned, and if there he a ditch, it should be scoured once every season. In fact, when a hedge is quite young, it is desirable to clear it of weeds twice every year. The too common practice of allowing young plan- tations and young hedges to be choked up with weeds cannot be too severely condemned. Unless a young hedge be carefully trained for the first five or six years, any expense which maybe laid out upon it afterwards wiU scarcely remove the bad effects of previous neglect. One thing at least is clear, that unless our farm hedges be regularly cleared of weeds for the first ten or fifteen years, and occasionally after, they become open and hare below, and ultimately unfencible without being patched up, in a somewhat unsightly manner, with paling. A stunted hedge on stiff soil is greatly invigorated by being dug about the roots ; and when the soil is of an inferior description, a dressing of well-rotted dung, good mould, or lime compost, will have a beneficial eflect. Second, I have to refer to the cutting or switching of hedges, which it is most important should be done in a skilful manner. A young hedge should not be cut until it is two, and if it has made slow progress, not until it is three years old, by which time the roots will be established in the soil. After arriving at this age it should be cut 10 inches above the surface, shorten- ing fhe side brandies at the same time. In the subsequent yearly cuttings the practice adopted by the best hedgers is to leave the hedge 4 inches higher and 1 broader each year, till it reaches a height of about 4 feet, ^vllen it should be made to assume its permanent shape. Hedges are sometimes a good deal injured by being switched too early in the season, ere the important lung-like function of the leaf has been fiiUy per- formed. You are aware that the leaves gather iu gaseous food from the air as the roots draw up liquid food fi'om soil ; and on this account switching should not be commenced until the leaves have ceased to be of service to the plants, and the young shoots become fully matured. I admit that in certain situations it is occasionally desirable, in order to improve the appearance of the hedge or to overtake the work in good time, to begin to switch before the leaf begins to fall — in such cases the operation should be performed very slightly, The time best adapted for 16 THE TAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. switcliiug is from the eud of August to the eud of November ; but the work may he done any time during the winter, except in hard frost. Third, I have to advert to tire shape in whicli hedges should be kept. Ou this point, I daresay, few will ]je disposed to doubt that the best form in the wedge-sliaped outline. A liedge trained in this manner, besides making the best fence, is much easier and less expensive to keep than either round or square- shaped ones ; it also occupies less laud, and lasts longer. The round or full-sized hedge, when growing on good soil, and well sheltered, is certainly very ornamental wlien dressed with taste and skill. This form of hedge is well suited for the grounds of a country residence ; but for the ordinary purposes of the farm it cannot compete with the wedge-cut liedge. Fourth, renewing of old hedges. — As the results of sheer neglect and mismanagement, hedges are frequently permitted to become heavy-topped and overgrown ; but it must be confessed that they eventually outgrow themselves, however well trained ; because, in switching, there is generally a small piece of the annual shoot left, called sometimes a " spur," M-liich in course of time adds so much to the height and breadtli of the hedge as to make it necessary, at some time or otlier, to reduce it in size. This process of reduction is called ribbing or stripping. The operation will, I daresay, be familiar to many of you. It consists in cutting oif the lateral branches pretty close to the stem — at the same time lowering the fence to a height of about 3 feet from the ground; by this means, in course of the second season, a plentiful supply of young wood is obtained. Spring is the most suitable period of the year for the work, and the time selected for it should be when the fields ou each side are broken up, so that the young shoots may not be cropped or otherwise imjiaired by cattle or sheep. Of course, it often happens that the fields on each side of a division fence do not fall to be broken up in the same season, and in such cases we should only strip one side of the hedge at a time. Although this is an excellent method for maintainmg, as well as for renewing the health of an old hedge, it is a mistake to follow it in all cases indiscriminately. Old scraggy hedges deprived of their side-branches for 3 feet above the ground cannot be renevred by stripping, and it would prevent many ragged hedges and much disappointment if this plan of renovation were attempted only when the stem wood is tolerably free of moss, and pretty well covered with branches near the bottom. The hedge, after being stripped, should be thoroughly cleaned and dug about the roots, and if a ditch be required, it also should be scoured ; afterwards all blanks should be made up with young thorns or beeches — the latter generally succeed best, only all stunted, badly rooted plants should be rejected. In tlms re-planting the blanks, it is essential to mix mould or lime com- post with the soil, which will be already exhausted by the pre- vious crop. As already indicated, stripping cannot be success- fully adopted in the case of old thorns, thinly distributed in the row, with stems bare of side branches. In such cases it is much better at once to cut down within 6 or 12 inches of the ground — rooting out at the same time all dry stumps not likely to put forth fresh vigorous shoots. Such a course will, in the eud, prove far more satisfactory than cutting 2 or 3 feet above the ground, which we see sometimes done, in order to save a temporary fence. Although a longer time will be required in getting up the hedge afi-esh, after being cut so low, still, when it is once up, it is about as good as new ; while tlie higher cut one will probably never become useful, and it certainly never can become ornamental. The best season of the year for cutting a hedge in this way is the month of April, and I need scarcely say that in this and all other cases the cut should be made upwards, and that no blundering blows at haphazard should be allowed. The blanks that may occur should be made up, and the hedge otherwise treated with regard to digging, cleansing, &c., as already recommended in referring to the operation of stripping. The hedges should be dealt with afterwards much in the same %vay as a young hedge. Instead of repairing tlie gaps in old hedges by means of young plants, temporarily protected at a proper distance off the line, the too common practice is to tiU such gaps with dead thorns (which, of course, kills the living on each side), or to mend them with wooden paling. This barbarous system of mixing dead with live material always spoils the appearance of a hedge, and eventually destroys its usefulness. The expedient is clieap at the time, which is all that can be said in its favour ; but it is bad management and false economy to adopt it. Another plan, equally, if not even more unnatural than the preceding, is the I wholesale system of plaslung hedges, carried out by some on a I smaU scale. This style of treatiueut is very common iu some parts of England, where, I believe, it is frequently very neatly, though very needlessly, done. It is managed in this way i A cut is inflicted upon the stem at a height of about 3 feet, and the part above this then laid over and twisted or platted rciund one or more of the other stems. Now it requires little consi- deration to perceive that this operation weakens the plants. In fact, we have seen hedges treated in this way become useless and unsightly, while upright ones beside them of the same age and on the same quality of soil were comparatively good and healtliy. " Plashing hedges," says Lord Kaimes in his " Gen- tleman Farmer," "makes, indeed, a good interim fence, but, at the long run, is destructive to the plants, and accordingly there is scarcely to be met with a complete good hedge where plasliing lias been long practised. A cat is said among the vulgar to have nine lives. It is their opinion that a thorn, like a cat, iilay be cut and slashed at iu any direction without suffering by "it." In regard to the cost of maintaining hedges, as well as the cost of paling, I am of opinion that it shoidd be equally divided between the proprietor and the farmer ; and it unquestionably conduces to the interests of both that an experienced hedger should reside on the farm to do the work. When one farm is not large enough to keep a man iu full employment, he cau have charge of two. I now come to the second division of the subject — Hedgerow Trees. The object in view in planting hedgerow trees is not so much to produce timber or to secure shelter, as to give a clothed, ornamental appearance to the face of the country, by breaking the monotony of fields aud fences. We do not object to this eud, for it is good ; but we do decidedly object to the frequent abuses connected \Wtli the means for securing it. One of the most prominent of these is the over-crowding of hedgerow trees, by neglecting to thin them as they advance in growth — the natural result, of course, being that the crops on each side are rendered almost useless by drip aud shade. Nor does the evil rest here, for the hedge is injured as well as the crops ; so that we diminish rather than add to the beauties of the landscape by overcrowding the trees. But, independent altogether of the bad effects on fields and fences, it is surely more iu accordance with the principles of good taste to have the trees thinly, rather than thickly, dis- tributed iu tlie rows. It maj'-, without the slightest hesita- tion, be said, that in a great many cases — I do not say in all cases — our hedgerow trees should be reduced by one-half, and in some instances even more ; if we would give a more cheerful aspect to the scenery of the country, and at the same time remove one of the serious grievances of arable farmers. Having taken up so much time with the first part of my sub- ject, I cannot now enter at any length upon various points to which it would be desirable to refer. I may, however, state that the trees for a hedgerow should be selected accord- ing to the site and soil which they are to occupy. Conife- rous trees, as larch, Scotch fir, and spruce, should never be used, for they do not thrive ; and of the hard woods, those trees should be chosen that are less liable to spread, and least injurious to other plants growing under aud near them. The oak, the lime tree, the sycamore, sweet chesnut, birch, poplar, aud willow, may be used for the purpose. Before planting, the trees should be twice or thrice transplanted in the nur- sery ground, and removed to their permanent site when they reach a height of 5 or 6 feet. After they are planted out, a temporary support should be placed against the stem until the roots become estabhshed in the soil. The trees, iu order that they may shelter one another when young, require to be planted twice, and if they are exposed, three times as thick as they are ultimately intended to be left. There is no occasion, however, to have them in a high embankment, between two hedges occupying perhaps 12 or 15 feet — as iu many parts of England, and others nearer ourselves — for they thrive better and look better growing upon the surface. I am of opinion, if nature is to be our model, that hedge- row trees should not be closer than fifteen yards, nor farther apart than thirty, according to the size and habits of the trees. I am aware that trees placed at such distances produce little shelter, but that to a great extent applies to a row of trees however thickly planted. When shelter is required, the means for securing it is not a " row" but a " belt" of trees from 60 to 100 yards wide, tastefully laid out, with perhaps one or two graceful curves, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 17 THE NEW FARM, No. II. Hat-a-tat ! rat-n-tat ! on the round pebble pavemeut with the ashen tail of a pitchfork; the renionstrative query then jerked out from a very low depth in his throat by ashort chubby lad — -age unkuo\vn — " Now what the mischief are ye after?" followed immediately by the vision of a large sandy Skye scuttering up the yard with his tail close packed behind, in mortal terror of a being whom he re- garded only as his too harsh washerwoman, upon occasion of orders from " the missus ;" young Breeches being con- vidsed meanwhile with laughter at his enemy's discom- fiture. Such was the complication when we appeared around the corner, in search of a marvellous sample of winter oats that we had heard of, and of which we wished to obtain the like of, for sowing. " Hallo, Bundles, where's your master?" "Guvnor, sir? — just gone out ; here 'mediately, sir," replied our friend, with linger to his cap ; and at once he was hissing most earnestly, as though nothing had hap- pened within the month to disturb his equanimity, over the hind legs of a huge black carriage-horse, whose down- set ears told of tricks played off when he was left to the lonely mercies of our young pickle. Save me, say I, from a lad in the stable, unless there be a head groom, most smart and steady over him. The oats were certainly a glorious sample ; but, on further thought, wc decided to put barley in when the spring comes round instead, as it will give us one more chance of annihilating what couch sprouts may have foxed, and yet be living in the fallow, the cleaning of which we wrote about last week. The uncertainty of the root crop has been great in these parts. Some who sowed swede seed with their mangold wurzel, with the view to having an occasional tm-nip to fill up where the mangold seed failed, have magni- ficent specimens to exhibit, not a whit the worse olf, as far as mildew is concerned, than the main crop sown many weeks later, the bulbs of which are small, as a rule. About this district the farmers, in fear of mildew, don't much like putting their swede seed in until June. This answers well in what they call a dropping season ; but when, as the last, a parched and sultry season and abundant fly follow, they are sadly out. Their frantic efforts this year to replace by repeated sowing the gaps left by the ravages of the grub and fly were desperate, but I am glad to say strongly rewarded here and there by a fair crop of green- top and hybrid. The best swedes in the neighbourhood are growing upon laud that was heavily limed last au- tumn : perhaps not only that the plant likes lime, but also that thereby a considerable store of extra moisture was retained in the soil. Our mangold crop was sown at two periods, with a longish interval between — at the first in a strong piece of ground, once cultivated as a garden, and consequently a deal richer than the generality of the farm, the soil of which we pulverised devoutly, then in the drills deposited a heavy allowance of rather fresh but excellent and wet stable-manure. The seed was sown by a manure-drill, with a compound as a bed for it, down a pipe in advance, of ashes and superphosphate well mixed (about 4 cwt. of superphosphate to the acre). Hot weather succeeded; but the under-soil was sweetly moist, and the crop came up grandly, regular, and rich of hue. Our otlier plot was put in later, on a portion of plain arable land, well jmlverised ui.d dressed with salt ; and in the drill there was deposited a thick pudding of dark, pulpy paste, that the spade cut as cheese — the result of twice tm'uing the winter-stored manure-heap that had been carted on to the adjoining headland. On this piece the fly played old gooseberry with the plants ; and we thought it was all over with them en- tirely (a neighbour fairly ridiculed the l^lot), when be- hold ! the fit took them : the leaves sprang out, the solid bulb increased, and they never looked back again. The lines are thin here aud there, it must be confessed, owing to the ravages of the lly and grub during the plants' in- fancy ; but such roots as survived are the admiration of the adjoining farmers, and their superiority I attribute altogether to the heavy salting the land got (the mangold being of sea-side origin), and the burnt-tofl'y-tiuted, gum- like residuum with which we lined each furrow. Of two facts, then, we are convinced more than ever — viz., that roots like their manure-food soluble, not strawy; and that salt is essential to the satisfactory deve- lopment of at leasi the mangold-wnr/.el. At the late picturesque Tewkesbury Show, where the competing charms of the cattle-yard, flower-show, regatta, and two bands were delightfully combined for the enjoy- ment of a butterfly crowd, on a right sunny day — such a combination as we wish all cattle-shows could be — we were lounging by the river-bank, awaiting the retmm of some racing fom'-oar crews in gay attii'e, when we were accosted by an old friend — one of the smartest of men, who makes to succeed whatever he may take in hand. We had not met for a long time ; and oiu- chat was pro- tracted. His last words, however, were, " Now you must mind to come and see my roots. You must know, I pride myself upon growing the best in England. I have twice won the cup, and mean to try and do so again this year." Before many moons had waned, it chanced that my steps drew near to his farm. He was not at home, but his hospitable lady was ; and she, curiously enough, and clearly without collusion of auy sort, after the first few moments' conversation, said, " You must really see our roots before you leave ; for George prides himself ixpon them." "Well, we went out, under the guidance of a strapper from the stables, across a meadow to the field. At first we saw little, and were disposed to be disappointed ; but, having advanced a short way further, we were astounded — so astounded that we dared not quote dimensions on our own unsustained authority, so wrote by an early post to the gentleman himself for an account, which we subjoin, and for the accuracy of which we pledge ourselves implicitly, he being a most exact and careful man. Height from Leugth of rr a i T,, „ Girth ground to leaf from , • , , Ma^'golds. j,^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^,^^^_ ^^^^^ height. inches. in. in. in. Long yellow ... 20 23 20 43 ... 13 28 23 51 ... 15 30 IS 48 18 24 21 45 YeUow globe !!! 34^ 11 19 30 ... 30 15 21 36 Lougrcd ... 18 21 18 39 ... 20 17 20 37 EedgloLc ... 27 10 24 34 ... 28 10 25 35 ■OUjs. seed \m acre drilled, half new and half last year's seed. 18 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. His letter commuEicatlng these particulars is dated September 23rd. One amusing portion one cannot resist quoting. " On being questioned last year at the sbow- dinner wliat nostrum I possessed and used, which enabled me to beat everybody, and having just taken to the hounds (a few farmers being present at the dinner who objected to om" going over their land), I told them that beyond the mode of cultivation usually practised, I could only attribute my success to the fact of my making all my arable land my exercising-grouud for my hunters, and recommended everybody to get their land, on which they wished to do something extra, well trampled in, which, if they wished it, I should be glad to assist by bringing the hounds over it." He mucks heavily about November, after scarifying the wheat-stubble in the autumn, there being, I expect, a large portion of dog-dung, in which the bone element is said to predominate ; ploughs in January, then dresses broadcast Avith 6 cwt. of salt and G cwt. superphosphate per acre. But, botheration, here comes the cook again ! What- ever shall we do ? WTiat with trouble on the neglected soil without, and the vermin- visitation within, oh ! deai-, this new farm ! " There is na luck about the house, There is na luck at all." Can you, dear people, can any one of you give us some receipt — a really effective receipt — to get rid of cock- roaches ? Ai'n't we entirely in despair ? Didn't we see them the other day by dozens wallowing in the flour-bin, and being fished out of the barm that had been un- fortunately left uncovered through the night? And are not their dismembered limbs all thi-ough the loaf — a leg here, a wing there — until it absolutely crackles like shrunps in the biting ? The only consolation is that soy is said to be made from cockroaches, and soy is wholesome. But ar'nt we entirely in despair ? I emphatically re- peat. Haven't we bought patent medicines by the score of packets ? haven't we strewn everywhere the rind of peeled cucumber ? haven't we scalded myriads, as they scamper about in the darkness of the deserted kitchen ? haven't we intoxicated and drowned whole mUkpans full in beer and sugar ? but still there is the " Wliispering with white lips — ' The foe ! " ' They come ! they come !' " Haven't we had in a hedgehog that did abundant benefit, untn unhappily he ensconced himself for the day between cook's blankets, which she painfully found out by the feeling of her trotters when she went up and tucked them in for an afternoon siesta ? The poor hedgehog has been a sore subject ever since. They are, though, perhaps somewhat less numerous than they were. When the female household has retii-ed with tucked raiment, shuddering frames, and little screams, as ever and anon they crack an unhappy wight that has been wandering up the back-stairs, then begins on our own part another sort of destruction — a raid in slippers that are more slippery before the day is won. The horde is certainly less numerous than it was — so many of the old ones have gone in search of crumbs down the fatal glass pitfall of the wooden trap. It is certainly comfort- ing of late that, instead of the extended black masses that did swarm over the floor when the kitchen door was opened suddenly, there is apparent now rather an infant army, with here and there an old fellow — a sort of Dominie Sampson — as though left in charge, who gets iip vainly a jog-trot across the boards as we approach. An army there is surviving, however, and that, alas ! will grow, of all juvenile ages — some tiny as fleas ; some the size of a wheat-corn, up to the three-parts grown. You may see them plaj-iug rounders by myriads on the hearth — then in we dash, and crush, and squash ; aud away down crannies and into cracks, under fender convenient and the di-ying chips for the morning fires ; away and away do we slipper and slide, until there is left for her who cleaneth up the floor the realization of those ex- quisite verses which you may read for yom'self iu the Ingoldsby Legends commencing — " But a sombre sight is a battle-field. Sic." After all, it is most tiresome ; so please do, some one, kindly send us a receipt that shall consign the whole sort to oblivion straightway. I see that one farmer gives, as a new accidental dis- covei-y of a specific against diarrhoea in sheep, the crush- ing of acorns with their allowance of corn. Is it that acorns are binding, as oak-bark is? Again, in this county of Hereford, the feeding on acoru and oak-leaves has been pointed to as a cause of bovine disease. Whatever it may be in professors' eyes, anyhow the acorn -hai'vest of this year is of eminent use. Our Southdowns, who gather them under the oaks upon the lawn, most certainly enjoy, and seem to thrive upon them. I have thought, once or twice, that it made them cough, as indigestible food will a child. The breeding-sows roam about, with matronly grandem*, and most certainly approve the feed, besides doing us personally much good, by bm-ying a lot, in furtherance of future trees. AVe buy them also, at 2s. the bushel, for the fattening pigs, who most amazingly delight in the change. Of exceedingly fine Spanish chesnuts we have a vast abundance, that is equally appreciated by the animals, and partaken of freely, both cooked and raw, by the human household also. Filberts and walnuts, which were plentiful the last, have quite failed us this year ; and the smart little squirrels seem to have followed in their wake. Our last year's store we kept in large earthenware pans, in the cellar; and they were deliciously juicy up till May, when the foolish gardener exposed them to the sun, and they di'ied, sprouted, and were spoilt. No apples of any sort — not enough, verily, to grace even om* autumn desserts, which would be sadly scanty if it were not for the profusion of fine-flavom-ed grapes that have ripened in and out of doors. But of apples, not any — not even of the tasteless cider sort, enough wherefrom to crush out a short half- cask ; and — will you believe it ? — only last j'car it cost us all but £7 to pick up the superabundant crop on these very orchards, at the rate of Id. per bushel. And yet I did my trees well. I had them scraped of the moss, and washed with soap-suds, and didy pruned, and the turf around the butts raised, and a thick coat of twelvemonth's-old compost of lime and night-soil laid on : a plan which a great grower of American apples recommends as infallible, and yet no produce ! There was abundant promise, certainly, in the shape of pink and snowy blossom ; but the blight came, and a sort of grub that withered up and rolled each leaf: a canker about the root of each young fruit that bit it off, so that the lovely budding — that sea of blossom — came to nothing after all. Nay, and worse still, even they that did not thus " Unbeseem the promise of their spring," the ripened apples — they do not keep : there is that within, which preys uponjthe damask of their cheek. Would that this failure of the apple crop were a turning point in the cider nuisance question ! The quantity these native people drink — no matter how vile, how muddy, or how sour — the destruction it is to their energy, most sure forerunner of rheumatism, grand cause of constant list- lessness, and ultimately too often of mental alienation, it is the very cm-se of the country ; for, after all, they value it no more than watei*, and scarce thank you for the giving : but of this more again. I am thankful that I have been followed by Welshmen, who do not appreciate the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 19 drink any more than Herefordshire would their potatoes and buttermilk, that most delicious of all food to the born Cymry. The worst is, they do not associate enough with their Saxon neighbour. Yet hereabouts is it scarcely English. The names of places bespeak their old nation- ality, and at the postoffice there is a notice in the language of ancient Britain. But somehow or other there seems no affinity at heart between the respective races. They run dis- tinct as the waters of the Moselle down the enclosing but not intermingling Rhine. And yet, after all, one cannot be quite vexed : there is a something comforting in the clanship that yet undoubtedly keeps up its head amidst the natives of the Principality. Travel anywhere you wish, and, if English, you will get, I fear, but scant courtesy, and that measured by the guinea; but speak the word only in the native tongue, and it will ikaw forth at once, not only a welcome, but the best of fare and the heartiest i-eceptiou. I cannot tell how, but certain is it, that years of interchange with the Saxon have not brought about anything like such a fusion of the races as the intermixture which has occmTcd commercially, and otherwise, might have fairly been predicted to pro- duce. The Cymry in their countiy are yet as distinct in regard to passionate feeling from the Saxon as the wild- eyed pony of Merioneth and the quick cob of Carmar- thenshire are from the stately Lincoln black. An amusing illustration of this strange feeling towards the Saxon is recorded to have occm-red at a well-known ford in Gla- ' morganshire. A rider in haste rode down to the I'iver, attracting the cm'iosity of a countryman, who was plough- ing alongside, and whose counsel the stranger solicited as to crossing. " All right, go on you." A gravel bank lay before him, which dropped down quite suddenly into a pool of considerable depth. The ford followed a half- circle of solid footing around it. One step forward, and the poor horseman was aware of the trap. At once the steed was swimming, and his rider immersed by the strong action in danger of being lacked out of life altogether. Blubbering and spluttering, he spoke out strongly to the giggling onlooker, who had his plough xipon the tmui, audit was luckily in Celtic that he spoke — somewhat vehe- inently, we doubt not, as the local tradition records. But whatever he did say or did not say, anyhow instantane- ous and effective was the help rendered, as by one who knew the danger and the mode of deliverance. " Fy nghalon anwyl i (my darling heart), why for you not say it was Cymro? you was just be drown !" Anyhow, that afternoon the stranger was well tended, if ever, his raiment dried, and raisiu-cake forced upon him to reple- tion. But now, as T feel, kind reader, that I must have pretty well pumped out your patience, and as there's someone knocking at the door, I will say for the present Fare theewell ! Yigil. No. III. And so they are not cockroaches at all ! they are simply black-beetles ; at least, so my chai-ming sister-in-law says, and to what she says I am bound to defer, as, although she cannot quite decidedly scold, yet she comes of the same stock as those who might. " They are not cockroaches at all ; the cockroach is brown, not black." If it had been my wife she might have added, " stoopid ;" but as she was only my sister-in- law, and is very charming, she only bit her lip. " Keep a tortoise," she said; "he'll eat all the black- beetles up." " Keep a tortoise !" I repeat ; " why won't one of these cider-drinking rustics do as well ? they have most tortoise attributes that ever I heard of, in perfection, and they might like his food." My charming sister-in-law didn't quite know how to take this, and so looked serious, and the other way : her near relative might have said "Stuff!" or something worse. But suppose, I reflected further and aloud — suppose the tortoise were a pleasant tortoise : why, then you see there's cook, and it might not pay to have a nice cook and a pleasant tortoise together in the kitchen. Then suppose he were to turn out an un- pleasant tortoise. " What a very disagreeable idea, Henry ! I wish you wouldn't." Wouldn't what, my charming sister-in-law didn't say ; but having gone to the extent of this rebuke, which, under the circumstances, was undoubtedly stern, the conversation soon ended, and yet not before, with her usual amiability, thinking she might have hurt my feelings, she promised to do her best to obtain for me the loan of a real live tortoise, which is at walk just now at her gardener's, belonging to a neigh- bouring gentleman's family who are away. "And so good night." (Exeunt all but the black beetles). Again, the bright hopeful morning ; though, as I watch out of the window while breakfast is being brought in, there is a mist upon the water below and the distant landscape. Ever and anon a leaf di'ops di-eamily from the oak and ash, while the willow is pensively pendent with full foliage yet. The pheasant crows amidst the bushes on the slope ; the wood-pigeon dips from tree to tree across the avenue, or wings her rapid flight away ; the nut-hatch is busy creeping up the bark of the acacia, and the rooks caw quite cheerily in their settlement. I do not know that I ever like the rooks so much as when they come back about this time to their haunts, as though to look up the condition of their lodgings. The sound of their cawing is so social amidst the darkness of this November weather. How stupid it is tliat the far- mer will assail them with poisoned grain, as they do un- doubtedly even yet, despite the fine ! They must blink their most ordinary intelligence to do so, if they would only watch for a short half-day the inestimable benefit those same grave birds do them, so earnestly stalking up the furrow Ijehind the plough, and devom-ing with gusto, amidst other pests, the larvte of the dart-moth, the daddy- longlegs, and the cockchafer, ^vhose ravages if imchecked, upon the root and wheat crops, are so fearful. A very dift'erent bird was yesterday under the house, but too far off for a shot, although we had well nigh attempted one, at the instigation of that worst cause of war, a woman's wish, his grey wing being coveted as an ornament for a riding-hat. Poised for an hour or more he stood there with wet feet, watching the shallows at the turn of the river. There had been a flood a few days before, when the wild Welsh mountains poured their contingent into the impetuous Wye, which sinking as rapidly as it rose left shoals of coarse fish with an occasional salmon stranded in the hollows of the bank. This feed had attracted our friend the heron, as it had many other human pirates before, in whose track he found it safest to foUow. What a rich deposit those alluvial waters leave ! That shining coat of slime, that looks so nasty wet and so scaly di-y, yields yet upon that island strip an earlier crop of fodder for cutting than even the winter vetches. It comes again to mow, and it is grazed, after mowing, quite down to the quick, when the adjoining pasture is neglected, notwithstanding an abundance of keep that seems sweet and ample, being close grown with trefoil and clover. Is the benefit rendered by moles equal to the mischief they do ? I see they have been busy on the meadows. I don't quite like to order their destruction ; and yet, when they come boring under the slopes whfre you cannot roll, one gets, it is to be confessed, sadly sore. One fears that they are not there for any real good to ourselves, but that it is onlv their lines of Torrez Vedras for them to c 2 20 THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE. fall back upon when the flood rises and sweeps across the meadows, where they arc luxuriating at present, it is to be hoped, on wire-worms. And a pace they can go, too, when terrified, as you may ilnd with a terrier any day. TJie way the French tested their speed was ingenious. Poor animal ! deprived of sight, he is keenly alive to sound. Well, they marked the working of one across a flat, and in each mound of earth thrown up they stuck down a reed with a flag attached. Having done so with some half-dozen, men were put with watches along the run ; while another, stealing on tip-toe to where the sod could be seen moving ft-om the excavation that was pro- ceeding, blew a horrible hulla-baloo, such as an aggra- vatediFrench musician alone could devise, beside his burrow. Back in terror sped the mole, unsuspecting, down the run, in his constei-nation inadvertently precipitating the reeds ; so the time between the fall of each was taken, and the fugitive's pace ascertained to a second. I lost two lambs last night. They were lost in some degree from unintentional neglect, I think. The shep- herd did not, being elsewhere occupied, i^ttend to the strong purging they exhibited as soon as should have been. Some more showed the same symptoms to-day. I was afraid that I was to suffer from this new disease, of which Mr. Reynolds discourses so ably in the last number of the Royal Agricultural Society's Journal ; and I or- dered them the treatment he prescribes — viz., to be moved on to an old pasture, and to be furnished with plenty of sweet hay and bran and crushed peas. But more than this. To those which were disordered I had ad- ministered a large teaspoonfiil of carbonate of soda and " cordial powders" (so delicious they smell), whicli came in my medicine-chest — treatment that speedily stopped the scouring by, I presume, correcting the acidity of the stomach. Then on the two that died 1 had a jMst-mortem examination. The butcher could detect nothing, nor could 1 (I am afraid of the V.S. bringing rinderpest on his shooting-jacket) ; so I had to concur with my friend in the usual intelligent verdict under such circumstances, " What could it have been ?" " Why, sir, he had pain." "No doubt of it," we gnunble inwardly, devoutly wish- ing, for his stupidity, that he might just have, for a few minutes, about half the disorder himself, as the cabman in Punch desired, when the astounded old lady would in- quire what was the matter with the drunken man in the gutter. Yesterday afternoon, as I was going in the direction, in search of a rabbit, with my gun, I relieved the bailiff of his task of driving up a pet Southdown flock of Jonas Webb's best sort, in which I invested at a well-known Essex sale, the other day. We were short-handed on the farm, owing, I suspect, to the cider curse ; and the man- gold-wurzel was being stored. They v.'ould scarcely leave the meadows for the hill-side under the house, going grudgingly along, picking and nipping as they passed, and so shy of the gateways that they would not advance through for ever so long, trying all they could to hark back, as though they feared a trap, until the youngest and leanest made a movement to spy round, and, seeing no cause to intimidate, went on. Then they all passed ; and so across another field, and thi-ongh a wicket to the slopes. Then didn't they prank and charge along this way and that way, darting squib-like ; then, of a sudden, at full gallop back, as a cock-pheasant preparing to roost sprang up, with a loud cluck ; onward again ; then pell- mell, half-affrighted by the rustling fallen leaves, until, with noses bent down, and keenly searching, they pegged into what I think has been an undoubted support to them against ailment, this sickly season — the abundant Spanish ehesnuts. And here they had another fright. A porker, witii Ills liiil ( ueVcd, Ihut bnd been rootiua nndci' a tree, by caracoling in a sort of zig-zag fashion that was meant to be playful, and most loudly snorting, gave us all (it came so suddenly) a sort of turn, as the cook says, and which irritated me so much that I gave chase to the ignoble cause of my intimidation. I was sorely tempted to have given him a pellet in his hams, such an uncon- scionable run up-hill he gave me. lie could not, as- suredly, belong to my fold ; but alas ! after all, he did ; and to see the villain make boldly at the wire-fence, and not top it, as the deer do, but go through it with a twist and a swing, and a squeak at the scrape it gave his de- serving hide ! " AVhat security is there, after all, in wire," methought, " when a beast like that makes game of our best workmanship in such style ?" All hands were busy to-day, on our next-neighbour's land, drilling in the wheat, when an outcry was heard in the distance. On looking up, there came along, at an alarmed sling-trot, a poor doe, that had clearly escaped from some one of the adjoining parks, and whose iimocent hours were now numbered. There was a small crowd after her, and our farmer himself did all he could to get her into his yard, but she was too wary ; and when he fetched his poaching piece, she went ott' too, quite wide- awake, with that cliamois-like, jum])iug step that you may see the Welsh mountain-sheep do when suddenly alarmed. Dear, elegant thing ! it was not all fun when you sprang so lightly over the park-fence. Your life in the woods hath been a short one, and, I doubt not, scarcely a merry one. By the way, that reminds me that I saw, the other day, an equal amount of contempt shown by a deer for the wire-fencing to which our huntsmen ob- ject, but of a difl'erent sort to what tiie porker showed. I was cantering to sec a friend on business. The road aci-oss the park was bordered on both sides by a wire fence. The mansion stands " I'pon a liill, a gentle hill, Green, ami of mild declivity, the last. As 'twere the cape of a long ridge of such," and which is washed on tlirce sides by the winding Wye. Under the wide-spreading brauehes of an aged oak, amidst a thin bed of withered fern, lay an antlered herd, with that restless movement of car and horn and tail that characterises their repose. But just as I ap- proached, one sprang up, and making right up-hill for the wire fence, that was higher than any gate, to the horror of the hack I bestrode, came calmly flop down upon the carriage drive before him. The poor horse knew not quite what to do. lie wonld fain have swerved round had I allowed him ; and when, constrained by bit and heel, he came back to the fore, he was trembling all over ; and why was it? He had earned laurels in an Irish steeple- chase ; but he clearly did not like this apparition in his path. Possibly he may have dreaded an encounter. Any how, he shook all over, and was scarcely quite relieved when the stag, quietly stepping across witliout notice of us, went over the upper flight as weU, up-hill too, and at what seemed a tremendous disadvantage : this time just clearing the wire with his forelegs, but coming down heavily upon it with the hind ones in such a way as would have led a careful rider to make keen research. Yet this spotted buck never minded it the least, but simply went fidl charge at a dark one, which we now saw for the first time, and who was apparently an exile fi'om the herd. Rattle! — clatter! — clang! — clang! — and our thorough- bred was nearly wild with terror or excitement at the antler engagement. We trot oft" in fear of mishap to ourselves, in case our steed might be blinded by fright, and victimize us both upon the fence. Mrs. Hemans could scarcely have been between wires on a steeple- chasci-, viheu the viewed a like delicious scene to com- meuuirate it afterwards in those iunnortal lines: THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 21 " The sta,tely homes of Euglaud, How beautiful tliey stand ! Amidst their tall ancestral trees, O'er all the pleasant laud. The deer across tlicir greensward Ijound Til rough shade and sunny gleam, And the swan glides past them witli the sound Of some rejoicing steam." Returning across the park, when once clear of the wii'c, I found such mushrooms that I longed to carry home. Alas ! we have dug up the spawn repeatedly from a meadow that yields thickly a most delicious crop of mush- rooms, but those are comparatively tasteless that are grown from this same spawn in the house nnder cover. Is it not that tlie manure may be too rank ? I see in a review of Sowerby's book, in the Times, they speak of many vegetables being niined by ovcr-mannring,and the absolute necessity that exists of denying all snch forcemeat to the finest-flavoured grapes of IVauce, which arc grown upon the bare shingle. AVc noticed this year that the white grapes which ripened out-of-doors had a flavour in some degrees superior to the house-grown. Or, perhaps it is that the fairies dance not under cover, and that, con- sequently, you cannot establish on your foul in-door com- post those bright green rings that mark the footing of their midnight revels, aud which are the only part of the meadow that ever yields a mushroom at all. " Oh, a dainty life doth the fairy lead : ^She roameth at niglit in the clear moonlight O'er silvery lake and verdant mead." " She cliooscth right well Her tiny bower ; Her house is the bell Of a cowslip flower." " Or she rocks her to rest in the dewy rose, When the gentle gale from the sweet south blows." Vigil. AGRICULTURAL GANGS. A stranger to those eastern counties of England, that spread the wide level of their fenny flats between Peterborough aud the German ocean, might, as he passed along the turnpike- road, be struck l)y the sight of a large body of lads and girls, in scanty aud scarecrow attire, huddled together in a field, busily engaged in picking something from the ploughed land, and having tlieir movements directed by a coarse-looking man, stick in hand. And the stranger miglit speculate, \'d Store Stock. Devons. — Bull, a piece of plate value £5 5s., given by Sir A. Hood, Bart., M.P., Mr. E. Coles, Stone Farm, Yeovil. Tliree dairy cows in calf, a piece of plate, value £5 5s., given by Lord Poltimore, Mr. M. Martin, Lyde ; second, £2, Mr. Dampney, Yeo\il Marsh. Pair of stock heifers in calf, not ex- ceeding three years old, a piece of plate, value £3 3s., given by Mr. W. Pinney, Mr. Dampney. Pair of stock heifers in calf, not exceeding two years old, a bounty, Mr. M. Martin. Herefords. — Best bull, a piece of plate, value £5 5s., given by Mr. J . J. Farquharaon, Mr. J. D. Alien, Pyt House, Tisbury ; second, £~, Mr. W. B. Peren, Compton. Three dairy cows in calf, a piece of plate, value £5 5s., given by Mr. George Harbin, Mr. Robert Corry, Over Compton; second, £3, Mr. James GifTord, North Cadburj-. Pair of stock heifers in calf, not exceeding three years old, a piece of plate, value £3 3s., given by Mr. Thomas Messiter, Mr. W. B. Peren ; second, £1 Mr. R. Corrj'. Pair of stock heifers in calf, not exceeding three years old, given by Mr. Edward Rodbard, Mr. James GifFord ; second, £1, Mr. R. Corry. Shorthorns.— Three dairy cows in calf, a piece of plate, value £5 5s., given by the tradesmen of Yeovil, Mr. Joseph Brook. Sheep. Dow^"s. — Best ram, £3 2s., given by H. B. Batten, Esq., and second, £1, Mr. Christopher Rose. Fifteen stock ewes, a piece of plate, value £5 5s., given by W. H. P. Gore Langton, Esq., M.P., Mr. J. D. Allen. Pair of ram lambs, £2 2s., given by Mr. Thomas Messiter, Mr. R. Brook. Pen of Chilver lambs, £2 2s., Mr. John Fooks ; second, Mr. M. Creed, Yeovil. Horses. Cart stallion, a piece of plate, value £5 5s., given by the Hon. W. H. B. Portman, M.P., Mr. W. King, Tiverton. Cart stallion, not exceeding three years old, £2, Mr. William Paidl, Piddletown. Best cart mare and foal iinder 12 mouths old, £3 3s., given by Mr. H. D. Seymour, M.P., Mr. J. Pottinger. Cart colt (gelding or fiUy), £2, Mr. Robert Davis. Hackney or hunter, a piece of plate, value £10 10s., given by Mr. G. D. W. Digby, Jlr. John Brook, Austen, Yeovil. Pigs. Boar of any breed, £1 10s., Mr. S. Marden, Pen ; second, 10s., Mr. James Sims, Henstridge. Breeding sow, £1 10s., Sir. S. Marden ; second, 10s., Mr. C. Creed, Stourton. Fat Stock. Fat ox, a piece of plate, value £5, given by Mr. G. J. Vertue, Mr. H. Galpin, BlamhaU ; second £2, Mr. J. Coate, Ham- moon. Fat cow or heifer, a piece of plate, value £5, given by Mr. W. Neal, Mr. H. Galpin ; second, Mr. H. Coote. Fat Pig, £1 lOs., Mr. R. Knott,; second, 10s., Mr.R. Knott. Extra Prize. To the exhibitor to whom shall be awarded the greatest ntmiber of certificates of merit for stock shown in the above classes, and which shall not have obtained a prize, £3 3s., given by Mr. Edward Raymond, Mayor of Yeovil, Mr. Indoe, Mndford. Roots. Five acres of swede turnips, a piece of plate, value £5 5s., Mr. S. B. Pausey, Lufton, 23 tons 5 cwt. per acre. 24 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. CATTLE PLAGUE DIFFICULTIES. BY A PRACTICAL FARMER. I am not about to find fault with the many " Orders in Council" which have been issued, relative to the cattle plague, but it must be patent to everyone, that much in- convenience, and no inconsiderable difficulties have arisen in consequence. Be that as it may, we shall all rejoice, if by any means, they contribute to " stamp out the disease ;" and I for one yield to the Government my humble mead of praise for the prompt, determined, and praiseworthy course they have pursued, to rid us from, or at least to mitigate this devastating calamity. Some of the Orders in Council are, I tliink, open to improvement. That one which gives such unconstitutional powers to inspectors is decidedly so. The cattle owner mast slaughter every head of cattle condemned by " the inspec- tor," upon pain of heavy penalties — I think without ap- peal, and certainly without compensation. Is there a parallel case to be met with in any other kind of business? Docs a Government officer presume to enter upon the premises of any of Iler M.njcsty's subjects (other than cattle owners), and command such a wholesale destruction of any other kind of property, and that without awarding compensation? Assuredly not — unless her faulty sub- jects have broken her laws. But in the above case it is adding " insult to injury." Cattle owners have much to try them : they are suffering enormously. All cattle owners feel it : they are seriously inconvenienced, to say the least of it, and very many arc incurring heavy losses in business who have yet escaped " The I'laguc." The cattle trade is all but paralyzed. Markets and fairs being for the most part suspended, our winter graziers know not how to obtain stock for their fold-yards ; and breeders, also, are equally at a loss how to dispose of their surplus stock. Newspaper announcements of stock to sell are all very well, but no one can tell their suitability without inspection, and a buyer may visit many farms or places before he can meet with his required and suitable lot. Cattle dealers are quite at fault. They are in a very awk- ward predicament as regards their legitimate business. The late Order in Council (31st Oct.) stipulates that all cattle shall be in the possession of the vendor at least fourteen days prior to sale : any violation of this order subjects the vendor to heavy penalties. Hence dealers have to resort to vai'ious schemes and subterfuges. Already they, as a body, have been involuntarily compelled to constitute themselves agents — i. c, commission agents. They are aU pretty well known in their respective districts, and are therefore applied to by both buyers and sellers. Mr. A B desires to sell a lot of cattle : Mr. C D requires a lot. The dealer docs not buy of Mr. A B because he knows he must retain them in possession for fourteen days : he therefore says, " I can't buy yom* beasts, but Mr. C D requires just such a lot, and has given me an order for them ; you must therefore send them in to him (at a price named by the dealer), and pay me such a sum per head as ray commission." Thus the Order in Coimcil is in some degree evaded in the letter, but not in the spirit, and without injuring the public — the transaction being between Mr. A B and Mr. C D, through the interventiou of the dealer, he receiving no part of the payment except his commission. Dealers also are in direct and constant communication with each other, and their transactions are conducted in a like manner, but rather more expen- sively, as both dealers receive a commission, one from the seller, the other from the buyer — i. e., a Norfolk farmer requires fifty head of cattle; he applies to his accustomed cattle dealer; he, in turn, applies to his Lin- colnshire or Yorkshire, or other agent or dealer, who ag;ain applies to a vendor Avho has them in posses- sion. An undertaking is at once entered into for the vendor to send the fifty head of cattle to the Norfolk fai-mcr. This vendor sends in his account to the said farmer, who, accordingly, remits the amount. Thus the transaction is effected through the instrumentality of the the two dealers, they only receiving their commissions for being the guarantees of good faith between the other parties. But what inconvenience and uncertainty ! Every man likes to see what he buys ; but, just now, every winter grazier is glad to supply his requirements in almost any way. It is in this way, I repeat, that a,ll cattle-owners are suffering very serious inconvenience, and no Utile loss in business. In this, and a former paper, I have alluded to the absurdity of a Government officer (the inspector) coming into the yard of a cattle- owner, and ordering his stock to be destroyed without compensation, so need not enter further into that diffi- culty. Another ])romincnt difficulty lies in the want of prompt action and unanimity amongst local authorities. The magistrates of one district shut up the markets and fairs : in the next, they are kept open. In some, they are suspended for a few weeks ; in others, for several months. Hence, no one knows how to proceed. Of course, the open markets are unusually full. Again, fat stock markets are more generally kept open. Then arises the question of condition. Who is to say when an ox may be sold or slaughtered as a fatted ox, or not ? In the present day, vast numbers are slaughtered which have no pretensions to being properly fatted. How, then, can such be excluded from fat-stock markets, or who can forbid graziers buying them as store stock ? One of the minor difficulties I will just allude to here. It is this : In every district where fairs and markets stand suspended, many of both classes are awaiting their opening. The breeder is intent to keep his surplus stock up to the mark, at no trifling cost, in anticipation of these markets and fairs being opened ; and graziers arc holding off from purchasing from the like cause. In both eases the business is thrown out of order, and loss is again incurred. Another of these minor difficulties is this ; no one, with any fear of " cat- tle plague" before his eyes, will import any single animal on to his farm. Hence, in-calvers, cows, bulls, calves arc iudividually almost unsaleable, or are sold at great in- convenience, trouble, and loss. Then, again, what an an- noyance, and what a troublesome thing it is, to be compelled to obtain a certificate of health ft-om an inspector, a veteri- nary surgeon, or a permission from a magistrate, before a grazier or any other person can remove his stock from place to place ! This is, I believe, the case in all infected districts, and will, probably, soon be general. The whole question is surrounded with difficidties — yes, difficulties I fear that are now insurmountable. The time is passed in which by prompt, and almost tyrannical action, the Government might possibly have " stamped out" the disease. I how- ever do not believe that any reasonable measure could have done it. "Wholesale and almost indiscriminate slaughter, as sanctioned by high authorities, is truly ridi- I culous. Eveiyone knows that Peter Pindar's noblemaa THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. set ilve to his farm premises, to oust out the swarms of rats ; he forgot his farm-stead. Wc shall want the beef, if we destroy the cattle. The Government can now do but little. They can only ofTcr every inducement and encouragement to individual stock-owners to do their utmost to prevent ravages. Compensation for destroyed animals for public safety ought to be oifered, and to some equitable amount. A Goverunient Commission ought also to decide upon some definite course of medical and other treatment, and insist upon its being tried before compen- sation is given. If homoeopathic treatment is effective, by all meaus adopt it, and let proper men be sought for in every district to apply it. Government are clearly entitled to insist upon a definite mode of treatment for every animal they are to be called upon to pay for. THE CONSUMPTION OF TURNIPS AND STRAW. At the monthly meeting of the East Lothian Agricultural Club, lield at Haddington, Mr. Scot Skirving in tlie chair, Tlie Chairman, in leading oflT the discussion, which was on " The best mode of consuming turnips and straw on the farm ill the present circumstauces of the cattle plague," said that the first rcllectiou that occurred to one was — How many cattle have died from the disease ? that they might liave some meaus of estimating the calamity that had come amongst them. I; must be gratifying to Scotland that Scotch agriculturists so cordially joined in the collection of agricultural statistics, which he was sorry to say the Englisli agriculturists resisted in sullicieut number to make any attempt to collect them nugatory. It was almost impossible to tell how many animals liad been affected with tlie rinderpest, as there was no mau in England who had any knouledge of how many sound animals there were. He trusted tliat one of the good residts of the disease would be that at some date soon they would liave statistics as to tlie animals and agricultural produce in Great Britain. The next question of importance that arose was — Were sheep liable to take this disease? because, failing cattle, slicep were the next domestic animals tliat were likely to be able to trample down and convert into manure the straw of Great Britain. He happened to be in the south of Enghmd when all the agriculturists in Great Britain were so much alarmed on Jiearing the terrible disaster that happened to Mr. Harvey's sheep in Norfolk, where some 1,'iOO died out of 3,00(J. It was immediately given to the world by Professor Simonds that it was rinderpest. He liad read nearly all that the Professor had published on the subject, so far as he was aware, down to the elaborate statement lie made, which appeared in last week's agricultural newspapers. He there, he thought, repeated all his old statements, without any modification ; and he (Mr. Skirving) confessed to the utter astonisliment with which lie read, in tlie very same news- paper, a long speech of Mr. Woods, in England (who was, he supposed, a great authority in slieep), which bore the stamp of trutli upon it, and which he for one would accept as true until he heard it contradicted. From that statement he was forced to the belief of two liings. The first was, tliat Professor Simonds either wilfully or through gross stupidity gave an utterly wrong account of the matter altogether ; and that either he did not know the leading facts of tlie case, or, what would be worse, but not so stupid, lie suppressed them. According to Mr. Woods this happened, which Mr. Simonds never told the public : These 3,000 lambs were all kept in one flock, whicli was a very unusual number to keep together ; they were kept in exces- sively ricli clover ; and, in the third place, they were kept in the broiling month of Septemlier without water. Then sud- denly they got access to a river which had been known before to be so poisonous — coming, as it did, from large manufac- tories— that it had produced the death of various animals. These lambs were seen to run into the water, panting with tiiirst, so that they trampled one another down in it. Sup- posing these facts to be true, he should have expected that some great mortality would have taken place in the flock. But supposing that ilr. Woods established the fact that these sheep had not the rinderpest, that was merely a negative argu- ment. They might add to that the result of the experiments in Edinburgh and Glasgow, whicli was, that ultimately one sheep was proved to have taken the rinderpest in a modified form, and the animal had recovered. It was a very different thing for a sheep to take the disease after they had tried to infect it, from one to take it spontaneously ; and he thought they might congratulate themselves thus far that, although sheep might take the disease, yet they were extremely unlikely to take it. Therefore he thought that in this question of how they were to reduce their straw they must look to sheep as one means of doing so. Mr. Skirving then referred at some length to the disputed question as to how the disease had arisen, and stated that it was now a well-known fact in physi- ology that both men and animals imported from foreign coun- tries were capalile of communicating their natural diseases to others, although tliey themselves never had that disease, and were perfectly free of it. After citing a number of instances of this from a book of M"-. Darwin's, he returned to the sub- ject of the discussion. At one of the first meetings in connex- ion with tlie cattle plague he suggested that straw might be put down iu fields, and sheep enclosed upon it. He saw that that had been done to a large extent liy Mr. Reid, of Drem. Tlie straw, after it had been reduced, was then re- moved and mixed ; and it seemed to him that tlie plan would succeed. He also thought that they might use pigs to a much larger extent for reducing their straw. He believed it was agitated in another place to-day, and perhaps it had been agreed to, to stop the transit of lean cattle into the county. He did not enter into the question whether that movement was good or bad now, but he tjiought it would be compara- tively inoperative. Had it been done earlier it would have been of great use. To see that, they had just to look at the calamity brought on Scotland by tliosc people who had the power over Ealkirk Tryst, whom no experience would teach. They saw the disastrous effects of one market, yet they deli- berately held another, lie tliought it would be difficult to find any action so insane as those sane men seem to have performed on that occasion. Mr. DuiUE said that he had seen what Mr. Reid* was doing, hut if he were to consume straw in that way he would be rather inclined to put it in a field where he was to put a crop that would require much manure, and plough it in. The chairman seemed to think that the cattle plague came from abroad, but some of his own cattle that had been seized with rinderpest never saw a strange beast in their life. He was con- vinced that in his case it arose from the animals having, while grazing, eaten the buUets which had been fired from the rifles of volunteers. The lead had disordered their stomachs, induced neither more nor less than gastric fever, and predisposed them to take rinderpest. He believed that the disease arose from the Continental weather which we liad for three months, in- stead of coming by importation. He approved of the chair- man's proposal for increasing pigs, and concluded by comment- ing on the conduct of persons who would bring cattle into their farms from these trysts to which the chairman had referred. Mr. Sheriff, Saltcoats ; Mr. Hope, Eentonbarns ; and other members of the club gave a similar reply to the question under discussion as the chairman. The Chairman said, in reference to what had fallen from Mr. Durie, that his mind was perfectly blank as to how the dis- ease began in this country. The advocates of the importa- tion of tlie disease from abroad had their mouths in a gTeat measure closed by the simple statement that they could not show a diseased beast that could lie said to have had the dis- ease, and all he said was that that was not a conclusive argu- ment. In regard to Mr. Durie's idea of allowing the straw on which the sheep had trod to lie on the field, there were practical difiicidties in the way of that being done. They would require somefhing like the English plan of refolding every day, and they woidd find that the men woidd not put ou the straw in proper quantity, and thus run the risk of destroying the crop following. 26 THE FARMER'S MAOAZINE. THE BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND COUNTIES' CATTLE SHOW. At the last monthly meeting the following matter came under the consideration of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society : " The propriety of having any exhibition of live stock — unless of horses — at Bury, ill 1866, in consequence of the cattle plague ; and that if the exhibition of live stock be deemed un- advisable, an additional sum be granted in prizes for agricultural implements, and towards an extended trial thereof." This is certainly taking time by the fore-lock ; although if the disease continues to extend, there is little doubt but that such proposition, must sooner or later, be pretty generally adopted. A show, indeed, of breeding- stock would promise shortly to be an impossibility, if even we only take a line from the display of fat cattle, as so far proceeded with. It is true that Bingley HaU was so scientifically laid out, that, at the first glance from the galleries, the place appeared to be as well filled as ever. There were but few vacant standings allowed to oll'eud the eye, while the customary lines of beasts looked to be as well flanked by pens of sheep and pigs. This, however, was only a superficial view that could by no means be maintained on a more deliberate examination of the con- stituent parts of the meeting. The Bii'mingham Show of this year is not only a short, hut a very indifferent one. It is, in fact, difficult to account for comparatively so many bad animals being brought together. If the rinder- pest be really the cause, then has this calamity not merely thinned out the classes, but already told as much against the yet more important points of breeding, feeding, and symmetry. With one solitary exception, there was nothing like a gold-medal beast in the yard, as perhaps, after all, nothing but the knowledge of the epidemic ])re- vailing could have induced some exhibitors to make the entries they did. In the very first division, devoted as usual to Herefords, the judges withheld the third prize for cows, and the second and third prizes for heifers, as they might very becomingly have also refused to place anything beyond a first amongst the Shorthorn heifers. But, to take them in turn, Mr. Aldworth of Abingdon led off with a good deep lengthy Hereford ds, a long way the best of his class. Colonel Eindsay's second being but a middling animal, and Mr. Pike's third pulled down by a bad back, as Mr. Farmer's big cm-ious-colom-ed beast was simply a curiosity, and nothing more. But the pride and pick of the Herefords were to be found amongst the younger steers, where Mr. Shirley of Baucott, well maintained his reputation with a couple of curly-coated capitally-matched youngsters, the first of which has only to drop a bit to his leg, as even now a famous beast for his age ; with a deal of breeding about hmi, a good body and rare loin, we have not often noticed a neater, his chief want being rather more size. Mr. Pitt's third is a short vulgar steer, but his first heifer a really good one in an otherwise infamous class, and such things as the Worcester- shire samples are, luckily for the breed, seldom seen upon parade. Over the three cows sent, and with the tliird prize withheld, the judges still had some difficulty ; the Hereford man, Mr. Jones, going for Lord Bateman's old cow — certainly very round and level, but so dark iu her colour and short in her coat as to give one the notion that she had a dash of the old Welsh or Radnorshire blood in her pedigree. The other, on the contrary, was full of fine character, but terribly patchy and vulgar about her quarters, so much so that it was some time before Mr. Jones would give way to what turned out to be one of the most famous cows of her day, Mr. Rea's, or rather now Mr. Baldwin's, Spangle 2nd, a first and first at the Worcester and Newcastle meetings of the Royal Society in 1863 and 1864. Later on in the day Spangle was awarded the gold medal as the best cow or heifer in the Hall ; but in some further proof of the manifest inferiority of the females, it will be seen that she was not the best of her own breed, the extra premium in this way being awarded very deservedly to Mr. Shirley's beautiful little steer. Spangle was entered for the Smithfield Club Show, where she was of course not now eligible. As in plain truth such a risk is scarcely to be countenanced. Despite the otherwise general lameness of the exhibi- tion, there was one good class in the Hall, and this was the older lot of Shorthorn oxen, the whole of which were commended, and where the honours of the day gra- dually accumulated; though still, with Mr. Rowland Wood's steer, it was Eclipse first, and the rest nowhere. A grander beast forward has rarely been seen ; with a good kindly head, beautifully covered about his shoulders, with a rare back and great depth, light of bone and full of good meat, this ox is only a little faulty about his quarter to keep him from absolute perfection. This is Mr. Wood's first appearance as an exhibitor in Bingley Hall ; but his beast has been winning ahoixt home for the last two seasons, at Huntingdon and Peterborough in 1864, and again at the Peterborough meeting of the Northamptonshire Society in 1865. Beyond the £15 as the best of his class, he took the extra prize of £25 as the best Shorthorn ; Lord Aylesford's prize of j£l5 as the best Shorthorn bred and fed by the exhibitor ; the President's prize of 25 gs. as the best ox or steer bred and fed by the exhibitor ; the gold medal, value £20, as the best ox or steer of any age or breed ; and the Inn- keepers' Cup of 25 gs,, with Mr. Ottley's silver medal of 3 gs, as the best animal in the cattle classes. His second in the class is another very good though younger auimal, better about Iiis quarters than the winner, and good in many other places, but rather cowy and delicate about his head and neck. This is Mr. Poljambe's steer, which took a medal at the Doncaster Meeting of the Yorkshire Society in the autumn, and has now realized a hundred guineas fi-om Mr. Cooper, a butcher at Shef- field ; surely about the highest bond fide price ever given for an ox for the slaughter. However, they do say that they have a yet neater one from Osberton ready for Islington next week, so that the Squire is fast making his mark, now that he has come out iu this way. The third again in this class won a medal at Leeds last Clu-istmas, to which show he returns to once more try his fortunes nearer home ; while Mr. Spencer fairly carried his high commendation for a straight handsome ox, and one or two others as deservedly shared in the general compliment passed by the judges. The younger steers, where Mr. Pollok at 8 feet 10 inches won by the tape, were by no means remarkable, and the heifers, as we have already inti- mated, so middling a lot that we rather wonder at the judges going further than Mr. Woodward's entry, an ani- mal that under ordinary cu'cumstances might be worthy of some little notice and no more. The best of all the Shorthorn cows was Mr. Charles Speede's clean, level, white first amongst the extra stock, as Mr. Fletcher's cow, the best of her own proper class, is a queer-looking roach-backed old lady, of not half the style or character of Curious Comet from Stroxton, a really pretty cow THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 27 forwiu-il, but as soft as blubber, and with those great un- sightly gatherings at her tail ends to keep her dowu ; though she, too, was entered for a new trial at Leeds — clearly the Court of Appeal this year against the Bir- mingham findings. The best of all the Dcvous was a very neat highly-bred ox fed by Mr. Smith, and bred by Mr. Quartley, his only competitor in the class being an upstanding elephantine animal from Stowey, matched by a great coarse heifer of Mr. Farthing's, the sole representative of her class. The cow from the same herd was far better, but fairly beaten for first by a North Devon native, though fed in Somer- setshire ; while the placing of the three steers actually necessitated the assistance of the Scotch judges, although Mr. Frampton's first placed himself, and his other beast, beginning with an unpardonable head, would seem to go as naturally to the other end of the class, as eventually he did, although not uutil after a deal of discussion. There were in all nine Devous shown in four classes for eight prizes, and of which Mr. Farthing sent three, jNIr. William Smith three, and Mr. Frampion two ; but this is about the usual average, and scarcely a consequence of the cattle plague. Nearly all the Loiighorns were withdrawn. Lord Sondes kept his Norfollv at home, and only two of the Welsh runts tm-ned up, Mr. Doig getting first with a great brindled beast which he had picked up in liis old quarters about Bangor. Mr. Lythall's tw'o immense oxen ■were again the wonders of the extra stock ; and tlie other breeds, or crosses more particularly, reached to anything but their previous cxcelleucc in Bingley Hall. Indeed, taking them by Mr. JMcCombie's first prize, tliey must be a rough lot, for a more ungainly beast than this has seldom been seen. With great coarse outstanding shoiddcrs, and up and down all over, there was nothing but sheer size to re- commend such an animal. Mr. Stratton, however, stood out for quantity as opposed to style and symmetry, and so ultimately committed his learned brethren sorely against tbeir wills to the one great mistake of their day's business. Mr. Pollok's cross was a deal truer, and Mr. Longraore's highly-commended polled black, for make, shape, and level feeding, the best of the three — supposing such points do count up at a fat show. There was only one cow in the " other breeds" class, and ouly one heifer ; but as to each of these a first prize was awarded, they may lay claim to something more than merely negative merit. There was a good lot of West Highland oxen, as either for umnbers or merits, about the second-best class in the Hall, although the extra premium for the best of all the Scots went to a black polled, exhibited by the Earl of Crawford, but bred by Mr. Allan PoUok. This is "just" a fair beast, but he still requires more furnishing, and we qiiestion whether Mr. Pollok's own heifer, the best bred and fed by one man, sbould not also have taken the higher premium. She is a very sweet low and long animal that would promise with time to catch the steer, while Lord Crawford had again to thank Mr. Pollok for a very pretty second, though con- siderably the older of the two. Whatever might be the actual merits of the several pens or difiFerent breeds, and there was less w^eakness ob- servable here than in other sections, the slieep supplied the sensation of the show. At " the Queen's," on the previous evening, it was ten to one on Lord Walsingham for every class he showed in, and his Lordship did not take one fii'st prize, being beaten over and over again by Lord Radnor, and even at last by the Duke of Marl- borough with an Oxfordshire Down ! It is true that under a new and veiy proper regulation a separate staff of judges were provided for the sheep, and that these were made up of two Shropshire and one Southdown breeders. But thei-e is no bett«r man in his own line than Mr. Henry Fookes, and we believe the public will thoroughly endorse the awards here given over the Southdown sheep, Lord Radnor's younger pen more particularly are clever, com- pact, lively sheep, full of the right character, with fine but darkish heads, and quite a cheerful expression in com- parison with the heavy sleepy looks of some of the Mer- ton sheep. Tested by the scale or the tape, no doubt Lord Walsiugham's were the more substantial pens, but we by no means regard these references as aU proof. We must look the rather for type, style, and symmetry ; and on these conditions Mr. Moore now fairly beat Mr. Woods at Birmingham. Or shall we go further ? We often had to speak to the good looks of the Coleshill flock, of the pens of ewes more continually, but it was said that even these were never properly prepared. If now, however, they have got Jonas Webb's shepherd in Norfolk, they have Sir Robert Throckmorton's man in Wiltshire ; and though you cannot trim a bad sheep into a good one, there is no doubt you may fashion a fairish one into something a deal better, and as Lord Radnor has something moi'e tban a "fairish" foundation, we fully expect to see his lordship run on. These flocks had it all to themselves, but with the winners, with only one entry in each class, against the two-twos from the other side of the country, and that of course finished second and third. Over the Leicesters there was another surjiiise, ]\Ir. Foljambe, who has gene- rally been first here, now getting no nearer than a high commendation, certainly in a very good class ; but Mr. Boost's are very bad handlers, being as soft as butter, whereas the Osberton sheep answered beautifully to the touch, and the judges were anything but agreed as to the way the award should go. Mr. Kearsey's Cotswolds were a very handsome pen of sheep, as Mr. Beach was first in the new class of five Shropshire wethers, with a wonderfully level, uniform lot, with the same nicely shaded type of head ; whereas Mr. Henry Smith's higlily commended pen went all ways at once in their character if taken by the countenance, as the Shrop- shires will do, though in the pens of the three tliis same Sutton Maddock flock supplied about the truest and best pen of Shropshire sheep ever brought out. They were wonderfully w^eU matched, handsome and useful, and as lively as kittens, though quite ripe for the butcher. Mr. Laviley's, on the contrary, had quite broken down in their preparation ; while in the younger class Lord Willoughby de Broke's very clever pen, not having been so elaborately got up about their heads, figured far more pleasingly than they did last year, and the class altogether w'as a good one, set oft' as it was by a disqualified pen of capital Oxford Downs, that by some oversight had got out of their pro- per place. The entities of single ewes, saving in the Down class, were not very formidable, and here the cha- racter we have been giving the Blenheim flock during the past summer was sufliciently emphasized ; while Mr. John Overman maintained his lead amongst the crosses, if not quite up to his old form. But then, most pro- bably like some of his neighbours in the East, he was keep- ing the strength of his hand back for London, where these new readings must to be duly corrected ? Whatever suspicion may be attached to sheep, there is no rumour so far of pigs taking the plague ; nevertheless the show of swine was, with a few exceptions, both small and indifi'erent. A long way the best class was that for five breeding Berksbires, where the entries were not much below those of last year, and the merit more than usual : the judges, indeed, declared that they had never seen a better pen, at all points, than Mr. Joseph Smith's highly- bred cup winuers ; only disfigured as they were by the pig- man having attempted to burn or rub out certain grey hairs, where the animals had consequently become quite bare, and these unsightly spots told ratheragainstthefirst impres- sion. Mr. Smith, however, took the second premimn also with the companion pen, one of his most formidable oppo- nents, Mr, Allender, being disqualified by the veterinarian on 28 THE FAEMERS MAGAZINE. the ground that " the slate of dentition" indicated that the pigs exceeded the age at which they were entered. Fortunately, Mr. AUendcr has not merely a character to depend upon, hut so much method in breeding and re- gistering his pigs, that he and his man are prepared in the face of this disqualification to make affidavits that the animals are of the age at which they are entered. If so, what reliance can be placed upon this system of examina- tion ? If, as is well known, by changing his food you can change the mouth of a sheep, why should not that of a pig alter under similar circumstances? At Plymouth, cer- tainly, one or two offenders condemned themselves by hav- ing entered the same pigs atone show as of this age, and as ofthat at another. But in the present case we have to deal with a gentleman whose word has never yetbeen questioned, and who, whatever other steps he may take, we do trust will have the condemned pigs examined by some other professor, if only to demonstrate what the test is really worth. If another member of the profession be found to agree with the opinion already given, then the principle must be a fallacy; and if not, then the still greater need will there be for some more decided data to go on. Early development would seem to have fairly out- grown ancient rule, and the continued observance of this would threaten to become equally unfair to exhibitors and examiners. In the next class of breeding pigs of any othei' large breed the only really good lot, from Givendale, were disqualified, and Mr. Wainman succeeded to the first place ; but Mr. Mangles was more lucky in the small breed, where the Inspector passed him, and he thus won the cup with an almost perfect pen of Yorkshire whites. The south country breeders were more successful amongst the fat pigs, and Mr. Stearn and Mr. Crisp with the blacks, and the Royal Windsor whites carried off the majority of the premiums, turn and tiu-n about. But the competition was very limited, saving in the class where Mr. Mangles again came to the front ; while the judges expressed themselves very significantly as to the way in which some of the pens were prepared by suggesting that for the future pigs j)ainted or coloured should be disqualified. We have tolerably strong evidence of this practice ; for, hanng our catalogue doubled back, wc just struck a prize Suffolk with it that we had wished to put up, and, lo ! the page is obliterated by some beastly mess with which the animal had been anointed. Then, a pen of Berkshires, exliibited by a clergyman, were carefully singed ; so that, what with rubbing out damned spots, black-leading duU coats, and fining off others, the business of pig-showing promises to l)econie a not very reputable calling, to say nothing as to the chance of getting in or out at the wrong age. jNIr. Duckering, who was so successful last summer, was also disqualified on this ground, as well as a Mr. Fowler, of Aylesbury ; but this exhibitor, as we hear, is not the poultry-fancier. Tlie poultry show is really magnificent; the entries being more numerous than they have been ; and the various breeds, but more especially the Cochins, Dorkings, game, and bantams, all well represented. The geese, ducks, and turkeys arc in famous condition, as will be evident from the subjoined weights of the leading pens : — The first prize pen of Aylesbury ducks weighed 30 lbs., whereas the highest weight last year did not exceed 27 lbs. ; the second-prize pen weighed 27 lb. ; and the third- prize pen 25 lbs. The first prize llouen ducks weighed 26 lbs., and the second prize pen 25 lbs. The first prize pen of white geese, exceeding one year old, weighed 58 lbs., while the first and second prize pens of young white geese are both of the same weight, namely, 361bs., and the third 29 lbs. The first and second pens of grey and mottled geese exceeding one year old weighed 561bs. and 62 lbs, respectively. The pen of younger birds of the same variety weighed — first prize, 48 lbs. ; second prize, 42 lbs. ; third prize, 38 lbs. The weight of the prize pens of turkeys exceeding one year old were fouud to be, the first, 47 lbs. ; second, 46 lbs. ; and third, 45 lbs. Of the young turkeys, the first prize pen weighed 40 lbs. and the second 36 lbs. The show of corn does not present any remarkable features. Among the white varieties the Talavera here, as elsewhere, took the lead. The samples of red arc of an inferior description. The display of roots is much the best which has yet taken place under the auspices of this Society, in respect either to quantity or quality. The mangolds are exceed- ingly fine ; the swedes, too, are good ; but the turnips, as was to be expected, are indifferent ; while the carrots su- perlatively good, one of which, in the first prize collection, measuring 28 inches in length. As will be seen by our list of awards, the ten-guinea silver cup given by Messrs. Proctor and Ryland, of Birmingham, for the best collection, was taken by Mr. John Moore, of Warwick, with six long mangolds, weighing 180i lbs. ; six globe mangolds, weighing 201 J lbs. ; six swedes, weighing 86i-lbs. ; and six carrots, weighing 53 lbs. — making a total of 521ilbs. The ten-guinea silver cup, given by Messrs. GriiRn, Morris, and Griffin, of Wolverhampton, went to Lord Boston, for six cabbages, weighing 194^ lbs. ; six swedes, weighing 73 ^ lbs. ; six globe mangolds, weighing 225 lbs. ; and six long mangolds, weighing 164 lbs. — making a total of 657 lbs. The four first prize long mangolds, of Messrs. Sutton and Sons, weighed 212^ lbs. ; the four globe man- golds, of the Ilev. Thomas Stevens, which gained the prize in class 5, weighed 244 lbs. ; and those of Colonel North, which are placed second, 202 lbs. The six prize swedes, shown by Mr. Allan Pollok, pulled down 100 lbs. The ox cabbage is not equal to what it has been on former occa- sions, and tlie same remark will apply to the potatoes. The implement and machine stands have been some- what enlarged on the present occasion, in consequence of the falling off in the show of cattle. This business however threatens to partake of the general dulness which low prices of corn after a light harvest and the un- promising character of the cattle trade have cast over the spirits of agriculturists. The following list and brief notices will convey to our readers who will not be present a fair notion of the character of this department of the Bingley Hall Show for 1865. To take the exhibitors as their stands run : Messrs. U:*deriiill, Newport, Salop, had one of his im- proved combined thrasliiug machines. Messrs. Cajisox a2«d Toone, Warminster, AVilts, root- pulpcrs and chafT macliincs. Messrs. Clayton and Shuttlewokth, Lincoln, had spe- cimens of tlieir well-made and well-known portable engines and portable thrashing machines. Messrs. Amies and Baueord, of Peterborough, have a large show of their water-baUast rollers, food-stcamiiig apparatus, American grist mills, and some other articles. Jlcssrs. E. and 11. Tdkner, Ipswich, have mills and chaff- cutters. Messrs. Picksley, Sijis, and Co., Leigh, Lancasliire, have tlie largest stand in the llall, and which is furnished with chaff-cutters, mills, pulpers, and other seasonable machines. Messrs. Powele, 38, Aston-road, Birmingham, have a stand of steam-cocks, gauges, valves, and other articles for fitting up steam-engines and heavy machinery ; the manufacture of tliese articles being in itself a distinct branch of the engineeruig trade. Messrs. Asiiby and Jefeery, Stamford, have their usual show of useful machinery. Messrs. Burrows and Carmichael, Banbury, liave a neat portable engine and American grist mill. Messrs. Matuews and Son, Driffield, Yorksliire, liave a new form of cake for cattle and sheep ; it consists mainly of home-grown corn, finely groimd, and mixed with enough lin- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 29 seed and earob beau to make it portable, as well as additionally relishing and fattening'. Messrs. Page and Co., Bedford, exhibit tile machinery, chaff cutters, and piilpers. Messrs. Thomas Br.vdford and Co., Mancliestcr, are great as usual in machinery for washing, and making easy other domestic labour. Mr. W. A. Wood, Upper Thames-street, London, has one of his mowing machines on show. Messrs. IIounsby and So^s, Grantham, have specimens of llieir patent ploughs, root pulpers, slices, and other machinery. Mr. 11. Boiiv, Bury St. Edmunds, shows some of his screens and winnowing machines. Messrs. Belliss and Seekia'G, Birmingham, show a well- made fixed steam engine. Mr. E. Be.xtall, lleybridge, shows varieties of his root pulpers, cliair cutters, and Gardner's .turnip cutters, for which class of articles the trade is said to be brisk, notwithstanding the depressed state of the rearing and feeding parts of farming. Messrs. SIapplebeck assu Lowe, Bull Ring, Birmingham, show chee.se-presses, chall'-cutters, and chain harrows. Mr. G. Ball, Korth Kiluorth, shows a cart. Messrs. Baxsome and Sims, Ipswich, have a large stand of ploughs, corn mills for grinding and crusiiing, and root cutters for .slicing and pulping. Messrs. Day, Son, A^'D Hew'ett, Loudon, have a stand of their " gaseous fluid," and other mixtures for cattle and sheep diseases. Messrs IIichmond and Chandler, Salford, make a smart display of their well-proportioned and neat looking iron-stand chafT-cutters and corn-crushers. Messrs. "Wood.s and Cocicsedge, Stowmarket, liave a good show of horse gearings for driving thrashing and clialf machines and other works of the farm, witTi such other small macliinery for attaching to them as mills, root machines, and chatf-cntters. Messrs. Ekeeman and IIardon, Albert Works, Strange- w;\ys, Manchester, luive a stand of their nutritious and palat- able cake, which is composed of nitrogenous pulse, carobs, beans, and full-flavoured aromatic seeds. Messrs. Ball and Son, Northampton, have ploughs and their well-made carts. Mr. Joseph Warren, Maldon, Essex, has an entry of ploughs and other articles. Mr. W. P. Wilkins, Orchard Works, Ipswich, has an iron grist mill, similar to the American article, for the same pur- pose. This has some reputed improvement, secured by letters patent, the merits of which are to be displayed in operation in an out-building during the show. j\Ir. Maynard, of Whittlesford, has an entry of one of his steam-power chatt'-eutters. Mr. Baker also enters his cylindrical water carriers, to which are affixed innnp and hose. On tiie stands of |the seed growers and the seed manufac- turers, the display of such specimens as roots and plants was never surpassed, if ever equalled. Messrs. rHoCTOR and Ryland, of Bristol and Birmingham, liad a great display of roots, &e., &c., a stock of long mangold being enormous for size and weight. Messrs. Erancis and Arthur Dixon, of Upton Nurseries and East-gale Street, Chester, have a display of roots and vegetables from the seeds and stocks, with some trained and naturally formed fruit-trees and eoniferoe plants. Messrs. Sutton and Sons, Reading, still hold the " pride of ])laee" in occupying the whole end of the centre transept, which is filled with cart-loads of all kinds of the finest quality of farm roots, garden vegetables, as potatoes, carrots, onions, parsnips, and samples of seeds, w^itii specimens of grasses, corn, and so on, in bunches. This stand is arranged with far lietter taste than heretofore, having less of the jimerack or fire-works air about it. Messrs. James Dixon and Son, Chester, have a small stand well furnished with garden productions. Mr. r. J. Perry, Banbury, has a good stand of seeds and roots, and garden and field articles generally. Messrs. Peter Lawson and Co. have samples of their phospho-guano, with some fine roots as specimens to show the value of this rocky deposit, when properly prepared as a fertilizer for old arable lands and pastures, which for many years have annually, in the form of frames of domestic animal^;, produced sniaMer and siiialler crops of cheese and bones. Messrs. Grhtin, Morris, and Griffin, of WoWer- liampton, have a display of roots grown with their special manures. The mangolds on this stand are also very flue, some of the globe varieties grown by Mr. Oakley, of Normauton, near Ashby, are extraordinary for size and quality, the ticket on them setting forth that the quarter-acre weighed by the judgcts for awarding the cup yielded the great rate of 53 tons 7 cwts. IG lbs. per acre. Messrs. Bradburn and Co., Wednesfield, have a stand of super-phosphate maimres and roots. Messrs. J. and T. ILvncock have a selection of their butter-making nmchines in various sizes. Mr. A. W. Wills, of Park Mills, Birmingham, has a ueat case of well-formed and well-made draining and edge-tools, for farming and gardening use. Mr. Joseph Beach, of The llattons and Dudley, has a great show of prepared foods for domestic animals. Among the miscellaneous stands there were, as usual, a va- riety of articles, some of them being highly useful, and others of a more douljtful character. One of the latter consisted of a dog-food, which was warranted to give " wind and nose." The Curzou Hall, either outside or iu, was anything but in working order on Saturday ; although, as with the muddle of a pantomime oh the morning of boxing-day, they will have everything ready by the time tlie public arc admitted. The building itself is light, spacious, and cheerful ; iu a word quite after the latest fashion iu this way, while it was well furnished with dogs of all descrip- tions, although in our hasty glance it struck us there was no manifest improvement of breed here. The hound show, chiefly confined to the Warwickshire kennels, was by no means imposing ; and beyond Mr. Oswald Milne's Rosy, a really smart airy bitch, there was not much to take to. Jkit then a foxhound don't show well in a cage ; so that " Cecil" and Will Long as the judges should know a deal more about the entry than any other mau. PRIZE LIST. CATTLE. Judges. — C. E. Jones, Springfield, Brcinton, Hereford. Richard Stratton, Walls Court, Staplefon, Bristol. H. W. Keary, Bridgnorth. Scotch Cattle. Owen Wallis, Overstone, Northampton. A. Govau, Burton-on-Trent. HEREFORDS. Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £15, AVilliam Aldworth, Frilford, Abingdon ; second, £10, Lieut-Colonel Loyd Lindsay, M.V., Lockinge Park, Berks; third, £5, Aaron Pike, Mitton, Tewkesbury. Steers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, extra prize £25 as the best Hereford, Richard Shirley, Bawcott, Munjlow, Church Stretton, Salop ; second £10, Richard Shirley ; third, £5, George Pitt, Chadnor Court, Bilwyn, Leominster. Cows. — First prize, £15, and gold medal as best cow oi heifer, John Baldwin, Luddington, Stratford-upon-Avon ; second, £10, Lord Bateman, Shobdon Court, Herefordshire ; third, withheld. Heifers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, George Pitt, Chadnor Court, Dilv^^n, Leominster ; second and third withheld. SHORTHORNS. Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, extra prize of £25 as the best Shorthorn, the Society's Gold Medal value £20 as the best ox or steer of aiiy breed or age, silver cup value 25 guineas given by the President (the Earl of Harrowby) for the best ox or steer of any breed or age, bred as well as fed by the exhibitor, the silver cup value 25 guineas given by tlie hotel and innkeepers of Birmingham, and silver medal, value 3 guineas, given by Mr. Ottley, for the best animal in all the cattle classes, and extra prize of £15, given by the Earl of Aylesford, for the best Shorthorn bred and fed by the exhibitors, Rowland Wood, Clapton, near Thrapstone, Nortliaui|)toiisliire ; second, £10, G. S. Foljambe, Osbcrton Hall, AVorksop, Nottingbamsbire ; third, £5, Joseph Laycock 30 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Low Grosforth, Northumberland ; liiglily commended, Samuel Spencer, Snarestone, near Asliby-de-la-Zouch. The Class commended. Steers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, Allan Pollok, Lismany, Ballinasloe ; second, £10, the Earl of Aylesford, Packingtou HaU, Coventry ; third, 15, Mr. Thomas Walker, Berkswell Hall, Coventry. Cows. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, William Fletcher, Radmanthwaite, Mansfield ; second, £10, John Lynn, Church Farm, Stroxton, Grantham ; third, £5, Aaron Pike, Myttou, near Tewkesbury. Commended : Colonel Kingscote, Kinspcote, Gloucestershire. Heifers. — First prize, £15, silver medal as breeder, Wil- liam Woodward, Northway House, Tewkesbury ; second, £10, William Aldworth, Fulford, Abingdon ; third, £5, Robert S. DojTie, Wells, Wexford. DEYOXS. Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £15, and esti-a prize £~5 as the best Devon, WiUiam Smith, Higher Hoopern, Exeter ; second, £10, Walter Farthing, Stowey Court, Bridgwater, Somerset. Steer.s. — First prize, £15, Harry Frampton, Blandford, Dorsetshire ; second, £10, William Smith, Higher Hoopern, Exeter. Highly commended : Hany Frampton, Blandford. Cows. — First prize, £15, WiUiam Taylor, Harptree Court, Somersetshire ; second, £10, Walter Farthing, Stowey Court, Bridgewaler, Somerset. Highly commended : William Smith, Higher Hoopern, Exeter. Heieers. — First prize, £15, Walter Farthing, Stowey Court, Bridgewater ; no further competition. LO^'G-HOR^■S. Oxen or Steers. — No animals sent. Cows OR Heieers. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder, Joseph H. Burbery, The Chase, Kenilworth ; second, £5, Jolui Faulkner, Bretby Fann, Burton-on-Trent. SCOTCH BREEDEES. Polled Oxex or Steers. — First prize, £15, and extra prize of ££5, as the best Scot, the Earl of Crawford and Bal- carres, Haigh Hall, Wigan ; second, £10, WiUiam M'Combie, TLll3-four, Aberdeen ; tliird, £5, Allan PoUok, Lismauey, Ballinasloe. West Highla^t) Oxen or Steers. — ^First prize, £15, Joseph Gray, Seatonbum, Newcastle-on-Tyne ; second, £10, Eobert Mowbray, Cambus, Stirling ; third, £5, Ralph Sneyd, Esq., Keele HaU,. Staffordsliire. Commended : The Duke of Beaufort, Badminton, Chippenham, Wiltshire. Scotch Cows or Heifers. — First prize, £10, sUver medal as breeder, and extra prize, 10 guineas, given by Mr. C. Rat- cliff, as the best Scot, bred as weU as fed by the exhibitor, AUan PoUok, Lismauey, BaUiuasloe ; second, £5, The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, Haigh Hall, near Wigan. WELSH BREEDS. Oxen or Steers." — First prize, £10, Richard' Doig, LOlingstone HaU, near Buckingham; second, £5, Henry Piatt, J3n.-n-y-neuadd, near Bangor. Cows OR Heifers. — Xo entry. NORFOLK AND SLTFOLK POLLED BREEDS. Fat Oxen or Steers. — Animal not sent. OTHER PL'RE BREEDS AXD CROSS-BRED ANIMALS. Fat Oxen or Steers. — First prize, £10, WiUiam McCombie, TUlyfour, Aberdeen ; second, £5, Allan PoUok, Lismany, BaUinasloe. Highly commended : Andrew Long- more, Rattie, Banffshire ; Robert Valentine, East Drum- nagair, Kincardineshire, fos two beasts. Fax Cows. — First prize, £10, sUver medal as breeder, Aaron Pike, Mittou, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Only one entry. Fat Heifers. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder, Jobn Faulkner, Bretby Farm, Burton-on-Trent. Only one entry. EXTRA CLASSES. For animals not qualified to compete in any of the foregoing classes. Oxen or Steers.— Prize, £5, Frederick LythaU, Spittal Farm, Banbury. ^ Cows OR Heifers. — Prize, £5 (SUver jMedal as breeder), Charles Speede, Exton, near Oakham. Higlily Commended : Lord Leigh, Stoueleigh Abbey, Kenilworth, SHEEP. Judges. — Henry Fookes, Wliitechurch, Blandford, Dorset. Edward Gougli, Gravel HiU, Shrewsbury. George Cureton, Beam House, Shrewsbury. LEICESTERS. Three Fat Wethers, not exceeding twenty-two months old. — First prize, £15 ; SUver Medal as breeder ; extra prize of ten guineas as the best pen of long-wooUed slieep, given by Mr. W. D. Bromley ; and extra prize of £10 as the second-best pen of three fat wethers, given by the linen and woollen drapers of Birmingham : John Boast, X'orth Daltou, Driifield ; second, £10, WUliam Perry Herrick, Beau- manor Park, Leicestersliire ; tldrd, £5, WUliam Perry Her- rick. Highly Commended : G. S. Foljambe, Osberton HaU, Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Commended : WiUiam Browne, Highgate Farm, Holme-ou-Spaldiug Moor, Yorksliire. LONG-WOOLLED SHEEP, not being Lejcesters. Tliree Fat Wethers, not exceeding tweuty-tsvo months old. — First prize, £15 (Silver Medal as breeder), Charles Kearsay, Glewstone, near Ross, Herefordshire ; second and third not awarded. SOUTH AND OTHER DOWN SHEEP. Three Fat Wethers, not exceeding twenty-two months old. — Fisrt prize, £15 ; SUver Medal as breeder ; and extra prize of £15 for best pen of three fat wethers, given by the linen and wooUen di-apers of Birmingham : the Earl of Radnor, ColeshUl House, Highworth, Wiltshire ; second, £10, and sUver medal, value three guineas, given by Mr. Otlev, as the third-best pen of fet wethers, Lord Walsing- ham, M'erton Hall, Thetford, Norfolk; third, £5, Lord Walsingham. Commended : G. S. Foljambe, Osberton HaU, Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Three Fat Wethers, exceeding twenty-two months old, but not exceeding tliirty-four months old. — First prize, £10, sUver medal as breeder, and extra prize of 10 gs. as best pen of South and other Down sheep (given by Alderman Hodgson and CoiincUlor Baldwin), the Earl of Radnor, ColeshUl House, Hia'hwovth, WUtshire ; second, £5, Lord Walsingham, Merton HaU, Thetford, Norfolk. HigMy commended : Lord Wal- singham. SHROPSHIRE SHEEP. Five Fat Wethers not exceeding twenty-two months old. — • SUver Cup, or other article of plate, value 20 gs., as extra prize for the best pen of five shearling Shropshire wethers (given by Mr. Henry Wiggin, ex-Mayor of Birmingham), sUver medal as breeder, Josepli Beach, The Hattons, Brewood and Dudley. Highly coimnended : Henry Smith, Sutton :\Iaddock, Shiffnal. Three Fat Wethers not exceeding twenty -two months old. — First prize, £15, sUver medal as breeder, Lady WiUoughby de Broke, Coinpton Vemey, Warwick ; second, £10, Joseph Beach, The Hattons, Brewood and Dudley ; third, £5, James Hand, Ludlow. — Disqualified as not Shropshire sheep : Thomas Nock, Sutton Mad-dock, Shiffnal. Three Fat Wethers exceeding twentj'-two, but not exceeding thu-tj--four months old. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder, and extra prize value 10 gs. for the best Shropshire sheep (given by Mr. C. N. Newdegate, M.P.), Henrj- Smith, Sutton Maddock ; second, £5, The Hon. Beilby Lawley, Es- crick Park, near York. Single Shropshire wether, exceeding twenty-two months old. — Article of plate, v.alue 5 guineas, given by Messrs. Map- plebeck and Lowe, for best Shropshire wether. SUver medal as breeder, Henry Smith, Sutton Maddock, SliiffnaU. OXFORDSHHIE DOWXS. Three fat wethers, not exceeding twenty-two months old. — First prize £10, and silver medal as breeder, the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock ; the second not awarded. CROSS-BRED SHEEP. Three fat wethers, not exceeding twenty-two months old. — First prize £10, aud silver medal as breeder, John Overman, Burnham Sutton, Burnham Market; second £5, Zachariah W. Stilgoe, Adderbury Grounds, Banburi.^, Oxfordshii'e. LEICESTER EWES. Fat ewe of any age, having bred one or more lambs. — First prize £5, and silver medal as breeder, John Gregory Watkins, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 31 Woodfield, near Droitvrich ; second £3, William Browne Highgate Farm, Holme-on-Spalding Moor, York. LINCOLN AND COTSWOLD EWES. Eat ewe of any age, having bred one or more larabs. — First prize £5, and silver medal as breeder, Thomas B. Marshall, Branston, near Lincoln ; second £3, Charles Kearsey, Glew- stone, near Ross, Herefordsliire. SOUTH AND OTHER DOWN EWES. Fat ewe of any age, having bred one or more lambs. — First prize £5, and silver medal as breeder, the Duke of Marlbo- rough, Blenheim Palace, Oxon ; second £3, William Hem- ming, Caldicot, near Moreton-in-Marsh. Highly commended : Lord Walsingham, Mertou Hall, Thetford, Norfolk ; Lord Walsingham. The class commended. SHROPSHHIE EWES. Fat ewe, of any age, having bred one or more lambs. — First prize, £5, silver medal as breeder, the Hon. Beilby Lawley, Escrick Park, York ; second, £3, John Coson, Freeford, near Liclifield. Highly commended: Thomas Horley, jun.. The Fosse, near Leamington. Commended : Thomas Horley, jun., for two other ewes ; Hon. Beilby Lawley, for two ewes. FAT PIGS. Judges. — ^Mr. John Moon, Maristow, Roborough, Plymouth. Mr. John B. Spearing, Park Town, Oxford. Three fat pigs of one litter, not exceeding ten months old. ^First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder, extra prize of £5 5s., Samuel Greater Steam, Brandeston, Wickliam Market, Suffolk ; second, £5, Major-General the Hon. A. N. Hood, Cumberland Lodge, Windsor ; third, £3, Countess of Chesterfield, Bretby Hall, Burtou-upon-Trent. Commended: Henry Piatt, Bn,n-y- Neuadd, near Bangor. Disqualified : R. E. Duckering, Nor- thorpe, near Kirton Lindsey, Lincolnshire. Three fat pigs of one litter, not exceeding fifteen months old. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder, the Hon. A. N. Hood, Cumberland Lodge, Windsor ; second, £5, Thos. Crisp, Butley Abbey, Wickham Market ; tliird, £3, Samuel Greater Stearn, Brandeston, Wickliam Market, Suffolk. Fat Pigs exceeding fifteen months old. — First prize, £6, silver medal as breeder, George Mangles, Givendale, Ripon, Yorkshire ; second, £4, Samuel Geater Stearn, Brandeston, Wickham Market, Suffolk ; third, £2, William Smith, Biburj-, Fairford. Higlily commended : Thomas Atherton, Speke, Lan- cashire. Commended : John Darling, Beaudesert ; George Mangles, Givendale, Ripon, Yorkshire. BREEDING PIGS. Pigs or the Beekshiiie Bkeed. — Five Pigs of one litter, exceeding tluree and not exceeding six months old. — First prize £10, extra prize of £5 5s., silver medal given by Mr. Ottley, and silver medal as breeder, Joseph Smith, Henley -in- Harden; second, £5, Joseph Smith; thml, £3, Bell Fletcher, M.D., Dorridge House, Knowle, near Birmingham. Silver medals, Jolin Spencer, YiLliers Hill, Kenilworth ; John Ed- wards, Aston Road, Birmingham. Commended: Abraham Dixon, Birches Green, Birmingham ; WiUiam YeUs, Round Robin Farm, Higkworth, Wiltshire. Disqualified : Richard Fowler, Broughton Farm, near Aylesbury ; George Mander Allender, Aylesbury. PIGS OF OTHER LARGE BREEDS. Five Pigs of one litter, exceeding three and not exceeding six months old. — First prize, £10, silver medal as breeder, William Bradley Wainmain, Carhead, near Cross Hill, York- shire ; second, £5, James and Frederick Howard, Britan- nia Farms, Bedford ; third, £3, Frederick Fiddymont, WeUs, Weston-under-Weatherby, Leamington. Commended: WiUiam Endall, Beaudesert Park Farm, Henley-in-Arden. Disqualified : G. Mangles. Pigs of a Shall Breed. — Five Pigs of one litter, exceed- ing three and not exceeding six months old. — First prize, £10, extra prize £5 5s., silver medal as breeder, George Mangles, Givendale, Ripon, Yorkshire; second, £5, Wm. Bradley Wainman, Carhead, near Cross Hills, Yorkshire ; tliird, £3, Samuel Geater Stearn, Brandeston, Wickham ^Market, Suffolk. Silver medal, Robert Berkeley, Spetcliley Park, Worces- ter. HigUy commended: Countess of Coventry. Commended; Edward Claudius Walker, Leadworks, Chester, The jud/jes recommend fkat pi^s that are painted be dis- qualijied in future. Referee for Ages of Stock. — Professor Jolm Gamgee, Albert Veterinary College, Bayswater, Loudon. Veterinary Inspector. — Mr. E. Stanley, Stephenson, place, Birmingham. CORN. Judges of Corn and Roots. — Mr. J. Matthews, Edgbaston House, Birmingham ; Mr. Edward Davenport, Erdington. White Wheat : First prize, £2 2s., Fred. L3'thall, Spittal Farm, Banbury ; second, £1 Is., RajTibird, Caldecott, Baw- tree, DowHng and Co. (Limited), Basingstoke, Hants (Chid- ham) . Red Wheat : First prize, £2 2s., Tlios. Horley, jun., The Fosse, near Leamington (Nursery); second, £1 Is., W. J. Moreton Pocock, Esq., Wauston Manor, Micheldever, Hants (Nurserj'). B-ARLXY: First prize, £2 2s., Joseph H. Clark, Altwood House, Maidenhead (Golden Melon) ; second prize -n-ithlield. Oats : First prize, £2 2s., Fred. Lythall, Spittal Farm, Banbury (white) ; second, £1 Is., Raynbird, Caldecott, Baw- tiee, Dowling and Co. (Limited), Basingstoke (Canadian). Beaxs : First prize, £2 2s., Joseph H. Clarke, Altwood House, Maidenliead (White Eyes) ; second, £1 Is., Fred. Lytluill, Spittal Farm, Banbury (French Eyes). Peas, white : First prize, £2 2s., Joseph H. Clark, Maiden- head (^Vhite Warwick) ; second, £1 Is., Fred. Lythall, Spinal Farm, Banbury (Banbury Prize Takers). Peas of any other variety : First prize, £2 2s., Fred. Lythall, Spittal Farm, Banbury; second, £1 Is., James and Fred. Howard, Britannia Farms, Bedford (dun). ROOTS. A silver cup, value ten guineas, given by Messrs. Proctor and Ryland, Birmingham, for the best collection of the four following varieties — viz., long mangold wurzel, globe mangold wurzel, swedes, and carrots. Six roots of each to be shown for tliis prize alone. — John Moore, Warwick. A silver cup, value ten guineas, given by Messrs. Griffin, Morris, and GriJtfin, of Wolverhampton, for best collection of long mangold wurzel, globe mangold wurzel, swedes, and ox cabbage. Sis roots of each kind to be shown for this prize alone ; the mangold wurzel selected from crops of not less than two acres, the swedes not less than five acres, and the cabbage field culture. — Lord Boston, Hedsor, Maidenhead. Kohl Rabi. — First prize, £2 2s., Colonel North, M.P.; Wroxton Abbey, Banbury ; second, £1 Is., Colonel North. Lo2«G Mangold Wurzel. — First prize, £2 2s., Messrs. Sutton and Sons, Reading (Sutton's improved) ; second, £1 Is., John Moore, Norwich. Commended: Samuel Robiuson, Shaw House, Melbourne, near Derby ; Colonel North, M.P. ; Lord Boston, Hedsor, near Maidenhead; Fred. Lnhall, Spittal Farm, Banbury. Globe Mangold Wurzel. — ^First prize, £2 2s., Rev. Thos. Stevens, Bradfield, Reading, Berks (red) ; sepond, £1 Is., Col. North, M.P. Highly commended : Lord Boston. Commended : John Moore, Warwick ; Col. North, M.P. , James and Fred. Howard, Britannia Farms, Bedford (Bran- dreth Gibbs's yellow). SwiDEs OF ANT YARiETT. — First prize, £2 2s., Allan PoUok, Lismany, BaUinasloe ; second, £1 Is., Nathaniel Stilgoe, Adderbury Manor Farm, Banbury, Oxon (Banghohne swede). Highly commended: John Moore. Commended: R. S. Doyle, Wells, Co. Wexford (Hogg and Robertson's improved purjile top) ; R. S. Doyle (Hogg's select brown top) ; George Rutherford, Turin Castle, HoUy Mount, Co. Mayo (Hogg's select brown). Coiiiiox Turnips. — First prize £2 2s., Rev. Thos. Stevens, Bradfield, Reading, Berks (^Green-top White) ; second, £1 Is., William M'Combie, Tillj-four, Aberdeen (Aberdeen Y'ellow). Commended: Rev. Thos. Stevens (Green-top Yel- low) ; Nathaniel Stilgoe, Manor Earm, Addenbury (Grey Stone Turnip). Carrots of ant Variety. — First prize £2 2s., Frederick Lj-thaU, Spittal Farm, Banbury ; second, £1 Is., Frederick LjthaU. Conunended : G. S. Foljambe, (Altringham) ; G. S. Eoljambe (TMiite Belgian) ; Duke of Portland, CMpstone Park Farm, Mansfield, Notts (Altringham)— four specimens, 32 THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. Ox Cabbage. — First prize £3 2s., Frederick Lytliall, Spittal Farm, Baubury ; second, £1 Is., Frederick Lythall. Kidney Potatoes. — First prize, £3 3s. ; George Maugles, Givendale, Ripon, Yorkshire ; second, £1 Is., George Mangles. Highly Commended : Tlios. Halford, Newbold- upon-Stour, Shipstoii-upon-Stour (King of Flukes}. Com- mended : Thos. Halford (King of Flukes) ; James and Fre- derick Howard, Britannia Farms, Bedford (Mayatt's Early Prolific) ; George Mangles. Round Potatoes. — First prize, £3, George Mangles, Givendale, Ripon ; second, £1, G. S. Foljamhe, Esq., Osbertou Hall, Worksop (Victoria). THE HAEVEST AND BAEN IMPLEMENTS AND PEACTIOE OF THE ANCIENTS. Can we glean anything from the harvest-fields, thrashing- floors, and barns of tlie ancients, to assist us in our efforts to advance the cause of progress in this department of farm prac- tice P Farmers in all ages — the present not excepted— have shown a proueness to cling to the past with a degree of tenacity peculiar to their profession, as much as to signify that our modern inventions, chemical as well as mechanical, are little more than the mere shadows of the past, the maxim of Solomon relative to novelty being ever uppermost in their minds. In a parallel case, the success of the "Woolston system of steam cultivation goes far to prove the soundness of the principles of the ancient method of scarifying the land ; and no doubt we shall find in the harvest and barn operations of the ancients, including implements, barns, &c., a similar illustra- tion of principles that merit a winter evening's consideration, and something niore. The Sacred Historian throws little daylight upon our sub- ject in the antediluvian world, with the solitary exception of Noah's Ark, which was truly an immense floating homestead. By profession Noah himself was a husbandman ; and, what- ever method he adopted in harvesting his crops, it must have cost him a vast amount of perseverance and hard work to pro- vide for the wants of his large congregation of animals on board his " big ship " from the old world to the new. Amongst the Chaldeans, Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans a common practice in harvesting and thrashing ap- pears to have been closely imitated from first to last, almost the only difi'crence being occasioned by the peculiar demands of diversity in climate ; and as the climate of Italy, or rather the western portion of the Romish Empire, approaches the nearest to that of England, it is from the Roman practices that we are likely to receive the most instructive information. At the same time, when Homer penned the following Hues — " As on some ample barn's well-hardened floor The winds collected at each open door — While the broad fan with force is whirled round. Light leaps the golden graiu resulting from the ground ; So, from the steel that guards Atrides' heart Repelled to distance flies the bounding dart " — it is manifest that the Greeks at that time had barns, thrash- ing and winnowing machines, closely resembling tuose intro- duced into England by the Romans, and iu use at uo very dis- tant date, if not iu occasional operation at the present day. Tlie patriarch Isaac, we are told (Gen. xxvi. 13), reaped an liuudredfold in Gerar, and must have stored his corn and straw in tents. The granaries of Egypt in Joseph's time must have been large. Boaz and Ornau appear to have had covered threshing-floors. Both David and Solomon had large herds aud flocks, and immense " storehouses in the fields." The former (David) was in his younger days a shepherd ; and the sacred historian also tells his readers that the latter (Solomon) " loved husbandry." Greece again required large stores to supply her armies ; and Rome, when in her noon- day splendour, imported immense quantities of grain from Africa, aiul must have had granaries of a corresponding mag- nitude, Slie likewise imported larg-oly from England; aud, in order to collect her supplies, introduced into Britain the Roman method of harvesting, thrashing, and storing in barns and granaries, with such improvements or alterations as the peculiar characteristics of the climate demanded. It is thus easy to trace downwards to our own times the progress of the subject from the cradle of the human family ; aud, if we further cuter upon the practical details of that pro- gress, tlie analyses will elncidate with equal clearness the foot- steps of mechanical discovery in meeting the necessities of climatic circumstances attendant upon the colonization of western Europe. Thus the thrashing-floor aud the treading out of wheat and barley by oxen were common in Chaldea, Egypt, Palestine, Greece, and Italy — not that the farmers of tliose countries did not know or practise any other plan ; but because experience had commended it to their general adoption. Both crops were cut with the sickle for the most part, bound up in sheaves, aud carried to the thrashing-floor in carts or waggons ; and, when thrashed, the corn was deposited in bins and granaries, and the straw iu barns to protect it from the weather, as provender for cattle. Thus Laban had plenty of provender for the camels of Abraham's servant ; while the Greek and Roman agricultural writers give ample instructions how to use the str.iw, as Me shall subsequently show more in detail. In some places, however, asses and horses were used instead of oxen, to tread out the corn. In more unfavourable climates, wlieat, barley, oats, and rye were thrashed in the barn with a staff or flail ; while our skin-clad ancestors in Pagan times separated the corn from the straw by burning the latter, aud, thus scorching the former, making it ready for the mill, or to be used directly as parched corn. Adjoining the Roman thrashing-floor, a large permanent shed, barn, or building was erected, termed a " nubilarium," or " nubilar," into which the corn from the harvest-field was gathered, prior to thrashing, in order to protect it from rain and the scorching eftects of tlie sun. It was not every Roman farmer, however, that was able to erect a nubilarium, in which cases one of two other alternatives were in use — building the sheaves in stacks or ricks adjoining the thrashing-floor, or throwing them in a large heap or rick in the centre of the floor, where it was protected either by canvas or thatching, unless the two operations of treading aud carrying from the field were performed simultaneously, when protection from the weather would become unnecessary. Like the Romans, the Greeks had perinaneut buildings into which the produce of harvest was gathered. The Egyptian sculptures and paintings represent the ears of corn carried in baskets or nets upon the backs of asses to tlie outside of the thrashing-floor, hut the long corn loose in a large heap, like a hayrick, in the interior of the thrashing-floor, a team of so many oxen abreast lieing driven romid and round it. In Palestine, the thrashing-floor was, perhaps, more frequently open than covered, the latter plan being on the principle of a circular tent or covering of tile, under which the corn was winnowed aud measured uj) for carrying to the tents of the pastoral tribes, and within the walled cities of the Canaanites and Hebrews, after their final settlement in Canaan. Tlie tlirashing-floor of Atad is sup- posed to have been covered (Gen. 1. 10). Boaz, again, evi- dently slept under such a tent or floor when Riilli " uncovered his feet." Oman's wheat crop must also have been under a covering of this kind, as the rude poles or framing common in their erection were necessary for the firewood offered to King David ; for, otherwise, it is not easy to reconcile the facts of the case with the very solemn sacrificial occasion. True, the Jebusites' oxen were in harness, and may have been yoked to the spiked sledge or sledge-roller thrashing instruments men- tioned by Isaiah, aud which were closely copied by the Romans, aud arc stiji in use in the East, But such were inadequate ; THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 33 aud as covered tlinisliiiig-llaors wore common, the practical conclusion appears obvious. Towards the north, in the more unsettled clinnilcs of I'o- laud, Holland, and Germany — rich corn-growing- countries — which were peopled at a very early period, the open thrashing- floor was impracticable : hence the large barns and granaries which have come down to tlie present day. The above remarks have chietly been confined to wheat, barley, rye, and oats ; but Indian corn and pulse crops were largely grown ; and these demanded a diil'ercnt method of thrashing, which would naturally suggest new ideas in the construction of thrashing intruments. Thus, the former (translated bread-corn in Isaiah Kxviii. 38) was bruised or rubbed out on the same principle as at the present day ; while the latter were beaten out with u staff or flail, " and the cum- min with a rod :" all which proves that the ancients had thrashing machines constructed on different mechanical prin- ciples ; and as such machines fell into the hands of the con- quering armies of Greece and Home, the question of their in- troduction into Europe becomes of easy solution. We now return to the Roman method of using the straw of grain crops, agreeable to a former promise. When wheat- straw was to be used for thatch, Pliny recommends the ears to be cut ofl", and the straw to be cut as close to the ground as practicable, and then to be bound up into sheaves unbroken. Sometimes the grain was lashed out of the unbroken straw when to be used as thatch. When to be used for litter, it was to be bruised between stones ; and when to he used as pro- vender for cattle, it was to be ground into dust and salted with brine, and eaten along with hay and the leaves and spray of certain trees. Sometimes the greater portion of the straw was left standing in the field as stubble, to be consumed there by the cattle. A.t other times, the long stubble was mown after harvest, and carried home for litter ; and in some cases it was burnt upon the field for manuring the land with the ashes, &c. When cut short, the ears and short straw (palea) were generally given to cattle along with hay. When the ears only were cut oif, they were carried in waggons to the uubilarium either in baakets, hampers, or nets ; and, when separated from the grain, they were given to cattle. Some- times, however, the grain was preserved in the ear, in grana- ries for years ; in which case, when thrashed, the latter, or empty ears and chaff, were only fit for litter. The prophet Amos was by birth a herdsman, and mentions indirectly the second mowing of grass ; and this is almost the only mention of hay-harvest by the sacred writers. Roman autliors give ample directions for the summer and autumn mowings. According to Cato, Varro, Columella, Palladius, and Pliny, for example, the time of mowing (he first crop and the after field operations were similar to those of this country, as practised by many at the present day, with two exceptions. When the hay was wind-rowed, it was then tied up in bundles, or wisps, and stored in lofts or barns for winter use ; audeven these two exceptions were introduced by the Romans into Britain, and remained in force up to a recent date, or until the carrying of hay and corn on pack-saddles, in hilly districts, was given up, about the middle of last centuiy. Columella says : " A good mower cuts a jugerum of meadow in a day ; and one likevv'ise makes twelve hundred bundles of hay, of four pounds each." Pliny says : " It is one day's work of a man to mow a jugerum, or to tie up twelve hundred bundles, of four pounds each." Tlie former (Columella) also recommends the process of heating the hay in the rick or stack, before it was housed ; and Cato, in his directions to a bailifl', says : " Cut down poplar, elm, and oak-leaves and spray, and put them up in time, not over-dry, for fodder for the sheep ; likewise the aftermath." Almost all these practices were introduced into this country by the Romans ; and not a few of them were in use in the memory of men still living. Three of them — viz., (1) the uu- bilarium, (jJ) the grinding and bruising and salting of the straw with brine, and (3) the use of the leaves and spray of certain trees — demand a separate and more detailed considera- tion, inasmuch as they obviously embody the elements of progress. (1). The covered threshing-floor of the Hebrews, the uubi- larium of the Romans, the immense barns of Germany, Hol- land, and Poland, and th" kilndryiug barns of Russia, examined in connexion with the respeciive climatic charac- teristics of these several countries, all'ord matter for a more mature and lengthened investigation than we can condense into this paper. There are now numerous covered home- steads for cattle in the country ; and a covered stackyard for the produce of the harvest-field (hay and corn) is no new pro- position : but, up to this date, the experiments made in this direction have not been crowned with success. The chief difficulty experienced appears to have been to keep out snow and sun, and at the same time to secure a proper ventilation. In Palestine and all warm countries, the scorching effects of the sun would soon render hay and straw useless, for pro- vender, to cattle. Ileuce the rai'wnide of the covered threshing-floor, &e. The efl\3cts of the rays of the sun are also very destructive in England, being only a degree less so than rain and snow. The " Dutch barn " and staddle-roof of Devonshire may le mentioned as the most promising of the propositions of the olden time, for both hay and corn crops. Ellis, in his " Modern Husbandman," under volume June, page 99, fur example, mentions a farmer who " lived about twenty miles from London ; and, in order to enjoy his hay finer than his neighbours, he built him a Dutch barn, in 1738 " but, by mismanagement, he spoiled part of his hay the first year. In volume for August, again, page 15, he writes thus : " To Lay and Preserre Corn in a Bidck Barn. — This is a good con- trivance, and becomes more and more in use for laying-in corn, and securing it from weather, commonly in a square posture, by large, high posts, or pillars, fixed in the ground, in which holes are made for pins to go in, to lower or raise higher its wooden penthouse top at pleasure. Here the corn is kept dry and sweet, because the top is covered, and all the sides of it exposed to a free air." The staddle-roof of Devon is similar, only the roof is raised by tackle instead of two pins and a lever. The object of raising and lowering the roof, the practical reader will readily perceive, is to keep out rain in the stacking, and to let the roof down close to the hay or corn before winter, so as to keci) out snow and birds, &c. But, although thus highly com- mended by Mr. Ellis, who was himself a practical farmer, the Dutch barn has fallen into disuse. We might also quote ex- periments with fixed roofs, but with less promising results. (3 and 3). Pliny's proposition of bruising and grinding straw for litter and food for cattle is again coming into fashion as a modern improvement, and if in the latter case the ground straw or unsifted straw-meal was mixed with hay-meal, and seasoned with brine and the meal of the leaves of spray, mast, and bark of certain trees, it would have all the more to com- mend it to the British farmer. Of the soundness of this con- clusion there can hardly be a question raised ; for although the old jnacticc of using the above feeding materials separately has long ago fallen into general disuse in this country, that forms no argument to the contrary, and therefore it falls to the ground. Indeed, the advances recently made in machinery for grinding the hay and straw and the other articles specified are so great, and the movement now being made amongst far- mers to improve the food of their cattle so as to preserve a higlier general standard of health so strong, as to guarantee the successful introduction of the proposition into practice. When farmers are giving so much per ])int for oak-mast, horse-chesnuts. Sec, as recently reported in the Mark-Lane Ex- press, it is high time for our more calculating landowners to put a fresh estimate upon the value of the produce of their woods and forests. This is a " big subject" doubtless, and we cannot go into its details, as some of their number may pro- bably wish ; but we hope the hint thus thrown out will, until we have more time and space turn, inquiry into its legitimate channel. The straw and hay-meal would not, of course, re- quire sifting : on the contrary, for ruminant animals it would require to be of a sufficiently thready or fibrous character as to adapt it for rumination ; but farther into details of this kind we canuot go at present. Our recent advances in mechanical ai)pliances likewise sug- gest many improvements on the Greek and Roman muljilarium and Dutch barn, or we may say our old English hay and corn barns, for we have now numerous contrivances that would keep out the sun's rays, snow, vermin, and winds, and at the same time afford a free ventilation so as to avoid the musti- ness experienced in the close barn of the olden time, such as " straw-webs" to cover the open -^ides of the barn, or articles of a similar manufacture. 34 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. THE SMITHFIELD SHOW WEEK. In the face of such diflicultics, so good ami so level an exhibition fairly took the most sanguine by sur- prise, the acting stewards of the Club aud the more reliable of the judges being amongst the first to speak to the actual merit of the meeting. Of course, there were, as there always have been, certain weak places, as, for in- stance, the Shorthorns and the pigs ; whereas,on the con- trary, it is loug since there has been a better gathering of Devons or Scots ; and the sheep are really superior to what they ever have been. We had left the Hall on the Monday before the cups were awarded ; but it is pretty generally allowed that tlie disposal of one, if not, indeed, of both, come under the category of those errors to which humanity is liable. It is, in fact, very questionable whether the Shorthorn men really brought out the best of their several sort, while, when once selected, the Prince's Devon beat him for points over and over again. Useful eaough, long and low, the Duke of Sutherland's ox is not only weak in his touch, but terribly wanting in that wild grandeur which occasionally distinguishes the Highlander. However, Mr. Sanday being called in as referee between the two sets of authorities, held to his Shorthorn brethren, who have to more directly answer for the best cow, with one or two of her own breed pronounced to be at least her equals. Against the sheep returns there could be no such cavil ; and Lord Sondes' pen w^ere as handsome as need be, with about the best backs ever seen in a showyard. In plain truth, auy protest here was urged rather against the stewards than the judges, one of the former again per- sisting in intruding so much upon the judges whilst at work, that an exhibitor actually lodged a complaint, although the secretary declined to receive this, unless re- duced to writing ! The natural question that arises is, Will the interests of the Smithfield Club snft'er the more from entertaining or stifling such objections ? The collateral business of the week was never heavier, and seldom more important, as the subject of the Cattle-- plague came uuder continual consideration, with that unanimity of action which we advised very generally observed. The Smithfield Club has resolved to sup- port the Memorial of the Royal Agricultural Society, which in its main features is almost identical with that presented a week or two earlier by the Fanners' Club ; and at the gathering of the local societies on the Thursday, resulting in another Deputation, a similar ex- pression was very properly maintained. It is, though, ap- parent that the Government is very reluctant to adopt the strong measures advised, the plea being that the several districts where danger is dreaded have the power to carry out such preventives, each one on its own account. From amidst all the talk on the subject, the address of Lord Spencer, as delivered in his place as Chairman of the Smithfield Club Dinner, was by far the most able and masterly, as it was, indeed, almost too good for an after- dinner speech, although the attention with which his audience followed him told how well his Lordship's eifcrts Avere appreciated by every one, saving only, perhaps, Mr. Torr. We will not dwell upon this feature in the enter- tainment, but if it is thought politic to have a new President for'; the Club year after year, it surely might be equally so to provide a few fresh speakers ? And certainly, from the exhibition of feeling so unhesi- tatingly expressed on Wednesday evening, it may be pos- sible to have even too much of a good thing. The discussiou over the same topic at the General Meetiug of the Royal Agricidtural Society on the Wed- nesday morning was somewhat elongated, and hence one very important paragra])h in the Report commanded no attention whatever. This was the sentence or two so curtly declaring that the Royal Society woidil hold no show of any kind during the ensuing year, although many members we know agree with us as to the impolicy of any such total suspension, aud against which we protested in our last number ; wliilst a contemporary, The Gardeners'" Chronicle, fully supports our views in this wise : " We were prepared for the postponement of very much of it, but not for the abandonment of the whole. There would have been an opportunity for a prolonged trial aud exami- nation of agricultm'al implements ; aud we might have had a first-rate show of horses ; and this coidd have beeu done with no risk of the rinderpest to any one, but with great benefit to all. It appears, however, that it is deemed unadvisable to have a half-meeting; and the interregnum, it may be expected, wiU tend to the benefit of the meeting in 1867. Let no one think that this in- action, and the conseqneut saving in the expenditure of the Society, will tend to its financial prosperity. Inaction and non-expenditure upon the proper agricultural objects wiU tend more than anything else to the withdrawal of members aud to the diminution of income. It behoves those responsible for the direction of the Society to take care that the enforced postponement of the annual show next year be as far as possible compensated by iucreased activity in every other way that remains open. Let us hope that our leaders will take the position that belongs to them as representatives of English agricnltm'e in the dilficnlties which the plague has brought upon us, and make the voice of the Royal Agricultural Society of England be heard, and, if possible, obeyed, in the discussions that are sure to arise on the relations in connection with this subject between consumers and producers, and Government as representing both." It is indeed proverbial how much iufiuence any association depending on the public for its position must lose from inaction of this kind, and a tradesman in the Strand might as well think of shutting up his shop for a month as the Royal Society of putting otf its show for a year. The one great advertisement of the Society is its annual exhibition. Professor Voelcker's lecture was, as might reasonably enough have been expected, very thinly attended, clashing as it did with the Farmers' Club dinner, where Mr. Leeds, the chairman, closed his year of office with a very en- couraging address on the prospects of the Club ; and Mr. Sewell Read sketched out his future as a county member in a speech that commanded continual cheers from his brother-farmers. Was it mere accident, or something more significant, which led to ~Mv. Sewell Read being so flatteringly welcomed at the Fanners' Club, and to his being received "without a hand," as the actors have it, when on the next evening he rose to address the Smith- field Club ? At the discussion meeting in Salisbury- square on the Monday evening, Mr. Duekham kept -s&vj close to his text on the breeding and management of stock ; nor did the subsequent debate touch much upon the cattle plague, but rather threatened at one time to merge into a mere comparison of the several merits and demerits of Shorthorn and Herefords, pointed by an equally direct controversy on the merits or demerits of Leicester sheep. We give reports of all these jweetings, THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 35 THE SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHOW. The Sinitlifickl Club kolds its anniversary at a period of unexampled calamity. Never since it has been formed lias the agriciJtural prospect been more overclouded, nor the agricultural mind more depressed. The fatal rinderpest which threatened us in 1855 is now amongst us, and we see aroiuid us a verification of the picture Yirgil drew of the effects produced by the same pest some 20 centuries ago. The cattle are dying around us by hundreds, at the rate of 7,000 a week, that is to say at the rate of foreign importation to our Metropolitaia Mar- ket. The outbreak commenced from June, while it was hoped that the cool weather of autumn would check, and that tlie frosts of winter would extinguish it ; but through- out the autumn it has increased, the rains have laden the air with heavy vapour, which seems to have lent it facili- ties for transport, and we are now admonished to dread the winter for rinderpest as we shoidd hail it were we suffering under the scom'ge of cholera. Visitors to the show can talk of scarcely anything else, but how it started in London ; how it spread with fatal rapidity, until now there is scarcely a county in England that can show a clean bill of health ; how for a time it was confined to cow- stock, but, in true keeping with its known character quickly struck down the store cattle in the field, or the fat- tening]stock in the homestead. There is no escape : every- thiug of the order rumincaitia goes down before it. The perplexed farmer is not allowed to place his trust in sheep — they, too, have proved themselves mortal. The cure, as yet, seems to fail us; and so endurance conies in as the only alternative. Some people want Go- vernment to interfere with a strong arm, that can opei-ate more effectively than by merely giving power to local authorities to carry out measures that may happen to be approved in any particular district over which they pre- side. Other men that yon meet in the Hall are filled Avith the gravest apprehensions. The disease, they main- tain, will run its course for years, as it did once before ; aud then it will stop, not because there are no more ani- mals to die, but because there are no more cattle in a condition favourable for receiving and developing the germs of infection which reach them by one way or another. And everybody tells you to exert all possible vigilance in shielding cattle from contagion, and en- forcing respect to the laws of hygiene in farm premises. All very wise and prudent, but almost impossible to be carried out properly, with open yards soaked by excessive rainfall, the beasts standing aiidl\ing upon manure like a sponge, and straw for daily fresh litter being scarce during foggy and drizzly weather for thrashing. In spite of all these fearful realities and forebodings, our breeders and feeders still come up with a really good show, meeting the crisis in the truly Tapleyan spirit of being jolly under the most discouraging circumstances. Eager, intense business you find at the great stock market, with its throng of beeves and close-penned mut- tons, its yelling drivers, worrying dogs, aud day-break hurly-burly of cries, chaffering, and sharp-bargaining ; but for business with a festive flavour to it, and a dash of play, too, in the excitement of money-and-plate winning that fastens about the animals chiefest in bulk or beauty, enter beneath the tall towers and crystal canopy of Isling- ton Agricultxu'al Hall, Aud, first, let us review THE CATTLE CLASSES. The total number of entries at this year's show is 453, against 5S2 last year, 455 in 1S03, and 419 the year before that ; so that we have a full though not an increas- ing amount of stock. The cattle classes are not so well filled as last year, numbering only 223 instead of 274 entries. The thirty Devons are of more than average excellence. Mr. John Overman's brace of first-prize steers do their feeder credit, and both have unusually good points in symmetry and quality. General Hood's young steer, from Mr. George Turner's herd, is compact and evenly-fed ; and, in the second class, Mr. John Burtou, Mr. Coate, aud Mr. Walter show animals of good form and real Devon character. In the older class, Mr. Htath's second-prize ox has great substance, fairly placing it before Mr. Thos. Bond's third-prize ox ; but the prime of the breed, and, as many think, the gem of the whole show, is General Hood's first-prize steer in this class, which ran the silver-cup Scot very hard in the grand award on Monday. One of the best, but certainly not the best Devon we have lately seen, with admirable symmetry, rare back, ribs, rump, round, and a particularly square setting on of the tail, this animal is also the primest of beef, wonderfully thickly -fleshed all over, and a very firm handler. Looking from the gallery at the operations of the judges on Monday, the Highlander se&med almost equal to the Devon ; but when the barrier of rope (and red tape !) gave way at two o'clock, and we were per- mitted to touch, decidedly the Devon was better beef than the Scot— of a breed that never will lay on meat in Southern style. It is not a satisfactory reflectiou that, whichever beast got the plate, a better has w on the like honour in times gone by. A nice lot of Devon heifers placed ]Mr. Tarthiug first, INIr. Walter second, with a better style of animal than Bearwood Park has hitherto sent up, and Mr. Bloomfield third. Mr. Heath's first- prize old cow lis a good one ; very properly before Mr. Smith's "Myrtle," and Mr. Farthing's "Je»ny," both rare animals," but not of the first-clas9 character some- times seen. The Herefords, after their grand appearance of late years, are a little disappointing ; though the two yomig steers'— one the property of Mr. Ed. Farmer, the other of Mr. Bettridge — are handsome, compact, and good. The next class is a good one, Mr. Lloyd's first-prize steer having stood a chance for the Silver Cup, but for his extreme shortness of frame, more especially due to a short quarter, but he is otherwise a very handsome specimen of the breed, with plenty of meat and a capital touch. Mr. Wortley's second-prize steer we like much ; but the Earl of Darnley's beast should hardly have been placed before Mr. J. M. Head's. If size goes for perfection, Mr. Heath's first-prize ox — a grey Hereford of Lord Ber- wick's breed— is a wonder. The girth (9 feet 7 inches) is large, the length great, the animal long on the leg ; but the flesh is too patchy, making an arched loin, and in head aud style this is no model of a first-rate Hereford. Mr. Aaron Pike's second-prize ox is a good heavy beast, but not much to eur taste. Mr. Wortley's third-prize steer is more in our line ; and Mr. J. M. Read's, too, is handsome enough, wanting only more flesh in order to have taken a high place in this class. A small lot of heifers shows nothing very superb, though Mr. Jones' Urst-prize has very considerable merit, Mr. Bettridge'^ D 2 36 THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. first-prize cow is uot nearly so good as we liave seen on former occasions, thongli with immensely wide liips, but these are not matched by corresponding breadth ol' lore- quarters. jNIr. James' and Mr. Bridgewater's are both good cows ; but there is nothing about any of the females to command any extasy of admiration. A show of Shorthorns, with all the grand ones left out, a lot of prime beef, with nothing worthy to win a cup, does not tell well for the breed. The great things that were promised have fallen short of the boasts of their own trumpets, the plum of the season has missed Isling- ton altogether, and Mr. Rowland "Wood's Birmingham beast stands without a rival. In the class of young steers Mr. James Howe's roan is not an extraordinary animal, though fairly placed before the Earl o Aylesford's steer. Messrs. Martin's first-prize steer, in the next class, is a splendid beast, showing that Aberdeenshire men can send us good Shorthorns as well as polls — a red-aud-white big-framed, square-made, heavy steer, with rare chine, and still better back, girthing 8 feet 11 inches, and defi- cient mainly in having a ])lainish head, with staggy horns, and a general want ot style in carriage. A prime butcher's animal he is, and with a little better blood about him would have won the Cup, against the little Devon or the showy Scot. Mr. Greenway's second-prize steer has nothing like so good a fore-quarter; but otherwise is close to its victor in this class ; and Mr. Foljambe's third-prize roan steer, an exceedingly good animal, cannot complain, ne- vertheless, of being so low down in the ranks. In the class of steers or oxen, Mr. Baker's grand roan steer, beaten, we believe, at Nottingham, by Mr. Wood's Bir- mingham ox, is decidedly inferior to that animal in most of his points ; still this is a fair beast, and particularly good before. Earl Spencer's second-prize steer has merit, without claiming very special notice ; and Colonel Pennant's is another of tolerable quality. An ox of Mr. John Eingey's, in this class, challenges observation by his enormous frame. Is Earl Radnor's silver cup heifer in her right place ? Uncommonly, but not extraordinarily, good she is, but standing droopingly, and with a hollow behind the shoulder- blade, and her tail set rather in than on. The Earl of Hardwicke's second-prize heifer is far better in this point, better in the chine, with a better bosom, and a better hind- quarter ; still it is rather a fine point when you see the two together ; and we incline to think the award right, and the red-and-white fairly beaten by the roan. Mr. Stoneham's third prize heifer has nothing like such good looks as either of the others ; and only one or two handsome heifers, beside these three, have made their appearance in the Hall. The cow class is not so grand as usual : Mr. Aldworth's first-prize cow is de- ficient in the quarters, Mr. Newton's "Myrtle" not specially handsome, and the others in the class of only fair merit. We have a strong lot of the Sussex reds, and of a character to do credit to the sort. Messrs. Ileasman's first-prize young steer is a well-made good animal ; Mr. Barton's first-prize steer much better, of great substance, prime flesh, and good looks ; and we are glad to see a commendation or two bestowed in this class. The Sussex heifers are excellent ; Mr. Shosmith's " Beauty" bting an uncommonly good one ; and Mr. Lee Steere's, with her " age" all against her, as pretty as a picture. Messrs. Heasman and Mr. Botting show two handsome cows in a very good class ; where Mr. Coates' and Mr. Jenner's get commendations. The Norfolk and Suftblk Polls do not show well, in comparison with animals less noted for milking proper- ties, but Mrs. Beare's steer and Mr. Robert C. Cooke's heifers are particularly good specimens of the breed. Only a single Long-horn competes ; a moderately good steer sent by iMr. Chapman. In the Scotch classes we find something worth looking at ; for there is great merit, particularly among the Polls, which the judges have " generally commended." The Duke of Sutherland's first-prize and silver-cup ox is not the best West Highlander that we ever saw, if perhaps one of the very best that has come out, of late years. Size, symmetry, wonderful depth through the heart, well let down in fiank and thigh, with a sweet head, a noble eye, very fine well-carried horns, and a red brindled coat of the right sort — this beast strikes everbody as a good one ; wanting, however, in expansion of fore- quarter and rib, and handling rather too loose, as the breed commonly does. He girths 8 feet. Mr. Banbury's second - prize dun Highland ox is also an extremely clever one, with very much firmer flesh. Mr. Johnson and Sir Gordon Cumming also show splen- did beasts iu this class. In the small class of females, jNIr. Eastwood's heifer is of considerable merit,fairly beating Mr. Allan PoUok's cow. The Highlanders have won the grand honour for the first time; but we cannot help thinking the judges to blame for suffering a cup to pass out of their hands to a beast 5 years and 8 months old, in these days of high-pressure speed in feeding ; as this smart Highland steer is neither of extraordinary weight for his age nor of tiptop quality in his flesli. The Irish beasts are in small force ; JMr. Allan PoUok having it all his own way with a very crossy-looking steer and heifer ; Mi-. Bridge and Lord Beruers second with four well-fed animals, and Mr. Ransome commended. Colonel Pennant's Welsh ox is big and good, and Mr. Fraukish's of nice quality. But the class is rather ordi- nary ; while no female has been entered. The cross-breds make a fine show, including in their ranks some of the best beasts in the Hall. Mr. Samuel Druce's first-pi"ize steer, a Hereford-and- Shorthorn cross, is good in almost every point, except a defect in thigh and a somewhat drooping to narrowing quarters ; but his touch is splendid, and the red-and-white coat just such as any feeder would desire. Some judges thouglit that this animal should have pressed the Devon and the Scot a little closer for the cup. Mr. Stewart's Shorlhorn-and- Aberdeen steer has very considerable merit; and Mr. Henry Overman's Ayrshire-and-Shorthorn and Mr. Wortley's Shorthorn-and-Norfolk-poUed steers are well worthy of the prize and high-commendation they have re- ceived. In the larger class of steers or oxen, a capital butcher's beast, a cross between Devon and Sussex, gained a prize for Mr. Napper, and most of the animals showed the great capacity of a judiciously-bred cross for produc- ing a carcass of the right build and of the best quality of meat. Messrs. ISIartin win the first prize in the female class for an extremely good Aberdeen-and-Shorthoru heifer; Mr. Beltridge's Hereford-and-Shorthorn, Mr. John Overman's Devon-and-Shorthorn, Mr. Allan Pol- lok's West Highland-and- Shorthorn, and Lord Derby's Brahmin-and- Shorthorn, show the wonderfully trans- forming eftect of the Shorthorn form and blood upon breeds of the most opposite type. We do not note anything very choice in the extra stock. Mr. Loyd's Hereford steer, of Mr. Pitt's breed, is cer- tainly good, and deserving of the medal ; and Earl Spencer's roan Shorthorn cow is decidedly the best animal in her class. The sheep are fewer than last year, tlierc being 173 entries, against 185 in 18C4 ; but in general excellence most of the classes are superior to what has been seen on any former occasion. A dozen Leicesters do not make a large show of the breed, but the pen of wethers with which Lord Berners wins a first prize and the silver cup for the I bps< longwools is a credit to the county which ran pro- 'HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 37 duce such sheep. Mr. Jordan's sc.-oud-prizc and also Mr. Wm. Brown's third-prize wethers are decidedly iu their proper places, with broad frames, rare backs, and good lleeccs ; and the merit of the class not being fully ccpressed in three prizes, the judges bestowed a high- commendation upon Mr. Foljambe's excellent pen of sheep. Lord Beruers is again at the top of the tree in the light- weight class, with a pen of model Leicestcrs, all symmetry, good looks, and quality ; Mr. Newman's capital pen, and Mr. Bradshaw's scarcely inferior pen, coming second and third. Some famous Leicesters of Mr. Wilmore's were disqualified as over-weight by three or four pound.s, although, strange to say, they were within the weight when they left home ! A " trio" of Cotswolds cannot but '"' sing small" — a poor show for such a grand breed ; but Mr. Charles Kearsay's first-prize pen, Sir. King Tombs' second-prize pen, and Mr. "Walter's third-prize pen are very good specimens, of great size and substance, vntli good backs, handsome heads, and curly wool, well shown, as usual, with every attention to washing and setting off. The Lincolns, our other heavy bi-eed, come up with but five pens ; these, however, of a very good sort. Mr. Henry Grantham's first-prize wethers have grand frames, long, broad, and high-standing, with good countenances, and a long curly staple of wool. The wethers of Mr. Edwards and Mr. Greetham are but littleinferior in quality, and the other pens in the class are also of good character. The Kentish or Romney ISIarsh sheep are not very promising in numbers or quality ; but Mr. James New- port takes first prize with a lot showing something like symmetry and good mutton. In the very small class of " Other long-wooUed sheep," there is nothing specially prime; Mr. Nevvman and Mr. Street taking the prizes with wethers in very fair condition. Of eight entries of Leicester wethers in the Extra Stock class, only half have come to the Hall ; Mr. Jordan tak- ing the mediil. Mr. William Brown's Leicester ewe, winning the medal, is a splendid animal ; and Mr. Brad- shaw's ewe well merits the high-commendation awarded her. In a large class of long-wools iu extra stock, Mr. Grantham's Lincoln ewe gets the silver medal — a very fine animal, good at almost every point. The Southdowns appear with a score pens, of un- usual excellence, in spite of several raw handlers to be found among the hea\y-weight wethers. The Duke of Richmond's are highly commended, as are Mr. Farqu- harson's, but these fairly give place to the Earl of Radnor's third prize, which have exceedingly good character. Lord "Walsingham creeps up with a pen of good Downs with wonderful necks and forequarters, and rump-ends such as a judge likes to look at ; the chief defect observable is about the heads, one of the sheep being very bare on the top and over both eyes. The first prize in the class, with the silver cup for the best Down sheep, is carried off by Lord Sondes. The Elmham Hall flock has only once been exhibited before out of Norfolk, saving at foreign shows, yet the present success proves what a high cha- racter pertains to sheep bred from Mi. Henry Overman's and Mr. Jonas Webb's stock. Splendid sheep these are, with a greater size and weight and far better backs than Lord Walsinghara's, and weighing on an average 2241bs. per sheep, whilst the Merton wethers weigh on an average only 2091bs. per sheep. This lot we take to be the gem of the show, and while your eye and hand approve their form and mutton if you are a judge, you are sure to admire them even if you are not. Critic or not, you cannot withhold admiration from the even character of the beauties in this pen — the exact similarity of each animal to his fellow in form, style of carriage, and colour and ex- pression of countenance. This alone is a rare merit, irrespective of the excellences of the individual sheep ; as the feeder experiences more dilliculty in securing a level set of wethers than a fowl-l'aacier does in matching pullets for a show. In the light-weight class Lord Walsingham is in his old-aciustomcd position at the head of the poll. la this pen we have wonderful chines, backs, loins, legs of mut- ton, and very fine bone, a deficiency again appearing in one of the faces being of a lighter shade than the other two. The Merton sheep have been exhibited bigger and heavier than they are this year, with more beauty and style ; and this combination they must regain if they are to keep their pristine place. Mr. Penfold's second-prize sheep are of exceedingly good character — so good that there really was no occasion for attempting to set them off by over-trimming their loins and backs. The Duke of Richmond's third-prize wethers are vei-y pretty indeed, Mr. Trent's highly-commended sheep keep up the charac- ter of the class, and Lord Sondes' sheep here would have told better if the mutton had been a little firmer. In the two-year-old wether class, the Earl of Radnor takes the highest place, with an extremely good pen of sheep, with a deal of the right Southdown type. The flock has been carefuUy bred for more than twenty years, from the stocks of the Duke of Richmond, Mr. Iligden, Jonas Webb, and Mr. Northeast, and has this year come out with several pens of uncommon merit. Lord Walsingham's second-prize wethers have good forms, rare backs, and the better snuff-coloured hair on the faces and ears, than in their first-prize pen. The Duke of Richmond's third-prize sheep has gi-eat length, but not the filled-out loins and flanks and general symmetry of contour of the other pens. We don't know why high-commendations were bestowed upon Mr. Taylor's, Mr. John Overman's, and Mr. Earquharson's pens — by no means first-rate, and with but moderate forms. In the well-filled class of Hampshire and Wiltshire Downs, Mr. W. E. Bennett is first with a pen of wethers of immense size, long, broad, high-standing, with some- what less of the big head and thick bone than usually characterizes the sort. Mr. Browne Canning's second- prize sheep are also of great substance for their age, but with their shoulder-points not weU covered. Messrs. Russell's third-prize pen is not so good. The judges have highly-commended Mr. Loyd's, and given commendations to Mr. Stephen King's, to Mr. William King's, and to Col. Lindsay's pens. If tremendous frames have great merit, these sheep deserve their honours ; but why should the judges have thus distinguished the last of these pens, in which the shears had been used to clip the shoulder and chine flat and broad, and the place then disguised with yellow ochre ? One pen in the class displayed very im- perfect shapes, plain look, and hard backs. The Shropshires are not numerous. Lord Wenlock's second-prize pen showed one weak loin and drooping rump, with one sheep very much better than the other two. Mr. Holland's had three rare backs, faces of a dark colour, but hardly^matching in the tinge of the ears. Mr. Henry Smith's "first-prize wethers, of exactly even cha- racter, have wonderful length, breadth, and depth of frame, grand at both ends, with necks and rumps of the right sort, and fine bone, '.handsome and true character of head, and good fleeces. We learned that these well-got-up sheep were not housed before October. Sir. Yate's wethers have great weight, but their necks are not first- rate, their faces are not alike, they are lacking in style, and have more than enough wool. Mr. Beach seems to have exhausted his strength at Birmingham, as the sheep here shown are very far inferior to his prize for there. A high-commendation is given to Mr. John Overman, who certamly works hard enough in almost all parts of the Hall to earn prizes and fame. These sheep are not alike, one having a dark face, the other is snuff-coloured, and 38 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. tiicre are signs ou tlieir licaJs of liorus, wliicli have no business there. There is not a large show of the Oxfordshires, but they are unusually good. The Duke of Marlborough's first- prize pen takes also the silver cup for the best pen in the Shropshires, Osfordshires, cross-breds, and " other l)recd" classes. These are very capital sheep; and Mr. Samuel Druce'ssecond-prize wethers are broad, with capital necks. Mr. Tiiomas James took the third prize with a pen from the stock of Mr. Charles Howard — a capital lot of beautiful mutton ; but, with prime animals like these, why need Mr. James have followed the curious custom of clipping to an artilicial flat back ? Two other p^ns in this class are even worse disfigured by this clipping. If you cannot trim the back wool down by gradual degrees, so that no- body shall perceive the trick by the eye (for the hand will always find it out), it is more politic to leave it as Nature grows it, or with just a neat " snipping-off of the ends " in moderation ; but, any way, undue trimming is in bad taste, not altogether honest, and should be at once aban- doned. Mr. Henry Overniau has a high-commendation in this class ; and his sheep do not show any weakness of this kind for a foolish fashion. The i\Iouutain sheep are torerably numerous. Mr. Tapp's first-prize Exmoors are of very great merit ; Mr. Ball's not nearly so good, aud made to look worse than they really are by their backs being clipped flat and dressed over with ochre — a lady-visitor, who knows what good sheep are, remarking that the usual rule of mustard to beef was here altered into mustard to mutton. Mr. William Smith's Exmoors are highly commended ; though they might well have been placed second in the class. In the black-faced aud speckle-faced class, Mr. Peel's great Lonk sheep attract considerable attention ; Mr. M'Gill's hornless speckle-faced sheep have much merit as good specimens of a hardy sort ; Mr. Eastwood's show great size for the breed ; and Colonel Lindsay's are fairly- fed black-faces. llyelands, Cheviots, and Dorsets are few. Mr. Down- ing's Ryelands are thick well-made sheep, with abundance of wool, and J\Ir. Gill's Cheviots moderate in character and quality. In the Extrn-Stock classes, Lord Sondes gains the silver medal for the best Southdown wether, an extremely good sheep ; the Duke of Richmond gets a high-commendation, and the Earl of Radnor a commendation. For the best Southdown ewe, Lord Sondes again stands at the top ; the Duke of Richmond and Mr. Humphrey fairly following with high-commendations. The Extra-Stock Short-wool class has no fewer than twenty-five entries, only one of which has failed in coming forward ; and it is a question whether such a numerous as well as heterogeneous list does not merit a subdivision into two classes, one for wethers, the other for ewes, with a medal for each, seeing that foiu-teen entries of the South- downs are thus treated to two classes and a couple of medals. The medal goes to a prime West-country Down of Mr. Rawleuce, and Mr. Henry Smith is highly com- mended for an extremely good,' broad, big, heavy, and handsome sheep. Mr. Druce, Mr. James, and Mr. John Overman show some beautiful sheep in this class : but is the latter a pure Shropshire of the Ludlow-district type? Cross-brcds generally show well ; and here Mr. Hnie's first-prize Leicester-and-Down wethers are good in build and of heavy mutton. Mr. John Overman is second with some splendid Leicester-and-Southdown sheep, in- stead of being first, as he so often is. Mr. James comes in with a good third pen of Oxford-and-Leicester sheep. In the small show of light-weight cross-breds Mr. Hiue wms the first prize with Leicestcr-aud-Down sheep ; and John Overman the second with Leicester-and- Mr. Southdown sheep. Both lots are beauties; but the former have been clipped flat, much taking off from theii- sightly appearance. The Extra Stock cross-breds are not numerous, where Mr. Hine justly wins the silver medal. Several good sheep are in this class ; some, however, clipped flat, in the bad fashion so prevalent. THE PIGS Are an ordinary lot, with a few exceptions ; and if you want to walk straight to the expected pens of Messrs. Allender, Crisp, Wainman, Mangles, Stearn, Sexton, or Moon, you cannot find them anywhere — and small sur- prise, therefore, that the swine's court is a somewhat dis- appointing portion of the Hall. Of course there are a few wonders in the youngest class — of pigs not exceeding six months old. Mr. LTnderwood's Warmington whites are of extraordinary size and development for theii' age — six months ; Mr. Lynn's Stroxton whites more marvellous still for weight of fat, on fine little frames, at only four months and six days old. Mr. Christopher Cattle's third- prize Lincoln whites are not nearly so fine in quality, though of surprising groAvth; aud Mr. King Tombs' highly-commended Berkshires are not much behind them. What other secret beside breeding from the quickest growers may account for this rapidity of cell-growth in animal tissue, how many cows may have suckled each snoring monster in the older classes, or what saccharine food and spirituous beverage may have led them to doze themselves fat, we do not now stay to inquire. We wonder at the animals as products of cunning art, proving to an extreme what a huge weight of meat upon a ?ni7ii- miim of bone is attainable by all the best breeds; while we look with interested a])preciation at the fair young- sters, porkliugs of a tender age, such as those of Mr. Lynn, winning a prize at 4i mouths old, and imagine with faint longings the unctuous delicacy of a broil of this bacon in the bud served on a thin toast of the "irritated" bread. In the class of pigs above six and not exceeding nine months old, the first-prize small-breed whites of Mr. Saunders' are wonderfully good — thick at both ends, with rare symmetry, all flesh with scarcely any snout, and ears visible in front ; a tiny little tail scarce per- ceptible behind, and the finest of legs and feet underneath, each of the animals is of unusual merit. Mr. Kent's second-prize Sussex blacks are very good ; Mr. Coates' third-prize pigs are extremely fat, of beautiful quality, with short thin hair. Mr. Oxley's Sussex pigs are very big and good, and Mr. Robertson's " small" Yorkshii-es, at 84 months old, are half as large again as Mr. Good- son's "improved Surrey" pigs at 7 months old. In the class of pigs not exceeding 12 months old, Mr. Henry Tomb's first-prize Berkshires have splendid symmetry and good hair-; Mr. Lynn's whites are but little inferior ; and the Earl of Radnor's Coleshills are very good in shape, and fat enough for anything ; while Mr. Diggs' pigs are big for their age, hut some plainish animals are found in the class. It is in the class of pigs over 13 aud under 18 months old ("above 12 and under 12" the catalogue misprints), that we find the cup pen, the Earl of Radnor's very great and good white Coleshills ; still, finer pigs than these have been winners on other occasions. jMr. Kent's big black Sussex pigs are second ; and Mr. Lnderwood's capital white " Improved Warringtons" are third. The 'Extra Stock pigs have nothing very remarkable about them; the Earl of Radnor's medal entry being praiseworthy, and Mr. Kent's worthy of its ",commenda- tion." One or two more "commendations" speak well for the general excellence of the specimens in this by no means superb class. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 39 A W A R 13 OF PHIZES. Judges. devojfs, and (lierefords, sussex, norfolk a^'d suffolk, tolled, loxg-iiorxed, irish, cross, or mixeu.) Buckley, John, Nonnautou HrII, Lougliborougli. Coleman, John, Park farm, AVoburn. Hope, Thos., Horumgham, AYanninster, AVills. DEVONS. Steers, uot exceeding ~ years and 0 months old. First prize of £20, to J. Overman, of Buruham Sutton, Burnhara Market. Second of £10, to Major-Geueral lion. A. N. Hood, AVindsor. Steers, iiof; exceeding 3 years and 3 months old. First prize of £30, J. Overman, Burnham Sutton, Buruhani Market. Second of £20, to J. Burton, Pemiycott, Shobrooke, Credi- ton, Devon. Third of £10, to J. Coate, Hammoon, Blandford, Somerset. Commended. — H. Frampton, Blandford, Dorset ; and AA^ Smith, Higher Ilooperu, Exeter. Steers, or Oxen, above 3 years and 3 months old. First prize, 30/., to Major-Geueral the Hon. A. N. Hood, Cumberland Lodge, A\'indsor. Second, 20/., to W. Heath, Liidhau; Hall, Norwich. Tliird, 10/., to T. Bond, Park, North Petherton, Bridgewater, Somerset. Higlily commeuded. — J. J. Farc[uharson, Langton House, Blandford, Somerset. Commended. — AA'. Smith, Higher Hooperu, Exeter. Heifers, not exceeding four years old. First prize, 25/., to AA^. Farthing, Stowey Court, Bridgewater. Second, 15/., J. AA'^alter, Bearwood, AA'okiugham. Third, 10/., J. Blomlield, AA^irhara, AA'ells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. ^ , Commended. — AA'^. Smith, Higlier lloopern, Exeter. Cows, above four years old. First prize, iol., to AA'. Heath, Ludham Hall, Norwich. Second, 15/., to AA''. Smith, Higher Hooperu, Exeter. Third, 10/., to AA^. Farthing, Stowey Court, Bridgewater. HEREFORDS. Steers, uot exceeding 2 years and G months old. First prize of £20 to E Tanner, jun., Aston-ou-Clun, Salop. Second of £10 to H. Bettridge, East Hannay, Berks. Steers, not exceeding 3 years and 3 months old. First prize of £30 to S. Lloyd, Monks Orchard, Addingtou, Surrey. Second of £20, R. AVortley, Aylsham, Norfolk. Third of £10 to Earl of Darnley, Cobham Hall, Gravcseud, Kent. Highly commeuded, Major-General Hon. A. N. Hood, AA'indsor. Commended, H. Bettridge, East Hannay, AA'antage, Berks ; and J. M. Read, Elkstonc, Cheltenham. Steers or Oxen, above 3 years and 3 mouths. First prize of £30, to AA^ Heath, Ludham Hall, Norwich. Second of £20, to A. Pike, Mitton, Tewkesbury. Third of £10, AA^ AA'ortley, Suffield Hall, Aylsham. Highly Commended.— J. M. Read, Elkstoue, Cheltenham. Commended. — C. Hall, Croydon ; and J. Manning, Orling- bury, AA''ellingborough. Heifers, uot exceeding 4 years old. First prize of £25, to T. Jones, Shrewsbury. Second of £15, to T. Garrett, Comptou Scorpion, Shipbtou- on-Stour. Third of £10, to A. Pike, Mitton, Tewkesbury. Cows, above 4< years old. First prize, of £25, to H. Bettridge, East Hannay, Want- age. Second of £15, to A. T. James, Mounington-ou-AV'ye, Here- ford. Tb.ird of £10, to 11. AA". Bridgewater, Great Porthanual, Brecon. i SHORTHORNS. Judges. SHORTHORNS, AND (SCOTCH, AND WEiSlrf) Ayliner Hugh, AA''est Dereham, Downham, Norfolk. Drcwry, Geo., Holker, Newton-in-Cartmel. Torr, AVm., Aylesby Manor, Grimsby, Lincoln. Steers, not exceeding two years and six months old. First prize, 20/. to J. How, of Broughtou, Huntingdon. Second, 10/., to the Earl of Aylesford, Packingtou Hall, Coventry. Steers, not exceeding three years and three months old. First prize, 30/., to J. and A\'^. Martin, Aberdeen. Second, 20/., to H. Greenway, Hambrook, Bristol, Glouces- tershire. Tliird, 10/., to G. S. Foljambe, Osberton Hall, AA''orksop. Comniended, F. Fowler, Henlow, Biggleswade, Bedford. Steers or Oxen, above three years and three months old. First prize, 30/., to AA^ H. Baker, Cottesmore, Oakham, Rutland. Second, 20/., to Earl Spencer, jUthorp, Nortluiinpton. Third, 10/., to the Hon. Colonel Pennant, M.P., Penryn Castle, Bangor. Heifers, not exceeding four years old. First prize 25/., to the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill, Higli- M'ortli. Second 15/., to the Right Hon. the Earl of llardwicke, A\'impole, Cambride:e. Third 10/., to F.'Stoueliam, Crayford, Erith. Cows, above four years old. First prize 25/., to AA''. Aldworth, Trilford, Abingdou. Second 15/., to R. J. Newton, AA'oodstock, Oxon. Third 10/., to J. Robertson, Bayfordbiiry, Herts. SUSSEX. Steers or Oxeu, not exceeding 3 years old. First prize of 20/. to J. E. and A Heasmau, Angmering, Arundel, Sussex. Second of 10/. to J. Napper, Horsham, Sussex. Steers or Oxen, above 3 years old. First prize of £25 to T. Barton, Robertsbridge, Hurstg reeu Sussex. Second, of £15, to E. Cane, Berwick Court, Lewes, Susses. Third, of £10, J. Shoosraith, Berwick, Lewes, Sussex. Highly Commended. — J. Neale, Coldwattham, Petworth, Sussex. Commended. — AA''. A. Lougdale, Dorking, Surrey. Heifers not exceeding 4 years old. First prize of £20 to J. Shoosmith, Berwick, Lewes, Sussex. Second, of £15, L. Steere, Dorking, Surrey. Highly Commended. — E. Cane, Berwick Court, Lewes, Sussex. Commended. — G. C. Coote, Tortingtou, Arundel, Sussex. Covi's, above 4 years old. First prize of 20/., to J. and A. Heasman, Augmering, Sussex. Second, 15/., to AA^ Bottin, Hurstpierpoint. Highly commended, G. C. Coote, Tortingtou, Sussex. Commeuded, G. Jenner, Udmorc, Rye, Sussex. NORFOLK OR SUFFOLK POLLED. Steers or Oxen, of any age. First prize of 15/., to Mrs. Beare, Pastou, North AA'alsham, Norfolk. Second, 10/., to M. Biddell, Playford, Ipswicli. Commended, the Right. Hon. Lord Sondes, Thetford, Nor- fjlk. Heifers or Cows of any age. First prize, £15, to R. C. Cook, Livermere, Bury St. F.d- munds. Second, £10, J. Overman, Burnham Sutton, Norfolk. LONGIIORNS. Steers or Oxen, of any age. First prize, £10, to R. H. Chapman, Upton, Nuneaton, AA'arwick. Heifers or Cows, of any age. No entry. 40 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. SCOTCH HORNED. Steers or Oxen, of any age. First prize, 30/., to the Duke of Sutlierliuid,Golsi)ie, Siitlier- landshire. Second, 15/., to W. Banbury, Prospect-hill Park, Readinjc. Higlily comnieuded, J. Johnston, Keele, Newcastle, Stafford- shire. Commended, Sir A. P. Gordon Gumming, Bart., Altyre, Torres, Moray. Heifers or Cows, of any age. First prize, 15/., to 11. Eastwood, Clitliero, Lancaster. Second, 10/., to A. PoUok, Lismany, Ballinasloe, SCOTCH POLLED. Steers or Oxen, of any age. First prize, 30/., to A. Longmorc, Liuksfield, Kattie, Bantf. Second, 15/., to W. M'Corabie, Tillyfonr, Aberdeen. Highly commended, W. Heath, Lindham Hall, Norwich ; and J. and W. Martin, Aberdeen. Heifers or Cows, of any age. First prize, 15/., to \V. M'Combie, Tillyfonr, Aberdeen. IRISH. Steers or Oxen, of any age. First prize, 10/., to A. PoUok, Lismany, Ballinasloe, Galway. Second, 5/., T. I5ridgc, Ingatestone, Essex. Commended, J. Ransome, Wlieathampstead, Bury, St. Al- bans, Herts. Heifers or Cows, of any age. First prize, 10/., to A. Pollok, Lismany, Ballinasloe, Galway. Second, 5/., Lord Berners, Keythorpe IlaU, Leicester. WELSH. Steers or Oxen (Runts) of any age. First prize, 20/., to Hon. Col. Pennant, M.P., Pcnrhyn Castle, Bangor. Second, 10/., to W. I'rankish, Limber-Magna, TJlceby, Lin- coln. Commended, B. E. Bennett, Theddingwortli, Rugby, Nor- thampton. Heifers or Cows, of any age. No entry. CROSS OR MIXED BRED. Steers, not exceeding 3 years old. First prize, 25/., to vS. Druce, Eynsham, Oxon. Second, 15/., to J. Stewart, 1 and 2, New Market, Aberdeen. Third, 10/., to H. Overman, Weasenhara, Brandon, Norfolk. Highly commended, R. Wortley, Aylsham, Norfolk. Steers or Oxen, above 3 years old. First prize of £25, to J. Napper, Wisboro' Green, Horsham, Sussex. Second of £15, to J. and W. Martin, Aberdeen. Third of £10, to T. Bond, Park, Nortli Petherton, Bridg- water, Somerset. Highly commended, A. Pollok, Lismary, Ballinasloe, Gahvny. Commended, T. H. BuUer, Downes, Crediton, Devon. Heifers, not exceeding 4 years old. First prize of 20/., to J. and W. Martin, Aberdeen. Second, 10/., H. Bettridge, East Hanney, Wantage. Highly commended: J. Overman, Buruham Market, Norfolk. Commended, A. Pollok, Lismany, Ballinasloe ; and D. Smith, Leyshade, Dundee. SHEEP. Judges, LEiC'HSTERs, a:n'd (cotswolds, lixcolns, icentish, oh ROMNEY MARSH, AXD OTHER DISTIT^CT LOXG-WOOLS, OXFORDSHIRE, JIOU^'TAIN, A^D CROSS. Clark, Chas., Scopwick, Sleaford, Lincoln. Twitehell, Thos., Willington, Bedford. Walmsley, Geo., Rudstone House, Burlington, York. LEICESTER S. AYethers, one year old (under 23 mouths). First prize, 20/., to Lord Berners, Keythorpe Hall, Leicester. Second, 15/., F. Jordan, Eastburn, Driffield. Third, 5/., to W. Brown, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, York. Wethers, one year old (under 23 months). (Each sheep not to exceed 2201bs. live weight.) First prize, 20/., to Lord Berners, Keythorpe Hall, Leicester. Second, 15/., to J. Newman, Ilnrrowden, Bedford. Highly commended, C. J. BradshaM', Burley-on-the-Iiill, Oakham. COTSWOLDS. Wethers 1 year old (under 23 months,) I'irst prize, of £20, to C. Kearsey, Glewstone, Ross, Here- foru. Second, of £15, to J. King Tombs, Langford, Lechlade. Third, of £5, J. Walter, Bearwood, AVokingham. LINCOLNS. AYethers 1 year old (under 23 months.) First prize, of £20, to H. Grantham, Scawby,Brigg, Lincoln. Second, of £15, to J. Edwards, Buckworth Kimboltou. Third, of £5, to W. Greetham, Stanfield , AVragby. KENTISH OR ROMNEY MARSH. Wethers, 1 year old (under 23 months). First prize of 15/. to J. Newport, Ashford, Kent. Second of 10/. to Sir Courtenay Honeywood, Bart., Asliford, Kent. ANY OTHER LONG-WOOLLED. AA'etliers, not being Laicesters, Cotswolds, Lincolns, or Kentish, 1 year old (under 23 months.) First prize of £15 to J. Newman, Harrowden, 13edford. Second of £10 to 1\ Street, Harrowden, Bedford. SOUTHDOWNS. Judges. sovtuvqvi'iis, xsd (hampshire or ■wiltshire, shropshire, ryeland, cheviot, and dorset.) Brown, Jno., Uffcott, near Swindon, AVilts. Fookes, Henry, Whitchurch, Blandford, Dorset. Sainsbury, AVilliam, West Lavington, Devizes. AVethers, one year old (under 23 montlis). First prize, 20/., to The Right Hon. Lord Sondes, Elham Hall, Thetford. Second, 10/., to Lord AA'alsinghara, Merton Hall, Tlietford. Third, 5/., to Earl Radnor, Coleshill, Highworth. Highly commended : His Grace the Duke of Richmond, Goodwood, and J. J. Farquharson, Langton House, Blandford, Dorset. AA'ethers, one year old (under 23 mouths) . (Each sheep not to exceed 2(Mbs. live weight.) First prize, 15/., to Lord AA^alsingham, Merton Hall, Thet- ford. Second, 10/., to H. H. Penfoid, Selsey, Chichester, Sussex. Third, 5/., to the Duke of Richmond, Goodwood, Cliichester Higlily commended : J. Kent, Goodwood, Chichester. AA'ethers, two years old (above 33 and under 35 months). First prize, 20/., to the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill, High- worth. Second, 10/., to Lord AValsingham, ]\Ierton Hall, Thetford. Third, 5/., to the Duke of Richmond, Goodwood. Highly commended : J. Kent, Goodwood ; AA''. Taylor, Harptree Court, Bristol ; J. Overman, Burnham Market; and J. J. Farquharson, Blandford, Dorset. HAMPSHIRE OR WILTSHIRE DOWNS. AVethers 1 year old (under 23 months). First prize of 20/. to AA'. F. Bennett, Chilmark, Salisbury, AA'ilts. Second, 15/., to AA'. B. Canning, ElstonHill, Devizes. Third, 6/. to R. and J. Russell, Horton-Kirbj', Dartford, Kent. Highly commended, Lewis Loyd, Monks' Orchard, Addiug- ton, Surrey. Commended, W. King, Hungerford, Berks ; Col. Lloyd Lind- sey, M.P.,Newbery, Berks ; and S. King, Langbourne, Berks. SHROPSHIRES. AA'ethers, 1 year old (under 23 mouths.) First prize of £20, to II. Smith, Sutton Maddock, Shiffnal. Second of £lo, to Lord AA'enlock, Much Wenlock, Salop. Tiiird of £5, to E. Holland, Dumbleton Hall, Gloucester. Highly commended, J. Overman, Burnham, Sutton, Norfolk. OXFORDSHIRE DOWNS. AA'ethers 1 year old (under 23 months.) First prize, of £20, to The Duke of Marlborough, AA'oodstock. Second, of £15, to S. Druce, Eynsham. Third, of £5, T. James, Cople, Bedford. Highly commended, 11. Overman, Weasenham, Norfolk ; Commended, class generally. ^ MOUNTAIN. AA'etliers, of any AAliite-faced Mountain breed of any ago. THE FARIilER'S MAGAZINE. 41 First prize, of £15, to J. Tapp, Twitclicn, South Molten. Second, of £10, to H. Hine Ball, West Moukton, Tanuton. Highly commended, W. Smith, Higlier Iloopeni, Exeter. "Wethers, of any Black-faced or Speckled-faced Mouutaiu breed, of any age. First prize, of £15 to Jonatliau Peel, Knowlmere Manor, Clithcro. Second, of £10, to J. JIcGill llotcliell-by-Dumfries Kirk- cudbright. Highly commended, R. Eastwood, Thoruey Home, Clitheroc. RYELAND, CHEVIOT, AND DORSET. Wethers of any other pure breed, not specified in any of the foregoing divisions. First prize, 151. , to J. B. Do\yuing, Holme Lacey, Hereford (Ryeland). Second, 10^., to J. M'Gill, Rotcliall, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright. CROSS BRED. Long and Short-wooUed Wethers, one year old (under '23 montlis). First prize, 20^., to G. Hine, juu., Cople, Bedford. Second, 15/., to J. Overman, Bumham Market, Norfolk. Tliird, 51., to T. James, Cople, Bedford. Long and Short-wooUed Wethers, one year old (under 23 months), each sheep not to exceed 220 lbs. live weight. First prize, 10/., to G. Hine, jun., Oakley, Bedford. Second, 5/., to J. Overman, Bumham Market, Norfolk. PIGS. Judges. Moon, John, Maurton, Roborough, South Devon. Risdon, John Golsoncott, AVashford, Taunton, Somerset. Waters, John, Eastbourne. Pigs of any breed, not exceeding 6 months old. First prize of £15 to J. A. Underwood, Warniington, Oundle. Second of £10 to J. Lynn, Stroxton, Grantham, Third of £5 to C. Cattle, Bawtry, York. Pigs of any breed, above G and not exceeding 9 months old. First prize of £15 to J. Saunders, Fifchead, Blandford, Dorset. Second of £10 to J. Kent, Goodwood, Chichester. Third of £5 to J. Coate, Hammoon, Blandford, Dorset. Highly commended, Major-General the Hon. A. N. Hood, Windsor. Of any breed, above 9 and not exceeding 12 months old. First prize of 15/. to J. King, Tombs, Langford, Lcchlade. Second of 10/. to J. Lvnn, Stroxton, Grantham. Third of 5/. to the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill, Highwortli. Of any breed, above 12 and under IS mouths old. First prize of 15/. to the Earl of Radnor, Coleshill, Highworth. Second of 10/. to J. Kent, Goodwood, Chichester. Third of 5/. to J. A. W. Underwood, Warmington, Oundle. SILVER CUPS. A Silver Cup, value £40, for the best steer or ox in any of the classes, to Duke of Sutherland, Dunrobin Mains, Goldspie, Sutherlandshire. A Silver Cup, value £40, for the hest lieifer or cow in any of the classes, to Earl Radnor, Coleshill, llighworth. A Silver Cup, value £20, for the best pen of Leicesters, Cotswolds, Lincolns, Kentish, or other Long-wooUed breed, in any of the classes, to Lord Berners, Keythorpe Hall, Lei- cester. A Silver Cup, value £20, for the best pen of one-year-old Southdowus, Hampshire, or Wiltshire-Do^vns, to Lord Sondes, Elraham Hall, Thetford. A Silver Cup, value £20, for the best pen of Shropshire, Oxfordshire, Cross-bred, or any other breed of sheep (not specified in prize list) in any of the classes, to the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock. Silver cup, value 20/., for the best pen of pigs in any of the classes, to The Earl of Radnor, Coleshill, Highworth. EXTRA STOCK. Silver Medal, for the best Steer or Ox in extra stock, also 5/. prize, to L. Loyd, Monks' Orchard, Addingtou, Surrey. Silver Medal, for the best Heifer or Cow in extra stock, also 51. prize, to Earl Speucer, Althorp, Northamptonsliire, A Silver Medal, for the l)est Leicester Wether Sheep in extra stock, to F. Jordan, Eastbourne, Driffield, Yorkshire. A Silver Medal for the best Leicester Ewe in extra stock, to W. Brown, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire. A Silver Medal for the best Long-wooUcd Sheep (not Lei- cester) in Extra Stock, to H. Grantham, Scawby Brigg, Lincoln. A Silver Medal for the best Southdown\Wether Sheep in Extra Stock, to Right Honourbble Lord Sondes, Elm Hall, Thetford. A Silver Medal for the hest Southdown ewe in Extra Stock, to Rt. Hon. Lord Sondes, Elm HaU, Thetford. A Silver Medal for the best short-wooUed sheep (not South- down) in Extra Stock, to J. Rawlence, Bulbridge, Wilton. A Silver Medal, for the best cross-bred sheep (long and short- wooUed cross) in extra stock, to G. Hine, jun., Oakley, Bedford. A Silver Medal for the best Pig in extra stock, the Earl oi Radnor, Coleshill, Highworth. Commended, J. Kent, Goodwood ; W. H. Dunn, Inglewood, Hungerford ; and H. Green Whitcher, Ringwood, Hants. ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. The annual meeting of members took place on the Tuesday in the Show week at the Club rooms. Agricultural Hall, and was very numerously atteuded. The chair was taken at one o'clock by the President, Earl Spencer, The minutes of the last meeting having been confirmed. The Hon. Secretary (Mr. Brandreth Gibbs) read the following report of the Council : REPORT, 1865. The Council beg to lay before the General Meeting of the Club the Annual Report for the past year. The Council has held three meetings during the year, which have been well attended, especially the important one on the 1st of November last. The following subjects, in addition to the ordinary routine business, have had their careful attention. I. Tlie payment of a fee to the stewards for their attend- ance at the show, as it involves their being in London several davs ; the Council resolved that they should receive a fee of £10 each. II. The preparation of the prize sheet for the present show, and the suggestions that had been made relative to the ages of animals, the rules of competition, and new classes. A^arious prizes have been increased in amount, and the conditions of the classes adjusted so as to establish a class for Kentish and Romney Marsh sheep, and a distinct one for any other long- wooUed sheep not qualified to compete in any of the otlicr divisions specified. The Council resolved to offer a silver cup in lieu of a gold medal for the best pen of pigs. And also to give a gold medal to the breeder of the best ox or steer, and to the breeder of the best cow or heifer, in any of the classes, in lieu of the silver medals as hitherto. Also that there be three butchers' cups instead of one, viz., £20 to the largest purchaser of beast. £15 „ „ „ ,, sheep, £10 „ „ „ „ pig3. The rules of the Club respecting the fines for the non-exhibi> tion of auimals entered have been considered and amended. The Implement Committee appointed by the Council liave amended the regulation for the exhibition of implements, &c., and for the management of implement galleries during the exhibition. III. The Council deemed it their duty to take into their most serious and earnest consideration the alarming aspect of the Cattle Plague, and felt that under existing circumstances it became their duty to take uniisual and exceptional means in order to lessen, as far as lay in their power, the risk there would be of animals sent to the show becoming infected. After patient and careful consideration they came to the following resolutions :— 42 THE FARMER'S IMAGAZINE. 1st. That the date of the show he altcreJ to ^louJay lllh December (instead of Monday ith), thus briuging it a week nearer to Christmas than was originally fixed. 2nd. Tliat no beast, sheep, or pig that lias been exhibited at any show within one month previous to the Smith- field Club Show be allowed to enter the Agricultural HaU. 3rd. That each esliibitor be required to produce a certificate from a qualified veterinary surgeon, showing that each animal is free from the rinderpest, and has not been on the same farm where infected animals have been within ~1 days previously. 4th. The Cotuicil appointed a Committee to make anauge- meuts respecting disinfected conveyances, in which animals for the show may be carted from the railway termini in London, and to communicate \nth the rail- way authorities in reference to the conveyance of ani- mals on their respective lines, otli. That every animal shall undergo an inspection on its arrival at the Hall ; and that the lloyal Veterinary College be requested to make arrangements for the con- stant attendance of veterinary inspectors. Gtli. That with the concurrence of the Agricultural Hall Company, the show shall not remain open so long as usual, and that it shall close on the Thursday evening instead of the Friday. A circular was foUhwitli sent to every esbibitor, informing him of the above decisions, and the same were made public immediately through the London press and the agricultural journals. The Council have to express to the Directors of the Agricultural Hall Company their thanks for the ready and cordial manner in which they have acceded to the wishes of the Council in this matter, involving as it does the loss of jjay- ment for the admission of the public for a whole day. The Council have further to express their acknowledgment to the Governors of the Royal Veterinary College for the arrange- ments so kindly made by them to admit of the attendance' of the officers of the College on the necessaiy days. The Committee appointed in reference to the conveyance of stock decided that exhibitors be recommended to seudall ani- mals in covered carts from the respective farms on which tliey have been fed to the railways by which they are to be for- warded to London, as this precaution would materially diminish the risk of infection between the farm and the station. The Committee also strongly recommended that all animals be sent in horse-boxes on the railways. Tlie attention of the different Boards has been urgently drawn to this subject ; and, while it is to be regretted that the Directors of the principal lines have not acceded to the request made to them in respect to tlie reduced rate of charge, still it is hoped that their refusal may not have precluded exhibitors using horse-boxes. It was resolved that no animal (cattle, sheep, or pigs) be admitted into the Smithfield Show conveyed in any hired cattle carts, vans, &c., which had not been cleansed and disinfected under the superintendence of the officers appointed for that purpose by the Club. The Council have to express their tlianks to several of the proprietors of cattle conveyances and vans who have met tiie wishes of the Club in tliis respect. The names and addresses of these proprietors were duly sent to every exliibitor. IV. The Council selected the Judges for the present show, and made the necessary arrangements respecting the prize cups, on the same principle that gave satisfiiction last year, viz. : That the \dnner shaU have the option of selecting any other plate to the same value. They also prepared the House List of Members whom they recommend to succeed the eight who retire from the Council at this meeting by rotation. V. The Council having submitted the arrangements for the annual dinner of the Club to the consideration of the Stewards, it has been decided that it shall this year be held at Radley s Hotel, Bridge-street, Blackfriars, on ^Vednesday next, and a special letter has been addressed to each member of the Club and to" each exhibitor, drawing attention to the desirability of a larger attendance than there has been for the last few years. The Council have the pleasure of stating that the animals arrived at the yard in a most satisfactorj- manner. The Vete- rinary Inspectors, who were in constant attendance night and day, had not to reject a single animal, and it is most gratify- ing to find that up to this time no case of the rinderpest has shown itself. A Special Divine Service was held on Sunday evening for the herdsmen and shepherds in attendance on the animals. The Council have to return their thanks to the llev. D. Wil- son, the Vicar of Islington, for the arrangements made by him for the attendance of the Rev. J. W. Bardsley, who ofiiciated. The Honorary Secretary reports that the attendance was most satisfactory. The Council have the pleasure of laying before the meeting the annual audited balance sheet, which shows balance in hand up to the 1st of December amounting to £2,690 Is. ABSTRACT FROM DETAIL BALANCE SHEET, Dec. 1st, 1865. Db. £ 6. d. Balance iu hands of Banker, Dec. Ist, 1861 4,733 19 1 ,, ,, Hon. Secretary 14 14 2 Dividends on Cousola 113 10 7 Received Agricultural Hall Company for 1864 1,000 0 0 Life Compositions 21 0 0 Subscriptions and Donations 329 9 0 Fines for Non-Exhibition, 1864 20 10 0 Non-Members' Fees. Live Stock 143 17 0 Rent of Implement Stands 1,034 9 6 £7,411 9 4 Ch. £ s. d. Prizes, 1864 1,959 0 0 Cups and Medals 269 2 0 Judges and Inspectors 88 8 0 LifeCompositiou, invested in Consols ....*. 52 10 0 Sm-plus Accumulation 2,000 0 0 Advertising. Printing, Ass. -Secretary, and BUls.... 284 1 5 Postage 31 5 9 EstraClerks 30 13 8 Entry Fees returned 6 7 6 Balance in hands of Banker, Dec. 1st, 1865 2,674 8 8 „ „ Hon. Secretarj- 15 12 4 £7,411 9 4 In conclusion the CouucLl lament the calamity that has fiiUen on this country through the ravagesof the Cattle Plague, and they hope that the members of the Club and exhibitors will rest satisfied that the unusual course which they felt com- pelled to adopt was rendered absolutely necessary to protect the interests of the exhibitors themselves and the public at large. The Council therefore v.ith confidence appeal to this meet- ing to approve the course they have pursued. By order of the Council, Signed, B. T. BraxdkeTH Gibbs, Hon. Secretary. On the motion of Mr. Torr, seconded by 3Ir. Twitchell, the report was received and adopted. JMr. TOKR said he had an agreealile duty (o perform, uasnely that of proposing that Major-Geueral the Hon. A. N. Hood should be the President for 18G7 (cheers). He had often observed the great ability and vigilance with which that gen- tleman had performed every duty which he undertook in con- nection with the agricultural interest. ZS^ot only in Hanover Square, where he (Mr. Torr) had for many years had the honour and the pleasure of acting with him on the Finance Committee, of which he was a most usefid member, but in that Club also he had ever shown liimself ready to sacrifice his private engagements when he was called to other duties. He thought the Society woidd do well to elect Major-Gencral Hood, not merely on account of his habits as a man of business and his position in society, but also on account of the interest which he had shown in that Club by exhibiting on many occa- sions, and, he was happy to add, often successfully. What he proposed was, in his opinion, a compliment that was well deserved, and he had no doubt it woidd be wcU received (cheers). The motion, after being seconded by Mr. Robert Leeds, was carried unanimously. Major-General HooD said he was not aware until he came into that i-oom that his friend Mr. Torr was going to propose him as the President for 1867. AU he could say was that he had taken deep interest iu tlie welfare and prosperity of the Smithfield Club, and that he felt very great pleasure in accept- ing the office of President (cheers). THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 43 ^ Ou the luoiiou of Mr. Be.isley, secouded by Mr. Stowc, the Vice-Presideuts were re-elected. Lord Feversham retiirued thanks on behalf of himself and _the otlier Vice-Presideuts. On tlie motion of Lord "Walsingham, seconded by Lord Tredegar, tlie Trustees were re-elected. Ou the motion of Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. John EUraan, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs was re-elected lion. Secretary. Mr. I3ii.vxDiiETU Gibbs, iu returning thanks, said it would always give liim great pleasure to alford his best services to that club (cheers). Tlie meeting then proceeded to the election of eight mem- bers of council in place of the following ; Mr. Pichard Gar- rett, Mr. E. W. Moore, Mr. Edward Pope, Mr. Wni. Sanday, Mr. Cliarles Stokes, Mr. Henry Tlmrnall, 3Ir. Jas. S. Turner, Mr. Owen Wallis. The scrutineers having completed their examination of the voting papers, The Cu.viioiAN anuomiced that the following gentlemen had been elected : — Mr. Joseph Druce, Eynsliam, Oxford ; Mr. Thomas Duck- hara, Baysham Court, Ross, Hereford ; Mr. W. Fisher Hobbs, Bosted Lodge, Colchester ; Mr. Pichard Milward, Thurgarton Priory, Southwell, Notts. ; Mr. William Rigden, Hove, Brighton ; Mr. Richard Stratton, Walls Court, Stapletou, Bristol ; Jlr. William Torr, Aylesby Manor, Grimsby ; Mr. Thomas Twitchell, Willington, Bedford. Mr. Beasley then rose, in pursuance of notice, to move the following resolution : " That the stewards of live stock and implements, not already members of council, be so e.t- officio during their term of stewardsliips." He said he did not think it necessary to occupy the time of tlie meeting with any remarks in moving that resolution. It appeared to liim that it was so convenient, if not necessary, that the stewards should be present at the meetings of the council, that the meeting cotdd not but endorse his proposal with a unanimous vote. Mr. DircKUAJi seconded the motion. A discussion ensued as to the cft'ect of passing such a reso- lution, in the course of which tlie CiiAiRii.vry remarked that the stewards were elected iu Marcli ; and under tlie resolution proposed, the stewards elected iu March would be ex officio members of the council until the following March. The resolution was then carried unanimously. The hon. Secretary then read the balance-sheet. The ordinary business having concluded with the election of some new members, Lord W-VLSIXGHAM said : My Lord, I beg now to make a few observations on a very important subject. I think it is our duty, as representing a large agricultural body and a body largely connected witli the cattle trade, to take some action with respect to that most formidable calamity the cattle plague (Hear, bear.) I cannot help feeling that it is a most favourable op])ortunity to do so when we have iu the chair your Lordship, who was a member of the Royal Commission, and who have taken so much interest in the subject and per- formed your duty so well and ably in relation to it (cheers.) Having always held, and stUl holding very strongly, that it is the duty of the Government to take upon itself the repousi- bility of making such regulations as are necessary for tlie cheeking, and if possible the extinction, of this terrible visita- tion, I shall move a resolution to that effect. I do not pre- tend to know anything about the feeliug of the Government on this subject ; but, having gone up recently Mith a deputa- tion from the Royal Agricultural Society, I may state that my impression is that they are at present not much disposed to take upon themselves that responsibility, but are anxious to leave the matter in the hands of the local authorities, so that they may be strengthened by the opinions of persons in the country, rather than to assume the responsibility themselves. In the case of the metropolitan district the Government have not hesitated to issue orders and regulations which are binding upon those who carry on the cattle tralTic. Why should they be unwilling to take the same course in regard to the country ? (Hear, hear.) They refer us to the last Orders in CouncU. is^o doubt those orders give to the local authorities, to the mayors and corporations of towns and the magistrates of country districts, very large powers. But look at the position in which we are placed. There exists great difference of opinion. In one district the trade may be stopped ; iu another, though it lies perhaps at our own door, there being only a hedge betAveen one hundred and another, the trade may stiU be carried ou, and animals passing along the road may carry disease into every part of the country. No, the Government say, that cannot be tlie case, because if your neighbour neg- lects to do what is right and proper you may apply to the Privy Council, and they will act as judges, they will enforce the law. Why does nut the Government at once say, We will consider what regulations arc necessary : we wiU issue the orders, and only leave it to the local authorities to carry them out? (Hear, hear.) See in what an extraordinary position we are placed if, as I am told is the case, some of the markets which have been stopped in the large towns are about to be reopened ! We have the power under those Orders in Council first of all to stop the transit of cattle into those hundreds through our markets and afternards to stop tlie.m from coming out. But what a singular position that is to be placed in ! We may draw a cordon round a large market-town which docs not choose to stop its own market; but unless the local autho- rities in the country are disposed to act on the same principle, it is a very difficult thing indeed to place the matter in a pro- per position. I think, therefore, it is our duty to call, and to call strongly, upon the Government to exercise that power which they ought to exercise in putting a stop to this for- midable evil, even if they do go beyond their action in such matters under ordinary circumstances (Hear, hear). This is an exti-aordinary occasion, and I think we cannot do better than pass the resolutioii which I am about to move. If any member of the club should think it desirable for us to place before the Government, as a matter of opinion from ourselves, the regulations which we consider that they ought to issue, perhaps the best course will be, for any one who holds that opinion, to move that a committee be appointed to consider those regulations. All I propose is, that this Club should express the opinion that the Government ought to act iu the matter. The words of my resolution are as follows : — " That it is the opinion of the General Meeting of the Smithfield Club, held this IJJth day of Decemlier, 18G5, that it is the duty of the Govermnent, under the formidable visita- tion witli which this country has been afflicted, to issue such orders for the regulation of the cattle trade of Great Britain as may be necessary to check the extension of the cattle plague, and that the practice maybe uniform throughout the country." Lord Bekxei?s, in seconding the resolution, said : I beg that it may be distinctly understood by every member of this Club that this question is not and cannot be converted into a party question in any way whatever (Hear, hear), It is a great national question ; and I feel it to be our bonnden duty, as members of this societj-, to press upon the Government the resolution which has been proposed. I entirely and cordially concur in every word that has just been said on this subject, and therefore I wiU content myself with seconding the resolu- tion. Mr. GiBLETT said the Government had, to a certain extent, issued orders applying beyond the metropohtan district. There was an Order in Council directing that every ox brought into the Metropolitan Market should be killed within forty-eight honrs after it left the market. That Order in Council reduced the price of the large oxen in the market on the previous day £5 per head (Oh, oh). He had no hesitation iu making that statement. He knew the most important buyers ; aud he knew that many of them were deterred from becoming cus- tomers by this new regulation. The Government really had taken some positive action, not only as regarded the metro- politan district generally, but as regarded the compulsory killing of animals within forty-eight hours. It might be thought by some gentlemen that his connection with the cattle trade had led him to make these remarks, and that he was, in fact, advocating his own interest ; but he wouhl put that view of the case aside. He had another duty- to perform towards those gentlemen who had entrusted him with a large quantity of valuable cattle for a great many years. He was in constant communication with many piactical farmers ; and he fourul that almost all of them took great exceptions to the recom- mendations that were lately made to the Government about the moving of cattle, as striking at the root of their interest. He questioned whether those who made such recommenda- tions really understood what would be the effect of stopping the movement of cattle throughout the country. It would be infinitely beyond what any person coidd conceive, except those 44 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. who had been for many years ot their the practical working of the cattle trade. It was all very well for gentlemen in certain districts to say that there was no cattle trade that could he affected at this time of the year ; but how did that apply to the cases of such men as Mr. M'Combie, who had three hundred oxen worth £35 a-piece ? If that gentleman were obliged to have his cattle killed on Ills own farm, he would lose £15 per head on his large prize animals. It was his (Mr. Giblett's) firm conviction that if the moving of English cattle were stopped, and all cattle from abroad were killed on landing, the effect would be fearful. Mr. J. HovvARB (Beds) remarked that it appeared the ephemeral result of any measure that might he adopted by the Government was not a question that should have much weight with the members of the Club. Tlie question shaped itself, to his mind, in this way : Had the Government adopted suffi- ciently rigorous measures, or not ? and next, supposing the Club to be of opinion that they had not taken the best steps to stav this frightful scourge, what measures ought they to adopt? His idea was that the Government had been deterred from taking more vigorous measures than they had done by the belief that they would not l)e backed up l)y public opinion. Gentlemen must remember that they were living under a con- stitutional form of government, and that, if despotic measures were recommended, they could not be enforced in this coun- try (Hear, hear). During tlie last month, however, he had observed a very great change in popular feeling on this sub- ject. Having in that period travelled a good deal, and mixed .with a large number of farmers and other persons interested in agriculture, he had arrived at the conclusion that a much more serious view of the cattle plague now prevailed not only among farmers, but the great consuming public, and that they were quite ready to faU in with measures more rigorous than any that had yet been applied (Hear, hear). With regard to local authorities, he was persuaded that it was useless to leave the matter in their hands. For example, last Saturday he visited Colchester, where, although tlie pest had lieen raging in Essex almost as much as in any county in England, to his great surprise, he found that the cattle market had lieen re- opened, and that they were selling store stock there ; and for ten miles around the town, he saw cattle being driven in all directions. The fact was that the mayors of boroughs were, some of them, timid men (a laugh) ; and the county ma- gistrates could do nothing effective until those of one division had consulted those of another division (Hear, hear). The result was that, by the time they had consulted together, fresh Orders in Council were issued ; and so nothing whatever was done. That, at aU events, had been the case in his own neigh- bourhood ; and he thought, therefore, that whatever Orders in Council were issued, they should be of a compulsory and not of a merely permissive character (cheers) . He repeated that the Government evidently required liacking up in the measures they adopted; and if a deputation from this Club were to wait upon them, it would be a very de- sirable and useful step to take, especially if the noble earl in the chair would introduce the deputation (Hear, liear). Mr. MooKE (Wilts) wished to convey to the meeting what he believed to be the feehng of the local associations on this important subject; and, speaking of his own neighbourhood (Wallingford), he begged to state that there it was something very like the opinion just expressed by Mr. Howard. More- over, he believed it was fast becoming the general opinion of the country that one decided and uniform course of action should at once be adopted by the Government. The evil was serious and extensive, and he knew of cases that had occurred in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire where the disease had l)een introduced simply from one infected animal being sent into the district, and the most deplorable consequences had fol- lowed. The popular feeling had now grown so strong tliat nearly all parties, as well owners of stock as consumers of meat, were impressed with the necessity of more vigorous measures being taken by the government at once. It had been forcibly argued by gentlemen in his neighbourhood that the present and "on to the end of next Eebruary was the best time of the year for Government to act, and that if rigorous measures were enforced, in all probability the disease would be stamped out to a great extent, and the public mind relieved from the anxiety which was now daily increasing throughout the country. Mr. Owen Wallis (Northamptoushire), as representing a connected witli 1 rather influential local association for insuring cattle, could contirni everything that had fallen from Mr. Moore, for the feehng prevalent "in that gentleman's neighbourhood was the same as that ,which was predominant in his. i He had had frequent conversations with great numbers of owners and occupiers of land and large stockmasters, and throughout he found but^one feeling entertained with respect to this disease, which was, that they ought to submit to any amount of personal inconvenience and temporary loss rather than to permit it to go on as at present. He was aware that there were thousands'of men in this country to whom the loss of their herd would be all but bankruptcy ; yet there was not a man who was so circumstanced that he could say that on that day month he would have a single head of cattle alive on his farm. (Hear, hear.) Erom all he had heard and seen he was certain tliat that was not an exaggerated view of the case. (Hear, hear.) In this state of things he contended that no action that Government could take could be too prompt or stringent. It was generally considered that the executive, instead of being in advance, had been greatly behind the disease. ^Wlien their orders came out it was only after long delay ; and, when they did appear, they were permissive instead of compulsory, and in many instances were all but nugatory. (Hear, hear.) It was well knovrn that in conse- quence of the Smithtield market being kept open the disease had extended to other districts and inflicted enormous loss. At Bristol, too, the case was similar. Action had not been uniform and simultaneous, and the measures adopted had therefore been without the effect expected from them. Mr. TiiURNALL (Cambridgeshire) suggested the expediency of nominating a committee to frame a series of resolutions and lay them before the Privy Council, as it would be hardly fair to the Government to place before them a general abstract resolution without the details of the measures which the mem- bers of the club recommended to their attention. He himself was a member of the Cattle Insurance Association of Cam- bridge, and last Saturday they held a large meeting, at which Lord George Manners was in the chair, and they passed a resolution in favour of memorializing the Home Secretary, and calling upon the Government to stop the traffic in cattle entirely. Tiiat resolution, he admitted, was not agreed to unanimously, but it was carried by a large majority. The weight of opinion then expressed was tliat the only means of grappling with the evil was to suspend altogether the traffic in living cattle. (Hear, hear). Of course everybody knew that that would be productive of great evils and inconvenience — no one could shut his eyes to that fact ; but, unfortunately, it was a choice between two evils ; and the question was, should they grapple vi'ith the subject now, or wait to do so until some future day when their herds were completely deci- mated? (Hear, hear). On coming up from the Hitchin station that morning, he was astonished to see a large number of cattle in a train from the direction of London. Many of these, he ascertained, were on their way to Hitcliin market, which, it appeared, the magistrates had allowed to be re-opened that day, and he was informed that 350 head of cattle had gone down by the train. He felt confident that that must be pro- ductive of the greatest possible mischief, and he hoped the meeting would, liefore they separated, appoint a committee to draw up a memorial to be presented to the Home Secretary on the subject. Mr. W. Heath (Norfolk) believed that if the cattle trade were stopped the remedy would be worse than the disease. For the fat cattle trade tlie present was just the proper season, and, if the traffic were stopped, what, he should like to know, were they to do with their fat cattle ? In London people must have meat for their dinners: they would never content themselves with sitting down and dining olF bread-and- cheese (Hear, hear, and a laugh). He did not dispute that it might be advisable to stop tlie trade in store cattle ; and he could not see why the cattle-dealer should not take out a licence in the same manner as the horse-dealer, for he was convinced that the small cattle- dealer had done more mischief than any other class of men (laughter). Another point upon which he jield a decided opinion was that, when the Government inspectors took cattle out of the stalls and ordered them to be slaughtered, compensa- tion for the loss ouglit to be made (Hear, hear). The Chairman thought it most fortunate that so large and influential a body as the Smithfield Club should pronounce an opinion upon a question so momentous and even vital to THE FARMER'S MAGAZmE. 45 agriculturisls, and not only (o them 1)ut the wliole meat cou- suming coumiuuity of the country. There was no body of men, indeed, except the lloyal Agricultural Society of England, which was so fit to i'orni an opinion on the subject ; and therefore he thought it would bo most useful to adopt the resolution proposed by Lord Walsinghani, and Ijasc some re- commendation to the Government upon it. The resolution merely went to press upon the Government the necessity of uniform action, without going into detail as to wluit that action should be. lie should conflue his remarks, therefore, at present to the cpiestion of uniform action. That cpiestion was one which he had always considered to be of the utmost importance, for it was absolutely necessary that any measures to be eiicctual should be uniform, and enforced throughout. During the outbreak in the last century, it was found that where the local authorities acted with rigour there tjie disease was stamped out, and that where they did not it continued to rage for a long time. If the matter were left entirely in the hands of the local authorities, they would be acting with rigour, perhaps with extreme rigour in one county, whilst in the next county they would act with moderate rigour, and in a third it might be with no rigour at all. Conseijuently, if there were districts where uo action was taken, those districts would, of course, be opeu to the disease ; and it was most probable that if one market were kept open, whilst others were closed, that market would be the means of communicating the disease to places where it had not been known before (Hear, hear) . The effect of closing markets in one case and open- ing them in another would be this, that the people whose interest it was to make away with diseased animals, or such as had been in contact with diseased ani- mals, would at once send them to the markets that were open (Hear, hear) . In that \vay the disease would be kept up, or spread from districts where it was now confined to entirely new ones. Hence, then, the necessity for uniformity of action being adopted (Hear, hear). In justice to the trade of the country, also, it ought to ^he adopted — in justice, moreover, to the farmers, the salesmen, and the butchers. Tlie existing arrange- ments operated in an unfair manner. One farmer lived, perhaps, under a totally different law from that under which another was placed. The trade was taken away from the salesmen and butchers in another town where no restrictions were placed on the market, and that was an injustice to salesmen and butchers which ought to be remedied. In reference to the question of uniformity of action, he should prefer seeing a moderate mea- sure carried rigorously into effect throughout the country, to a very stringent measure enforced in one district and not applied to another (Hear, hear) . But in considering this point, he must allude for a moment to the subject of the royal commis- sion of which he had the honour to be a member. That com- mission gave their anxious and serious attention to this difficult matter. They felt that a very heavy responsibility was placed upon them, and there was not a single member of the commit- tee but took the utmost possible pains to arrive at fair, just, and honest conclusions. Sorry was he to say, however, that, when they came to discuss the measures they should recom- mend the Government to take, there was a difierence of opinion as to what recommendations were practicable and what were impracticable. He was now alluding to the two first reports, and not so much to the third report ; for the gentleman who made that would, he believed, have dissented from his fellow- commissioners in any case (laughter) . The difference between the majority of the commissioners and the other five, of whom he (Earl Spencer) was one, really amounted to this — the prac- ticability or impracticability of certain recommendations. The minority, with whom lie had acted, considered that a total stoppage of the movement of cattle could not be enforced throughout the country. True, they believed that it was the only eft'cctual mode of arresting and stamping out the disease ; but they did not think that the Government would consent to the adoption of such an extreme measure. There were very many localities which the disease had not reached, and which therefore would not submit to the same stringent regulations as if they had suffered severely. Therefore it was thought that such an arrangement as the total stoppage of the cattle trade as a remedy for the disease could not be uniformly carried into effect throughout the country. Perhaps, however, the day might arrive when the customs would be changed, and instead of sending the ox to the butcher, the butcher would be sent to the OS (Hear, hear), Accordiugly, .in altevnatiye proposition was recommended which, it wasconsidcred, might be uniformly adopted. But unfortunately the Government had not accepted it, but had left it to the local authorities, and he feared that the manner in which tjic regulation worked was not satisfactory (Hear, hear) . Inhere was a ditference of opinion as to the mode in which the order should be carried out, and as to the period when it should come into operation, and that was a great and serious defect. Mr. Giblett would lead them to believe that the Government orders went beyond the metropolitan limits ; but if uniform action were adopted, the same rule should be applied to the Metropolitan Market as to the other districts. That would be much fairer to the butcher, and would really Mork better for the prevention of the plague (Hear, hear). Let them look for a moment at what had happened in the Metropolitan Market since the stringent order was passed prior to tlie last Order in Council. Almost all the towns in the country put a stop to their markets. The Metropolitun Market, oil the contrary, was kept open for fat stock. The result was that the butchers who required large supplies of meat in the country were obliged to come long distances to London for their beasts. The trade was, in fact, taken out of the local towns, and transferred to London. That was clearly an injustice (Hear). It also caused the animals to travel much longer journeys ; and live animals affected with the disease were taken down from the Metropolitan Market, and affected those in the country. Several instances of this sort had been com- municated to him. For example, at Oxford, the disease was introduced by a butcher who came to London, bought some animals in the jMetropolitan Market, took them home, and put them in some pasture ; and these animals had extended the disease to the whole neighbourhood. Upon the whole, he thought that the system of keeping open the market in Lou- don, whilst the local markets were closed, had tended to spread the disease more than if there were a uniform action througli- oirt the country, the markets for store cattle universally closed, but tlie fat stock markets universally kept open (Hear, hear). As Hitchin market had been referred to, he might state that he had heard the case mentioned of a butcher from Hertford, who complained that the Ilitchiu market had been opened, whilst the Hertford market was shut (Hear, hear) ; and he (Earl Spencer) had no doubt that it would turn out that the Hitchin market would now be made the centre for all the ani- mals that the farmers wished to get rid of (Hear, hear). Re- verting to the motion of Lord Walsiugham, of which he ex- pressed approval, the noble Earl concluded, by suggesting that if it were agreed to, a committee might be appointed to consi- der and report what recommendations should be made to the Government on the subject, in which case they would be fol lowing the example of the Royal Agricidtural Society of Eng- land. If, moreover, they could act in concert with that So- ciety, it would be most desirable, for the more unanimity was shown the better it would be for the agricidtural interest and the community at large (cheers). Mr. TOKR, as a member of the Council of the Royal Agri- cultural Society, agreed with Earl Spencer that it was advisable for the Smithfield Club to act in concert with that Society. It was not necessary, however, to adopt the same resolutions ; and instead of appointing a committee he would suggest that the matter should be referred to the Council ; that copies of the memorial presented to the Government by the Royal Agri- cultural Society should be circulated among the members of the Smithfield Club ; and that this meeting should adjourn till the next day to receive a report from the Council and appoint a deputation to go to Downing-street. That would be taking the prominent position which the Club was entitled to assume, and the Government could not but recognize that there was some truth in tlie representations of the two Societies (Hear, hear). Uniformity of action was what was most required (Hear) ; for nothing could be worse than to have markets open in one place and shut in another (Hear, hear) . He was surprised at hearing the observ.ations which had fallen from Mr. Giblett, who seemed to treat the whole question from a self-interested point of view (Oh ! oh !). Lord Eeversham concurred so far with Mr. Torr as to think that this general meeting of the Club was quite com- petent to deal with the subject without referring it to a com- mittee ; but it occurred to liim that they should adopt in prin- ciple the resolutions that were laid before Earl Granville and Sir George Grey by the Royal Agricultural Society last week. It would be enough to s.iy tiiat this meeting concurred in the. 46 THE FAEMEE'S ]!»IAGAZINE. principle ancltlie substance of these resolutious, and was unaui- mous iu its hope and desire that the Government would imme- diately adopt a uniformity of action >rith reference to any regulations or ndes they might lay domi -nith regard to the cattle disease. Such a resolution as that might at once emanate from the meeting without going into details. He was sorrv to sav that the Government showed no disposition to adopt the spirit of the resolutious of the Eoyal Agricultural Societv- ; but if the meeting adopted such a motion as he now suo-o-ested — expressing concui-rence iu the memorial presented to "the PrivA- Council last week, and urging upon them tlie absolute necessity, he might almost say, hut certainly the para- mount importance aud decidedly good policy of taking imme- diate measures for adopting uniformity of action throughout the country, it could not but carry great weight with it, aud perhaps accomplish the object. Mr. TnuE>'.u.L would be happy to second such a motion as that, and not persist with Ms iatentiou to move the appoint- ment of a committee. The resolution proposed by Lord TYalsingliam having been put from the chair was agreed to unanimously. The Chaiuhax read the resolutions of the Royal Agi-icul- tiu-al Society embodied in their memorial to the Govern- ment. Mr. GiBLETT hoped the Club would hesitate before they gave their assent to any such extraordinary and arbitrary regu- lations as were here recommended. Several gentlemen con- nected with the Royal Agricultural Society had, since these recommendations were published, come to him and said : " Surely, these are not a true expression of the opinions en- tertained on this subject by the tliousands of persons who are members of the Societj-. They can only be the opinions of the Council. Such stringent measures would be absolutely ruinous iu their effects" ("Hear, hear," aud cries of " Ko"). The object of the Club was to provide the largest quantity of good meat, and that pointed to the interest of the public. It was easy to talk about slaughtering all the cattle that came from abroad. But how would that operate upon the general interest ? TAliy, the day before, he received nearly 200 French oxon, several of wliich were worth £40 a-piece. If he were influenced, as 3Ir. Torr had remarked, by his own personal interest alone, he should go away for the next three moutlis, and consider it a blessing not to see another ox in the interval (laughter). But having received extensive instructions, he felt bound to state the opinions of gentlemen who, being absent, could not be heard on the subject. Wliat would be the consequence of killing 5,000 foreign oxen a-week upon the supply of meat to the metropolis and the country ? He ventured to assert that not one ox out of the thousand a day imported during the last four months had been affected with the cattle disease. Why, then, should the consumer be de- prived of this amount of meat, and such great injurj^ be in- ilicted upon the commercial community by the adoption of a measure like that ? It was the opinion of nine out of every ten practical farmers whom he met, that to stop indiscrimin- ately the movement of cattle would be ruinous to the far- mers themselves, and most injurious to the great body of the public. Mr. Be.S-SLEY observed that, if Mr. Thurnall withdrew his amendment, he himself should propose the appointment of a committee of seven to draw up what they might consider the best regulations to be submitted to tlie Government for the conduct of the cattle markets throughout the kingdom. Mr. Crosskill said that the feeling was universal that the matter ought to be pressed earnestly on the attention of the Government. What the Government wanted was to have more force applied to them, and to be made to understand that public opinion would justify' them in takiug more rigorous measures. With this object in \-iew the appoijitmeut of a deputation would be the most effectual means. Instead of concurring in tlie resolution of the Royal Agricultural Society lie should move as an amendment : " That this meeting, feel- ing the national importance of eradicatmg the cattle plague as soon as possible, is of opinion that more vigorous measures should be adopted by the Government with a view to its ex- tinction, and that the Council of the Smithfield Club should at once frame a list of recommendations which it is necessary should be issued by the Privj- Council." Lord pEViRSHiLU urged that the more unanimity was ex- hibited between the Smithfield Club and the Royal Agricul- tural Society, the better was their chance of succeeding iu their exertions. Mr. TwiTCHELL, in seconding the amendment, thought an independent course was preferable, whilst he concurred Lii the main Ln the views of the Royal Agricultural Society. After some furtlier conversation, in which Mr. J . Howard, the Chairman, Mr. Torr, and Mr. Stenning took part, the amendment of Mr. Crosskill was put to a show of hands and lost by a large majority ; and the original motion proposed by Lord reversham was agreed to imanimously in the following terms : " That this meeting concurs in the spirit of the recom- mendations made to the Pri\T Council by the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England in reference to the cattle plague, and begs to press on the Government the extreme importance and urgency of their taking imme- diate steps to ensure uniformity of action throughout the country. " Earl Spencer was'requested [to transmit the resolutions to the Government, and a vote of thanks to liis Lordship ter- minated the proceedings. THE SMITHFIELD CLUB DINNEE. Tlie annual dinner of the Smitlifield Club took place on the Wednesday evening at Radley's Hotel, and was attended by about 70 gentlemen. The chair was taken by the President, Earl Spencer, K.G., who was supported by his Grace the Duke of Richmond, president-elect for 1866, Lord Eeversham, Lord Walsingham, Sir Walter Stirling, Mr. Clare SeweU Read, M.P., and Sir J. H. Maxwell. After the health of " The Queen" aud of " Tlie Prince and Princess of Wales" had been proposed aud duly honoured, the Chairman gave "The Navy, Army, and Volimteers," and Sir J. H. Maxwell acknowledged the toast on behalf of the na^y, and Captain F. Page on behalf of the army and volmiteers. The Noble Chairman then rose to propose the toast of the evening, " Success to the Smithiield Club" (cheers). He said: The Smithfield Club, I am glad to say, is prospering greatly even iu this year, when it was expected there would be a difli- culty in getting animals to show. So far from this being the case, the entries have only fallen short by the difference be- tween 223 this year and 260 last year, being also only one less than in 1863, and 28 more than in 1862 (cheers). I am justified, therefore, iu saying that the condition of the Smithfield Club is a very prosperous one (cheers). It is always well occasionally to see in every Society whether it is carrying out the objects for which it was started ; and I ask, what are the objects of tliis'Club? The cliief object of its projectors was, I believe, to improve the breed of cattle. The fat animals that we see in the show-yard are the types of the races or breeds from which they come. I do not suppose that animals so fat are good in themselves ; but to get any animal in that condition you must, as an indispensable prelimiuary, get one of the best breeds. You cannot get a good show beast from a bad breed (cheers). The great point to be aimed at is to produce as early as pos- sible the greatest possible quantity of good meat on one animal, aud to that end there must be breed and the symmetry which breed confers. If we look back at the breed upon which the gold medal for the best animal of all classes has been conferred, we shall find breeds now gaining that distinction which for- merly never took prizes at aU. In former years the first prizes in the steer and cow clxisses were always won by shorthorns, except occasionally when a Devon or Hereford would creep in, and once it happened that a cross breed had the gold medal ; but this year, for the first time in the annals of the Club, a long-horned Scotch beast has obtained that medal (cheers). Tills shows that through the operations of the Club the differ- ent breeders have received a stimulus which has made them try to get the best butcher's-meat that they can. We all have our fancies, but in the interests of the Club we ought to congratulate ourselves that this gold medal has now gone to a breed which never before attained it (cheers). At this time there is a great necessity for agri- culturists to improve their breeds of cattle. The consumption of meat in this country has for some years been increasing to au enormous extent ; and what has been the result P People who before hardly ate fresh meat once a jear baye it now THE FiVEMEE'S MAGAZINE. 47 almost daily; audto supply their wants there has heen a vast importation of foreit^u stock. I do not think the people of this country are generally aware how great tliis importation is. In the year ISQ2 there were imported into the United Kingdom 97,887 head of neat cattle and 299,472 sheep. Two years later, in 1SG4, the importation of neat cattle had in- creased to 231,733, and that of sheep to 490,21-3 ; and in this year the returns will come out still larger. It is ditiicult to compare the mimhers of English stock sent to market \\i\h foreign stock ; for at this moment there are uo reliahle returns in existence. It is computed, liowevcr, that there are in the United Kingdom 7,000,U00 of cattle. That is a mere guess. The farmer is left entirely in the dark with regard to the niunber of cattle in the country ; and I think it is really a matter of great importance that there should )je some reliahle statistics obtained as to the real number of the stock in the United Kingdom (Hear, liear). I find that in 1802 the Eng- lish cattle sent into the Metropolitan Markets were 249,051, and foreign 51,4GG. In 1804 the English had fallen oil' to 230,394, and the foreign increased to 119,174. From these figures we might conclude that the animals bred in England fit to go to market had fallen off to that extent ; but I doubt it very much. I believe that wliat has happened is tliis : In consequence of local competition throughout the kingdom, animals formerly sent to London have been sold at home. I have no evidence that this is so ; but I am trying to account for what otherwise is a most unaccountable circiuustauce (Hear). What, then, the English farmer ought to do is, more and more to improve the breeds of cattle. He can- not put an end to foreign importation ; he ouglit not even to \risli to check it ; but he can compete most successfully, with our improved breeds, against all foreigners (cheers). Tliere is no country in Europe that can produce such meat as England does. Mr. Giblett was talking of foreign beasts wliich fetched £40 a-piece ; and I know Hungary produces good stock ; but there are really uo anunals so good for meat as the English. Breedeis, however, ought to study to preserve tliat power of successful competition by improving the breeds of cattle as much as possible (cheers) . There is no doubt, too, tliat the cattle disease lias most seriously affected the in- terests, not only of the agriculturists, but all classes in the kingdom, who wUl feel most severely the pressure which will have to be put upon them if the plague be not stayed. I was choseu as one of the commission which sat to inquire into the nature of the cattle plague (cheers). That commission first sat at the beginning of October, and commenced its investi- gations without delay. AVe examined into the earliest cases, and had the evidence of tliose who first brought the subject under the notice of the Government. 'We very soon came to the conclusion that we ought to recommend the Government to take measures to check, if possible, the spread of this disease in the country. We came to tlie conclusion that, in its nature, it was most virulent and contagious, and that sani- tary police measures ought to l)e adopted to prevent its further spread. We had abundant evidence on the subject. AVewere told that it was clearly identical with tlie disease which had ravaged other countries, and we had therefore tlie practice of several foreign nations to guide ns. But we had to remember that this country was a very different one from tliose of the Continent ; and we therefore did not adopt tlie details of foreign expedients, but recommended some modified measures to the consideration of our Government. Our first report was a preliminary one, and it referred almost solely to mea- sures of sanitary police. We had to consider the different theories which were urged upon us as to the introduction of the disease into this country, and its origin. We found that there were two classes of people, of whom one said that it was purely contagious, and introduced wliolly from abroad ; while the other said it was produced by atmospheric con- ditions, and broke out spontaueously in this country. I need not tell you how difficult a question it was (Hear, hear). We had no positive proof that it was brought over in any ship, or, on the other hand, that it broke out spon- taneously in any part of this country. As to liow it came or how it originated, therefore, I say nothing ; but, speaking in- dividually as to the spread of the disease in England, it is my opinion that it was first found in the Metropolitan Market, and that, wherever it has been found in the country since, it has been carried thitlier by beasts from the Metropolitan Market or in immediate commuuicatiou with it, I can, of course, give only negative evidence. It is a remarkable fact, that where it is found in Scotland it is directly traceable to tlie Metropoli- tan Market; and the same may he said as to Norfolk and else- where. Wherever tliere have been the means to do it, and a strict cordon could be maintained to prevent importations, those districts Iiavc been kept free. I adduce, for example, the cases of Iieland and the Scotch Highlands. In those cases and all similar ones the cattle have escaped. In France the same thing has happened. The disease has broken out once or twice, ))ut a strict isolation lias been maintained, and it has not spread. There is a case in point just now in Paris. The disease was taken there by some gazelles bought in London, and sold to tlie Paris Zoological Gardens; but immediate and vigorous steps v/ere taken,, and I beUcve it has not gone any further (cheers). So far I have been speaking of contagion by contact ; but candour compels me to go further, and say that when once tlie disease is introduced into a district it is impos- sible to trace its spread in every case to actual contact (Hear, hear) . I believe it never breaks out spontaneously ; but when it is once establislied its spread seems to be due to atmospheric causes. I know tliat in admitting that I lay myself open to the question — Why, then, do you propose measures of restriction ? That may lie a very proper objection ; but what we want to do is to localise the disease as much as possible. If we have a runaway horse we can do nothing with him ; but when we get him to moderate his speed we are again able to manage liim, and, perhaps, prevent him from starting again. Arid so if we can but once localise tliis disease, we may be able to do some- thing with it — we get a breathing time to seek for a cure, or perhaps find the means of stamping it out altogether ; but so long as it is raging through the country at such a terrific rate, we shall not be able to stop it (cheers). I have spoken of the recommendation of the commissioners as not being uuanimous; but the eleven conunissioners who made the first two reports were imanimous except as to the practicability of some of the propo- sals. AYitli regard to aU the other points they were quite unani- mous ; but they did not all think that such a measure as a total stoppage of all movement of cattle was practicable in this country. At first there was a disposition to tlunk that tlie commissioners took too serious a view of the matter, but since then most people have come round to our conclusions. (Clieers.) Tlie disease increased rapidly from the 14th of October to the 2nd of December, and the number of places at wliich cattle had been attacked advanced during those three weeks from 3,398 to 5,118. That really shows a terrible state of things. By this time no fewer than 30,000 cattle have perislied by the plague. (Hear, hear.) AltliOugli there has been much discussion everywhere, all the views of the commissioners have heen confirmed, and they do not wish to alter the recommendations they offered to the Government one tittle. (Cheers.) There is one other point I should like to allude to, and that is the treatment of the disease. (Hear, hear.) 3Iucli wonder has been expressed that the commis- sioners have not recommended some system of treatment ; but the truth is, they came to the conclusion th.at they ought not to recommend any treatment unless they knew it was really good. We should have been mere quacks to recommend this or that, unless we knew it was reaUy good. (Hear, hear.) But we asked our medical colleagues to look into the subject, and they are now doing so. Various eminent scientific men have taken different branches to investigate. They will shortly report the results to the commissioners, and I trust v\e shall soon be able to make some useful recommendations as to treat- ment. Indeed, I believe tliis will eventually prove to be the most useful result of our labours. There are already dis- coveries made wliicli wiU throw considerable hght upon the pathology of the disease, and which may possibly lead to the discovery of a cure. (Cheers.) And I must mention, as a proof that we are earnest in our endeavours to find out the best mode of treatment, that experiments are now proceeding as to the suggested homccopathic treatment. (Hear, hear.) I am not a homa'opathist myself; but every proposition offering a fair chance of success ought to be tested. The experiments now going on in Norfolk are under the inspection of a skilful veterinary surgeon, and I shall be glad if tliey can make a satisfactory report. I am in favour of lioma?opathy, or any other " pathy" which will give us a cure for the disease. (Loud cheers.) Tlie commercial aspect of the question is somewhat remarkable. I was surprised to find what a large trade we do vdXh. Ilollaud in the matter of stock. Out of 48 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 230,000 cattle imported, l-i-t.OOO caine from Holland. I am therefore truly sorry to say that in Holland they are suffering most severely from the disease, and that the couBtry is in a bad condition. We have had a report from the Dutch Com- missioners now sitting with reference to the plague, and it is most unsatisfactory. They say in the districts isolated the disease is increasing, and that during the last three weeks they have had many more cases. The only crumb of comfort is that the cases are less severe ; but still the commissioners seem to apprehend that the disease will not disappear till all the animals are carried off. The report complains of the gross carelessness of owners of stock, who are reckless about what they buy, who bring fresh cattle into infected sheds, who do not disinfect the manure of diseased animals, but spread it about their fields, and thus sow broadcast the seeds of the con- tagion all over tlie country. This ought to be a warning to us to practise every possible care. I believe this disease is as catching as the smallpox when there is no vaccination ; and we ought to nurse and attend to the animals suffering from it as we would nurse our households if the small-pox. were raging in tlie neighbourhood. There is one fact worth mentioning. The Dutch animals do not suffer from the disease \\ith the same intensity as English animals ; and even in our London dairies by far the greater number of those cured are Dutch. It has also been observed in llussia that if stock there has auy cross of English blood, they suffer more than those which are purely native. I fear we have a dark future before us ; but 1 really do not see what can be doue except by isolating our cattle as much as possible, and getting, if possible, one uni- form system of action throughout the country. (Loiid cheers.) The disease ought to be comb.ated in its very earliest stages, and cleanliness and care will, I think, be found more effective than any medicine we yet know of. (Hear, hear.) I think too that there should be some regulations by which earlier notice of the disease might be given. It was known on the 27th of June that the disease was in Islington market, and yet it was not till the 27th of July that it was made known to the authorities. (Hear, hear.) Thus during a whole mouth it was poured forth from the market upon the whole country without auy check whatever. The noble Earl then proceeded to remark that the dead-meat trade, which had rapidly in- creased of late years, and was so much more economical than bringing live stock to market, was a subject entitled to consi- deration. One large butcher in London purchased as much as £14,000 worth of meat dead and alive in the course of the year ; and of this £8,000 was in dead meat, and the remaining £6,000 in live. If the live-meat trade could be turned into a dead-meat trade, vast inconvenience, and, he believed, consi- derable loss would be obviated (Hear, hear), and the meat it- self would be much better, for they were told that meat brought from Aberdeen to Loudon in the summer months kept good longer than meat killed in Loudon. An animal brought from Scotland lost as much as 81b. a day on the journey ; aud the cost of carriage of a live bullock from Hamburgh to London was £1, whereas if sent in the dead carcase it was only 8s. or 10s. He hoped that this matter would be looked iuto, and that the result would be more dead-meat markets than at present existed (Hear, hear). In conclusion, the noble earl called upon the meeting to drink in a bumper " Success to the Smithfield Club." The noble Earl resumed his seat amid loud cheers. The Hon. Secretary (Mr. Brandreth Gibbs) liere read the awards of silver cups; and Lord Eeversham proposed, in eulogistic terms, "The Health of Earl Spencer." The toast was drunk with three times three, and followed by loud applause. The CiiAiUMJLX briefly responded to the compliment. Lord Walsingiiam said he had now to propose the health of the President-elect, his Grace the Duke of Richmond (cheers). They had the pleasure of seeing in the chair that evening a nobleman who bore the honoured name of Spencer, and he was quite sure there was not a man in the room, unless he was very young indeed, who did not know how loug aiul how affectionately the late Duke of Richmond had commanded the respect of that Society as its president (cheers). But it was not alone as the son of a father so highly respected as the late Duke that they welcomed their new President to the posi- tion he was about to occupy ; for he had already in the House "f Commons aud elsewhere displayed great ability and capacity for business (cheers). The country, no doubt, looked to Ids Grace the Duke of Richmond for much greater services than those which were rendered by the President of that Club. They must, therefore, all feel that the Club was highly honoured by having his services at their command ; aud he was quite sure that they would drink his health with the utmost enthusiasm (cheers) . The Duke of RicniiOND said it was with feelings of the deepest gratitude that he rose to return thanks for the honour they had^couferred upon him'; first, by drinking his health, and next, and more especially, in having selected him to be the pre- sident of the Club for the coming year. All his earliest recol- lections in connection with agriculture had Ijeeu associated with the Smithfield Club, when it was under the presidency of an Earl Spencer, aud after that under the presidency of his late father (Hear, hear). And he felt that, with two such examples as these before him, he should be uuworthy indeed of the position to which they had elected him, if he could not perfonu its duties. It was his fortune to have inherited a large Hock of Southdowns, and he felt that he should be wanting in his duty both to the Club and to the property so iuherited, if he did not do all in his power to keep up that breed of sheep in as pure and perfect a condition as possible ; because he held that however good cross-breds might be, if for one moment the parent stocks from which they M'cre obtained were neglected, the consequences must be disastrous (Hear, hear). Seeing such an array of silver cups and medals before him, he owned that he did not feel satisfied with the position which, as an exhibitor, he filled on that occasion (laughter). He hoped, however, to be able at a future Show to recover lost ground, and to regain his laurels (cheers). There were just one or two remarks which he would make upon the subject which had been adverted to by his noble friend in the chair. He wished first to express his regret that the Government had not felt it in their power to recommend any uniform course of action with regard to the cattle plague ; for he was perfectly certain that unless there was some uniformity of action, nothing would check its ravages. In order to show how the existing Orders in Council operated, he might mention that in the western division of Sussex the county magistrates had used their discretion by closing all the markets under their control ; but whilst they did this the mayors of Chichester and Arundel thought proper to keep their markets open ; and he held that it was most inconvenient and positively mischievous to have different modes of action in one and the same district (Hear, hear) . Mr. Stokes proposed the health of "The Vice-Presidents ;" and Lord Eeversham acknowledged the compliment. The Duke of Richmond gave the health of "The Trustees," aud Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., that of "The Judges." lu responding to the latter toast, Mr. ToRR remarked that the Show this year was the most lamentable falling olf that he had ever witnessed at the Smith- field meeting (cries of " No, no"). There was no mincing the matter. The Shorthorns were very bad indeed ; the Herefords, too, were bad, whilst tlie Devons were not what they used to bo ("Oh, oh!" aud derisive laughter). Under all the cir- cumstances, however, it was perhaps as good a show of cattle as they had any right to anticipate. On the other hand, the show of sheep was excellent, though there was a horrid bad show of cattle (renewed exclamations of dissent) ; in fact, he had never seeu a worse (laughter, and cries of " what rub- bish you are talking) . Then as to the present dinner, although they had had to pay an enhanced price, they must all see that it was a decided failure (cries of " No, no") ; and tlie question was \\hether it should be perpetuated (uproar). With regard to the cattle plague, his opinion was that neither the Royal Commission nor the Government had done what they ought to luive doue (much laughter). — The meeting refused to hear anything more from Mr. Torr, and he resumed his seat amidst much confusion. He, however, rose again, to meet only more emphatic expressions of dissent, and it was solely through the iuterces.sion of the Chairman that Mr. Torr was permitted to make his apologies, and to give " The Stewards." Mr. Rigden respouded to the toast. Mr. Owen AVallis proposed the health of " The Honorary Secretary ;" and IMr. Brandreth Gibbs returned thanks. Mr. Keary gave " The Agricultural Hall Company." Mr. J, Clayden, the Chairman of the Company, responded, and THE FAEMER^S MAGAZINE. 49 couoluded Ijj' proposing the health of Mr. C. T. Tower, of Weakl Hall, Essex, the father of the Club. Mr. Moore proposed the toast of " The Jloyal Aj^ricultiiral Society of Englaud," which was ackuowlcdg-cd by Lord "\\ al- singham. Mr. J. Druce proposed " The Butchers ;" to wliich JMr. Bannister responded. The last toast was " The Labourers." Earl Spencer then left the chair, and tlie company dispersed THE METROPOLITAN GREAT CHRISTMAS MARKET. LONDON, Monday, Dec. 11.— Notwithstanding the prevalence of the disease in cattle, and the heavy losses sustained by the graziers iu the leading agricultural districts, the supply of Beasts on sale here to-day for Christinas consuuiption was large, and, ■with some few exceptions, in prime condition. The numbers, it is true, were uot quite equal to some previous years ; consequently, the actual weight of meat did not exceed what may be termed a full average : nevertheless, when we consider the great excitement caused by the progress of disease, and the amount of stock held iu most parts of England, the show was a very good one. In some parts of the country the crop of hay this year has turned out deficient, but it must be ad- mitted that the past has been a most favourable season for the production of live stock. There has been great heat, a fair supply of moisture, an abundance of grass, taking the country generally, and an enormous crop of swedes and mangolds ; the only drawback, in point of fact, having been a partial failure of the turni)) crop. The unusually high prices realised for stock during the whole of the present year*, although we have imported largely from the Continent, have had the effect of securing for metropolitan consumption a larger supply of Beasts than was at one time anticipated. The quota- tions, however, were against the realization of large profits by the butchers. The show of Shorthorns from Lincolnshire, Leicester- shire, and Northamptonshire was about equal to 1864. Some of the Beasts were of great weight, and produced unusually high currencies. Amongst them were some remarkably fine crosses. From the West of England the receipts were only mo- derate. Their quality, however, was certainly very good, especially the North Devons. There was a remarkably fine show of Herefords, some of which weighed over 200 stones. Various parts of England contributed some very prime stock, for which there was a fair demand. The supply of Beasts from Scotland was superb, indeed it has been seldom equalled. Strong prices were realized for both Scots and Crosses, many of which exhibited points of great beauty. There was about an average supply of Beasts from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. The receipts from the former county were unusually prime. The sale for them, however, was not very active. From Sussex some good stock reached us, but its cha- racter was by no means first-rate. The supply of Welsh runts was very moderate, both as to number and quality. The arrivals from Ireland were otherwise than prime, and those fi'om our near grazing counties were unimpor- tant. Not a few of the crosses were unsuited to first- class buyers. The following return shows the numbers of Beasts ex- hibited, and the prices realized for them, on the great days during the last twenty-four years ; Ye.ves. ISil 1S4.3 1843 1844 1845 184G 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 185G 1857 1S58 1859 ISGO ISGl 1863 1SG3 1864 Beasts siiowDf. ,50U ,541 ,510 ,713 ,320 ,570 ,282 ,942 ,765 ,341 ,103 ,271 ,037 ,181 ,000 ,748 ,85G ,424 ,560 ,860 ,840 ,430 ,370 ,030 Prices. 8 to 5 4 to 8 to 0 to 6 to 0 to 4 to 4 to 4 to 0 to 3 10 8 to 4 2 8 to 4 0 2 to 4 10 6 to 8 to 4 to G to 4 to G to 8 to Mr. George Dickson exhibited a large number of re- markably prime animals forwarded from Scotland, princi- pally from the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, Moray, and Kincardine. Some of the best Scots \^ere consigned by Messrs. Knowles, Wishart, Stodart, Longmore, Beddie, Reid, Bruce, ^litchell, Wilson, and others. Messrs. Maidwell and Hoyland had a fine show of Beasts, the property of the Earl of Harewood, Mr. Bruce of Huntly, Mr. Martin of Aberdeen, Mr. Wallace of Tm'rift', Mr. Biyan of Lyddiugton, &c. At the stand of ^Messrs. John Giblett and Son were 40 prime polled Scots, bred and fed by Mr. McCombie of Tillyfour. There were, likewise, 200 hea^'y bullocks from Normanby. Mr. Yorley had good beasts from Mr. G. Philips and Mr. Cooper of Aberdeenshire. Most of the English breeds on this stand were of great weight. Mr. Duckworth exhibited some very prime Shorthorns and Devons, forwarded by Mr. Ploughrite of Cambridge- shii-e, Mr. HiU of Lutterworth, Mr. Hudson of Norfolk, and ilr. Overman of the same connty. Mr. Hick's and various other salesmen Avere well sup- plied vvith good stock. Mr. Senior of Aylesbury sent liis usual fine collection. Amongst the Sheep — which, for the most part, came to hand in fair condition — we noticed some fine breeds exhibited by Messrs. Lantott and Son. They were the property of Mr. Cox, of Sandi'idge, Herts, Mr. Crosse of Godalming, and Mr. NichoUs of Farnham. ilr. Todd showed some very good Hampshire Downs ; but the actual supply of heavy sheep, taking the market generally, was not equal to last year. Mr. Gurrier exhibited a large supply of good and prime sheep. Mr. Weall had some fine sheep consigned by ^Ir. B. Oakley, near Luton, Mr. D. Hill, and Mr. Cantrill. Mr. C. Burrell's stand was Avell filled with prime sheep. Mr. Croft, and ilr. Ealard, had a very good collection on offer. State of the Trade. Although the attendance of both town and country butchers was extensive, the demand for all breeds of Beasts was inactive. In some instances, a few very superior Scots and Crosses sold at 5s. 6d. per Slbs. ; but the general top quotations did not exceed 5s. 2d. to 5s. 4d. per 81bs., and a total clearance was not eft'ected. Th.'^ sup))ly of Sheep was moderate. Prime Downs and jO THE FARMEE'.S MAGAZINE. half-bieds were iu fair request, at full cui-rencies. Other- wise, the Muttoa trade was rather heavy, at a slight de- cline in prices. The highest figure was 6s. 8d. per 81bs. There was a fair show of Calves, which changed hands slowly at late rates — viz., from 4s. to 5s. per 81bs, The Pork trade was far from active, nevertheless prices were supported. The arrivals of Beasts from Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire comprised 2,500 Shorthorus, &c. ; fi-om other parts of England, including Norfolk, 1,300 various breeds ; from Scotland, 1,300 Scots and crosses ; .and from Ireland 300 Oxen and Heifers. The total imports of foreign stock into London, last week, amounted to 17,450 head. In the corresponding weekiu 1864 we received 13,803 ; in 1863, 9,040 ; in 1863, 4,496; and in 1861,4,592 head. THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. Monthly Council : Wednesday, Dec. 6, 1865. — Present, Lord Tredegar, President, in the chair ; the Earl of Powis, the Eai-l of Shrewsbury, Lord Feversham, Lord Walsingham, Major-General the Hon, A. N. Hood, the Hon. A. H. Vernon, Sir T. Western Bart., M.P., Mr. Acland, M.P., Mr. Amos, Mr. Barnett, Mr. Barth- ropp, Mr. Bowly, Mr. Cantrell, Colonel Challoner, ^Ir. Clayden, Mr. Dent, M.P., Mr. Druce, Mr. Braudreth Gibbs, Mr. Holland, M.P., Mr. Hudson, Mr. Sanday, Mr. Jonas, Colonel Kingscote, M.P., Mr. Lawes, Mr. Milward, Mr. Pain, Mr. Randell, Mr. Rigden, Mr. R. Smith, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Torr, Mr. Wells, Mr. Jacob Wilson, ilr. Frere, Professor Simonds, and Dr. Voelcker. The following new members were elected : AUcock, William, BuUvvell, Nottingliam Carpenter-Gamier, J., South Sydenham, Tavistock Cropper, Edward 'William, Thornton Fields, Guisboro' Curteis, Robert Bassett, Asbeudeu, Tenterdeu Dalton, Richard, Kilmarsh, Northampton Dacre, Heury, Auckland, New Zealand Dyson, Robert, Whiston Grove, Rotherham Eastersou, Thomas, Bawdsey, AVoodbridge, Suffolk Green, John M., Steadishall, Newmarket Griming, Louis, Broomborough, Chester Hammersley, WiLLiara, Nottingham Harvey, Robert John Harvey, 31. P., Brundall House, Blofield, Norfolk Herbert, Colonel the Hon. Percy Egertou, 43, Charles-street, Berkeley-square, London, W. Kilpin, Wm., WeUs, Bickerings Park, Woburu Preston, T. H., Murcby Hall, York Price, Thomas Pentrecoon, Churchstoke, Salop Townend, Edward, The Nook, Callingworth, Biugley, York Warington, Robert, jun., R.A. College, Cirencester Wilson, Matthew, Stretford Bury, Leominster Worthington, Geo., Samuel, Cardiff '■ FiNANCKS. — Major-Geueral the Hon. A. N. Hood, Chairman, presented the report, from which it appeared that the Secretary's receipts, during the past month, had been duly examined by the Cammittee and by Messrs. ? Quilter, Ball, and Co., the Society's accountants, and found correct. The balance in the hands of the bankers on the 30th November was £933 83. 8d. The Committee are of opinion that a printed notice of arrear should be at- tached to the last number of the Journal which is sent to those who are in arrear of their last year's subscription, iu order to draw the attention of the defaulting member more prominently. This report was adopted. Journal. — Mr. Thompson reported that the cost of the Journal for 1865 might be approximately stated at £1,529. Chemical.— Mr. Dent, j\I.P., reported that Professor Voelcker has lectured upon Natural Deposits of Potash iu Germany, and on the Qualities of Water used for Irriga- tion. He has furnished four papers for the Journal. Papers on Disinfectants, and on the Composition of Mangel Tops and Bulbs, are in course of preparation for the forthcoming number ; and a lecture on Disinfectants will be delivered at 8 p,m, on Tuesday next, The following investigations are in progress : — 1. On Good and Bad Waters for Irrigation. 2. On the Chemical Points involved in the Growth of Clover Seeds and Artiflcial Grasses. 3. On the Chemical Changes which take place in Grass dm'ing Hay-makiug and Keeping in the Stack. During his investigations on Disinfectants the Professor has found much necessity for further inquiry into the dis- infecting properties of carbolic acid. He further suggests that a continuation of field experi- ments be carried out upon 1. The effects of Salt on Root Crops. 3. On the efficiency of Crude Potash Salts upon (n) Roots, {(/) Potatoes, (c) Clover. 3. On the growth of Clover Seeds, 4. On Permanent Pastures. In order that these experiments may be uniform, the Professor will be glad to furnish any gentleman anxious to co-operate with a schedule of the manm'es to be used in each experiment. The number of analyses made for members of the So- ciety is much as usual : An.vlyses made roE, Mehbers of the Royal Agricul- tural Society, January to November, 1865. Guanos ... ... ... ... 27 Superphosphates and similar artificial manures 53 Bone-dust and boiled bones ... ... 15 Ammoniacal salts and nitrate of soda ... 19 Refuse manures ... ... ... 23 Limestones, minerals, and clays ... ... 27 Oilcakes... ... ... ... 48 Feeding meals and vegetable productions ... 31 Soils ... ... ... ... 28 Waters ... ... ... ... 33 Examinations for poisons ... ... 3 313 The Professor called attention to the great feeding value of crushed Cotton-seed, from which a portion of the husk is removed by sifting through a sieve : Composition of Cotton-seed Meal. Moisture ... ... ... 8.86 Oil ... ... ... ... 39.34 *Albuminou3 compounds (flesh - forming matters) ... ... ... 22.75 Gum, mucilage, and sugar ... ... 7-58 Woody fibre (cellulose) ... ... 24.69 Mineral matter (ash) ... ... 6.78 100.00 Containing nitrogen, 3.C4. Mr. Randell moved that a Committee be appointed to consider the best means of endeavoui'ing to check the spread of the Cattle Plague by restricting the transit of cattle; and that an application be made to the Privy Council to receive a deputation from the Council of this 8ociety thereupon. The motion was seconded by Mr. Thouipson, and carried, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 61 Mr. Braudi-etli Gibbs presuukil the Report of the Ve- terinary Committee, who had reueived the printed Re- ports of the Veteriiiary department of the Privy Council, and several communications proposing remedies fiu" the Cattle Plague, which were referred to the Society's Vete- rinary Inspector, Professor Simonds. Show- YARD Coxtracts. — Mr. Raudell reported that a number of tenders for the Society's Show-yard Works had been received, which would be examined iu detail next week. On the nomination of Mr. Milvvard, Mr. Wells was unanimously appointed a Steward of Live Stock in the place of Mr. Dent, M.P., whose term of oliice had expired. Mr. HoUand, M.P., presented the Report of the Edu- cation Committee. 1. The Committee, after the adoption by the Council of the Report placed before them on the 5th April last, at once proceeded to make the intentions of the Society as widely known as possible, and for this purpose sent cir- cular letters to all the secretaries of the Local Agricultural Societies in England and Wales, drawing their attention to the scheme, and soliciting their assistance. The Com- mittee also) sent circular letters to all^the Schoolmasters whose names were published in the last class lists of the Oxford and Cambridge Local Examinations. Notices were also seut to the jmncipal Agricultural newspapers and Educational periodicals, and to the local newspapers. The local Secretaries of the Cambridge Local Examinations were also apprised of the scheme, from whom, as well as ft'om the authorities of the Cambridge University itself, the Committee have received the utmost com-tesy and atten- tion. It may be further stated that the Cambridge autho- rities have consented to take a fee of 10s., instead of £1 Is., fi'om such of the candidates^ as compete for the Society's extra prizes (List III.) only. 2. The total number of candidates who have entered for the prizes of the Society is 119, drawn from 17 conn- ties of England. Of these candidates 82 are under the age of 16, of whom 74 are entered for the general junior examinations, 60 for prizes in pure Mathematics, 15 in Elementary Mechanics, 4 in Chemistry, and 1 in Botany. There are 27 under the age of 18 who have entered for the general senior examination, and of these 21 are entered for prizes in pure Mathematics, 12 iu applied Mathe- matics, 2 in Chemistry, 2 in Zoology, 1 in Botany, and 1 in Geology. Those only who have passed the preliminary examination are eligible to obtain a prize in a special subject. In List III., open to candidates not exceeding 25 years of age, 13 have entered to compete for one or both of the extra subjects ; 6 compete in mechanics, and 12 in chemistry applied to agriculture. In all these prize lists many candidates have entered in more than one subject. 103 describe themselves as the sons of farmers or others in some way dependent on the cultivation of the soil for their support, and the remaining 16 express themselves as intending to follow agricultural pursuits in after-life. 3. As regards the examination of the Candidates for the Society's extra prizes (List HI.), the Council have obtained the assistance of Mr. Besant, of St. John's College, Cambridge (Senior Wrangler, 1850), to examine in Mechanics applied to Agriculture, in conjunction with Mr. Amos, the Society's consulting engineer. Mr. Liveing, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Cam- bridge, and the Society's Consulting Chemist, Dr. Voelcker, will conduct the examination in Chemistry applied to Agriculture. The Annual Reports of all the Standing Committees were presented by the respective Chairmen. The Standing Committees fox 1866, viz., Knaage Conuuiltce, Jom'nal (Committee, Chemical Committee, House Committee, Implement Committee, Veterinary Committee, Stock Prizes Committee, and Education Committee, were appointed. The Council stands adjourned till Wednesday, 13th instant, at 11 a.m., to consider the Report of the General Bury Committee. A Deputation from the Society, consisting of Lord Tredegar, President, Lord Peversham, Lord Walsingham, Major-Geueral the Hon. A. N. Hood, Hon. Augustus Vernon, Mr. Dyke Adand, M.P., Mr. Barthropp, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. Holland, M.P., Colonel Kingscote, M.P., Mr. Pain, Mr. Randell, Mr. Sanday, Mr. Thomp- son, and Professor Simonds, waited on the Lord President of the Council, at the Privy Council Office, on Thm-sday, the 7th instant, and impressed ou his Lordship's attention the following resolutions, which had been agreed to at a meeting of the Council ; — PlES0LUTIO^'S of the C0U^'C1L. 1. That it is the opinion of the Council of the Royal Agri- cultural Society of England that the most effectual means of suppressing the cattle plague would be to stop for a time all fairs and markets. If this is impracticable, then the Council would suggest the following regulations. 2. That any cattle, sheep, or pigs ^exhibited for sale in a market or fair in or near any town be forthwith branded, and not allowed to leave sucli town alive. 3. Tliat all cattle, sheep, or pigs offered for sale elsewhere tlian on the premises of the owner, or iu any place whatever where they have not been 21 days previously, be branded and slaughtered within 48 hours ou (or near) the spot where such offer has been made. 4. It is submitted that aU foreign cattle, sheep, and pigs shoidd be slaughtered at the port of disembarcation and their skins disinfected forthwith ; but in case this shoidd be consi- dered too stringent a proceeding, then the owner or consignee of any imported cattle, sheej), or pigs, or his agent, shall be ob- liged to state, on their arrival iu port, to what town or place he intends to forward them. After being duly inspected and certified to be free from disease, tliey shall be marked with a special brand, and be allowed to proceed, and shall be slaughtered at such town or place. 5. That no cattle, sheep, or pigs be allowed to travel upon any public road from auy farm or place upon or iu which there is or has been \rithin two months any case of cattle plague. G. That the penaltj' for infringing any of these regulations be £20 for each animal sold, driven, or iu any way dealt with contrary to such regulations, one-half of the penalty iu every case to go to the informer. 7. That local inspectors be not at liberty to go upon any farm without the consent of the occupier, imless authorised by a magistrate of the district. 8. It is submitted that the necessary orders for carrj'ing out these resolutious be issued by the Government, and that the local authorities be required to enforce them, so that the prac- tice may be uniform throughout the country. 9. That the Government be requested to institute experi- ments on an extensive scale, in order to ascertain the real character of the cattle plague, aud to test various methods of prevention and cure. By Order of the Council, H. Hall Daee, Secretary. Earl Granville thanked the deputation, and promised that the resolutions should have due consideration. Adjoukned ^Monthly Council : Wednesdat/, Bee. 13, 1865. — Present: Lord Tredegar, President, in the chair; the Earl of Shrewsbury, the Earl of Lovelace, Lord Feversham, Lord Walsingham, Lord Berners, the Hon. A. H. Vernon, Sir Massey Lopes, Bart., M.P. ; Sir J. V. Shelley, Bart.; Mr. Amos, Mr. Bowly, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Druee, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. Hiittou, Mr. Sanday, Mr. Pope, Mr. Randell,' Mr. Thompson, Mr. Torr, Mr. 0. Wallis, Mr. Jacob Wilson, Mr. Frere, Professoy Simpnds, and Dr, Voelcker. B 2 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Meeting at Bury St. Edmund's. — The General Bury Committee reported that they had consulted the members of the Local Bury Committee as to whether it would be desirable to hold in 1866 a show limited to Im- plements and Horses, or to postpone the Show to 1867 ; and having read the Minute of the Stock Prizes Com- mittee recommending such postponement, the Mayor stated that the Local Committee would meet on Fi-iday, and that he should desire to take their opinion on the subject. The minute of the Stock Prizes Committee re- ferred to was as follows : " Recommended, that in conse- quence of the cattle plague it is desirable — subject to the concm'rence of the authorities of Bmy St. Edmund's— to postpone the Meeting of the Society intended to be held next year in that town to the year 1867." A letter from the authorities of Bury St. Edmund's having been read, the Council resolved, on the motion of Sir John Shelley, seconded by Mr. Thompson, that in reference to the com- munication from the Mayor of Bury, the Secretary be instructed to inform the Bury authorities that the Couucil left to the Local Committee the selection of one of two propositions, viz. : 1. That a Show of Implements and Horses sliould be lield at Bury in 1866. 3. That the Meeting at Bury be postponed to 1867. That the Society wiU be prepared to vote half of the sum of £200 to be paid to the Tenant fof auy extra loss which may l)e incurred by liim owing to such postpone- ment if decided upon by tlie Bury authorities, but tliat the Society will not hold itself responsible for any further extra local expenses. Shoiv-ijanl Cordracts. — Mr. Randell reported that the Committee had received Six Tenders for the Show-yard Works, and Five for the Portable Buildings. For the entrances and portable buildings attached thereto, they recommend that the plans be reconsidered with a view to reduction of cost, and they ask the Council to continue to this Committee the authority to modify the present plans, and to ask those who have now tendered for these works to send in fresh tenders. For the Show-yard Works they recommend that Mr. Pollard's tender be* accepted for the year 1867, subject to his concurrence in the postpone- ment of the Show to that year, and to further inquiry as to his responsibility. This Report was adopted. The draft Report to the General Meeting was then settled, and the Council adjourned to their Meeting in February. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the members of this Society was held on Wednesday, December 13, in Hanover-square, the President, Lord Tredegar, presiding. The attendance was unusually large. The Secretary (Mr. Hall Dare) read the following report of the Council : REPORT. Since the last general meeting, 1 governor and -IS members have died ; the names of five members have been removed froni the list by retirement or otherwise, and three governors and 129 new members jiave been elected ; so that the Society now consists of 78 Life Governors, 81 Annual Governors, 1,391< Life Members, 4,261 Annual Members, and 16 Honorary Members ; making a total of 5,833 ; being an increase of 81 names. Mr. George Clive, M.P., of Perrystoue Court, Ross, Here- fordshire, has been elected a member of Coiuicil,to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Right Hon. Lord Leigh. The finances of the Society are in a satisfactory condition, as is shown by the balance-sheet to the 30th of June, which lias been already puldished in the " Journal." In consequence of the large expenses attendant on the Plymouth show, and the sum devoted to the purchase of show-yard plant, the Council has been compelled to sell out £2,000 of the funded property, which now stands at £19,027 19s. 6d. in the Ts^ew Three per Cents. The plans and specifications for the show-yard works have been prepared by the Society's surveyor, and the Council trust that a considerable saving will be effected in the future annual cost of the buildings required at the country meetings. They have purchased from the former contractor a large portion of the plant — consisting of portable buildings, turnstiles, exits, &c. — wliich was annually hired, and which it is calculated viill last for some years. The acquisition of these has necessarily thrown a heavy charge on the funds of the Society this year. The Governors of the Royal Veterinary College, in their annual report of the progress made at that Institution in the application of the veterinary art and the treatment of the diseases of cattle, sheep, and pigs, state that the number of pupils qualified to act as practitioners in carrying out these objects of the Society continues to increase; but they regret that the members of the Society do not avad themselves more extensively of their privilege of sending diseased animals in a live or dead state to the College ; thus furnishing means for the acquisition of a larger amount of practical experience by the pupils. A special circular was prepared by the Veterinary Com- mittee and forwarded to every member of the Society, drawing attention to the distinctive symptoms of the cattle plague, in order to assist the members in distinguishing between it and the pleuro-pneumonia .and the mouth-and-foot disease. The circular also set out tlie precautions which the committee at that time recommended to the attention of agriculturists. The Plymouth Meeting has been one of the largest in point of receipts ever held by the Society, although a General Elec- tion was going on throughout the country at the time. The Prince and Princess of Wales were pleased to honour the Society by a visit to the showyard on Wednesday the 19th July, wliich added considerably to its success. Their Royal Highnesses were pleased to express to the President their satisfaction witli the whole of the arrangements made for their reception and entertainment. The attractions of the show were further increased by the presence of the French fleet, of an Austrian man-of-war, and of the ships of the Channel squadron, and the Society had the satisfaction of receiving as visitors a large number of the foreign officers and sailors. Al- though the receipts for admission of visitors to the showyard amounted to £6,370, the outlay required for so extensive an assemblage of implements and cattle, and for the elaljorate and highly-satisfactory trial of implements on the occasion, has proved so great that the excess of expenditure over receipts on account of the meeting amounts to about £750. The general meeting of the members on leaving Plymouth conveyed to the Jlayors of Plymouth and Devouport, and to the local com- mittee and others who had zealously co-operated with the Council in promoting the success of the meeting, an expression of their best acknowledgments for their kind exertions. The Council have the satisfaction of reporting that 120 can- didates from 18 counties have been entered for their prizes in connection with the Cambridge local examinations, w Inch take place during the present month. Of these candidates 83 are under the age of 16, of whom 75 are entered for the general junior examination, 60 for prizes in pure mathematics, 15 in elementary mechanics, four in chemistry, and one in botany. There are 27 under the age of 18 who have entered for the general senior examination, and of these 31 are entered for the prizes in pure mathematics, 13 in applied mathematics, two in chemistry, two in zoology, one in botany, and one in geology. Those only who have passed the preliminary examination are eligible to obtain a prize hi a special subject. In the list open to candidates not exceeding 35 years of age, 13 have entered to compete for one or both of the extra subjects, six compete hi mechanics, and 13 in chemistry applied to agriculture. Many caucUdates have entered in more than one subject ; 104 describe themselves as the sons of farmers or others in some way dependent on the cultivation of the soil for their support, and the remaining 16 express themselves as intending to follow agricultural pursuits in after life. The Council have obtained the assistance of Mr. Besant, of St. John's College, Cambridge (Senior Wrangler, 1850), to examine in mechanics applied to agriculture, in conjunction with Mr. Amos, the Society's consulting engineer. Mr. Tji\ einir, professor of chemistry in the University of Camliridg'e, THE FARiMER'S MAGAZINE. .53 and tlie Society's cousuitiug eliemist, I'rofessor Voelcker, will couduct the examination in ciipniistry applied to agriculture. Professor Voelcker has delivered lectures before the members of the Society on Irrigation and Disiufectauts. The Council have from time to time been favoured with various communications from her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and from tlic Lord President of the Council, the substance of which has been made public in the published proceedings of the meetings at which they were read. The Council, having considered the subject of the cattle plague, have come to a series of resolutions as to the means they considered most likely to arrest its progress; and a deputation attended by appointment upon Earl Granville, the President of the Coiuicil, and Sir George Grey, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to lay those recom- mendations before them. In consequence of tlie prevalence of the cattle plague, the Council, in conformity with the wishes of the local authorities at Bury St. E(bnunds, have resolved that the meeting which was to have been held at that town in 1S6G should be post- poned to 1867. Mr. T. DucKHAM, in moving the adoption of the report, said he believed that that wo aid be a fitting opportunity for offering to the meeting a few observations on the subject of the cattle plague. He could not- help thinking that the steps which had hitherto been taken were very far from being suf- ficient to stop the spread of that direful calamity. He believed that the time had come for establishing a cordon around the infected districts, and that no animal should henceforward be allowed to be removed from those districts until a certain period after they should have been freed from .the disease. They all knew the frightfully contagious character of the malady ; they were aware that any herd that might be grazing on land ad- joining a road along which diseased cattle were driven were liable to catch the plague. Under these circumstances he thought it was high time to urge upon the notice of the Privy Council the desirability of forming a cordon around every spot which should be found to be infected. With these observa- tions he begged leave to move the adoption of the report. Dr. Crisp said he had watched and studied that disease since its first outbreak in this country ; and he had throughout the whole of its progress felt it his duty to recommend the adoption of stringent measures — not the mere patcliwork reme- dies then recommended — for arresting the spread of the evil. He believed that the steps recommended by the society for the attainment of that object would be found utterly useless. One of their recommendations was that foreign cattle, sheep, and pigs, " after being duly inspected and certified to be free from disease, should be marked with a special brand and allowed to proceed." That was the course to be pursued in case the in- spector should not find that the animals were diseased ; but they might be diseased without his being able to make the dis- covery, and then it appeared they were to be allowed to spread the malady over this country. He had himself seen animals reported by an inspector to be in a healthy condition which he had, upon examination, ascertained to be diseased. Let them contrast that recommendation with the resolution adopted by the Bath and West of England Societj', as it had been published in the public prints. The Government ought to take that matter into their hands ; and [every man who lost his cattle after he had complied with the requisite conditions ought to receive compensation. The great evil in that case was that people listened too much to wlmt were called " practical men," those " practical men" being persons who knew as little of the nature of the animals as they knew of perpetual motion. Those men had advocated such doctrines as that the disease could not prevail in sheep ; but he knew at that moment six ditferent kinds of raminants which had been attacked by the disease. He had most carefully examined i2S sheep of Mr. Harvey's, at CrowTi Point, and he had found the disease as distinctly developed in them as it was in any other animals. But it appeared from a letter which had been published in the Times that some gentleman pretended to be able to cure sheep — while lie actually denied that sheep were subject to that disease — by means of quack medicine, or a medicine the nature of which lie refused to disclose. How, he would ask, could they expect to get rid of that disease while they had 2U0 or 300 packs of hounds traversing the country ? He thought that every one of those dogs ought to be tied up (ironical cheers from Sir J. Shelley) — that every policeman ought to be empowered to kill stray dogs, and that no Jiunting ought for the present to be allowed (laughter, and renewed ironical cheers from Sir J. SheUey). The gentleman who was hunting him down would, he believed, tell a diftereut story if they met that day six mouths. He honestly believed that if all " practical men" were shut up in glass cases for six months, and the editor of the Times with them (a laugh), a great bcntfit vi'ould 1ie con- ferred upon the community, and we should be much more likely to get rid of the cattle plague. Mr. Symes wished to know whether Dr. Crisp was of opinion that sheep had been attacked by the rinderpest. Dr. Ckisp said " rinderpest" was altogether a misnomer. The disease was not rinderpest ; it was a malignant fever in ruminants, but it was not like typhus ; and it was as palpable in the sheep as in the ox. Mr. Symes said he thought Dr. Crisp had answered himself when he wanted entirely to stop the cattle traffic. What was the object of tjiose who wished for such interference ? It was God Almighty who sent the disease (cries of " Oh ! oh !") Sometimes God sent a plague among men, and sometimes a plague among cattle ; and those who had attended Dr. Voelcker's lecture the previous evening must be convinced that, with all their science, they could do nothing to prevent the disease from spreading. No one could calculate the amount of loss that had been inflicted on farmers by the interference that had already taken place ; and the extreme measures that had been suggested as a remedy for the plague were opposed to the general interests of society, and if carried out would go far to undermine the basis of the English constitution (laughter). Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., said as Dr. Crisp objected to the term " rinderpest," he would ask him whethor he considered the cattle plague indentical with that which was indigenous to Russia. Dr. Crisp : There is no question about it. Lord Fi'VTERSHAJi asked whether Dr. Crisp could furnish them with any further information about the sheep of Mr. Harvey at Crown Point. Dr. Crisp replied that IGO oxen first died in the same park ; that the sheep, which numbered 2,060, were afterwards at- tacked ; that there were only 700 of them left when he was last there ; and that he believed they had since been reduced to 500. Lord Walsingham said he wished to offer a, brief explana- tion upon the subject of the allusion made by Dr. Crisp to a letter published in the Times from Mr. Palmer, who was a most respectable tenant of his (Lord Walsingham's). It was generally supposed that Mr. Palmer's sheep were in a worse condition than those of Mr. Harvey. Mr. Palmer applied to Mr. Woods to know if he could do anything for them ; and Mr. Woods replied that he believed he could cure them if they were left in his hands. There had been altogether 287 of them, of which two had already died. Mr. Woods then took charge of the flock, and only five out of the number died, \S'hile all the remaining 280 were at present as healthy as any sheep in the country. That was the substance of the state- ment published by Mr. Palmer. It was no business of his (Lord Walsingham's) to enter into any discussion relative to Mr. Woods' mode of treatment ; but that gentleman had certainly been most fortunate in dealing with the sheep com- mitted to his care ; and it would be for him to decide whether he would make public bis secret, if there were any secrets in the matter. He understood from Mr. AVoods that it was his intention, at all events, to pubUsh the names of the places where the medicine he used could be procured. He (Lord AValsingham) would not enter into the question whether sheep were liable to the same disease as cattle ; but he agreed in the statement made by Mr. Palmer, at the end of his letter, that if they could take the disease, they could -also be cured of it (Hear, hear). Dr. Ckisp observed that there was this great advantage in treating sheep, that whereas the contents of the paunch of the ox were usually in a dry condition, those of the paunch of the sheep were pulpy. He was proud to say that in his own pro- fession, if a man had a secret remedy, and kept it, he would be at once scouted by almost every member of that profession, lie believed it was all twaddle to talk of a remedy ; but if there were one, it should be at once divulged, in order that the public might liave the benefit of it. Mr. Thompson said Lord Walsingham having stated that Mr. Wood had been successful in his efforts to cure a flock of 64 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. sheep whicli were in aii advanced state of disease, lie wished to ask his lordship whether, from what he saw, he received a strong conviction liiat that disease was identical with cattle plague, so far its its application to sheep would allow it to be so ? Lord Wj\xsingiiam believed that Mr. Wood did not go farther than this. He was prepared to state that his opinion was that neither Jlr. Harvey's sheep nor Mr. Palmer's had the Cattle Plague. He (Lord Walsingham) would not express any opinion himself on that point, not feeling himself compe- tent to do so. Mr. TiiojiPSON asked if there had been any Cattle Plague at all in the district at the time ? Lord Walsingham replied that there was none whatever. One heifer in the neighbourhood, but not on his property, had since that time been attacked with what the inspector had pro- nounced to be the cattle plague. Mr. Woods, however, aud several farmers who had seen the heifer, said that she presented none of the symptoms of the cattle plague, and the last he had heard of the animal was that it was better. That had oc- curred since the sheep was cured, and that was the only case he knew of within nine or ten miles of the place where they had been attacked that could be construed into an outbreak of the Cattle Plague. Dr. Crisp said he believed there were packs of hounds in that part of the country (laughter). Lord Walsingham repHed that they had never been in that particular neighbourhood. Sir J. Shelley said he did not wish it to go forth to the public that they all agreed in everything spoken by the medical gentleman who had spoken. Dr. Crisp appeared to think that the disease was contagious, and not epidemic. But there were different opinions upon that point. As far as he could judge, the proposal of Di . Crisp was more fit for Prussia than for England, and his remedy would be worse than the disease. The Hon. A. Veunon said he did not think that Dr. Crisp had dealt fairly with that resolution of the Council, a portion of which he had quoted, inasmuch as he had not read that part of it in which it was recommended that foreign cattle should be "slaughtered" at the place to which they were forwarded. The whole object of the Council was that any animal on the move should have but one journey, and should be killed at the first place to which it was conveyed. Professor Simonps said he would not then discuss the ques- tion whether that disease was epidemic or exotic. He had already make known his opinion upon that subject ; and he saw no reason to alter it in the smallest particular. He still held tliat the cattle plague was a disease not at all indigenous to this country ; that it had no spontaneous origin ; and that it had been introduced to us from abroad. It was not for him to say how it came into the country : it was enough to know that it was here, and that it spread, as all contagious diseases did, by the conveyance directly or indirectly of morbific mat- ter. He heard a good deal on the preceding evening from Professor Voelcker with reference to the use of disinfectants in arresting the progress of the disease or in preventing its outbreak ; and he agreed with him that it was only by strict isolation they could ever hope to guard against the spread of the evil (Hear, hear) . The employment of disinfectants was merely a preventive measure ; and when the disease was once in a district, it would be found of very little practical utility. They were not dealing with an epidemic affection : if they were, they might expect some benefit from the use of chloride of lime or of Sir William Burnett's or other disinfecting sub- stances. But they had to deal with a special disease — a dis- ease propagated by laws as determinate as those that regulated the movements of the globe we inhabited, and these were the laws of contagion. He believed that the sphere of infection around the disease was very limited, and he was inclined to think that the air itself did not Ijecome impregnated with the virus to auy considerable extent, but that the secretions from the eyes and nostrils, and the excreta in particular, were charged with morbific matter. He beheved that, if they took a small quantity of that matter on the point of a lancet, for instance, or on the end of a stick, they could with that alone convey the disease from John o' Groat's to the Land's End. They could deal with it as they could deal with the small-pox, or with that virus which they might de- signate by the name of "vaccine lymph." He wished to say a few words with regard to the capability of sheep taking that disease. They were all, perhaps, aware that that question was first raised through an inves- tigation he had made in the county of Norfolk, He had examined sheep that were suspected of having caught the disease, in the northern part of that county, and also some sheei) in the immediate neighbourhood of Norwich. Now, with regard to Mr. Temple's sheep, which had been bought by him at Thetford, and which had communicated the disease to his cattle, and destroyed every one of them, it was a most astounding fact that they had never heard one word about those sheep. He believed, however, that everybody was pre- pared to admit that Mr. Temple's sheep carried the disease into his district, and that in a few days they communicated it to his cattle, the whole of which had died. A similar case had occurred in the county of Essex. A farmer there bought, first, 1~0 lambs, aud, at the end of the next week, 47 more, of the same man at Colchester. They were all mixed together, and in the course of a few days some of them sickened. They were as well managed as they could be ; they had ample space to run over, and they had plenty of good food ; but what was the result ? The disease spread from them to the farmer's cattle, which were placed in an adjoining field, and the whole of the cattle, with one exception, died, and died of the cattle plague. There was no disease in any other portion of the dis- trict ; and out of the 167 lambs, after all the care bestowed upon them, there were at present not more than 5U alive. He M'ould take another case — the case of 90 ewes, of which 70 were bought first aud the remaining 20 afterwards. They were placed upon a farm on which there were already 120 lambs bred by the farmer himself. That farmer's cattle be- came affected ; the ewes, which were in an adjoining field, caught the disease, and 48 of them died ; while the 120 lambs, which were at some distance from the sheep, continued as healthy as possible ; so that there could have been no epidemic raging upon that land. With regard to IMr. Harvey's sheep, which had numbered 2,060, and of which there were not at present more than about 500 alive, he would unhesitatingly state — and he would stake his professional reputation upon that statement — that those sheep died of the cattle plague, aud of tlie cattle plague alone. It was true that these sheep ap- peared to have been mismanaged ; but he had himself seen many of them die within four days of the period at which they had seemed to be in a healthy condition, and no mismanage- ment would kill sheep in four days. Sir J. H. Maxwell said he believed the general impression throughout the country had Ijeen that, greatly as we had suf- fered from the rinderpest among our cattle, the disease had not made its appearance among our sheep. He would ask Pro- fessor Simonds whether he knew w\mt had been the result of the very strict and searching experiment which had been con- ducted by Mr. Swan, in Edinbuigh. An attempt was there made to get sheep infected, by placing them among diseased cattle, but that attempt proved utterly ineffectual. '"The case was reported in many of the newspapers, aud he wished to kuow whether it had been brought under the notice of Professor Simonds. Professor SniONDS said he believed that, as far as regarded the experiment in question, the restft had, as yet, been a uegative one ; and they had had a similar occurrence at the Royal Veterinary College some months ago. They there ex- posed two sheep to the influence of the disease by shutting them up in a shed with diseased cattle, and those shesp did not take the disease. But all the negatives in the world could not disprove a single affirmative. And now he came to the affirmative results. At the Veterinary College they got eight sheep, which they divided into lots of two each. They placed two in a shed which had been occupied by diseased cattle, and in which no use had been made of disinfectants ; and the result was that in 13 days the sheep took the disease, and one of them died. They placed two otliers in a shed \iitli diseased cattle, and they both died. They inoculated two more by making an abrasion in the skin, not larger than would be made by a surgeon in inoculating a child. They inocu- lated those sheep from the material produced by Mr. Harvey's sheep, and they both died of the disease. They inoculated the two last of the eight sheep with material taken from the eye of a bullock Ijelonging to a gentleman living in Essex, and they both took the disease on the sixth day, and one of them died. Dr. Crisp said it was distinctly stated that one of the sheep at Edinburgh had caught the disease, and he had himself seen THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 55 instances of the same kind. There could be no douht about the matter. He linew six different species of ruminants tlint had been affected by the disease. He believed that there was not an animal in the Zoological Gardens that might not take it ; and for the la?t four months, during Mhich he had been among diseased cattle, he had not gone to the Zoological Gardens lest he might convey the disease to the animals lliere. Lord WALSixciiiAJi observed that Professor Simouds had stated that there was no dispute about Mr. Temple's sheep. But there were practical men who denied that ]Mr. Temple's sheep died of the cattle plague ; and there ^^•ere some farmers in his neighbourhood who had pronounced their disease to have been one with which they had long been ac(|uainted. Professor Simo:ni)s said he was glad to obtain that informa- tion. He had not before been aware of the fact. Lor WALS^^'G^A3I said he knew nothing about tlie cases at the Veterinary College to which Professor Simonds had re- ferred ; and he was not prepared to contend that the disease might not be communicated to sheep, and more especially by vaccination. Professor Simonds said that his only wish was tliat the public should be accurately informed upon the matter. Dr. Crisp said he was acquainted with six different species of rumi- Tiauts which had been attacked by that disease. He (Pro- fessor Simonds) only knew four that had so suffered ; and he should be glad to learn from Dr. Crisp the names of the other two. Dr. Crisp said lie was placed in a difficulty in that matter, inasmuch as a portion of the information wliich he possessed had been gained by him while he was acting in a professional capacity, and facts had thus been brought under his knowledge which he should not feel himself justified in making public. It was well known, however, that two antelopes, t\\o gazelles, and SIX zebras, had been attacked by the disease in Paris. Mr. Tiiojirsox said he felt obliged to Professor Simonds for the information he liad eomminieated to them about the sheep. It was clear, at all events, that sheep did not take the disease so readily as cattle. But there were eases in which they ap- peared to have taken it, and it was very desirable that they should try to ascertain how far sheep were liable to the infec- tion. One gentleman had found fault with the Council for not having adopted sufficiently stringent resolutions with a view to prevent the spread of the disease. But the resolutions were agreed to, and agreed to unanimously, after mucli careful con- sideration. It was manifest that if anything was to be done by the Government it must Ije done with a conviction that they would be supported by public opinion. Some members of the Council would have gone farther ; but they aU felt that it would be better that tliey should unanimously approve of the recommendation which they offered. The principle on which the resolutions had been framed was that of endeavouring, as far as possible, to abstain fro7n interfering with the supply ot meat at the great centres of consumption ; and they had not, therefore, called upon the Government to put a stop to all fairs and markets, although they expressed tiieir belief that that would be the most effeetual means of meeting the emer- gency. If that recommendation should be deemed impracti- cable, they asked that all cattle sent to the centres of consump- tion should there be slaughtered, and should not be allowed to travel farther, and perhaps spread the disease over the coun- try. When the disea.se raged in England rather more than 100 years ago, its progress was marked by mucli the jame kind of circumstances by which it was accompanied at the present day. It appeared to have been eommunicated by infection, and lie had found no indication of its having broken out as an epi- demic. He had in his possession various kinds of notes written by his great great grandfather, giving an account of that visitation ; and it so happened that his own agent was the grandson of the «an who saved the only herd of cattle that was spared in his parish. When the malady was raging in the year 17-17, that man, who was then quite young, took two or three heifers into a field remote from any road ; he allowed no person to go iuto it except himself ; whenever he went there he changed every article of his dress, or put on what he called his " Sunday clothes" ; and the result was that he saved the cattle. With respect to the resolutions adopted by the Council. he should say that he believed if they were generally supported at the agricultural meetings throughout the country a great deal of good would be done, and they might ultimately be car- ried into operation. Lord BEK^•^,us said there was a point connected witli the comnumicatiou of the disease from cattle to other animals on wliich he should be glad to receive any information which Professor Simonds miglil be able to offer. About two months ago two lioises in Leicestershire sickened, and died within 3G iiours. The veterinary surgeon who dissected tliem had a boil or sore on his arm, on which some of the blood of oue of the horses fell, and he was immediately afterwards taken ill, and in a few days he died. One or two cattle also died in a very uuaecouiitable manner upon the same farm. The iu- spector said that the two horses had many of the symptoms of the cattle plague, although they liad not all the symptoms, and he added that he believed they died of a virulent affection of the blood. A portion of their blood'was sent up to be examined at the Iloyal Veterinary College, and it was important to know what was the result of that examination. Perhaps Professor Simonds woidd be cuabled to afford some informa- tion upon that matter. Professor SIMO^'DS said that the gentlemen at the Veterin- ary College who conducted that examination had declared most positively tliat tlic horses did not die of a disease at all allied to the cattle plagi-.e. He was not able to say precisely what was the cause of their death, but he believed that it was congestion of the lungs, arising out of an altered condition of the "blood. With respect to Mr. Fisher, the veterinary sur- geon who dissected the horses, and upon a boil on whose arm some .of the blood of one of the animals fell, there was reason to believe that he died of splenic apoplexy, which was well known to be a disease of the blood. Lord Ber:nees expressed himself quite satisfied with that explanation, which, he thought, would be found generally satisfactory. Mr. DucKiiAM said he stiU thought that the Government ought to have recourse to some much more decided measures than they had yet adopted for the purpose of preventing the spread of the disease. He thought, moreover, that hunting gentlemen would do well to avoid takinf their dogs over in- fected ground, and thus incurring the risk of propagating the disease. Sir J. II. Maxwell having then seconded the proposal for the adoption of the report, the motion was unanimously carried. Sir J. II. Maxwell moved a vote of thanks to and the re- election of the auditors, Mr. Asthury, Mr. Cohen, and Mr. H. Corbet. The motion, after having been seconded by Mr. Clutton, was put and carried unanimously. Mr. H. Corbet returned thanks foi himself and his brother- auditors. Lord Peveiisham said the routine business of the day having been disposed of, he had the honour of proposing a motion which he was sure woidd receive unanimous approval, namely, that the thanks of the meeting be given to their noble President, Lord Tredegar, for the great attention which he had paid to the business of the Society since he was elected Presi- dent, and for tlic able manner in which he had discharged his duties. Col. CiiALLO^'ER seconded the motion, which was put by Lord Feversham, and carried by acclamation. Lord Tredegar said he begged to thank his noble friend on his left and the meeting generally for this testimony of their approval. He could assure them that so far as his humble abilities enabled him he had promoted the interest of the Society. He deeply regretted that during his year of office they had been subjected to that dreadful the eat tic plague, and that in consequence of its prevalence the Council were obliged to postpone the meeting which was to have taken place at Bury. He hoped that when they next met together with a new President, it would he under more favourable cir- cumstances (cheers). The meeting then separated. S6 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. " DISINFECTANTS AND THE BEST MEANS OE PREVENTING INFECTION." Ou Tuesday evening, December 12, a lecture on this subject was delivered at the lloyal Agricultural Society's house, in Hanover-square, by Professor Voelcker. Lord Berners presided over a very thin meeting. Professor Voelckek said tliat infection, or contagiou signi- iied the communicatiou of disease by a direct contact, by contact with normal discharges or abnormal discharges, or tlie evolution of gases carrying disease from diseased to healthy animals. Infected animals as well as all materials touclied by them spread the disease known as the cattle plague. Care- ful microscopic observers had noticed, more especially in the foeces of cattle attacked by tlie plague, very minute aud peculiarly organized cells, filled with numerous spherical bodies moving to and fro with great activity. These cells and their animated globTilar contents were extremely small, so that the liigliest power of the most powerful microscope was necessary for witnessing their existence. According, then, to certain competent authorities, that which produced the cattle plague was an exceedingly subtle organic matter disposed in organic cells, aud only revealed by microscopic researcli. The cattle-plague poison in many respects resembled in general character the ordinary vaccine virus. It might lie dormant for three or four days before its peculiarly organized cells with their contents became vitalized. It was not the part of the cliemistto say how the plague was produced, or what were the remedies to be applied in order to effect a cure. He would not, therefore, trespass on the legitimate province of the veteri- narian, but would make some observations which he thought might usefuUy engage the attention of the owners of stock. He would first speak of the various disinfectants recommended by different persons, their mode of action, and their compara- tive efficiency ; next, the application of disinfectants to par- ticular purposes, as the disinfection of cow-sheds, carriages, trucks, manure lieaps, &c. ; then of preventives, an inquiry which would have special reference to disinfectants in relation to the cattle plague. First of all, however, he alluded to the vague and confused notions prevalent with respect to the word "disinfectant." It would be well if the word were confined solely to uiose solid, liquid, or gaseous materials which possessed the power of disorganizing or destroying all matters capable of re-producing disease in animals. Frequently, however, the w-ord was applied to substances which, though they removed disagreeable-smeUing gases aud vapours, did not destroy that which produced them. Properly, these were deodorizers and not disinfectants. Deodorizers had the effect of removing disagreeable smells, such as those pro- duced by sulphuretted hydrogen, but without destroying the cause and source of the nuisance ; and of these deodorizers there were many. But the application of chlorine or nitrous acid not only removed the smell proceeding from faecal matters, but completely broke up or destroyed the organized matter,'and resolved it into ultimate gas-products comparatively harmless. In fact, they destroyed the whole substance as completely as it could be destroyed by fire. Chlorine and nitrous acid, therefore, had to be considered not merely as deodorizers, but also as true disinfectants. Substances which, like chlorine, completely broke up organized matters and re- solved them into gas-products were always deodorizers, but deodorizers were not always disinfectants. The means used for the purpose of .preventing or retarding putrefaction, which gave rise to foul odours, were often regarded as disinfectants. If, however, a disinfectant was that which broke up the con- stitution of organic matter and destroyed it altogether, the same term was inappropriate when applied to matter which, instead of hastening the destruction of organic matter, preserved them from disorganization and destruction. Properly, substances which retarded or prevented putrefaction were antiseptics. Thus carbolic acid, creosote, and other preparations of tar, which in minute quantities were capable of preventing putre- faction of meat, blood, urine, aud other animal matters ex- ceedingly prone to enter on decomposition, were true antisep- tics, and the very reverse in tlieir action on organic matter to disinfectants, such as chlorine and nitric acid. It was true that in a concentrated state carbolic acid and creosote were strong destroyers of organic matter ; but at the same time it must be borne in mind that creosote and carbolic acid by themselves could not Ije used for practical disinfecting pur- poses. Those preparations were always employed for such purposes in a more or less diluted condition, and in such.state they were antiseptics, or preventers of putrefaction, and not true disinfectants. In common parlance, however, the term disinfection was applied, not only to processes which destroyed matter, but also to those which deodorized places from which emanated any disagreeably smelling gases, and likewise to the prevention of the putrefaction which produced them. It was much to be regretted that the term " disinfectant" was indis- criminately used for things tending to destroy organic matter as well as for deodorizers aud antiseptics. Such a use of the word involved confusion of ideas and errors in practice. He would call disinfectants those substances which would destroy all matters capable of producing disease ; deodorizers those which neutralized disagreeably smelling gases without destroy- ing the organic bodies from which they emanated ; whilst sub- stances employed to prevent putrefaction or impeding putre- faction should be called antiseptics rather than disinfectants. The first point of his lecture would relate to the various disin- fectants recommended by different persons, their mode of action, and their comparative eihcacy. These were the best: chloride of lime, clilorine gas, sulphurous acid gas, nitric aud nitrons acid gas, charcoal both wood and peat, quicklime, the caustic alkalies, earth, manganic and permanganic acid salts, and, last though not least, fire, heat, and air. Chloride of lime, common bleaching powder, contained liypoochlorous acid and lime. The liypoochlorous acid was very rapidly de- stroyed, or rather it broke np very rapidly into free oxygen, and chloriue, two gases which acting upon meat and nearly all rnimal or vegetable matters destroyed, or burned them, and dis- organized them completely. If we took a piece of meat and boUed it well in chloride of lime for a sufficient time, it was altogether destroyed — it disappeared — it was resolved into gaseous inodorous products. Chloride of lime unquestionably was one of the most active, if not the most active, and certainly the most available, artificial disinfectant we could use. For use, lib. of chloride of lime to three gallons (a small pailful) of water. Chlorine gas, which was a powerful disinfectant, might be regarded as a convenient and concentrated form iu which a powerful disinfectant of organic matter might be applied. For certain purposes, the disinfection of cow-sheds in particular, occasional fumigation might be resorted to with great pro- priety. Sulphurous acid — which acted in a similar way, but not in a precisely similar manner as chlorine gas, but destroyed organic matters — might also be used for disinfecting purposes with very great propriety. He especially recommended this because it was so readily prepared. Light some flowers of sulphur; the resulting gas was sulphurous acid ; and this acted as a most powerful destroyer of organic matter, and might be usefully employed iu the disinfection of air and parts of build- ings not otherwise accessible to bleaching powder or other dis- infectants. Nitric acid might also be used for the same pur- pose. Pour upon 4 oz. of powder of nitre 4 oz. of vitriol, to which 2 oz. of water had been added. The mixture should be put into an eartlien vessel. This was introduced by Dr. Car- miehael Smith, who years ago received a reward of £5,000 from Parliament for the publication of his receipt. Nitrous acid was also rapidly developed by pouring upon 2 oz. or 3 oz. of copper shavings jlb. of concentrated nitric acid. The mixture should be placed in a tall jar or a common basin. Wood or peat charcoal possessed a remarkable destroying power on organic substances. It had been supposed that charcoal preserved meat ; but the investigations of Dr. Stenhouse had shown that charcoal actually hastened very much the destruction of flesh, meat, and all kinds of animal matter. Charcoal possessed the power of absorbing certain smelling gases, sulphuretted hydrogen and ammonia ; it also possessed the power of destroying the gases thus absorbed. It was very porous, and its pores were filled with condensed oxygen to the extent of eight times its bulk, n e had, therefore, in charcoal oxygen gas. which supports conibusfion, or lights fires, in a condensed and more active condition than in common air which we ordinarily breathe. Hence it was that organic matters in contact with charcoal were so rapidly destroyed. The beauty of charcoal was that the destruction took place imper- ceptibly, and that the power of burning organic matter lying dormant in the charcoal was continually renewed by the surrounding atmosphere, and thus charcoal acted as the carrier of atmospheric oxygen in a condensed state in its pores. In this state the oxygen acted on organic matter, and burned it THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. up ; :i proper qiumtit-y of air took its place, ami tlie process weut on conthmally. Ueuce it \vas that a coiuparati\ cly small (luautity of wood or peat charcoal was capable of destroying- a very large quantity of organic matter. Look at the substance before him on the table. It was the hind ([uartcrs of a fox : and it was perfectly inodorous (laughter), and so it was on the lirst day he put it in the jar and covered it with powdered charcoal. The bit of fox was sent to him for another purpose, to ascertain if poison was in it ; but Dr. Stenhouse having just discovered that charcoal hastened the decomposition of organic matters, he (Dr. Voeleker) thought that while experimenting for poison he might as well try the.experiment further with regard to the properties thought to reside in charcoal, lie had the fox before him constantly on his table, and he never expe- rienced tlie slightest inconvenience ; but, as Dr. Stenhouse had said, the meat was rapidly destroyed, and nothing but skin and bone was left behind. Wood charcoal, therefore, Mas an excellent means of destroying animal matter and for covering up wine. Peat charcoal might be similarly used. "Where neither could be obtained, earth was an etiicieut disinfectant. In a similar manner, and perhaps more powerfully for some purposes, quicklime, or caustic soda, or soda ash, acted in de- stroying organic matter. The soda ash of commerce appeared to be superior to quicklime for disinfecting purposes, for the simple reason that it rapidly dissolved in w ater and could enter porous substances like wood, which could not be readily touched l)y quicklime. Moreover, soda was a powerfid detergent ; it was a good washer, and removed what could not be removed by bleaching power. Condy's Disinfecting L'quid was a so- lution of much utility as a disinfectant ; but he was afraid that for the purpose of the farmers it would scarcely be applicaljle. In permanganic acid we had oxygen in an active condition operating as a powerful destroyer of organic matter. Pire, air, heat, st^am : lleat at C50 degrees I'ahrenbeit destroyed rapidly infectious poison. Eoiling water and, better stiU, high-pressure steam completely disinfected meat from diseased animals, and hence might be used for boiling down carcasses of diseased ani- mals and utilizing the fat. Of deodorisers the lecturer men- tioned a few : I'erchloride of iron, in solution ; sulphate of soda ; sulphate of zinc ; nitrate of lead ; chloride of zinc. Antiseptics, or preventers of putrefaction, were creosote, car- bolic acid, and several most powerful disinfectants prepared from coal tar, among theni being M'Dougall's and Tliom- linson's Disinfectants. The second part of the lecture treated of the application of disinfectants for particular purposes. Under this head the disposal of animals which had died from the plague or had been slaughtered in consequence of being attacked, the disinfection of cowsheds, the disposal of the manure of infected animals, the disinfection of pastures, agricultural implements and harness, and the discharge from diseased cattle, were the chief points for which the fanner would have to make provision. The quantity to be disinfected must always be taken into consideration. Chlorine, the most powerful destroyer of animal matter, could not be employed iu sheds where animals were kept ; and the permanganic acid is salts, or Condy's Disinfectant could not, for obvious reasons, be employed in disinfecting manure heaps and bulky materials. For all the purposes for which the farmer or dairyman might require to have recourse to disin- fectants, his choice of material might well be confined to chlo- ride of lime, quicklime, and earth (Hear, hear), to which per- haps might be added fumigation with sulphur and chlorine. In applying disinfectants like chloride of lime, many persons were unmindful of the fact that all disinfectants must be used in quantity proportionate to the amount of matter or surface to be disinfected. A mere sprinkling would not do ; a sufficient quantity of chloride of lime must be used. One other general observation : Soap or soda, plenty of water, a copious supply of fresh air, were the most important disinfectants on which to rely for the disinfection of sheds ; for although certain artificial disinfectants necessary for the perfect destruction of the infectious matter, yet the use of these should always be preceded by the free use of soft soap or soda ash and water, and followed up by fully ventilating the place two or three days before putting on the premises healthy stock again. Sup- pose that animals had died or been destroyed owing to the disease, where there is a convenient place of burial immediately adjoining the premises where the death has taken place, the car- cass should be buried five feet deep, and covered with quicklime or, still better, peat charcoal, The spot must not be uear a I well or other source of water supply. If no convenient plac for burial in the neighbourhood, the carcass should be removed from the premises, and recourse must be had to disinfectants, and the most available would be chloride of lime. Por one animal about 41bs. or olbs. of chloride of lime should be tlioroughly mixed with three pailfuls of water, be- ginning by mixing the substance into the consistency of cream, and then adding the remaining water. The carcase should be thoroughly mopped over with this mixture^a portion of which should be poured into mouth and nostrils, followed by a stop- ping of tow, and a further portion into the rectum and vagina, these to be plugged in the same manner. This was in accord- ance with the recommendation of the Committee of Privy Council. The Chairman : This is before burial. Professor Voelckeu : Instead of inimediate burial. In and round large towns the carcasses of diseased animals were best disposed of by boiling down in large coppers by high-pressure steam. If it could not be buried, something must be done with it. By boiling it down in large coppers — submitting it to high pressure steam, which produced a heat of from 350 to 400 deg. — the meat would be completely disinfected, the fat would be availaljle, and the flesh could be used for manuring purposes. The hides, horns, and hoofs of diseased animals should be mopped with a solution of chloride of lime — L^lbs. to 21bs. to a pail of water. Then as to the disinfection of cow sheds and stables. The discharge and skins of deceased animals were the principal and primary seats of the infections matter of the cattle plague ; therefore manure which the cattle have made should be disinfected. Every part of the shed they had used should be well scraped and washed with soft soap and water ; or, better still, with lib. of soda-ash to a pail of water, fol- lowed by cold water. The pavement should be taken up and cleansed ; a hot mixture of lime and water, and, lastly, chloride of lime should be used, and the pavement should be relaid in a fresh bedding of concrete. The floor should be mopped over with l|lb. of chloride of lime to a pail of water. The infection might be carried into the walls and rafters. In such case, he recommended fumigation with sulphurous acid, or chlorine gas, or nitrous acid. In order to effect this, all ventilation, \Aindo\is, and apertures must be closed, and every- thing prepared for the fumigation ; for the poisonous gas would oxidise the man who conducted the fumigation and kill him, if he did not make a rapid escape after setting the fumi- gation to work. Por a copious supply of sulphurous acid for a cowshed, §lb. to lib. of sulphur burned on the floor, on three or four places, would be suflicient. The windows and doors of the cowhouse must be well closed ; for, otherwise, the fumes would create a nuisance in the neighbourhood. This, indeed, was the objection to employing chlorine or sulphurous acid gas. In the country fumigation presented no difficulty ; but in a densely populated locality it was not easy to apply a remedy which would make the whole neighbourhood cough and run away for safety, which would be the case if the sheds were in a delapidated condition, or could not be closed suflicicntly well. After the fumigation liad been carried on for twenty hours with closed windows, the shed should be ventilated by opening the windows and doors ; and the walls be then whitewashed. If the floors were taken up, cleansed, and relaid, as he had described, the shed be afterwards fumi- gated and whitewashed, the disinfection would be as perfect as it could be. As to the disposal of the manure of diseased cattle, such manure should not on any account be allowed to be mixed with other manure. Any hay or straw left by the diseased cattle .should be burned at once. It would be well if the manure could be burned ; but there was a practical difficulty about doing this, even when a good fire was first lighted and the manure was gradually put on. The wet manure, containing SO to 85 per cent, of water, would smother the fire ; produce smoke which he was afraid might dis- seminate the cattle plague would be diffused over the laud. The burning of manure was then seldom practicable. How- ever, what could be burned should be burned at once. The manure that would have to be removed should be covered over with quicklime. Por a ton of manure, or a good cartload, it would take no less than 5 cwt. of quicklime previously slacked. It would be useless to substitute for this a small quantity of chloride of lime. The manure should be carted into the field- and put with earth in alternate layers, ending with earth. As an extra precaution, he would cover the heap with peat 58 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. cliHrcoal aud quickliiue. lu tJireeor four mouths there woiihl be a valuable compost heap, which might be spread without any fear as to its contaiuing infectious matter. He believed that this would be found to be the most practical plan. A'est as to the disinfection of pastures, all that could be done was to knock about with the pitch-fork the droppings of co\i s, and then apply a dressing of lime at the rate of 100 bushels to the acre. The air and the earth would do the rest. In two or three weeks, provided rain had fallen in the interim, stock might be safely placed in such pasture. The disinfection of agricultural implements and utensils had next to be spoken of. Articles of small value, such as ropes and half used-up straps, iec, should be burned or buried. Shovels and stable utensils should be cleaned with soft soap and chloride of lime,^ lb. to a pailfuU of water. Another matter should be mentioned, on wliich he believed sufficient precautions were not always taken. How were we to disinfect the attendants on the cattle, aud more especially the veterinary inspectors? (Hear, liear). How were we to guard against the contagion \vhich the veterinary inspector might carry into cow-slieds not affected by the disease? (Hear, hear). The idea had struck him whether the veterinary inspectors could not carry to every place where the plague had broken out a pair of pattens ? It was by carrying manure on their slioes that the inspectors propa- gated the disease. And by having a pair of pattens at each farm, the inspector might avoid ever letting his feet touch the infected manure in the shed. Lastly, as to preventives. AVere there any means by which the disease could be prevented from extending? He had no hesitation in saying there were. There should be perfect isolation of diseased stock ; perfect destruction of the infection by fire, chloride of lime, sul- phuroiis acid, or other disinfectants. Inasmuch as artificial means, if powerful, cannot always be employed, because tliem- selves destructive to animal life, we are practically thrown on perfect isolation as the only means at present known of safety from the spread of the cattle plague, and the sooner tlie farmers or the Government recognised this unfortunate fact, and acted upon it, tlie sooner would this frightful calamity disappear from the country (Hear, hear). It liad been frequently asked, were there any means that could be applied to healthy stables or cow-sheds which would prevent their occupants from catch- ing the disease from infected stock ? He would reply tliat it were vain to speculate in the absence of experience on the subject, and he did not know of a single case whicli clearly showed that by placing certain materials in a cow-house the cows had been guarded against catching the disease from in- fected stock with which they had come into contact. He believed that spreading about "the cow-sheds saw-dust saturated in carbolic acid might do good ; but he could not really say that this would prevent the cattle catcliing the disease when diseased cattle came into actual contact with them. In con- clusion he would recommend one experiment to be made by the Government, in order to see whether antiseptics were good preventives of the cattle disease. He would like to have saw- dust saturated witli carbolic acid scattered over a cow-shed. He would then take half-a-dozen cows and apply to them ex- ternally a weak solution of the acid, 1 part in 100, and then send a diseased cow amongst them. This would show whether they were protected from the disease or not. It was, however, an experiment which no individual farmer could be expected to make (Hear, hear). The Chairjia:m was cpiite sure that all present would agree with him that it was most desirable that this interesting lec- ture should be published as soon as possible, as there could not be a subject of greater importance to them as agricultur- ists than tlie prevention and cure of the Cattle Plague. The lecture contained a great number of practical hints as to the cleansing of sheds and implements, fumigating by burning half a pound of sulphur on the floor, lime-waslnng, and venti- lation, all of which could be done with materials at the bauds of every fanner. He agreed with the lecturer as to the diffi- culty of getting rid of infected manure by burning. But how would it be affected if treated with lime in the way proposed ? The ammonia would be volatilized, and the fertilizing property of the manure would escape. Might they, in such a case, use gypsum ? The lime volatilized the ammonia ; tlie gypsum set it. Would, then, the gypsum be as useful as lime ? And did the Professor think it woiild be safe to turn the heap of in- fected manure and earth, disposed in layers as lie had described, m as brief a period as he liad named. Professor YoelcivEK replied in the affirmative. In answer to the question as to the effect of lime on the maniue heap, he said that fresh manure contained scarcely any am- monia ; the ammonia was produced during the decomposition, and therefore it was not desirable to mix lime with rotten dung. The Ciiairma:n : You would use it while the manure was green. There was another important point. They all knew that there was no greater fertilizer than animals. Supposing, then, a diseased animal was buried, would it be safe to use the body as manure tlirce months afterwards, or in what time ? Profesior Votslukek : 1 would leave the diseased animal iu his grave (Hear, hear). The Chairman? stated that some time ago he had a tank iu his garden which smelled very disagreeable. It was near where he kept his prize stock. One morning he found tlie tank covered with a thick green slime. He ordered a busliel of gypsum to be flirovni over it. In the afternoon there was not the slightest smell, and the scum was gone, but the colour remained. He constantly used gypsum in his yards and cow- house and pig-houses, and it almost entirely prevented any smell. Dr. Crisp remarked that the learned Professor had much simplified the subject of the Cattle Plague when he stated that it originated in living cells. He had himself examined for a long time the secretion of animals dyiug from the Cattle Plague, but Mitli no higher power than 500 or 600. He would like to be informed what power was used in the discovery of t!ie cells, and were the cells peculiar to the Cattle Plague ? Monads and other animalcules were found in scores of animals. Was there in the cattle disease a peculiar cell ? It was most important to know that this was a statement that could be depended upon. Mr. Lees remarked that a more powerful analist than the microscope was the screen, the action of which was most extraordinary. Had these cells been examined in that way ? The lecturer liad touched on the origin of the disease. •Professor Voelcker said it was not his intention to touch upon the medical question. He merely alluded to it in order to have a convenient opportunity of showing that we had to deal in this disease with a material substance. He could not say wliether the microscopic cells were in existence or not. lie had uo intention to opeu this question, although . it was most important that we should know whether the disease had a material origin. Dr. Crisp .- May I ask the names of the gentlemen who have seen cells ? Professor VoELCKiR : I do not think I am at liberty to men- tion the names. Mr. ToER asked what proportion the acid bore to the saw- dust ? Professor Voelcker said the saw-dust should bo mixed with aliout 20 per cent, of carbolic acid. A gentleman present commenced a rather vehement denun- ciation of the restrictions against the removal of cattle imposed upon tlie English farmer wliile importation was free, when The Chairman reminded him that that was not the ques- tion which they had assembled to discuss. Colonel T.VLBOT said he was a practical farmer, and he had had during the last five months 150 cows, not one of which had been attacked by the cattle plague till last Thursday. He would state liow he had treated them, aud then ask whether the treatment had been judicious, or whether the non-infection of his cows was owing to chance ? When the plague was first heard of, being of opinion that charcoal would be a good antiseptic, he gave his bailiff orders to administer to each cow a quarter-of-a-pint of prepared charcoal daily, and an ounce of nitre dissolved iu a pint of cold water each other day. His bailiff, a practical man, who had for twelve years had the charge of 300 cows, told him a few days afterwards, that the unpleasant odour of the cows' breath, which he had experienced in drenching them, had disappeared. He would like to hear from the Professor whether this treatment had been of use ? He also used very largely Burnett's Disinfecting Pluid, which he believed was chloride of zinc ; he used it freely in the drains with a watering-pot, and poured it about the sheds and mangers. lie also lime-washed the buildings. The result was that the sheds were perfectly inodorous, though there was generally discernible the smell o"f a cow-shed as far as 200 or 300 yards off. The animals were bought at farm-houses, and not at fiiirs and markets ; and when tli^y reached home they were washed with Buruett'.s DisiufectinK Pluid. They woi'c THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 69 kept in the most pcitcct isolation tliat lie could devise ; yet, after all, the horrid plague at last attacked him. A Ge>"tleiia^' : Cau you trace the disease in any way ? Colonel Talbot ; Not in anyway. It attacked an old cow, not one of tlie new ones. He had read everything that had been written on tlie .subject; and by chance heard of a luedi- ciue, called the 'Worbcna, a most potent medicine. On Friday night last he had eleven cows sullVriug from the idague. Oiie of them he treated homceopatliically : and she died (laughter). The other ten lie treated witli the Warbina. To-day, six of them had perfectly recovered, and yielded 19 quarts of milk per day ; and they were so ravenous for food that they were eating hay-bands. The proper course to pursue was to watch with the greatest care every animal in the lierd, and the mo- ment they found an auimal the least off his food treat hira as if he had the plague. He would administer as an aperient l|lb. of treacle, 2 or 3 ounces of salts, 3 table-spoonfuls of sulphur, and a bottle of Dix's Fluid ; he would allow that aperient to work for twelve hours, and then administer the Warbena. The result of such treatment was most remarkable. If this did not cure the animal in two days, they should adopt fur- ther means. He would cover the animal, as recommended by Mr. Graham, with three wet rugs aud three dry oues, to pro duee friction, and if this did not succeed he would proceed thus : He had a cow under treatment of this sort — he had her stomach rubbed with turpentine and mustard, two setons placed in the stomach, aud the whole covered with hot poul- tice. "RTiat the result would be he did not know. He had thought it right to state what he had done , aud he believed that there were few who could say, as he could himself, he had saved sis cows out of nine (Hear, hear). The Chairj[.\x thanked Colonel Talbot for giving the meet- ing the result of his experience ; but he imagined that the precautious taken by the gallant officer had rendered his ani- mals less likely to take the disease. I'rofessor Voelckek, in answer to the question put to him by Colonel Talbot, said he had no experience of the effect of charcoal taken medicinally. JMr. E.A>-DALL said the Professor had spoken of the pro- bable means of preventing the plague. He said that a neces- sary condition was, that the animals should be perfectly iso- lated. But where tlic fields were near to roads, it was im- possible to prevent their men from treading on the droppings of diseased cattle aud bringing the taint into the iields. What did the Professor think of spreading lime before the gateways ? Professor Voelcker thought it a good plan. Tiie Earl of Siiuewsbury proposed a vote of thanks to the Professor for his kindness in delivering his lecture, the ability he had showu, and the good advice he had given. Mr. J. J. 8a>'dy remarked that though there was no ammonia in green manure, ammonia made its appearance within 48 hours. He dissented from the suggested use of quicklime, and advocated the use of per-mangauates. The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation ; and the meeting broke up. CENTRAL FARMERS' CLUB. THE BREEDING AND 3:kANAGEMENT OF CATTLE. The monthly meeting of the Club took place on Monday evening, December 11, at the Club-house, Salisbury Square, Mr. Robert Leeds in the chair. The subject appointed for consideration, introduced by Mr. T. Duckham, of Baysham Court, Ross, Herefordshire, was "The Breedmg and Management of Cattle." The attendance was larger than usual. The Cn.vlR3iAN said : Before proceeding to the business of the evening, I feel it my duty to tell the Club tlie result of the resolution which was passed at the last meeting, when the subject of the cattle plague was under consideration. A memorial was prepared, and a deputation waited upon Sir George Grey. You have, no doubt, seen a copy of that memorial, and a report of the conversation which took place after its presentation, in the agricultural papers ; if not, you will in a short time see them in the Club Journal. It is satis- factory to find that the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society, in its interview with the Lords of the Privy Council, supported our views on this subject, the suggestions which they offered being very similar to those which previously emanated from the committee of this Club (Hear, hear). The topic for this evening is the " Breeding and Management of Cattle ;" and it is to be introduced by Mr. Duckham, who, as you are all aware, is the special champion of the Herefords (cheers). That gentleman is the last to start for the cele- brated cup of this Club ; but it has often happened in aU races that the last off has been the first in (laughter), and I hope the meeting will by their attention give Mr. Duckham a fair chance (cheers). Mr. DucKii.ui said : Mr. chairman and gentlemen, the subject which I have this evening undertaken to bring before your notice is one of considerable national importance, em- bracing as it does the means by which the greatest amount of animal food of a certain kind can be made from a given amount of vegetable food, or^ in other words, the best system to adopt in the " Breeding and management of Cattle," and, possibly never within the liistory of this nation, when the sword was within its scabbard and peace prevailed, has this important subject been attended with more general interest ; the dietary habits of an increasing and prosperous population daily extending its demand for meat on the one hand, and its meat producing area being rapidly reduced on the other hand by the construction of railways, opening of mines, estabhsh- ment of mauufactorics, the extension of cities and towns, and although last, not least, the lamentable system pursued in the the preservation of game. Thus it is that, notwithstanding the enormous quantity of live stock annually imported into the kingdom, and the vastly increased quantity fed by artifi- cial means, meat has steadily increased in value until it has now more thau doubled the low price of 1849. Beyond any question, much of that rise is owing to the disastrous droughts of the past aud present year, causing young and half-raeated animals to pass prematurely into consumption, combined with that great national calamity the cattle plague, with which it has pleased our Almighty Ruler to afflict this nation. Yet I feel .JO per cent, at the least of that rise is attributable to the before-mentioned causes. In juxtaposition to these facts we have that of the low price of corn ; and why, it may be asked, are these things so, when free -trade is the ruling principle for all kinds of agricultural produce ? The answer is obvious : The close stowage of corn, with comparative small risk of loss in the transit, renders its importation both easy and lucrative ; whilst the awkward stowage aud great risk with live stock in sea voyages, renders its importation diflicidt and expensive ; and, as the same argument applies to the storage and freight- age of butter aud cheese, it becomes apparent that the Eng- lish farmer must devote his utmost exertions to the production of meat. This desideratum naturally divides itself into two questions, viz., first, the class of animals to breed; and secondly, their management. The first of these is one in which, I feel but little doubt, we shall all readily agree ; for, although there luav, aud I have no doubt there does exist a 60 THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. great difference of opinion amongst lUj as to the relative va'ne of tliis or that breed, yet experience has long since proved that good form and quality of flesh are absolutely requisite qualifications to ensure success, inasmuch as without the one we cannot obtain constitution and aptitude to fatten, nor without tlic other that top figure which we all like when our animals are ready for the shambles. It becomes obvious, then, that care and attention are absolutely requisite in the selec- tion of our breeding animals, particularly of the bull, inas- much as the influence of the sire upon the progeny is usually more than that of the dam. As regards the several points of perfection in form, I think the audience whom I have this evening the honour of addressing will consider it to be only a waste of time on my part to enter further into it than to state tliat a mellow hide, well- covered witli soft glossy hair, a mode- rately short head and wide forehead, a straight outline, a full, deep chest, slopijig shoulder, good springing rib, so that no hollow remain between outside shoulder and rib, a deep flank, small bone, and the whole carcase well and evenly covered with firm flesh, yielding with a pleasing elasticity to the toucli, are essential qualifications. I consider tliat too close an affinity of blood should be carefully guarded against ; for, al- though I am fully aware that breeding in- and-in has been, in many instances, attended by very marked successful results, yet, as a rule,'! feel it is best to be guarded against, and for this simple reason : I believe that our beautiful races or breeds of animals have been greatly improved by the care, skill, and attention wliicli have for generations past Ijeen paid to the subject by gentlemen who made it their careful study, and fixed their distinctive characters l)y the adoption of consan- guinity, which I now say sho\ild be avoided. I also believe that perfection can only be attained in a direct line once ; and as the tendency of nature is ever to revert, a contiuued adoption of that course would prove productive of degenera- tion, resulting in delicacy of constitution and lightness of flesh J further, there are few families that have not some weak points in connection with them, which a change of blood may tend to correct, whereas the opposite course would probably perpetuate it for several generations. Besides, should any constitutional weakness or disease exist, that weak- ness or disease is much more likely to be propagated than any good qualities they may possess ; therefore, I consider the utmost care, skill, and close observation are essentially re- quisite to be exercised in the selection of our breeding animals. Having made the selection of both male and female, the next tiling to be considered is their management, and upon the first point under this head depends much of the breeders' future success, viz., at what age they should be used for breeding purposes ; and I cannot help thinking that mucli injury is frequently done to valuable animals by adopting too early a period, inasmuch as in doing so you bring a most powerful exhausting influence to bear prematurely upon the nervous and vascular systems, which too frequently results in the animal proving sterile, or being given to cast. In my opinion, no bull should be used before he is eighteen months old, and no heifer should calve before she is three years old. I am fully aware that they arc frequently, in each gender, used to propagate their species much earlier ; but 1 believe that in the case of the bull it has an injurious efl'ect upon his form, and checks his growth ; and in the case of the heifer the effect is much more injurious. Upon this point Dr. Hitchman, of Derby, a gentleman well-known as a breeder of Shorthorns, a member of tiiis Club, and chairman of the Derbyshire Club and Agricultural Society, in one of the ex- cellent addresses he has given at their meetings says : " The desire for a present advantage leads to great evils in the future. By placing animals too young into breeding condition you tax nature too heavily, and two evils ensue — the parent is stunted, and the progeny is smaller than it otherwise would be. Reflect that when nature is busily employed in adding to the growth, i.e., to the size and completion of eveiy muscle, bone, and viscera of the animal, every particle that goes to the building up of the animal system is derived from the blood of that animal ; that the blood is furnished with those materials solely and exclusively from the food that is taken into the stomach and digested by that organ and the air which is inhaled by the lungs ; that no more muscles (flesh), bones, skin, lung, heart, Uver, can possibly be found in the system of any animal than can be extracted by its digestive and other organs from the food with which it is supplied. Every organ of tlie body — the stomach, liver, lungs, heart, &c. — are taxed to the utmost to fabricate the necessary materials for the growing muscles, ligaments, and bones of the young ani- mals ; and by causing this creature to be impregnated at such a crisis in its history, what do you do ? You not only call a new set of organs and functions into activity, but you place an already active circulation into greater exercise ; you produce a feverish state, as is shown by the condition of the blood of the young animjil ; you alter largely the state of that blood, which is the purveyor of all the building materials of the body ; and, further, you call another like creature into existence, having like structures to be built up with those which the animal was building up in its own body. But while you do this, you cannot add a mite to the digestive and assimi- lative powers of the animal : you have no more material to sup- ply the two young bodies than you had for the one. Extra food given (which it very seldom is) will not wholly meet the case, because the food is not available until it is digested and assimilated, and no animal can digest and assimilate more than a given quantity. Again, every living orgaa when unduly and continuously stimulated to overwork becomes diseased, and you are thus laying the foundation of future serious constitutional mischief. This is not all : by the increasing growth and dis- tension of the immature ' reed,' or womb, the viscera are dis- placed, and necessary functions are disturbed ; moreover, there is not full room in the imperfectly developed skeleton of the young animal for the proper growth of its calf, and this of course reacts again mischievously on parent and ofi'spring ; both are the worse for it. No after-treatment can remedy the evils springing out of deficiencies and disasters in the embryo or foetal state. The cattle of a district where such practices are largely followed must dwindle in size. It is in vain to quote a case where the progeny of so young an animal has been good and she herself has grown into good size ; we must look to (jeueral results ; and if statistics were kept, it would doubtless be found that in a vast number of cases the dam be- came early barren, or was given to cast her calf, or was de- fective in size or in milking powers, and that tlie progeny was small, nesh, and unprofitable, or became an easy prey to wliatever malady was afloat — foot-disease, pleuro-pneumonia, &c." Having set this excellent opinion before you, I will say nothing further upon that head than that my experience strikingly confirms the learned doctor's opinions, in nearly every particular. The next point for consideration is, at what period of the year should they be brought into existence to en- sure future success ? And here I think we must look to na- ture's laws to guide us in the decision ; for howsoever great our advances in science may be, it must surely be admitted that, in a matter upon wliicli we are so dependent upon Nature, science shoidd only be used to elucidate and assist in her work, and that therefore we should not endeavour to make Nature sub- servient to our scientific knowledge. If tlus idea is the cor- THE FyVEMER'S MACUZTNE. 61 rect oue, the next which arises is, when does Nature fix upon as the time for parturition in'the cow ? Have they their season of CEstus, siiuiliir to horses, sheep, and other animals, both wild and domesticated ? My opinion is they have, and here 1 am home out by the experience of many of my kind friends whose extensive herds in Australia are in a wild or semi-wild state. Now, this being so, let us for a moment divert our attention from the herd to the llock, and there are few of us who do not know the almost worthless, puny state in which a lamb con- tinues, which may be dropped in May. We also know that it is possible to make fiue lambs of those dropped in November or December ; but the cost is something too serious for breeders generally to contemplate, and therefore only carried out by those who prepare for the fastidious tastes of the epicure, which ■ must be met by a provision in the London market. Then why, I ask, should not each of the classes of animals, whose natural habits are so similar, be treated in an equally natural manner ? It is clear our forefathers well understood this, when in the zodiacal signs they gave to the sheep March, the cattle April, and all creation May. Further on we find the Welsh Prince " Howel the Good," who reigued in the early part of the tenth century, and revised the laws of that country, which revision is known as the Venedotion code, and was framed about the year 943. Book III. ch. xxv. sec. 20., on trespass : " The bulls are uot to be taken to pound from Midsummer until August, for trespassing upon corn or grass, for at that period the milch cattle become tufty. It is not right to take bulls from August until the first feast of the Virgin ; for then the heifers become tufty. And sec. 21.: " It is not right to take a buU at any time that is foUowmg a tufty cow." Thus provision was made for those freaks of nature which the utmost skill fails to guard against. Now, although a period of 915 years had elapsed from the date of those laws until Mr. Bowly's prize essay on the breeding and management of cattle appeared in the Royal Agricultural Journal, Pt. T. vol. xix., the dates recommended by Mr. Bo\ily are strikingly similar. Yet, notwithstanding all this, the breeding year for our cattle has, during the present century, been divided iuto three distinct periods. Thus we have some breeders endeavouring to obtain their calves in the summer or early autumn, in order that they may meet the rules and regulations of our great national agricultural societies ; others of a later date in autumn, because they have seen that by high feeding during a long aud dreary winter they have a good lot of calves to turn out in the spring ; but without calculating the expensive food which both dam and calf have partaken of, others, and fortunately for the nation by far the greater proportion, adhere to that period, which in my opinion, is more in accordance with Nature's laws, I will now endeavour to demonstrate the evils of the two first systems, and the advantages attending the latter. lu doing so, I pur- pose confining my remarks to the effect each distinct system is calculated to produce by its continued adoption upon the breeding and milking properties of the dam, upon the consti- tutional devolopment and generative powers of the offspring, and the economical bearing upon those who adopt them. The bull being the animal of the greatest influence in every herd, I will in each case suppose the offspring to be a bull calf. First, then, as regards summer or early-autumn calving, which has been practically forced upon breeders who aspire to Royal and other distinguished show-yard honours. I have he- fore shown it to be injudicious to have heifers calve before they have arrived at a proper age, and I simply refer to this now from the fact that I know many good breeders who put them to breed very young, and give them extra time before they are in calf again, In my opinion they sliould calve at a mature age, aud go on breeding as fast as they will after. Under this arrangement a little time may fairly be gained year by year with a good breeder, I therefore purpose fixing the month of September as the period at whicli the heifer should drop her first calf. la order to do this, she must be put to bull about December, when both bull and heifer are being kept upon dry and, to a certain extent, artificial food. Upon the arrival of spring she is turned into the pastures, there to partake of those young and succulent grasses which are so calculated to develop her milking properties; but those properties not having been called into action, she converts that food into fat, to the injury of her lactic secretions and tiie danger of her own life when the day of parturition has arrived, even supposing she has escaped abortion, which has been greatly hazarded by her being heavy in- calf at a period when the continued torments of flies have driven her wildly about the pastures. Having calved, the puny oft- spring shows that it is an animal born out of due season, and if reared he must be treated as a hot-house plant until the following spring. When that period has arrived he will have attained a size and age at which he will prove troublesome to be set at large. Thus, an animal, upon wliich so much of the breeder's future success is dependent, is, by the unnatural season at which -he was calved, to a great extent deprived of the genial rays of the sun and the invigorating and refreshing breezes of the atmosphere, the fond caresses of its dam, and the free exercise of its body ; all of which I shall presently endeavour to show you are essentially requisite to him in early life. Added to those evils, if intended for the show-yard, he must be fed upon the best and most stimulating food possible, and too frequently even the very hght of heaven is shut out from him, on account of the knowledge of darkness favouring obesity. On light. Dr. Ilitchmau says : " Light and proper warmth are essential elements of health. Exclude a young growing animal from light, keep him warm by means only of the car- bonic acid gas which he has breathed out of his lungs, and by the decompositions of his wetted bedding aud the ammoniacal gases which emanate from his excretions, and you will plant the seeds of scouring, black leg, and those other complaints which carry off calves suddenly and hopelessly." As regards the cow, she must be kept through tlie winter upon good, and therefore expensive feed, or no milk can be expected from her; and should she continue to breed, which is too frequently not the case, the danger attending lier next calving will be greatly increased, from the fact that during the spring and summer she has been partaking of the young, juicy, succulent grasses ; and as there is a less call upon the food she consumes in raising her own superstructure than during the past year, she lays on more fat, and her milking propprties, if she has any (which is too frequently not the case, when for several generations Nature has been driven out of her own course), being more fiiHy developed, a greater risk is incurred at calving, and a greater risk of puerperal fever is the result. This brings me to the second system ; and upon the principle of gaining a little time annually, I will suppose the heifer in- tended to calve in the autumn should be put with the bull about tlie end of March. Here, again, botli bull and heifer have been kept upon a dry dietary, aud although there is not the same danger of puerperal fever with cows calving late in the autumn, yet they too have been partaking of a summer's grass without yielding any beneficial return, and must, like the former cows, be kept well upon expensive diet during the winter, to be again comparatively valueless the following summer. I say comparatively valueless, inasmuch as the natural tendency of the cow to produce milk is of course greatest immediately alter calving ; but the circumstances under which she has been kept for so many months check rather than favour its production, and the lacteal organs have necessarily become much less active before she has the chance of obtaining that succulent food whidi is most favourable for the production of milk : this being so, that food is used by the animal for the laying on of fat, instead of yield- ing milk. The calf, too, like the former, must be another hot-house plant, i.e., he must be house-fed, aud subject to similar unnatural treatment at a period when the founda- tion of the constitution should be substantially laid. But is it so ? I feel I shall be able to show you it is not ; for although as far as human foresight can aid in the selection — and every care is taken by breeders of first-class stock to secure aniuials in which are apparently developed the points 62 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. most essoutial for :i sound constitution — yet how frequently do we hear of the cows and heifers in our best herds becoming- sterile, or being given to cast, or becoming early barren, and that they have lost the valuable milking property of their predeces- sors ! — that the hulls have uo generative powers, and tliercfore after being reared at a great expense are of no further value than for the butcher ! Aud is all this to be wondered at, under a system so physiologically wrong ? llather would it not be cause for wonder were it not so, when auiinals have Ijeen so treated year after year, generation after generation ? AVhat, I ask, would be the etfect upon the human race were our children from the earliest childhood enclosed within a room from which the pure breath of heaven is almost excluded? — no free exercise in the open air, uo genial rays of the sun to shine upon them — no invigorating or refreshing breeze to pass over them, and their appetites pampered with the choicest luxuries ? I am sure you will say degeueracy must follow such unnatural treatment. Then, if such be the case in the human race, is it not (at tlie least) ecpally likely to follow treatment so similar when bestowed upon animals whose natural habits are combined with a much greater exposure to atmospheric changes? The excellent paper on the reproductive powers of domesticated animals by Professor Tanner (Royal Agricultural Journal, S. S. vol. 1., part II.), is one well worthy of careful pe- rusal, and from which I will make the following extracts • " In numerous instances animals distinguislied for their symmetry, aud possessing every peculiarity which is desirable for the pro- duction of meat, are valueless for breeding purposes, because of their inability to exercise their reproductive powers." Again : "The free exercise of the body exerts a most important influence upon the functions of life. Muscular growth is almost as de- pendent upon exercise as it is upon the nutriment from w Inch it is produced. Nature has implanted in all yoiiug animals a strong desire for that exercise of the body by which theiy growth can be best promoted, and this is particularly sliowm br the uncontrolled delight which they manifest w'hen liberated from a bondage against which nature rebels." On the win- tering of stock, he says: "When shelter is provided, available at the option of the animal aud accompanied by liberal feed- ing, the healthy condition of the stock in the spring wiU offer a marked contrast to that of animals which had too much pro- tection and have lived in a less pure atmosphere. I consider that much of the delicacy of constitution and predisposition to disease which is complained of in high-bred slock, may be traced to such injudicious management." On diet, he remarks : "The general system of diet must be looked upon as taking its share in influencing the reproductive functions" ; aud adds : " A dry dietary is very unfavourable for breeding-animals, aud very much retards successful impregnation. Oji the other hand, rich, juicy, aud succulent vegetation is very generally favourable to breeding." On the milking properties he says : " In proportion as we adopt a more natural system of ma- nagement for the purpose of keeping stock in a healthy and vigorous breeding condition, so shall we reap the indirect benefit of a better supply of milk." Aud Dr. Ilitchman has thus kindly written me : " I stand pledged to your first aphorism — the more natural laws are studied and aided by science the greater wLU be the success. The early part of March is the time in which it is best to have the calf drop. I believe abortion in high-bred stock to be the result of many errors, all of which, however, are summed up in the words ' too much stimulating food — too little exercise — too much warmth, and too great a disregard to the milking functions, with all that it entails.' Autumn is the very worst time a cow can calve in, except, perhaps, it be November. It is bad for the cow and for the calf; and the latter is never so well equipped by constitutional power to battle with all the evils which the cold and damp of our winters and late springs engender. It is remarkable that so- cieties and individuals should so long close their eyes against the teachings of fact." Having placed these opinions before you, I will now proceed to consider the advantages attending the period which is more in accordance with Nature's laws. The heifer, to calve in April or May, wdll have to be with the bull in July or early in August, at a period when both animals have been partaking of young and succulent vegetation, which Professor Tanner says is so " favourable to breeding." Being in calf, she can be kept in a most inexpensive manner during the winter ; aud as spring advances, and the day of parturition draw^ near, her food ghoviJd be improved, and §lie should be allowed daily a few hours in the pastures. The youug, rich, juicy grasses will then purify her blood and develope her milk- ing properties. At nights she should be placed in a roomy, well-ventilated building, some week or so before calving. Under such treatment her udder and milk-veins will become distended to the utmost ; yet uo anxious fears need be enter- tained respecting her, as her condition will he that of a healthy breeding animal ; and the calf, when it makes its ap- pearance, may fairly be expected to be a fine one, with plenty of Nature's food provided for its wants. After a few days, the heifer should be turned into the pastures, where she will find that food fiest calculated to meet her wants, and at a time when her natural tendency to produce mUk is most active. After a few weeks, the calf will have gained sufficient strength to take all the milk the dam provides ; aud he can then be turned into the pastures with her, where he wiU require uo further care than that which she wiU bestow upon him until weaiiing-time arrives, when he should be placed in a cot, mth' a yard to run in at his pleasure ; and, as far as my experience enables me to form an opinion, this is both the cheapest and most healthy manner in which a buU can be reared. I have said " he will require no further care than that which his dam will bestow upon him." Now let us consider what that care will be, and its effect. In early morn she freely yields him his natural meal, which warms his stomach, aud prepares it for tlie feed of grass which he will presently take ; and whilst he is enjoying his meal, her rough tongue will be busily em- ployed in washing him from top to toe. No portion of his little body will escape her maternal attention. By this means not only is his skin thoroughly cleansed, but it is stimulated by the rough action of the tongue, and a lively circulation of blood throughout the whole body is thereby promoted, and a luxuriant growth of good hair, wiiich is much desired by aU breeders. His meal being ended, he runs and skips about in playful mirth ; and thus his vital organs, as well as his every muscle, are brought into^healthy action, and the foundation of a robust constitution is early laid. During each succeeding winter the cow will be inexpensively kept in the strawyard ; and whether taken to the pail for dairy use, or the offspring be continued to be reared at her foot, she will be yielding a good return for the rich grasses she daily consumes. This brings me to the economical bearing of the subject I have par- ticularly noticed, and physiologically accounted for — the fact that in each of the first cases (i. e., of both summer and autumn-calving) there is great difficulty aud uncertainty iu obtaining calves ; tliat the systems adopted are calculated to impair the constitution of the animals ; that no profitable re- turn wiU be yielded from the cows during the best months of the year for dairy purposes ; aud that in each case the cows must be well fed during the winter months upon expensive food, or they cannot be expected to yield milk : wiiereas in the case of spring-calving impregnation takes place at a period of the year most favourable for breeding ; that the time of partu- rition is most favourable for the economical rearing and the constitutional development of the yoiuig animal ; that it is the period best adapted to promote the milking functions of the cow ; and that when she has ceased to yield milk she can be economically kept in the strawyard until the time approaches for her to calve again. This latter saving I consider equal to 25 per cent, of the hay consumed by the whole herd, to say nothing of a large quantity of roots or other food favourable to the production of milk, as I estimate a niLlch cow, with her autumn calf, will eat quite as much hay, from October until May, as the two rears of youug cattle : consequently, either an increased number of calves can be bred, aud less of that expensive and precarious work, hay-making (more land being grazed), or under other management the steers and draught cows usually sold by the breeders to the graziers in a poor state could be fed out for the butcher. These are, I think, important points, calling for the most serious considera- tion, and if I am right iu my views, they clearly show that the economical bearing is vastly iu favour of spring calving. The general management of the herd will greatly depend upon situation and climate, also whether the practice pursued is for dairy or for meat. But there is one point which no circum- stances can alter, viz., the necessity of cows in-calf being treated gently by those in charge of them, and upon no account should dogs be allowed to be used in driving them. I fear much evil frequently arises in this way, as a nervous ex- citement i§ created, at a period when quietude is essentially re- THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE. GO quisite to eusurc success, As a rule, I tliiuk, a cow haviu;^ had three calves should be turuedolT to feed, iuasmuch as each year she is kept beyond that period she will become of less value iu the eyes of the grazier and the butcher, and as we may fairly calculate upou au average number of each sex being produced, there would be one-third of the heifers to draft annually to be fed with them; for, howsoever skilfully they may be bred, and howsoever correct the law of breeding may be of like getting like, yet it rarely happens that there are not some iu a rear inferior to others. When turned to grass iu the spring I send them out full of food, and prefer a rather scanty jierbage for a few days, and only to allow them to be out for a short period the first day, increasing the time daily. By this little precautionary measure I escape any sick- ness arising fi-om over-feeding, or disarrangement of the body from too sudden a change of diet. The calves intended for steers should lie made so froln six to eight weeks old, and howsoever they may he reared, the object iu view with them should never be lost sight of, i.e., they should be kept in a good thriving condition, and never allowed to sink in llcsli, as they will lose more in one week, under bad treatment, than they will regain in two ; therefore, should a scarcity of food at any time arise, oilcake should be resorted to as a substitute ; a little cake given them early in the morning upon the pastures will be well bestowed alike for the improvement of the animal and the herbage of the succeeding year. The removal of the lierd from the pastures by night should not be too long de- layed iu the autumn, particularly in low damp situations when the early hoar frosts are liable to create abortion witii the cows and qharter evil with the calves. They wiU all ap- preciate the comfort of a dry lair during the night, and dry food in the morning, even if it be simply wheat-straw to pick over. Rock salt should be freely supplied to the whole of tiie herd wherever they may be situated, whether in the pastures, the fold-yards, or feeding-stalls ; and a supply of clay in the mangers wUl not be without its use as au antacid. That successful breeder and feeder Mr. M'Combie, of Tillyfour, Aberdeenshire, has kindly written me that his practice is to allow the calves to run with their dams from six to ten months, as he does not hand-rear any ; that when his cattle have not a full bite of grass he gives the feeding animals oilcake on the pastures, and he always gives his calves from IJ to 2|- lbs. per day of oilcake during their first winter :tliat he draws a strong cord through the dewlap as a preventive for black-leg, and under that treatment he has never lost any from that fatal com- plaint. He generally gives his feeding animals about a4th of cake and the same of crushed oats or barley per day during the last six or eight weeks ; and adds, " I most distinctly consider tliat all cattle intended to be reared, more especially calves, ought to be kept in the open yards, with plenty of shelter to protect them from the inclemency of tlie weather, and plenty of dry litter. No doubt whatever their confinement is against aU natural laws, and must be very prejudicial to the constitu- tion. Cattle that have been confined in the stalls or enclosed yards lose condition at grass for at least two months, whilst those from the open yards improve the very day they are put out. What more proof is required?" Mr. Lumsden, of Ancliry House, Aberdeenshire, vvhose herd I had the pleasure of seeing last year, when his feeding cattle were eating oat- straw and turnips, informed me that he had adopted a similar practice to Mr. M'Combie, only that he does not use the setou in the dewlap, and that he commences a month earlier with tlie cake, &c. ; that he usually fed out his Hereford steers for the London market at two years to two years and three months old, varying from 8 to 9 cwt. each ; he does not give them any hay. Upon this point I can only say I wish the oatstraw and turnips in my part of the kingdom would produce a similar result. Respecting the general health : when a dryness of the hair over the shoulders and withers is displayed, I consider it indicates an inactivity of the liver, and a little medicine is sure to be attended with a good result. Sly remedy is 8 oz. of Epsom salts, 4- oz. sulphur, ^ oz. nitre, \ oz. ginger, iu two quarts of warm water, given iu the morning upon an empty stomach. A few days subsequently, 2 oz. common salt, 2oz. sulphur, loz. gentian, 1 oz. aniseed, and some feonigrick mixed with the food. These remedies have at all times had the desired effect ; and the little expense and trouble are amply repaid in the proper digestion and assimilation of food — to say nothing of their escaping au attack of yellows, or, iu other words, yeUow jaundice, which is too apt to foUuu neglect iu this respect. Of epidemics, I am thankful to say I have had very little ex- perience ; but, after the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng- land's meeting at Battersea, foot-and-mouth disease raged throughout the county, and about one-third of mine sickened. I immediately removed the healthy from the unhealthy, and administered the above drench to botli sick and well, and no more fell ill. This autumn, upon the breaking out of that direful malady the cattle plague iu the country, from the belief that prevention is better than cure, and also feeling that the better the state of the Idood the greater chance of saving animals if attacked, I gave the same drench, and, occasionally, have given them the powders. I wish here to be distinctly understood tiiat I can by no means endorse some of the opinions set forth in the press, to the clfect that the artificial and unnatural treatment which some of the herds of this kingdom are subjected to is the cause of the outbreak of that great national calamity ; for, howsoever strongly I may feel respecting the errors of tliat unnatural treatment, I can see no analogy between the two, and can only consider that those opinions were advanced iu order to divert the public mind from the real source of the introduction, and I think that the hitherto almost total absence of the disease from those herds is the best answer that can be supplied to such fallacious opinions. I cannot leave the question of health of the herd without making some remarks upou the subject of water, as I believe it highly essential that an ample supply of pure- water should be at the command of every animal ; but how rarely is tliis the case ! At the buildings and yards in which they are kept during winter, the too general practice is that a pond, on a lower elevation than the yards receiving the wash from the un- spouted buildings, after passing through the manure, forms the only supply. To that reservoir of " brown stout " they are usually driven twice a-day, where, after several hours of thirst, they frequently drink an excessive quantity, which is demonstrated by the staring coat, arched back, and shivering state of the animal. Such liquid can scarcely be considered healthy for the animals compelled to drink it ; and, beyond any question, it forms a most fruitful source of typhoid, not only to those who live near, and are engaged at the home- steads where it is situated, but also to all who pass near it. The food for fattening stock should, I think, be occa- sionally changed. My system is an allowance of best qua- lity linseed cake from two to four pounds, given the first thing in the morning. This is followed by three feeds during the day of hay, chaft", meal, and pulped roots, and a little hay in the rack at night. It will be observed I do not give the excessive quantities of cake we have sometimes heard of, as iny belief is that no animal can derive the fuU amount of benefit it is calculated to produce when supplied beyond the assimilating powers of the animal, and that therefore, when extremes are resorted to, much valuable matter passes into the manure, which, I think, should be turned to a better account. I like to reduce all corn to fine meal, and mix it with the chaff and roots some twelve hours before using, when a slight saccharine fermentation will take place. Under this arrange- ment, I consider the digestive organs of the animal will de- rive the full benefit of the food it partakes of. At the same time, I am of opinion that an occasional change of the kinds of corn, and also the manner of giving the roots, will be at- tended viith advantage. That animals, like ourselves, are fond of a change may readily he conceived, by the eager manner in which they will frequently eat their litter wheu fresh. Last year was a season of great trial to the stock- owner : the short supply of hay, and failing crops of roots, rendered it dilficult to caiTy out the usual system. But the prospect of a high price for beef, and the certain low price for corn, induced me to substitute straw-chaff for hay-chaft", and, in the absence of roots, to make linseed-tea, which was ap- plied boiling hot upon the chaff, with a little salt, and the meal added thereto. This, with a little hay in the rack by night, con- stituted their feed I prefer applying the linseed-tea boiling hot, as it softens the straw, and renders it more digestible ; and I never saw my steers and eows feed faster than they did under that system. Two-years eight-months old steers went out at £.30 , and the last I sold was only two years and three months, and he sold for £28. I have, for several years past, used large quantities of straw chaff, and pulped roots with my store cattle ; and the experimeat of last winter proved to m» 64 THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. that much more meat can be made than is usually tlie case, by economising that coarse food straw, and making it the vehicle of conveying the more nutritious and fat-formiug diet. Much has been said and written respecting the etfect of miiU and sprouted barley with feeding animals. I have tried both, and am fully convinced of the value of each ; and I cannot help feeling' that it is high time the agriculturists should speak as with one voice in demanding freedom of action with the productions of the soU. They have to compete with the whole world with those productions ; yet their energies are restricted by an obnoxious and inquisitorial tax, which acts prejudicially in the manufacturing of food for this populous nation. And here I cannot close my remarks without expressing tlie opinion that we must look forward to covered homesteads to aid in the production of meat. I beheve they are calcu- lated to greatly economise food — which means keep more stock — and to greatly enrich the soil of the farm by a vastly improved quality of manure compared with that of the wetted and washed straw of the open yards -. therefore, I anticipate ranch national benefit from their general adoption. But their construction must be upon a good principle, i.e. — they should be lofty, and well ventilated, open on the one end to the south- east, so that, when the suu shines, the animals may benefit by its genial rays. There are, I know, many who object to the system, and consider that their use will tend to make ani- mals delicate, and subject to disease ; but I cannot help thinking that the old-fashioned cow-houses, where frequently seven or eight or more animals are tied across tlie Ijuild- ing, and only three feet in width allowed for each animal, with some six or seven feet in height, under a hay-loft, and no further provision of light or ventilation than that sup- plied through the crevices of a badly made aud iU-fitting door, must be much more trying to the constitution when they are turned into the yards, after being confined in such a place tlie whole niglit. I fear I have long since exhausted your patience ; but I feel that every point I have advanced is of in- terest in connection with this important subject. I can only thank you for the attention with which you have listened to one who is far less capable of handling the matter than many of the gentlemen whom it has been liis pleasure this evening to address. Mr. Alderman Mechi said he had listened with much pleasure and instruction to the able paper of Mr. Duckham, and especially to that portion of it which related to the breed- ing of stock aud their preparation for feeding. There was no doubt that an unhealthy state of things resulted in connection with breeding from too close confinement and an impure at mospliere. On the other hand, he was exceedingly glad to hear Mr. Duckliam advocating the use of covered yards ; for if in agriculture there was one point which more than another influenced the profit of the farmer, it was the preservation of all the elements of his manure, and the following out for his animals that wliich was most agreeable to ourselves, namely, shelter from the weather, and a dry and comfortable bed (Hear, hear) . In fact he could draw no distinction in this respect between man and beast (Hear, hear) . The principle applied equally to both — that their food should be properly prepared for them, and that they should be provided with good and sufficient shelter. Nature herself pointed this out clearly ; for everybody must have observed, that where suitable places of shelter were erected, there, wheuever the necessity arose, the animals would gather together, and avaU. themselves of its protection and comfort (Hear). Of course, there was consi- derable diiference between animals that were covered with hair and those whose coats were of wool. At the same time it was well known that in wet weatlier nothing was more injurious to sheep than to have their fleeces wetted through, especially in the cold season. It would, therefore, in his opinion, be mucli for the interest of landlord and tenant— and in this matter their interests were really identical — tliat the former should provide sufficient covered yards and buildings for the stock on the farm, and that tlie latter should consent to pay a fair and proper rate of interest upon the money so invested (Hear, hear). With regard to the preparation of food for their animals, he was quite certain that more ought to be done in that way than at present. In saying this, he spoke practically. At that moment he had 56 head of cattle, and his men had often told him they would hardly know how to manage them unless they cut up as finely as possible daily a large quantity of carbonaceous matter in the sliape of straw, and gave it to them mixed with richer food, such as cake, corn, malt combs, and roots, the latter being pulped and mixed with the prepared food. As to the corn, it was ground for them ; and he was satisfied tliat it was essentially advantageous to the animals' welfare, and conducive to the profit of the farmer, that the food should be so mixed and prepared that the stomach would re- ceive a large quantity of nutriment within a small compass, thus avoiding flatulency, the blowing, windiness, and destruc- tion that arose from it, which was too common an attendant upon the ordinary mode of feeding, and the non-preparation of food. He had long advocated the abundant use of straw, and he thought if it were properly converted into food in the man- ner he suggested, it would be far more profitable to the farmer than when left to be trodden under foot. The question that presented itself to them here was, no doubt, whether straw possessed feeding properties or not. Science aud practice had combined to show that it did. Those who had read Mr. Hors- fall's admirable paper on Dairy Management, in the Royal Agricultural Society's Journal, and who had put in practice the principle there laid down, must be convinced that, if it were possible, every portion of the straw upon the farm should be converted into food for the stock: not, however, let it be un- derstood, as food alone, but much in tlie same way as we eat bread with our meat. An alderman who took turtle soup, perhaps the richest of all food, always ate bread with it: he did not eat the turtle alone. And so it was with the lower order of animals : They wanted the carbonaceous and nitro- genous food mixed together (Hear, hear). Next, on the ques- tion of heat : animals, like the human family, were always more hungry n hen the cold winds blew upon them than when they were in a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Whoever saw a lean lady's lap-dog ? (loud laughter) . AVhy was a lap-dog always a small feeder, and yet very fat? Because it was generally lying on a comfortable cushion in front of the fire, or on the lady's lap, or, at all events, where there was a consi- derable amount of warmth. Then it was subjected to a great amount of brushing, and was kept perfectly clean (renewed laughter). It might be a jocular subject to speak of; but there was no doubt it had an important bearing upon farm stock, for if the animals were simply enabled to groom them- selves by rubbing against a haulm stack, and supplied with a proper degree of warmth, the food would be economised; in other words, it would produce more meat than when they were deprived of the warmth of which they always availed themselves when they had an opportunity. He believed the time was ap- proaching when under an improved system of agriculture, as between landlord aud tenant, the temperature of the air in whicli animals were kept, and the proper conditions of shelter, would be as well watched as was the temperature of the air breathed by persons employed in manufactures under a eom- pulsoiy act of Parliament. There was notliing so cheap as tlie production of heat from coal; but if heat had to be produced from food, it was the most expensive form of obtaining it (Hear, hear). On the subject of covered yards he was happy to agree with the observations contained in Mr. Duekham's able paper. Tliose yards were, he was sorry to say, stiU comparatively few, so far as the mass of agricultural tenements were concerned. True, they were rapidly extending ; but the want of them en- tailed a frightful loss upon British agriculture. How was it, lie asked, that farmers naturally preferred the sheep-fold dung to the dung of the farm-yard ? Simply, because in the one case all the elements of the manure found their way into the soil ; whilst in the other, when the rains fell heavily — aud during the month of October they had fallen at the rate of 1,UUU tons an acre in some parts of the country — the most valuable properties of the manure in the yard were washed away, do«n the brooks, and lost to the farmers and to the country. This question was a large and serious one, and under the system of free competition it was becoming more and more important every day. At present farmers were by no means sufficiently wide awake to all tlie various influences that tended to diminish their profits. Those profits were always small ; but now that the agricultural interest had come to be placed in competition with the whole world, it was most essential for the interests of both landlord and tenant that the best means should be provided for the most economical working of the fann. If warmth was necessary for the animal externally, so it was also for the animal internally ; aud with fifty-six head of bullock stock on his farm he found that by giving them warm preparett food^ whicli he obtained by apply- THE FAR]\rER'S MAGAZINE. 61 iug (o tlic mixed fuud the wastu steam, they thrived well; whereas, if through any aeeident the engine did not work, and warm food eouUl not lie supplied, there was a marked dilTcrcnce in their progress. Many a farmer, he believed, had yet to learn the cheapest way of producing a pound of meat for tlic English public. Very often the mistake was made of not ad- ministering to cattle the particular descriptions of food suitable to their age and condition. When animals were young and growing they wanted building up like a house, and bone, muscle, lean, and fat were to be created ; l)Ut if too little of one element or too much of another was given, or if any im- portant ingredient was omitted, they would be sure to fail in producing the best animal. Mr. WooDWAKD (Ashchurch, Gloucestershire) wished first to allude to Mr. Duekham's remarks on the early putting to of bulls and heifers. He had found from experience that when shorthorns were intended for beef tjiey could not very well be put to the bull too early. If they remained too long, and had an aptitude for fattening, they did not go on properly. There was fat about the heart as well as the womb ; the time for breeding went by, and they did not breed at all. His ex- perience taught him that the earlier in reason the heifer was put to the bull, if it had a tendency to fatten, the better ; and, on the other hand, that if the animal were adapted for milking, the postponement of the period for sii months would cause her to make a larger and better cow. He would be glad to know whether Mr. Duckham had found that any influence was exercised by the liull in causing ^abortion ? He (Mr. Woodward) was of opinion that it was as often attributable to the bull as to the cow. This was really a very important point. He had known neighbours of his to use the same bull two or three years successively, and the cow had always cast her calf; he then changed his bull and the result was ditferent. If a hull were unhealthy, or in any way defective in its repro- ductive powers, it should be carefully avoided. Mr. Duckham liad remarked particularly on the propertime for having calves. When calves were intended for beef, as Herefords generally were, the best period was, in his opinion, the autumn ; when they were intended for milk, February or March. There was one point of great consequence, in his estimation, upon which Mr. Dnckham had not touched. During the last few years a great many farmers and cattle breeders in his neighbourhood had largely increased their mangold crop in consequence of having found great difficulty in producing swedes. Now, he was of opinion that the more cows were fed on mangold the more frequently would they prove barren. That was cer- tainly the result of his own experience. The more he had used mangold the less had he found it adapted for breeding purposes. A word or two with regard to covered homesteads. Having had opportunities of seeing a great many homesteads in Herefordshire, he had made inquiries as to the effects which they produced, and it appeared that in many cases they were abandoned, while in others the cattle did very well. Mr. Mechi was, he believed, quite right in what he said about the value of warmth ; but in that case as in others, there might be an excess of warmth. It was well-known by gardeners that very over-hanging walls, or anything which intercepted the dew, did not produce a favourable influence on the apricot or tlie peach ; and the same principle perhaps applied to the case of cattle. Rain did a great deal to clear an animal's skin, and if they did not get sufficient of it there must be some substitute. He had never seen an animal penned or tied up for a long period without its liver getting out of order unless curry-combing or washing were practised. In such cases it would be well to wash animals, and his own practice was to wash them occasionally with yellow soap. He agreed with jNIr. Duckham that great injury was done to cattle by their being allowed to drink their own urine in ponds. The best water which he could find for his cattle was that which fell from the eaves of roofs. Mr. Marriott (Northamptonshire) wished to make one remark in relation to the laud. He believed that water was the natural fertilizer of the soil, and did more to fertilize it than all other things put together. Mr. .Mechi seemed to bear a sort of antagonism to water, but in his opinion it was the greatest friend the farmer ever had (Hear, hear). He thought water would do more good than all their artificial manures and all their artificial foods put together. For an guimal to be boxed up, therefore, and prevented from getting the benefit of rain, was, in his o})iuion, entirely v\Tong in prin- ciple ; and in his opinion it had produced many diseases, es- pecially skin diseases. The system based on opposite views had been carried quite too far, both as regarded animals aud manuring (Hear, hear). Mr. W. Walton (Chawton I'ark, Alton) said it was all very well to talk of improving the management and breeding of cattle ; but the question was, where were the means to come from. Being an old member of the Club, he had heard many excellent discussions on similar subjects to the present, includ- ing the advantages of giving animals plenty of food, warmth, and good water ; but no one scarcely had ever alluded to the impediments to improvement. He was quite aware that good covered yards were advantageous, particularly to young stock ; but he supposed that the gentleman who urged that point in introducing the subject either farmed his own land, or had got a lease (laughter). Nine-tenths of the farmers of England were not in a position to obtain covered yards ; and the prin- cipal furniture of a Hampshire farmyard was a black pond and a waggon-shed (great laughter) . Dr. SiiORTiiousE (Carshalton) said he would endeavour to bring the meeting back for a moment to the question with which it started (Hear, hear) ; and if he digressed for a moment, it would not be to speak of ladies' lap-dogs (laughter). As regarded mangold wurzel, it was well known that there were many plants which iriierfered with the procreative powers, and lettuces and mangold wurzel were among the number. Mangold was rich in sugar, and animals that were sulfering from diabetes never bred. Sugar aslood diminished the sexual appetite ; and when animals were suffering from diabetes the procreative power was destroyed. Nor did this arise from weakness or emaciation ; for in many diseases which were equallv, if not more, exhausting than diabetes was — consump- tion, tor example— not only was the sexual appetite, but the procreative power somewhat in excess of what it was in heaUli. Another cause of sterility depended, he felt certain, on the manufacture of cattle. The Shorthorn was a manufactured Ijreed — not one of the original races of animals, like the Devons or the Herefords. They never heard of a pure Hereford or a pure Devon continually failing as regarded calves; yet that was frequently the case with respect to Shorthorns ; and he was satisfied that if they wanted to combine all the qualities of which a cow was capable, they would do so best by adhering to the original races, and avoiding manufactured breeds (Hear, hear). It had been objected to the pure races that they failed in symmetry, and were not so profitable as the manufactured Shorthorns." Where the Herefords and Devons chiefly failed was in the fore-quarter, and not where the high-priced beef lay, along the whole of the top aud sides. The strongest argu- ment in favour of the Shorthorns was their early maturity. The West-Highlanders afforded another illustration of what he meant. These animals generally failed in the thighs and hind-quarters, but not where the prime joint* of beef were to be found. Again, butchers would tell them that the backs and ribs of cattle were in greatest demand, and these were found best developed in the Devons aud Here- fords. The forequarters were chiefly in demand in the colliery districts, and among persons whose appetites were more active than critical. Nothing could be more cross-bred than a Leices- ter sheep ; it was a compoimd of all the sheep to be found in creation. ' Mr. Bakeweli created the Leicester sheep as Mr. Colling created Shorthorns. The Leicester had been created by the sedulous art of man, and in no other flock of sheep did they find so many giddy, wry-necked animals as in a Leicester flock (laughter). He was satisfied that in-and-in breeding among antmals which were originally created on the principle of out-and-out crossing was a mistake ; aud if the system were persisted in with regard to cattle, the result would be that a lar^e proportion of cows would be found either to bo sterile or to lose their calves. Cross-breeding had been carried to such an extent in some of the Shorthorn herds, that breed- ing had been brought to ft dead lock, and the cows, in spite of much persuasion, refused to produce calves. The remedy was to be found in the interfusion of blood from one of the pure original sources. Mr. E. Little (Lanhill, Chippenham) said : On reading the subject on the card, namely, " The breeding and manage- ment of cattle," and seeing so many eminent breeders present, lie f\illy expected to have heard one of the most practical dis- f 66 THE FAEMBR'S MACIAZINE. cussions of the year; but the discussion had turned very much on other questions than the breeding and rearing of cattle generally. He could promise, however, that his observations should be entirely practical. The paper read by Mr, Duck- ham, though a very excellent paper on tlie subject, he thouglit smacked a little too much of the Hereford system of rearing stock for general adoption [" No, no," from Mr. Duckham], and if no other practice was carried out than that of giving the calf as much milk as it could take, and turning it out with the cow or heifer, it would be a long time before the stock of tlie country would be increased. With the great demand for milk within 150 mUes of London at the present time, and with the great demand which must arise for cattle within a very short time, to fill up the ranks which were now being decimated by the fearful cattle plague, this question became of great importance ; and his object would be to show them how the deficiency to which he had alluded might be supplied in the quickest and best manner. Whether it was his fortune or his misfortune, he happened to reside on the borders of a very large dairy district, where all the mUkwas devoted to cheese-making; and as the calves dropped, it was usual to get rid of them as soon as possible ; and now that milk was in stich request for the London market, very little would he used for calves. He (Mr. Little) had been a rearer of stock for many years, on a poor arable farm, and others in the neighbourhood were in a similar position. How did they manage ? They obtained the best of the calves from the dairymen, lie had himself reared 15 or 16 calves with the milk of one cow only. He might be asked how he did it. The calves did not all come in at once, or it could not be done. He obtained two or three at a time, at ten or fourteen days old, and let them have as much milk as could be spared at first, with the addition of linseed tea, Irish moss, or oatmeal gruel, always giving the last-coming calves the greatest (quantity of milk ; and when about six or eight weeks old, leave off milk, &c., altogether. As soon as they can be got to eat they have linseed cake and old Ijcans, with hay chaff, and a few pulped roots ; and although some may lose a little of their natural flesh before they begin to eat well, on the whole they do very well. A large number of calves are thus reared with a small quantity of milk ; and that was one great object which he kept in view, because, living as he did on a farm chiefly arable, he had not milk enough to proceed on any other plan. Tlien, as to after-management, he did not let his animals loose in the fields for the first year. They did much better in closed yards with covered sheds. As the calves were got to eat well, straw was added to the chafli' — in small quantities at first, and increased as they grew older and enabled to digest it, with an increased allowance of mangold, or cabl)age, turnips, and swedes. As the season advanced, then came mangold again, with also an increased allowance of cake or corn, ac- cording to circumstances and the object of rearing, whether for stores or grazing at an early age. On some farms in the county of Wilts the same system had been adopted to a much larger extent than he had carried it out. Animals were managed on this system for two years, and in some instances for three years, without going into pasture at all. He had not adopted this last practice, having sufficient pasture to take Avhat he reared after the first year, while others did not possess that advantage. A few minutes ago he saw in that room a gentleman whose brother reared from 30 to 30 calves every year, and never turned them into the pasture. That gentleman had produced two-year-old steers worth 30 guineas each, which speaks well for the system when properly carried out. Such a system would help Mr. Mechi to dispose of some of his straw profitably ; for after the first year the animals may be kept on straw with pulped roots, and the addition of cake or corn. In his (Mr. Little's) district many heifers were so reared, and returned to the dairies at three years old, and no chfiiculty was ever found as to their breeding or their milking qualities. If this plan was more generally adopted on arable farms, thousands of beasts may be reared, instead of slaughtering them for veal, and thus increase the stock of cattle without in any sensible degree diminishing the sheep stock of such farms. Mr. Bennett (Husbands' Bosworth, Rugby) said a gentleman who had lately spoken (Mr. Shorthouse) had made some disparaging observations on the Leicester sheep. Being a Leicester man, he was perhaps enabled to speak with some confidence on the improvements of the flocks generally. He h.ail tried ^]\ descriptions of sheep ; and he must maintain that flic true Leicesters, viewed in the aggregate, were the best in a pounds-shillings-aud-pence point of view. [Mr. Wilson : " Cattle."] lie could not help making an allusion to Mr, Mechi's establishment. He had visited that establishment ; and he there saw animals left in a state in which animals were certainly not left in Leicestershire or Northamptonshire. However pleased he might have been with the covered yards and box-feeding, he could not approve of animals being left in such a filthy state as Mr. Mechi's animals appeared to be when he saw them. Mr. Wilson (Althorne) said some remarks had been made about the great importance of the bull in breed- ing. Now, he was told very early in life that the breed- ing was in the bitch ; and he must confess he liad always thought that if they had not a cow with a large chest, and with a sound constitution, they could not have a good off- spring. In his opinion, they could hardly attach too much importance to the character of the female. As to wliat was said by Mr. Shorthouse about the origin of breeds, he (Mr. AVilson) did not think shorthorns required any defence (Hear, hear) . They stood on their own ground, and everyliody admired them. He had never heard of any more sterility in shorthorns than in other Ijreeds ; and he apprehended that mangold would create sterility quite as much in one kind of cattle as in ano- ther. What they wanted in breeding was, to get an animal which produces the largest amount of flesh with the least amount of food in the shortest possible time (Hear, hear) . He did not mean to say that there were not persons in this country who had sufficient discernment to pay for quality. Speaking generally, he believed the shorthorns were the best animals for the farmer. As to covered homesteads, it was, of course, an advantage to avoid exhaustion ; but he believed that animals intended for breeding never answered that purpose better than when they were brought up in a state of nature. As to the precise period at whicli animals should become pregnant, tliat was a point which he would not attempte to determine. Very much depended on previous feeding ; and they might rely upon it tliat if an animal were fed too highly, except in the first twelvemontli, that would tend more than almost anything else to make it barren. Mr. Charles Howaud (Biddenham, Bedford), said Mr. Duckham had in his remarks condemned a system which was the exception in this country, viz., the breeding of calves in the summer months. When this was the case the breeder had generally a special object in view, the exhibition perhaps of his aiiin»al at our national shows. He (Mr. Howard) be- lieved that most breeders arranged as far as they were able to have the bulk of their calves drop in the autumn and winter mouths. He could not agree with Mr. Duckham as to the age at which a lieifer should be put to the bull ; they were in liis opinion old enough when they were liig enough, and if Mr. Dnckhaur did not breed animals of sufficient size at an early age he must not lay down a law for breeds wliich beat him in that respect (laughter). He was sure they were all much indebted to that gentleman for his practical remarks, particularly with respect to covered homesteads. It would no doubt be in the recollection of the members that a very good discussion took place this year on this subject which was introduced by Mr. Bailey Denton, the topic being "The importance of shelter and covering to the farm and tlie homestead." That question was then entered into very minutely. He (Mr. C. Howard) could not help think- ing that covered homesteads for fattening animals would be a very great advantage to this country ; but he contended, as he did on the occasion to which he referred, that covered homesteads for rearing and breeding animals that were to be turned out in the spring months required further considera- tion (Hear, hear). A previous speaker that evening, who pro- mised at the outset to bring them back to the question, had gone almost as far back as Noah's ark (laughter), lie told them that the shorthorns and Leicester sheep were manu- factured animals, and that the West Highlanders, Herefords, ctnd Devons were the original breeds ; in effect saying thaf they were put into that ark ; whereas if his (Mr. Howard's) recollection of Scri])ture M'cre right there 'were but two animals of a sort. He should like to know how West Highlanders, Here- fords, and Devons \vere made what they were, if not by the ingenuity of man (Hear, hear). It was true that they took priority over Shorthorns, but they were certainly manufac. THE FARMBIVS MAGAZINE. 67 tuved iu the way he had iudicatcd. lie believed that in point of fact llicrc was no sucli tiling as purity of breed (liear, hear). If tliey tallied about establislietl breeds, that was a ditferent matter ; but it was all nousensc to talk about the purity of breeds iu the way some meu cUd ; all breeds were mauiifactured and established by the iugcuiiity of man (Hear, hear). Let him not be misunderstood. He was not going to run down particular breeds and to exalt otliers. He beUeved tliat tlie Leicester sheep, for example, had tlieir mission to perform ; tlu^ same might be said of tlie Herefords and other breeds previously alluded to ; at the same time he believed the breeiUng of themwoidd be almost conlinedto their respec- tive locaUties ; but the Shorthorn was tlie animal for the whole world (laugliter). He might be blamed for talking "sliop," but Ids defence was that he was only following an example which had been set that evening. (Renewed laughter). Mr. J. A. Williams (Baydon, Hungerford) felt that he had little right to speak on this question, having reared only a few calves, on the principle mentioned by ]\Ir. Little ; the subject on the card was " The Breeding and JManagemeut of Cattle." Witli respect to tlie breechng, Mr. Duckham had so ably gone into that, lie would say nothing, but as regarded the management, the feedbuj of cattle had a great deal to do. There was one point involved in this subject, to which he wished for a moment to aUude. He was certainly surprised that nothing whatever had been said about malt as a feeding article (cries of " Question"). It was a feeding question ; and he maintained that he was sticking closely to it in alluding to what deprived tlie British farmer of the pov/er of feeding his animals in tlie way that he thought best, more especially too at this fearful crisis, when the cattle plague was destroying such a number of our best stock. Not a word was heard of malt being given, or even recommended by the veterinary profession. A veto had been put on that question by Mr. Lawes, who was employed by the Government to apply a test, in a case in which the Government had its own object to attain ; but it was a curious fact that, if any of them had a horse sick, they gave him malt, and a similar course was natural with regard to other animals. The CuAiRJiAN begged Mr. WiUiams to kee]j a little more closely to the question. I\Ir. J. A. Williams said he would only add one fact as an illustration. A friend of his sold at Weyhill Fair two hundred lambs, which were only nine months old, for 69s. per head ; and the explanation of that price was that the animals liad been partly fed on malt, which had paid the duty.* Mr. L. A. CoussMAKER (Westwood, Guildford) said, he tliought as cattle-producers, they should not adopt entirely the system wliich would make the best manure, but that which would make the best animals. Covered homesteads and high feeding would, no doubt, produce the best manure ; but would it pro- duce the liealthiest animal ? (Hear, hear.) He was pleased to hear Mr. Duckham remark that they ought rather to assist nature than to go against it. It might Ije all very well to adopt certain rules ; but if they went diametrically opposite to nature, they would entail certain diseases on cattle, and defeat their own object (Hear, hear). He thought the exact period at which a cow ought to be put to the bull depended on circum- stances. They farmed and bred for different purposes. Mr. Duckham remarked that the right period for a heifer to pro- duce her calf was tlie spring, when the early grass woirld tend to give her more nourishment, and enable her the better to support her offspring. So far as the cow was concerned, that was no doubt the best time ; and he (Mr. Coussmaker) would lay particular stress upon the heifer, because as the heifer began most likely she would go on afterwards as a cow. In his dis- trict they liked their calves to be dropped in the autumn ; and, \vith the aid of house-feeding, having them dropped about Octo- ber, they turned out nearly as strong in the spring as calves dif- ferently treated which were a year old. As he had before ob- served, however, they all had their different objects in view. * Mr. Williams has since ascertained from the owner that the lambs fell down with the foot and month disease about a month before the fair, and being fearful of sustaining a great loss from the high condition they were in, he gave them a bushel of malt per day with their other food, that it restored their appetite, that they wholly recovered from the disease, and made the e."itraordi.iiary price ciuoted. He (Mr. Coussmaker) had always made voal for the London market. The early spring, or soon after the meeting of Par- liament, was the period when veal fetched the highest price ; and consecpiently, he and others in the same position liked to have their calves ready for the butcher at that time of year. As regarded mangold, he considered it the most valuable root, on a clay farm, that ever was grown (Hear, hear). I'or some years his s\^ cde crop had been falUng off year after year ; and the result was that lie had made up his mind for a time to confine himself to the growth of mangold-wurzel, whether for cattle or slieep. As to the objections to mangold, it was not right to argue against the use of a thing from the abuse of it. To give an animal an unlimited quantity of mangold was one of the worst things they could do ; but when given in proper quantity, in conjunction with other food, mangold was a most valuable root (Hear, hear). It was good nearly the whole year ; and all they had to guard against was the injudicious use of it- Mr. J. Coleman (Park Earm, Woburn) said he would ad- vise all gentlemen who were stock breeders to keep that class of animals that was best adapted to their district, whether it was Herefords, Devons, or shorthorns (Hear, liear). A good- bred Hereford or Devon would produce as much meat from a given quantity of food as any other animal. At the same time they were not forthcoming for tlie wants of the pub- lic iu such numbers as Shorthorns. Mr. Duckham thought he was wrong in advocating as he did two years ago the pro- duction of shorthorns by the fanners of this country. His aim liad been to breed and feed as early as possible, and he had obtained the largest steers and the greatest profit on that system. Jlr. Duckham and some gentlemen wlio followed him seemed to have clashed, as it were, the two things — that is, the breeding and rearing of cattle where the breeder fat- tened them himself, and where they were sold as store animals. There was an immense district of country in which it was almost impossible to fatten an animal, and hence the special necessity for a good system of rearing stock. There was as great a want of good store animals in this country as of good fattened animals, seeing that without the one you could not produce the other. More than half the cattle grazed in this country belonged to persons who were not breeders, and their wishes must be consulted as well as those of the breeders. In large grazing districtslike tliat which Mr. Duckham referred to, that gentleman's system might be the best ; but it ^vas not in his opinion adapted for any other kind of district. Mr. Meciii observed that he generally reared 30 calves a year from the milk of three cows. Mr. C. Howard ; But tliey are Essck calves (laughter) . Mr. Edmunds (Rugby) said : Having grown mangold- wurtzel for 20^'ears, he \vished to make one observation with regard to it. The late Mr. Thomas Umbers, who was one of the largest graziers in AVarwickshire, told him that he had foiuid that, unless he cut his mangold twenty-four hours before he wanted to use it, it did great injury ; but that if it were cut that time beforehand and mixed with chaff it did no harm. He (Mr. Edmonds) had 6 or 7 milking cows to which he ap- plied that system, and he had never tbund them injured by mangolds. The Chairman, in closing the discussion, said he was sure they all agreed that Mr. Duckham had given them a very good paper. He could not himself give much information on the subject of it ; for, though he had been a farmer for thirty years, he had not reared two calves in his life. As regarded fattening, he might observe that he had remarked that if he bought a bullock for only £15, it M'ould cat quite as much eake, roots, and cut straw as one for which he gave £25. He would like to see the experiment tried of giving 1-i pounds of eake each day to one animal and 8 lbs. to another, as it is my opinion that the latter would consume the most cake before he was fat and weighed as much, iu addition to other food. Mr. DucKUAM, in replying, denied that he had in his paper favoured one class of animals more than another ; adding that his great object was to notice the time for putting animals to breed, and the time when they should drop their calves. On the motion of Mr. Bradshaw, seconded by Mr. C. Howard, thanks were voted to Mr. Duckham for his intro- duction, A vote of thanks to the Chairman, proposed by Mr. Dum- brell, and seconded by Mr. Mechi, having been afterwards carried, the proceedings terminated. 68 THE FABMEfUi jyXAGAZINE. DEPUTATION TO THE LOEDS OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL. Au interview with refereiice to tlie cattle plague took place on Monday afternoon, Novemljer 27th, at the Privy Council Office, Whitehall, between Sir George Grey, Secretary of State for the Home Office, representing the Lords of the Council, aud a deputation from the Farmers' Club, which was headed by Mr. Clare Sewell Read, M.P. for East Norfolk, and Mr. Robert Leeds, the chairman of the Club for the year, accompanied by Mr. II. Corbet, the Secretary. The deputation consisted, besrdes these gentlemen, of Mr. Owen Wallis, Northampton ; Mr. Dumbrell, Sussex ; Blr. Couss- maker, Surrey ; Messrs. Charles and James Howard, Bedford ; Mr. John Thomas, Beds ; Mr. J. G. King, Berkshire ; Mr. W. J. Brown, Wilts; Mr. Matthew Reynolds, Beds; Mr. Carter, Middlesex ; and Sir. Marsh, Kent. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., said : I have the pleasure, Sir George Grey, ofintroducinga deputation of the Central Farmers' Club, which, this day three weeks, had an important and interesting discussion on (he cattle plague, and has resolved to present a memorial to the Government in order that they might know tlie opinion of the farmers of England upon that subject. I would observe that a great deal of what is recommended in Die memorial has been anticipated by the Order in Council which was issued last week ; but at the same time we think that order hardly goes far enough, and, in our judgment, it is impossible to put a stop to the cattle plague, unless there is a suspension of store-cattle traffic' Without going into the par- ticulars of the memorial, I will now request the chairman of the Club to read that document, only adding that tlie deputa- tiou would have been much more numerous had there been more time to convene members. Sir George Grey : I daresay you represent their opinions sufficiently. Mr. Robert Leeds then read the following memorial : That, in consequence of the continuance and gradual exten- sion of the cattle plague in this country, your memorialists would respectfully submit — That for the next two months — say from December Ist, 1865, to February 1st, 1866— all traffic'in cattle bo prohibited, saving only in the case of fat stock as sent to market for im- mediate slavighter. That all fat animals thus e.xhibited in any market be not permitted to atrain leave the boundaries of any such city or town wherein the market is held, Init that these anunals be there slaughtered within eight days. And, fiu-ther, that all foreign Iseasts imported be killed for food at the point of dis- cmbarcation immediately on their arrival, or within such reasonable time as may allow of their sale to the Vnitcher. That all fat cattle be marked or branded before leaving any )iiarket, and that a similar brand be made on all beasts bought privately for slaughter in the country, previous to these leaving the farmer's jn-cmises, undera i^enalty for everj' animal removed without such marks being affixed, and that this fine lie recoverable from either buyer or seller. That a cordon be drawn around all hifected districts or parishes, and that no animals be suficred to leave such pro- scribed districts alive until one month after the last head of stock struck with the plague has died, been killed, or com- pletely recovered from the attack. That the importation from foreign countries infected with the plague be prohiliited. That the hides of diseased animals be not removed from the slaughter-houses until thoroughly disinfected ; nor any ma- nure removed from any inlected farms or cow-sheds. That no cattle during the prohibited time be turned upon any road, common, or unenclosed land. Mr. Read : I think you will find, sir, that the recommenda- tions contained in the memorial embody the views of the mi- nority in the Cattle Plague Commission, as well as those of the members of the Club. Sir George Grey : As you have observed, a great deal of what is said in the memorial has been anticipated by the new Order in Council. This was done after receiving many me- morials from different parts of the country, and after full con- sideration on the part of the Council. The difficulty was to frame a general order api)licable to the whole country. Happily there are some parts of the kingdom which are, at present, comparatively free from the disease. The whole of AVales, except a part of Denbighshire, is in that position, and also a large part of Ireland ; and an order absolutely restricting the sale of fat cattle throughout the whole of Great Britain would, we have reason to believe, have been very unsatisfactory to those parts of the kingdom where the disease has not ap- peared. Although the Council are quite ready to take all reasonable precautious, .and to enforce such regulations as may seem desirable where the disease is rife, such interference as I have mentioned would be extremely inconvenient, and would no doubt be felt to be a hardship in some parts of the country. Therefore the Lords of the Council have felt it right to adhere to the principle which they have hitherto acted upon, namely, that of leaving a great deal to the discretion of the local au- thorities, trusting that those authorities will act in accordance with the feelings, the wishes, and the interests of the in- habitants of the districts they represent. Mr. Read : Jlay I be allowed to observe, in reply to the last remark, that it is the opinion of the club that this order of the Government should be made general throughout the country, and that the local authorities should, in particular cases, be allowed to exempt themselves from the operation of the order, if it was not applicable to their district. Sir George Grey : That is, you think the order should be general, with a power of dispensing with it on the part of the local authorities. That seems to me to come to the same thing. At any rate, I think it would be best to see how this order works. You have asked for the order almost exactly as it stands ; and as there was such a pressure from different parts of the country thut the matter should not be delayed, we thought it desirable that there should be no delay. Orders in Council may, of course, be revoked or amended ; but I think it is desirable that time should be allowed to see how this order works, and wliat is the result of experience with regard to it. Our only desire is to satisfy the reasonable wishes of those who are anxious that every possible precaution should be taken against the cattle disease. You (addressing Mr. Read) spoke of infected districts. It is very ditlicult to define an infected district. There may be three or four farms scattered over a very large area, on which the disease has appeared ; but you could not constitute the whole of that area an infected district without great inconvenience; and if each farm infected was treated as a separate district, there would be such a multiplica- tion of districts that it would be very difficult to enforce any regulations. Have you considered that ? Mr. Read : The case I had in view was that of a county, aud not that of three or four farms. Sir G. Grey : But, then, you see, there may be a county of large extent, nine-tenths of which are free from the cattle disease, where the remaining tentii is alTected ; and it may be that only two or three cattle liave died. It would be difficult to constitute the whole of that county an infected district, without subjecting a large poitiou of it to a good deal of THK FARMEE'6 I^IAGAZTNE. 69' iiicoiiveiiieucc. It uuiy Ijc rigiil thai such districts us you rcl'cv to should be i)kiced uudcr restrictions ; but \\c leave that to be done by the local authorities. Mr. Read: Unfortunaiely while ninety-nine out of a hundred local authorities do wliat is necessary, the remaining one may neglect to do so ; and it is stich neglect that causes all the mischief. Sir G. Grey : We have taken every precaution with regard to the closing of fairs and markets. It has been represented to the Lords of the Council that in some cases the local authorities of a district issue the requisite order, and in others not, and that in such cases the inconvenience which arises is very great — iu fact, that the benefit of the restrictions imposed on the other districts is very much neutralized. We have, in this new order, taken power to substitute the Secretary of State for the local authorities, in cases in which it is repre- sented to us that owing to the neglect of the local authorities it is probable the disease will be propagated. However, I am here to listen to opinions of practical men ; and we are really so much iu the dark as to the best mode of dealing with this disease, that I am glad to have an opportimity of seeing you to-day. I will carry the memorial before the Lords of the C^ouncil, and I am sure it will receive respectful attention. Mr. Charles Howard (13iddenham) ; The resolutions which have been placed before yon as emanating fromthe Farmers' Club may perhaps appear to the Government somewhat arbitrary ; hut as practical farmers we arc convinced that if the cattle plague is to be got rid of, more arbitrary measures than have hitherto been enforced must be resorted to. You must remember that there are now so many men engaged in the cattle trade, that that trade is very different to what it was some years ago ; and all these men are of course amxious to get a living. Not only so, but I am sorry to say that some fiirmers arc induced, by the idea of getting animals cheap, to go into market ; and you may depend upon it that, while the traffic in lean or store cattle continues, the plague will continue to extend. 1 would speak now particularly of my own county. Sir G. Grey: What county is that? Sir. C. Howard : Every case of disease that has occurred in that county has been traceable to contact with a diseased animal brought from a fair or market. No later than Friday last a case occurred in a fresh part of the county. A farmer came to me and told me that it could not be traced to contact with any diseased animal; but in less than half-an-hour after, he returned to inform me that a herd of bullocks had been taken through the village during the night, and the plague was no doubt con- veyed by them to the neighbourhood. Sir G. Grey: It is not known, I suppose, from what in- fected district they came ? Mr. C. Howard : No, Sir. I think it is also well worthy of the consideration of the Government, whether they should not impress upon the local authorities the desirability of employing tlie police in this matter ; we do not derive very great advan- tage, generally speaking, from that body, and I think there is now an instanceor occasion in which they might prove very useful to us. I would suggest that, in order to encourage thom to do their duty properly, part of the penalty should be given to them, in cases iu which tliere is brought home to parties tlie offence of infringing restrictions. There is one remark which I would wish to make as to the Order in Council which has been lately issued : it is with respect to animals leaving the Metropolitan Market. We contend that that is a step in tlie wrong direction. If butchers and others can come up to Lon- don, buy animals in the JMetropolitan Market, and take them home, that is, we hold, likely to undo what the local authori- ties in many districts have been endeavouring to accomplish. Sir G.(.tREY : I3ut the local authorilicLi have power toesdudc, if they think lit, from the area comprised in their jurisdiction the entrance of any new cattle; not obstructing, of course, their passage by rail. Mr. C. Howard : I believe that nmuy of the local nulhori- ties hardly know what course to adopt. If you were to make the order peremptory, the case would be different. Sir G. Grey: But gentlemen like yourselves may seethe local authorities, and represent to them what arc your wishes and interests. They reside in the district, and are accessible to others who reside there, and I should think that is the best mode of action. With regard to this new Order in Council, I repeat that it has been very fully considered. The Govern- ment have, on the one hand, to take every reasonable precau- tion that can be taken against the spread of the disease ; but, on the other hand, we must look to tlie supply of food for the people. What we are told is, that the supply of beef for Birmingham, AVolverhampton, and other large towns, is chiefly obtained through live fat beasts taken from the Metro- politan Market to be slaughtered in those towns, for the use of the inhabitants ; and that to make that all dead meat would tend very much to raise the price, anddeterioratethequality. Wehavc not much information on the point ; but if it could be clearly ascertained that no undue interference with the supply of food for tlie great body of the people would be occasioned by limit- ing all the traffic to the dead-meat traffic, such a course might be very desiruljle. I don't know whether or not the Centr;;l Fanners' Club represents the country generally ; but there do not appear to be any gentlemen present from that part of tlie country to which I allude ; almost all seem to come from Sus- sex, Surrey, Northampton, and Bedfordshire ; there is no re- presentative of that part of the country which comprises the great meat-consuming districts. Mr. C. Howard : 3Iay I be allowed to observe that in con- sequence of the notice being so short — our worthy Secretary only received it on Saturday — it was impossible to inform all the members at a distance that this interview would take place to-day. Had the notice been received earlier, there would, I have no doubt, have been representatives from all dis- tricts. Sir G. Grey : I am very sorry that tlie notice was so short. The Lords of the Council, however, did not fix the time for the interview : it was the time that you asked for, and they con- sulted your wish in the matter. We should certainly like to have heard what gentlemen connected with the great consuming districts had to say on this subject. There is, it appears, no representatives of these districts present. JMr. OwE^" Wallis (Overstone, Northampton) : As regards your remark. Sir, about Welsh cattle districts Ijeing at present uninfected, I would observe that animals coming from that coun- try are a great source of infection to the midland counties. A large number of cattle are Ijrought from Wales to that part of England ; fanners are afraid to buy them, and the consequence is, that they are driven about from place to place by day and by night, and thus they have become a most fruitful source of infec- tion. This day month I had occasion to bring home some beasts from a grass farm. Some beastswhich had beenat Rugbyfair the day before had travelled over the same ground as my beasts ; the result was that my animals caught the infection, and out of eighty- four animals -which I had upon the farm this day montli there are only twenty-two remaining. Let me state another case. A neighbour of mine had occasion to remove some l)rasts only from one parish to another ; unfortunately forty-seven animals thus became infected, and the result was that all were destroved, and this was owing to Welsh beasts having been driven about the countr\-. In my neighbourhood au immense amount of mis- 70 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. chief lias arisen from that description of trafllc, and it is the imauimous opinion of those with whom I have conversed on the subject that until that kind of traffic is put an end to, there can be no hope of stopping the cattle plague. On Saturday last a meeting was held at Northampton with a view to the convening of a county meeting on this subject. In con- sequence of the new Order in Council having been issued the day before, it was not thought desirable to convene such a meeting; but the magistrates who were present asked the opinions of the farmers and graziers, in order that they might be enabled to cany out the new Order in the country to the fullest extent, and the meeting was unanimous on the point that it is absolutely necessary to suppress for a time all traffic in cattle. Sir G. Grey : I quite admit the force of what has been said about Welsh cattle travelling about the country propagating the disease ; but that evil does not appear to exist all over the country. I think the most efficient check is tlie stoppage of fairs and markets ; and if, in addition to that, cattle were pre- vented from entering a district except by railway, that would be another great security. If cattle coming from AVales are stopped at the limits of a particular county, that must tend very much to check the evil, if it does not entirely prevent it. I slioidd like to k-now how this new Order works. I think it has, upon the whole, been well received ; and it is certainly very much in accordance with the wishes which have been ex- pressed in many parts of the country. It is impossible to say beforehand that everything contained in it will prove to have been necessary or desirable ; and we may have to amend it. One gentleman spoke about the police. They are under the active control of the county magistrates in counties and of the borough magistrates in boroughs. The Court of Quarter Sessions will be meeting in about five or six weeks. I think it is quite right that the police should be required to give every possible assistance, as I presume they do, in enforcing the law as laid down in the Orders, which rest on the authority of an Act of Parliament ; and if they do not, application shoidd be made to the magistrates. Mr. C. HowAED : My remark. Sir George, applied to both town and country. There are many cases in which the Orders have not been properly can'ied out. Sir G. Grey : The police are bound to give effect to these Orders as well as to any other law ; and if tjie restrictions are violated, and cattle are driven into a district after an Order has prohibited it, that is a matter to which the police must attend. If there is any neglect on the part of the police, the farmers should call the attention of the magistrates to the subject, with a view to their services being rendered more available. Mr. C. Howard : I believe that the public generally is not sufficiently aware of the Orders in Council, and I would suggest that it would be well if they were reprinted and an epitome of them given from the first. Sir G. Grey : What we have done is this : With the view of making the matter clearer, we have revoked all the old Orders, and embodied such parts as it was thought desirable to retain in a new one. The only Orders now in force are those wliich are contained in that just issued, and all the amendments are embodied therein. The widest possible circulation has been given to that order. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P. : It has been, or will be, printed in every newspaper throughout the country. Mr. C. Howard : When I called on the clerk of the peace of Bedfordsliire, he told me he had only one copy of it. Sir G. Grey -. The Order was only made on Friday : it was in the newspapers the next day ; and, as soon as it could be printed, it was circulated under the authority of the Lords of Council. I think every clerk of the peace has two copies. Mr. Harrison (an officer of the Privy Council, who was in attendance) : Yes, two. Sir G. Geet : It has to be advertised twice in two news- papers in every county. It is sent to every inspector in the kingdom, and also to all the clerks of the peace. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P. : I would suggest that it would be an improvement in the Orders if they were accompanied vrith marginal notes, or with headings to the paragraphs ; for there are many illiterate persons who can scarcely read what is said ; and, even after they have read it, they are not much the wiser. Sir G. Grey : I think that is a very useful suggestion, and it shall be attended to. There might be marginal notes to the Orders, just as there are to the sections of an Act of Parliament. Mr. CoussMAiCER (Westwood, Guildford) : Allow nie to observe, Sir, that it appears to me that rather too much power has been given to inspectors. Inspectors are, in many instances, the means of commimicating infection. Clause 9 provides that an inspector may enter at any time upon a farm, if he suspects the disease to exist there, and examine the stock. Now, if an inspector has come from infected stock, there could not be a surer way of giving sound stock the disease than liis ex- amination. If he had only the power to go to the farm to caution tlie farmer, instead of inspecting his stock, telling him wliat he had heard, and warning him as to what penalty he would incur if he did not comply with the regulations, that would, I think, be preferable to what we have witnessed. To allow an inspector to come from infected to sound stock seems to me a manifest evil ; and I know that in many instances the plague has been spread in that way. The inspector in my own district, where I regret to say the plague has been very bad, has used his powers with great discretion, but I believe others have not always done so. Sir G. Grey : The new Order is in that respect a modifica- tion of the former ones. In the former case an inspector was allowed to go upon any farm : in this case he is restricted to places where there is reason to suspect diseased cattle will be found. It is very difficult to lay down precise rules as to the mode in which inspectors shoxdd perform their duties, which are extraordinary duties, and could never have to be performed except under similar circumstances to the present. What I have said to persons who have complained on this subject is that if there be in their opinion any individual exercise of power on the part of an inspector, they ought to make appli- cation to those who appointed him. We had thought of re- quiring the use of certain disinfectants before going from one farm to another ; but it appeared so difficult to euforce any re- gulations, that we thought it best to leave it to the magistrates to urge on the inspectors the necessity of great care in this part of their work. It is evident that there are cases in which it is not desirable that inspectors should have an arbitrary power of going from one farm to another ; and one of the ob- jects of the new Order is to diminish the power of the inspectors in that respect, and thereby to diminish the evil which has just been referred to. I think the proper course would be what has been suggested — that the inspector should first com- municate with the owner, and, unless he has reason to suppose there is disease on the farm, should not carry his inquiry further. Everytlung depends on the condition of the stock which he has to inspect. Mr. Robert Leeds : I beg to thank you. Sir George, on be- half of the Central Farmers' Club, for the courteous and busi- ness-like manner in which you have received the deputation. Sir G. Grey : I can assure you that I have felt very great pleasure in seeing you. This is a matter on which practical suggestions from gentlemen like yourselves are of very great importance, and we are very glad to receive them. I wiU com- municate, gentlemen, to the Lords of the Council what you have said. We are very anxious to do wliat we can. The cattle disease is a most lamentable thing ; it affects not only the agricultural interest, but the whole community, and we are anxious to do what we can to provide a remedy. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. n THE FARMERS' CLUB DINNER. Tlie annual dinner of the Farmers' Club took place on Tuesda.y evenin;^, December 1:3, at the Salisbury Hotel, Salisbury-square, aiul was attended by uearly a, hundred gentle- men. The Chairman of the year, Mr. Robert Leeds, presuled. After the toast of '• The Queen," The Chairaiax proposed " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family.'' In doing so, he said that, as a Norfolk man, he wished to say a word or two about the Prince of Wales as a Norfolk landlord and a Norfolk farmer. He might justly re- mark that his Royal Highness's tenants were perfectly satisfied with him as a landlord, and for this reason — that since he had been in Norfolk he had immensely improved his property ; while in doing what was necessary for tenants, he had not for- gotten the interests of the landlord (Hear, hear). Again, on no estate were the old and infirm better cared for, or poor chil- dren better educated than outhe Sandriugham estate (cheers). The children received, not only the greatest consideration, but he might almost say personal attention from the Princess Alex- andria (eheeis). Tlie toast of " The Army, the Navy, the Militia, and the Volunteers" was responded to by Mr. J. Wood. The CnAiUMAN then said that in giving, as he now did, " Success to the Central Farmers' Club," he was very happy to say that he had something to go upon. The Club had, he be- lieved, never been so successful as it was at that moment. They liad better accommodation and belter support than they ever had before. Twenty -three new members were elected on the previous day, and nearly thirty more were down on the list for the new year ; so that they would start the year with fifty new men — a greater number, he believed, than had ever Ijeen elected in any one year for some time past (cheers). But be flattered himself that the Club was progressing in other ways. Whether he looked at the subject which stood first on the dis- cussion-list for this year, that of Middle-class Education, or at the subject of the Cattle Plague, which of necessity came on for consideration late in the year, or at the intervening topics, he must say that he thought they had, by their recent discus- sions, been doing their brother-farmers some good (cheers). It had, he knew, been said by some that the Club did not go fast enough ; Ijut when he looked at the subjects which had l)een discussed at its meetings, he could not very well see how, either practically or politically, they could have gone much further (Hear, hear). He knew scarcely anything relating to farming that had not been already discussed. As to farming politics, they had discussed the malt-tax over and over again ; they had protested against excessive county expenditure ; they had en- deavoured to secure a better system of taking corn averages ; they had appealed to the Government to alter the law of set - tleraent ; aud last, but not least, they had endeavoured to secure for the outgoing tenant reasonable compensation for all the un- exhausted improvements effected by him during his occupation. These were things which closely concerned the farmer, and he certainly might say that they had tried to grapple with them. They had, indeed, not yet succeeded in obtaining all they had asked for ; but M'hen men met, as they had done, to talk over abuses, the remedy was abnost sure, sooner or later, to be ap- plied (Hear, hear). In alluding to their position as farmers, he must say that it never looked so bladk as at the present time (Hear, hear). He was neither going to make along speech nor a sermon,^ but he wotdd impress upon them all the policy of pulling well tegether (Hear, hear) ; and if he might be allowed to add one word of advice, he would say, under the extraordinary circum- stances of the present time, assist one another (Hear, hear) . Long speeches were not in his line ; but in giving " Success to the Central Farmers' Clul)," he might say tliat any man might, if he chose, get the honest worth of all he paid out of it (cheers) . In conclusion, he would say, in the words of the jleport, that he was sanguine that, liaving more room to move in, they would possess proportionately more powev of doing good (cheers). The toast was drunk with great cordialitj-, Mr. Claue Sewell Read, M.P., wlio on rising was much cheered, said he had the pleasure of rising to propose a toast, but before doing so he wished to make a few remarks. First of all, let him thank them for the kind manner in which they had welcomed him on what he might call his first appearance at; the Farmers' Club (cheers). He hoped that when his term of office had ended he should have the pleasure and honottr of receiving a similar welcome at their hands. But, in order that that might be the case, he must say that he trusted they would not expect too much from him ; for a great deal more had already been said and written in his favour than he really deserved. He would, with their permission, just refer to an article which appeared not very long since in one of the leading journals. It was there made to appear that he was such a martyr that he resigned a very good agency for an estate, in consequence ot his not approving of the treatment which the tenants upon that estate received. Let him do justice to the noble earl who was his master on that estate by saying that they agreed to part on very friendly terms and on a very insignificant occasion. (Hear, hear.) He wottld add that there was a very up-liill game for any agent or manager of an estate where there was only a six months' notice to quit. (Hear, hear.) He maintained that it was necessary for the tenant to have some sort of protection, whether it were given in the shape of a lease or in that of tenant right (cheers). It M'as impossible that the agriculture of this country could progress unless tenants had some protection. As regarded game, he hoped no one would suppose that he would like to annihilate sport, or desired the total abrogation of the game laws. '\^1tat he protested agaiust was excessive game pre- serving, aud he would encourage by every means proper and legitimate sport. (Hear, hear.) Mention had been made by the chairman of tlie honour conferred upon the county of Norfolk by the Prince [of 'Wales becoming a Norfolk land- owner and farmer. No one appreciated that honour more than he did ; and it was a noble and soul-stirring sight to see the Prince of Wales in the hunting field in Norfolk. When- ever his Royal Highness was pleased to intimate bis intention to join a " meet," every farmer within twenty or tliirty miles around, who could ride, thought it necessary to go and meet him, so that as many as 400 or 500 mustered at one time in the field. Now if the fox happened to escape such a mob of sportsmen, away they aU went helter-skelter over the clover, the young wheat, and the fences. But who was the man whom they saw pounding away on his nag in the foremost of the throng? It was the tenant farmer, who raised the ironical cry of "Ware wheat," and went bang across it himself (cheers and laughter). Why was he so pleased with himself? He fancied, poor man, that he was contributing something to the sport of the Prince of Wales. He was also delighted at the fact that he and his brother-farmers were allowed to join in the sport ; and he held in his cob, and sat back in liis saddle to tell his neighbour to Ijclieve the almost impossible fact that Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the future King of England, liad that very morning left all the great lords and fine ladies by whom he was surrounded, and came up to him and said, " Good morning, Mr. Bull," aud shaking him by the hand! (laughter and cheers). What a total change would come over the spirit of that farmer's dream if his landlord were then to intimate to him that that day two years he should invite his Royal Highness to a baiiit! (Hear, hear.) Look at the loss, the misery, the utter ruin which, in a dry and barren season, the protection of that game would inflict. (Hear, hear.) What was the restilt ? Wliy, that for four or five hours liis Royal Highness and eight or ten members of the aristocracy slaughtered between 2,000 and 3,0U0 head of game, and the only drawback they experienced in the full enjoyment of the sport w^as that the stupid pheasants would make them believe that they had come to feed and not to shoot them. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) Now he must remark that, in common, he believed, with al- most every other farmer, he was pleased witli the alteration which was made in the poor-law in the last session, But, in THE FARMEE'S MAGAZmE. liis opinion, it did not go fur cnougli ; in his opinion, the Le- j,'ishiture ought to abolish the law of settlement altogether (eheers). As a matter of conrse they found great towns say- ing, " We have had free-trade enough, we liave had enough ulteratious of the poor-law." They did not like giving up the cliaucc of sending back the casual English poor, and especially the Irish emigrants ; but, in his opinion, the Government had lost a noble opportunity of doing away with the evils which now existed. IIow did it come to pass that there were certain real properties in this country that paid no share of the local burdens ? He contended that whether land produced a crop of \vheat or a crop of timber, whether it were stocked with sheep or with game, ^^•hether it produced iron or clay, it ought to pay a fair and equal share of taxation (cheers). He would not say a word on the suliject of the cattle plague, because liaving had it within about a hundred yards of h.is own door, he was sick to death of it. IS'either would he say a word about the malt- tax, except that he hoped that that dire and dreadful calamity wliich had befallen the country would not make them forget what was due to themselves and to the country at large (cheers). It would be remembered that the tempo- rary sun of prosperity which beamed upon them during the (-rimean war diverted then their attention from the ques- tion of the repeal of the obnoxious impost to whicji he now alluded. Let them, now tliat they were really depressed, he armed with the courage of despair, and go to the Govern- ment to ask for nothing more and nothing less than justice. He was not going to talk politics, but he hoped they would excuse him if he now made a few observations on tlie East Norfolk election (Hear, hear.) He had all sorts of friends on tliat occasion ; friends sprang up on all sides, men whom he never knew, and in some instances never heard of before, and tiiey worked heart and soul to return him to Parliament (cheers.) There were, however, other friends who, considering his purse and his family, thought that would be a bad thing for him, were afraid that he would become a nmrtyr, and there- fore did not assist him. Among these last was their worthy chairman ; and yet they were the best of friends. It was no praise to say that their chairman was kind towards him, for he did not Ijelieve he was ever unkind or unfriendly towards any man (loud cheers.) Those cheers told him that tliey knew what toast he was about to propose — it was the health of their worthy chairman, Mr. Leeds (renewed cheers.) They all knew very well what that gentleman was in public life ; he {~Sh-. Read) would tell them what he was among his fi-ieuds and neighbours. The best criterion they could have of a man's character was, the estimation in which he was held by those among whom he lived. He ventured to say of Mr. Leeds tliat he was one of the best fanners in Norfolk, being one of the most enterprising and active tenants on the celebrated Holkham estate, and that he possessed all the virtues which adorned a farmer (cheers) . After a hearty response had been given to the toast, The Chairman returned thanks. He said it was with very great reluctance that he accepted the request of the committee that he would till the chair that year, being sensible of his de- ti.ciencies, but he had certainly endeavoured to discharge the duties to the best of his ability. He had been most kindly assisted by the committee, and more especially were his thanks due in that respect to their worthy Secretary (cheers). If during the past year he had neglected to answer any letters, or had seemed to any one at all negligent, it was certainly not intentional. In conclusion, he observed that his filling the office of chairman had gained for him new acquaintances from every county in England — men of such high character, prac- tical knowledge, and kindly disposition that he sliould always esteem it an honour to retain their friendship. Mr. Bailey Denton proposed " The three great Agricul- tural Societies of the United Kingdom." He said he had been a member of the Central Farmers' Club for nearly five- aud-twenty years, and he believed it had been the means of doing an amazing amount of good for the country. There was a mixture of polities with good feeling, and of practice with science, which could not fail to commend it to the agri- cultural public, and in that respect it was a model for the Royal Agricultural Society. He was liappy to see indications of great improvement in the latter society, and he now called upon them to drink to its prosperity (cheers). Mr. Edmonds, in returning thanks for the toast on behalf of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, remarked that the various improvemeincnts of the last twenty years were in a great degree due to that Society, and that it had almost created tlic agricultural implement trade. Mr. C. IloWAKU said lie rose with great pleasure to propose the health of a gentleman who was to he the Chairman of the Clul) in the ensuing year, now occupying the post of vice- chairman at that table — Mr. Smythies (cheers). Last year the Club went to the far east for a cliairman ; now it was going to the far west, and he had no doubt the choice \\ould prove very satisfactory. Mr. Smythies was a man of great practical know- ledge, and came of good agricultural parentage (cheers). Mr. G. Smythies, after returning thanks, alluded to the cha- racter of tlie cattle show, observing that not only were the old-established breeds — the shorthorns, the Devous, and the Herefords — well represented, but many other breeds as well ; and he thought it was a matter for congratulation that animals which were specially adapted for their different districts made such a creditable appearance in this year's exhibition. He concluded by proposing " The Smithfield Club." Mr. R. J. Newton, in acknowledging the toast, said that notwithstanding tiiis year's drawbacks, tlie animals represent- ing various breeds were second to none in the world. Mr. NocKOLDS proposed "The Local Farmers' Clubs." Those associations were, he said, of great importance to agri- culturists ; for unless they stood well together it would be im- possible for them to resist attacks or to secure justice. Mr. E. Little acknowledged the toast. Mr. G. M. Allender proposed "The Committee of Management." Mr. Congreve, in acknowledging the compliment on behalf of the committee, said they felt some pride in the excellent financial position of the Club ; a position which, comparatively speaking, was not inferior to that of any club in London. On the 29th of last September their funds in hand amounted to £1,100, and a consideralde sum had accrued since that date (cheers). Adverting to the East Norfolk election, he observed that an excellent example had been set to farmers in that part of the country by the return of a member of their own body. He hoped that example would be followed throughout the length and breadth of the land, and that before long the agri- cultural interest would he as well represented in the House of Commons as the manufacturing interest (cheers). Before sit- ting down he had a very important toast to propose, and he was sure it would be received with enthusiasm. In every society there must be a working bee, upon whom its success greatly depended. The working bee of that Club was its Sec- retary, Mr. Corbet (cheers) ; and no one could doubt that his duties were performed in a most satisfactory manner (renewed cheers). He felt great pleasure therefore in proposing that gentleman's health. Mr. H. Corbet, in returning thanks for the toast, said lie would not make a speech, but he would tell a story. Once upon a time a master of hounds wrote to a nobleman a very long and elaborate letter, making inquiries about the character of a huntsman. He asked whether the man was honest, whether he was trustworthy, whether he was of any use in the field or in the kennel, or, in fact, had any talent at all. To all these questions the noble Lord replied very briefly : " Sir, I beg to say that Jack so-and-so has been with me 20 seasons ; (Laughter)- and I think that a very good character." (Hear, hear.) Now he (Mr. Corbet) begged to tell them tliat he had been with them 20 seasons, and he thought that was a good character. (Laughter and cheers). Let thein not be alarmect, at all events he was not alarmed, at the mention of that long period. He was not going to try for another berth (Laughter) ; he was quite satisfied to go on as they were, particularly in the new and handsome house in which they were assembled. (Cheers.) He was happy to say that lie never went on better with a huntsman than he did with the last. Every year they had to get a new huntsman, and in such cases it might sometimes appear doubtful whether the new huntsman would work well with the whipper-in ; but he was happy to say in that he had experienced no such diffi- culty. (Cheers.) The Chairman then gave "Landlords," with the motto " Live and let live." Tiie last toast was " The Visitors." THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 73 THE CATTLE PLAaUE. Oil Thursday, Dec. l^, a meeting was called at St. James Hall, for the purpose of adopting some means of arresting the cattle plague. There were representatives of nearly 100 local agri- cultural societies present, and Viscount CoiiBEUMEiiK occupied the chair. The Chairman in opening the business of the meeting said that they were all aware of the frightful ravages committed by the cattle plague. In his own district, which represented only a small petty-sessional division, 800 head of cattle had already died, and only 4-0 cases were cured. This sliowed how diHi- cult it was to effect a cure when tlie disease once visited a district. It was desirable, therefore, if possible, to prevent disease by stringent measures, such as that of not allowing cattle to be moved about (Henr, hear). He thought it was also desirable that they should concur in the resolutions agreed to by the Royal Agricultural Society (Hear, hear). Sir J. HxxiiZR, in moving the first resolution, said tliat, in being present at the meeting, he only obeyed the wishes of his neighbours. He understood that the meeting was composed of members of thevarious local agricultural societies throughoutthe kingdom. He agreed with the noble chairman, that if they gave their adhesion to the resolutions of the Royal Agricultural Society, it would very much increase the force with which that body had :ilready approached the Government (Hear, hear). The Government had not seen their way to go as far as the Royal Agricultural Society wished ; but he did not blame the Government for that, because in this country they managed their own affairs, and they were all aware how difficult it was to interfere with that local administration to which they were so attached. No doubt it was desirable that the Ordere in Council which had been issued should be made more stringent and put on a new footing (Hear, hear). They should be made compulsory, and it should not be left to local bodies to carry them out. There should be a general law for the whole kingdom, and it should be enforced by the Government (Hear.) He feared they were only at the beginning of this unfortunate malady ; but by the adoption of more stringent laws, those who had escaped would be more benefited than those who had already suffered from the plague. In his own neighbourhood they were veiy much dependent on dairy-farming. Many remedies had been tried, and they had failed to arrest the disease ; they were, therefore, dubious as to any remedy. But he understood that the disease was a species of typhus- fever, and that charcoal and yeast was a good ap])lication ; and it was, moreover, an easy one. The resolution he had to propose was — "That tliis meeting, seeing the daily-increasing ravages of the cattle- plague, is strongly of opinion that the present orders in council are not sufficiently stringent to meet the calamitous effects of that frightful disease." Mr. Ryder said that he represented the Manchester and Liverpool Agricultural Society, and he rose to second a reso- lution in which he believed they would all concur. The dis- ease was spreading rapidly, and extending to all parts of the kingdom. His society comprehended Cheshire, South Lan- cashire, and parts of the adjacent counties. Cheshire, he re- gretted to say, was likely to suffer more than any other portion of the kingdom ; for there were more dairy farms and more lierds of cattle there than anywhere else. One farmer out of 70 head of cattle lost 69. The Orders in Council had been ineffectual to arrest the progress of the disease, which was the most virulently contagious one that ever afflicted the animal creation (Hear, hear) . What was wanted, therefore, was perfect isolation. The Orders in Council should not be left for inspectors, mayors, or petty-sessions magis- trates to enforce, but should come at ouce with all their force from head quarters. It should be made an absolute rule that for a certain period no cattle should be removed from one part of the country to another. He did not think that there could be any objection to that on the part of farmers or of butchers. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Moore, of Coleshill, moved the next resolution, which was to this eflect : " That this meeting urgently recommends the Government to issue an order absolutely forbidding for a limited period the removal of all live cattle under any circum- stances, l)elieving that the temporary evils thereby occasioned would be more than compensated by the permanent benefit likely to accrue therefrom." The local association with which he was connected were agreed as to the necessity of supporting this or any other movement which would convince tlie Government that something must be done, and done at once, to meet this calaiuity (cheers). Tlie local association which he represeutcd endeavoured, as far as possible, to carry out what they urged the Government to do. But they had not power enough, and in proof of that he might mention that, with all their exertions, cattle from a farm where disease prevailed was introduced amongst them. He believed that the meat trade of the country would in a few years pass into a new phase, and that cattle would be slaugh- tered at the ports of debarkation, or outside the large cities. The Government ought to suspend the movement of store cat- tle altogether (cheers). They should control the traffic, and no cattle should be allowed to be removed without a certificate of health. That was done in 1745, when the plague was in this country before. If, when the disease broke out, the Go- vernment had established a general insurance society, to be worked by the Post-office, many a man, he believed, would have been saved from ruin (Hear, hear). With regard to the resolution, he should like to see a slight change made in it to this effect, T'hat no cattle should be re- moved except for immediate slaughter and under a certificate of health. The resolution thus amended having been proposed, Mr. Prere, of Cambridgeshire, seconded it, and in doing so advocated the system of slaughtering beasts at home, and bring- ing the carcasses for sale to the great markets. Some persons thought this impracticable, but his impression was that if due notice were given for preliminary arrangements the difficulties would not be so formidable as some seemed to thnik. With regard to giving a certificate of health, he thought it would not give security or confidence, in consequence of the rapidity ^vith which the animal passed from a state in which the disease was incubating to a state in which it manifested itself (Hear, hear). Mr. Spooxer, in supporting the motion, found fault with the Royal Agricultural Society and the Central Farmers' Club for sleeping over this subject, and not taking energetic steps at an earlier period than they did. The local clubs acted at once, but they had not sufficient power. He believed there was no instance of disease being propagated where the animal affected was slaughtered at once. It was by taking the cattle from place to place that the disease was spread. He strongly advocated the establishment of a general insurance company with a Government security, and believed that if such an establishment were formed all the farmers of the country would be insured in it. He tliought that no foreign cattle ought to be allowed to come into the country unless slaughtered at the port of debarcation, or retained there for the space of fourteen days. Mr. JIay (of the Midland Farmers' Club) thought that the meeting should adopt tlie resolutions agreed to by the Royal Agricultural Society. They would thus have more weight with the Government, and would avoid the appearance of a differ- ence of opinion. He suggested that there should be a fine of £20 on every diseased beast sold. Instead of adopting the motion proposed by Mr. Moore he proposed, that the meeting should in a general way endorse the resolutions of the Royal Agricultural Society. , , ^r nr , i Mr. Masfen (of Staffordshire) seconded Mr. May s proposal. Mr. Randall (of Evesham) thought it most desirable that there should be unity of action amongst them; for if they went to the Government divided the Government vrould not know what to do. He believed that every railway cattle.truck in the kingdom was infected. 74 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Mr. Orley said that the disease had reached a frightful extent in his district of WarvviclEPART9IE:NT. First class. Not Hazardous Is. 6d. per cent. Second class Hazardous 2s. 6d. ,, Third class Doubly Hazardous 4s. 6d. ,, BUII.I>I:MC} AlVD MX:ilCA;NrTIIiE PROPERTIT of every description in Public or Piivafe Warehouses — Distillers, Steam Engines, Goods in Boats or Canals, Ships in Port or Harbour, &c., &c., are insured in tliis Odice at moderate rates. SPECIAXi Rl!lKl§i* — At such rates as may be considered reasonable. PARMIlirCr STOCK..— 5s. per cent.; and Portable Steam Thrashing Machines allowed to be used, without extra charge. Nearly five millioxs insured in this Office on this description of property alone. liOSlllES paid immediately after the amounts have been ascertained. IiIFE. — Life Insurances on moderate terms, by Policies payable to the registered holders. BOHfUS. — Insurers of the participating class are entitled to four-iifths of the profits. At the last declaration of Bonus in May, 1864, £6 5s. was added to every £100 insured by Policies of five years' standing, being at the rate of £1 5s. per cent, per annum, and proportionate amounts to all other insurances on which two or more annual payments had been made, being in some cases about 60 per cent, on the premiums received. Additional Agents wanted. Application to JOHN REDDISH, Esq., Secretary and Actuary. IMPORTA!\IT TO FLOCKMASTERS. 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Prepared only by Thomas Bigg, Chemist, &c., at his Manufac- tory as above, and sold as follows, although any other quantity may be liad, if required : — 4 lb. for 20 sheep, price, jar included £0 2 0 6 1b. 80 „ „ „ 0 3 0 8 1b. 40 „ „ „ 0 4 0 10 lb. 50 „ ,, „ 0 5 0 30 lb. 100 „ ,, (cask and measure 0 10 0 30 lb. 150 „ „ included) 0 15 0 40 1b. 200 „ „ „ 10 0 601b. 250 „ „ „ 1 3 6 60 1b. 300 „ ,, „ 17 6 80 lb. 400 „ ,, „ 1 17 6 100 1b. 500 „ „ ,, 2 5 0 Should any Flockmaster prefer boiling the Composition, it will be equally eflTective. MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE. From Ma. Herapath, the celebrated Analytical Chemitt ; — Bristol Laboratory, Old Park, January 18th, 1861. Sir, — I have submitted your Sheep -Dipping Composition to analysis, and find that the ingredients are well blended, and the mixtire neutral. If it Is used according to the directions given, 1 feel satisfied, that while it efl'ectually destroys vermin, it will not injure the hair roots (or " yolk ") in the skin, the tleece, or the carcase. I think it deserves the numerous testimonials pub- lished. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, V.'iLLiAM Herapath, Sen., P.C.8., &c., &c., To Mr, Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry. Leicester House, Great Dovef'Street, Borough, London, He would also especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, or LOTION, for the SCAB, or SHAB, which will be found a certain remedy for eradicating that loathsome and ruinous disorder in Sheep, and which may be safely used In all climates, and at all seasons of the year, and to all descriptions of sheep, even ewes in lamb. Price FIVE SHILLINGS per gallon— sufBcient on an average for thirty Sheep (according to the virulence of the disease); also in wine quart bottles. Is. 3d. each. IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL. "Scoulton, near Hingham, Norfolk, April 16th, 1855. " Dear Sir, — In answer to yours of the 4lh inst, which would have been replied to before this had I been at home, I have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the efficacy of your in- valuable'Specific for the cure of Scab in Sheep.' The 600 sheep were all dressed in August last with 64 gallons of the ' Noh- Poiso7)ous Specific,' that was so highly recommended at the Lincoln Show, and by their own dresser, the best attention being paid to the flock by my shepherd after dressing according to instructions left; but notwithstanding the Scab continued getting worse. Being determined to have the Scab cured if possible, I wrote to you for a supply of your Specific, which I received the following day; and although the weather was most severe in February during the dressing, your Specific proved itself an invaluable remedy, for in three weeks the Sheep were quite cured ; and I am happy to say the young lambs are doing remarkably well at present. In conclusion, I believe it to be the safest and best remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir, your obedient servant, " For JOHN TINQEY, Esq., " To Mr. Thomas Bigg." " R. KENNEY. 1^" Flockmasters would do well to beware of such prepara- tions as " Non-poisonous Compositions :" it is only necessary to appeal to their good common sense and judgment to be tho- roughly convinced, that no " Non-poisonous" article can poison or destroy insect vermin, particularly such as the Tick, Lice, and Scab Para>ites— creatures so tenacious of life. Such advertised preparations must be wholly useless, or they are not what they are represented to be. Dipping Apparatus £14, £5, £4, & £S. FBICE ONE SHILLING EACH. NEATLY PRINTED IN FOOLSCAP OCTAVO, EACH VOLUME CONTAINING from 130 to 100 PAGES OP LETTERPBBSS EICHARDSOH'S RURAL HAND-BOOKS, NEW EDITIONS, REVISED AND ENLARGED. W HEAT : ITS HISTORY AND CUL- TIVATION.—By The Old Norfolk Faemek, FLAX: ITS CULTIVATION AND PRE- PAEATION, AND BEST MODE OP CON- VERSION.—By James Waud, Author of "The World and its Workshops," &c. URAL ARCHITECTURE : a Series OF DESIGNS FOR RURAL AND OTHER DWELLINGS. The Grouiul Plans, Elevations, and Specifications by James Sanderson, Borough Engi- neer's Office, Liverpool. THE AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTOR; OB, YOUNG FARMER'S CLASS BOOK.— By Edmund Murphy, A.B. DOMESTIC FOWL: THEIR NATURAL HISTORY, BREEDING, AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT. THE FLOWER GARDEN.— By George Glenny, F. L. S., Author of " Properties of Flowers," &c. HORSES; THEIRVARIETIES, BREED- ING, AND MANAGEMENT. — Edited by M. M. MlLBURN. D OGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. P IGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. r^OWS AND DAIRY HUSBANDRY.— Vy Bv M. M. Milbukn, Author of " The Sheep," &c. — (The Dauy Department revised by T. Hoksfall). SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. — Em- bracing the HISTORY, VARIETIES, REAR- ING, FEEDING, and GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP; with TREATISES on AUSTRALIAN SHEEP FARMING, the SPANISH and SAXON MERINOS, &c.— By M. M. Milbuen, Author of "The Cow," and of various Agricultural Prize Essays. THE HIVE AND THE HONEY BEE. ESTS OF THE FARM.— A New Edition. — By M. M. Mileurn, Author of " The Sheep," &c. LAND DRAINAGE, EMBANKMENT, AND IRRIGATION. — By James Donald, Civil Engineer, Derby. SOILS AND MANURES, T^ith INSTRUC- TIONS FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT.— By John Donaldson, Government Land Drainage Sur- veyor. itt ii}t ^re00, in wntinuation of tf)e same S«ic0, T HE IMPLEMENTS OF THE FARM. —By R. Sgoit Burn, C.E. rpHE POTATO: ITS HISTORY, CUL- X TURE, AND NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.— By S. Copland. London: Houlston & Wright, 65, Paternoster Eow. Dublin : J. McGlashan Upper Sackville Street. And all Booksellers. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. VOLUME THE TWENTY-NINTH. THIRD SERIES . JANUARY TO JUNE, MDCCCLXVI. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 246, STRAND, MAY BE HAD BY ORDER THROUGH ALL BOOKSELLERS, LONDON : PRINTED BY ROGKRSON AND TUXFORD, 246, STRAND. o <2 r S«-r 3 x9 INDEX. A. Agriculture, Calendar of, 83, 166, 255, 319, 437, 523 Agriculture, Geometry of Solids in, 103 Agricultural Implement Makers and the New Austrian Tariff", 147 Agricultural Intelligence, 81, 170, 261, 352, 400, 528 Agricultural Labourers, Meeting at Maidstone of, 334 Agricultural Reports, 80, 169, 259, 350, 438, 527 Agricultural Societies — Bath and West of England, 74, 197, 243, 303, 424,522 Birmingham and Midland Counties, 26 Highland, 98 Melplaish, 119 Royal Dublin, 76 Yeovil, 23 Agricultural Statistics, 327, 457 American Woollen Trade, 418 Ancient Harvest and Barn Implements, 32 Anti-Malt-tax (Central) Association, 75 Artificial Stone Manufacture, 117 Australia, Agriculture of, 195, 209, 421 Auxiliary Manures, 476 Averages, Comparative, 86, 173, 264, 355, 444, 532 Averages, Imperial, 173, 264, 414, 532 Averages, Septennial, 170 B. Bacon and Hams, 522 Bark, Price of, 174, 266, 534 Barley and Malt : by Cuthbert W. Johnson, Esq., 358 Barley (Broken) Separator, 196 Barley, The Cultivation of, 330 Beef and Mutton, Materials for, and their Economy, 130 Beer as a Substitute for Milk, 347 Birds, Destruction of British, 419 Bread, Price of, 175, 265, 532 Brome-de-Schrader, 422 Brood Mares, Description of Plate, 267 Butchers and the Preventive Act, 481, 513 Butchers' Companies, Wholewale and Retail, 405 Butter and Cheese Markets, 86, 174, 261, 265, 356, 441,529 c. Calves, To Fatten, 162 Carcass Trade, Triumphs and Drawbacks, 394 Cattle Companies, Wholesale, 1 32 Cattle, Management of, 386 Cattle Plague, 73, 7S, 102, 135, 253, 316, 331, 424, 480,519 Cattle Plague and Government Insurance, 92, 167 Cattle Pl?guc and Smallpox, Points of Rcbitn" blance between, 139 Cattle Plague Debates, 318, 426 Cattle Plague Deputations, 68, 241 Cattle Plague Difficulties, 24 Cattle Plague, How to put it off", 8 Cattle Plague in Cheshire, 363, 406 Cattle Plague in South Africa, 347 Cattle Plague Law, 324 Cattle Plague Lecture and Discussion, 183 Cattle Plague One Hundred and Fifty Years since, 158 Cattle Plague Teachings, 479 Cattle Plague, Vaccination for, 101 Cattle Plague, What is it ? 77 Cattle, their Health, from a Mechanical Point of View, 216 Cattle, their Health, from a Chemical Point of View, 244 Cattle Trade, Review of the, SO, 169, 259, 350, 439, 527 Cheese, American Plan of Making, 141 Chicory, Price of, 174, 265, 532 Chloroform and Cattle Plague, 404 Christmas Fat Stock Shows, 145 Cirencester College, The Breaking- up Day at, 124 Climatic Influences, 246 Corn Trade, Review of the, 84, 171, 262, 353, 442, 530 Covent Garden Market, 174, 265, 533 Cream, To raise, 162 Crown Lands, The, 243 D. Dairy Farming in the United States, 224 Dairy Stock, The Keep of, 168 Denaturalization, 507 Devon Cow — Description of Plate, 357 Dogs and Cats, 522 Dunghill and Dung-making, 293 E. Education, Agricultural and Middle-class, 467, 468 F. Farm, The New, 17, 248, 370, 500 Farmers' Clubs — Central, 59, l68, 226, 243, 304, 374, 488 Chester-le- Street, 472 Cirencester, 398, Cork, 458 Eye, 502 Framlingham, 382 r Hungerford, 390 Midland, 327 Teviotdale, 15 Wenlock, 412 INDEX. Farm Pests, 390 Farm Slaughtering Premises, 222 Farmers' Club Dinner, 71 Farmers' Notions of Labourers' Education, 329 Fat Stock V. Railway Locomotives, 192 Fish we Consume, The ; by C. W. Johnson, Esq., 178 Flax, Hemp, &Cm Price of, 175 Food for Stock, Medicinal Properties of, 396 Forage Plants, Medicinal Properties of, 470 Foreign Agricultural Gossip, 256, 344, 435, 524 Foreign Hops, 462 Furze, The Growth and Use of, 465 Furze, Whins or Gorse, 247 G. Game Calculation, 239 Game Laws and Deer Forests, 506 Game Question, The, 93 Game, Ruined by, 225 Game, The Rating of, 423 Gardening, Calendar of, 83, 166, 255, 349, 438, 523 Gentlemen Farmers, 300 Gooseberry Caterpillar, 328 Grain, Current Price in Mark -lane, 173, 264, 355, 444, 532 Grand Duchesses, Deaths of, 77 Grass Land, Breaking-up of, 254 Grass Land, Management and Improvement of, 520 Grazing Prospects for the Spring, 167 Green Crops, and How to Consume them Econo- mically, 412 Grub, The, 233 H. Hay Markets, 176, 532 Hedges and Hedge-row Timber, 15 Herds of Great Britain, 279, 449 Hereford Bull — Description of Plate, 87 Hide and Skin Markets, 175, 266, 534 Homoeopathists and the Cattle Plague, 208 Hop Markets, 86, 173,264, 355, 441, 532 Hop Trade with Foreign Countries, 522 Hops, The Marking of, 486 Horse Trade of Austraha, 281 Horses : To prevent their kicking, 115 Hull, Trade of the Port of, 152 L Ireland, Stock-taking in, 193 Ireland, Tenure and Improvement of Land in, 497 Irish Agriculture, 9 Irish Labourer, The, 203 Irrigation Waters ; by Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S., 5 Islington Horse Show, 510 J. Jersey, The Island of, 294 Kentish Agricultural Labourers, 333 Labourer and his Cottage, The, 119 Labourer, The Home of the, 502 Labourers' Winter-evenings, 382 Lambing Season, The, 181, 253 Land (Carse), The most profitable Management of, 508 Land, The Reclaiming and Farming of, by small Holdings, 13 Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Bill, 458 Leases, On, 215 Leather Market, 175, 265, 533 Leather Trade, The, 148 Leeds, Mr. Robert, Biography of, 1 Leeds Smithfield Show, 79 Leicester Wethers — Description of Plate, 267 Light Land Farming, 220 Linseed, &c.. Trade, 1 50 Liverpool Wool Trade, 155 Local Agricultural Societies, 209 London Averages, 444, 532 London Milk, On, 104 M. Malt, 347 Malt as Food for Cattle, 302 Malt-tax, and Debate, 427, 428, 463 Malt-tax, Repeal of the, 234 Malt-wine, or Mock-Madeira : How to make it, 208 Manures in France, 526 Manures, Price of, 86, 176, 266, 346, 444, 534 Master and Servant, Relations between : a Prize Essay, 516 Meat, Diseased, 160 Medicinal Plants, 411 Metals, Price of, 175, 265, 533 Metropolitan Great Christmas Market, 49 Milk, A Substitute for, in rearing Calves, 416 Milk we consume. The ; by Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S., 89 Milk without Butter, A Remedy for Milkers, How to make, 348 N. New Fodder, A : " Ervum ervilla,' New York Cattle Market, 190 New Zealand Wool, 487 337 O. Obituary — Coleman, Mr. R., 518 Oil, Price of, 1 74, 534 P. Palmerston, Lord, as Farmer and Landlord, ll6 Pleuro-pneumonia, 410 Poetry — The Lesson of the Leaves, 423 Potato : Its History, &c., 472 Potato-tops as Topdressing, 495 Potatoes, Price of, 86, 174, 264, 356, 441, 529 Potatoes, The Cultivation of, 21 8 Poultry in Winter, The Care of, l6l Poultry Rearing, 388 Prize System, The, 403 Prussia, How the Cattle Disease is met in, 252 INDEX. Q. Quorn Keepsakes— Description of Plate, 88 R. Railway and Steamboat Conveyance of Dead Meat, 325 Revel Cargo : The Origin of the Cattle Plague, 317 Reviews — Black and White, 426 Farmers' Almanac, 168 Herd Book of Hereford Cattle, 168 Management of Farm Stock, 425 Newcombe's Farm Account Book, 425 New-year's Budget, 245 Poultry Yard, 522 Report of Jersey Agricultural Societ)', 425 Wheat : its History, &c., 82 Where shall we get Meat ? 348 Voyages in France, &c., 348 Rivers, Our ill-used ; by Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S., 446 Road and Railway Carcase Vans, 291 Rounds with a " Vet," 392 Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, 456 Royal Agricultural College Club, 75 Royal Agricultural Society's Charter, 420 Royal Agricultural Society of England, 50, 240, 270, 364, 452, 496 Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland, 198 Royal Meeting at Bury St. Fidmunds, 498 Rye for Milch Cows, 123 S. Salisbury Hotel, Account of, 3 Scotch Ox and Devon Steer of the last Smithtield Show, 485 Seeds, Price of, 86, 173, 264, 355, 444, 532 Sewage Difficulties; by Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S., 268 Shamrock — Description of Plate, 446 Sheep, Cattle Plague in, 484 Sheep, Disease amongst, 425 Sheep-shearing by Machinery, 471 Shoeing Horses, A new System of, 348 Shorthorned Steer — Description of Plate, 445 Shorthorns — Description of Plate (Stock on the Banks of the Wye), 177 Small-pox in Sheep, 346 Smithfield Club, 346 Smithfield Club Cattle Show, 35, 142 Smithfield Show Week, 34 Soot, The Use of, 505 Spirits, Price of, 175 Spring Sowing, Early, 187 Squirrel, The Chipping, 499 Stallfeeding Cattle, On, 126 Stallion — Description of Plate, 178, 357 Stallions for the Season, 338 Statistics of Live Stock, 478 Steam Cultivation, 191 Steam Cultivation, Inquiry into the Practice and Progress of, 461 Stock, The Feeding of, 398 Stock Management, 474 Stock, Sale of, 512 Summer Grazing without Cattle, Suggestions for the, 362 T. Tallow Market, 533 Tallow Trade of Russia, 373 Tallow, Value of imported, 441 Tenure and Improvement of Land (Ireland) Bill, 526 Thin Sowing, 483 Thrashing Machines, Important Legal Decision as to the Right of Toll on, 258 Timber, Price of, 175, 266, 533 Town Sewage, The Utilization of, 389 Traction Engines and Shying Horses, 514 Turnips and Straw, The Consumption of, 25 Turnip Crop, Insects injurious to the, 163 Turnips, The Finger-and-Toe in, 11 V. Vaccination, The Danger of, 250 Victoria, The Progress of the Colony of, 22 W. Waste Land, On Reclaiming, 283 Western Cheese, 509 Wheat Trade of the World, 522 Wool, Price of, 86, 176, 266, 356, 444, 534 Worms, Mr. : his System of Cure for the Cattle Plague, 251 THE EMBELLISIOIENTS Page. Salisbury Hotel and Farmers' Club House .... 1 Mr. Robert Leeds ...... 1 Prize Hereford Bull ...... . 87 The Quoin Keepsakes ...... 87 The Banks of the Wye . . ... 177 Trumpeter . . 177 Leicester Wethers ...... 267 Brood Mares ....... 267 Empress ....... 357 King John .... . . . 357 Shamrock ........ 443 A Short-horned Steer ....... 445 .p/?i-S>,«i-»;,.^, _^_. Price in Cloth, IIALF-A CROWN ; Post-free, ITIO]V OF RDFF'S GUIDE TO THE TURF; OR, POCKET RACING COMPANION FOR 1866. Contents : The Nominations for 1866, and the Horses Indexed with their Pedigrees — The Great Stakes for 1867— The Grand Prize of Paris for 1866 — A (complete (Calendar of Races and Steeple Chases in Great Britain and Ireland in 1805 — Racing on the Continent in 1865, fully Indexed — Laws of Racing and Steeple-chasing — Lengths of Courses— Derby Lots — Revised and Correct Lists of Trainers, Jockeys, and their Addresses — The Colours worn by the Riders — Winners of the Principal Races from their commencement — Queen's Plate Articles, and Weights— The Racing Past in 1866. ROQERSON & TUXFORD, <' SPORTING REVIEW" OFFICE, 246, STRAND; by all Booksellersj and at the various Railway Stations. — Price Half-a Crown in Cloth. THR LEADING SPORTING PERIODICAL. A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF THE TURF, THE CHASE, AND RURAL SPORTS, IN ALL THEIR VARIETIES. Twenty-eight years ago this work was started for the purpose of adding to the National Sports of this country an organ worthy of its importance and popularity. It took the field wih a corps of contributors — veterans of experience and skill in the depart- ments to which they atiached themselvas. For the first time the annals of the chase were treated of by masters of houmis ; members of tlie Jockey Club wrote about the Turf; the most eminent of our amalimr sailors discussed yachting; the leash— the trigger — and our rural pastimes were dealt with by men of acknowledged superiority. Under such auspices its apprenticeship was passed ; and the public voice has bestowed on it the character of a " good and faiihful servant." In that capacity it discharges the grateful duty of offering its acknowledgements for favours heretofore received ; and ventures to hope for a continuance of that success which it will be its earnest effort to endeavour to deserve. No periodical in any branch of literature is more characteristically represented by those who contribute to its pages ; no journal is more beautifully embellished— none more carefully constituted with reference to the treatment of popular and seasonable subjects In the course it has so long run, its race will be continued. It will keep a steady pace — ever make play when fitting opportunity occurs. On the first of every month it will be found at the post, as its trainer brought it out from the commencement of its career, sightly to look at, with plenty of good stuff about it— sound wind aud 1 mb-and eager to strain every sinew for the prize of public approbation. N.B.— Vol. LV., with 13 Steel Engravings, is just out, price 16s. 6d., handsomely bound in cloth, and may be had of every Bookseller in the Kingdom. Published monthly, price Half-a-Crown, by EOGERSON & TUXFORD, at the " Sporting Review" Office, 846, Strand, London, W C. ; where all communications for the Editor, and Works for Review, should be addressed. %\t film %m\\\\\ %fik %um\\n, BEAUTIFULLY EMBELLISHED WITH HIGHLY FINISHED STEEL ENGRAVINGS, PORTRAITS OF THE NOBILITY, ETC. Published Monthly— Price One Shilling. Both the Metropolitan and Provincial press have declared this the most deservedly popular of the Ladies' Magazines ; and a re- ference to any reeent number would be sufficient to establish its claims to the patronage it receives. It is the aim of the Editress t« render it a decidedly literary publication, considerable space being devoted to notices of, and extracts from, new works. Neither is music nor the world of art neglected; while in her selection of origrinal articles, a distinct purpose is maintained — that of com- bining information withlamusemeijt; and, while eschewing the old world school of bygone romance, to preserve a tone of refine- ment without effeminacy. When we consider the quantity of matter a Dumber contains, the exquisite engravings which are included, and the elaborate plates and descriptions of the fasliions, there ean be no doubt that this Magazine, published at one shilling, is the cheapest as wall as the best of iti class. PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON & TUXFORD, 24G, STRAND, LONDON. May be had of all Booksellers. PRICE ONE SHILLING EACH. -9M NEATLY PRINTED JN FOOLSCAP OCTAVO, EACH VOLUME CONTAINING from 130 to 190 PAGES OP LETTERPRESS RICHARDSOH'S EFRAL HA5D- BOOKS, NEW EDITIONS, REVISED AND ENLARGED. WHEAT : ITS HISTORY AND CUL- TIVATION.—By Thk Old Norfolk Farmer, FLAX: ITS CULTIVATION AND PRE- PARATION, AND BEST MODE OF CON- VERSION.—By Jamks Ward, Author of " The World and its Workshops," &c. "D URAL ARCHITECTURE : a Skries JX OF DESIGNS FOR RURAL AND OTHER DWELLINGS. The Ground Plans, Elevations, and Specifications by James Sanderson, Borough Engi- neer'a Office, Liverpool. THE AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTOR; OR, YOUNG FARMER'S CLASS BOOK.— By Edmund Mukphy, A.B. DOMESTIC FOWL: THEIR NATURAL HISTORY, BREEDING, AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT. THE FLOWER GARDEN.— By George Glenny, F. L. S., Author of " Properties of Flowers," &c. HORSES; THEIR VARIETIES, BREED- ING, AND MANAGEMENT. — Edited by M. M. MiLBURN. "PJOGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. "DIGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. COWS AND DAIRY HUSBANDRY.— Bv M. M. MiLBURN, Author of " The Sheep,''- &e. — (The Dairy Department revised by T. Horsfall). SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. — Em- bracing the HISTORY, VARIETIES, REAR- ING, FEEDING, and GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP ; with TREATISES on AUSTRALIAN SHEEP FARMING, the SPANISH and SAXON MERINOS, &c.— By M. M. Milburn, Author of "The Cow," and of various Agricultural Prize Essays. THE HIVE AND THE HONEY BEE. PESTS OF THE FARM.— A New Edition. — By M. M. Milburn, Author of " The Sheep," &c. LAND DRAINAGE, EMBANKMENT, AND IRRIGATION, — By James Donald, Civil Engineer, Derby. SOILS AND MANURES, with INSTRUC-' TIONS FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT.— By John Donaldson, Government Land Drainage Sur- veyor. In t^e ^W0S, in continuation of tf\t same Series, THE IMPLEMENTS OF THE FARM. —By E. Scott Burn, C.E. THE POTATO: ITS HISTORY, CUL- TURE, AND NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.— By S. Copland. London: Houlston & Wright, 65, Paternoster-row ; Rogerson Ss Tuxford, 246, Strand Dublin ; J. McGlashan, Upper Sackville=street. And all Booksellers. No. 2, Vol. XXIX.] FEBRUARY, 1866. [Third Series- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE AND MONTHLY JOURNAL THE AGRICULTUEAL INTEREST. TO THE FARMERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. LONDON : PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 246, STRAND. PRICE TWO SHILLINGS. EOQEBSON AND xnXPOBD,] Ti,..™*— me iPilNTEBS, 246, STBAXD. H O W A R B S' CHAMPION PLOUGHS WON in 1865 and TWO PREVIOUS YEARS the Unprecedented Number of SIXTY. EIGHT ALL ENGLAND PRIZES, AND UPWARDS OF EIGHT HUNDEED LOCAL PRIZES, BY FAB THE LABGEST WTTMBER EVER GAINED BY ANY MAKEB. HOWARDS' CHAMPION PLOUGH Gained at the LAST TRIALS of the Royal Agricultural Society op England, at Newcastle, The FIRST and ONLY PRIZE for the BEST WHEEL PLOUGH FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. This is the most important Prize for Ploughs offered by the Society, it being for the Plough best adapted for both light and heavy land, as well as for the best work at various depths. For the LAST TEN YEARS J. & F. HOWARD have been the Winners of this Prize. HOWARDS CHAMMO]¥ M.OU6MI: HAS RECEIVED FIFTEEN FIRST PRIZES FROM THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND, Being the Largest Number of Prizes awarded to any kind of Plough ever exhibited. MORE THAN SIXTY JHOJISAND ARE IN USE. The following Prizes have been awarded to J. & F. Howard by the Royal Agricultural Society of Enprland : FORTY-FOUR FIRST PRIZES FOR THE BEST PLOUGHS FOR LIGHT LAND, BEST PLOUGHS FOR HEAVY LAND, BEST PLOUGHS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. BEST RIDGING PLOUGHS, BEST SUBSOIL PLOUGHS, BEST HARROWS, BEST HORSE RAKES, BEST HAYMAKERS, AND BEST HORSE HOES ; ALSO THE GOLD MEDAL, AND OTHER PRIZES, FOR STEAM-CULTIVATING MACHINERY. PULL PARTICULARS MAY BE HAD OF THEIR AGENTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, OR WILL BE SENT FREE ON APPLICATION TO JAMES AND FREDERICK HOWARD, BRITANNIA IRON WORKS, BEDFORD, ENGLAND. LONDON OFFICE : 4, Cheapside-Three Doors from St. Paul's. THE EARMER'S MAGAZOE. FEBRUARY, 1866. CONTENTS. Plate I.— COMMODORE ; A PRIZE HEREFORD BULL, Plate IL— THE aUORN KEEPSAKES; ALBERT AND BRADGATE, Plague Descriptions of the Plates ..... The Milk wb Consume: By Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S. The Cattle Plague and Government Insurance The Game Question ...... The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland : The Cattle Mr. Hall Maxwell ..... Vaccination for Cattle Plague .... The Cattle Plague ...... On the Geometry of Solids in Agriculture . On London Milk : By Mr. J. Chalmers Morton To Prevent Horses Kicking ..... Lord Palmerston as Farmer and Landlord Artificial Stone Manufacture .... Melplaish Agricultural Society : The Labourer and his Cottage Rye for Milch Cows ...... The Breaking-up Day at Cirencester College On Stall-feeding Cattle ..... On the Economy of Feeding Material, and its Conversion into B Mutton ...... Will Sheep convey the Cattle Plague? Wholesale Cattle and Carcase Companies The Cattle Plague, as Treated of by the Veterinarians The Points of Resemblance between Cattle Plague and Small Pox Charles Murchison, M.D., F.R.C.P. American Plan of Making Cheese from the Milk of a few Cows The Smithfield Club Show : Machinery Exhibited Christmas Fat Stock Shows and Markets The Agricultural Implement Makers and the New Austrian Tariff The Leather Trade : Annual Report .... Linseed, Linseed Cake, and Oil Trade : Annual Report Trade of the Port of Hull : Report for 1865 , The Liverpool Wool Trade: Annual Report , The Cattle Plague : The Chancellor of the Exchequer on Government In SURANCE ...... The Cattle Plague One Hundred and Fifty Years Since Diseased Meat Care of Poultry in Winter . EEF AND By Insects injurious to the Turnip Crop Calendar of Agriculture Calendar of Gardening Grazing Prospects for the Spring The Keep of Young Stock Reviews The Farmers' Club General Agricultural Report for January Review of the Cattle Trade for January Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs, &c, . Septennial Averages — Tithe Commutation Review of the Corn Trade during the past Month Market Currencies, &c. , • By the Rev. W. Houghton, M.A Pagb 87—88 89 F.L.S. 92 93 98 101 102 103 104 115 116 117 119 123 124 126 130 131 132 135 139 141 142 145 147 148 150 152 155 157 158 160 161 163 166 166 167 168 168 168 169 169 170 170 171 173-6 il I li B E K P E S T. Just Readi/, Octavo snoed, Price Sixpence, REMARKS ON THE CATTLE PLAGUE, BY THE HON. FRANCIS SCOTT. LONDON : HATCHARD AND CO., 187, PICCADILLY, W. CATTLE PLAGUE. <6T7NWORB'S SPECIFIC" FOR CATTLE is the best remedy known for this disease* Fj EXTRACT FROM TESTIMONIALS. From Mr. John Jordan, Dctonshire Dairy, Green Lanes, Tottenham. I can safely recommend Enworb's Sfecipic. I lost every cow that was attacked with the Plague boford I obtained it. Since using it all my cattle, now numbering forty, which were seized, are doing well, and most of thtm recovered. ,„ , From Mr. John Palmer, Queen's Head, Green Lanes, Tottenham. Since I have used Enworu's Specific all my milch cows attacked with the Cattle Plague havo been saved, and are doing well. From Mr. Mills, Boman Road, Islington. Your Specific has saved two of my cows which were suffering from the disease in its worst form. Sold in Bottles, 2s. 6d., 4s. 6d., and IOs. SOLE MANUFACTURER, J. T. DAVENPORT, 33, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, BL00M3BURY, VV.C. ALDERNEY, JERSEY, AND GUERNSEY COWS AND HEIFERS.— EDWARD PARSONS FOWLER, of Jersey, will have on PRIVATE SALE, at Mr. GOWER'S REPOSITORY, Barbican, London, E.C., a Choice Herd of the above, the SECOND and LAST MONDAY in everx Month THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. Warranted perfect, direct from the Islands, and of the Purest Breed. On view the Saturday prior. R AYNBIRD, CALDECOTT, & BAWTREE, Seed Farmers and Merchants, 89, Seed Market, Mark-lane; and Basingstoke. Prize Medals, 1851, for " Wheat ;" 1802, for Excellent Seed Corn and Seeds," I AVID BAILLIE & CO. beg- to i^iform their friends that they are now prepared to send out their MANURES for 18G5. Agents wanted in North Wales, Midland Counties, North of England, and Scotland. Wainton Works, near Cheater. NEW WORK BY THE AUTHOR OF "MANHOOD." Just out, IBmo Pocket Edition, Post Free, 12 stamps ; Scaled Ends, 20. DR. CURTIS'S MEDICAL GUIDE TO MARRIAGE : a Practical Treatise on its Physical and Personal Obligations. With instructions to the Married and Unmarried of both Sexes, for removing the special disqualifications and impediments which destroy the happiness of wedded fe . — By Dr. J. L. Curtis, 16, Albemarlb Street, Piccadilly, London, W. This work contains plain directions by which forfeited privileges can be restored, and essential functions strengthened and preserved. ______________________ Also, by the same Author, a New and Revised Edition of MANHOOD : A MEDICAL ESSAY on the Causes and Cure oi Premature Decline in Man ; the Treatment of Nervous Debility, Spermatorrhoea, Impotence, and those peculiar infirmities which result from youthful abuses, adult excesses, tropical climates and other causes j with Instructions for the Cure of Infection without Mercury, and its Prevention by the Author's Prescription (his infallible Lotion). — By Dr. J. L. CURTIS, 15, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. REVIEWS OF THE WORK. "Manhood. — This is truly a valuable work, and should be in the hands of young and old."'— Sunday Times, 23rd March, 1858. 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NEATLY PRINTED IN FOOLSCAP OCTAVO, EACH VOLUME CONTAINING from 130 to 190 PAGES OF LETTEBPRESS RICHAEDSOU'S KUEAl HASD-B00K8, NEW EDITIONS, REVISED AND ENLARGED. WHEAT : ITS HISTORY AND CUL- TIVATION.—By The Old NonroLK FAEJiEK, FLAX : ITS CULTIVATION AND PRE- PARATION, AND BEST MODE OF CON- VEESION.— By James Wakd, Author of " The World and its Workshops," &c. TJ URAL ARCHITECTURE : a Series XV OF DESIGNS FOE, EURAL AND OTHER DWELLINGS. The Ground Plans, Elevations, and Specifications by Jajies Sanderson, Borough Engi- neer's Office, Liverpool. THE AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTOR; OR, YOUNG FARMER'S CLASS BOOK.— By Edmund Murphy, A.B. DOMESTIC FOWL: THEIR NATURAL HISTORY, BREEDING, AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT. THE FLOWER GARDEN.— By George Glenny, p. L. S., Author of " Properties of Plowersj" &c. ORSES ; THEIRVARIETIES, BREED- ING, AND MANAGEMENT. — Edited by M. M. MiLBURN. D OGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. IGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. /^OWS AND DAIRY HUSBANDRY.— Vy Bv M. M. 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' -\ I- w ^ ir -I » THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. FEBRUARY, 180(5. PLATE I. COMMODOREj A Prize Hereford Bull. THE PROPERTY OF MR. THOMAS DUCKHAM, OF BAYSHAM COURT, ROSS. Commodore (247'2), a red with a white face, bred by Mr. Duckham, and calved on August Stb, 1862, is by Castor (1900), out of Carhsle, by Albert Edward (859), her dam Silver, by Emperor (221). Castor, a red with a white face, bred by Mr. T. Rea, of Westonbury, and calved on September 30th, 1859, is by Sir Benjamin (1387), out of Spot the Second, by Cholstrey (217), her dam Spot by Hope (439)— Spot, by Primate (204)— Spot, by Forester (112). Castor was purchased and used by Mr. Duckham. Carlisle, a red with a white face, bred by the late Lord Berwick, and calved on February 28th, 18o4, was a famous show-cow in her day, when she was a winner of first prizes at the Carlisle, Chelmsford, and Salisbury Meetings of the Royal Agricultural Society. She has also done good ser- vice in the herd, being the dam of Eagle in 1856, of Emperor (1981) in 1859, of Garibaldi (2003) in I860, of Silver 2nd in 1861, of Commodore (2472) in 1862, of Lord Clyde (2614) in 1863, and of Rob Roy (2726) in 1864. Carlisle passed into Mr. Duckham's possession on the death of Lord Berwick. At the Hereford Show, in the autumn of 1863, Commodore took the third prize in a moderate class of yearling bulls, and where we confess we were not much struck with his appearance. In 1864, at the Bristol Meeting of the Bath and West of England Society, Commodore won the first prize in the two-year-old class, beating Tam- , barine 2nd and Tom Brown, and when we spoke to jhim as "improved in a very remarkable degree, and Oi.D Series.] furnishing into a deep level bull of great subtance and fine constitution ; backed by a rich, wealthy touch, but with a want of style about his head, horn, and neck that must always detract something from his many other prize points." In the month following, at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society, Commodore took the first prize in the two-year-old class against only a short field. At the Coventry Meeting of the Warwickshire Society he took another first prize, as also at Hereford ; but at Ludlow he. reached no higher than third. Commodore, however, closed the year very triumphantly at Tredegar, where he was declared to be not merely the best bull of his class, but the best bull of any breed exhibited. In 1865, at the Hereford Meeting of the Bath and West of England Society, Commodore took the first prize in a short class, and another first at the Plymouth Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society, with which his career has so far closed, Mr. Duckham very judiciously declining to ex- hibit his bull after the cattle plague had broken out. Commodore, who has won £130 10s. in public, has never been quite a favourite of ours ; but it is only fair to say that, in the official report of the Bath and West of England Meeting at Bristol, as given in the Society's Journal, he is described as "an animal of remarkable quality and substance, and by far the best Hereford bull in the yard, if not the best of any breed;'' while the same au- thority pronounces him at Hereford, in the summer of 1865, "to have fully realised all that was said of him at Bristol." His owner, Mr. Duckham, is well known as the Editor of The Hereford Herd Book, H [Vol. LIX.— No. 2. THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE. PLATE II. THE QUORN KEEPSAKES; Albert and Bradgate. THE PROPERTY OF THE EARL OF STAMFORD AND WARRINGTON. It is pleasant still to have some reminiscence of that long day spent in the Long Stable at Quorn, not amidst all the bustle of the sale, but when we could dwell in quiet enjoyment over the many merits of each horse as we came to bim We have already in another place endeavoured to do justice to such a scene, and perhaps cannot here do better than borrow our own description when the impression was still fresh on the memory. Here is something of what we saw a month or so previous to the dispersion of that magnificent stud : "When that mighty monarch Ennui offered a prize for a new pleasure, he gave pretty good proof that he was no sportsman. Old Homer would never have written him Hippodamos, nor could he have taken fair rank as Eques amongst the Patricians of the Capitol. Surely the love of horse and hound never really dies out of a man ! Or, if it does droop a little, one half-glance or so will often be enough to rekindle the flame of our affection. The mere sight of the thoroughbred crack, as with indolent hauteur he saunters through the bye-lane on his way to the station, will warm up many an old turfite to all he has seen and done; while a bird's-eye view of the gaily-marked hounds and the tell-tale bit of pink, as they turn the cor- ner in a cluster, has set many a feeble pulse agoing again. Talk of a new pastime ! when, if you can- not be always on your horse, there is the ever- renewing pleasure of looking him over, and studying those fair proportions you have tried so well. How far would not any of us go to see a good one, whether his mission be to sweep over the Heath, or fly the oxer in his stride as they race him through the Shires ? We boldly claim the reward of the used-up despot, and would turn even Phaeton from his ambitious journey with the Horses of the Sun, to try with us the Horses of the Quorn. And these not a mere team, mind ! not the some half-dozen or so that a gallant captain going abroad sends up to Hyde-park Corner at the end of his furlough. The famous Long Stable at Quorn, well filled as it has been before now, was never so furnished. Never was the same stamp of horse so continually repeated, and never was this of such a character. If we needed an illustration of what the modern Leicestershire hunter should be, and moreover what he can be, we should take no especial specimen from those we saw at Quorndon; but we would walk the visitor through the sev' nty or eighty standings and boxes, and then leave him to dally over half a hundred at least, any one of which would be good enough for our purj^ose. And yet there are people who talk still of the breed of English horse deteriorating, and that we go too much for blood, and too little for power, and so forth. As if breed and strength do not go together if we so wish it — blood, and power, and pace be it remembered ! We beheve there was scarcely a horse at Quorn but that was by a thoroughbred sire, while many were as purely descended themselves. And what kind of animal is this ? Fashion, Substance, and Courage are the three good Graces that -have given him their blessing. Reaching to some sixteen hands in height, he looks fast enough to win a Queen's Plate, and strong enough to carry sixteen stone to hounds. He has a lean kindly head, a light neck cleanly set on to that expressive and cheerful countenance; he has long magnificent sloping shoulders, great big arms, and bone below the knee that you attempt in vain to get your hand round. He has a round, and if we must have it, a rather roomy barrel, with a back that it gladdens your heart to look over, and such powerful hocks and thighs that as you stand behind him it is quite a moot point where after all you do like him best. Note again that rare depth of girth, and only imagine to yourself what a horse he must be to sit on. Or stop and see him fairly out, when he walks away like a Derby winner, or trots in hand as light and clever as a pony. There is good temper in his eye, 'good manners,' as the dealers call it, in his every movement, and high breeding, in a word, in all that he does. After going specially through the merits of each one of these eight-and-twenty in the same stable, we as carefully retraced our steps for just a dozen of the very best, only to find that at the close of our second survey we had the liberal allowance of nineteen bearing that double cypher — xx — which, being interpreted, would go to imply something extraordinary." And so our story travels on to some half- hundred or so, "a very surfeit of good things," until it winds up in thiswise : "There is one thing still Lord Stamford is careful to explain, and this is, that a certain grey horse called Bradgate will not be in the catalogue, though his visitors of to- day are treated with a sight of the exception to the rule which will scatter far and wide the Horses of the Quorn. And there is good showing for such a saving clause. At seventeen years old, Bradgate looks and goes as fresh as a four-year-old ; he .steps as hght and corky as a kitten ; the way in which he gets his hind legs under him is something to THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 89 see ; while for make and shape he is equal to any- thing in the stud, and that is a bold word, too. But more than all this, during the many seasons Lord Stamford has ridden him, the horse never gave him but one fall, and that once from a bank breaking away under them. The old horse will moat probably end his days in the old home whence he takes his name, and where he may yet have many a good day on a domain so full of charms for the lover of really wild-fox hunting. The hounds, by the way, are out for an airing in the paddock as we turn from one stable to another, but we can only spare a minute or two to inquire after our fair friends Sophy and Blue Bell, with just a passing nod to another old acquaintance called Statesman, and a look at Albert, as M'Bride singles him out as the hound that goes with Brad- gate, as Lord Stamford's only relics of the seven seasons he has hunted Leicestershire." We may elaborate on this passing notice by adding that Bradgate has a remarkably good head and light neck for the class of horse, with fair shoulders, an excellent middle-piece, and great depth. He has, again, fine lengthy powerful thighs and quarters, big enough for a dray-horse, but at the same time very bloodlike ; while he is famously "let down " to good strong short legs, with plenty of bone, and first-rate feet. His arms are also very powerful, but his forelegs incline slightly inward, which gives the old grey the least possible appearance of stiffness, that disappears, however, the moment he moves, when, as we have already said, he steps as light and corky as a kitten. Bradgate is altogether an admirable illustration of his order, combining immense strength with bloodlike symmetry, to a degree that is seldom seen. Lord Stamford bought this first favourite of the Cliapmans, the well-known Cheltenham dealers, but without a pedigree, although there is a suspicion that the grey is an Irish horse. The hound Albert is another veteran. He comes from the North, and is by Mr. Lane Foxe's Blucher, out of Mr. Millbank's Affable ; the Quorn having also had his own brother. Actor, in their kennel. Albert is not a very showy hound in appearance, but Treadwell tells us that " a better dog in his work I never followed." Lord Stamford, feeling that he was quite out of ])lace as a house dog, pre- sented him to his huntsman soon after the Rale, and Albert went with John Treadwell, to the Old Berkshire kennels, where he has been used as a staUion. THE MILK WE CONSUME, BY CUTHBERT W. JOHNSON, T.U.S. The production and composition of tlie milk of the cow have recently been examined with cousiderahlc skill and labour. The question — especially as regards the sup- ply of densely-inhabited places — is of great and in- creasing importance, not only to the consumer, but to the agriculturist. The demand is decidedly greater than the supply, and enlarges with the population. The far- mer will not forget that here we have no foreign supplies to contend with. The anioimt of profit in the production of milk is the primary question with a large portion of the readers of this essay ; but hardly less interesting is (1) its com- position, and (2) the state in which it reaches the consumer. This last consideration, naturally enough, reminds us of the cow with the iron tail ; and how little the writers of the olden time, had Ihcy lived in modern London, would have luxuriated in their simile of a land flowing with honey and milk — and water. The milk now consiimcd in our large cities is either conveyed from country districts chiefly by rail, or pro- duced in extensive town-daii'ies of stall-fed cows. On the first-named source of our su])ply, its cost, and its profit, we have a recent valuable priise essay, by a Cheshire farmer, Mr. W. H. Ilcywood, of Dunham Massey {Jour, lloij. Ag. Soc, N. S., vol. i., p. 338) ; and he addresses himself to the comparative profits of cheese or butter- making, selling milk, or grazing. In this paper, as we are considering the question of milk, we will confine our extracts from his essay to the cost of producing milk, butter, or cheese. From his own experience, Mr. Ilcywood finds that the yearly results of the three systems of farming, on a farm of about two hundred acres, will, from the follow- ing report, stand about as follows ; — Receipts, E.^penses. Profit. £ s. £ s £ s Cheese or butter-making 1,313 15 ... 1,034 15 ... 189 6 Milk-selling 1,428 15 ... 1,124 15 ... 304 0 Grazing 1,1G? 10 ... 951 15 ... 215 15 The way in which INIr. Hey wood depicts the profits of the systems of cheese or butter, and milk pi'oductions, 1 will give in his own words ; — " In the fii'st place, I may explain that, as bntter- naaking forms the chief feature on comparatively few farms of any size, and as the expenses, stock kept, risks, and general results are, so far as my experience goes, very similar to those of chccsemaking, in both instances the skill of the dairymaid having much to with the profits, I have represented liuttcr and chccsemaking by one case of the latter, and have added a case of milk -selling, which is now becoming a much more extended system of farm- ing than it formerly was, especially since our towns have grown so large, and railways have made them so easy of access for produce requiring a quick desjjatch. Befoi'e their introduction, milk had of necessity to be produced in the vicinity of its consumption ; but, as the market is now thrown open, a system of farming is now practicable in almost any part of the country, that equals, if it does, not surpass, in profit any other kind of management. " The land in question is of a mixed kind, varying from a strong soil upon a clay subsoil to a dry finable loam on sand and red sandstone. The rents average from 85s. to 40s. per statute acre ; the tithes and parish-rates being about the customary average, say, respectively, 3s. peu acre, and 2s. Cd. in the pound on the assessment. " I will first take the case of the cheese-farm, 200 acres, upon which the stock is 50 milk-cows, 50 ewes (which, with their lambs, are fed off fat), 5 horses, 30 pigs, II 3 90 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. reared up and fattened, and 12 to 15 young horned- cattle, consisting of calves, yearlings, and two-year-olds. The farm is self-supplying as regards all food for stock, hayiug sufficient land under plough, viz., 43 acres, in 15- acre shifts — ley-oats, turnips, and wheat — -to grow the oats, turnips, and straw required, in addition to the old meadow hay. The value of the produce of this farm is considerably over the average, ou account of the superior quality of the cheese made, which has sold at prices vary- ing from 73s. to 85s. per cwt., the quantity made being also large. " The financial results of this farm have been as follows : Produce. £ s. d. 9 tons 7 cwts. 3 qrs. of cheese, at SOs. per cwt. 750 0 0 70 lambs, at 27s. Gd. ... ... ... 96 5 0 Profit on 50 ewes and wool, at 15s. ... ... 37 10 0 15 acres of wheat, at £12 ... ... ... 180 0 0 Profit on 30 pigs, at £5 ... * ... ... 150 0 0 Expenses. £1,213^15 0 Rent, 200 acres, at 40s. Tithes, at 3s. per acre ; rates 2s. 6d. ou assessment Wages— 5 men, at £40 ... ... £200 3 lads, at £20 ... ... 40 Extra men ... ... 26 Harvesting ... ... 30 Tradesmen's bills, £52 10s. ; grass-seeds, £22 10s.; other seeds, £20... Paid on irajirovenient account, ineludiug draining, £40; boning, £60; and repairs, £25 Contingent expenses £ s. 400 6 58 15 296 0 0 95 0 0 125 50 £1,024 15 0 Profit ... ... ... £189 0 0 "For theobject of comparing the relative profitsof cheese or butter making with those derived from milk-selling, I fortunately am enabled to select a farm — the one last de- scribed— on which both methods have been practised by the same tenant, who is an excellent farmer. It was managed as a cheese-farm irp to four years ago with the results stated above : since that time, in consequence of the advantage of a railway station within one mile of a farm, and twelve miles from the market-town, the tenant has sold his milk, delivered at the station, at Is. lOd. per dozen quarts, keeing the management of the farm in other respects iirecisely as before, the stock and expenses re- maining also the same, except that reduction in the num- ber of pigs fattened is reduced. " The residt, under the system of milk-selling, is as fol- lows: Produce. £ s. d. *Milk of 50 cows, at Is. lOd. per dozen quarts 1,065 0 0 70 lambs, at 27s. 6d. ... ... ... 96 5 0 Profit on 50 ewes and wool, at 15s. ... ... 37 10 0 15 acres ofvvheat, at £12 ... ... ... 180 0 0 Profit on 10 pigs, at £5 ... ... ... 50 0 0 £1,428 15 0 Expenses. £ s. d. As per statement kj cheese-making account ...1,024 15 0 Add cost of exclianging cows to keep up supply of milk at certain seasons ... ... 100 0 0 £1,124 15 0 Profit 304 0 0 '"^ More milk is produced per cow in consequence of the sup- ply being kept up throughout the year by exchange of cows and artificial feeding. In this carefully-considered comparative review, Sir- Heywood does not omit to notice the superior value of the manure produced by the fattening cows supplied with artilicial food on a grazing farm : he remarks very cor- rectly upon " the cold aqueous appearance of that produced from milknig stock, contrasting remarkably with the fermenting, oily nature of that collected from fattening beasts." Such are the results obtained by a farmer of the great daii-ying district of our island. We have another valuable report in the same volume from another agriculturist of the important Gloucestershire cheese country. The re- sults obtained by Mr. W. T. Carrington, of llollington, are tersely given by him in the following summary {Ibid, p. 353) :— "1. It appears that on very first-rate pasture, worth upwards of £3 per acre, 1^ acre will graze a bullock and a sheep, besides making a second lot moderately fat before Christmas, with the aid of oilcake. It will give a gross return of £6 or £7 per acre. " 2. If acre of such land would, if it suited, keep a milch-cow, and give a gross return of £9 per acre, with an extra cost of £1 to £2 for dairy expenses, and some aid in fodder and roots from arable land or by purchase. "3. Ou ordinary pasture, worth 30s. to 40s. per acre, 3 to 4 acres will be required to keep a milch cow, so as to yield, on an average, 533 gallons of milk per annum. " 4. If the milk can be sold at 8d. jicr gallon, that will be the best means of disposing of it. The dairy ex- penses will then be diminished, but the cost of keep, &c., increased. The gi'oss annual return would be £18 per cow, besides tlie calf. " 5. If whole-milk cheese be successfully made (44 cwt. at 63s.), a return of 7d. to 72d. per gallon, or £16 to £17 per cow, may be obtained. "6. From 535 gallons of milk, aboxit 2001bs. of butter may commonly be made ; worth, at 13d. per lb., £10 16s. 8d. By rearing calves, fatting pigs, or making cheese with the skim-milk, a further sum of £4 4s. per cow VAV^-^ possibly be secured. This makes £15 per cow, or about 6jd. per gallon. Every extra penny in the price per lb. of the butter adds 16s. 8d. to the yearly return. " 7. By fatting calves for the butcher, 5d. to 6d. per gallon may be realized witli less outlay and trouble. " 8. The profits made by rearing first-class Herefords for the butcher (cow and ofl'spring, after running together, being sold fat) are probably far below those derived from dairying. " y. The exhaustion of the soil by the sale of cheese or milk is not to be overlooked ; but neither are our modern resom-ces for the enrichment of our pastures by artificial means to be forgotten. " 10. Dairy expenses vary between £1 to £2 per cow. "11. Supplementary food to the value of 40s. must generally be given to the cow to secure a first-rate return of produce." The quality of the milk, as drawn from the cow and as it reaches the consumer, is the next great branch of our iu- quiiy. The real composition of milk is not generally understood. Professor Voelcker has on more than one occasion laboriously addressed himself to the subject. He tells us iu one of his valuable papers {Jour. Roy. Ay. Hoc, vol. xxiv., p. 287), that " the milk of the cow is slightly denser than water. Cow's milk of good quality has a specific gravity of about 1,030, goat's and ewe's milk 1,035 to 1,042, ass's milk 1,019, that of water being 1,000, "Cow's milk and the milk of other herbivorous animals is either neutral, or more generally, when quite fresh, , slightly alkaline ; the milk of carnivorous animals has THE PARMEE'S MAGAZINE. 91 always an acid reaction, when tested with blue litnuis paper. " Viewed under the lulcroscope, milk appears as a trans- parent fluid, ill which float innumerable small round or egg-shaped globules, the so-called milk-globules. The fluid constitutes the bulk, and the milk-globules but a small fraction of the milk. '■ Completely separated from the milk-globules, the fluid is a perfect solution of the following substances : 1. Curd, or casein. 2. Albumen. 3. Milk sugar. 4. Mineral matters, or ash. The milk-globules consist of : 5. Thin shells of curd, or casein, enveloping 6. Fatty matters (the fats of butter)." These matters exist in the milk of the cow, the ass, and the ewe in about the following proportions {ibid, vol. xxiii., p. 413) : Cow. Ass. Ewe. Water 87.03 91.05 7(5.70 liuttcr 3.13 0.11 1.20 Casein 4.48 1.83 13..37 Milk sugar ... 4.77 0.08 7.10 Ash O.GO 0.31 1.63 100.00 100.00 100.00 The Professor continues : "The quality of cow's milk is afl'ected by the age of the animal, as well as by the distance from the time of calving. An old cow does not yield such good milk or as much milk as a young one. Generally speaking, after the fourth or fifth calf, the milk becomes poorer. Climate also affects the quality of the milk in a remarkable degree. In moist and temperate seasons and localities we obtain a larger quantity, though generally a poorer description of milk, than in dry and warm countries. The quality of milk is thus afl'ected by the temperature, and tlic amount of moisture in the atmosphere ; but something no doubt is also due to the greater amount of water which in wet seasons is present in the produce. In most agricultural treatises you will find it stated that morning milk is generally richer than evening milk ; but my results do not favour that general notion. Out of 32 samples which I analyzed, taken in the morning and evening of the same day, I found in eight eases the morning poorer than the evening milk ; in four cases I found it richer, and in fouii there was no per- ceptible difference. I had taken it for granted that the morning milk w'as the richer ; and indeed the first three analyses which I made confirmed this impression ; but, on extending the scries of analyses, I found a larger nmn- ber of cases in which the evening was richer than the morning mUk. This was a useful warning against hasty generalisation. The conclusion at which I arrived is, that the time of day has not so much to do with the matter as the quantity and quality of the food which is given some three or four hours before milking. I have traced this distinctly. At one time I have found the milk of our dairy stock poor in the evening. The cows were then out at grass, and had not a suflicient supply ; they received in the evening oilcake and rapecake, and then they pro- duced in the morning richer milk, showing plainly the effect of the food upon the morning milk. At another time, in the winter, I found that, when the cows were fed in the moraing and in the middle of the day with barley-meal and rapecake, they produced richer evening milk. I believe then that the quality of the milk is afleeted by the food, and by the time at which that food is given to cows." The mineral matters or ash of cow's milk are composed as follows {Ibid., vol. xxiv., p. 290) : —When milk is eva- porated to dryness, and the dry matter burnt, it leaves from I to f per cent, of a whitish ash, which consists mainly of ])hosphates of lime (bone earth), and magnesia and the clilorides of potassium and sodium, besides a small quantity of phosphate of iron and some free soda. The relative proportions of these several substances yielded by l,0G01bs. of the milk of two difl'ercnt cows, as given by IlaitUcn, are as follows : — lbs. lbs. Pliosphate of lime (bone earth) 3-31 3-44 Phosphate of magnesia '43 '04 Phosphate of peroxide of iron '07 '07 Chloride of potassium 1'44 1'83 Cliloridc of sodium "24 '34 Preesoda "43 -45 4- 90 G-77 The amount of the earthy phosphates present in milk the reader will mark, when he is considering how well- arranged this is by oiu- Heavenly Pather to supply the enlarging bones of the young animal. Fromthe result of his experiments the Professor arrives at these practical conclusions, viz.: 1. That good new milk has a specific gravity of about 1,030. 3. That skim- milk is a little more dense than new milk, its specific gravity being about 1,034. 3. That milk which has a specific gravity of 1,025, or less, is either mixed with water, or naturally very poor. 4. That when milk is deprived of about 10 per cent, of cream by bulk, and the original volume is made up l)y 10 per cent, of water, the specific gravity of such skimmed and watered milk is about the same as that of good new milk. 5. That when unskimmed milk is mixed with only 20 per cent, of water, the admixture of water is indicated at once by the hydi-o- mcter, which gives for such milk a specific gravity of about 1,025. 0. That for these reasons the hydrometer, or " lactometer," which gives the specific gravity of milk, is well adapted for detecting the admixture of water in milk, or to show an unusually poor condition of undiluted milk. This, then, being the real composition of milk, and such the ready means of ascertaining its purity, the next important enquiry is the state in which the dwellers in large towns are wont to receive it ? To this very in- teresting ^question Mr. J. C. Morton has recently well directccl his attention. In the coiwse of a very valuable address to the members of the Society of Arts {Jr/ri- caUnral Gazette, 1865, pp. 1209-1239) he remarks, when speaking of the milk sold in the metropolis : " It cannot be doubted that with the feeding which it is the interest of the cowkeeper to adopt in Loudon, the quality of the milk must be first-rate, and analysis has often proved it so. I have here an analysis of a sample, not taken from the cow, but I am thankful to be able to say, for it is very good, impounded foni'teen days ago at a poor door in a poor court in the Strand district. It contained 12 per cent, of cream and 3.84 of pm-e fatty matter, and was undoubtedly a genuine and first-rate milk. This single fact will prove that not merely the dealer who buys it from the cowkeeper — not merely the retail shopman who buys it from the dealer — but the poor consumers who buy it from the servant of the last-named man, and on whom, therefore, the risk of an accumulated dishonesty falls — do sometnnes get milk pure. I must, liowever, frankly confess my belief that this is a very rare exception to the general rule. The following table gives examples of nine analyses which Dr. Voelcker has been good enough to make for me, for the purpose of this report, all of differ- ent samples, from dift'erent courts and poor quarters in the Strand district. All except ISio. 5 were exceedingly, many of them shamefuUy, adulterated. 92 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. CoiiPosxTioN OS i'lVB Samples of Milk. — Siband District. ■Water Pure fatty matters *Caseme (ciu-d and a little > albumen) J Milk sugar Mineral matter (asli) ♦Containing nitrogen rer-centage of cream by") volume J Specific gravity of milk at ■) 62deg i Specific gi-avity of skim "^ mUkat 62 deg j 93.75 1.72 1.75 2.13 .65 93.04 2.25 1.75 .39 lOO.OO^ 100.00 .23 1,019 1,020 1,017 1,019 90.98 2.58 3.41 .53 lOO.OO .40 1,021 1,023 2.61 .66 88.38 3.84 3.18 3.90 .70 100.00 ■is 1,020 Not deter- mined. 100.00 .51 12 1,030 Paeiial Analyses and Deiebmiwations in some Samples OE London Milk — Sieand Distkict. 9 1,021 5 Specific gi'avitj' of milk Per-centage of cream by 7 volume J 6 7 8 1,018 1,022 1,021 5^ 7 6 Samples from Kensington and Camden Town. Specific gravity Per-centage of cream.. Per-centage of water . , Kensington, I 11 I 12 13 1,029 Si 1,02S| 1,02dI 1,023 Not yet made. Cam" TOWTl 14 1,019 5 93.26 It will be seen by the reader of this table that, in 8 cases out of 9 ill the Strand district, the rnOk was diluted up to 40 or 50 per cent with water. In Kensington and Camdeu- town a somewhat similar proportion was tbimd to be adidtc- rated. The amount of milk sent to London by the Metropolitan Railways is not only very lai'ge, but is annually increasing. By a return obtained by Mr. ilortou, we find the num- ber of gallons conveyed to the metropolis by six railways in 1863 and 1864 were as foUows: — 1SG3. 1S64. 65,280 85,616 258,870 209,390 940,702 1,020,492 134,609 186,092 18,400 54,00 1 400,000 In the first ten months of the year 1865, the monthly amounts carried to Loudon by three of the chief milk- convcyiug railways were as foUows : — North Western (at 16 galls, to the can) Great Northern Great Eastern South Eastern Brighton and South Coast Southwestern G. Nortliern. G. Eastern. S. Eastern. January 14,904 76,818 15,804 February 15,276 76,783 15,245 March 16,416 74,783 17,547 April 18,216 84,452 19,414 May 20,124 69,891 23,843 June 20,392 68,212 22,638 July 20,556 82,525 20,680 August 20,952 70,005 22,559 September . 21,924 101,212 17,307 October 26,016 112,890 21,318 Wc see then, from these laboriously-coUectcd and most important facts, that there is yet needed a far larger and better supply of milk, especially for populous places. The extent to which the milk is commonly watered, alone proves the insufficiency of the amount supplied. And this is a question of great importance, not only to the well- fed portion of the community, but to those whose cir- cumstances render it necessary for them to subsist too much upon a vegetable diet. In niillc, let us ever re- member, is supplied, by the arrangement of Infinite Wis- dom, all those nutritive elements which arc necessary to repair our wasted or (in the case of the growing ani- mal) our enlarging tissues. THE CATTLE PLAGUE AND GOVERNMENT INSURANCE. BY A PllACTICAL lARlIEK. It is almost impossible at the present junctui-e to select a subject of equal importance to cattle-owners than " The Cattle Plague," upon which to make a few further sug- gestions and remarks. Since my last paper was written this dire pest has surpi-isingly and dreadfuUy increased. Whole districts are now fast becoming desolated. The cattle of many fold-yards are entirely swept off, and this most virulent, almost fatal, disease is everywhere spread- ing with terrific rapidity and ruinous certainty. To "stamp it out" now is wholly out of the question. It prevails in every district. Orders in Council, magistrates' proclamations, inspectors' directions are all powerless, and so are all the means employed to arrest its ravages to any extent. All have been tried over and over again. The traffic has been suspended, the best medicines and treat- ment, the best disinfectants, the surest isolation have all ]n-oved abortive. Cattle-owners are in absolute despair ; and no wonder. It is truly heartrending to behold a number of beautiful cattle lying around you, waiting for burial — many of them in health at morn, and dead at night. Fancy fifty head at once consigued to one large grave, and tens and fives without number ! indeed, single burials are quite the exception. As to its propagation, it is, in many instances, quite a mystery ; but, generally, some contact, or some likely som-ce of infection, has turned up. Some cases turn out still more alarming than the general run— one case in which the owner suffered a loss of about forty head. These were distant thirteen miles from any known case of cattle plague, and upon an isolated farm, having no public traffic. Another ease : these cattle were in fields adjoining a public road. Tea pjec/cs elapsed since a herd of cattle supposed to be infected passed along the road. Within the past two weeks they have succumbed to the plague, and are buried. Many similar instances might be re- cited— all showing the subtle character of the taint, and the insidious nature of the infection. It is impossible to calculate upon safety, and the losses are fearful. To say that a panic is approaching is behind the times. It has already set in, and distressing beyond measure is its pro- gress. Vast numbers of cattle-owners are clearing their fold-yards at almost any sacrifice — " better to secure a little than lose the whole." Wherever the disease ap- pears, there the stockmasters seem determined to run no further risk, and cattle of all conditions are foisted upon the market, either as living animals or dead carcasses. Hence the sudden contraction in the price of beef. The best beef may at this time be readUy bought at 6d. per lb., whilst at the very same lime mut- ton is at 9d. per lb., and pork and poultry at high rates. I have not the last returns of the eases of the cattle plague before me just now, but unquestionably it is vastly on the increase ; and in a limited country like Great Britain, where it has broken out in every locality, I look upon its THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 93 eradication as perfectly liopeless. In the vast plains of Russia or Hungary, where they establish cordons around infected districts, there is hope ; at all events nothing passes the cordon. But it cannot be so in this country ; and even if it could, the time is gone past for much good to be done. It is to be found everywhere; so w'hat would be the use of harsh measures ? Cordons woidd have to be drawn around very limited districts, or even single farms, and how coidd they be upheld? Our farmers are too independent to be condemned to abide or be imprisoned on their own farms ; and no other coiu'se could etiectnally stem the progress of The Plague. Indeed, then, if infection is carried in the atmosphere, there is no immunity. All that can be done is with the view of mitigating the evil. It has taken such firm hold upon the country that it is utterly impossible to cast it out by any legislative enactments. I would continite to use every precaution, and try every means, medicinal and othcrv.isc, connected with good mauagemeut ; but all will be in vain without the blessing of God upon them. We must look upon it as a correctional visitation from God himself ; and our hope and prayer ought constantly to be in exercise, in humble faith and dependence, that it may please him speedily to remove this pestilence from amongst us. I harbour no rash thought of God's dealing with man ; but I read in Isaiah that when the Lord's "judgments areiu the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness," and I see no inconsistency in taking this view of it, even though it be in the columns of a leading public paper. But it may be said, what can be done in mitigation of the sad calamity ? I say much can be done, and that justly and profitably, greatly for the public good. The panic which has seized upon the cattle-owners must be stayed, or a veiy large proportion of cattle, young and old, will be sacrificed, independently of cattle-plague miseries. The determination to turn cattle into money, rather than run such desperate risks from " the plague," is almost univer- sal. The yoimg cattle designed for future grazing, and the countiy's future food, will be thus prematm-ely de- stroyed ; and the destruction thtis going on is exceeding the number cut oft" by the plague, and it is rapidly on the increase. Om* markets are completely glutted by this inferior beef — if beef it can be called. The evil is in full force. The panic has set in. Something must be at- tempted. The Government must do all they can to restore confidence, and tliat inmiediately, or it will be too late. The Government is censured for not taking more decisive measures in the first instance. In fact it is now generally intimated that a most stringent and pro- hibitive com-se shoidd have been taken — i. e., such as no constitutional Government ever did take. I much ques- tion if our independent yeomaniy would have borne it. Just fancy a cordon being drawn around any of our agri- cultural districts, and neither man nor beast allowed to overstep the line ! The Government that dare to do that woiUd be swamped in a mouth. Well, what is to be done now ? The past is gone, and the fntiu-e is extremely gloomy. All local aids are dying out. We can only appeal to a paternal Government. If that fails to help us, our general ruin is inevitable. Almost our only resom'ce now is from the public purse. The Govern- ment must cither give relief in the form of com- pensation in some degree for losses by " The Plague," or establish a fund for insuring all cattle dying through its ravages. Cattle owners should have the privTJege of insuring upon very low or compen- sating terms, but no cattle to be paid for except those dying of rinderpest. In ordinary times cattle insurance companies wiU insure cattle at from three to five per cent, premium. Cattle owners now should be induced to in- sure by a rate of premimns not exceeding these. The organization for opening and managing this new order of insm-ance might be arranged with the almost innmuerable insm-ance companies now in existence, either upon com- mission or a per-centage upon the sums received, or the number of cattle insured. Insurance agents are to be found everywhere. The magistracy or the boards of guardians in rural districts might organize a system. The police, the post-office, parochial officers, might be made sernceable ; or a truly govermnental organization and management might probably be best. *At all events it coidd easily be done in some way, and that satisfac- torily. I most sincerely hope for the countiy's weal that the Government A^ill make the attempt. THE GAME QUESTION, Notwithstanding the great outcry wliich has been made of late about the game laws, we have no hesitation in saying that farmers, as a body, are not desirous that they sliould be totally abohshed. It is against the abuse of game preservation, not against the general principle, that farmers protest ; and those who wish to make politicid capital out of the subject, de- nouncing the game question altogether, and expressing their desire to aid every measure which has the aboUtion of the game laws as its object, do not meet with that support fi^om farmers which they doubtless expected. That farmers are by no means opposed to a fair preserva- tion of game can be easily proved ; and we need not go far- ther for evidence than the special discussion on the game laws which took place at a general meeting of the Chamber of Agriculture and Scottish Farmers' Club, which was held at Edinburgh on the 17th of last May. Mr. M'Combie, Tilly- four, while speaking strongly against the over-preservation of game, distinctly stated that he held a landlord is entitled to have a fair amount of game on his property to be killed by himself and his friends ; and he further expressed his wiUiug- ness to assist his landlords in preserving on their estates a moderate amount of hares, grouse, and partridges. Mr. Cowie, Dysart, spoke even more decidedly on this point, de- precating at the same time the evils arising from excessive presenation. " I must candidly say," said Mr. Cowie, " that I cannot agree with those wlio advocate the total abolition of the game laws : for, while I think a modification of tliem woidd prove advantageous, / believe their repeal would prove injurious to the interests and prosperity of afjricnltureV This was strong language, coming from a tenant-farmer — one of that class who have been represented as desiring the total abolition of the game laws ; and Mr. Cowie gave the following as some of his reasons for believing that their repeal would be injurious : " I have no doubt it would act as a barrier to many capitalists investing their princely fortunes in land ; for the inherent love of sport is now so universal, that, were gentle- men to be deprived of it, I beheve we should lose many an enterprising and liberal proprietor. Again, their repeal would undoubtedly cause many of our most wealthy landlords and their sons to seek those pleasures in other countries which their own denied Ihem ; and thus would their own country not ouly lose the advantages of a large expenditure, but the tenanin' woidd also suffer in a corresponding degree from the diminished interest such isolation v.ould naturally create." At the same meeting, Mr. Bethune, of Blebo, also gave it as his opinion "that there was nothing which the tenantry in general desired more than to allow a reasonable amount of game." And, as l^Ir, Graham, of 9-i THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Capellie, justly remarked: '■ The tone of the discussion showed that Scottish farmers fiave the true spirit of sportsmen ; and it proved the good, kind feeling that really does exist among tenants generally towards their landlords." The same fact was, in like manner, testified to by Mr. George Hope, Feuton- barns, in his paper on the game laws, read before the section of agriculture of the Social Science Congress at Sheffield. " Tenants," said Mr. Hope, " are glad to see the landlords sporting on their farms, provided the game is only sufficient for fair sport." And this admission has greater weight from the circumstance that Mr. Hope is personally of opinion that the game laws " might be utterly abolished with great advan- tage to the whole community." The tone of the resolutions passed at the meeting of the Chamber of Agricidture was moderate, and show that the farmers of Scotland do not, as a body, desire the total abolition of the game laws. These reso- lutions were as follows : — " 1st : That hares and rabbits be dropped from the game- list. 2nd : That all prosecutions for offences against the game laws he transferred from the justices to the sheriffs of the respective counties. 3rd : That cumulative penalties for the same offence be abolished. 4th : That damages be made exigible by statutes in all cases of injury caused by the in- crease of the game during the currency of the lease — the amount to be determined under the authority of the sheriff. 5lh : That a committee he appointed, to prepare the petition and get it signed and forwarded to Parliament for i)reseiitation, and to take sucli other steps as they may judge proper to pro- mote the objects of this meeting." While referring to tlie discussion at the meeting of the Chamber of Agriculture, in order to show the feeling which exists among tenant-farmers in Scotland on this question, so far as the total abolition of the game laws is concerned, we have to say that the same principle is set forth in the admir- able paper " On the Over-preservation of Game," which was read by Mr. H. Corbet, five years ago, before the members of the Central Farmers' Cluli ; and if any feeling to tlie contrary existed in England, there were those present, when Mr. Corbet read his paper, who would not have hesitated to have given expression to it. " Farmers," said Mr. Corbet, " as a class are generally partial to field sports. Wliether it be riding to hounds, backmg their long tails for the best of the course, or enjoying as niueb as anyone a day's shooting, they like to have tlieir turn occasionally. It w^ould be absurd to attempt to deny this — as useless to endeavour to conceal how really many of them excel in these pastimes I have mentioned. Men with tastes like these will be tlie first to make every allowance for their landlords ; and I think, if we could poll the country through, wc should have an immense majority in favour of that kind of country gentleman who could a'dd ' a good sports- man' to his other recommendations as a good landlord and a good man." The fact tliat tenant-farmers are not desirous that the game laws should be utterly abolished being established, it becomes necessary to inquire what tliey complain of. It is this — that some proprietors preserve a much larger quantity of game than is required for the purpose of fair sport ; and that not only is this the case, but that vermin — not included under the name of game — is protected, either directly or indirectly, to the injury of the farmer. It is also objected that a system has crept in of constant intermeddling even with many of the minor requirements and arrangements which are necessary for prosecuting the business of a farmer, by keepeers, who have no sympathy with him, who are generally inclined to stretch the powers conferred upon them by their employers to the utmost, and not unfrequently deliberately make mischief between land- lords and tenants. Battuc-sliooting is not " sport ;" and it seems to be chiefly on account of an increasing predilection for this mode of slaughtering game that occasion has arisen of late years to complain of its over-preservation. No one wimld consider it " sport " to walk into a well-stocked poultry-yard and knock over tlie Dorkings and Aylesburys as fast as he could fire and' load ; and battue-shooting is of much the same nature, and certainly not more exciting. AVliile it is our earnest wish to support everything conducive to the maintenance of true sport, we believe that no sportsman, properly so called, would give US credit for doing so were we to class hattue-shooting in tliat category. Alluding to the patrons of battue-shooting— whicli, by the way, is evidently a continental importation — Mr. Corbet says :— " Have they any of the true attributes of sportsmen — the excitement of finding and following their game, the pleasing recollection of how steadily Dido hunted up to her birds, or how old Brush stood to the winged pheasant in the hedgerow ? Is theirs the long bracing heat, the healthful fatigue, and the weU-won rest that so gratefully crowns their day's sport ? Or do we picture some half-dozen gentlemen lazily turning out about mid-day, and placed, with all due regard to rank and precedent, by the head-keeper, at certain favoured spots^at the heads of rides, and on to " liot corners " — w here they have nothing to do but blaze away as fast as one set of men can load tlieir guns for them, and another gang drive the game up to them ? What exercise, what skill, what of the plea- sures or the prowess of a sportsman's life is there in this ? Tlie lad who gets his three shots a penny at the ring- running hare in our famous home-preserves at Cremorne may be quite as good a marksman ; and tlie worthy citizen who sits in his punt under Mario w-bridge, pulling up gudgeon as fast as the boatman can pull them off again, enjoys a vast deal of the same sort of intense excitement and glowing exertion." Public opinion — and what is, perhaps, in this ease, of more immediate influence, sporting opinion— having gone decidedly against baitue-sliooting, it is probable that it will gradually die out, and its place lie taken by sport in earnest. Along with this, and even before it, the practice of allowing gamekeepers ^ to have the rabbits as a " perquisite" — in fact, as part of their wages, should he abolished ; for, as our personal experience has taught us, a rabbit-paid keeper is not only an enemy to real sport, hut a positive nuisance to all around him. Every- thing must give way to his private emoluments ; and if rabbits only increase and multiply, he will not waste a second thought on anything else, either for the good of his master, " or any other man." Tliat landlords are by no means unwilling to meet their tenants half-way in adjusting the difficulties and complications which have arisen in connection with the preservation of game, there is abundant evidence ; and, in illustration, wc K' woidd adduce the agreement which the Earl of Southesk has entered into with his tenantry relative to this question. That nobleman, in a letter dated Septemher 18, 18G5, which ap- peared in answer to some remarks made in the editorial columns of the Scotsman, gave the following particulars relative to tlie arrangement he had entered into with his tenantry, and the reasons which had induced him to devise a plan for meet- ing a serious difficulty : " There has heen no long warfare about game on this estate. Until a few years ago, when rabbits unfortunately increased, the game question was never raised ; and till last year any ' differences between landlord and tenant were, almost without exception, confined to this point — whetlier or not the former took sufficiently active measures to put down these rabbits. But the past winter was unusually severe : the devastations of game were consequently more than usually great ; and this oc- curring at a time of agricultural depression, caused an un- wonted excitement throughout the country. On my return from Italy, after some mouths' absence, I was surprised to find myself stigmatized in some of the papers as an oppressive game-preserver, and to receive from two of my principal tenants heavy claims for damages. I refused to pay, for reasons too many and too long to state. Upon this the money was retained from the next rent-payment, and I was invited to recover it by legal proceedings. To this measure I was greatly averse. Besides the more obvious objections to such a course, I may specify, as one of the strongest, the warm regard I feel for my tenants, several of whom J have known intimately all my life. Alienation from them would give me pain ; and, in the present case, I believed that harsh measures towards one would have that effect with most, if not all. The difticiilty had to be faced — on the one hand a prohable legal victory (for of that I did not doubt), and permanent bad feeling on the estate ; on the other, submission to claims which, as claims of right, I could not admit to be well founded. " A plan then occurred to me for at once ending the diffi- culty, and preventing future troubles — for gratifying my tenants without injuring myself. The idea pleased me. I prepared a paper on the subject, submitted it to a committee THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 95 of tenants, dismissed il with thorn .agaiu and ap:ain ; and, after some moditications (many of them iniprovenieuls), the present arranu;('ment was unanimously adopted. " Witli its general outline you arc acquainted ; sutTice it to say that, reserving some eiglit tliousand acres for my own special sport— much of this area heing in woodland, park, and iiome-fann — I have let the shooting on the rest of the estate to an iissociation of tenants, who are 'jointly and severally' liahle for the rent, for the preservation of a ' fair hreeding-stock of game,' for the watching of the ground, and for various other matters ; guaranteeing me also against all game-damage claims, past or future, relating to land in their occupancy. Over the ground thus let I reserve full right of sliooting for myself and my guests, engaging to remit to the association the value of all game so killed. I also stipulate for the preservation of pheasants ou certain of the less-distant farms. " The tenants, on their side, have complete power over the game within their limits, at a moderate rent, which the value of the sporting produce wiU probably cover. The lease is for ten years ; and if differences of opinion arise, there is to be a reference to tlie sheriff of the county, who, in a final decision, will state wluit compensation or reparation is due by the offending side. " Such is our agreement. It is, I trust, disadvantageous neither for landlord nor tenant. Certainly I regard it as no victory for myself, tliough in many ways it suits me well ; and I have the best reasons for believing that my tenants consider it no victory over me, l)ut look upon it as a reasonable arrangement, the product of kindly feeling and mutual eon- cession. In sucli light I hope the public will also regard it. — I am, &c., " SouTiiESK." " P.S. — As I wish this to be a complete statement from my point of view, I think it rfght to add that, the game-damage claims being formally withdrawn, one of the two tenants has received from me, l)y arrangement, a sum nearly equal to lialf his claim, to Ije expended on his farm. Tliis I offered him from the lii'st, on accoiuit of the badness of the times and peculiar difficulties affecting his land— reasons which have led me re- cently to make similar allowances to other tenants, apart from any question of game. To the other tenant I have voluntarily remitted his sliare of the first year's game-rent under the new arrangement," As this agreement is both novel and interesting, and also well calculated to form a basis for other agreements of a similar nature, we take the foUowing additional particulars relative to it from a local authority, the Dimdee Achcrliser : " Tlie agreement or ' lease' thus entered into has been most carefully prepared and duly considered by all parties. It is drawn up at great length in due legal form, but the following gives a general idea of the points of public interest. The lease shall be binding on the Earl of Soutliesk on the one liand, and his tenantry as occupiers on the other — shall continue in force for ten years. The tenants shall lie formed into an asso- ciation, to be named the ' Kinnaird Game Association,' and they shaU be holders of the shootings on the whole of the estate, with the exception of the part reserved by the Earl for his own sport. This reserve shall be the tract between the I\Ioutrose and Brechin turnpike road and tlie Scottish North- Eastern Company's line of railway — being less than one-third part of the wliole estate, but the nearest the Castle, and in- cluding the forest of Montreathmont, where a large number of deer are to be found, and that portion of the estate princi- pally devoted as a preserve for game. The Association shall tlnis include twenty-five fiirms, being all those lying on the north side of the turnpike road and tTiose on the soutii of the Scottish North-Eastern Railway ; but those — principally pen- diclers*— included in the reserve for his Lordship shall not be entitled or required to join, whilst, of course, the farm of Kin- craig is mostly included in the reserve, as is also a good por- tion of Powis, a few fields of Leuchland, and portions of Arrat, Powmill, and another farm. Witli tlie exception of the reserve, then, the association shall have the whole estate for shooting, and for this privilege they shall pay the Earl a sum of £200 iii name of rent — but from this he will pay £80 for two watchers — whilst the association will be entitled to engage at their own expense as many additional keepers as they choose. The rent of £200, and the expense of keeping watchers, shall Tenants occupying ^ery small portions of land. be raised by the association according to the average of parts of the farms included witliin the association's limits, and tlie quantity and quality of the game to be got on the respective farms. In the event of any of those in the unreserved land not agreeing, or the new tenant, on the expiry of a present lease, to join the association, the members shall include their lands in those of the association, but shall have to be responsible for all game-damage sutained by these farmers not entering the association, whilst the members of the association wiU have no claim against the landlord for game-damages on any of the unreserved land. Each farmer will be entitled to shoot and keep down all game on his own respective farm, for which purpose he shall Ije allowed to shoot either by himself and by any regularly kept and authorised watcher or keeper, and he shall also be allowed to permit his guests to join liini ; but the lease strictly provides that he shall not permit any one but a regular watcher, or a guest who has slept at his house. " As we have said, the whole of the farmers embraced by the association have signed the covenant, and most of them have already got the game licences and been enjoying their sport. The lease stipulates tliat the association shall bear the damage on farms the holders of which do not agree to join the association ; but this condition is rendered superfluous by tlie universal agreement, and the fact that there is little fear of the association permitting an excess of game. The provision for watchers seems to oppose this ; but of course the farmers would look to their own interests in tlie matter. Were they overwhelmed with game, they would only have to permit the approach of poachers, who would assist in the thinning of the stock. The association seems to guard against these maraud- ers, however, as they have already got a staff of keepers, and have, in fact, been in pursuit of a band of poachers. The members of the association seem to enjoy their privileges most heartily ; and there is little doubt that soon as the har- vest is past they wiU enter into the sport in right earnest." The novel solution of the game-preserving difficulty devised by Lord Southesk naturally attracted much attention ; and the press, expressing public feeling on the question, thankfully accepted it as indicating a plan by which landlords and tenant- farmers could not only remain good friends, but afisolutely have their relations to each other much improved — a result, as it was said, both pleasant to contemplate and beneficial in its working to all parties into the bargain. Other landlords also have showed their willingness to relax the strictness of game preservation in favour of their tenants, and various notices to that effect have appeared in the newspapers published on both sides of the Tweed. Thus the Earl of Lauderdale has given permission to all his tenantry, by themselves or families, to kill hares on their farms by dogs, and an unlimited right to take rabbits. Lord Dudley also intimated to his tenantry in Worcestershire that they were at liberty to kill the game found on their farms, coupling the permission, however, with an express stipulation against selling game — anything not re- quired by the tenants and their friends being required to be distributed among the poor of their respective parishes. As the terms in which Lord Dudley conveyed the intimation of his intentions are somewhat unique, we give the circular wliich was issued to his Lordship's tenantry : " You will probably have heard of my intended marriage with Miss Moncrieff, by which the crowning honour of a lady at its head may not be wanting to my house, and if it be the wiU of Heaven my name and estates may be handed down in a direct line. Actuated by the desire that this should be the cause of rejoicing to many who hold under me as tenants, in some tangible form and shape, knowing how much suffering has been caused by two successive years of very poor agricul- tural returns, T give you permission tiU the 1st of February, 1S66, to kill by yourself, friends, and servants (duly authorized liy you), all the game on the lands held by you of me, saving only in the covers, in which I shall shoot as soon as the fall of the leaf permits. To this permission, however, I must annex one or two conditions : — First, that you will kill the game fairly by day in a sportsmanlike manner, and that during the time of such leave you wiU protect your lands from all poaching and trespass, so that, intended as it is for the benefit of your farm and your own amusement, it may not be abused ; and further, that as there are many on the estate who, though tenants, have no land, or any chance therefore of getting game, you will not sell what you may kill, but after supplying your own table and that of your friends, you wiU share your privilege with your 96 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. depeudants and poorer neighbours, as I propose to do withwliat I have reserved to myself. I liope that all liedgerow rabbits, save only in liedges forming the boundaries of my covers, which shall be killed by my keepers as soon as I have shot in tiicm, may be entirely destroyed, and so be to you for the future no cause of loss or anxiety. Let me beg that you will not course the hares till after Christmas, and that wlien you shoot you will give notice to the keeper of the beat, who will be pre- sent with my instructions, to lend you all the assistance in his power ; and to this I will only add, that the privilege is con- ferred upon you in the name of your future Countess." The following notice was also issued last autumn by Mr. J. 13edcnacli Nicolson, of Glenbervie House, Kincardineshire : — " To THE Tenants on Glenbeuvie, Mondynes, &c. — Most, if not all, of your leases bind you to protect the game upon your farms ; but there is no express stipulation in any of your leases prohibiting the killing of rabbits. It is, however, the fact, tliat most if not all of you have abstained fi'oin killing rabbits as fuUy as if you had been expressly prohibited by your leases from doing so. It is not Mrs. Nicolsou's intention to abandon the right which the common law and her covenants with you give her over the wild animals to be found on the laud in your occupation ; but it is her wish to exercise these rights in the way least burdensome to you. With that view, she proposes as follows: — 1. That each tenant shall be (liimsclf) entitled to shoot rabbits at any time of the year, and on any part of his farm, arable or pasture. 2. That each tenant shall be entitled (himself) to shoot hares on the arahle land of his farm, between 13th of August and 1st of March. 3. That wlierever a tenant does not himself shoot, he shall be entitled to name one person to do so in his stead, such person being liis own near relative, or in regular employment on the farm. 1. That Mrs. Nicolson wiU, Ijy her gamekeeper and other- wise, aid her teuants in keeping down the hares and rabbits on their farms within such Ijounds as to prevent any one having just ground of complaint. 5. That this arrangement shall con- tinue in force from l~th August, 1865, to 13tli August, 1S6G. While making this proposal, Mrs. Nicolson will not insult you by saying that she hopes you will yourselves abstain from trespassing on your neighbours' farms, or sliooting tlying game, or hares out of season, or off the arable ground of your respective farms; but she relies on your taking care to prevent other persons from doing so. A specific period is mentioned for the cudura,uce oftliis proposed arrangement, not from any intention that some such arraugcinent shall not be permanent, but only that, after a year's experience, both parties may have the opportunity of considering whether that now proposed has worked satisfactorily. Written permissions to shoot hares, as required by 11 and 12 Viet., cap. 30, sec. 1, wUl be ready for delivery here on Thursday next, vifhen it is requested that each tenant will be prepared to state the name of the person (himself or not) in whose favour he desires that the permission for his farm shall be made out." Tlie example of Mrs. Nicolson was followed by Mr. Hercules Scott, of Brotherton, in the same county. The Marquis of Tweeddale, as stated by !RIr. George Hope at Shelneld, " pre- serves partridges and pheasants for sport to his friends, but hares are not permitted to consume either his own crops or those of his tenants." We might go on quoting similar illus- trations of the fact that landlords are by no means so unwil- liug to meet the views of their teuants in settling auy difhcul- ties which may arise out of the preservation of game as some assert ; but those which we have given are quite sufficient for our purpose. At the meeting of the Cliamber of Agriculture to whicli we have already alluded, Mr. M'Combieread certain extracts from leases of farms in the north, by which it appears the proprietors preserved the game, " including rabbits," and with this extraor- dinary proviso — ^^ noiwilhslandiiig any law heinr/ passed to the contrary, declaring that the tenant shall have claim on the proprietor for any damage the crops might sustain from game or rabbits," and so forth. Now, such statements, instead of exciting sympathy for tenants who are thus situated, only shows what fools they were to enter into agreements whereby they put themselves utterly beyond the protection of the law ; and, as Mr. Hobkirk said in the course of the discussion, " if a tenant, with his eyes open, entered into a contract with his landlord, and signed a lease containing such conditions as those read by Mr. M'.Combie, he certainly comes here with bad grace to propose that the legislature ought to do for him what, for want of courage or want of will, he has failed to do him- self." It is not enough to say that if the tenants do not agree to those conditions they cannot have the farms ; no one com- pels them to take land hampered with stipulations which put them beyond the pale of the law, or " any law ;" and it is en- tirely their own fault if they agree to terms which hang like a mUlstone round their neck diu'ing the currency of their leases. The world is wide, and farms are to be had elsewhere, and under landlords wlio are not a law unto themselves. A writer in the Scottish Law Mayazinc, treating of this point, says : " If the law declare game to be property, free it from restric- ti-ju, and place it in the tenant's hands in the absence of ex- press stipulation, tlie law wiU have done all that it can do to place the game question on a satisfactory footing. The re- mainder lies v/ith the tenants themselves ; and what they wiU have next to look to wUl be the kind of bargains they make with their landlords. At present there is a disposition among the inferior tenantry in many parts of the country to take farms upon any terms. They get the farms at a much low^r rent than a tenant of capital, with fair terms, could afford to give ; but they take them with all manner of bad stipulations. They, in fact, ])lace themselves entirely at the mercy of the landlord. They bind themselves to protect the game for him, and, what is even worse, they renounce all claim for damages, no matter to what extent the game may be increased. Their bargains, in fact, are little else than to take from the farms what the game may leave. For men wUling to enter into bar- gains such as these, the law can do nothing. They make bargains for themselves such as no commercial men, being sane, would make, and they are as little entitled to sympathy from tlie public as their game-preserving landlord ; for with- out their assistance it would be impossible for him to waste the produce of his lands on his selfish amusements. There is nothing for it but to leave them to their own devices, vvliich seems usually to consist in alternately coaxing and bullying their landlord to induce him to exercise his rights on their standard of moderation. If tenants cannot get forms except on these terms, let them leave them alone, and seek elsewhere, or in other walks of industry, some field of labour where they may be secure that where they sow another shall not reap." It has occasionally Ijeen adduced as evidence of the alleged oppressive working of the game laws, that farmers who have shot game feeding on their crops have been fined for a breach of the revenue laws, not being provided with game certificates; but the objection is soon got rid of when we remember that the payment of a very moderate sum is sufficient to secui'e a licence. The Field, an acknowledged authority in such matters, has published a plan for the settlement of claims arising out of the damage done to crops by game. This jilan, the Field states, has been submitted to its consideration by a large body of tenant-farmers ; and that joirrnal says, with regard to it, that it " seems to combine three most important features — first, it provides a means for easily paying the tenant in the exact pro- portion to the extent . of the ground game on his land ; se- condly, it contemplates the payment of an equal siun to the county police, whose aid is now so serviceable to the game preserver, but so grudgingly allowed by those ratepayers not interested in the preservation of game ; and thirdly, it may be supposed to throw stLU greater obstacles than at present exist, both in the way of the professional poacher and the fraudulent gamekeeper. It remains to be considered vihether these desiderata are likely to be counterbalanced by objections which at present we confess ourselves unable to discover. In order, however, to enable our readers to judge for themselves, we append the main features of the plan, the details of which have yet to be worked out. " 1. Every gamekeeper to be registered with the chief con- stable of the county in which the land lies over which he is deputed, on payment of a small fee. Where no keeper is ap- pointed, the tenant of the land may register liis o\ra name. " The eliief constable to issue his licence, which shall per- mit the gamekeeper to act in the apprehension of poachers, dogs, &c., and in the sale of hares and rabbits, and without which he shall be disqualified from so acting, under a heavy penalty. " 3. The chief constable in each county shall cause a num- ber of stamped labels to be printed, which" shall be sold at six« THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 97 pence each, and shall specify the county in which they are issued, with the date of the year. " i. Every gamekeeper so appointed, or the tenant of tlie laud, as the case may be, shall supply himself with such lalicls, and shall within twelve hours allix. one to each hare, and half a label to each rabbit, killed within his beat, on pain of loss of licence. Each label so affixed to be cancelled by writing the initials of the person affixing it, with the date of so doing. " 5. No hare or rabbit shall be sold without such label or half label, as the case may be, affixed either by the gamekeeper or other person killing it, under a penalty of, say, i~ ; and no label so affixed shall be in force if dated more than fourteen days prior to the date of sale. " 6. Every gamekeeper, or, where there is no gamekeeper, every tenant of land killing game, shall, ou the 5th of April in each year, furnish the chief constable with a statement of the number of stamps so affixed, and of the land upon which cacli rabbit and hare so furnished with a stamp has been killed ; and the chief constable shall then pay to the tenant of such land one-half the sum received for such stamps, and shall pay the other half to the treasurer of the county rates. " 7. On land where no gamekeeper or tenant is registered, hares and rabbits may be killed without subjectiug the killer to the law of trespass under the 1 aud 2 Will. IV., c. 33, but the hares and rabbits so killed shall not be sold. " Such are the chief provisions of the contemplated bill, by which it will be seen, as we remarked before, that the parties who now chiefly complain of grievance through the agency of ground game would be benefited. The tenants who preserve ground game would get back half the amount of the stamps issued, paying the other half to the county rates as a return for tlie aid of the police ; while those who have in England transferred the property in their game to the landlords would receive Ihreepcnce per hare, aud the same sum for each couple of rablnts, killed on their farms, without having the disagree- able task of asking their landlords for it. We see little diffi- culty in carrying out such a plan, and, at all events, we earnestly recomnreud it to the consideration of our readers, whatever class of the community they may belong to." As there is safety in a multitude of counsellors when dis- cussing a vexed question of this nature, we quote the follow- ing from an article which appeared in the Scoitish Law Mafjazinc, aud from which we have already taken an extract : " The evils of which the farmers complain have not their main seat in the game laws themselves. When men speak of abolishing the game laws, they generally mean abolishing the laws punishing trespass in pursuit of game. But were this done, the farmer might find that the crowds who might take to shooting in those happy times might be fuUy as injurious to his crops as his present eneiuies. And if, to protect the farmer ft-om this, any law of trespass were to be retained sufii- cient to keep ofl' intruders, the farmer would still find himself no better ofl: as to the game ; for, while the game was thus kept safe fi'om others, it would still be in the power of the landlords to keep it safe from him by contracting with him that he was not to touch it under suflicieutly severe penalties. " The first thing in the question of the game laws is to understand whom it concerns. This is plain enough. It has no legitimate concern for any one except for landlords and tenants. The wild animals that are found upon land are just as much part of its i)roduce as the trees or plants that grow upon it. It is ouly iu a very indirect manner that the game question concerns the general public, which contributes nothing to its production. " Throughout the department of law wliich concerns game there runs a great fallacy — that game is not property. When the country was not enclosed, there was some reason in treat- ■ ing game as belonging to no one, and as becoming the pro- perty of the captor by the mere act of taking. There was also in old times a difficulty in conceiving a right of property in articles which at one moment might belong to one, and at the next to another — the right changing as the place where the animal could be captured changed. Now, there is no such difficulty in making any such conception, familiarised as we now are with floating rights of property of every description ; and to continue to apply the old rule of law, is wilfully to shut our eyes to the altered state of the circumstances. Eor, let the law use what language it will, game now is property, and property of a very valuable description. Game — living, wild game — may be bought and sold, may be hired and let as properly. As property, it may be taxed ; aud, as property, it may be made liable at the owner's death to contribute to the maintenance of his surviving relatives, To every important intent aud purpose, the riglit to game is now practically a right of property ; and the only person who benefits to any nuiteriul extent by the fiction that it is not, is the poacher. The liking which many have for the antiquated rule arises from tlie circumstance (which likewise explains many other things in the game controversy) that landlord and tenant have in general left their mutual interests in game so iU- defincd or so inequitably arranged, that a friendly eye is cast ou the poacher's infractions of the law, as conveniently pro- tecting the tenant from the powers of the landlord. " It is time that the old fiction that game is not property were removed. Its continued existence is noxious to the pub- lic, in so far as it gives a species of encouragement to breaches of tire law. With its existence, too, is bound up a quantity of prejudices which form a great hindrance to the equitable ad- justment of the interests of landlord and tenant. If the right to game w'cre recognised as a right of property, the parties interested iu it would see at once the folly of not making workable contracts as to its enjoyment. So long as the right to the game is deemed a personal privilege of the landlord, it will seem needless to him, or to his tenant, to bargain about it. If clauses are inserted iu the lease to prevent encroach- ment on the privilege, everything will seem to have been doue of which the nature of the subject-matter permits. But if hares were considered as much property as sheep, a tenant would as soou dream of consenting that his landlord should feed an unlimited quantity of the latter as of the former on his turnips ; and, to take another illustration, were pheasants as m uch property as turkeys, a landlord would hardly think it fair, without special agreement or compensation, to breed and feed as many of them for the market as he pleased on his tenant's crops. In the interests, therefore, both of tenant and landlord, the first improvement on the law that we should prop ose would be to declare game to be property. " Having settled that game was property, the next thing that is requisite to consider is, whether any special legislation is necessary for its protection beyond the provisions which the law makes for the protection of all property. To this question we venture distinctly to reply in the negative. If the poacher be punished as a thief, game has sufficient protection, and aU the paraphernalia of close times and game licences may dis- appear. There are abundance of hares, though there is no close time for them, and though licences to kiU them are for the most part unnecessary. It is the same with rabbits ; and the edible kind of wild animals, not included within the arbit- rary classification of game, exist in sufficient abundance, with- out any kind of protection whatever. And special legislation for game is worse than unnecessary — it is positively harmful. It gives to game an altogether extravagant value and import- ance, creating inducements of a strong kind to its production in preference to animals of a more useful character. The law at present attaches quite an absurd importance to game, and even surrounds the game-kiUer with an aristocratic dignity. These things eifcourage both excessive game preservation and ])0aching ; and the sooner the real insignificauce of the article is recognised by the law, the sooner will the game question adjust itself. The abolition of the close times would create no inconvenience of any kind. To the abolition of the system of game licences, there would attach the inconvenience of a certain loss of revenue ; but we are rich enough to afi'ord it ; the agricultural interest requires it ; and if the removal of that special legislation which gives to game its present fictitious value were to result iu the food, now employed wastefully in feeding hares and rablnts, being employed economically in feeding oxen and sheep, the public would be no losers in the end. The second alteration which we should therefore pro- pose would be, to remove all unnecessary distinctions between property in game and property in other articles. " Having declared game to be property, and freed the exer- cise of the right to that property from all unnecessary restric- tions, the next thing to be done towards adjusting the in- terests of landlord and tenant is to declare to which of them it shall belong in the absence of express stipulation. On this point it does not seem to us that there is room for doubting that our present law is wrong ; and the Legislature has so ruled in England as far back as 1831. The accessory should follow the principal, aud the man who feeds and maintains the 98 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZmE. "■amc slioiilcl have it, wlierc he does not expressly consent to Sive it up. Accordingly, the law of England gives the game to The tenant, unless \yhere he expressly consents that it is to he reserved to the landlord. The third change on the law of Scotland which we should therefore propose would be, to assi- milate it in this respect to the law of England, and declare "•ame, in the absence of an express stipulation to the contrary, to belong to the tenant. In making this change, it would be requisite^ to preserve (as was done in England) the existing rights of parties, by making the new enactment apply only to leases entered into after its date " After all, tills is very much a question of money ; and whea landlords have fully comprehended that to reserve the game is to diminish the rent — and to make a large, because a speculative deduction from it — bonds, and jointures, and tlie other burdens that press heavily on the heads of families, may make most of them willing enough to enter into reasonable bar^-ains. If, however, the tastes of the landlord for exclusive sport are stronger than his necessities, there is one condition wliicli a tenant ought to insist upon where the game is resened. He sltould have some condition to prevent its increase to an unreasonable extent, and some provision for the valuation and paj-ment of the damage it may do, if it should so increase. The provision might be that it should be valued by arbiters, to be mutually chosen, with power to choose an oversman, or, in the event of tJieir being unable to agree upon one, ^^^th an oversman to be named by the slieriff. If con'litions such as these would not be agreed to by the landlord, the best thing for the tenant would probably be to look elsewhere ; but if still determined to have the farm, and able to get it at a low- enough rent to cover the risk, he might stipulate that game was not to be bred artificially, or roared for the market on the land. These last conditions would at least prevent unnatural increase, and remove the pecuuiar\- incentive to excessive pre- servation ; but they would be inelTectual, aud are only pro- posed as being better than nothing. Where all conditions for liis protection are refused, then clearly the fanner should neither waste time nor capital ou the adventure. "It will be observed, on looking back on the various proposals we have made, that the results of many of them might be attained under the present law. Some of the results, however, are not so attainable ; and the eftect of all of them would be to make the matter much simpler — so simple, indeed, that all the existing game laws might be repealed, aud the few provisions necessary to replace them embodied in a short code applicable to the United Kingdom. Till this is done, we conclude with the practical bit of advice to tenants to take a leaf out of their landlord's book, and consult a law-agent before signing a lease. K they do this, they will find that, provided they are willing to pay fairly for it, there wUl be much comfort to be derived without invoking Parliament to lift them out of the mud." Whatever course may be taken, either in an individual sense as regards agreements between landlords and tenants, or vnth respect to any general alteration of the game laws, one thing should be kept in view — namely, that the greatest amount of " sport " wiU be obtained when a good understand- ing exists between landlords and tenants — where the former avowedly looks to the latter as the best keepers, while the latter are not unnecessarily hampered by restrictions which tend more to produce aud encourage poaching than to pro- sen e game. This is not a mere theoretical opinion — sports- men in all parts of the kingdom can testify to its truth ; aud for this reason it deserves to be well considered by all who are desirous of preser\'ing game purely for the sake of sport. Those who preserve in order to supply the poulterer may prefer anotlier course, with all the expense, risk, 'trouble, and heartburnings which attend it ; but whether it is worth such sacrifices is altogether another question. The two objects, sport and game purveying for the market, must not be con- founded with each other ; one is the amusement of the gentle- man, the other the occupation of the wliolesale poulterer. It is in the interests of the former we write — with those of the latter we liave no sjTupathy. — The Journal of AffHcuUure — Ediiilnrgh. THE HIGHLANT) A:N"D AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND. THE CATTLE PLAGL'E. The half-yearly meeting was held at Edinburgh on Wednes- day, Jan. 17, and there was a very crowded attendance, from the expectation that the subject of the cattle plague would be taken up. The Duke of Buccleuch was, on the motion of Sir G. Clekk, seconded by Lord Belhave>', elected president, in succession to the Diike of Argyll. The meeting appro\ ed aud confirmed the election, by the directors, of Mr. Zvlacduff as secretary, in room of Mr. J. HaU Maxwell, C.B., wlio retires after a service of ~0 years. A letter from the Board of Trade was read, asking the co- operation of the societ)" in obtaining returns of the live stock existing in Scotland. Mr. Campbell S^\a^"TOX, in behalf of the directors, sub- mitted the foUomng resolutions : — '■ 1. That the society having had under consideration a letter addressed to the President by the Secretary of the Board of Trade, in reference to the steps taken by that department for obtaining returns of the number of live stock in the coun- try, it was resolved that it is the interest and the duty of owners of stock to respond to the call made by Government by furnishing the Board of Trade with immediate and accurate information. " 2. That the society considers a vigorous and uniform action on the part of all local authorities in the application of the Orders in Council to be of primary importance, and it would urge on the attention of such authorities tlie propriety of providing for a general suspension of the movement of stock daring a limited period, and in so far as practicable and con- sistent with the requirements of the public. " 3. That the Society do represent to the Secretary of State for tlie Home Department the great importance of prompt action on his part in giving effect to No. 17 of Order in Council of 23rd November last, by superseding any local authority complained of, and found to be neutralizing the efforts of neighbouiing authorities through neglect of proper precautions, and by himself applying and enforcing the Orders in Council within the district of such authoritj. And, further, that if said order of the 23rd November be in any respect in- complete, immediate steps should be taken to supplement it, so as to empower the Home Secretarj' to take the place of any local authority declining or neglecting properly to enforce the Orders in Council. " i. That the society represent to Her Majesty's Govern- ment that it would be desirable were they prepared, as soon as Parliament shall meet, to propose a measure by which the compulsory slaughter of diseased or suspected animals might be secured by some provision being made for the partial com- pensation of the sufferers." Referring to the question of mutual insurance societies, he said these had almost everywhere proved a failure, from the difficulties attending tliem ; and, excepting Aberdeenshire, he had not heard of a successful instance of establishing them. Notwithstanding the semi-official refusal they had got from a leading member of Government, he thought they should stiU go forward and ask the assistance of the State. Sir A. C. M.UTLA^■D seconded the resolutions. Jlr. Hope, farmer, Fentonbanis, said he had some additional resolutions to propose. Notwithstanding, he observed, all that had been done, the plague marched steadily forward ndth a constautly accelerated speed. No one pretended to say they saw the slightest abatement of the evil, unless it were in such districts as Porfar or Pife, where little food v.as now left for the disease to prey on. But he was wrong — there was one district in Scotland where the plague had been met in a way differing from all others. In the county of Aberdeen, the most im- portant cattle district in Scotland — at least it must contain at present upwards of 150,000 cattle — the clear-headed Aber- donians saw from the first that the fell destroyer was not to be THE FARMER'S ^lAGAZINE. 99 trided with. One of its earliest loilgmcuts was aiuoug them, but they at once gripped it by the throat aud choked it. Seven times had this beea douc, and uo\>' the eouuty liad been clear for nearly one month. He said, All honour to Mr. M'Combie aud his friends for the lesson they had taught them ! By a voluntary rate of Id. per pound, paid by both landlords and tenants, they had paid £3,290 for the cattle destroyed, and had still some £1,600 on hand. He was aware that this slaughter- ing of all diseased animals, and of those that had been in contact with them, was still objected to by some for whom he had the liighest respect. But he would remind them that this disease was not only new to their veterinary surgeons, but it was one they were confessedly unable to cope with ; and, in fact, tlie few animals that had recovered had mostly done so when let alone. At the same time, it was admitted that it was much more infectious than any disease known to affect man or the domestic animals ; that, even when evciy precaution was taken, the virus was carried by the wind. This had been clearly shown in East Lothian as well as in England. Tiie disease was imported into East Lothian, and it had spread from these centres of imported stock from south-west to north-east — the prevailing direction of the wind for some months past. On most farms where disease had broken out in East Lothian the sound cattle had been slaughtered and sent to market ; but generally some wretched beast had been kept alive for a week or two, which had spread the disease to the adjoining farms. In fact, he had never yet heard two opinions as to what should be done simply to benefit the owner, wlien the disease appeared in a herd worth killing. Practical men were agreed to kUl at once and send the carcases to market. By this means some- thing was got for them ; at all events, the trouble and expense of burying them were saved. Mr. Hope concluded by moving — " 1. That experience has proved that the only effectual method of extirpating the cattle plague is by slaughtering at once all aftected animals, and cattle in immediate contact with them. 3. That this society memorialize Government to pre- pare a Bill, and to urge the same through Parliament imme- diately on its assembling, in which Bill shall be named a Central Board of Commissioners, who shall authorize and ref^uire, as they shall see fit, the formation of county aud town 9 Boards throughout the kingdom, consisting of commissioners of supply, and one or more elected tenant farmers from each parish in counties, and of the magistrates of to\^Tis or burghs, which county or town Boards shall, when required, order the destruction of all affected animals within their jurisdiction, and shall also have full power to levy a rate according to the valuation roll of such county or to^vii — one-half to be paid by owners, and the other halt' by the occupiers, for the in- demnification of the owners of such cattle as are slaughtered for the public good, to the extent of three-fourths of their value, and for other remedial measures which may be adopted by the inspectors of districts, and to axithorize the payment by Government of the one third part of all monies so expended, the value of the animals so slaughtered to be determined by competsnt persons appointed by said county or to-\-ni Boards. 3. That, as every day's delay increases the difficulty and expense of dealing with the plague, it is earnestly recommended to all local authorities and the owners of stock to adopt voluntarily and immediately the policy indicated in the two previous reso- lutions, so far as the same may be practical under circumstances." Mr. E.USSELL, farmer, Pihnnir, seconded the additional re- solutions. It was resolved at this stage to adopt the first three of Mr. Swinton's resolutions to the meeting, and to take Mr. Hope's resolutions as an amendment to Mr. Swinton's fourth. Mr. Binning Home said the existence of the disease in the west of Perthshire was entirely due to the non-stoppage of Falkirk tryst. The inspector in his district reported last week 68 deatlis, and the gratitjing number of 59 recoveries. Sir J\3iES Eergvsson, M.P., said that in Ayrshire every Order in Council had been put in force as soon as issued. Markets and fairs were stopped at the earliest possible period that the justices had power to do so, and if they had some cases of cattle plague in the county they had to thank the re- missness of tlie Stirling magistrates, because had it not been for the holding of Falkirk tryst Ayrshire would at this moment have been free from the cattle plague. He ventured to doubt whether the policy of mutual insurance was so hopeless as had been represented. He believed that schemes of mutual in- surance miglit be set on foot that might be eminently useful to the agricultural community. He begged leave to state that in the county of Ayr they had an association which was pos- sessed of funds three times as gi-eat as that spoken of in Aber- deensliire. The tenants were invited to subscribe Is. in the pound on the value of the animals, and 1 per cent, was taken on the income of the proprietors. Three-fouiths of the pro- prietors at once put down their names, and he believed nearly all the remaining fourth were members of other insurance societies; so that at present there were £35,000 worth of cattle in the county insured in that way. Yesterday at a meeting in the Court-house of Ayr, composed of tenant-farmers insured in the county scheme, the unanimous opinion was ex- pressed that in every case steps should be taken to induce the slaughter of the whole stock wherever the plague should appear. And with a view to give every encouragement to that bold measure, the directors of the Insurance Association, with the full approval of all present, agreed to give one-half of the proceeds of the animals slaughtered to the owner, in addition to the two-thirds of the value which he received in the ordinary manner. If they left it to the Go- vernment to propose a scheme, their friends Ln Eng- land could tell them how little they might expect. In England the feeling on all sides was that it was abso- lutely hopeless to expect the Government to do anything ; and the deputation which waited on the Home Secretary marvelled at the carelessness that seemed to prevail there on this import- ant matter. He begged to support the proposal of Mr. Hope (applause), with an alteration which he thought would com- mend it more to public approval. To the proposal of compen- sation from the public purse for the benefit, not of one public interest, but of a small section of a public interest, he begged to offer liis opposition. It was not done in the ease of the Lancashire manufacturers, and why should it be done for the agrieidtural interest, and for only one section of tliat interest, namely, the owners of cattle ? Let them follow the example of the rate-in-aid in Lancashire. Let each county bear its own burden, and let compensation be given for the beneficial pur- pose of inducing the necessary sacrifice of cattle wherever the disease appeared ; but let them not go whining to the Govermnent, asking for grants from the public purse for that which they were well able to bear themselves. He ventured to tliink that the proposal of Mr. Hope in one other particular might be amended. He ventured to think that the rate ought to be on agricultural subjects alone, and that it ought not to be supplemented by grants from the public purse, unless the cattle plague extended to a much greater extent than, please God, he hoped it woidd reach. Mr. Hope expressed his willingness to word Ids resolution in tills way : " And shall also have full power to levy a rate to be paid by owners and occupiers for the indemnification of the owners of said stock." That left the matter open. He was not disposed to omit asking the money from Go- vernment ; but he supposed Sir James would agree to leave that in the resolution, even though he thought they would not get the money. Sir John Stuart Forbes said : Had they taken the mea- sures now proposed at the time tlie disease first appeared, he was satisfied that tilings would not have been to-day in so bad a position. His experience in the small county of Kincardine, where they presented a large border face to face mtli Forfar- shire, which was the glowing furnace of the disease, was that no remedial measure they could now adopt would enable them satisfactorily to cope with the disease, now that it had become epidemic as well as contagious. He feared that even recourse to slaughter would not be adequate under tlie circumstances. Tliey had resorted to every restriction that Government had allowed them, and they had seen them satisfactorily carried out ; but unfortunately all the Orders in CouncO. had been all behind the day. In Kincardineshire the disease was taking a line from south to north, and fi'om where it was to-day they might predict where it would be a week hence. Everjthing had been resorted to in the way of disinfectants, and in the way of preventing the transfer of animals, and the only step which had not been taken was that every infected animal was to he immediately destroyed. After some further discussion, the meeting divided, when the amendment of Mr. Hope was carried, on a show of hands, by a majority of about three to one. It was resolved to empower the directors, with the concur- rence of the local authorities, to postpone the general show 100 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. appoiuted to be held iu Glasgow iu August next, Lord Beliiaven stating that there \A'as no douht whatever that course shoukl be adopted. Tlic same authority was given as regards district shows. THE HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND, AND MR. HALL MAXWELL. At tlie General Meeting, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, Mr. Walker read tlie following letter : Dargavel House, Bishopton, 11th August, 18G5. My Lords and Gentlemen : I beg respectfully to place in your bauds my resignation of the secretaryship of the Society. I take this step exclusively on personal considerations which 1 must not disregard. I cannot, however, relinquisli duties which for twenty years I have had so much pride in discharging without sincere regret, nor can 1 sever my connection with tlie Board without feelings of the deepest gratitude lor the coufi- dence which its memljers have ever been pleased to repose in me, and for the uniform kindness, consideration, and indulgence I have received at their hands, and wliicli I never can forget. It wiU, of course, be my duty to complete all business per- taining to the current year, and the past show. I cannot therefore demit office tiU the end of January, but I deem it right to give this early notice, so as to alTord the Board ample time to make arrangement with reference to the appointment of my successor. — 1 have the lionour to be, my Lords and Gentlemen, your fiiithful and grateful, (Signed) Jn. Hall Maxwell, To the President, Vice-Presidents, and Directors of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. Mr. AValker said that upon receiving tliat communication a committee was appoiuted, consisting partly of directors and partly of other members of the Society, to take into considera- tion the steps to be taken in consequence of Mr. Maxvvell's resignation. The Duke of Buccleuch was chairman to that committee, and, with regard to Mr. Maxwell, the report con- tained the following resolution, which was adopted Ijy the directors : " The directors cannot accept Mr. HaU Maxwell's resigna- tion without recording in their minutes the deep sense which they, in common with the members of the Society at large, entertain of the zeal, energy, and ability with which that gentleman has for twenty years discharged tlie duties of secre- tary. The progress which the Society has made both financially and numerically since Mr. Maxwell's appointment, and the in- creasing success which has attended the Society's annual shows under his administration, afford the liest possible pi'oofs of the efficient manner in which the office of secretary lias been filled. None but those, however, wlio have been associated with Mr. Maxwell in the conduct of the Society's alfairs can fiiUy appre- ciate the great earnestness with which he uniformly applied his admirable business talents to the discharge of the multifarious duties of his office. " The directors further resolve that, as a suitable aud per- manent memorial of the general approval by the Society of Mr. Hall Maxwell's services, he should be requested to consent to have his portrait executed at the Society's expense by an eminent artist, aud that the picture, wlieu completed, should be hung in the Society's haU." The Duke of Buccleuch said : Gentlemen, it now devolves upon me to move that this resolution be adopted by this meet- ing. I do so with great pleasure and great satisfaction — hav- ing had much experience of the manner in which the secretary has conducted the Ijusiness of this Society. I could gather from the terms iu which this report is drawn out, aud the manuer in which it has been received, that there will be but one feeling in regard to the adoption of this resolution with reference to Mr. Hall Maxwell (applause). The duties of the secretary of this Society at all times are very onerous, but certainly, of late years, they have become much more so than they were in earlier days. I may mention that I have made a few notes of tlie increase of the business of the Society since Mr. Hall Maxwell was appointed to 1)e its secretary. I find tliat the number of members has risen from 2,020 to 4,200. You can imagine tliat that increase necessarily involves a much larger amount of correspondence and labour. The funds of the Society have increased from £34,000 to nearly £50,000. The agricultural chemistry department has beeu organised, as has also the agricultural education department ; and these additional departments involve, of course, a deal of additional labour and correspondence. The general shows in connection with the Society have been reorganised, and have been ex- tended ; aud the district shows iu connection with the Society have also been greatly enlarged. The " Transactions" of the Society are now edited by the secretary, and printed and issued by the Society itself; and during the years from 1854 to 1857 the agricultural statistics for Scotland were entirely conducted by the secretary, Mr. HaU Maxwell (Hear, hear) . I mention all these difi'erent things in order to show the multifarious duties which have fallen upon the secretary ; and I believe I may state confidently that Mr. Hall Maxwell has on all occa- sions executed those multifarious duties with advantage to the Society, and with a single view — namely, that of advancing the interests of the Society of which he was the secretary., I believe that amongst all the boards of directors that have had charge of the business of this Society since he held office, there will Ije liut one opinion as to the mode in which Mr. Maxwell has conducted the business. While making these few remarks, I am sure you will agree with me in regretting that, from personal reasons, he finds it dcsiraljle to retire from that ofiice which he has so long and honourably filled (Hear, hear). I know that this is the opinion not only of the directors as shown by this resolution, but of every member of the Society iu regard to the manner in which he has dis- charged th.ese duties. I have now to move from the chair that this resolution be adopted by this meeting ; and I shall be glad to be the medium of officially communicating the resolu- tion to Mr. Hall Maxwell (loud applause) . Mr. Hall Maxwell said : I feel myself unable suitahly to acknowledge the terms in which the directors and the Society have been pleased to receive my resignation, and to recognise my services as their secretary. T can only say that I feel deeply grateful — that I appreciate in the very highest degree the dis- tinguished honour conferred on me by the proposal to place my portrait in this hall, and I fully estimate the value of the resolution which has beeu adopted by the meeting, aud which I shall preserve and prize as a very precious document. I cannot sit down without again expressing my great gratitude for that confidence, which, over a period of twenty years, each succeeding board of directors has been pleased to repose in me, nor without tendering to the members of the Society at large my respectful thanks for the kindness, the courtesy, and the support which, on all occasions, and in every quarter of the country, they have accorded to me as their secretary (Applause) . At the close of the meeting, the Duke of Buccleuch invited the members to remain to witness the presentation to Mr. Hall MaxMcU of a testimonial from members of the Society expressive of their appreciation of his services. Sir Alexander Gibson-Maitla^d, convener of the testi- monial committee, said he was extremely glad to say that the efforts of the committee had been extremely successful. They had had 820 subscribers, whose contributions amounted to £1,650 ; aud as almost all these subscriptions passed through his hands, he was happy to say that they came from all parts of the country. In fact, there was not a county, and not even a district in Scotland, which was not fully aud fairly repre- sented in this list of subscribers (applause). He might further say that no undue influence had been used, no canvass of any sort had been had recourse to, and not a single advertisement had appeared in regard to this testimonial. It was truly the freewill offering of this large number of members to their re- spected secretary (applause). The committee thought it best to place only a small portion of their funds in this piece of plate. Along with it, he had to hand to his Grace a copy of the inscription, and also a book iu which the whole of the subscribers' names had beeu recorded; and he begged tore- quest his Grace, in the name of the subscribers, to make the presentation. The gift consisted of a purse of 1,000 sovereigns, and a handsome silver epergne and candelabra, in the form of an oak tree with six branches, supported on a beautiful silver plateau, wreathed with oak foliage, with other articles of plate, supplied by Mackie, Cunningham, and Co., of Princes'-street, silver- smiths to the Society. The Duke of Buccleuch then said : Mr. Hall Maxwell, it is my duty, on the part of tlie subscribers, to present to yon THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 101 this testimonial. I am sure you will not estimate it simply according to its intrinsic value, but will regard it as a mark of respect to your private character, and a token of our respect for your private character and our admiration of the manner in which you have performed your duties in your public capa- city as Secretary to the Highland Society (loud applause). I cannot detain this meeting or distress Mr. Hall Maxwell with many words. I can only express my own strong feeling as to the manner in which he has discharged his duty, and my regret that we shall no longer have the advantage of his services as Secretary. But being still one of our office-bearers, I am quite certain he wiU still I)e a frequent attender, and do all in his power for us, and that we will have the benefit of his expe- rience (applause). His grace then made the presentation, and read the inscription on tlie epergne, which was as rollows : " Presented, with other Articles of Plate, and a Purse of One Thousand Sovereigns, to John Hall Maxwell, of Dar- gavcl. Companion of the Bath, by 8'20 Members of the High- land and Agricultural Society of Scotland, in grateful appre- ciation of the zeal, energy, ability, and success with which for twenty years he discharged the duties of Secretary of the Society. 1866." Mr. Hall Maxwell, who was received with loud applause, said : My Lord Duke and Gentlemen, permit me in a few, and I fear most inadequate, words to express the gratification and pride with which I accept this token of your approbation (ap- plause). A gift so munificent, a testimonial so flattering, coidd not fail, under any circumstances, to evoke feelings of gratitude ; but there are considerations connected with this presentation which invest it, in my eyes, with a value far sur- passing even that of its intrinsic worth (applause). This volume which your grace has presented to me doubly enhances your gilt, recording as it does that the compliment I am now receiving is not due to the partiality of a few friends, but, as has been stated by Sir Alex. Maitland, is the spontaneous and voluntary oilering of many hundred members of the Society, connected with and representing every county in Scotland. Again, in this volume I find that which in itself is no mean testimonial — one, indeed, of which any man miglit be justly proud. I allude to that long array of names belongiug to those gentlemen who have been pleased, as a committee, to head the list of subscribers, and than whom there are none in Scotland more distinguished, whether in respect to social position or agricidtural pre-eminence (applause). There is one further feature in to-day's proceedings which to me is in the highest degree gratifying. I believe there is no Scotchman who would not attach additional value to a testimonial presented by the noble Duke now in the chair (loud applause) ; and in my case this feeling is all the more powerful when I recal the kindness and sujjport which for so many years have been vouchsafed to me liy his grace (applause). When in any diffi- culty, when in any need of wise counsel and advice, I have never hesitated in applying to him, because I knew how readily such counsel would be rendered, how valuable it would prove (applause). In the estimation of his countrymen the name of the Duke of Buccleuch is a synonyme for devotion to and dis- charge of duty ; and, without arrogating too much, I may as- sume that had he not been satisfied that I, in my humble . sphere, had at least endeavoured to perform my duty, lie would not have olticiatcd on this occasion, nor stamped with his seal of approval the honour which has this day been conferred on me (loud applause). The meeting then separated. VACCINATION FOR CATTLE PLAGUE. The cattle plague commissioners have issued the following paper on vaccination of cattle : — I. — MODE OF PEErOKMING THE OPEEATION. The vaccination of the cow with the lymph naturally and casually developed on the species is, in general, a successful operation, but unfortunately such lymph is rarely procurable. The retro-vaccination of the cow with humanised lymph is a different affair, and to ensure but a moderate amount of suc- cess, when indiscriminately performed, needs more attention to many particulars than is generally supposed. In the first place, it is necessary to shelter the animal from cold and wet. In the next place, it is desirable to employ recent liquid lymph, conveyed in capillary tubes, or contained in well- developed vesicles on a child's arm. It is important also to select certain regions for the opera- tion. Those regions are the most eligible which possess the thinnest skin, are void of hair, not likely to be subjected to friction, and yet afford facility of access in operating and in- specting. In the milch cow the back part of the udder, the thin lax skin on each side of the vulva, or in close proximity to its cutaneous margins, are parts most eligible. In the dry cow and in the female calf the teats and udder will be available, although the parts above-mentioned are more convenient of access. In the male the perinaeum and the scrotum afford the best sites. But in individuals difficult to manage the inside of the ear, or some part of the neck, or behind the shoulder, de- nuded of hair, and possessing some of the above-named re- quisites, may be chosen. The modes of operating, like those on man, vary, each hav- ing its advocates and advantages : first. — By incision. Secondly. — By puncture. Thirdly. — By scratching or abrading the cutaneous sur- face. 1, Incision has advantages as regards celerity of execution and facility of introducing the infecting, as well as abstracting the resulting lymph. It may be effected by a small scalpel or short bistoury, or, still better, by the Danish vaccinator*. The incision should be made from half to three-quarters of an inch in length into the skin, just deep enough to make the edges of the wound slightly to gape. "Wait till the oozing of blood has ceased, then supply the lymph into and upon the edges of the incision. The Danish vaccinator resembles a small " Valentine's knife," or the steel pen usually found in a pocket case of mathematical instruments, only this has a cutting edge. The instrument being well charged by applying its point to the liquid lymph discharged from the capillary tube, or oozing from the punctured vesicle on the child's arm, is made to penetrate the skin to the reqmsite depth, not drawing much l)lood. The lymph by this means is deposited at the time of making the incision. With a little practice, half-a- dozen incisions are quickly made and charged. 2. Puncture. — This is best suited to the practice of inserting the end of a doubly-charged vaccine point, which may be broken off from the shaft, and allowed to remain in the punc- ture for' a quarter of an hour. 3. Scratching. — This is tedious, but in thin skins is often ad- vantageous for the application of lymph preserved in lai'ge or small ivory points. The lymph, previously moistened, is rubbed off the point into the scratched surface. From (our to six clus- ters of scratches should be made. These, if executed by a large modification of Weir's vaccinator, are done with much more ce- lerity than with a single-pointed instrument. II. — RESULTS OF THE OPERATION. About the fourth or fifth day after the operation a slight red- ness and elevation, with some hardness and heat, may be dis- cerned. These phenomena gradually but not uniformly in- crease till the sixth or seventh day, when a small central crust fills the incision, and plugs the punctures. On the scratched surface the exuded and dry lymph oc- cupies the furrow, or more or less overspreads the abraded surface. * An instrument in general use in Denmark, procuraljle, at a small expense, in Loudon. 102 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. The vesicles now become more and more elevated and extended till the teutli or eleventh day, when they flatten and rapidly decline, more or less covered with a thick blackish- brown crust. Unless the skin be thin and very fair, uo areola is visible, but the margin of the vesicle is felt hard and tense. When the areola is visible on a fair skin, it is often not more than three or four lines in width. Although the vesicle assumes the form usual in man, as determined by the mode of operating, its margin is, from the thickness of the skin of the animal, solid, and if punctured wUl only yield blood. Lympji can be procured rarely before the ninth or tenth day, and then only by removing carefully the central crust, and waiting patiently for its exudation through the original puncture. Vesicles raised by very slight punctures or superficial abrasions of the cutis resemble more closely those on man. and yield lymph earlier, but they are liable to earlier rupture or abrasion, and yield but a scanty supply of turbid lymph. It not unfrequeutly happens that the stage of progressive pj^pulation is indistinctly marked, or apparently arrested, so as to lead to tlie apprehension of failure, when suddenly the characteristic form of the vesicle appears, and it advances to maturity. It is not rare, however, to find among several papulcC some of them arrested in their progress, and prove abortive. iVhen this event befalls the major part or the whole of the punctures or incisions, a repetition of the operations in the same site may, nevertheless, succeed. During the progress of the disease, scarcely any consti- tutional symptoms are observed : sometimes, an acceleration of the pulse may be detected. The retro-vaccine lymph obtained from these operations, little as it is, should be used, as far as possible, for other vaccinations. THE CATTLE PLAGUE. The following despatch, dated Jan. 8, 186G, has been re- ceived at the Foreign Otfice from her Majesty's consul-general at Odessa : Odessa, Jan. 8, 1S6G. My Lord, — The following important information respecting the cattle plague has been kindly supplied to me in answer to a series of questions I addressed to Prince Manoukbey, and the principal landowners and cattle breeders of Bessarabia. As it differs materially from the information transmitted to your lordship fi-om the province of Klierson in my despatch dated November 34-, 1SG5, and as I can depend on the facts stated being in every particular the result of actual experience, I lose no time in submitting them to your lordship's attention. 1. The Bcssarabiau cattle owners and breeders state that the plague during the last few years has been permanent in New Russia. It exists sometimes in one district, sometimes in another, of that vast country. Up to the present notliiug is known with certainty either of the true cause of the disease or of the proper means of treatment for its cure. On one point only there exists no doubt — it is certainly contagious. 2. No remedies which have been yet tried, neither fumiga- tion, friction, bleeding, nor medicine, have met with enough success to warrant their recommendation. From time to time a few beasts recover, and each person attributes the cure to the remedy he has employed ; but general experience has not con- firmed such assertions in any case. 3. One opinion only appears to merit serious attention, and is now under anxious consideration. That opinion is in favour of vaccination, wliich the Imperial Govermnent has under- taken to introduce throughout the infected districts, by com- petent veterinary-surgeons employed for that purpose. Time only can decide whether vaccination will afford a sure pro- tection from the disease, but at present it seems to promise more satisfactorily than anything else which has been tried. 4. Effective means may be taken to restrain the plague from spreading. For tliis purpose it is advisable, as soon as it is found to exist in any district, that aU communication with other places should be strictly prohibited. 5. Dead animals should be buried as soon as possible, and in no cases should it be allowed to skin them previously for their hides. They should be buried in tlie state they die. 6. Great care should be taken not to suffer beasts to drink out of the same troughs as healthy ones. _ 7. Healthy cattle should be separated at once from the diseased ; and immediately any beast falls sick among them, tlie healthy) cattle should be taken away and transferred to other pasturage. By these means large lierds have been entirely saved. 8. These facts are indisputable. But there is still to be mentioned a probable theory as to the origin of the malady. 9. It is to be observed that the disease rages more violently in the south of Russia thau in the north ; that it generally breaks out in autumn, and not during the great fi'osts. There- fore it seems clear that cold is not only far from being the first cause of it, but has not even any influence over it. It is well remembered that before the year 18-iG (when free trade in corn began with England, and when Odessa exported much less grain to foreign countries than now) this disease was very rare, l)ut it appeared always after every campaign in the wars witli Turkey. Now these wars occasioned a great deal of cart- age for the commissariat of the army. The waggons used by the commissariat were drawn by bullocks, which were thus forced to make long journeys during the great heats of summer across arid steppes, where no pasture or wholesome water could be found, the phigue soon seized them, and they rotted and died in great numbers. The same cause wiU continue to operate in a greater or less degree until the establishment of railways puts an end to the transport of merchandise for loug distances by oxen. Until then it is more than probable Russia wiU be always devastated by this terrible malady. Oxen are jirincipally employed on the hardest service during three or four weeks of the hottest part of the year, during which they have no other food thau the withered herbs they can crop by the road side. Every year more than a million waggons, each drawn by two oxen, coming from different parts of the country, arrive at Odessa alone. As they dra^^■ nearer and nearer to their jour- ney's end their food grows more and more scanty and m orse in quality, so that they are reduced for several days following to feed upon meagre roots of grass, which they swallow mixed with dust, and quench their thirst with the muddy liquid which remains of the stagnant waters left in the ponds and puddles by the roadside. 10. This seems to be really the sole cause of this terrible disease, and the waggons leturning to their several homes spread it throughout the countiy. 11. On examining an ox attacked by the plague, it wiU be found that it first becomes duU and spiritless ; it ceases to ru- minate, it eats with difficulty, and its sufferings manifest them- selves by a violent diarrhoea. This is a proof that the disease lies in the digestive organs, and probaljly springs from im- proper nourishment. The opinion of French doctors that this sickness may be caught by men from diseased cattle is not warranted by expe- rience in Bessarabia, no case having been ever known to have occurred there. The plague does not appear, either, to be caught by sheep, who have a disease of their own, also contagious, but which differs very much from the cattle plague among oxen, and it may be remarked that these two diseases very seldom exist at the same time and place. I have, &c., (Signed) E. C. Gkenvill Murray. The Right lion, the Earl of Clarendon, K.G., &c. THE FABMER'S MAQAZINE. 103 ON THE GEOMETRY OF SOLIDS IN AGRICULTURE. Scarcely anythiuEc can be more erroneous than the too common conclusion, tlmtEudid's Geometry is not a branch of agricultural science. The word (jeomctnj itself proves the contrary, as has often been told, for it is derived from the Greek words Jand and (o measure ; yet in spite of this, we are again and again told that the geometry of superficies and the geometry of solids have nothing to do with practical agriculture, comparatively speaking, being what our learned o])timists call " pure science" in ccftitradistinction from " mixed science," and so forth. A\ e need hardly say how much premature conclusions of this kind are against boys when they are crammed down their throats the moment they cross the threshold of the class-room in the agricultural colleges and schools now being instituted for the education of the agricultural body. Our object in the following remarks is briefly to contrast Euclid's method of teaching the geometry of solids — or the mensuration of solids — with what is commonly taught and learned by most agricultural pupils, including the sons of ploughmen and other labourers, as well as those of the far- mer, in order to show the superiority of the former from a practical point of view. In other words, we shall endeavour briefly to show that Euclid's geometry is iu verity the scieuce of this branch of farm practice ; while the other, the common method taught, is neither less nor more than book-routiue, rules deduced from Euclid's method itself, rules which are often misapplied, and hence aiford only approximations to truth, or the contents required. A spit or forkful of earth in digging, a furrow- slice or ridge in ploughing, an open or covered sewer or drain &c. in drain- ing, the contents of the dung-liill in manuring the land, a truss of hay, sheaf of corn, hay-stack, corn-stack in harvest- work, the contents of bricks, stones, walls, &c., in building, of timber in forest work, of excavating earth in well-digging, mine-sinking, levelling, and road-making, &c., &c., may be taken as familiar examples for practical illustration. And in examining the method of measuring the solid contents of these examples, we shall use as much as possible the popular language of the field, in preference to the scientific dicta of the class-room, ancient and modern. 1. A spit of earth in digging may well be said, in the ma- jority of examples, to be a very shapeless thing, whether it is dug with the spade or fork, and whatever may be the nature of the soil ; and yet it may be taken as a multiple or unit of the whole field thus cultivated to any given depth. Tf, for example, we assume the depth to be 13 inches, and four spits to go to a cubic foot, then the number of spits per pole, rood, or acre becomes a question of easy solution, being 1,US'J spits per pole, 43,5G0 per rood, and 17-i,240 per acre ; and still more easy of calculation if we assume the superlieies of a sjiit equal to a square link, as the number of spits per acre would then be 100,000, and so on, for any other size or dimensions of a spit of a given depth. But what connexion has this with geometry and form prac- tice ? some youthful tyro may ask ; and the reply is, Very small, it must be admitted, in the vast majority of examples. It does not follow, however, that such should be the rule ; for it is a well-known fact iu practice, that the best and most efli- cient workman takes a spit of a nniform size, and the worst diggers the reverse ; so that, after all, sound successful practice deuvmds the uniform rule, the size of the spit corresponding to the strength of the labourer, the quahty of the soil, and depth to which it is dug. On a comparatively level surface a good workman drives his spade or digging-fork nearly perpendicularly into the ground, so that the spits rise, having a rough approximation to the form of a rectangular parallelopiped, as defined by Euclid, the one spit making up the angular excesses or deficiencies of the other ; hut in digging np a steep inclination it is otherwise, the form of the superficies of the spits then approximating either that of a rhombus or rhomboid, or parollelogram whose angles are oblique, or an oblique-angled parallelopiped. The depth of digging when the surface of the ground is level is easily measured ; but unlevel surfaces require sharp looking after, otlierwise the stipulated deptli will not be attained, as the slanting vertical deptli cut by the spade is not the true depth, while the ground in the bottom is liable to be left in a ridged form, the bottom transverse ridges across the hill not being loosened and turned over according to contract. The true depth of the digging is obtained by measuring a line perpendicular to the surface, taking care that the bottom is always loosened and turned up parallel to tiic surface. Thus we have on many occasions measured the vertical depth cut by the spade twelve inches or twenty inches and upwards iu trenching, whereas the true depth was a fourth-part less, or only nine inches iu the former example of single-spit digging, and fifteen inches instead of twenty in the latter of trenclring, or eighteen inches instead of twenty-four, and so on for differ- ent depths and inclinations. Unlevel surfaces are far more difficult to dig and trench than level ones ; and it is often no easy matter convincing ignorant masters and men the geometrical reason why : hence the bad work and inferior crops that follow, when no extra money is allovved to do an acre on taskwork, or time to finish the stipulated measuremciit to a given depth when the work- men are engaged by tlie day. The workman, for example, who knows nothing of the geometry of parallelograms and parallelopipeds, on equal bases between two parallels, may think, and with some reason on his side, that if he drives his spade as far into the hill-side as into the level valley, equality of wages should follow as the honest practical rule ; and the master who is uot a whit better acquainted with Euclid may hastily subscribe perhaps to this same rule ; but the conclusion is erroneously arrived at by both master and man, for although the spade requires to be driven to a greater depth on the slanting surface, the magnitude and weight of the spit are equal in both cases, while it requires to be raised to a lesser height in digging up the inclination than when working on the level. True, in digging, this is of little importance ; but it is otherwise in deep trenching. On the jier contra, or labourer's side of the question, it must be borne iu mind that although he stands higher and has some advantage in driving in his spade with his foot, he loses more than he thus gains in lifting the spit below him, at a mechanical disadvantage, and not only in lifting the spit but also iu lifting his body ; consequently the differences thus experienced have to be set against tlie expense of performing the work as compared with the digging of level ground. Now, the agricultural student who has learned to apply the propositions of Euclid to practical purposes will readily per- ceive that in his Plane and Solid Geometry he goes into all the minute details of the superficial and solid contents of such work as digging on level and hilly land, and to avoid repeti- tion in all the subsequent examples also. An idle truant son of a penny-wise penurious parent may in his pound-foolish cal- culations conclude that only a few of the propositions of Euclid are involved in works connected with agriculture ; but the very reverse of this is true, and the more true is it becoming as we advance in the march of improvement ; for, in point of fact, agriculture embraces a greater amount of plane and solid geometry than all the other arts together. We have found iVom experience that more than all the propositions of Euclid which have survived the burning of the Alexandrian Library by the Turks are needed at times. In shorty we never yet met with a useless ancient work on geometry ; aud very few modern ones can be pronounced superfluous, when all things are fairly taken into consideration. 2. Much of what we have said above in reference to digging applies to ploughing and the other methods of tillage by horse or steam-power. In all operations of this kind where it is intended to loosen or invert the staple to a given depth, the same attention requires to be paid to the inclination of the land, so as to looseu equdly and make straight furrow-slices of uniform breadth, deptli, aud magnitude, by cutting planes, so to speak ; and this is all the more necessary where fields are level or have a plane surface in certain places, but curved in another, as is common in hilly ground ; for iu such examples the cutting or intersecting of planes involves a greater breadth and depth of furrow-slice in going over a knoll rising above I 104 THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE. the general surfece plaue tliau iu the plane portion of the field, and tliis too is necessary, to make good work. In common conversation farmers talk of " a good round furrow-slice" — " a square furrow-slice," and so on ; but if the staple is in- verted to a given depth, the bottom of the furrow being paral- lel to the surface, there are of necessity involved two inter- secting planes, consequently a transverse section of the furrow- slice before it is squeezed into this or that form, according to certain peculiar artistic notions, is of a parallelogramical form ; iu other words, they are paraUelopiped, siiuilar to the conclu- sion arrived at under spade husbaudry ; and tlie more they accord with their true geometrical form of a paraUelopiped, the better the quality of tlie ploughing, provided the furrow-slices are properly laid, for the action of tlie weather, manure, and the operation of seeding, &c. liaising the land into ridges for root crops, and similar operations, involve another series of propositions'; but farther iuto detail under tliis head our limits at tlus time will not permit me to go. 3. The transverse section of a drain, when the sides meet in the bottom like those of a wedge, is represeuted by three lines, viz., the surface and two sides, and hence they form a triangle. If the surface is level and tlie sides equal in depth, the triangle is isosceles ; if otherwise it is oblique. If flat in the bottom, the section will be bounded by four sides, and the figure eitlier a trapezium or trapezoid. In the former case the solid con- tents of the drain before removal, or the open space after re- moval, will be in the form of a wedge or triangular prism, and the latter a prismoid or frustum of a wedge. It follows, therefore, from tlie above, that in studying the geometry of solids generated by three or four cutting planes moving in the same direction, the agricultural student should bear in mind their apphcatiou to opening drains. It is usual to represent a transverse section of an open ditch or river by four straight lines, such being the usual form in which they are made. The sides, however, ought to be re- presented by parabolic curves, more especially when the river is of considerable breadth and exposed to the wave-producing action of the winds, as a parabola represents the natural line formed by the action of the rising and falling waves on tlie shore under such conditions. In jjractice it may not always be prudent to insist upon the exact curve of a parabola ; but the nearer the slopes approximate to such, the better they will stand the action of the water; and the same rule applies to the inside slopes of embankments opposed to flood-water. The student, therefore, who is learning the various proposi- tions in couic sections has to bear in mind that the subject applies to river-draiuage. The surface and bottom of the river may be represented by straight lines, and the contents ascertiiined accordingly ; but the slopes, or side-liues, are pa- rabolic cui'ves ; and these four lines indicate the form of the solid generated, by assuming them to be in motion, like the cutting-edge of a draining-plough. We must hasten through the other examples with greater brevity. DuughLUs are usually of a cubical form, or that of the frustrura of a wedge, or triangular prism ; and hay-stacks and corn-stacks belong to the same. Circular ricks, again, are presumed to be generated in the same way as a cylinder, or a ^rectangular parallelogram revolving round one of its sides, whicli side is fixed, or, if we may be allowed the compa- rison, as if it were turned in a turning lathe. The same may be said of the contents of wells, in well-digging, and the shafts of mines, &c. A drain-pipe is generated by the motion of two concentric circles, the space between them forming a ring, which is exactly the theory of giving motion to the clay through a die. The area of this riug, multiplied by the length, gives the contents ; or the contents are those of the cylinder represented by the exterior circle, minus those of the interior one. Round timber is either cylindrical or conical, the portion to be measured being commonly the frustrum of a cone. Now, " A cone is a solid figure described by the revo- lution of a right-angled triangle about one of the sides con- taining the right angle, which angle remains fixed." Such is Euclid's definition (book xi.) A squared log of timber, whose opposite sides are parallel, is termed a paraUelopiped ; and if it tapers, it is the frustrum of a square pyramid. Levelling, road-raakiug, and railway-forming have a close resemblance to river-drainage works, and involve the applica- tion of a very large number of geometrical propositions. Bricks are commonly regular parallelopipeds, and so are a large number of hewn stones and solid masou-work. But ma- sonr)', even such as is common in agiiculture, affords an infi- uite variety of examples, TEOMETPHS. ON LONDON MILK: A PAPER READ BY MR, J. CHALMERS MORTON AT THE SOCIETY OF ARTS, ON WEDNESDAY EVENING, DEC. 12, 1865. It is the object of the following paper to relate whatever in- formation on the production and consumption of milk in London could be collected in a very limited time by a single volunteer-inquirer. The subject was suggested twelve months ago as proper for discussion before this Society, which occu- pies itself not only with strictly agricultural questions, but also witli matters connected with the health and general wel- fare of the population ; and it has since then excited unusual interest, owing to the diminished supply of mUk which has latterly been occasioned by the cattle-plague. It was not, however, uutil a fruitless attempt had been made to enlist an- other inquirer, who possessed better opportunities than mine of investigating this subject, that I resolved to devote what- ever time could be commanded during October and November to its examination, for the purpose of this report. No justifi- cation will be considered necessary of an attempt of this kind to throw all the light that can be brought to bear on an im- portant branch of our food-supply, neither has any such justifi- cation been required by the great majority of those to whom my inquiries liave been addressed. From wholesale and retail dealers in milk, from wholesale and retail consumers of milk, from the railway companies who are carriers of milk, from the district medical officers of the Metropolis, whose inspectors have the oversight of the cowhouses within their respective districts, from these inspectors, and from all the cowkcepers, without exception, to whom they have introduced me, I have had frank replies to all my questions ; and it seemed in this way to be cordially admitted that the outside public, whose in- terest in the subject I represented, had a right to the informa- tion that was sought. It was doubtless perfectly competent for any of these authorities to have refused to lue personally the insight that was desired into their respective shares in the great business of supplying London with milk ; but they very kindly took my inquiries as having no personal object what- ever, but as emanating from that justifiable interest of the out- side public in the subject, to which I have referred. Although perfectly aware that every Englishman's liovse is his castle, they knew that this rule does not apply to his shop. Cus- tomers have a right to enter there, and, indeed, are always welcome. They have to be satified, informed, propitiated ; and, however able generally to take care of themselves, Govern- j ment has made, and public opinion sanctions, so many inter- ferences on their behalf, that an inquiry conducted in their in- terest comes to be received with a civility and friendliness for which, iu this particular instance, my best thanks are due. It is the result of this inquiry that I have now to lay before you ; and it becomes necessary in the outset to state the means of information which were open to me, aud of wliich use was made. There was, in the first place, sufliicient acquaintance with the experience of farmers in many of our dairy districts. I know their management, and personally many of themselves, in the Vale of Gloucester, iu Wiltshire, Cheshire, Ayrshire ; and I am thus sufficiently acquainted with the relation between cow-food and dairy-produce in the country. Moreover, the pre- cise returnsformanyyears of quantity andproduce on the Froces- ter Court Farm, Gloucestershire, have been published by Mr. Harrison; similar information has been published by Mr.. MacAdam, of Crewe, and the results of prolonged investiga- tions have been given by Dr. Voelcker. To auy questions of the quantity and quality of the milk produced under or- dinary country feeding, there are thus sufiicient answers. As to the quantity of milk supplied to London, the metropoli- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 105 tail railways have given me monthly returus of their imports —most of tliem for several years, all of them for several mouths. The clerks or iuspectors of the -14 divisions in whieli tile metropolitan district is arranged, have told me tlie num- her of their licensed cowhouses, and they and the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council have given me returus of the number of cows milked in them usually and at present. Thanks for the most part to the inspectors, to whom I was in- troduced by the medical oliicersof the several districts, I have examined eow-houses iu the Ilendou district, in the Islington district, in St. John's Wood, Marylebone, St. Pancras, the Strand, the City, Chelsea, Clerkeuwell, iu Bethual-green, Mile-end Old Town, Belgravia, and Limehouse. I have thus seen 51 cow-houses in all, and in every case conversation with the cowkeepers, or their men, has informed me as to the food given, the milk produced, and the risks and losses incurred. Iu one case, that of Lord Granville's large dairy, near Heudon, I have iiad the recorded results of several years' experience as to food and produce, expenditure, losses and returns, placed iu my hauds by Mr. Panter, his lordship's steward ; and the cor- responding figures for Colonel Talbot's ecpally large dairy at Sudbury have also beeu shown to me. There is, moreover, the corresponding experience to some extent of very large cow- liouses for the supply of other to«"ns, as, for example, the large dairy on Mr. Littledale's farm at Birkenhead ; the mon- ster estabhshmerit of Mr. Harvey at Port Duudas, in Glasgow ; several of the Leith and Edinburgh dairies ; that of Mr. Hilder, near Woking ; and of Mr. Collinsou Hall, near Brent- wood ; from all of which, particulars bearing on the subject have been gleaned. Then as to the trade in milk, I have been informed by Messrs. Marriage and Impey and Mr. ColUuson HaU, wholesale dealers, who supply probably 100,000 quarts a-week throughout the year, and by a very large number of retail dealers, both men who keep cows and sell tlieir produce, and men who buy milk from the wholesale dealer to sell again; and I have had conversation with the men in charge of the railway traffic. Lastly, as to the consumption of milk : The statistics of the milk supply to Stirling, in Scotland, aud Mansfield aud Bedford, iu England, have been procured for me as a sort of datum liue for comparison ; and a good deal of in- formation has been received on the consumption of milk iu country villages and families. Moreover, I have gone to in- stitutions where the food of inmates has been under medical supervision, and where the dietary has beeu framed witli a simple \dew to health ; and I have to thank the officers of no fewer than 16 ditferent hospitals — not inftrmaries for the treatment of patients, but asylums, orphan-houses, schools, and workhouses — for the actual daily consumption of milk by many thousand healthy people, including 5,300 children under 10 years of age, aud 3,000 adults. And, ou the other hand, thanks to some of the benevolent people visiting iu the dis- trict, I have obtained information of the milk consumption in two or three of the lower courts in the Strand district, where it is hard necessity which dictates the maximum, not medical advice which limits the minimum, scale of feeding. Lastly, we aU have in the report of Dr. Smith to Governmeut au immense mass of informatiou on the dietaries (iucludiug milk) of the poorer classes throughout the kingdom. Applying such data as we thus obtain to the population of London, we learn whether it cau be considered well-fed or not, as regards its mUk. Here the question of quality conies in. Starting with a very strong impression that London milk is almost invari- ably diluted, I am bound to say that as you make your rounds amoug inspectors, dealers, aud even its producers, you find (with many an exception where you cannot doubt the thorough honesty of the retail dealer) that this impression is equally stroug in those who are most closely connected with the trade itself. Milk, incapable of lieiug kept, and with more or less of a variable supply, must be stretched by dilution, more or less, to meet even a constant demand, and still more is a stretch of this kind required to meet an uncertain demand, varyiug considerably from day to day. But, indeed, it matters very little to tiie nourishment of the consumer, and not much, I will add, to the conscience of the producer, whether this dilution of the milk be produced by the direct addition of water or by feeding the cows on watery aud succulent food. I saw two cow-houses in St. Pancras, one of which was iu a wretched plight, the cows beiug extremely dirtyt and fed on the very poorest food — great quantities of distUlery wash and of grains, with a little Coveut-garden refuse greens — and the other over- fall p'erhaps of cows, which, however, were cleanly kept and well fed ou hay aud mangel and grains, with a little meal. I would rather have milk from the latter of these dairies, not- withstanding that, coming to it unannounced at milkiug-time, I saw a can of beautifully clean water standing conveniently near to the tins into which the milk was being poured. It is not, however, ou mere inference from the necessities of the trade that the presumption of dilution rests. Many analyses have been pulilished iu proof of it. Dr. Whitinore, of Wimpole- street, who is the medical officer of the Marylebone district, has been good enough to give me analyses which he has made, proving lioth the honesty and dishonesty of the instances ex- amined. Dr. Druitt, of St. George's, Hanover-square, has given me tlie results of nearly 100 analyses by himseli". Dr. Voelcker has made many analyses of town aud country milk, and he has been good enough to make several for me, of milk collected from consumers in the two courts to which I have alluded ; and Prof. G. T. Brown's microscopic examinations of milk, aspuljlished iu the Quaitcrly Journal of Science, and in the AfjricHltural Gazette, also throw light ou this subject. I think, then, that ou the whole a good deal of information has beeu collected on the quantity and quality of milk supplied to London, aud ou the costs aud risks and produce of its manufae- tiue ; also on the cousimiption of milk in London as com- pared with other places, aud the risks which the consumers of it, as well as its producers, run. Of course the great gap made in our produce by the cattle plague could not fail of being no- ticed. Its relations to the present and the future supply of the metropolis have been to some extent discussed in the recent " Blue Book," issued by the Cattle Plague Commissioners, aud will, no doubt, be further discussed this evening. This, then, is the material which has been gradually collected during the past three mouths. All the documentary part of it lay unread until time offered for its arrangement a few days ago, but of course inspections and conversations have been all along gra- dually influencing and forming the opinions which, on the whole, I believe them to justify. Looking at the thing itself, and if possible at my own relationship to it entirely from the outside, just as 1 have weekly had to do with agricultural evidence of all kinds for many past years, it must, I believe, be admitted that we have here a good witness, ^^ith sufficient previous knowledge and sufficient practice in the work of inspecting and reporting agricultural matters to materially reduce the risk of his being misled by what he saw and heard, and with s'uflicieiit interest in the subject and sufficient indifference as to the lessous it might teach him, to make him at once industriously gather facts and ungnidgingly accept any conclusions which they fairly indicated. Of course no one with any previous knowledge of a subject comes altogether unprejudiced to a further study of it ; but I can unhesitatingly declare that, iu studying this particular subject, I liave not cared one jot what the truth might be, and that I had no personal end to serve during this endeavour to discover it. My prejudices were those of a countryman — that cows are healthier and better, and yield the best and wholesomest mUk in fields — that London cow-houses are a nuisance to be abated, and that they ought to be all removed outside — that the best way of supplying a large towm with milk is to bring it from the country — that it is more reasonable, cheaper, better, to carry 101b. weight of mUk from a country farm to the to^md consumer's door, than to can-y 601b. or 701b. of green an- other food from that farm to a cow-house close by the con- sumer, there to convert it into the 101b. of milk which it will produce — aud, finally, that Londoners are worse fed with milk than any considerable body of men, women, and children elsewhere in the island. The whole inquiry, I am bound to say, has led me very materially to alter these impressions. I now believe that London cow-houses need not be a nuisance — not so great a nuisance certainly as London stables : I believe that the milk made iu them is better than what is delivered at the railway stations from the country — that it is a wiser, cheaper, aud better tiring to carry mangels, grass, and hay the few miles needed to the town, than to carry one-sixth their weight of the milk they yield twenty or thirty miles fi-om the countrj'. I believe that cows in Loudon cow-houses are and may be healthier and confortably kept — nowhere more so, and that the risk of loss by disease, owing to the manner of their food and lodging, is not greater here than in the Gloucestershire and Cheshire pastures ; and I believe that liitherto, in point of fact, London has been better fed with milk than the average ot I 2 106 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. south-country villages. These conclusions will startle and perhaps disgust some who may have come here expecting a wholesale condemnation of the London milk trade, with all its presumed abominations of filthy cow-houses and adulterations. I believe them, nevertheless, to be inevitable by any one who shall give sufficient time to a fair examination of the sub- ject. They are the conclusions simply of an agriculturist anxious that the best food should be produced and offered to the consumer. Medical men, who are professionally interested, not only in people being well fed, but in their being kept free from active sources of injury to their health, may insist upon it that animals using and spoiling so much more air than men should not be permitted in densely-populated districts. And I can understand the outraged feeling with which the medical officer of a district, having power given him to reduce the number of human inmates of a tenement within certain limits, and exercising that power unhesitatingly for their good, finds iiimself, as in instances known to me he has been, thwarted, when he endeavours to secure the dis- missal from a thickly-populated district, of animals such as cows, which individually vitiate so much more air than is spoiled by men. But this is not my subject : all I have to do with is how to secure the best supply of milk to a densely- populated district. Dismissing, therefore, this aspect of f he question (though I can see that it will be strongly, pei'haps in- dignantly insisted upon in the subsequent discussion), I \\\]\ state once for all, that while the facts are in favour of the milk being made near the consumer, and while there are a sufficient numljer of well-managed cow-houses in the town to prove tliat a cow-house need not be so great a nuisance as a stable to the dwelling-house ne.Kt door, yet the conditions of the best arrangement arc no doubt best observed when cow-houses are situated in (he immediate outskirts of a town, not within its boundaries. I proceed now, therefore, to the facts of (he case, and, leaving a great deal of tabular matter to he read in the Jonnud, I hope the story may be told without boring you much with figures. Country Pkoduce. — 1. Of Covniry Produce I have not very much to say. The herd, averaging Go cows (fair country Shorthorns), at Frocester Court Farm, Gloucestershire— fed on grass and hay, with roots and straw in winter— produced, according to Mr. Harrison's careful records, 245,458 gallons of milk in seven years, or 535 gallons each cow per annum. Mr. McAdam, of Gorsty Ilill, near Crewe, who has long lieen known as an experienced dairyman, tells me that during (he past four years G4 cows(Ayrshires) on his farm have averaged 530 gallons each. Taking (he Gloucestershire experience as our guide : For every 100 acres (22 being arable, as ascer- tained by Mr. Harrison in the case of 23 farms) in a district where the average crop of meadow hay is probably 28 cwt. per acre, the stock kept is about 20 cows, four two- year-olds, four yearlings, four calves, 20 sheep, and three horses, equal in consuming power to aljout 32 cows. The hay crop rejiresents perhaps rather less than 7 tons of grass, and the aftermath (at f (he first cut) is probably less than 3 tons per acre. The whole cattle food of the 100 acres, half the arable land being taken as in turnips and clover, may thus be put at 900 tons of grass, or 23 tons of green food per cow per annum, equal to 170 lb. of grass a day to each. This, how- ever, is where the grass is depastured— and that is fed in the most wasteful way ; and it is probable that if the calculation had had to deal with the case of house-fed cows, it would appear that 1501bs. of green food daily, of the quality of ordinary meadow grass, or its equivalent, would suffice "for ordinary Gloucestershire dairy cows. Putting, however, 530 gallons of milk against 28 tons of this green food, we have 1 lb. of milk to every 11 or 12 lb. of grass, or as nearly as possible 100 gallons of milk to every ton of hay. If the consuming value of hay (i. e. the price at which it can be grown at a fair profit to be consumed upon the land) be 60s. or 70s. a ton., then the milk can be produced in Gloucestershire to be sold at 7d. to8:^d-, or say 7|d. per gallon. And to this the dairy statistics of other countries pretty nearly corresponds. The figures from a farm near. Christian ia, published in the Agricultural Gazelle (p. 102, 1865), show that in 1863 and 1864, taking the aver- age of the two years, 41 cows yielded 27,000 gallons in the year, or 630 gallons each, consuming during that time, in all, 229 tons of calculated hay value, viz,, in grass during 120 days of summer, and turnips, hay, and chaff", with a little oil- cake during tlie other 245 days of the year. This is at the rate of 100 gallons for every 17 cwt. of hay, or about GJd.per gallon for food alone. But the cows (Ayrshire and country cows) were at least 100 gallons above the average in their annual produce. Sixpence-halfpenny or 7id. per gallon, how- ever, does not cover the risk of loss by disease and death.' Mr. Palin, of Stapleford, near Tarvin, Cheshire, tells me that his loss during 20 years over a stock of 50 cows was about 5 per cent, in general, 60 per cent, during two years of the time and 15s. a cow for loss of milk on four separate occasions. Putting all this together, his loss has been £86 a-year over (he twenty years in question, or nearly 12 per cent, on the value of his stock. Mr. McAdam tells me that, out of 1,500 cows which he has had through his hands in country dairies during the past 15 years, 19 have died and 35 have been sold at a loss of £9 each, from pleuro-pneumonia ; two have died from foot-and-mouth disease ; and 21 have died from other causes. The foot-and-mouth disease, moreover, attacked 200 cows in this time (killing in one per cent, of the cases), and resulting, probably, in a loss of 10,000 gallons of milk. The whole loss must have exceeded £1,300 or £1,400 in the 15 years, much less per cent, than the other quoted case. And to (he cos( of food 7jd. per gallon, there must therefore be added from OJd. to 0|d. per gallon, for that is what (he loss comes to over 1,500 times 530 gallons, making the cost of milk, to those who make it from grass and from hay at about £3 per (on, at least 8d. per gallon. If cows are sold after seven or eight months' milking, it will be at the cost, on such feeding, of probably £5 or £6 a-head to replace them with others just calved, while the consumption of food would probably be rather larger per annum. The produce, in place of being 530 gallons, would be, at least 730 ; and the 200 extra gallons being oblained at the cost of this £5, or at 6d. a gallon, the whole produce of the year might not cost more (ban 7d. per gallon ; but the risk from infectious diseases would be very gready increased — more (ban doubled or (ripled by (he con- staut change of stock ; so that in all probability milk would not be obtained much more cheaply thus than under ordinary country management, where cows are kept for five or six years upon an average, and fed in the summer time iu pastures, and in winter time on hay and straw and roots, with access to both field and shed. Of course, when the object is to produce milk for London, as on many country farms a long way from town is now the case, they find cheaper, and, for their purpose, better food (ban hay, aiul (hey will adopt more economical management than grazing dairy cows iu growing grass. And (hough I hear (hat in (he Aylesbury district hay and grass and roots and grazing in the field up till November are still (he rule, ye( no doubt ultimately brewers' grains and cut grass, and succulent food of all kinds given in sheds, become the rule outside the town, just as they are the rule within. Human nature is a pretty constant quantity, whether it be town or country bred ; and countrymen who engage in contracts for (he supply of milk (o London dealers very soon find out the cheapest way of producing it in the largest quantity. That way has long been studied and worked out with all (he earnestness which self-interest inspires. You will meet in London with men who have been engaged iu the business for thirty and forty years, with a staff" of servants, too, who have been in (heir employ almost as long. AVhen the St. Pancras committee went round to inspect the cowhouses of (he parish, ami (o condemn especially all of them which ■n'cre in any way connected with dwelling-houses, they were met at the door of one, to whom they announced the decision against him, with an introduction to his grandfather and father, then living with liim, bodi of whom had carried on the business there be- fore him : " And here, too, are my children, gentlemen — four generations of us. It does not look as if the cows had been injurious to health, close by themselves." Of course, where a business has been carried on for such a long series of years, and men come to it in this way with inherited ability, as you may say, and there has been a long experience of all kinds, both prosperous and adverse, they cannot have much to learn of the Ijest way to supply the demand for milk, even though the production of it be carried on under the great difficulty, as one would think it, of their long distance from green fields. But indeed this is no difficulty at all. Even in the midst of green fields the cow-keeper finds it the best policy for the pro- duction of good, abundant, and wholesome milk, to keep the cows in houses ; and in London, where the supply of brewers' grains is so abundant, it being the constant food all the year THE FAliMEirS MAGAZINE. 107 round wlicrevcr inilk is iiroiluecil for direct nonsumption, where l;irge markets I'or mangels and for liaj- exist, and where grass can Ije supplied in abundance during summer at tlie cow-house for 2Us. to 2os. a ton, the means of keeping cows are especially good. Here, too, we have that guarantee of the quality of milk which is afforded by a high premium on keep- ing cows in good condition. There i.s here the best market in the world for cattle of all kiuds, if they are fit for the but- cher, and probaljly as poor a market as there is anywhere for poor, dry cows. Moreover, the risk of infectious disorders, necessarily greatest in the crowded cow-house, makes it cs])c- cially nccessaiy for the town cow-keeper to keep his stock in fattening condition, that they may be disposable at a niiuute's notice. Ami all these circumstauces secure the best feeding being adopted here — much better feeding than satisfies the ordinary country dairyman. I have no doubt, therefore, that the milk yielded by a London cow is better than that which the same cow \\ould produce under ordinary Gloucestershire or Cheshire management. LoNDOX Cow-]iousES. — 2. What, then, is a London cow- house ? and what the nature of the manufacture, as wc may fairly call it, which is carried on in it ? A London cow-house may be, and often is, a piece of ill-conditioned, rather ricketty tdd stabling, w itli a sort of brick-built manger on the floor, tlie lengtJi divided by short and scanty stall-divisions, 7 feet or 7| feet apart, furnished with ropes or straps or chaius, with running rings, so as to tie up two between each pair. This floor is rouglily causewayed ; and there is a gutter lengthwise down it, parallel with the manger, and a little more than a cow's length from it. The house may he only wide enough for a single row of cows, or there may be one on either side, with the gutter between them for the drainage of both. I am now referring to the average style of the smaller and inferior cow-houses of the City, and in the poorer districts of the metropolis. You come upon one from some street or third-rate houses through au archway, perhaps under a dwcUing-house, wliich leads you into a snudl back yard, half- tilled with this poor shedding. There may be a small pit for the dung, a store of some sort for ^ the grains ; and tlie small Cjuautity of hay and roots wliicli are kept on hand are stowed away in any convenient corner : at present there is room enough ; for a full cow-house, even of this small class, in London now is a very rare exception. The roof is either low, with plenty of ventilation through its loosely-lying tiles ; or if higher, there is a " tallet" or floor overhead, where hay and other food is placed, and in wliich wide spaces are left next the walls and over the heads of the cattle, and then the space of this upper room is measured into tlie 1,000 cubic feet per cow, which is the rule that must be observed (for instance, in St. Pancras) if the cowkeeper wishes to avoid being opposed for a renevval of his licence. There are window places, which at this season of the year are closed, perhaps with a bit of sacking nailed over them. This, then, is tlie ordinary style of a small cowhouse — such as the majority of them are. You find in them six or eight or ten capital Short- horn cows, or perhaps here and there occasionally along with them a few black and \^•llite Dutch cattle. It is either a clean aud tidy place, where both the cowmen and their stock are clean and dry and comfortable, everything in its place, the ani- mals all lying down, having been comfortably fed, the air with no other perceptible smell than that of the cliloride w liich the careful owner sprinkles once or twice a-day along the gutter — or, it is a filthy hole. In some cases (generally in Bctlmal- green) the dung-pit is lioarded over with a loose slab, to be re- placed after every fresh addition to it contents, and the yard is clean and orderly, and sweet. In otliersyou will find the dirty straw, originally purchased after use in a neighbouring stable, spread abroad to dry and clean itself over poles and hurdles for repeated use as litter. In some, fresh grains, good man- gels, and the best hay, with oilcake and peasmeal — the very best of cow-food— are kept tidily, and served out regularly and neatly, and the whole management is punctual, clean, and systematic. In others you will find a bin of sour distillery wash, and a heap of stinking turnip-tops and cabbage refuse, and the whole place dirty and olfensive. In general the ac- commodation— limited as it is — is quite apart from the dW'cU- ing-house, but there are exceptions even to this. There is a cowhouse in the St. Pancras district, otlierwise well kept, which is the lower apartment — ceUar it may be called — of a dwelling-house, though it opens on a yard descending to it from tlie street ; Ifift. square and 7ft. high, barely 1,800 cubic feet in all. It now holds 2 cows, and formerly it held 11 : its licence is not to be renewed. There is another in the Strand district not so cleanly kept, where the shop or dairy is ap- proaclied through the removal, as it were, of the ground-floor front-room, which is thus laid open to the street ; and as you walk through it you look down the central opening upon a cowhouse of considerable size in the cellarage, where there is accommodation for a dozen or more — only three being there at present. Such then is the smaller but most numerous sort of London cowhouse. Go a step higher, and you come upon a class of men, maiiy of them also occupying small farms near town, all of them employing very considerable capital, which has, however, largely disappeared during the past autumn, under the ravages of the plague. They keep 30, .50, 80, or more cows a-piece, and these arc lodged either in larger estab- lishments of the kind already described — not unfreqnently ram-shackle old buildings with yards attached, either with double-roofed cow-houses, or covering a square, sometimes with a floor overhead, and at others, open to the roof, where the cows arc arranged, first around the walls, and then in a square block head to head in the middle. Sometimes there are parallel rows of roofing together covering a square, and double rows of stalls under each. And here, too, there is the same variety of ma- nagement as to cleanliness and order. I could point out some samples even of this higher class, which are unquestionable nuisances, and others as clean and sweet as a parlour; for in this middle-class of cowhouses, as they may lie called, there arc examples of the very best style of cow accommodation. In Chelsea, there are many examples where cows, as good for milk as any in England, are as comfortably housed as you shall find them anywhere — in sheds open to a clean and airy yard during summer, but provided with hanging flaps and doors for winter time. Por example, you may enter through a wide gateway a passage roofed with glass, covered with vine-leaf, and some- times grapes, leading you to a well-kept yard, with clean and comforable cow-sheds on one side, and stabling, hay-house, and food-store on the other, and au inner cow-house further on. Both shed and house are filled with first-rate large-framed fleshy Shorthorn cows — fed on grains and hay, and mangels, meals, and cake in winter, and vetches or grass, and grain and meal in summer time, and the master, in the highly-polished shop and dairy on the premises, hands you testimonials from half the titled families in the west to the quality of his milk. Or you may enter a larger yard in a poorer neighbourhood, and find shedding closed against the winter, providing as good accommodation, in single rows, for as good a herd of dairy cows as 1 ever saw — and cleanliness and order are apparent everywhere. Or you may pass from a well-kept mews into a lofty, clean, and, though ceiled, weU-ventilated and w'ell- drained apartment, at least 12 feet high, with, I sliould sup- pose, 60 square feet of standing ground to every beast — warm, well-watered, and well-fed — where could cows be more com- fortably kept? In every instance I am describing actual ex- amples. In Marylebone you find, in a good street, a corner shop, where the side-road leads to a well-kept first-class mews. The master lakes you through his three-storied cow-house, as you may call it — and first into an apartment for 12 or IG cows, \:hich is the quarantine station through which after some weeks' trial they pass into the other rooms, one di- rectly over head, reached by a sloping gangway, and the otlier alongside, but lower down. The floors are all closely bricked in cement, the upper one being laid on brick arches, and the drainage is everywhere perfect. I may refer person- ally to Mr. Drewell's establishment, at Is'o. 6, Upper Wey- mouth Street, for the example of intelligeuce and pluck with which great losses have been met by him, and further losses have been resisted. He has taken special precautions against infection, and shown extreme care in destroying it whenever it appeared. The whole of the brick flooring has been taken up and disinfected and relaid. The plan of tarring the noses of the cattle, so as to disinfect the very air they breathe, was adopted, but ultimately abandoned for the neater plan of naiCng on the wall before them a wide strip of absorbent deal well soaked in creosote. Iron having been pronounced a re- medy or preventive, the well upon the premises was thoroughly chalybeated by throwing in old iron, and every possible device was used to ensure the perfect sweetness of floor and food and air. I can assure this meeting, containing uo doubt many 108 THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE. countrymen, that tliey will nowhere find better, cleaner, neater, and sweeter cow-houses tlian, taking these examples as an il- lustration, may he kept and arc to be found in London streets. Lastly, I come to the larger establishments ; and Mr. DreweU, holding a conple of large cow-houses, and originally milk- ing 140 to 150 cows, of which, however, lie has since lost 100 by the plague, might have been referred to under this division. I refer, liowevcr, now to the largest houses, where 200 cows and upwards have been generally milked. And here, too, you tiud two classes of estabhshments — houses, on the one hand, where you can touch the ceiling, dark and dirty, and crowded with unfortunate beasts, or where, in spite of ample space and lofty roof, the poor cows are comfortless and filthy ; and places, on the other hand, where the accommodation is first-rate, roomy, clean, and comfortable — a single cattle shed, it may be, like Mr. Camp's, in St. Pancras, in the midst of a large and roomy yard, DO yards long and 26 feet wide, with a broad gangway between two rows of cattle ; or several sheds, clean and dry and warm, each well managed, placed at intervals in a clean and spacious yard, such as Mr. Veale's first-rate establishment in the Acacia- road, St. John's Wood. Such, then, are the London cow- houses, of many sizes, and of at least two styles -of manage- ment, in one of which a daily cleansing of the whole establish- ment, dung-pits included, ensures perfect order and condition, and in the other muddle and dirt easily create a nuisance. Let me here state it as a mere matter of fact that the fatality and even the advent of the cattle plague has had no sort of con- nexion^ or relationship with the condition of the cow-houses where it appeared or where it did not appear. Anyone going round the London cow-houses to study the cattle plagiie in them is thus shut up to the conviction that it is the result of some new and special poison wliich has been introduced. The largest, cleanest, best-managed cow-houses have been swept out, and the fihhiest holes have in many instances escaped. And in Bethnal-greeu you cone repeatedly on small cow- keepers who Iwve lost their all, and close by are others who have not suffered, and there has been no difference w hatever in their management. Mrs. Nicholls' cow-liouse (Laycock's dairy), Islington, where the disease first appeared, a large and roomy, clean, and well-kept place, lost all its cows, and a second lot bought immediately were also [carried o(f. In Mr. Camp's capital house the disease appeared in a couple of in- stances, and the whole stock was immediately sent to market. Only the other day, on applying at the Vestry of Mile-end Old Town for an introduction, through the inspectors, to tlie cow- houses there, I was told: "One of our largest men, Mr. Alexander, is so particular that he won't let you come in if you have been to any other cow-house in the district." I called on Mr. Alexander, and found that the disease had appeared or threatened in a case or two in his well-kept establishment, and lie liad immediately sent the whole of his stock to market. One cowkeeper in St. Pancras— a capital fellow I know he is, for the hearty way in which he stands under the heavy losses he has suffered — had two cow-houses, one lofty, large, and roomy, the other offering very dilapidated, low, and poor accommodation. The cattle in the good house died, and the plague has never entered the other. And one of the dirtiest cow-houses I know in London, where cabbage refuse, stinking wash, and dirty stable-dung for litter, combined to make as filthy a hole as ever cows were kept in, not far off this place, had not then been visited. And ■where indeed will you find a better illustration of the same kind than is afforded by Lord Granville's well-kept, lofty, roomy cow-house at Golder's-green, in the midst of green fields. _ It was as bad a case as any of the losses by the plague, and his hundred cows, among the" best kept in London, were among the fisrt to suffer. I may here add that as a general rule the London cowkeepers have shown great energy and resolution in combating their new and dreadful enemy. You smell clilorine in the cowhouses almost everywhere, and the interiors are generally fresh lime-washed at intervals. Where the disease has occurred, the flooring has been grubbed up and disinfected with both chloride of lime and caustic lime, the whole place has been scrubbed and lime-washed, and sufficient time has generally been allowed to go, before fresh cows are urought in. The Milk Peoduce.— Such being the cow-house, what is tlie manufacture carried on in itF In order to the profitable conversion of cow-food into milk, you must make use of the best animals in the right constitutional condition, and you must feed them well, and you must keep them wann. Fresh- calved Shorthorn cows or animals of the black and white Dutch (a good dairy) breed, are therefore selected. They are fed on grains and hay and roots in winter, and grains and grass in summer, and watered regularly. In many dairies meal or bran is also always given daily to the cows, and in some it is given very liberally, but when in heavy milk they almost always get a quart of pea or barley meal, or half-a-peck of In-an thrown in with their grains, morning and evening, and when shrinking their milk after being six or seven or eight months at the pail (and there are examples spoken of and sometimes seen in almost all large dairies where cows milk on without breeding for one and two and even a third year) they receive cake and meal to get them fat as rapidly as possible. They are sold, you may say invariably, to the butcher, at such time as, considering the demand for milk (for to the last they are giving some)[or the state of tlie market, is most convenient to the owner ; and freshly-calved cows are brought in their place. The average time a cow remains on hand varies exceedingly. In order to keep 100 stalls full of milking cows, 100, 120, 150, 170, and even 200 are annually bought, making in the several instances the average length of time during which a cow is kept in milk, 12, 11, 'J, 7, 6 months respectively ; and rarely they are calved down and kept on a second year. The loss upon the exchange varies very much, from £2 or £3 to £4 and even £5 a head, and tliat corresponds of course to much more per stall, i. e. per cow actufilly in milk, because there may be 150 of these exchanges in the year for every 100 cow stalls. It matters nothing whether you take your examples of management from tlie country or from the town ; for the management and experience are alike in both. I give therefore the following figures from Lord Granville's dairy farm at Hen- don, and from Colonel the Hon. W. P. Talbot's farm at Sud- bury. The former had a good deal of loss from foot-and-mouth disease and pleuro-pneumonia during the last two or three years, aud the latter has been in perfect prosperity ; the former represents average management as to feeding, the latter represents the liighest feeding, and thus the average of the two may fairly represent the average of the town dairyman. Mr. Panter, his lordship's steward, teUs me that they milk from 90 to 130 cows, averaging 100, 108, and 120 cows, respec- tively, in the years ending Midsummer, 1863, 1804, and 1865, respectively. Taking the middle year of these, to keep 108 cows in milk, they sold 161 for £2,317, or £14< 14s. each, and bought 163 for £18 18s. each, losing £4 4s. a-piece by the transaction, but more than £6 per stall or cow kept milking. Tlie milk sold during that year fetched £4,300, which, at the price it realized (Is. lOd. per barn gallon), corresponds to 1)3,818 imperial gallons, or 868 gallons per cow in constant mUk, i.e., per stall ; and this is 9j quarts a-day upon an ave- tage. They received, daily, Ij bushels of grain a-pieee, 151bs. of hay, and 301bs. of mangels, during winter ; and, in summer, the grains with grass, viz., f of an acre of a crop, equal to 30 cwt., of hay, as the daily ration of 120 cows, which may thus be said to have eaten rather more than 1 cwt. a-piece. Be- sides all this, 41bs. daily, of pea or other meal, were given with the grains as the cows began to fail in milk ; so that when they fell to perhaps 5 quarts of mUk a-day, they were fat enougli to go to the butcher. In three years, the stock being 100, 108, and 120 cows respectively, the return was £3,900 to £4,300, equal, in all, to about £40 per stall under this feeding ; from which has to be deducted a yearly loss of £0 or £7 per stall to keep the stock of constant value. During these years, however, the herd suffered frequently from foot-and-mouth disease, and occasionally from pleuro, so that forced sales and diminished yield were frequent ; and thus the loss of £4 4s. per head, or nearly £7 per stall, is, no doubt, very much larger than it is in the average of town dai- ries. In Colonel Talbot's dairy, at Sudbury, where the feeding is higher, and there has been no disease, they milked about 80 cows, and sold 153 in the course of last year — purchased for £19 10s. a-piece, and sold for £18 10s. a-piece, upon an ave- rage ; so that there has been a loss of about £1 per head, or £2 per stall. And the returns here are £4,090, which, at Is. lOd. per barn gallon, represents 89,236 imperial gallons, or nearly 1,100 gallons per cow in milk, which is close on 3 gal- lons per stall a-day. Here the feeding included meal of various kinds, 3 or 41bs. a-head daily, throughout the year ; and the cows, bought at an average of £19 10s., are of first-rate qua- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 10;) lit}'. I have here a table, giving the daily rations of a cow, and, in some cases, the actual — hut geuerally the estimated — daily return of milk iu fourteen of tlic instances examined hy me, a dozen of whicli arc strictly town dairies. The letter T, opposite the entries of menl or food, indicates that in these cases it was given only to fattening cows ; iu others, it was giveu continually. It will be seen that the grains given vary from f of a bushel daily to as much as nearly 2 t)us]iels a-day ; the hay, from 61bs. to lolbs. ; tlie roots, from 251bs. to GOlbs. ; and cake or meal, from uotliing up to Slijs. a-i)iccp, given regularly, or to front 31bs. to olbs. given only to fatting stock. And the daily produce per stall, i.e., per cow in milk, is esti- mated at from 9 to \2 quarts daily — a ditl'erence not greater tlian has actually existed between Lord Granville and Colonel Talbot during the past few years. DistiUery-wash is only mentioned once in this table : it is, however, given in many dairies, of aU si?es, at from 4 to 10 or 12 gallons daily — gene- rally mixed up iu a mess with grains and hay-clialT, and sometimes mfal. Table, 1 li 1 Daily wintei rations of a cow. T3 a, No. 1 1 o O o a •^ a IS So. Hi 1 1 Meal or cake. ra o R No. No. bsh lb. gal. lb lb. Cits. 1 108 160 £7 H 15 30 3(F) 94 2 80 150 2 U ? ? 4 12 3 40 40 ? 1 14 40 2(F) 10 4 68 76 ? 1 ? 42 ? 9i 5 10 ? ." H 12 60 2(F) ? 6 100 150 ? 1 9 56 3 ? 7 20 ? ? 1 6 56 3 ? 8 ? ? ? 1 14 38 pint condiment. 12 9 60 100 ? 1 12 28 peck bran. 12 10 ? ? ? H 9 28 pint meal. H 11 ? ?_ ? H 15 30 ? 12 12 50- 75 ? 1 14 25 5 101 1.3 ? 9 ? H 7 60 4 n 14 ? ? ? n 11 1 6 1 13 3 10 The summer ration is grass, as much as they will eat, grains, and a little meal. I must now compare food and produce here, as I did in the case of country milk. Putting hay at £5 per ton, grains at 3d. a bushel, meal at a Id. per lb., and roots at 20s. a ton — the mere food of a town-fed cow may be said to average 9s. or 10s. a week, and it is oftoi as much as 12s., and the milk fi'Om this food, at 2s. a barn gallon, is worth 17s. Gd. a week ; out of tlie difference the cow-keeper has to pay for rent and labour, and for the cost, under natural deterioration and occasional disease, of keeping the stock good. There are no actual re- cords attainable on a sufficient scale of time and number to be trustworthy, but I believe that the disposal of at least one in every ten of the cows that are bought is a forced sale. This is mainly owing to the occasional sweeping attacks of pleuro- pneimionia which are suffered. The tirst symptoms of its ap- proach are always caretully watched for, and the animal is at once sold to the butcher at whatever sacrifice. The loss per stall is, in the case of many a cow, nothing whatever from these changes — under good feeding the stock is often kept at stock value for milking purposes without loss — but taking forced and hurried sales into account, tlie loss can hardly be considered less in general than £5 a-year per stall, or 2s. per week. For 12s. a week these animals may be kept to yield 17 or 18 gallons of milk, which is at the cost of about 9d. an imperial gallon. 1 cannot tell you in detail what the expense of rent and labour on the average of London dairies is. These items, and fair profit too, were considered in the assumed price of hay upon the country farm ; but adding rent and labour and fair profit to the cost of keeping stock in food and health in towns, the wholesale price of Is. an imperial gallon does not much exceed the total cost of it. The expense of labour must be very considerable, and the life generally is a hard one, botli of the labouring men and of the master, who generally shares it, and always superintends it. Let me describe a day's experience of it. Yon rise at four, clean out the house, and milk the cows, taking probably twelve to your own share. The milk is taken from you to the dairy, and there placed in the cans in which it is carried round to customers. You then feed the co\;s willi half a bushel of grai^.^ or more to each, with perhaps a quart of meal in it, or half a peck of bran, or it may be no addition at all. I have met with tlie use of spiced meal or condiment iu two or three cases, at the rate of half-a- pint to each. You give them a liit of hay a-piece, and you then sweep up the liouse ; and, if it is a small business, you go to undertake the labour, or at least a share of it, of carrying round the milk and crying it along the streets. At eight o'clock you breakfast, and at nine the cows are watered, and perha})s 1211). of mangels and another lot of hay, 21bs. or 31bs. a-picce, are served round, and then they are swept out, and left till milking-time again. Tliis is at one o'clock, when the place is again cleaned and the gutters swilled out, and the cows are milked and fed on grains and hay as Ijcfore, and you then go round witii the milk again, come in and give them roots and hay and water, and litter them, and leave them for the night. Or, take the example of a farm 20 miles from London ; I quote the letter of a correspoudeut : " We begin milking at one o'clock in the morning ; each man shovdd have fifteen cows. The milk arrives at five o'clock in London. The cows are again milked at ten o'clock, and the milk is in London at one o'clock. They are fed as follows : each man gives about 41bs. of meadow hay to his fifteen cows, and then goes to bed. At seven o'clock lie mixes \ bushel of grains with a bushel of sweet chaff and a handful of salt ; the cows are then cleaned and fresli littered ; 21bs. of hay given, and at eleven o'cIock lib. of mangel is given; .it four o'clock p.m., 1 bushel of grains and chaff; and at six about 21bs. or 31bs. of hay. The cows are not untied, that they may not mix together, and their water is carried to them. I have never seen them more healtliy than at present, or giving more milk. We feed often, and not large quantifies at once. Lime on the floors, and gas tar enough to be not oftensive, and ten drops of arsenicum (3rd dilution) in their water ; great cleanline.5S, and all their pro- vender good ; not putting too many in one shed ; good venti- lation at the top ; no draughts : these are my precautions. The London milk usually sold (he says, and he ought to know) is about one-third water ; but there are some that make up a compound, one-third being milk. I am informed the French ])olice inspect the milk vended in Paris. Could not this be enforced for London P" So much for mere labour. And now v\liat for trouble and anxiety of mind ? The cowkeeper has to deal with one of the most excitable and sensitive of animals, and his mode of keeping her on the richest succulent food, and, if possible, iu constant summer warmth — for the wannth of the cow-house is a point of great importance to its productiveness of milk — goes no doubt to increase this actual sensibility to the utmost. Moreover, he has to deal with one of the most easily spoiled and sensitive of commodities. Everything may be said to be iu the condition of ticklish equilibrium : a breatli of infection may sweep the cattle stalls to ruin, or at any rate to almost ruinous loss : a passing thunderstorm or blast of hot air may spoil the contents of the dairy. I say that if milk is dehvered to the purchaser as the cow delivers it to the pail, the cowkeeper wins his profit out of more labour and anxiety than almost any other manufacturer or tradesman. And unquestion- ably the milk very often is delivered genuine ; for the milk- dealers who give 2s. a barn gallon (less formerly, but more at present) often come and milk the cows themselves. QuAiiTY OF THE MiLK. — Now, therefore, for the question of quality. It cannot he doubted tliat with tlie feeding which it is the interest of the cowkeeper to adopt in town, the quality of tlie milk must be first-rate, and analysis has often proved it so. I have here an analysis of a sample, not taken from the cow, but I am tliankful to be able to say, for it is very good, impounded fourteen days ago at a poor door in a poor court in the Strand district. It contained 12 per cent, of cream and 3. SI' of pure fatty matter, and was undoubtedly a genuine and first-rate milk. This single fact will prove that not merely the dealer who buys it from the cowkeeper — not merely the retail shopman who buys it from the dealer — but the poor consiuners who buy it from the servantof the last-named man, and on whom, therefore, the risk of an accumulated dishonesty falls — do sometimes get milk pure. I must, however, frankly con- ftss my lielief that this is a very rare exception to the general rule. The following table gives examples of nine analyses which Dr. Voelckerhas been good enough to make for me, for the purpose of this report, all of different samples, from differ- ent courts and poor quarters in the Strand district. All except Ko. 5 were exceedingly, many of them shamefully, adulterated, no THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. CoMPOsmoif OF Five Samples of Milk. — Siband District. Water Piu-e fatty matters *Ca.seiiie (cui-d and a little ) albumen) i Milk sugar Mineral matter (ash) * Containing nitrogen Per-centage of cream by) volume i Specific gravity of milk at ') G2dcg i Specific gravity of skim") milk at 62 deg } 93.75 1.72 1.75 2.13 .05 100.00 .28 ■i 1.019 1.020 93.0-1 90.9S 2.25 2.58 1.751 2.50 2.57 .39 3.41 .53 100.00 100.00 28 .'10 6i 1.017 1.019 6 1.021 1.023 93.32 1 2.64 .66 88.-38 3.84 3.90 .70 100.00 .51 1.O20 1.030 Not deter- mined. Pabtial Analyses and Detekminations ik some Samples OF LoNDOjr Milk — Stkand District. Specific gravity of milk Per-centage of cream by") volmne i 6 1.018 7 8 1.022 7 1.021 6 1.021 5 Samples from Kensington and Camden Town. Kensington. Cam- den Town 10 11 13 13 14 1.029 1.029 1.025 1.023 8i Not yet made. 1 019 5 Per-centage of water 93.26 It vdllbe seen hy the reader of this table tliat, in eight cases out of nine in the Strand district, the milk was diluted up to 40 or 50 per cent, with water. In Kensington and Caniden- town a somewhat similar proportion was found to he adulte- rated. In a late report to the Marjlehone vestry, Dr. Whit - more, the medical officer of that district, refers to the general results of analyses by himself, from which you gather that out of 20 samples indiscriminately purchased tliere were only 8 adulterated, and of the others some were particularly rich, con- taining 10, 11, and even l-t per cent, of cream. Dr. Druitt, in one of his quarterly publications, as raedicalofficer forSt . George's, nauover-square, speaks of 82 analyses made iu the autumu months of 1861 of samples purchased iudiscrimiuately from 46 dealers all over that parish, and of these 22 proved to be " reasonably good" ; 24, though probably genuine, were poor ; 23 were of extremely low specific gravity from the addition of water, and three were iu such a condition (it is supposed from artificial treatment), that they \^'ould not coagulate with rennet, and were probably, therefore, unfit for cliLldren. As to the specific-gravity test, Dr. Whitmore ivlleges its inadequacy, owing to the fact that water as well as cream is lighter tlian mUk, so that a low specific gravity may be due to the excess of either one or other of tbese very ditferent ingredients ; but Dr. Voelcker informs me that cream, though lighter than mUk, is heavier than water, and therefore, excepting the case wjien water has been added in well-devised proportions to s/iim milk I (and when, tlierefore, the adulteration must be obvious at once) tlie specific gravity test may be depended on. There are, I believe, cow-keepers in this room who know, from their own conscientious manage- ment of their business, that genuine milk is to be had in London shops — and, remember I have not been speaking of the impossibility of individiuil consumers, with a personal knowledge of those with whom they deal, getting good milk — it is of the supply on the whole of the millions of the metropolis that I have been speaking — and I believe that cowkeepers will universally admit that, generally, it is watered. The popular prejudice on this point is no doubt correct. As to the other popular prejudices, however, connected with the subject — the idea, for instance, that chalk is added, the out- rageous idea that " brains," as we have heard, and other filthy animal jellies, are added — they may be dismissed as utter fic- tion. I have never met with a chemist wiio has detected chalk in milk ; and to anyone who knows how difficult it is even in country- houses to keep good milk sweet for any length of time, the idea of any other addition than luire water is absurd. I am not here to defend nor yet to cond^cmn the London milk trade, but simply to tell the truth about it, re- gardless whom it may affect ; and I have no doubt tlie truth is, tliat the milk (probably iu the majority of caSes) which we drink iu London is diluted, nor can there be the slightest hesitation in declaring that this dilution, supposing it to be practised and denied, is dislionesty morally equivalent to theft ; so also is the sale, as new, of milk that has been skimmed. Vv'eU, gentlemen, how are you going to avoid being cheated in this way ? Arc you going to depend on milk brought in from the country, or, perhaps, on the large and wholesale manage- ment of monster cowhouses by great companies, under the guarantee of gentlemen of unimpeacliable honour, and under tlie skilful direction of distinguished veterinary authority ? I believe the standard of morality to be pretty uniform — not higher even in the fields and lanes and cottages of country life than in the shops and streets of cities ; and the dealer — I mean, of course, the honest dealer — who fiUs his cans amidst green fields, will have no better chance (though a very good one uo douljt he \vill have) of supplying you with undiluted milk than the man who takes his milk from London cow- houses. In every case, too, whether that of a company or of a town or country dealer, you are dependent (often, no doubt, safely depeudeiit) on the honesty of the servant who dis- tributes it. But Dr. "Whitmore tells me that his analyses have proved that milk purchased casually iu the shop, and milk delivered by the carrier at the door of the consumer from the very same shop, are often very different things. A dishonest carrier has the chance, if he chooses, of supplying milk to a dishonest retail dealer, and fUling up his can with water. Adulteration can only be prevented by the establishment of analytic supervision — a scientific agency constantly employed in comparing the composition of the milk offered in the shops \iith that of tlie milk dra\^■n from the cow. An agency of the kind would, doubtless, be a very efficient and useful depart- ment of police, and tlicre seems no reason why quality should not be tested constantly in this way by comparison with the genuine article, seeing that quantity is being constantly deter- mined by tlie official comparison of weights and measures with tlie proper standards. vSuppose, however, that absolute honesty were (as I believe the percentage of honesty on tlie great scale to be) a pretty constant quantity and generally prevalent, how then about country milk as compared with that of the London cowhouse ? Why, even then I believe the latter is hkely to be the better of the two. Lirst, it is more the in- terest of the cowkeeper here to feed his stock well than it would be the interest of the cowkeeper there : the latter has conveniences for calving his cows and keeping them on ; the former must sell his cows as they get dry to the butcher. Secondly, milk brought fifty or sixty miles, as very much now is, to London, must be at least twelve hours old before it reaches the consumer ; that from the Loudon cowhouse is about four hours old, or barely so much. Thirdly, the shaking of the milk along tlie course of fifty or sixty miles of railway and the rattliugover the roads to and from the station are cer- tain in a proportion of instances to injure tlie milk, in other cases utterly to spoil it — in all, I may say, so far to injure it that it will not keep so long nor be so useful for certain pur- poses. Thitt is the presumptive case against the country milk as compared with that produced in London. What is the fact ? If you want to know the real value of one or other you must find out, not what the consumers of it give, but what dealers in it can afford to give who supply the shops — that im- questionably is the true measure of its value. Dealers in milk will give from 4d. to 6d. per barn gallon more for town-shed mUk than for what is delivered by the railways. And no wonder, for even now it often comes in sour, and what must it Ije in the hot weather of summer ? It is with very great regret indeed that the retail dealer finds himself cut off from his supply of town-shed milk, and forced to betake himself to the dealer from the country. London milk in London is worth more by a Oid. to Ojd. a quart than coimtry milk in London. And that is a difference which would of itself be quite enougli to accoimt for the fact that bulky grass and mangels are carried many miles to London cowhouses, there to be con- sumed, instead of being consumed by cows at home, even though there were not the great advantages which the London cow-keeper has in the close neigli- liourhood of the great breweries with their enormous sup- plies of grains. But, whatever the superiority of the town- THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. Ill slicil milk, it is phiin, from Uic \v ly in wliiciv the cowhouses have, hecu emptied by the phi j;ue, that Loiuhiuwill hereafter he fed from the coimtry more generally than it has been. Wliat is the tpiantity which has been hitherto consumed in town? I have here the published retu'ns from the nictropo- litau association of medical olUccrs of health of the uiuuber of cowsheds and of cows, so far as eould be ascertained by in- spection and inquiry, on tlic loth of August last. Four dis- tricts out of forty-four sent no retnrns ; but adding a propor- tionate uumbcr for them, it appears that the number usually kept in the metropolitan districts amounted to 17,523, and very probaljly from out-lying parishes sending milk up by cart and not by railway there may be several thousands more. I may, therefore, probably assume that London has been hitherto supplied by 2O,(300 cows, besides what it has got by railway. I have to thank the managers of tlic several metropolitan railways for the material of the following table, from which I see that the Great Western llailway has sent very little up till latterly ; that the North- Western has sent up -l-d,000, GU,OUO, and 100,000 gallons annually during the last three years ; that the Great Northern has sent up 2oO,000 and 300,000 gallons in lSf)3-4; that the Great Eastern lias sent up 000,000, 800,000, 900,000, and 1,000,000 gallons respectively in the last four years ; that the South-Eastern has sent up 120,000 to 180,000 gallons ; the Brighton about 50,000 gallons, and the South-Western about 100,000 gallons annually. Upwards (jf 2,000,000 gallons were thus brought up last year, and this must be added to the 20,000,000 gallons with which, exaggera- ting perhaps a little, we shall credit our 20,000 cows. We cannot, at any rate, make out more than 22,000,000 of gallons for the 3,000,000 of London population last year. This is rather more than 7 gallons a-head per annum ; more accu- rately, one-sixth part of a pint of milk a-day apiece. CO o cii CO in CI QO Cl o o o o o >n oo •o -* 00 ; L"^ "^ — ^r> c? 1^ i"ra CI ;r o CO c:; CI f-H o f-H o « CO -* es M m ci I— o in o in ^__ f-<_oo_in__ co" co'oo'c'r c* ci cj c^ c* : o '*'.,'-'^..■ .? ■ C3 " _ tt ; CO in cl CO -^ in *^j^ CO 'Jl C5 CO •- m C5 r-< CO e! co'o'co'cr 2 J" ci cc ci :;3 ^ i; O c; CO ?; be Ci CI rji -5* -" cc r-H r-l CO i-H — O b[,B c-i o CO t^ c: fs m ■— I oo -r* "C " -? o cc m ' « ci c^ ■# * " -S 0_C\CC^C<_ M rt co'in'cc'in" S .9 r_i — 11^ rt ^ O vj -r J- -T' "^ ^ cc O ^ O o 3 -^ ^ o in cc , 'CO 3 rH r-i I— i-H JO y c " " 2 E K' 1» tr "5 2 -£ -^ ', 'S .v'r ■?. "S"5 — ■:;3-^ The returns given in aiKither table, for which I have to thank the vestry clerks and inspectors of the several parishes within the metropolitan districts, show the way in which the number of licences for town cow-houses is l)eiug reduced from year to year. 'I'hc present number of the cows has been told me in a very few instances only ; but I see that Mr. Jones, of the East London Cowkcepers' Association, announces that of 4',-i5G cows usually kept in his district, only 805 are now remaining ; and though this is much Ijcyoiid the average of other districts (for instance, in Clielsea there were 715 cows usually kept, 182 have been sold fat during the autimiu, and not above ten or a dozen have been killed by the plague, and 45 fresh cows have been brought in), yet 1 gather from an inspection of the returns, still imperfect, to the I'rivy Council office, that there is no reason to doubt that one-half of the Loudon cows have disappeared, and we are iirobably now dependent on 10,000 iu- stead of 20,000 cows in and around Loudon. Pakisii oe, Distiuct. No. of Cowsheds. 1863. 18GL 1865 Tulham Kensington I'addington MaiT-le-Eone Chelsea St. George, Hanovcr-sq. Westminster St. James's Strand Holborn Hampstead St. Pancras Islington St. Martins-in-the-Eields City of London St. Luke's Clcrkenwcll St. Giles and St. George . Shoreditch Hackney Bethnal Green Limehouse Whitechapcl Mile End Old-town ...i St. George's East I Poplar Union, North Dis- trict, Bow Poplar, All Saints Wandsworth Putney and Roehampton . Clapham Lambeth Camberwell Streatham, Tooting, and Balham St. John and St. Olave ... St. George the Martyr, Southwark Bermondsey Lewisham Lee and Kidbroke Eltham Newington, S Charlton Plumstead Greenwich Kotherliithe 21 100 51 45 o t! to ij ci S 38 70 19 33 48 I 17 19 51 65 33 56 30 14 21 0 4 18 23 92 69 0 17 ? 39 9 50 83 40 23 34 29 IS 11 47 26 9 25 104 59 19 550 750 273 1,314 745 395 431 0 92 398 483 1,178 1,317 0 24S (550 170 629 1,388 463 188 522 560 200 206 290 112 80 980 655 121 38 207 300 p •235 309 453 168 700 530 300 200 293 560 ? ? " 0 20 43 ? 266 lOS 0 156 160 nearly empty. 395 450 277 71 53 230 ? 25 119 P Under these circumstances, of course the railways have been brought into more active use, and they certainly now must lay themselves out more systematically than hitherto for the con- veyance of milk. Special trains will perhaps be appointed, and special carriages constructed to enable its prompter and more safe conveyance. The table shows that the Great Western Railway, formerly carrying little milk, brought in 23,000, 112 THE FARMER'S MAQAZmE. 39,000, and 103,000 gallons in August, September, and Octo- ber (much of it from Wiltshire) ; the Loudon and North- western Railway in four successive autumn months imported 6,000, 17,000, 57,000, and 93,000 gallons; the Great Eastern rose from 70,000 to 100,000, and at length 112,000 gallons monthly ; the South-Western rose from 1,500 gallons to 3,700 gallons a-day, and other railways in somewhat similar propor- tion, so that London was supplied in October last with country milk at the rate of 5,000,000 gallons annually, which, how- ever, was still a very inadequate return for the milk of 10,000 cows, which we have lost. The CoNSUMPTIOj^f of Milk. — I shall now state, as shortly as possible, such facts as I liave gathered on the consumption of milk, fourteen schools and asylums for children, con- taining 5,321 between two and sixteen, with about 500 adults to take care of them, consume, as 1 have been kindly informed by the managers of them, as nearly as possible 1,650 quarts a- day. Two adult asylums, not infirmaries, nor gaols, nor work- houses, containing 2,350 adults, men and women of all ages, consume only 350 quarts. I believe a company of 5,320 children, up to sixteen years of age, need ahout 9,000 adults of all ages to be added to tliera,in order to make a community of all ages in the proportionate number which such ages represent in every general population. Adding, therefore, to the con- sumption of these that of 9,000 adults, according to the quantity of the two instances already specified, and you have a total of about 2,400 quarts di-unk daily by 11,320 people, which is as nearly as possible ("42 pint), 2-5ths of a-pint a-day a-piece con- suuied by a large gejieral population under medical direction. It is plain, then, that Loudon, which under the very liberal esti- mate already made does not get one-h.alf of this quantity a-head, is very impei'fectly fed with milk. Daily Consumption of Milk in Institutions. Institutions. Average age of children. Children Adults. Daily milk. Asylums : — 1 Years. 2 to 18 3 to 12 4 to 15 3 to 14 7 to 14 2 to 14 9 to 14 7 to 10 ? 7 to 15 11 to 15 ? 14 No. 1150 471 420 545 300 330 210 291 147 160 120 757 170 250 No. 00 » 100 70 30 ? P 31 P 15 p ? 15 P 2250 300 Quarts. 173 3 128 3 240 4 280 5 188 6 106 7 56 8 40 9 48 10 74 11 45 Schools : — 12 94 13 55 l4 127 Adult institutions: — 15 (skim) 300 16 50 Add adults (estimated asylums and not sp in attend ecified abo 5321 ince on ") ve J 2871 229 2004 3000 What do other places get ? Stirling, in Scotland, has a popu- lation of 12,500 persons, and is supplied by 190 cows in the town, besides 200 gallons a day of buttermilk (a most nutritive and useful food) brought in by rail and otherwise. We have here a cow to every 60 people ; and this, at the average of 800 gallons yearly to every cow in milk (less than 1 have put the produce of a London cow, because there is not so frequent a change among them) gives 100 imperial pints per annum to every man, woman, and child, or about 2-7ths of a pint a day . a-piece, very uegrly the medical standard, and, indeed, exceeding it when the 200 gallons a day of buttermilk are taken into account, for tliis would fur- nish half-a-pint a day to the 3,200 belonging (o the labouring class in a community of 12,000. I have to thank Mr. David Morton, of Stirling, for tJie above facts. Take now Mansfield, in Nottmghamshire. There are here about 10,000 people, and 108 cows, one to every 93 people, just midway between .Stirling and Loudon. Taking these at 800 gallons a head per annum, and adding 20 gallons of skim milk daily, of which 1 hear as being sold in the outskirts of the town, we have only 9 gallons (72 pints a head) per annum, or l-5th of a pint a day apiece — one half the medical standard. And this result corresponds to the ascertained consumption of seven working men and their families in Mansfield. These included 31 souls, and tlieir consumption per week cost altogether 4s., just Id. a day to each family, for which they would get 1-lOth of a gallon. Five gallons a week for 31 people, or 40 pints for 217 days of one person, is less than one-fifth of a pint a day. I have to thank Mr. llenry Wilson, of Sherwood, for these facts. Take, now, Bedford. It contains at present about 15,000 people, and there are exactly 100 cows in the town, and 123 gallons of milk, the produce of about 50 other cows, are brought in by railway. One hundred and fifty cows to 15,000 people arc one cow to 100 jieople, about the same as at Mansfield ; and this, at 800 gallons a cow, is about 70 pints a year, or one-fifth of a pint a year apiece — one-half the medical standard. I have to thank Messrs. Howard, of Bed- ford, for the above statistics. All these instances exceed the Loudon standard of supply, though the two last are not so much beyond the metropolitan supply. It is plain, however, fi'om these figures that London is imperfectly supplied, and that I have still to justify the belief I have expressed that it is as well fed as many south country villages. Single in- stances will luardly prove this, or 1 could say that in my own village there are labourers' families with many smaU children who liardly ever taste milk after they are weaned. And I have seen the year's accounts of an Essex labourer who re- ceived the prize of £5 offered for many years by Mr. Wood, of Rochford, for the best year's cash book, kept by an agricul- tural labourer. His family with five children spent 6s. 2d. ou milk in 1863, representing probably 150 pints of skim milk — or three-sevenths of a pint — not of whole milk for one, but of skim milk for seven daily. But the thing canfiot be proved by individual cases. Let us therefore take the result of Dr. Smith's inquiry for Government into the diet of the poorer classes of the country. He found that the weekly consump- tion of milk in the families of agricultural labourers (and he examined into from ten to thirty cases in each couuty, chosen with a special view to fairness) was 12 pints in Devonshire, 2^ pints in Somerset, 3 in Dorset, 3| in Wilts, 3 or 4 pints in Bucks, Herts, Cambridgeshire, one-third of a pint in Surrey, one-fifth of a pint (nine families examined) in Glouces- tershire. Of course 1 am choosing the lowest examples on his list ; but they are all examples of whole counties. Now these numbers have to be divided by 5 (the average number of the family) and by 7 (the days of the week), before you can ascer- tain the quantity consumed by each individual daily. I find that in a poor court in the Strand there are 57 families (294 souls), living in 13 houses ; and their daily consumption of milk is less tlian 4s. in all, for which they get 9 quarts, or thereabouts. This is one-sixteenth part of a pint apiece ; and there was among them a baby brought up by hand, which had one pint a day to its own share, which still further reduced the general proportion. The milk for the baby, I may add, cost 2|d. in the shop, or 3d. if had direct from the cow. This is very little indeed, but there was an unusual number of adults in the company — only 40 children out of 294 ; and I will engage to find, within two uiiles of my house at Streatley, households numbering 294 in all, with double this number of children among them, who don't spend 4s. a day on milk, nor anything like it, and who have not the chance of buying milk even at 3d. a pint from the co^^•, if they wished it. And, looking at the quantity consumed by agricultural labourers, in some of the southern counties — in Gloucestershire, for example, which may be called a land flowing with miUc — I think I am right in saying that London, badly olf as it is, is yet as well sup- plied as many south-country villages. Of course, however, it wiO not do to compare the quantity consumed in London with that which is used iu Westmoreland and Northumberland and Scotland. Dr. Smith returns them there at 24 to 30 pints per family each week, or nearly a pint a day apiece. In Berwick- shire and many lowland counties, it is almost universal for the farm-labourers with families to keep cows, and drink the whole of their skim-milk themselves ; and where will you find better proof than in the labouring population of Scotland and the North of England, of the truth of words which 1 venture to quote from a letter of Mr. Chadwick's to myself? "I cau THE FARMER'S MACxAZmE. lis state as my general coucbibion, from all my observatiuu mid information in respect to poijulations, that a cheap and abund- ant supply of fresh and good milk is of more iinportancci for their health and strength than an abundant sui)ply of meat. The foundation of the adult is laid iu childhood and youth. Now our strongest and best labourers are from milk-and-oat- meal-fed or milk-and-brcad and milk-and-potaio-fed children, as also from milk-and-oatmcal-fed men, with little or no meat. The strongest navvies are from the hill-districts of Lancashire, onr strongest labourers from Cumberland and Westmoreland and from the hill-districts of Scotland, Aberdeenshire in par- ticular. These have been the fiwourite recruiting-grounds for guardsmen and soldiers of tjie greatest size and strength." I add here tlmt I am told the Northumberland militia regi- ment, recruited from the milk-fed agricultural population of that county, covers, or used to, more ground than any other county-regiment in the service. But I must not forget that my subject is London milk. If the facts I have collected shall do nothing more than clear away prejudice and exaggeration from the minds of its consumers, the labour of gathering them will not have been useless : but I hope that they may have some influence on the trade ; that, the public attention being directed to the cnormouse increase in the railway carriage of it, some improvement in the facility and safety of that traffic may be effected ; and above all, that, attention being directed to the very deficient supply of milk to London, some increased spur to enterprise in milk-production may ensue. One word more : On Tuesday of last week I had been all day over Clerkenwell, and Bethnal Green, and Mile End Old Town, along with the inspector, through some 10 or 12 cow- houses, and it was almost dark when we reached the last upon our list. I there saw what I had not seen all day before, a full cowhouse — 70 or 80 first-rate Shorthorn cows, well and comfortably housed, lighted np with gas, and being fed and cleaned up for the night, the master busy M'orking with his men. I said to him, " You seem all alive here. I have not seen a full cowhouse to-day before ; have you had no plague here P " He told me that he had had 40 stricken and killed by it ; but the otlier 40 had been in the pastures, and so were saved. I said, " But there are more than 40 here. You have slio\\n great pluck in bringing your 40 home and buying others." He said, " AVe grubbed up the floor, double lime-washed walls and mangers, and spread two inches of hot Umc over everything, and waited a couple of months ; and I believe, therefore, we are safe." " They tell me I am mad," he added ; " but it is a madness I take great delight in, and as long as I have money to buy a cow and a place to tie her np in, I '11 have her." " Well," I said, " at all events you are making a pretty penny now, with mangels cheap and grains for the asking, and milk at 5d. a quart." He gave me, I suppose, banter for my banter, for we all know that pure milk is to be bought wholesale for 3|d. to 4d. a quart, and retail in most places for Id. more. " od. a quart!" he said; "I won't sell fresh milk to you or any other man for less than 6d. ; but you can get a quart of sonie- thiiiff in the shop there for 3d. if you like." Now, if any gentleman here is disposed to cry " name !" I must refuse to give the name, for I have not aimed at personality at all in the course of this statement, and have only named one or two when especial credit was due ; but if the inspector who was with me then be present now, lie will remember the conversa- tion, and also the laugh which followed his own assent to the nature of this " something." " Yes," he said, " blue riiinP I tell this story, for it represents a very large portion of my case. London milk, as in this instance, so (jeneraUt), comes irom the very best cows in the world, both for milk and flesh — from the best fed cows in the world, taking all the year round — and taking the average experience, from the most comfortably housed cows iu tlie world — comparing them with 20,000 anywhere else, and all the year round. I will also say that it comes from the hands of one of the most hearty and energetic set of men in the world, for the London cowkeeper, especially, of course, those in large business, want neither energy nor intelligence. And seeing that country milk, whether better or not in fields, is not so good at the railway ter- minus, I add that London milk is originally the best milk in the world for Londoners ; but it is very generally spoiled be- tween the milk-paU and the tea-cup, so that when it reaches the consumer, it is often little better than what Mr. Inspector called it — a mere ruin. Mr. WE^■TWOKTII L. Scott said this Avas a stihject to which he had paid great attention in and out of the laboratory ; and although he agreed generally with Mr. Morton's arguments, he difi'crcd from some of the deductions therefrom. The results of tlie analyses published in Mr. Morton's tables hardly supported the views given in his paper. He granted that there were, iinnany instances, very beautiful cowhouses in London, and good arrangements for the production of milk; and they had, in the London market, the means of procuring tlie finest animals ; but, as the result of his experieuee during eight or nine years, he believed really good dairy accommo- dation was the exception, and not the rule, over the broad area of London. There was one drawback, as he regarded it, which could not be got over— that was, the impure air. Tiiey might give the animals good food, but they could not get rid of the extreme ammmt of ammonia, sulphurous acid, bi- sulphide of carbon, and other impurities of the atmosphere which had a tendency to produce diseases in all kinds of cattle. Trom the way in which the food of the animals was stored, in the majority of cases, it was liable to absorb all these noxious gases before it was served out to them. I'or the purpose of comparison, he had prepared a series of analyses which repre- sented the milk - production of four counties in England, showing what he considered a really good class of milk to be. Cow's Milk (Standard). 1 2 3 88-10 •67 2-09 4-44 3-80 4 5 Water 85-75 •78 3-63 505 4-80 86-75 •79 3-55 4-62 4-29 84-81 •74 3-86 5-12 5-47 84-50 Mineral matter . . . •77 4-31 5-67 4-75 Total 100-00 100-00 13-25 100-00 100-00 100-00 14-25 11-90 1519 15-50 6 89-02 •69 2-85 4-18 3-26 100-00 7 8 9 87-05 •72 3-11 5-19 3-93 10 Water 85-40 •75 3-85 4-90 5-10 85-04 •77 3-66 5-08 5-55 86-12 Mineral matter ... Butter •75 3-87 4-72 4-53 Total 100-00 14-60 100-00 100-00 100-00 Solid matter 10-98 14-96 12-95 13-88 Dr. Whitmoue remarked that when they considered the great importance of milk as an article of food, more especially to the juvenile portion of the population, and when they also remembered that the animals which produced this important article of food ^^'ere now subjected to a very devastating disease, they could not over-estimate the importance of the paper with which Mr. Morton had favoured them. In the discharge of his duties as medical officer of the large district of Marylebone, he had felt it his duty to inquire closely into the quality of the milk supplied to the inhabitants of that district. There was no doubt thai the " cow with the iron tail " was largely in requisition in the production of London milk, which was very much diluted. Still, although this was so, he had not, upon the whole, found that London milk was inferior to country milk as regarded its nutritive constituents ; but lie was induced, as the result of his investigations, to come to an opposite con- clusion. As a rule, London milk contained a larger pro- portion of cream, more caseine, or cheesy matter, and more sugar than country milk. In order that he might be quite cor- rect in his results he had recently conducted a large number of experiments on milk from cows which he knew to have heen fed in the country, as well as from some fed in town, and he found that although for the most part the food they ate was of the same description, yet the London milk contained fi-om two to three per cent, more cream than that from the couutry, and a great deal more caseine. The preceding speaker inferred that the food of London cows underwent a certain amount of decomposition by deleterious gases. He (Dr. Whitmore) thought that was a mistake. The best quality of hay and root food was supplied to them ; and though in some cases dis- tillers' wash and sour grains were given, that was tlie exception — not the rule. Another important article supplied to cows was water. Iu the country, where cows were kept out of Hi THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. doors, (Iieir supply of water was oMainetl from ditches and streams, the water of which contained a considerable amount of organic matter, while, as a rule, the London cows drank the water supplied hy the water companies, which was much purer. Witli regard to the effect of London cow-sheds on the health of the population, he agreed with Mr. Morton to this extent— that wlicn tliey were in really open situations, they were not injurious ; but when they were placed, as they often were, in coufmed localities, without full opportunity for free ventilation — aud generally these were the most dirty — he had reason to know that the health of the inhabitants did suffer. He was satisfied if they were obliged to go 100 miles away for milk, they would have it, as stated in the paper, unlit for use. The shaking during the journey produced a breaking up of the oil globules, aud injured the milk. His experience led bim to pronounce in favour of open, well-ventilated sheds, in the neighbourhood of London, for the supply of milk to the Metropolis. Dr. VoELCKER said there was one remark which fell from Mr. Morton which he could thoroughly endorse — viz., that London milk, when undiluted, was better than country milk, and especially richer in butter. He ascribed tliis to the fact that London cowkeepers for the most part fed their animals witli better food — especially rich in fatty matters. lie was. however, bound to say that London milk, as generally sold to the consumer was not what it ought to be, but on an average was mixed with about 30 per cent, of water (there was no other adulteration) ; and that a portion of the cream was taken oif, was an ec^ually undoubted fact. He could not take so favourable a view of Loudon milk as Dr. Whitmore. That gentleman's own statement, he thought, proved what he (Dr. Voelcker) asserted — that there was generally a large amount of dilution. Wliere there was this considerable admixture of water, the specific gravity of the milk was iuvarialily low. He maintained that milk which had a specific gravity below 1.0~6 was not genuine. He had carried out a great number of ex- periments, purposely with tlie object of finding out an easy test of the general qualities of milk, without having recourse to actual analysis, and he had come to the conclusion tliat the specific-gravity test, in addition to ascertaining the quantity of cream that would rise, was an excellent method of ascer- taining in a rough way what the quality of milk really \vas. He invariably found the richer the milk was in cream, the liigher was its specific gravity. .Some of his analyses, not em- bodied in Mr. Morton s paper, showed this. He therefore strongly recommended the managers of large public institutions, such as workhouses, lunatic asylums, &c., to apply the simple test of specific gravity. It was true skim-milk had a liigli specific gravity, Imt the mixture of water with it was apparent from the sky-blue tinge. When milk showed a specific gravity of 1.028 to 1.030 it miglit be relied upon as being genuine. He was anxious to make tliis statement as founded on a great niunbcr of his own analyses, and because the opposite opinion had been circulated in Dr. Wliitmore's report — that the spe- cific-gravity test could not be relied on in respect to the genuine clniractevof^milk. Dr. Whitmore observed that in tlie LaiiccI commis- sioner's report, milk was considered to be genuine which had a specific gravity of 1-021 to imi. Mr. AVebbee, remarked that tlicre was one feature of the case which had not as yet been presented to the notice of the meeting. Since the outlireak of the cattle disease a clamour had been raised for more milk from the country ; but it was to be recollected that to the extent to which milk was taken away from a comity like Wiltshire, so much cheese was propor- tionately lost. The milk was never wasted. In tlic Aylesbury district the milk was turned into the best quality of butter ; and of course if it were sent to Loudon this could not be pro- duced. He saw no reason wliy, under a proper licensing system for cow-houses, an adequate supply of this important article should not Ijc obtained from London itself and its en- virons, lie regretted that the investigation of this subject had shown tlie existence of so much demoralization in the milk trade generally ; at the same time, even in the form in which they got it, it was a very useful article of food, and it was highly desirable to increase its quantity, but he thought tliis should be done by other means than depriring the country dis- tricts unduly of a commodity which was reproduced in other valuable forms of food. Dr. Dru ITT expressed his gratification at hearing a subject OS this practical nature treated in the dispassionate, able, aud truthful manner in which it was treated by Mr. Morton. As the medical officer of St. George's, Hanover-square, he had frequently gone into the subject of the adulteration of milk, aud liad as often given it up in despair of accomplishing any good. His analyses had been very numerous, aud were prac- tised on specimens bought in small quantities at retail shops. It was impossible, with a specific gravity as low as 1'017, to expect to find much cream in the milk. He agreed with the last speaker that the specific gravity test was perhaps the sim- plest, the readiest, and the cheapest, to which he also thought should be added the quantity of cream the milk afl'ordcd. Then there was a third test — that of the sense of taste and smell, which would go a great way in detecting the presence of water ill milk, as well as in wine and beer. It was important that a good supply of pure milk should be provided, more especially when we remembered the large numljcr of infants who were dependent on that article for their sole food. The returns of the Hegistrar-General exhibited a fearful table of infant mor- tality, and the various causes of death assigned might be summed up as simply meaning starvation. This resulted, to a great extent, from the milk \\ ith which they were fed having been deprived of its nutritive elements, only the thick curd re- maining, which the delicate stomach of a child could not digest, and which occasioned diarrhcca, atrophy, and the multi- tudinous diseases which told so terribly upon tlic infant portion of the population. Dr. Druitt expressed liimself as favourable to the feeding of cows in close proximity to London, and sub- uiilted that by no persons could that business be better con- ducted tlian by those who had been all their lives engaged in it, and the price of milk having been considerably enhanced, the pubUc had a right to demand that they should he supplied with an honest and good article. The Chairman having suggested that it would be desirable to hear the views of London cowkeepers on the subject, Mr. Drewell said he could entirely corroborate the state- ments witli regard to the superior quality of Loudon milk over that supplied from the country. He had cows in London, and also at a distance of five miles from the metropolis, and he could state that the milk he had from the longer distance was not so good in quality as that which was produced in London. Tlie cows were fed in the same manner in both cases. The cause of this difference lie could not explain, unless it arose from the injury to the milk in the transit. A great deal of the milk from long distances arrived in London in a very bad state, particularly in hot weatlicr. The Chairman inquired whether Mr. Drewell found any dif- ference in the healthiness of the animals in town and country. Mr. i)REiAT3Li. replied that he found no difference in that respect. lie liad been as unfortunate with liis stock in the country as in London. Mr. Daxcocks could vouch for all that had been said witli respect to London and country milk. He had l)een a dairy- man for 30 years, and liis experience had long led him to the conclusion that London milk was far superior to that from the country. The great thing to he feared was that the recent ravages of the cattle disease would lead to a great decrease in the supply of London milk, from keepers being disinclined to maintain their usual stock of cows, owing to the very serious losses which most of them had sustained. The only security whicli could be afforded was the establishment by Government of a national cattle insurance, so that the sheds might be filled again with cows, and the supply of milk to London be restored. He had been very unfortunate with his own stock. The aui- mals which Mr. Morton mentioned as having been inspected liy him were all gone, and great inroads had been made by the disease upon the fresh stock he had bought. He was not sur- j)rised at the complaints which were made against the quality of the milk, looking at the price at whicli it was snpphed. The cost of the cows was about l»s. per head per \\cek, and the average yield of each was from nine to ten quarts per day. He considered, including all the expenses, milk cost the pro- ducer in London 3d. per quart, and three fartliings per quart must be added for retailing it ; yet it was expected that the article should be sold to tlie consumer at Id. per quart. He contended that the price ought to Ije 5d. or (id. per quart to give a fair remiuieration to the producer. He was extremely glad to see such a meeting on this subject, and he felt person- ally obliged to Mr. Morton for the very able manner in which he had dealt with it. THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 115 Mr. Campbell (of Rugby) said that he had heard a great deal this evening about the difference between London and country milk, and all the speakers hitherto had expressed an opinion that country milk was decidedly inferior to that pro- duced in London ; but they had no fads or figures in su))port of that proposition. One speaker had said lie was at a loss to account for the dilference between the milk given live or six miles from Loudon and that produced in London, unless it arose from the shaking of the milk in its carriage to town. It occurred to him that if cows were properly fed and attended to in the country, there was no practical reason why there should be any dilference between London and country luilk, except that it might perhaps arise from the want of proper mechanical arrangements for the transit. It was possible there was some- thing in the present mode of transmission which atTected the ([iiality of the milk when it reached London. He thought some mechanical arrangements could be invented for carriage, whicli would enable the country to supply milk of good quality to the metropolis. He could corroliorate generally the state- ment of Mr. Morton as to the consumption of milk in towns. At Hugby, with a population of under 9,U00, the number of cows kept was equal to something like one cow to every 70 of the population — very similar to what was the case in Ijondon. Tlie fact was the people of the south did not think so much of milk as the people of tjie north. In Scotland it was regarded as a positive necessary of life, whereas in the south people thought more of beer than of milk. Mr. G. M. Allender (Aylesbury) rose to support the supe- riority of country milk over that of London. He believed, moreover, that the test of specific gravity was entirely falla- cious, inasmuch as weight could be obtained by s|mrions means. One reason why the London dealers preferred London-grown milk to that brought from tlie country probalily was that in the transit by railway the milk was so much shaken and churned, that they could not afterwards skim it, and thus de- prive it of its cream. Within the last few weeks he had car- ried out some experiments very carefully, under his personal observation, with the milk of one cow. By feeding the animal with the customary food used in Aylesbury she produced three aud a-half gallons of milk per day ; that was, running at grass with no other food than good hay. On putting the sime ani- mal upon London food — grains, swedes, and cake — it was true that file yield of milk was increased from 3| to 5 gallons per day, but there was uot one ounce more butter in the latter (pia'iity than in the former, and the 3| gallons yielded an equal quantity of nutritive constituents to the 5 gallons. That cow produced, at the present price of milk, Ss. 4d. per day, and he was keeping it for lis. 6d. per week, which left him about £2 profit, an amount which he thought a dairyman ought to be satisfied with. He thought London would be better sup- jjlied with milk from the country than from within itself, but the great difficulty at present was the transit of the article by rail- way ; and when he stated the fact that from Aylesbury and an adjacent station as mucli as 2,000 gallons of milk per day were sent, at a cost of about £3,000 per annum, and then ten such stations would yield a return of £30,000 a-year to the railway company, he tliought it would be to the interest of the company to supply proper appliances to convey the milk to London in an uninjured condition. For that purpose he sug- gested the employment of trucks with double roofs like the carriages in India aud Egypt, so that the current of air passing through the double roof would keep the milk in a cool state, while a simple mechanical contrivance would prevent that shaking which so materially deteriorated the milk. He furthes suggested that the loads of milk sent up at night shoiUd re- main in the trucks all night (especially in hot weather) in a aiding four or five miles from London, and that they should be brought up to town specially at an early hour in the morn- ing. By these means the quality of the milk would be best ])reserved. In his opinion the future supply to London would depend entirely upon the railways. They had heard the case of one enterprising cowkecper who lost the whole of his stock aud a great part of a second stock, and unless there was a ces- sation of the disease he felt pretty certain that cowkeeping in London would cease altogether, and their only supply would be from the eomitry. Mr. Jones stated that as an amateur dairyman he had on some occasions a great deal of milk thrown on his hands through being spoilt in keeping, and this led him to adopt the idau of cooling the milk down by placing it in pans of water. Looking at the question in an agricultural point of view, it was true they could not get more bulk of produce off the soil than the average qualities of land would yield ; but it was possible, by the use of materials from foreign countries — such as grain and oilcake — to incrtase the produce of milk. This was done to a great extent by farmers in his own neighbourhood, and thus the materials from America and other countries went to increase the ]n'oduce of the soil of England, and he thought that system was carried out as much in tlie country as it was in Loudon. AVith regard to the alleged better quality of Lon- don milk, he \\()uld be glad to be informed in what sense the term " better" was taken ? Did the superiority consist in the quality of the article, or in the time it would keep good ? because in the mind of the London dealer the milk which would kee]) fhe longest was best for his purposes, and he did not trouble himself either about the proportions of caseine or other constituents, or its specific gravity. If the country milk were treated in the same way as the Loudon the probability was it would arrive in better condition ; but if milk was put into the cans warm, aud closed over so that the steam could not escape, the condensed vajiour droi)ping into the milk would have a prejudicial eltect in promofing decomposition. Mr LuNDY (of Edinburgh) suggested a mechanical con- trivance for the carriage of milk by railway, similar to that adopted for sus])eiidiiig the mariner's compass. In addition to the double-roofed truck, (he cans might be placed in rows along the middle of the carri'.ge, suspended on universal joints ; and, if that \iere done so as to prevent the violent agitation of the mUk, he believed tire country milk ^:■ould reach Loudon in a condition that would leave no cause of complaint, aud would be better than a good deal of the London milk at the present time. As a member of the Sanitary Committee of the Town Council of Edinburgh, he expressed himself very strongly against the system of feeding the milch stock of that locality on the coarse rank grass produced on the Craigentinny meadows by sewage irrigation. Yet it was the fact that those meadows were let to cowkcepers at the enormous rent of £40 per acre. One question which occurred to his mind was whether the physical condition of our milch stock had not been impaired by taking away the calves from their parent aud bringing them up upon the " blue ruin," instead of allowing their frames to be de\eloped by the rich aliment of the genuine milk. To re- medy this, it might be a question whether it would not he desirable to import into the country fereign stock from the River Plate, and other parts of South America, where they existed in herds in the wild state, and in undeteriorated physical condition. The Cu\iRM.\N said the time had now arrived when it be- came bis agreeable duty to propose a vote of cordial thanks to Mr. Morton for the exceedingly interesting and valuable paper he had read. If time bad permitted he should have been glad to have entered a little into the discussion of this subject, but there was one point to which he would refer. The subject treated of in the paper was the supply of London with milk, aud Mr. jMorton had not taken up the sanitary considerations pertaining to the question ; but in such a large population as existed in Londoii he thought the sanitary question was one that ought not to be overlooked. He was sure he only ex- pressed the feehng of the meeting when he said they tendered to Mr. jMorton their best thanks for the exceedingly able, clear, aud interesting paper which he had read. The vote of thanks having been passed by acclamation, Mr. ]MoIlTO^' said he was much obliged for the compliment ])aid him. He would merely confirm the statement made by Mr. Luudy, that that rank grass produced by the Edinburgh sewage brought the enormous rent of £i0 per acre for the pro- duction of milk. He thought this was a sufficient answer to the objections urged by that gentleman against feeding cows on that description of pasture. TO rilEVENT HORSES KICKING.— Having a horse that would kick everything to pieces in the stable that he could reach, and having found a remedy for it (after trying many things, such as fettering, whipping, hanging chains behind him for him to kick against, &c.), I send it to you. It is simply fastening a short trace-chain, about two feet long, by a strap to each hind foot, aud let him do his own whipping, if he cannot stand still without it, and he will not need to have boards nailed to his stall every day. — Conniry Genikman. 116 TSE FABMEH'S MAGAZINE. LORD PALMERSTOK AS FARMER AND LANDLORD. It has been objected that we desire to kuow too much about our great men ; that we love to pry iuto tlieir private life, to be told what sort of liats they wore, when they got up in the morning, what they breakfasted upon; in fact, that we are sneakingly fond of looking at their domestic attitudes, or catcJi- ing their domestic chat, even thougli we stoop to tlie keyliole for the purpose. That such a propensity exists, to know more of the private than the public life of a great personage reveals to us, is evident from the avidity witli which we snap up tlie " Memoirs of their Own Time" and " Diaries," &c., written by contemporary wits, and friends and companions: and also by tlie deference «hich awaits the announcement of the " party" known to most families whose friend is third cousin to some royal lackey or secretary, and who is therefore au coiirant witlt all tlie sayings and doings of the Court. This propensity is not condemned in the admission of its existence. It does not arise entirely from a vulgar curiosity, but partly has its foun- dation in tlie desire we all feel to ascertain howfar truth and con- sistency form the basis of the characters we admire or detest ; how far the outer of public life is tlie fitting representa- tive and express image of the inner life. Some specimens of human nature will not bear this close inspection. A line is drawn suspiciously around the home; and when the public drama is concluded, the advocate of liberty, the representative of justice or i)iety, retire behind it, probably to deny in prac- tice the principles they have upheld in the senate, the bar, or the pulpit. The telescope suits them better than the micro- scope : the nearer we approach lliein the less we like them. Although the common remark is generally true that no man is heroic in the eyes of his own valet, it is, happily, not so in all cases. AVe are not recpiired to fall back upon ancient history for instances to estaljlish tlie possibiUty of a happy concurrence between the public and private life. The pages of modern his- tory abound with such records, and within the past week ano- ther— a truly English specimen — has been added to them in the life and character of Lord Palmerston. It is not the jmrpose of the present writer with this introduc- tory remark to introduce the reader to the library, the bed-room, or the parlour of the late premier. His only object is to exhi- bit him in some of his relations with the tenantry and peasan- try of his estates. It is well known that a high-minded, con- scientious holder of English offices of State does not amass money from them, but that, at the close of a long Miuisteral career, he usually resigns his portfolio, leaving his country, not merely in sentiment, but in fact, very largely his debtor. Lord John Russell acknowledged before a Committee of the House of Commons, that he never was in debt until he liecanie Pre- mier ; and, except the order of the Garter, and the dearly- earned salary of offices to which Lord Pabnerston gave liis whole talent and energy with unflinching devotion, we know not that he received anything for the arduous services of fifty years. This being the case, it became necessary that he should husband the resources of his own patrimony, vihicli he did with great care. As a landlord his example is worth observation. While absorbed in the affairs of state, he has found time to keep himself level with — nay, a little in advance of — the age in the matter of improvements affecting stock, tillage, fann- liuildings, drainage, labourers' cottages, &c. During the past six years his Lordship has been expending, in drainage and farm-building, some £4,000 or £5,000 a-year on the 13road- lands estate. His special attention lias been given to the drainage of the valley of the Test, so far as his estate goes, which extends from NursUng to Romsey. This tract of land formerly, om ing to the unmanageable character of the water supply, was of little value; but now, under systematic drainage, it has become workable and productive. The position of the land in relation to the river has rendered this valley particularly favourable for irrigation. Until lately the tenants, with the concurrence of their landlord, aid great store by tlieir water- meadows. Recently, however, a cliange appears to have come over Lord Palmerston' s mind with respect to their value ; and, at a time when so much is being said and written about water- meadows, it is impottaut to observe this change in the mind of one who was no novice in practical agriculture — of one who could say to his agent, on his attempting to stop the loquacity of the foreman of some drainage works, " Don't check him. ! don't check him ! I'd rather listen to him than the best speech in the House of Lords." Whether the dislike he manifested to water-meadows arose more from sanitary than economical grounds, we do not know ; but we know that it has only been with the greatest possible reluctance that he has allowed any of his tenants to retain an acre of water-meadow. Properly drained meadows were much more highly regarded by him than irrigated meadows ; and so firmly did he hold to liis view of the question, that neither tenant, agent, nor engineer could alter his determination to get rid of them. Although, out of good feeling to his tenantry, he has left a small proportion of the valley in water-meadow, he has done so with regret ; and this may have been purely for sanitary considerations, since he was frequently known to exclaim about the difference he ex- perienced in the temperature after the meadows surrounding his mansion had been laid dry. He tersely expressed the na- ture of the cliange liy saying that it made the difference of a top-coat less to him. This should be borne in mind by those who are anxious to deluge our already water-logged and ague- tenanted valleys, particulary that of the Thames, with the fluid sewage of the towns to the exteut of thousands of tons pa each statute acre. Lord Palmerston was as conversant with outfalls and levels as he was with statecraft; and while putting kings and queens, viziers and viceroys, to school in State policy, he was ever at lilierty for a chat on rural affairs. The following letter, which was written on the very day the answer arrived from the Go- vernment at Washington concerning the Trent affair, affords a lively proof of his versatility in this respect : — • " 94, Piccadilly, Jan. 6, 1862. " Mv Dear Sir, — I have received your letter of to-day. x The question to which it relates seems to me to be as clear and as simple as anything can be. It is demonstrable that under- draining must render more dry the atmosphere of the lands drained ; and it is equally plain that it cannot materially, if at all, diminish the supply of water to any river that flows through such lands. Undraiued land is like a sponge that is saturated with the moisture whicli, by capillary attraction, it draws up from below, and by tlie moisture conditions, such as sea-fogs, it imbibes from the atmosphere, and with the M'ater which falls in tlie shape of rain or snow. The moisture thus held by this spongy upper stratum of the land is got rid of mainly by eva- > poration into the atmosphere in contact with such land, and the quantity of water with which that atmosphere is then charged is, in some cises, very considerable ; and being much greater than the air can hold in solution, it is precipitated in the shape of mists and fogs, to the detriment of the health of the inhabitants of the district. The effect of sufficient under- drainage is to convert 4 feet, or 5 feet, or 6 feet of the upper crust of the land fi'om the condition of a sponge to that of dry earth. That thickness of crust no longer draws moisture from below by capillary attraction, and tlie water which falls upon it, rainor suow, or which is deposited upon it by sea-fogs, insteadof rising into the atmosphere by slow evaporation, finds its way rapidly into the drains, and is carried off Ijy them. The soil vill, however, always, liy its retentive nature, keep to itself moisture enough to supply the wants of vegetable roots. The good effects of draining, then, upon the atmosphere of the dis- trict drained are demonstrable in theory ; and anybody who, like me, has had drained a large extent of land, which befbre had lieeii very wet, will have amply experienced those good ef- fects in practice. The improvement in the atmosphere of that jjart of the valley of the Test which extends from a mile above Romsey to two miles or more below it, is most striking and satisfactory, and is entirely owing to the drainage works which have been executed within those limits. But then, as to the effect of uuder-drainage upon the supply of waters to rivers. Rivers are supplied with water by rivulets which flow into tliem and by water which rises from springs in their beds as they flow along. The rivulets will probably be increased in volume THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 117 by di'iiiuage works, because tlicy will be madn tlie outfalls for the drainage of laud ou higher elevatious. Theu as to the water which was before coutaiued iu four or Ave upper feet of the land through which the river flows — that water, instead of being evaj)orated into the atmosphere, is carried along the uuder-draiu, and is delivered into the river at the earliest point at which the descending level of the river will give a suliieient outfall ; and, supposing the depth of the drain to be 5 ft. or C ft., iu a river of average rapidity of current the drained water may be dis- charged into the river at no very great distance from the be- ginning of the system of drains. Then as to the feeding-springs which rise up iu the beds of rivers, the only water that is withdrawn from them is that which would have lieeu contained iu the 4 ft. or 5 ft. of the upper surface of adjoining lauds ; and I have already shown that, as regards such water, the river is a gainer aud not a loser by the drainage. All the water iu the soil below 4 ft. or 5 ft. from the upper surface of the land will, as before, find its way iu springs to the beds of the rivers, without being iu any way diverted from its course by the drainage of the upper surface. That this has been the case with the Test I can assert by experience, for the volume of its water has not been in the slightest degree affected by the draiuage-works in adjoining lands. It has so happened that the river has been much fuller of water during the last two years than it has been for several years before ; but that was owing to causes quite uuconneeted with the drainage of works. " Yours, &c., " B. Denton, Esq." " Palmerston. It is easUy to be believed that the vmter of such a letter as this would be perfectly able to quote abstruse calculations as to the discharge aud evaporation of water from various descrip- tions of soil. It was no uncommon circumstance to find him resorted to by practical men for the solution of difficulties either in theories or practice. On one occasion, being waited upon by an engineer, aud asked to account for the action of water through the soil under certain conditions, lie turned upon his querist with the inquiry Charles I. made of the Royal Society when a certain question was put to him, " But is it so?" Aud, although he did not deuy the premises ou which the particular question was based, the anecdote of Charles formed a happy introduction to the discussion that follovved. His Lordship's interest in the labourers upon and around his estates is well known. He was incessant iu his attention to their happiness and prosperity, aud was as ready to encourage virtue as to condemn vice. He was among those who consi- der that the possession of a good house must be at the founda- tion of domestic morality and thrift. In the erection of new cottages he was ever careful to build roomy, substantial dwel- lings, affording sufficeieut and deceiit accommodation to the tenant at a moderate rent ; but he showed more interest iu im- proving and enlargiug exising cottages, ou the ground that the money thus expended would go further iu securing tlie comfort of the inhabitants than could l)e derived from new buildings. He gave some examples of bow this renovation could be effected, and spoke with much force, on the subject at the Romsey aud other agricultural meetings. His own words ou this subject are as follows : " It is not necessary to pull down old cottages to build new ones." Wheu he said this, he added, " The effect of improving these dwellings is almost mar- vellous. Iu the first place, the comfort of a man's house de- pends on the tidiness of his wife, and on the mode in which she tries to make him comfortable. But there is a temper of the human mind which is denominated recklessness. When a thing seems impossible it is given up iu despair. Wheu a cot- tage is in such a ramshackle state that it is imi)ossible for the wif« to keep it cleau, she becomes slattern ; every thing goes to ruin, the man is disgusted, and flies to the beersliop." So much importance did he attach to the cottage accommodation that he visited every cottage on his farm, aud gave personal in- struction for carrying out the enlargements. Bedroom accom- modation, good drainage, and good ventilation were his primary objects ; but sucli simple things as the convenient placing of pegs for the clothes, and the shelves for the housewife, did not escape his attention. By his kindly aud genial consideration of their wants and comforts he won his way to the hearts of his peasantry, aiul will long live iu their affections. That group of humble mourners which occupied a 'prominent position ou the Abbey floor, and mingled their tears with the tears of the great upon the bier of their fallen lord, testifies clearly to his goodness as to their fidelity, aud formed by no means the least interesting part of the spectacle last Friday. By his superior tenantry he was respected and beloved. His knowledge of business made him a good landlord. He was not one who re- ferred the interests of those who tilled his lauds to au agent, and contented himself with the mere reception of rent. He made it a point to come into contact with all who held the laud under him. A new occupant invariably was introduced to his landlord, at the hall. On one occasion a young man, who had held one of his Lordship's farms some years, introduced an elderly relative who aspired to a like position on the Broad- lauds estate. The two proceeded, by appointment, to the mansion ; and, vvliile waiting for the interview, the elder said to the younger, with a good deal of nervous confusion, "How shall I address him, nephew ? how shall I address him ? — ' your honour,' eh ?" " No, no," was the peply ; " ' my Lord.' " " But, how often shall I bring it in P" rejoined the uncle. "Oh, don't be too free with it; aud say ' sir' when you don't say ' my Lord.' " But at the sight of his Lordship it was " Your honour, your honour, your honour !" at the be- ginning aud end of every senteuee, in spite of various ineffectual posterior reminders administered, by means of coat-tails, by the nephew. When the affair was over, however, the party retired from the room delighted with " liis honour's" affability and kind manner. " I've lost an inch !" exclaimed the uncle, let- ting out his pent-up feelings. " I'm not so big a man as I was, not by a full inch ! But ah, what a man he is 1 How soon he puts a fellow at his ease ! How comfortable he makes one !" Lord Pahnerston was an intelligent encourager of all landed improvements. He was ever ready to expend money for those who desired better drainage, better roads, or better buildings — charging a moderate interest upon it. He was adverse to extreme expenditure — that is to say to refinements — in farm homesteads. He had spent a considerable sum of money in improving such buildings, but has left only one or two speci- mens of new homesteads constructed on what he considered to be the best principles. Though a keen sportsman, he was by no means arbitrary in the matter of game. It is very certain that he never preserved to the injury of his tenantry without being perfectly willing — nay, anxious — to compensate them for the damage done. Much more might be added from a store of personal recollec- tion ; but enough has been recorded to show the practical habit or character of the man in deahng with his private affairs — enough to show that the hand which guided with such matchless skill the helm of State could simultaneously grasp and guide the plough, — lUmirated London News. ARTIFICIAL STONE MANUFACTURE. That artificial stone of a durable quality can be made in most places aud in any quantity is a proposition that may readily be granted ; but when the farther question for agri- cultural purposes at a sufficiently low price is appended, its successful reduction to practice becomes somewhat problema- tical. At the same time, it must be admitted that this branch of art has of late been making considerable progress ; that some important discoveries, which have hitherto been imper- fectly carried out under patent aud a too limited means, are becoming the common property of the itublic ; aud that the advances being made in the sister-branches of chemistry and mechanics are fast bringing it within the range of profitable practice, if we have not already attained this position. The subject suggested itself to our notice the other day, in witnessing a labourer taking up an old gate-post, wliich had been fixed and held firm in its place by well-tempered concrete. 118 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the subsoil being a soft tenacious example of London clay. The concrete was as hard and solid as if it had been run to- g-ether in a state of fusion like lava, or some specimens of con- glomerate rock, making tlie pick ring at every stroke in break- ing it up. To appearance, from a passing observation, it had preserved tlie gate-post from rotting below the surface, and held it as firm in its vertical position above-ground as if it had been an iron post fixed in solid rock by lead. No donbt both these conditions depended in a great measure upon the soundness of the post when put in, together with the quality of the wood and concrete. This may Ite granted ; but it is only in profiting by the lesson which examples of more than ordinary success teaches, that leads to permanent improve- ment ; lor although some may fail in setting gate-posts firm in concrete, that is no rule to the contrary, but only proof prac- tical of mismanagement. Fixing gate-posts, however, is not the only agricultural pur- pose in which concrete can be used, as many of the old Pictiah concrete buildings still standing prove. Some of these old castles thus referred to lead us back to periods lost in ages long gone by, and to appearance seem as if they would stand to the end of time,theinttuenceof the weather npon their structure not being greater that upon the solid rock that crops out and rises abruptly in some places above the surface of tlie ground. In examples where the progress of tilings render their removal necessary, blasting with gunpowder is the more economical process of manipulation, and even then the walls could be broken down and removed at less expense of money and at a still more reduced outlay of labour had they been hewii out of the solid rock, owing to the peculiar tougliness and tenacity and total absence of stratification or cleavage properties of the concrete ; for with a sledge-hammer you may pound it into dust, but you cannot split it up into fragments of a size easily to be handled. In erecting such buildings, the Picts are said to have, set their concrete in moulds ; indeed, many of the walls stil standing bear legible evidence of this method of building. Agricultural buildings, from their plain and simple style of architecture, and also fences, are favourably adapted for this plan of building ; and just now, when strikes amongst the l)uilding trades, and tlie conduct of tradespeople generally, to- gether with the extra expenses attending trade combinations — rendering it dilficult for landowners to erect homesteads, labourers' cottages, and fences on terms that will enable ten- nats to pay fair interest on capital thus invested — cannot the work of monlding concrete walls be greatly abridged and expe- dited by means of machinery and the advances recently made in this branch of chemistry ? Now, for example, when we can by dint of discoveries in chemistry convert chalk into marble over-night while our workmen are sleeping, and the drifting sand into a hard conglomerate sandstone or Bath stone, &c., of any colour, cannot we teach our portable steam-engines the art of building, so as to erect homesteads and cottages by the hundreds, and fences by the running mile, in a twinkling, and at no expense, comparatively speaking? We are evidently fast approaching a period \^lien experience \\\\\ give an affirmative answer to the above interrogatory, thereby advancing the wages of those employed in this branch of industry — indirectly in the construction of machinery, and directly in using such machinery, at the same time greatly reducing the expenses of building, and increasing the health and comfort of nian and beast, as occupants ; houses thus built being much more healthy than the vast majority of the ginger- bread structures now erected. The present buildings arc not only expensive in a pecuniary sense, and of short duration, but they are also unhealthy, as compared with the more solid and permanent examples of Pictish masonry ; and although the concrete style of the latter was plain and rude to outward appearance, yet we aver that the finest style of architecture can be effected by the moulding concrete and infiltration pro- cesses, and at less money than the current terms of this quality of workmanship ; for it is already a well-established fact that the artificial stone in question takes the highest polish, and is susceptible of being worked into the finest and most elaborate decorative examples of art. But so far as the style of agri- cultural buildings is involved, a sufficiency of ornamental work can be easily effected, at comparatively no increase of expense — certainly at a less increase than it is at present done by manual labour. Apart from improved mechanical means now at the com- mand of builders, it has often occurred to us, when examining old Pictish masonry, that improvements could be made in the breaking and laying of the stones in the wall. The kiud of stones used in the old fortified strongholds or castles, and buildings to which we more especially refer, is chiefly sandstone. Pew of them are larger than what one person could hand to another, and so shapeless in form and irregular in size as to resemble very closely the rubbish of a quarry, broken-off in forming and dressing the large blocks for hewn work ; and the position of the largest of tliem is as often lengthways vertically, instead of being placed in the mould or box lyiug on their flat sides, and more frequently in the centre of the wall than on tlie out- side, as seen over doors and windows, and in places where the wall had been broken down by artiUery, under a leugthened siege, which it at one time sustained. Towards the outside and inside of the wall, however, thin, small fragments are more ill a flat or edge position transversely. Some say the stones were first placed in the box or mould, and the finely tempered mortar then ))oured in ; others, that the mortar was first poured in, and then the stones sunk in the serai-fluid mass ; but we could never reconcile the actual position of the stones, so far as visible to the eye exclusively, to cither of these two plans ; for they evidently indicated rather that both processes had been carried on alternately at the same time, i. e., some- times the one and sometimes the other, in accordance with cer- tain definite rules based upon the peculiar shape and size of the stones. We know from experience that the success of forming a good concrete foundation for a wall, or in fixing gate-posts and the like, depends, in a great measure, nearly as much upon expedition as npon the quality of the gravel and mortar ; and we aver that this rule of quick action entered largely into the theory of Pictish masonry, and that it must still be the rule of action in any successful attempt to make concrete walls, what- ever may be their dimensions. There was another peculiarity in the experimental lesson which the masonry of the old Pictish castle taught us in early life, relative to the durable quality of the stone. With few exceptions, the stones, for example, had been carefully selected, but here and there the end of a sandstone had given way to the weather, the mortar around it remaining hard and weather- proof to the hand of time. This further shows the reason why the Pictish mason put the smooth straight head of a large stone as often to the interior of his wall as to the outside, and why in putting in the stones into the mould he studied the bonding of his work by the position of the mortar rather than by that of the stones. But we aver that something better than Pictish concrete masonry is now attainable, and at a figure which recommends it to the favourable notice of landowner and tenant in many localities at the present time, where brick and stone are either bad, or not to be had at all unless brought from a distance, such places yielding, at the same time, chalk or gravel, or sand of the finest quality, for artificial stone manufacture and building. iVlmost anybody can fill a long box or trough with sand from an adjoining gravel-pit; and when once the solution is known, or got from its manufacturer, it takes very little more skill to pour in the solution until it stands to the brim or surface of the sand, so as to run the whole together into a solid rock, layer upon layer, until the chimney-tops are attained in farm- houses and cottages, the top of the walls in buildings for cattle, and the coping of fences. In other eases, the sand or gravel and the solution might require to be incorporated, and then poured into the mould in a semi-fluid state. Thus the steam-engine could be made to mix and work the mortar in a pug-mill, and then elevate and pour it into the mould by means of an arehimedian screw so constructed as to be put up at different lengths to suit ditt'erent heights of walls. Such hypothetical data, it is true, may not altogether coincide with tlie actual line of future progress upon which we are about to enter, but they nevertheless evidently lie in the same di- rection. Again : artificial stone-roads for carts and horses, carriages, tramways for traction-engines, for steam-cartage and steam- culture, are other purposes that are embraced by our proposi- tion. The ancient Romans made artificial stone-roads of almost incredible hardness and durability, of which we may instance the " Appian-way," on which the Apostle Paul ap- pears to have travelled (Acts xxviii. 15), when sent a prisoner to Rome. Were tramways of such artificial stone as the Appian-way was constructed of, laid down on the principle of THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 119 railways, so as to reduce the gradients to what the traction- eugines now in use require, the carrying of manure to the fields and the bringing home of the produce of liarvest are works that would soon lie realised, and we do not see a valid reason why England in the present boastful age should he he- hind the " Mistress of the World" in the days of " the Apostle of the Gentiles," or when Horace penned the oft-quoted oracle, " Rusticus expectat, dum clefluat amnis; at ille Labiter et labetur." If there is a reason at all, it must obviously be em- braced somehow in this same oracle ? It follows, tiierefore, that this part of our proposition, like the others, involves less novelty than some old-school opponents to progress may iniagiue. In short, what we propose is merely an improve- ment upon the old lloman tramway, because at present urgently demanded by the rapid progress now being made in the appli- cation of steam to tlie cultivation of land and the conveyance of its produce to market. In our animal mechanics, for ex- ample, the ground is the fulcrum to the foot of the horse and the wheel of the cart, waggon, and traction-engine. The Roman philosophers were better acquainted with this branch of mechanics than we were prior to tlie age of railways ; hence the economy of muscular power etfected by their stone-tram- ways, and tlie manifold loss we sustain when our teams are wading to the knees in our soft, sticky clays. About the economy of brute muscle we have hitherto cared less than common sense and our pockets have told us ; but now that the steam-horse is puffing in our fields, the outlay in coals and other etceteras is beginning to lecture on the subject of economy in another fashion, making the oldest people hear on the deaf-side of the head, and think likewise ; for our wheels are endless levers, and as such they absolutely require some- thing more solid than our plastic clays to work upon, i. e., artificial stone tramways. And, lastly, we have tlie proposition of artificial stone main- drains and sewers ; also the bottoms of open ditches, water- courses, and rivers, so as to prevent the washing away of the land, and to carry off the largest quantity of water iu the smallest drain or channel and in the shortest space of time. This of itself is doubtless a great subject. In discussing the lirublein of applying the sewage of the capital to sandy and other open porous soils some nine or ten years ago, the repre- sentative of the " Indurated Stone Company " then oft'ered to make sewers through the ditl'erent kinds of soil in question on terms which were highly encouraging both for covered and open work. And there is nothing in the chemical nature of such artificial stones to prevent their being also used for cisterns and ponds to hold water for cattle. On the contrary, they have much to recommend them, so as to obviate the pre- sent putrid water which is proving detrimental to the health of cattle and the quality of the milk and meat they yield for our tables. Thus, in ojiening a ditch or watercourse through sandy soils, six inches of the sand iu the bottom, or any other depth or thickness, can be converted into a solid stone, im- pervious to water and more durable than the hardest sand- stone. With regard to moulds and the moidding process, the im- provements made in practical mechanics since the days of the Picts and ancient Romans are greatly in favour of our pro- position, as the work could now he done by us at a fraction of the outlay in time, labour, and money which it cost them. Indeed, so great is the balance in favour of modern improve- ment, that a comparison can hardly be drawn between it and the rude practice of the olden time ; while it may be safely inferred that the progress already made is perhaps further be- hind the future than the past is behind the present. Our proposition as a whole, it will thus be seen, is not un- worthy of a hearing, but the contrary, having many special claims upon the attention of the agricultural public at the ])resent time ; nor is its importance confined to them, as the forlorn and ruinous architectural condition of many a pro- vincial town and village proves. And besides their present experience as to inferior and unhealthy houses, the manufac- ture of artificial stone would afford an immense amount of profitable employment, thereby creating a new stimulus to the other branches of useful industry. In an imptovement where the welfare of so many ai-e interested, the whole benefit gained extends to all classes of the community, THE LABOURER AND HIS COTTAGE. At the monthly meeting of the members of the Melplaisli Agricultural Society, at Bridport, the newly-elected president, Mr. T. Colfox, mayor of Bridport, occupied the chair, when Mr. H. N. Cox proceeded to read a paper : — I will first speak of the labourer, and I feel proud to say, that, throughout the world, no class of labourers can be found equal to the English ; but there are such a variety of labourers. But I will now only allude to the agricultural. And let us remember that these men are people of like passions, feelings, and matter with ourselves ; brethren descended from one com- mon stock, and differing from us only in the social scale which places us grade above grade higher or lower in human estima- tion. A wise Providence has ordained that there should be " hewers of wood and drawers of water" in every community, and that " the jioor should ever be in our land " but poor though they be, they can feel gratitude for good treatment and disgust for evil, and I believe that no class of men in England are so much neglected by aU other classes above them as the agricultural labourer. The mechanic considers him far be- neath his notice — artizans of every grade consider they are a degree higher in the social scale, and act in accordance with their notion. But why should it be thus ? The hard-working farm labourer is not really beneath the village carpenter or black- smith, excepting in the method of his training, and-this leads me to the first subject I shall call on you to discuss — namely, the education of your labourers. Within the past fortnight this district has been visited with such terrific gales that many of you have trembled lest the rain should foUow and penetrate your corn stacks, which had been deprived of their thatched roofs. There was work enough iu every locality to be done at once, which would occupy your thatcher a fortnight ; for you very well know that few tanners have a labourer who can do any thatching, and generally a whole parish depends on the single pair of hands of a man eminently noted for his love of " a little drop o' drink," and wanting it, too, just at the busiest t me. Why has not every farmer his own thatcher P There is nothing so diflicult in the art but that it may be easily learnt ; but tis not every one who likes to find reed and spai s with which a novice might practise, and they depend on the district thatcher. Again, how useful on a farm is a man who has a knowledge of rough carpentry, and how many pounds a year might he save a master I But you may say, " It is very well to talk of the utility of such men, but how are we to get them ?" Why, you must begin with the young children ; you must educate them. But, you may say, " What have reading, writ- ing, and arithmetic to do with thatching, carpentry, hoeing, drilling, ploughing, and the host of other things on the farm." True they have very little to do with them, hut every boy should learn them ; and whilst he is obtaining a knowledge of these he should likewise study the various agricultural labours as well. Your village schools are not yet what they should be ; but we are going on, on, on, towards what I propose we shall have them in time, and that is, industrial schools. A philanthropic lady of Bridport, whose name will live for ages, though she now sleeps with the departed, some years since established an industrial school for girls in this town. Now these girls are taught all the work of the house — cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, baking, and a host of etceteras, besides a good English education. At fifteen or sixteen they are fitted for a situation as house servant, and many people have already obtained from that establishment what is now so rare to be had — a good domestic servant. Now we want simi- lar institutions in country villages, for children of both sexes ; and I am happy to say there are many in England already, viz., at Heuley-ou-Thames, at Forthampton, Gloucestershire, iu 120 THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE. Herefordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. I canno find time to tell you exactly how these schools are worked, hut I would refer you to vol. vi. of the Bath and West of Eruj/land Socieii/'s Journal, where, in a paper vrritten hy Spen- der and Isaac, tlie schools are fully described. It is aU very well, gentlemen, to teach children to be moral, virtuous, and good Christians ; but you must teach them something more — how to be good and expert workmen, and how best to do their duty in the sphere of life in which they may hereafter be placed. I must reluctantly leave the interesting subject of industrial education, to speak nest of the dwellings of the poor. It is needless for me to tell you that in many "places in Dorset farms are to be found, some of 200, 300, and even 400 acres, with scarcely any cottages on them, and the result is that the labourers employed on these farms have to be hired from the \illages adjacent. Now such things ought not to be. Every farm should have sufficient cottage accommodation for the whole of its labourers. Mr. Beasley says in his address on the Duties of Landlords, Tenants, and Labourers, " If it is the duty and interest (they generally go together) of a land- lord to provide comfortable houses for his more affluent tenants, if it be his duty and interest to provide shelter for their cattle, how much stronger, and much more prominent is the duty to provide dwellings for his fellow-creatures (the labourers) who have no means of providing for tliemselves. Unless the land- owners will make some exertions, and it may be some sacri- fices, to secure good and comfortable houses for the agricultural labourer, they must, in most cases, continue to live in that state of degradation and deprivation which has beeu too long a dark spot on the face of our fair and happy land. The farm labourer h as not, in this matter, tlie power of helping himself ; the entire land in the parish in which he is born belongs, perhaps, to tht landlord, and if it is not his pleasure to provide com- fortable dwellings, the labouring man has no choice but to creep into the first miserable hut which becomes vacant, or to share in a confined cottage, with Ids o\^-n or \vife's parents, the scanty space which had not beeu sufficient for the purposes of health, decency, and cleanliness." I endorse these sentiments. Well, gentlemen, you all want your carter near your home- stead ; his place is %vith his horses the last thing at night and the first thing in the morning. It is equally important that your shepherd should live near his flock ; he cannot leave them during the lambing season, and yet it is frequently the case that you have not a cottage on your farm for him. And why should your other labourers have to trudge a mile or two morning and evening to and from their work. I might enu- merate scores of reasons why people of the farm should reside where they are employed ; but first and foremost their work is there, your property is there, and they should be there to pro- tect it ; but now he has to go to his village to rent what he can get ; he passes, on his way to his poor, ill-ventilated, com- fortless home, the cheerful-lookiug village ale-house. We will suppose it winter ; he knows there is little fire at home, but the glowing fire of the pot-house gleams through the window ; he has a solitary coin, enters, takes his place with worthless heings always to be found there, spends what his family badly want, and, what is more, I have known men rob their masters' granaries to pay their beer scores at these pests to the village — the low pot shops. Had you but comfortable cottages on your farms, there would be far less misery caused by drunkenness. But, again, were your workpeople resident on your own farms you might conduce materially to their comforts, and alleviate their sufferings in sickness and afidiction. The farmer's wife should never be above entering the sick chamber of her depen- dants ; it is her christian duty to visit her own poor in their misfortunes, and by doing so her sympathies are of more ser- vice to the sufferer than scores of anxious inquiries or mes- sages by a domestic servant. And now I must speak of some pf the abodes of the poor. I am proud to say that there are in Dorsetshire some of the best cottages for the agricultural labourers that can be found in England. Mr. Sturt first com- menced the good work of cottage "improvement at Tincieton, I believe, in 1843, and his example was quickly followed by the Marquis of Westminster on his large estates, the Duke of Bedford at Swyre, Lord Portman at Pimperne and Durweston the Earl of Ilchester at Evershot and Abbotsburv, Lord Digby at Minterne, Lord Shaftesburj', Mrs. Michel, Sir R. Glvn, and many others. I know of no cottages in any county more com- VJrtable, or better adapted for health and cleanliness, than those * HftTe named ; )?«t I crb reverse the picture. I know wretched huts in country villages where the poor are herded together in a manner altogether disgusting to a moral mind, and almost too bad to name with any feeling of decency or respect. I once visited a house — did I say house ? — and that house is not 100 miles from Bridport — nay, a hovel, an abiding-place ; a little low room about ten feet by nine, with a small pantiy adjoin- ing ; over these were two rooms, parted by a tliin board parti- tion, a place being left for a door, but the door apparently never was there ; and yet in this place resided the father, mother, and eight small children. What a happy, healthy home ! And this in_Dorset ? But is Dorset worse than other counties in this respect ? No. I have with me now a book written by Mr. E. W. Moore ; and speaking of a village in Oxfordsliire, near our greatest seat of classical lore and modern refinement, he says there are in it 60 cottages, and 29 of these have only one room up and one down. In cottage A, a man and three children, two men lodgers, and one woman aH sleep in one room. In cottage B, man and wife, grown-up son, and a daughter with four illegitimate children, all sleep in one room. In cottage C, a man, his wife, and eight children, all sleep in one room, in which one child was at tlie time lying dead. But let us look a little further — into Norfolk, that county of high wages, high farming, and the abode of royalty. In one place a man, his wife, and seven children occupy a small place not large enough to be called a room : the cliildren's ages are 20, 16, 13, 11, 8, 6, 5 ; the only venti- lation being afforded by one square of glass eleven inches by nine inches — a dilapidated old cottage unfit for human habita- tion— a disgraceful place used as a privy, without any doors : windows stuffed with rags. Again, in Shropshire (I quote from tbe Royal Agricultural Society's Journal) : " The cot- tages for farm labourers are very few, and habits of cleanli- ness cannot be encouraged in them, nor can even the rules of decency be observed in the majority of these cottages." Here, too, similar scenes are recorded as I have before named. I might, from statistics, record similar scenes in other counties, but I have said enough to show that not only in Dorset, but throughout England, the lack of good cottages for the poor is a great and sad evil. And this leads me to a subject quite painful to me — the Union Chargeability Act. I know that some landlords have in small parishes destroyed cottages, and compelled farmers to hire their labourers from other places ; the result has been that the worn-out labourers become chargeable, not to the parish where they laboured, but to that which found them an abiding place. In other places, too, the rich occupied one locality and would not suffer cottages to be built there, and so had trifling poor's rates to pay ; whilst a neighbouring parish had enormous rates, aud not one affluent person resident in it : this was particularly the case in Bel- gravia and other London districts. Now, what has been the result of this ? A most iniquitous act has been passed called the ITnion Chargeability Act. It has deprived parishes of their right of self-goveruraeut, and forced on us a scheme of centralization to which I thought Britons never would have had to submit. Well, it must be a consolation to those who would not have their own poor to dwell amongst them that now they will have to support the poor of a wliole district, and without being justly rated either. A farmer with 400 acres employs, perhaps, 30 persons, and is rated to the poor in £600 — he has little expensive machinery on his farm, per- haps his whole stock amounts to £2,000. Now, a mill-owner employs his 200 or 300 hands, and may be rated at £300. He occupies, it is true, but a small area of land, but he has, it may be, several thousand pounds worth of machinery, seve- ral thousand pounds worth of raw and manufactured material ; yet, though he employs ten times the number of people, and will get ten times the number of paupers for relief, has ten or even twenty times the amount of capital in his business, he is rated lower than tlie farmer. This must be altered. But this system of centralization would never have been adopted, had all farmers and landowners acted honourably with the cottage system. But tell me, gentlemen, is it not really true that whilst you look most anxiously to have good homesteads, good stables for your horses, good dry sheds for your waggons and implements, some of you have been too careless about the homes of the labourers. Are you not too apt to content yourselves with the thought, " We hire these labourers and pay them their wages, and they must get houses where they can ; our landlord has not provided for them, and we can't help it." But vou have looked out for your cattle THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE. 121 they are comfortably housed and cared for ; but it is nothing to you if the poor man is driven from liis doors by a smoky house, or gets fever or rheumatism from draughts and wretched ventilation. I know you farmers would improve the condition of your dependants' cottages if you could, but j-ou want so many improvements on your farm you can't ask for cottages yet ; but oh ! for the sake of humanity, you who have not good cottages, agitate — agitate till you get them. But what is said of farmers and landlords equally apphes to others. I know there are in many towns wretched, ill-venti- lated, over-crowded liouses. Manufacturers increase their fac- tories, increase their number of workpeople ; but other people must find dwellings for them ; and, if only miserable things can be got, the poor people must have them, for they cannot lie out of doors. I have dwelt really longer on this subject than I intended. I will only say that if farmers wiU consent to pay 5 per cent, on the outhiy, their landlords ought to build them model cottages for their workfolks. The cost would be about £16 a year for three cottages, with two good rooms downstairs — one for living, the other a scuUery ; three rooms upstairs, with offices, &c., in the bargain ; and I fancy that every farmer who has not cottages would gladly avail himself of the chance. The nest subject is the hiring of your labourers. Every 14th of February there is a fair held at Dorchester, to which carters, shepherds, and other men resort, to be hired. It is sometimes very annoying to a fanner when, on the 13th February, he goes to his stable, and John the carter accosts him, " Well, master, we han't said nothing 'bout stayen nor 'nother year." You, perhaps, say that he is very comfortable Vvhere he is, but are surprised to liear him say, " I tliink I shall goo da fair." You are inclined to anathematize the fair as you proceed to Tisit your flock, when you carry your inclination into effect by hearing a similar story from Thomas the shepherd. Now, it often liappens that both carter and shepherd are well suited, but they want a day at tlie fair. They go, and when there you may be the first to whom they will speak to be re-engaged ; but these fairs are pests to the farmers ; the most dissatisfied lazy fellows are those who go there, and should they meet a I good labourer they poison him, if they cau, with their mean insinuations. Diunkeuness and revelry are abimdant, and your men return mentally, morally, and physically worse than they went. Discourage these fairs I say by every means in your power, but give your folks a hoUday at other times. Every labourer now gets a penny paper, and by a shilling ad- vertisement farmers cau always get labourers to fill a vacant situation, so that farmers have no need to go to fairs. And now, gentlemen, I have to commence the subject of wages, aud tlie abominable name Dorset farmers have acquired for low wages you kuow as well as I can teU you. The " discerning British public" have lately made a martyr of a tliief because he sounded the old cry " Dorset low wages." I say the workman is always worthy of his hire ; but I believe the public have done very wrong in giving £150 to a man who was really fiUty of theft. You all, without doubt, remember old jEsop's ables. I mtU relate one : — On going through the streets of Athens, jEsop saw a ferocious dog bite a man's leg, making a severe wound. Acting under a superstitious belief that by dipping a piece of l)read in the blood aud giving it to the dog to eat inflammation would be stopped, the man did so ; but .^sop said, " My dear fellow, don't reward dogs that bite you in that manner, or we shall soon have no legs to carry us about." So say I to the sjnnpathetic public. Don't reward all those who commit petty thefts and raise th.'? cry of " low wages" thus, or farmers \rill soon have no labourers to employ, and our gaols wiU be fiUed. But teU me, ye public ! do you not think there are hundreds in worse circumstances tlian John Cross, who know their duty to God and man, and endure their honest poverty patiently, rather than violate that sacred law, "Thou shalt not steal"? I wish these poor creatures could have a share of that which John Cross has done really nothing to deserve except steal an old hurdle. On this case I win not make much comment, except that I know farmers are so subject to pett}' thefts that London people can have really no idea of, and very few of them ever like to prosecute an offender when detected. Mr. Martin is, I believe, by no means a fair specimen of the true Dorset farmer, aud I can venture to assert that there is scarcely one man in West Dorset who would have driven the charge for an offence of really so trifling R nature to the extremity to wluch Mr, Martin drove it. The next subject on which I have to speak is that of wages. I feel some diffidence in speaking on the matter of wages, more especially as Dorset is pirt down by the whole country as the county in which the lowest amount of wages is paid. I shall not exactly express ray own views on the matter, but give various extracts from the opinions of others, so that gentlemen present might contradict their statements if they can. First, Dorset labourers are not worth so much as those iu other counties, and I wiU teU you the reason assigned by Mr. Chad- wick — they are worse fed ! Just hear what this gentleman says : " I have ascertained in England that in highly-cultivated districts where agricultural labour costs 14s. and 16s. a-week, tiie work is for quantit)' as cheap as in districts where agricul- ture is lower, aud where wages are only 8s. or 9s. a-week. Nay ! we have in my county, Lancashire, a class of workmen, strangely caUed navigators or navvies (it is supposed from hav- ing been originaUy employed in digging canals and works for serving inland navigation) ; these Lancashire men work in gangs of five, and admit no men into their gangs who canilot, as their minimum task, load 20 cubic yards, or 20 single cart- loads in a day. I have known instances of men of this class, as a feat, doing even double that quantity. A mUe of road made by labourers of this superior class, earning 3s., 3s. 6d., or 5s. 6d. per day, has been executed in a much shorter time, and has been finished as cheaply as a mile of precisely the same sort of road done in Ireland by pauper labourers whose wages were only Is. per day. Common agricultural labourers, when they have been aUowed to join these gangs of navvies, and have been alimented aud seasoned to their tremendous disci- pline, on their return have astonished the farmers by doing an ordinary day's agricultural work before noon, and by putting their spades on their shoulders and going away for the rest of the day. My noble friend, Lord Shaftesbury, brought down to his estate in Dorset a foreman accustomed to superior labour at piece-work. Judging of what would be his answer, I said to this foreman, " WlU you not get this work done cheaply ? Here the labourers are got for only 8s. per week." " But they would be dear at 6s.," was the reply. " How is it here with your other class of artizans ?" I inquired ; your journeymen bricklayers, for example." " Such as from their wages you, sir, would expect," was the answer. " And what wages are those ?" " About 12s. per week." " And how many bricks do they lay in a day ?" " Not more than be- tween three and four hundred." "And how many do your town bricklayers lay to whom you pay double wages?" "JMore than a thousand a day," was the answer. I need only refer you to the immense amount of work our navvies did in the Crimea as a proof of this. You aU remember how soon the railway was constructed there from Balaclava ; but the navvies had 20oz. of bread, 20oz. of meat, 2oz. peas, 20oz. rice, l^z. of coffee, and 4oz. of rum each per day — much more than the soldiers had, or could consume ; but these men could do singly as much as two soldiers, though the soldiers came from the same locality, and some were brothers of the navvies. The thing stands by reason — if you want labourers to work weU they must live weU. Would you aUow your horses, if you wanted them to work well, to get in bad condi- tion ? By no means ! It would be suicidal poHcy if you did. And so it is with your workpeople ; the weU-fed, hearty people wiU do twice the work the iU-fed weakly one can possibly have either the heart or the power to do ; and how, in the name of common sense, can these people be well fed on low wages ? I say it matters httle to a farmer how high a salary he pays his men, provided they earn what he pays ; and therefore if a man takes now-a-days to do a certain amount of work for which you pay him 2s., and, if by extra activity aud intelligence he cau do it in lialf-a day, he is equaUy entitled to the 2s., and should as cheerfiilly be paid. Mr. Finnej', who wrote the exceUent work, " Hints on Agriculture for Land- lords and Tenants," says, "Ten good, sturdy, well-fed, think- ing men about a farm are much cheaper to a master, at the same amount of money, than fifteen half-starved, drawling, loutish, stupid feUows," and I believe him. The same writer says, "As for the men being masters, or yon their masters, it is all nonsense. Introduce piece-work for everything ; nothing is easier if the master knows his work and the labourer his ; but, unfortunately, very few know what an able-bodied la- bourer can do, because they never have them about them ; nor do the labourers themselves know what they are capable of doing under their present low diet. Pay them better, thi\^ H 2 122 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. will bring them more and lietter food — better food will give them more strength, and infuse into the man a greater feeling of independence, and then he will begin to appreciate higher wages ; that once obtained you will soon get your labour better done and more of it at a less cost though you pay more wages." I trust I have said suiftcieut to prove that tlie pay- ment of low wages is false economy. What wages you really do pay I leave you to say. I believe there are various sums paid in this county. Some farmers have already learnt tliat it is to their advantage to have comfortable, well-paid, happy servants about them, and they never change. AVe have an example in many of my worthy friends present, whose servants — hale, comfortable-looking old souls — have come forward at our meetings, and taken capital prizes for long and faithful servitude. It is the avaricious, grinding fellow that is never satisfied with the workpeople — is always changing and never improving — that has given Dorset the bad name. lie is a fool to himself, a persecutor to his labourer, and a dishonour to tlie county, of which he is an unworthy inhabitant. Gentlemen, I have gone on to a great extent, but I have more subjects yet. I am sorry to say I have only scanned those on which I have already dwelt. I had written some statistics respecting the price of labour compared with agricultural produce, from the middle of the fourteenth century to the present, but I must omit this altogether to speak on two more subjects, viz., i)aying your men in gristing, and giving cider as a portion of wages. I should like to have added also something on allotment gar- dens, potato land, friendly societies, and labourers' duties ; but as I know I have tired you already, I will cut my paper as short as possibly I can. It is, I know, the habit of Dorset farmers to supply their men with gristing at a reasonaljle price, and I believe that price is fixed at six shillings by some, and five shillings by others, let the price of corn be high or low. But, if I understand rightly, tlie objectors to tliis system argue that you supply them with an inferior wheat, or at all events you have not used the blower to make their sample so good to appearance, or so heavy as that whicli you sell to the miller ; in fact, they say it is tail corn. I can only answer that I know the practice of all farmers is to give their men the same corn they use themselves, and I never once heard tliat they object to gristing, but prefer to have it. But Messrs. Spender and Isaac, in their Prize Essay, vol. vi., Ba/A and West of Eiujland Suciefi/s Junnial, after taking up everything which can be urged in favour of paying liy grist corn, condemn the system altogether, for although tliey say the labourer gets his corn at less than cost price when wheat is higli, and pays a little more when wheat is low, tluis keeping his staple article of food always at one price, yet say they, " This argument tends to make the labourer an irresponsible being." " Strength of character does not consist in securing from temptation." " A man is not taught to be jirovident by being deprived of all power to be improvident. They say that, " after careful deli- beration it would seem that by far the best mode of payment is to give the labourer all his wages in money ; and it ought to be clearly understood that the purchase from his employer at cost price, of such articles of food as he may recpiire, shaU be entirely optional on the part of the labourer." In some re- spects I agree with them ; liut as regards a bushel of wheat weekly being sold to your carter, shepherd, or labourer, at six or five shillings, I think you are doing them a: service, for they get a different class of bread from tlieir own baking to that supplied by the baker, for though not so fine it is " heartier" .and more wholesome, and at the cheapest times is only a trifle more costly than baker's bread, \\\\\ht at dear times it is very much cheaper. The rate of m ages given by Spencer and Isaac, as paid in Cornwall, is 12s. per week, very little cider. Somer- set, 8s. to 10s. per week, with three pints of cider per day — two gallons at haymaking and harvest ; in Devon, 7s. and 8s. in the north, and 8s. to 10s. in the south, with cider as in So- merset ; in Dorset the wages are put at 7s., and not so much cider. This for Dorset I know is too low ; but I wish now to speak of payment of wages by driuk. A worse system does not prevail. I mean to say your farm labourer requires some drink in haymaking and harvest, but you give liim this to sti- mulate him and enable him to do your work more effectually, but this should not be a matter "of wages. The Somerset farmer gives his men so much a-day, with three pints of cider. Sometimes cider is worth 50s. a hogshead, and a year ago you could buy it for 15s. Now, if tlie man drinks 18 pints a week when cider is Is. a gallon, he lias 2s. 3d, weeklv ; but if it is only 4-d. a gallon, he gets but 9d. ; but I say let the lubourei* be paid so much money, and if he wants cider let him buy it. But it does him no good whatever : it has scarcely any nutritive power : it is like gin and M'ater — it stimulates, but has no nourishment in it. But just hear what George Small, of Othery, Somerset, says ; — " I am a farm laliourer, am married and have six children. I vi'ork for Mr. Soraers. I left ofl; drinking cider, beer, and all other strong drinks about five years ago. At the end of twelve months I took to drinking again ; I soon left it off again, and have never touched any- thing of the kind since^now more than four years. I have always done all sorts of farm work. I have laboured hard, but find my health now just as good as when I used to have cider. I can work just as well as those that drink. Last summer I mowed from four o'clock in the morning till eight o'clock at night ; it was job work. Others drank ; I did not. They drank one and a-half gallons each ; but I did my share of the work tlie same as theirs, and quite as well as theirs. We were paid in money, 3s. 4d. each a-day during the mowing. I had my potato ground; they their cider." The man describes how he cultivates his half-acre of ground, keeps two pigs, get a pound of bacon a week, a little meat occasionally, drinks tea and coffee, and at dinner treacle and water. I have a whole host of testimonials to prove that where labourers have been paid the cost of the cider instead of the liquor, they have been better satisfied and better fed. I know some of my friends wiU not agree v.ith me on this cider question, but I know from those who have had experience that my idea is not far from right. Of one thing I forgot to speak just now, and that was, that now the Union Chargeability Act is passed, it is necessary for the poor that the Act of Settlement should be abolished. I wish Mr. Henley's motion last year had been carried. Tramps could then have no excuse for pestering us, and were any seen about they would deserve the gaol. Your poor would always know that their parish was that in which they resided, and could not be removed. Having now exhausted your patience, I will thank you for your kind attention, and ask you to criticise freely what I liave said ; and to guide you, I will mention seriatim the subjects on which I have touched. First, industrial education ; 2ndly, the cottages of the poor, their scarcity, and the smallness and unhealthiness of many ; 3rd, hiring-fairs, and recreation for labourers ; 4th, the case of John Cross ; 5th, wages ; Cth, gristing corn ; 7th, cider as part wages ; and lastly, the Union Chargeability and Act of Settle- ment Bills. I confess I have touched on all these matters very hurriedly, as many of them would of themselves form a subject for discussion ; still we have some time before us, and what 1 have omitted to say gentlemen present will have an oppor- tunity of adding, and I trust there will be no bashfulness on the part of our junior members this evening, for unless they begin to show that they have ideas, and are able and willing to give expression to them, we shaU doubt if our society is doing that amount of good we should wish. Previous to the discussion being entered upon, a little con- versation took place relative to the late conviction of " John Cross" by the Wimborne Bench ; in reply to which Mr. Cox said the prosecutor, Mr. Martin, was most determined in press- ing for a conviction, although Cross was as respectable a work- ing man as could be found in the parish. Mr. John Pope was quite sure, although no one present might be prepared to dilate on the subject of " Industrial Education," yet they were all anxious to secure it ; and the only difficulty which presented itself to his mind was, how it could be thorouglily and efficiently carried out. He thought, upon moral principles, that the only happy man was he who Iiad an industrial and moral training, for it would enable him to share contentment at home, and endue him witli a feeling of satisfaction as to all things around him, and thus he would become a more worthy and deserving character. Being a Dor- setshire man and an employer of agricultural labourers, he rather shrank from speaking on tlie subject liefore tliem, the county having obtained what might be called such an " unenvi- able notoriety." But t iiis much he thought he could truthfully assert without the slightest fear of contradiction, that the agri- cultural labourers in this county were as happy a class of men, taken as a whole, as any subjects within her Majesty's domi- nions. During his life he had been in daily and hourly com- munication with those men, and he had always felt that his own comfort depended upon tlieir efforts, strength, and com- fort, and also that upon tlieir Iiealtli and strengtii depended the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 123 umoiint of rcmuueration lie siiould receive IVom the capital he invested, indepcuJcnt of any Cliristian fceliug he cutcrlaiued beyond that. It had been liis good fortune to live iu a neigh- bonrhood where he liad felt none of the inconveniences arising from wliat Mr. Cox very properly alluded to — the hiring fair at Dorchester on the 1-itli of February. If a man was not satisfied with his master, or an employer with his servant, let there be a week's notice given, and he believed this arrange- ment would be infinitely better for both jiartics than an engage- ment foi twelve months. They often found iu such cases llie men were summoned for leaving their work or neglecting it in such a way as to break their contract, and he was thorouglily convinced tliat the system adopted in tlie west of tlie county was the most advantageous. Now came the amount of wages, and how was he to speak of that ? If a man was satisfied with what was paid him he generally remained where he was, and if not he looked out for another situation. He (Mr. i'ope) did not like to speak of himself lest he should be deemed ego- tistical ; but he had men in his employ, men — and grandfathers too — wlio had never called anyone master but himself, which was a proof that they were satisfied ; whilst many of these men had never been iu receipt of parochial relief except in a case of sickness. If he were to go into any part of England he still w-ould say, " Give me tlie agricultural labourers, with their strong arms and willing hearts." AVith respect to the la- bourers' cottages he must say that nothing tended so much to morality and decency as good chamber accommodation, and nothing was more demoralizing than tlie ditferent sexes having to sleep together iu the same room. He felt he might antici- pate, with the information afforded them by Mr. Cox, they would ultimately have proper chamber accommodation iu cot- tages and the muuber of cottages increased. Mr. Cox asked if it was Mr. Pope's opinion that farmers woidd object to pay £1G a-year to provide them cottages ac- cording to a plan he produced , these coidd be erected for £320, and the sum he had named was only 5 per cent, on the outlay. Mr. Pope thought not, for it was a great advantage to a fanner to have his men on the farm. If a man had to travel four or five miles, the greater portion of his strength M'as gone before he got to his work, and therefore he was not efficient for the work. He was not prepared to speak on the Union Charge- ability Bill, but he took it that probably it would have a good eff^ect, as there would be now more cottages built in the close parishes, and the labourer would not be driven into the open parishes. He thought the landowner would see that it was essential for him to have cottage accommodation for his tenants. Mr. Pope then thanked the magistrates, as well as the mayor, for carrying out the powers vested in them by the Order in Privy Council relative to the cattle plague, and he trusted no serious inconvenience would arise by proliibiting the sale of cat- tle for the next three months. Mr. Elswood agreed with almost everything which Mr. Cox had suggested in his excellent paper, but there were one or two points in which he must heg to differ. With regard to industrial education, although it would be a very desirable object, he (Mr. Elswood) did not knowhovvit was to Ije well managed. He was mucli obliged to Mr. Cox, who had offered to lend him Spender and Isaac's paper on the subject, showing how it was arranged in other counties. Now, with regard to grist corn, which had been referred to, he had yet to learn that it was a disadvantage to the labourer to get grist corn from his employer, inasmuch as they found it was invariably the rule for the labourer to get it at the minimum price. He knew it was the custom in some cases for the labourers to have seconds or tail corn ; but in some cases which had come under his notice, if the corn did not come up to 60 or 02 lbs. per bushel the farmers made up the deficiency. They all knew that in the year 1800 it scarcely came up to that weight, and in the next winter they made up the weight to 00 lbs. per bushel by in- creased measure, consequently he had yet to learn that grist corn was a disadvantage to the labourer. (Mr. Cox : " So say I.") He would only say, in reference to himself, that instead of giving them a bushel of wheat 60 lbs. or 03 lbs. per bushel, he gave 50 lbs. of flour, which he got by sending his best wheat to the miller ; therefore they obtained flour of the best sort, and such a practice w'as much to their own advantage. And again, with regard to the drink, ho did not exactly agree with the gentleman to wdiom Mr. Cox referred, especially as far as it affected this locality, where a considerable quantity of cider was made. He knew that if a person hired a man, that man must have something to drink or lie would not be able to get through his work so well, and if he tried to hire labourers without agreeing with tliem as to drink he would get very few men to work for iiim. He did not think Mr. Cox's arguments as regarded cider were exactly fair. He had said it varied from 15s. to 50s. a hogshead, but they might take the average at 25s. or 30s., and he contended that with the obnoxious malt- tax they could not get malt-liquor at that rate. With regard to yearly hiriiigs, respecting which Mr. Pope had spoken, he could testify to the objectionable n.iturc of the system, for he had lived in the neighbourhood of Dorchester, where men were constantly going to the fair. He hoped the efforts being made to try and ])ut it down would succeed. Only those wlio lived ne;irtiiem knew how dissatisfied men were just before Candle- mas fair ; they went to the fair and very often came back and asked to be hired again by their old masters. As to the case of John Cross, he thought, as Mr. Cos had wisely said, that they had made a martyr of a thief. If he recollected rightly, by the evidence given in the case, it was shown by the man who em- ployed Cross that he paid liim something extra for harvesting. He had received Ss. per week wages, hesides £0 extra for the harvest, which would bring his wages to something like 10s. Od. per week. He believed there were hundreds of cases where persons were not paid so well ; but for himself he would gladly give anybody I2s. per week to pay his able-bodied men. He regretted that there were not better cottages for the labourers ; but the great question was as to how the improved cottages were to be obtained. Admitting that tenants would, as a rule, be content to pay 5 per cent, interest to have them, he douljted whether landlords would, as a rule, consent to build them. Mr. Cox had shown them a plan for some cottages, but what made it objectionable to him was that it had pig-styes. What advantage was there for a labourer to have pigs ? He, as a farmer, could not feed a pig so as to make it wortii his while to keep one, and therefore a labourer could not, as he had every- thing to buy. [BIr. Cox: You can leave out the pig-stj"e and make it a less cost.] With reference to the case of John Cross, he must say, in conclusion, that he was sorry it had been brought up there, because he did not think it worth wliile to notice the twaddle of a penny paper upon the subject. Mr. S. Tucker (AUington) followed with some very prac- tical remarks. He remarked that a most erroneous idea existed on the part of many large proprietors in this country in not providing sufficient cottage accommodation for their labourers^ and it was an error which told forcibly against them. They could not do without their labourers, and the nearer the men were to their work the better it was for themselves and their employers. StiU he thought this evil was beginning to be gene- rally felt, and he thought was in course of remedy. In his opi- nion nothing tended more to demoralize and lower the standard of the working men than to huddle them together in one com- mon room, therefore he considered it was the hounden duty of all to supply their work-people wj^h requisite accommoda- tio^jin their houses. With regard to the employment of their labourers he regretted that Dorset had acquired such an " un- enviable notoriety ;" stiUhe said it fearlessly that the wages in Dorset were no worse, generally speaking, than in other coun- ties. Manufacturing labourers were, no doubt, better paid, because the manufacturers could better afford it. [Voice : " But do they ?"] He endorsed the opinions of previous speakers, that it was to the great advantage of labourers to receive part of their wages in kind. Mr. R. Tucker said instead of giving grist corn to his men he sent his corn to the miU, and let them have the meal at a certain price. He had found this answer admirably, and the men were perfectly satisfied. The proceedings then took a conversational turn, and Mr. Cox received the warmest thanks of the meeting for his able treatise on the subject. RYE EOR MILCH COWS.— Mr. C. E. Brooks, one of the best dairpnen of Orange county (New York) , affirms that rye makes more milk than other corn or meal. Brewers' grain formerly cost six cents per bushel at the farm, now they cost one shilling, and are not so profitable as rye at six shillings per bushel. Oats he esteems the poorest kind of grain for cattle. His daily allowance to each cow is five pounds of meal, given with cut straw, wet with warm water. He fed corn and oats, buckwheat and wheat bran, changing the kind frequently, thinking his animals thrive best on a frequent change of diet. 124 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. THE BREAKING-UP DAY AT CIRENCESTER COLLEGE. " Good scholars" are just now in high feather. They are home from school ; with Iheir prizes and "full marks" (or, more probably, less), with their " exercises" both in books with all the blots scratched out, and in semi-military mauoeuvres by which the drill-sergeant has straightened backs, mouuted-up chins, and harmonized the movements of legs and wings; with their portfolios of pen-and-ink and pencil performances ; their sheets of coarse-grained crayons (heads of wai-riors, large as life and twice as na- tural) ; their water-colour notions of female loveliness (all bust and ringlets, and ecstatic eyes too blue) ; and their maps of patchy tints, exhibiting the yellowness or pinki- ness of provinces in the Submarine Peninsula, or the Lately-Undiscovered Islands. And all these achievements of academic skill and semiuarial art are praised by de- lighted parents valuing the advantages of scholastic train- ing. Whereas, half a century ago, parents in the same station in life would have looked merely to the ciphering and copy books ; a farmer's son, at least, would show as something wonderful only a piece of big-letter caligraphy disguised in flourishes, while the daughter brought her mother a dingy " sampler." But some of our lads are adolescent, and home not from school, but from "The College ;" and we have to hear their report of themselves and their grand doings by way of a " breaking-up." Well, on Wednesday, the 20tli nit., the Cirencester students had a glorification in honour of their year's labour and winning of prizes; and a most interesting day it was. First came the distribution of prizes by the Duke of Marlborough, President of the Institution, attended on the ])latform by Earl Ducie, the Right Hon. T. Sotheron Estcourt, the Hon. W. L. 13athm-st, Mr. Edward Holland, M.P., Mr. Edward Bowly, the Rev. Dr. Barry, Principal of the Cheltenham College, and the Rev. John Constable, M.A., Principal of the Royal Agricultural College. Mr. Constable introduced the business of the day by favourably comjjaring the last session with preceding ones, as far as the good conduct of the students was concerned. The report declared a very satisfactory progress of the gentlemen, both in the lecture-room and the laboratoiy. The practical work ^f the second class, especially in qualitative analysis, shows a marked advance on that of many former sessions. In fact, Professor Church reports that no less than eight students of this class have severally done more work than the prize-winner of Christmas, 1863 ; while the best man of the session has accomplished four times the number of analyses performed by the prize-winner of that date. And the attention and industry of the large majority of the students have been all that could be desired both in the ordinary classes, and in the lectures on inorganic, organic, and agricultural chemistry. Naturally, too, the students have felt a little pride in their laboratory on account of several researches of agricultural and scientiiic interest that have been conducted in it. Thus, an account of the Cirencester novel experiments on the composition of wheat grain has appeared in the " Journal of Botany" ; the " Jom-nal of the Chemical Society" has published Pro- fessor Church's description of the composition and cha- racters of three new and remarkable Cornish minerals ; and Mr. Warington's experiments on the solubility of various phosphates of lime, completed in the College laboratory, will be shortly before the public. In Agricultural Botany a large proportion of the students have obtained a high number of marks. In Veterinary Surgery and Anatomy, Professor Murray has found a very satisfactory degree of proficiency ; and in Agriculture, Professor Wrightson has several students gaining nearly as many marks as the prize-winners. At the request of Mr. Constable, the Duke of Marl- borough proceeded to distribute the honours, accom- panying each by a few kind and appropriate words. The Haygarth Medal and the College Diploma were awarded to Mr. Charles Edward Mumby, of Clifton, Yoj-k, who had obtained 1,273 marks, and the Scholarship of £60 was awarded to Mr. Henry Lawrence Stace, of Ken- sington Gate, London, who had obtained 1,964 marks — " full marks" being 1,500. In Agriculture the awards were as follows .- For ploughing, the prize to Mr. Ellis ; for farm book, the prize to Mr. Elliot ; Mr. Carter com- mended. For cultivation book, Messrs. Kingdon, Tapley, and Cochrane commended. For farm journal, Messrs. Matson, Powell, F. H. Field, and Stace commended. In Chemistry, for chemical manipulation and analysis, prizes were won by Messrs. Carter, Jones, and Stace; while Messrs. Kingdon and Cochrane were highly commended, and eleven students commended. lu Agricultural Botany the prizes were awarded to Messrs. Elliot, Tapley, and Wilson. lu Mechanics and Surveying the prizes were awarded to Messrs. Jones and Ricketts. In Veterinary Surgery the prizes were won by Messrs. Ellis, Kingdon, and jMacfarlane. In Drawing, the prizes were awarded to Messrs. Elliott, Kingdon, and F. H. Field; whUe Messrs. Carter, Tapley, and Matson were highly commended. Some of the performances in the latter department of study were displayed on the walls of the dining hall ; Mr. Elliot's being a design for a block of cottages, possessing very considerable merit; Mr. W. H. Carter's was a design for a country-house ; and Mr. F. H. Field's was a well-executed elevation of the College Chapel. In the course of his addrees, the Duke expressed the great satisfaction he felt in presenting these honours. Nothing, he thought, could testify more to the thorough efficiency of the College, the labour bestowed upon the students by the Principal and his staff of professors, and the successful manner in which the students had done their duties, than the evidence before them in the prizes he then disti'ibuted. If any efforts of his could add to the efficiency and prosperity of the College, or encourage the promotion of the important science of agriculture, no pains on his part should be wanting. The present occa- sion had brought his first appearance among them, but he trusted it would not be his last. Lord Ducie said that it was with great pleasure he had attended the meeting to see the honours given away, and he could not but feel that the prizes and diplomas pos- sessed not only a present but a prospective value. For, as agricultm-e progressed every day as a science, those gentlemen who had received a purely scientific education would be more and more sought after, and no doubt they would fuUy reap the benefit of that scientific education. He proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the Duke of Marlborough for kindly presiding on the occasion. His Grace said that he hardly expected to be called upon for two speeches, and could only repeat that it gave him great pleasure to attend there that day. He trusted that the College would be recognized as an important institu- tion to the whole country, and he believed that it would be well sustained if the advantages which it offered were fully known. Unless the College was supported by the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 125 public it could not possibly exist ; and if it was supported, it would be of uutold beueJit to tbe agriculturists of this country. Agriculture in this country was now on its trial; it had to compete with many ditFicultics and the re- sources of foreign countries, and it was only by the great exertions of students and agriculturists tliat agriculture would have a fair- trial. If that College was appreciated, it would become what it was first intended to be — a flourishing institution and a bcnclit to the kingdom at large. The Hon. "\V. L. Bathm'st, as representative of Lord Bathurst, thought it was incumbent on him to say that the near vicinity of the College to his property and estate might be supposed to cause some annoyance ; but owing to the discipline established there by the Principal and some of the gentlemen of the College, and to the good conduct and high character of the students, he must say that the near vicinity of the College could only be regarded by Lord Bathurst and himself with unmitigated satisfac- tion. For a long time this College had been supported solely by those immediately belonging to the county of Gloucester, and he did not hesitate to say that he thought it had hardly received that proper support which it merited from the agricultural interest in general. Nevertheless, he hoped that the College had entered upon a new era. He believed that this was the only institution in the country in which advanced science was taught combined with practical knowledge, and he thought it deserved the most generous support from every Englishman. It only rccpiired to be better known in order that its merits might be more fairly appreciated by the agricultm-ists and the public in general. Mr. T. Sotherou Estcourt was glad to express his sincere interest in the College ever since it was esta- blished, and he felt a pleasure in being connected with it. He agreed with Mr. Bathurst, that it had never received that amount of support to which it was entitled, when they considered the vast importance of the matter which they had taken in hand when they established the College. He requested Dr. Barry, the Principal of Cheltenham College, to say, after what he had seen of the work of the students, whether or not they had made fair progress. If Dr. Barry thought so, Le for one would be exceedingly satisfied. The Rev. Dr. Barry addressed the students at con- siderable length, on the question of practical education. He referred to the different sciences, the study of which was most conducive to the improvement of the mind, and the effect which «uch study had in raising and developing the logical and artistic faculties. The first of these studies, in his way of thinking, was the study of language, which was most valuable to a student ; and he trusted that the day would never come when the study of lan- guage would be superseded by any other. The study of mathematics was a great subject, and one thoroughly adapted to improve and cultivate the mind. Sir John Herschel once said that mathematical study produced in his mind the most ecstatic pleasm-e, and that the study of a certain portion of Euclid, in the 10th Book, produced the same pleasure in him as when he contemplated a fine pictm-e ; but probably very few persons could enter so far into that feeling. In the third place, there was the study of the natural sciences. He firmly believed that the study of either of the three sciences which he had men- tioned would lead to the thorough education of a person, as it would bring out all his faculties. Their essential object in studying should be, to attain, not a certain de- gree of usefulness, but perfection. In conclusion, he urged upon his hearers that they never would arrive at a state of perfection nor could their faculties be ever I'ightly developed, unless in their studies they sought to please the Omnipotent, and to turn their abilities in the way of goodness, Mr. Edward Holland said that he had always been incorporated with the College. He had had, on former occasions, an opportunity of stating how sensible he was that, under the kind management of the Principal, they were ol)taining a standing in public estimation. But that woidd not do alone ; for it was not in consequence of the excellence of the staff that they were obtaining a recognition, but by the excellence of the students that position had been attained. It was in consequence of the manner in which the students behaved themselves ; for, unless they commanded respect, they could not expect the public to support them. He did not know of any institu- tion in which so many pupils, of different ages and of dif- fei'ent positions in life, worked with such perfect una- nimity as in this College. They had established a new system of education throughout this country, whereby they could obtain a really solid knowledge built upon a sound basis, and which would be of use to them through- out the whole of their lives. They should remember that, in proportion to the exertions they made, and the stan- dard which the College stood at in the estimation of the world, so the public would come for- ward to support them. And although the Royal Agricultural Society's Council said it was impossible to teach practical agriculture, here they were doing it daily. There wei'e colleges in this country for the training of sailors and soldiers, and colleges also for training engi- neers, and other means for improving the status of young people connected with the industrial classes in this country. Then why should agriculture be left out ? It was quite possible to teach a boy or young man some of the prin- ciples of agricultm'c, in order to make him qualified to cultivate the soil in after-life. He had been asked the other day to send some witnesses up to a middle-class commission examination ; and he was told to be careful and pick out some good men for examination in practical agriculture, because there was to be a large host of evi- dence brought forward by those who were opposed to it. His answer to this invitation was, that he did not want to send any witnesses to the commission, but that he would like to see the commission in Cirencester for a week, and then he would show them what could be done in teaching practical agricultm-e. He had always felt great pleasure in being connected with the College ; and nothing gave h.im greater pleasure than to know that the students would go into the world improving the status of agricul- tui'c and their own position. At the conclusion of the speeches tlu-ee cheers were given for the President, the gentlemen on the plat- form, the Principal, Professor jNlm-ray, Professor Church, and other members of the CoUege, and the business was disposed of. The fun came in the evening, at the brilliant conver- sazione, when the dining-hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion with flags, greenery, and Chinese lanterns; an orchestra erected at one end, and walls hung and tables fni-nished with all sorts of intei-esting objects. Among these were a large number of photographs, on glass, by Mr. 0. G. Rejlander, who will not " take" even a kitten except as a " study," and who would probably photograph a baby with a pair of white goose's wings under its chubby chin, and call it one of " the young-eyed cherubim." Conspicuous also were some sketches of Cornish coast scenery, from the pencU of Professor Chui-ch, whose rule for landscape-painting appears to be that every touch should be an added truth. On the tables were displayed microscopes, stereoscopes, spectroscopes, and other philo- sophical instrmnents, drawings, new minerals, old English pottery, and specimens of precious stones, from Professor Chm'ch's rare collection, and many other attractive and instructive objects lent by Mr. Constable and various friends. Mr. Browning's spectroscope illustrations were 126 THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. such as could be seen ouly in the first scientific ciixles iu London; and in the course of the evening Professor Church gave an elucidation of the principles of the stereoscope, and also some curious experiments with vacuum tubes. Professor Wi-ightson, Mr. Warrington, and Mr. Rivington gave recitations ; and an excellent musical programme of glees was supplied by the choral class. Such was the breaking-up day at the College, and the Professors we suppose are, like their scattered students, all out " Christmasing" and recruiting brain and nerve for another course of black boards, bottles, and bucolics. ON STALL-FEEDING CATTLE. Since the cultivation of the turnip has been introduced into these kingdoms, a vast and wide-spread improvement has been efrected in the supply of animal food. While formerly only fresh meat was procurable during the summer months, and that often of poor quality on account of the wretched con- dition of the unfortunate animals when turned out to the grass in spring, it can now be had in superb condition all the year round, the quality, if there is a difference, being better during vi'lnter and spring, than in summer and autumn. The absence of a sufficient quantity of wholesome and nourishing food to carry tliem on during the winter months, necessitated the wliolesale slaugliter of all the animals that were fat, moderately fat, or even indifferently so, as soon as the pastures ceased to be able to sustain tliem ; the salted car- eases of these animals forming a very important part of the winter provision of the inhabitants. A relic of this ancient and all but obsolete practice still ex- ists in various districts of the country, a fat beast being killed by some farmers, which is technically termed " the MarC (ob- viously a contraction of Martinmas, the usual slaughtering period), and salted for family use during the winter. It is a practice, however, which there is singularly little necessity for at the present day, unless iu very remote districts, and even iu the most remote and out of the way places fresh meat is ob- tainable at all seasons, it being more from ancient habit de- scending from generation to generation than from any pressing need for such a thing that the custom is kept up. It is with the best and most approved and popular methods of winter fattening as practised in Britain that we now pro- pose to treat, with a view also to the special requirements and prospects of the fattening season we have now entered upon. The present season has begun under very peculiar auspices, unexampled probably in the experience of the oldest agricul- turists in the kingdom, any increase of stock being more or less a species of speculation, and extensive stockholders being unable to shake off the natural fear and anxiety consequent on the presence of the much-dreaded, insidious, and fatal rinderpest. During the months of September, October, and November large numbers of half-fat beasts fit only for tying up to finish on turnips, and which earlier in the year were intended for nothing else, have been sold for immediate consumption, mostly at a sacrifice on the part of the feeder, no gain whatsovei to the consumer, but retailed at immense profit iu most cases by tlie butchers. Such a large number of animals having been forced on the market at this period of the year, the supply in spring and early summer cannot fail but to be exceedingly limited, and the prices of good cattle unusually high m conse- quence. There is, therefore, an excellent prospect of large profits for those owners of stock who, trusting to God's bles- sing on the precautions they may have used in avoiding con- tact with diseased animals, are feeding as extensively as they have been in the habit of doing in former years. Tlie stall-feeding of cattle is one of the most important features of modern husbandry, and when gone about in a business-like manner, vi-ith a good knowledge of, and thorough attention to details, is exceedingly profitable. With good management it is scarcely possible of late years to lose by stall-feeding, if the animals have been ordinarily well selected, and have kept free from disease during the time they are tied up. This latter contingency wiU now and again occur ; but con- sidering the constrained and unnatural positions in which, for such a lengthened period, young growing animals are forced to remain, it is really surprising how seldom disease does show itself in the fattening stall. To ensure success in feeding for the butcher the great essen- tials to be provided are shelter, and a regular and plentiful supply of nourishing food. There is, however, another im- portant matter to be attended to, and that is the selection of the animals themselves, as, without the most careful attention and the cautious and cool exercise of mature judgment, it will be useless to attempt the fattening of cattle with the reason- able Jiope of being able to realise a handsome profit. The shelter may be very inadequate, and the food not nearly so good as it should be, and yet tlie beasts will thrive, do well, and leave a profit, if they are well bred and moderately good s))ecimens of the breed they represent. On the other hand, if they are badly bred, that is to say, too ranch crossed, and more particularly if they are the offspring of a cross-bred bull, bitter disappointment will almost invariably be the result. Place such animals in the best stalls that can possibly be con- structed for accommodation and warmth, and pamper them with every conceivable variety of food ; yet they will scarcely attain to such a state of ripeness in six months as well bred animals (which, although they may still be crossed, are the produce of a thorough-bred bull) will do in little over half that time. With regard to the breed or breeds of cattle most suitable for stall-feeding purposes, there is in the three kingdoms a very extensive field to choose from, the number of distinct breeds being very considerable, each possessing distinctive merits and features peculiar to itself. Amongst the most prominent and useful are the Shorthorn, Hereford, Devon, Polled Angus, and AVest Highland. Of all these breeds of cattle the Shorthorn is the most uni- versal favourite, and deservedly so, as it not only attains a large size, but combines early maturity with great aptitude to fatten. The Shorthorn bull appears to have the power of trans- mitting his peculiar and distinctive quahties to his offspring to a much greater extent than the male animals of any other breed. When crossed with the Ayrshire, Highland, or even the little Kerry cow, the influence of the sire is most remark- able ; and the produce of such a cross are exceedingly valuable for their fattening properties, being eminently suitable for the native districts of these breeds, where the pure Shorthorn, on account of the mountainous nature of the country and conse- quent poverty of the pasture, would not be at all admissible. So eminently calculated is this breed for early maturity that tliey are quite capable of being brought to heavy weights at the age of twenty-four months, and where the management is superior, they are often finished at as early an age as eighteen or twenty months. In those districts where the fattening of cattle at this early period is so extensively carried out as to be reduced to a system, it may be pretty safely considered that perfection in this particular branch of business has been reached. As a specimen of a district where this system is understood and followed out by shrewd rent-paying farmers, the county of Aberdeen probably stands second to none in the three kingdoms. The cattle that leave Aberdeen by train and steamer for the London Christmas market is a sight once seen scarcely ever to be forgotten by anyone connected with agri- culture. The breeding of the animals, their immense size, and the extraordinary state of fatness to which they have been brought, command the admiration of the onlooker. It is useless to attempt early maturity unless the animals are highly bred from both sire and dam, as with inferior animals it can rarely be accomplished ; and, even if they should happen to become fat enough for the knife, it is only at the cost of a large amount of concentrated food, not by any means repaid by the advantage gained. The disposition to lay on fat THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. m at such an early age as from eighteen to twenty-four monlhs is a peculiarity confined almost only to the Shorthorn. To this quality probably is due a great amount of its extension and popularity. AVhilc other breeds of acknowledged merit are merely local in their fame, that of the Shorthorn is world- wide ; and every year adds to the number of its admirers and adherents. The Hereford is an excellent hreed of cattle for fattening purposes, principally found in the counties of Hereford, Gloucester, and Somerset. In these and adjoining counties many feeders are to be found who prefer them to the Short- horn, and who describe with enthusiasm the good qualities of their favourite breed. Tlie enormous prices, however, that are given for good specimens of the Shorthorn shows very de- cidedly the high place they take in public estimation ; while the Herefords are seldom of late years much noticed. That they are a capital breed of cattle for the grazier, stall- feeder, and butcher, every one must admit who has visited tlic West of Euglaml, or looked at their fuU, round, deep, hand- some, and heavily-ileshed carcases when exposed for sale on the stand of a London salesman. For beauty of contour, sprightliness of appearatice, and aptitude to fatten, the Devon stands almost unrivalled, if not entirely so ; but tor feeding purposes alone it is not a desirable breed, and is not extending, on account of its small size and deficiency of bone. The north-eastern counties of Scotland seem to be the natural hahiUil of the improved poUed breeds, commonly known as the Polled Angus — next to the Shorthorn probably the most valuable in Great Britain. This breed is in point of fact, the greatest rival with which tlio Shorthorn has to con- tend. As a beef producer the Polled Angus is highly, and certainly most deservedly esteemed. Large numbers of them are sent from the north every season to London, and are eagerly bought up by tlie leading metropolitan butchers, with whom they are much prized on account of the excellent quality of the tlcsli. In this point, they arc considered by their admirers to greatly excel the Shortliorn. When the cows of tliis breed are crossed with a first-class Shorthorn bull, and of such there are now plenty to be had in Aberdeen and ueighbouring shires, the produce is a most superior animal, combining great size, early capability of fattening, and grand quality of flesh. At the fat shows these crosses generally place themselves, the cup for the best animal in the yard being frequently won by a noble specimen of this cross. The West Highland is a valual)le breed of cattle, and its flesh of excellent quality ; its wild and restless habits however preventing it from Ijeing a useful breed for stall-feeding. When fattened on turnips during winter, it suits better to do so in sheds or hammels, the state of semi-freedom it there enjoys being more suitable to its habits and temper than the close confinement of the staU. This breed, however, is most generally fattened during summer on the rich pastures attached to the demesnes of wealthy proprietors, where they are highly ornamental; the extraordinary length and beauty of horn, and the great variety of colour, black, red, yellow, and dun, rendering them exceedingly picturesque. About the beginning of winter this breed is eagerly sought for by the farmers of the Carscs and other heavy corn-growing land, for the pur- pose of trampling down their straw, of which they have great quantities. They do not generally speculate with them on their own account, but count it a favour to get a herd of sufti- cient number to meet their requirements from a grazier or dealer of their acquaintance, for whom they are often glad to winter his cattle for almost no remuneration. The feeding, to be sure, is not expensive, being only straw and water ; and the farmer counts that what benefit he derives from their trampling the bulk of his straw into dung amply compensates him for the quantity they eat. On this food, and with only the shelter of an open shed, these animals come out in the spring in fine condition, and when placed on ricli pastures speedily pick up flesh ; and if of the proper age (4 years), are fit by autumn for the leading markets of the kingdom. In choosing animals for the stall, whatever the breed, it is important to take a little pains in selecting good specimens, and to see that they are possessed of a fair share of the dis- tinguishing characteristics which experience has shown to be necessary for kindly and profitable feeding. These peculiar marks are well known to the experienced feeder, who knows what suits him. Almost at siglit — at least, when aided by the slightest touch — his opinion is lormed vell ; and when we remember that in all the bovine tribe, even if only half-fat, it will not pay to treat a disease of a severe form unless you can save at least eighty per cent, of your cases, and this, too, in diseases not infectious, because it is found that the expense of treatment and attendance, with the certain deterioration of the animals by loss of flesh, and the risk of losing twenty per cent., is a remedy more expensive than the loss occasioned by sending the lialf-fat carcase into the dead- meat market when first attacked and when fit for human food. If this is the case with ordinary diseases of the ox tribe, how much more applicable would the rule be to the most contagious and infectious disease known in the animal kingdom ! and the fatality in every country liitherto attacked out of Siberia has never been less than eiglity per cent. ; and in our own country, up to this time, the fatal cases have been over 95 per cent. ; yet you hear and read on all sides of the prodi- gies who can cure this malady, who have the assurance to ad- vertise themselves by letter iii the public papers that " if called in they can cure some," but will curing some pay the ovMier ? I will give you one example out of many : A veterinary sur- geon in Newcastle, of tliirty-five years' experience, wrote to one of the daily papers of th^t town stating his ability to cure this disease, and condemning the slaughtering process adopted. Of course there were many poor men \^■ho had the whole of their money invested in their cows. Amongst others there was Mr. , who had eleven beautiful cows in fine condition. Unfortunately for him the plague broke out in one, which was reported to the inspectors ; they, seeing the admirable condi- tion of the animals, recommended the poor fellow to kill tlie whole and send the ten into the dead-meat market, all of wliich were good and wholesome food. The owner being anxious to save his cows if possible, applied to the veterinary surgeon who had publicly stated his power to cure the malady, and he commenced to treat them three weeks since, and here is the result : The first seven cases all died, three others were so hopelessly bad that the owner in disgust sent them to the manure-yard, and one had not contracted the disease. Can we have anything more illustrative of the absurdity of such a pro- ceeding ? and I hope, for the sake of our profession, it was nothing more. Here were nine fat cows, worth as food not less than £30 each— £180 loss to the poor man, and not less than 585 stones of good beef lost to the public, besides the ten- fold risk of spreading the disease to other animals ! I could give you six other eases, wliich have come under my own ob- servation, where similar thoughtlessness lias been " practised, but the length of my paper will not pennit it. I confess I am not a little surprised at the letter from M. D.'s on this sub- ject, especially those which have appeared in the Times; and that very eminent man, Dr. Letheby, has surprised me more than all. His statement before the Lords of the Council is about the most shallow reasoning lever rememberto have heard. Dr. Letheby says : " "What would have been the result if, in cases of tj-phus or typhoid fever in the human subject, the practice liad been adopted of not treating it at all ? Thev, by treating these diseases in hospitals, could cure SO per cent.; therefore he came to the conclusion that it was a barbarous, unscientific, and cruel thing to send the infected animals to be slaughtered without attempting to cure them. ' Surely Dr. Letheby must be able to see the difference between the ite of ,-» man and the life of an ox. The life of the former cannot be valued in money ; that of the latter can he stated to a shilling. The life of a man is so immeasurably valuable, that it is difficult to say what risks shoiild not be run to save it ; the value of the life of an ox is so exactly known that it is easy to say what risks should not be run to preserve it. If, by letting one ox live, there is a reasonable probability that two others will die, it is clear that it would be the height of foUy to prolong the existence of the first for an hour. In the next place, rinderpest at present is far more contagious, infectious, and fatal in this country than either typhus or typhoid fevers in man were ever known to be by more than 50 per cent., probably due to the fact that it is impossible to nurse cows, even in the best regulated cowsheds, as we can men in hospitals. If we could, the possibility is that 50 or 60 per cent, might be saved ; for,'in truth, the treatment of our best physicians in all fevers may be summed up in two words — good nursing. Now, would the Doctor nurse 80 to 100 cattle in the open field, or a dozen in a wretchedly dirty cow byre, in whicli more than one-half of them are ? Again, see ths immense difference between the alvine and other secretion and excretions of the ox and those of man ; and as they are supposed to be the principal means of conveying the disease, the bovine animal must be a much more formidable engine than the human for spreading an infectious and contagious malady. Again, disinfection can lie practised almost to per- fection in the case of human patients, who are clothed and bedded ; but even in the best arranged cowsheds or open fields this can only be done to a small extent. Every day that a diseased animal lives there is the certainty of its giving off particles of pus, of germinal matter of miasma, or animal ova, which may infect fifty others ; and when we know the innate carelessness of those classes who attend upon our cattle, we could not even trust the adoption of Dr. Thudicum's ela- borate code for disinfecting oue out of ten of our cowhouses. In proof of this, I may just mention tliat when I was in New- castle I saw four carts, belonging to farmers a few miles out of town, loading manure from an infected bjTC, to take it nn- disinfected to their own farms ; and one farmer had given his man instructions to put the entrails of an animal which had died of the disease into the bottom of the cart, so that the inspectors should not see it ; and, further, these four carts had to pass along the main road to the moor, where, in the course of an hour or so, some hundreds of cows would have to pass to their pasture ! The wonder to me is not that the disease is spreading, but that there is a byre in the town free from it : and my own impression is, that until far more stringent measures are adopted by tlie Government, the disease will continue to spread. Again, what would medical men think if their patients suffering from cholera, small-pox, typhus fever, and other con- tagious diseases, were compelled to attend public places of resort, travel in cabs, omnibuses, and railway carriages, mixing with thousands of liealthy individuals. How would they expect to arrest the spread of such maladies ? I presume it would be quite impossible. Eut if we attempt to treat the cattle plague, in spite of all such regulations as are now carried out, our patients with rindeipest v^-ill be compelled to similar acts by hundreds of men who are owners of cattle. I was much pleased to see the report of the Minister of the Interior to the King of Belgium, stating that rinderpest no longer existed in any part of that country, published in the Times of October 14th ; the more so, because when Dr. Purstenberg, the Prussian Commis- sioner, was staying with me, he received an account of the out- break of cattle plague in Belgium, carried there by a cow bought at the market of Encena, in Holland, on the 11th of August. This animal was taken to Ucele, near Brussels, and placed with a herd of nine others. On the 20tli she showed symptoms of rinderpest, and was destroyed at once, the others sharing the same fate. Two days afterwards it broke out at Markekerkham, in East Elanders, wliere a herd of seven were killed. Here, as at Ucele, the disease was traced to one of a herd of cattle bought in Holland. Thus the disease con- tinued to spread from place to place ; when the most stringent measures were enforced, and in less than two months not a case was known to exist in the wliole countiy. I mention this in- stance because Dr. Purstenberg so specially drew my attention to it, stating — " You will see that the Belgians will stamp out the disease in their country in a few weeks; while you, with your half-and-half measures, and differing with each other as to whether it shall be treated or not, will lose more than the lia'f of your noble breed of cattle, and then you will have to adopt THE FARMER'S MAGAZmE. 139 the same means as tliey do, before you can eradicate the plague from Britain." I should think there is uo country in Europe so Uke our owu in agriculture and manufactures as Belgium ; but while they act upon the experience of other men, and drive this malignant disease out of their country in eight weeks, we, on the other hand, refuse to be guided by the opinions of num- bers of men in every country in Europe, every one here doing as he thinks right in his own eyes, and, from bigotry on the one hand, and seU'-interest on the other, are spreading the disease to every part of the land. Why, we Englishmen, who have never seen the disease before, should refuse to receive the opinion, founded on years of experience, of French, Austrians, Russians, and Prussians, I cannot understand, unless it is that our countrymen will not be dictated to. They would sooner pay ten times the amount to have things done their own way than follow in tlie footsteps of foreigners. In the same letter from which I quoted respecting the I'alin estates is given the measures taken in Hungary last year, after they had lost 180,000 head of cattle. Mr. Clement says : " Absolute isola- tion of infected or suspected cattle is the only remedy against the propagation of the evil ; it is that we have employed here, and it has saved us perfectly. Since July, 1S64, when the disease was lirst noticed, up to the end of March last, when it 1 had completely ceased, the infected or suspected communes have been surrounded by a sanitary cordon. Reliable persons have been placed to watch day and night to prevent all en- trance or exit of cattle. The landholders took every care to prevent their people from visiting infected places. The car- casses ot the fallen or slaughtered beasts were buried five feet deep, to prevent dogs and foxes getting any part of the oifal ; and even the dogs in many places were sacrificed, to avoid all chances of their transmitting the contagion. Lastly, all fairs and cattle markets throughout the country were suspended until May, 1S65." Thus, we see in Hungary, where the plague had spread to an enormous extent, it was entirely eradicated in a few months by the same means so strongly urged on our Government by Professor SLmonds in July last, but in vain ; and, " as one swallow does not make a summer," we have two, for the kingdom of Belgium, as we have already stated, was delivered from this fearful pest in two months by adopting pre- cisely similar means. If those measures, then, are successful j in other countries, why would they not answer in ours ? As, | however, our countrymen will not submit to these stringent regulations, they must take the consequences. We, as a pro- fession, have urged them strongly and persistently, and I believe I may state that nine out of ten amongst us have been of one opinion, and for expressing it freely we have met with not a little abuse, " Ignorant ani- mals" is only one of the polite epithets applied to us. But if wp are ignorant we are honest ; and I am proud to see nine-tenths of the veterinary profession advocating with all their might a procedure which they believe to be for the best interests of their country, but diametrically opposed to their own pecuniary Ijenefits. But we should rememl)er all epi- zootic and epidemic diseases invariably assume a milder form as they progress, and therefore we have a right to expect that lUndcrpesi will be no exception to this rule. Whether it is that tlie diseases become less virulent, or at the first outbreak aU the weaker constitutions of the race are swept away, or that better sanitary or preventive measures are adopted, I will not stay to discuss. Cholera in the human subject, influenza fever in the horse, lung disease, and the foot-and-mouth disease in the ox and sheep, are familiar illustrations of [tliis fact. If we are to treat this disease, it should only be in those eases of lean stock which are not fit for the butcher ; and in these good nursing will be of the first importance ; clothing the sxirface of the body, pure air and excessive cleanliness, and disinfecting the excreta ; small and frequent quantities of linseed and hay teas mixed with good gruel, mild diuretics and difi'usible stimu- lants should also be given. j\jnoDgst the latter class I have always found Ammon. Carb. and Sp. Ether Is'it. to hold the first place in all diseases of a low type ; and where the life of the animal is of more importance than the expense of treat- ment, good sherry in half-pint doses is invaluable. But I protest against what is called '■ bold practice" — viz., giving a pint and a-half of brandy or whisky at a dose ; in ninety cases out of a hundred it would do harm instead of good. But what- ever mode of treatment each may adopt, it is the duty of all in the profession to note accurately the symptoms and effects of the medicaments employed in each case, so that some irrefutable opinion may be arrived at. This is the main object of such societies as I have now the pleasure to address ; for where numbers of men are treating a disease or diseases of the same type, and under difTereut circumstances and conditions as to climate, S:c., it is necessary they should compare their notes and experience, and so arrive at a more satisfactory data than would be possible for a single individual, however intelligent, perse- vering, and skilful he might be. I might add much more, but by doing so I would only be occupying your valuable time, which wiU be much more profitably employed in discussing the nature of this important disease. THE POINTS OF RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN CATTLE-PLAGUE and SMALL-POX. By CHARLES MURCHISON, M.D., E.R.C.P., JOINT-LECTUKEE ON MEDICIXI AT MIDDLESEX HOSPITAi, Ky.H PHYSICIAN TO THE LONDON TEVER nOSPITAL. In the Lancet of the 26th of August, 1865, I gave an ac- count of the anatomical lesions I had foimd in the cattle- plague, which bad then begun to prevail in Britain. Subsequent observation has confirmed the statements made in that com- munication. The main anatomical characters of the disease are catarrhal or croupal inflammation of the lining membranes of the digestive canal and of the respiratory passages, and, in fact, of all the mucous membranes ; an unusually dark colour of the blood ; ecchjTuoses or hremorrhages in various parts, such as beneath the skin and into its substance, beneath the mucous and cerous membranes of the third and fourth stomachs and bowels, and beneath the endocardium ; an aphthous condition of the mouth, nostrils, and vulva ; the ex- halation of a peculiar offensive odour from the whole body, but especially from the abdomen ; and an unusual proneness to decomposition. In my former communication, it was showii- that the dog- matic assertion tliat rinderpest was the precise pathological equivalent of human typhoid or enteric fever, was devoid of foundation. So far as I know, this opinion has been con- firmed by every subsequent observer «ho has dissected tlie diseased cattle for himself, and published the results of his investigations. All agree in stating that the essential lesions of human typhoid fever are absent. A grave pathological error has thus been corrected. Typhoid fever, however, is not the only human malady to which cattle plague has been thought to be intimately related. By different writers rindei-pest has been compared to conta- gious typhus, scailet fever, erysipelas, influenza, and dysenterj'. A careful study of tl\e subject has satislied me that all these affections are entirely distinct. It is not my present object to enter in detail into the points of distinction between rinder- pest and the several diseases now mentioned. This I have done in a report which I have been requested to prepare for the Royal Commission " On the Relation of the Cattle Plague to Human Diseases." In the meantime, I desire to impress more particularly on the profession that there is one human disease which, as regards its relation to rinderpest, cannot be dismissed so lightly. If this disease be proved to be the same as rinderpest, not only wU the benefits to pathological science be enormous, but a certain means of preventing the cattle plague will be placed within our power. The disease I allude to is small-pox. The resemblance of rinderpest to small pox is no new dis- covery, although latterly it has jjeen lost sight of. I'pwards of 150 years ago, Ramazzini, in his admirable account of the 140 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. cattle plague wliicb pervaded Italy iu 1711, enumerated among the symptoms " pustulae quiuta vel sexta die per totuin corpus erumpentes, ac tubercula variolarum speciem reierentia."* Laucisi likewise, iu his description of the same oxitbreak, ob- served : " Semper auf em plilogoses, pustuke, et ulcera linguam et fauces summo cum ardore obsidebante."f The physicians \\lio described the outbreak of cattle plague in Britain in the middle of last century constantly refer to the pustular eruption. Dr. Mortimer describes " scabby eruptions in the groins and axillaj which itch much ; for a cow will stand still, hold out her leg, and show signs of great pleasure when a man scratches these pustules or scabs for her."| Dr. Brocklesby remarks : " Prequently we may observe pustules bread out on the fifth or sixth day, all over the ueck aud fore parts. § And lastly, in 1758, Dr. Layard writes thus : " Who- ever will compare the appearances, progress, and fatality of the small-pox witli what is remarked by authors of authority, as Ramazzini, Laucisi, and other observers, relative to the conta- gious distemper amongst the horned cattle, will not be at a loss one moment to determine whether this disease be an eruptive fever like unto the small-pox, or not."{| The outbreak of cattle plague here referred to commenced in England in 174'5, and is generally said to have died out at the end of twelve years, or about 1757, and not to have reappeared imtil tlie summer of 1865. But in 1769 the disease was again so preva- lent aud fatal that it was referred to by his Majesty George III., in his speech at the opening of Parliament in January, 1770, as a great national calamity. It is a most remarkable fact that this last outbreak has been alluded to by most subsequent writers as an undoubted epizootic of variola ; but that Layard, who described both this outbreak and the preceding one iu the " Philosophical Transactions," regarded them as identical, re- commended and practised inoculation iu botli, and in support of his opinion quoted the following passage from a letter ad- dressed to him by Vicq d'Azyr, a great French authority on Epizootics : " II me parait comme a vous que c'est toujours la meme maladie qui a regne depuis 1711 ; et qu eUe a des grands rapports avec I'eruption varioleuse."^ It is generally believed that it was tlie remains of this violent epizootic that Dr. Jen- ner found in Gloucestershire, which being communicated to the milkers, rendered them insusceptible of small-pox. With these and many like observations on record, it is surprising that tlie cutaneous eruption should have been so long overlooked in the present epizootic. Early in the month of September I was struck witli the oc- casioaal presence of circumscribed circular flattened vesicles, some of them as large as a threepenny piece, on the udders of cows that had died of the plague, resembling in every respect the vesicles of cow-pox. Iu one specimen, wliicli Professor Gamgee had the kindness to show me, this resemblance was most striking. Further observation has satisfied me that these large well-developed vesicles are only present in a few cases, tut that in almost every case, and probably in all where death has not occurred within the first three days of the disease, there is a papular or pustular eruption on the skin, closely resembling the eruption of small-pox. This eruption is not confined to any particular part of the integuments, but is most abundant on the back of the neck and shoulders, in the neighbourhood of the mouth, ou the udder and scrotum, and on the skin sur- rounding the anus and the entrance to the vagina. A minute description of tliis eruption is contained in my official Report. At present it vi'ill suffice to state that it appears to consist, in the first instance, of minute pimples or elevations, which become softened at their summits into pustules. Tliese speedily dry up, aud form a scab, on detaching which tlie subjacent cutis appears raw or superficially ulcerated. Petechije are not un- frequently interspersed through the eruption. This eruption accounts for the spots and stains observed in the tanned hides of cattle that have died of the plague. But the cutaneous eruption is not the only character in which rinderpest resembles small-pox. Its close resemblance, if not still more intimate relation to human variola, is borne out by the following considerations : * Opera Omnia, Genevee, 1716, p. 787. t De Bovilla Pest, llomie, 1715, p. 155. :j: Philosophical Transactions, 17-15, vol. xliii., p, ool-. § Essay on the MortaUty among the Horned Cattle, Lon- don, 1746, p. 33. II Philosophical Transactions, 1758, vol. 1., p. 631. ^ Ibid., 1780, vol. Ijix., p. 543. 1. Small-pox is the only acute contagious exanthem in man that assumes a pustular form. The eruption in rinderpest is also pustular. Any difference between the two eruptions may readily be accounted for by differences iu the skin of men and cattle. In both cases, the eruption extends from tlie skin to the interior of the mouth and nostrils ; and in both, the pus- tules are often interspersed with petechi;e. Moreover, in cer- tain cases of rinderpest, the eruption on the udder assumes the form of large flattened vesicles, indistinguishable from those of ordinary cow-po.'i. 2. The other prominent symptoms of rinderpest are also those of small-pox — viz., pyrexia, lumbar pain, running from the nostrils, alvine flux, aluuminuria and heematuria, and the " typhoid state." 3. The anatomical lesions of the two diseases are identical — viz., inflammation of the mucous membranes of the air- passages and digestive canal, dark-coloured blood, ecchymoses, and a pustular eruption with petechiee on the skin. This will be apparent on comparing the post-mortem appearances of human variola as detailed by Dr. Copland* with those of rin- derpest described by me iu the Lancet of Aug. 26th. 4. In both diseases, a peculiar offensive odour is exhaled from the body, both before and after death. 5. In both, the duration of the pyrexial stage is about seven or eight days. 6. The two diseases resemble one another in their extreme contagiousness, and in the facility with v/hicli the poison is transmitted by fomites. 7. Both diseases can be propagated by inoculation. This can be said witli certainty of no other human malady than small-pox. 8. In both diseases there is a period of incubation, which is shorter when the poison has been introduced by inoculation than when it has been received by infection. 9. Vaccinated persons are constantly exposed to small-pox poison with impunity ; and, with regard to rinderpest, there are numerous instances in which individual cattle, or entire herds, appear to have led charmed lives in the midst of sur- rounding pestilence. This last fact has never been explained ; but the immunity of the cattle in question would be readily accounted for ou the supposition that they had previously suf- fered from ordinary cow-pox. 10. It is a mistake to imagine that variolse vaccinte is of necessity a mild disease. Under ordinary circumstances it un- doubtedly is so. But there are many epizootics of cow-pox on recordf where the disease was of a malignant character, and destroyed the cattle almost as extensively as smaU-pox did the human race. 11. It has been repeatedly stated of late years that ordinary cow-pox had become so rare that it was difficult to obtain lymph direct from the cow for the purpose of human vac- cination. As a natural consequence, the majority of the cattle iu these kingdoms are unprotected from the invasion of the disease in a more severe form. 12. Although it may be objected to the view that rinderpest is simply small-pox in the ox, that there is no proof that the diseased animals have commmiicated small-pox to tlie human subject, and that in fact human smaU-pox is far less pre- valent in Britain than it was a few years ago when there was no rinderpest, yet it is well known that there is often a difli- culty iu transmitting smaU-pox from one species of animal to another, and that when transmitted the disease is modified, although essentially the same. The rinderpest itself, notwith- standing the assertions to the contrary made when it first ap- peared among us, is transmissible to sheep, goats, and deer ; yet there is more difiiculty in communicating it to these ani- mals than from cow to cow. The difficulty ought to be still greater in communicating it to the human species than to ani- mals so closely allied to cattle as sheep, &c. Evidence, how- ever, of the transmission of rinderpest to the human subject is not altoEtether wanting. Through the kindness of Dr. Quaiu, I had recently an opportunity of seeing a man who had acci- dentally inoculated the back of his hand about ten days before with matter from the hide of a cow which had died of rinder- * " Copland's Dictionary of Practical Medicine," vol. iii., p. 821. t See, for examples, " Report of the Section of tlie Pro- vincial Medical and Surgical Association appointed to inquire into the present state of Vaccination," read at Liverpool, July 25th, 1839. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. m pest. The result was a large vesicle surrounded by a red areola, indistinguishable from a vaccine pock on the ninth day. A surgeon in the country, who liad seen the man and sent him up to town, luid no hesitation iii pronouncing- the disease to be cow-pox ; and I understand that this opinion lias since been eonfiniicd by no less an authority than Mr. Ceely of Ayles- bury. Moreover, the general as well as the local symptoius in this man were those of cow-pox. Por a few days he sufl'ered from considerable fever, headache, and pain in the back. lie had previously been vaccinated, but the protective power of tlie former vaccination liad proliably become exhausted. Although this is the only instance of the sort that has fallen under my notice, I have reason to believe tliat it is not a solitary one. It is to be borne in mind, moreover, that most of the in- habitants of this country are protected from small-pox by vac- cination during infancy, and thus possibly may also be pro- tected from rinderpest. These cousiderations may not be sufficient to establish abso- lutely the patliological identity of rinderpest and variola, but they unquestionably point to a very close analogy between them. The object of this communication, however, is not to insist that the two diseases are jiathological equivalents, but to enlist the assistance of the medical protcssion in clearing up the matter. Tlie mode of procedure is obvious and sufH- eiently simple. It is to produce cow-pox in cattle by inoculat- ing them on the one hand with vaccine lymph, and on the other with the matter of human variola, and afterwards to ascertain if tliey be proof against the prevalent plague, or if the course of the rinderpest be thereby modilied. If the re- sults of these experiments turn out as I think there is reason to anticipate, the vexed question of the pathological nature of rinderpest \\ ill be finally settled, and mankind will be furnished with a certain remedy for arresting its ravages. — Wimpole- street, December 25th, 1865.— J/^c lancet of Dec. 30th. AMERICAN PLAN OF MAKING CHEESE FROM THE MILK OF A FEW COWS. Wm. B. Johnston, of Miami county, Ohio, desires simple condensed directions for making cheese in a private family where sixteen gallons of milk are obtained daily. We shall endeavour to comply with the request, though it may be remarked in the outset that full directions cannot be embraced in a brief article. The making of good cheese de- pends upon a skilful manipulation of the milk and curds, and it is greatly facilitated by having a good dairy or clieesc-makiug apparatus. The small-sized vat and heater of W. Ralph, of Utiea, with its recent improvements for equalizing and distri- buting the heat through the milk and curds, is one of the best that has yet been invented. To make a nice quality of cheese, good rich milk is required, and during the process of manu- facture a slow even heat should be studied in conducting opera- tions. Presuming, then, that our correspondent has a good vat and heater, and that the night's and morning's meal of milk are added together in the vat, we commence operations. Tlie milk is raised gradually to a "temperature of 88 degrees, and a sufficient quantity of rennet put in and mingled with the milk to coagulate it in about forty minutes. The rennet should have been previously prepared by soaking and rubbing three sweet healthy rennets in three gallons of water, and containing sufficient salt to keep it trom tainting. The skins, after having been rubbed out and soaked for several days, may be taken out and the liquor strained and bottled. Its strength should then be tested, and if good old skins have been used, a half tea-cup or less will be enough to curdle the milk. The coagulation of the milk having been perfected (which is determined by lifting a portion of the curd with the finger, when it should readily split apart, showing a clean fracture), then cut the curd length- wise and again crosswise of the vat, leaving it in perpendicular columns, say half-an-inch thick. In the best dairy districts, a curd knife, composed of a gang of long thin blades, double- edged and one-quarter inch apart, is used. The curd is then left at rest some twenty minutes, or until it settles, and the \vhey begins to look clear ; then a gentle heat is begun to be applied, and the curd very carefully lifted, and the columns broken with the hands. This part of the operation should be done very gently and carefully, otherwise the oily particles will be worked off. The application of heat sbould be very slow ; and very little manipulation is required in breaking, beyond keeping the curd from packing at the bottom of the vat. When the mass indicates a temperature of 92 degs., shut off the heat, and let the mass stand thirty minutes or more, occasionally gently lifting or stirring the curds to keep from packing. At the expiration of that time start the heat, and raise to 95 degs., the curd being stirred gently, as before, to keep from packing. It may now stand another thirty minutes, with only occasional stirring, when heat is again applied, and the mass raised to 100 degs. No more heat, or, at least, this is the highest point to which it should be raised. After standing an hour or more, if the curd does not harden up, nor the whey begin to show a little acid smell, and the temperature has fallen, a little more heat may be applied, but not to raise it above 100 degs. We should remark that, in coolish weather, a cloth sbould be thrown over the vat, when the curds are remaining at rest, to prevent heat from passing off. To make a nice-flavoured cheese, the whey near the close of what is termed "cooking the curd" should have a little acid odour. It then should be drawn off ; and the curd, if right, will have an elastic feei, and, on taking a handful and com- pressing it, will, on opening the hand, readily faU again in pieces. Some dairjmeu try it between their teeth, and, if the curd squeaks, it is in a condition to whey off. Where a vat is used, the whey being drawn, and the water removed from under tlie vat, the curd is drawn to one end and worked o^er, so as to facilitate drainage, the vat also being canted up. Six- teen wine gallons of milk, well handled, will make about 16lbs. of curd ; and after it is worked over, and properly drained and cooled, say to 80 degs., nice fine salt is worked in at the rate of 24 lbs. to 100 lbs. of curd. Some use 3 lbs. of salt for 100 fbs. of curd. After the salt is properly incor- porated through the curd, it is at once dipped in the hoop and put to press. For a IGlbs. cheese, a hoop about 10 inches in diameter may be used. If it is desired to have a larger clieese, a 15-inch hoop may be taken, and the curds of two days put together. The manner of doing this is as fol- lows : Press the first day's curd, and let it remain in press till the following day, when the hoop is slipped off, and a thin rind from the upper side of the cheese trimmed oft' with a sharp knife, the edges of the cheese also being paired off. The top is then scarified with a fork, and the cheese returned to the hoop in a clean cloth. On this the new curd is placed, and the whole put to press. In a couple of hours it is taken from the press, bandaged and turned, again put to press until the following morning, when it is taken to the dry-room and the top and bottom oiled with whey butter, Where there is no convenient dairy apparatus for use, the milk may be strained in a tub. Por heating, place a five-pail kettle upon an arch or stove, and have a largge tin vessel made in the shape of a tin pail to set in the kettle, so as to be surrounded with water. A portion of the milk is dipped into the tin vessel, which should always be surrounded with water while being heated, and the milk raised to the desired temperature by being retm-ned backward and forward in the tub. And so in heating up the whey and curd (a strainer being thrown over the tub) the whey is dipped into the tin vessel, and then back again to the tub, and the various de- grees of temperature as described effected in this manner. When a tub is used, a rack and sink are needed to pioperly drain the whey from the curd. Colouring matter is now generally used in the dairy districts. It adds nothing to the flavour or quality of the cheese, but makes it look richer. A nice article of carbonized litiuid annatto can now generally be had at the shops for colouring the milk — or the crude annatto may be cut with lye and strained through a cloth. A quantity then may be added to the milk at the time of putting in the rennet, sufficient for any desired shade for the cheese to assume. We have given here briefly the process of making first- class cheese. The whole art cannot be explained in one short article, but if the above outlines are followed, a little experi- ence will in a short time enable the " new hef/inner " to make good cheese from a few cows. — Country Gen f tenia it (Albany) . 142 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. THE SMITHFIELD CLUB SHOW. THE MACHINERY, DOWN-STAIRS. To go through the whole scries of stands, catalogue in hand, and note all we see, is not within the bounds of our intention, for we have time to look only at certain tilings which may strike us as quite novel or otherwise specially ini- portaut. jSIakingthe tom'of the Hall underthc galleries, we light lirst upon Messrs. Garrett's machine that bruises straw for fodder; somewhat like a small thrashing-machine, to be driven by a steam-engine belt in the ordinary way. Straw gives up to chemical analysis abundance of richly nutrient matter ; but in the digestive organs of animals the mechanical structure of the dry and hard material prevents such food being properly assimihtted. This ma- chine, by bruising, crushing, and tearing the straw into a very soft chaff, reduces it to a more palatable and digest- ible condition, in which it may be eaten with safety and profit by horses, and indeed by all other kinds of live stock. The process is intended to supersede the use of the chaff-cutter, and to enable the maintenance of animals at a cost far below that of any existing and old-established system of feeding. The price of the machine seems rather high ; but this is no great obstacle to its exten- sive use if the above results are really attained. On Messrs. Hornsby's stand, probably the larj;est in the show, with a tastily ornamented gallery erected for the small implements, we noticed that several improve- ments have been introduced into their reaping-machines, from experience during the last harvest. These emenda- tions in detail have reduced the draught in working, and simpliiied the moving parts. Their portable engine has an improved arrangement by which an increase of power is obtained with a much lower consumption of fuel. Mr. Charles Burrcll shows a new traction-engine ; very well considered in all its general arrangements, and well executed in every detail of construction. On Messrs. T'luxford's stand, we observed, besides the patent housed portable-engine with vertical cylinder (for avoiding imcqual wear of the interior by the weight of the piston), a one-horse power portable-engine, a beauti- fully-finished, light little thing that you may almost take up under your arm, and yet that will drive a chaft'-cutter, a malt-niill, a pump, or any machine requiring similar power, with the force of two ordinary horses. Here also was one of Appold's unsurpassed centrifugal pumps. We should observe that the Boston portable-engines are now made with a most simple improvement in the slide- valve that enables the engine to work with only half-a- hundrcdweight of coal for each horse-power, that is 4 ewts. per day for an 8-horse engine. The principal novelty upon Messi-s. Fowler's stand, was the list ^f testimonials to the merits of tlieir steam- ploughing apparatus, the machine itself being deemed so perfect as to present little room for improvement either as a tiUiug or a traction-engine. Whoever wants to learn what an amount of success has attended the use of these Leeds engines, cannot do better than study the Leeds books, which are fidl of facts and reports: Messrs. Clayton and Shuttleworth exhibit sundry im- provements in their thrashing-machines for elevating the gi-ain, bagging the chaff, &c. ; and also in their celebrated portable-engines. On Mr. Underbill's stand we saw a model of the new zig-zag fellied wheel for a traction-engine, which obviates the use of drags temporarily affixed to"" and removed from the ordinary plain-rimmed wheels. For the new wheel travels with equal facility along hard roads^ over stones, and in soft land, without slipping. Messrs. Howards' newly-improved traction-engine ap- peared, with ihcboilers set transversely across the carriage- fence, and two winding drums, hxmg one close by the boiler, and the other in the rear of the machine. By this neat arrangement, the engine will serve as a stationary engine and windlass combined, for working on the round- about principle ; or, with only one of the drums in use, it will act as one of two engines on the double-engine sys- tem, when the engines travel on opposite headlands, alter- nately hauling and paying- out a single line of rope. A new form of the screw pile for fastening the " dead- anchor" snatch blocks to the ground was here exhibited, the screw carrying down with it a flat lance-head blade, which presents a sideway resistance. This is adapted for certain states of land, where digging holes does not an- swer. A more important novelty still is Bulstrodess me- thod of shifting the furrow snatch-blocks from one anchor to the next, without loss of time in turning at the ends. It would require a long description and a woodcut or two to explain the contrivance fuUy ; but we may say that it is a remarkably simple and easy tliing,so arranged that the anchor-man, without any assistance from either the plough- man or porter-boy, can detach the snatch-block from one anchoi', slide it along a tubular iron beam to the next anchor, and link it there, while the implement is travers- ing the field. This is just where one of the weakest points of the rovmdabout system was; and the new "patent sling" seems to be what the advocates of this system have been so long waiting for. Messrs. Aveling and Portershow their agricultural loco- motive with the pitch-chain that can be tightened up as it stretches, and the travelling rope-porter for attaching to the rope in front or behind the steam plough or cultivator. On Messrs. Holmes' stand, the rotary pulverizer and couch extirpator is the chief novelty. The Beverley Iron and Waggon Company show, be- sides their noted machine-made carts and waggons, an improvement in their reaping machine, consisting of an apparatus for tightening the pitch-chain which drives the reel, and a worm and handle, instead of a lever, are now used for the reversing gear. We observe that Woods' combined reaper, also, has been improved, so that the mower becomes a reaper at an expense of only £4. Rau- somes and Sims had a very large and fine stand of their usual implements and machines. Mr. Edward E. AUen exhibited a ten-horse power patent double expansive en- gine on his now well-known principle of a branch piston. By this invention, motive power is obtained at something like half the usual cost. INlany of these engines manufac- tured by Messrs. Tuxford of Boston have been sent to Northern India, where the cost of fuel is from £4 to £6 2)er ton, where the economy must be very great. In the arcade, the most noticeable objects are Aysh- ford's assortment of carriages, and Perkins's patent steam oven. The oven exhibited is a j'ortable one on four carnage-wheels with double shafts. It has been pur- chased by the Government for the use of the army in campaigning. It weighs about 2^ tons, will bake enough bread to supply 5,000 men daily. It looks something like a portable engine boiler, only it is square instead of round ; and it is placed on a slope towards the end, where the furnace and chimney are. The oven chamber is made THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 143 of a double case of iron, with a space of 4 iuclics between tillcil in with lime, and covered with felt and wood, to prevent the escape of heat. The tire-box is lined with foiir-ineh brickwork, which keeps the outside iron from becoming dangerously hot. The heating is managed by two rows of tubes in parallel lines, one row on the tloor of the oven, the other along the top. Each tube is 11^ feet long, and finch bore, welded up at one end next the furnace, and at the other end closed by a screw stopper. Each tube projects two inches into the hre, and contains a charge of less than a pint of water. All the water is con- verted into steam, which cannot escape from the pipe. AVhen the tire is put out, the steam condenses again into water, so that the original charge lasts for a very long time. The pressure in the tubes is about 4501bs. per square inch; but the tubes are proved up to 4,0001bs. on the square inch. The steam being super-heated, raises the temperature of the oven up to 540 degrees, which is suffi- cient to ignite paper shavings. A pyrometer indicates the great heat of the oven, which can thus be regulated to a nicety as desired. Comstock's rotai'y spade was exhibited in model, work- ing in a trough of loose soil, and good reports of its field performances in various parts of Britain are adduced upon satisfactory authority. The wonderful Boutin manure had a stall ; and if the discoverers are to be believed, you have only to steep any grain, or potatoes, before planting, at a cost of 20s. or more per acre, in order to realize an abundant crop with- out farmyard or any artificial manure. Lemere's little tubes for cow-milking have been slightly altered in form, and whether or not they can milk properly without ruin- ing the cow, they are useful in case of sore teats. Turner and Co., of 77, Fleet-street, gave away pam- phlets explaining the homoeopathic cure of cattle plague, i which just now is worth everybody's attention. THE GALLERIES. The galleries of the Agricultural Hall were crowded as usual ; but in our voyage of inspection we discovered scarcely anything th.it could be termed a novelty. There will be therefore very little to say ; for by this time the leading manufacturers and their implements are so well known that no one would take the trouble to read any lengthened report. When no implement catalogue was . presented to the visitor, it used to be our habit to specify each exhibitor by name, and to mention every article exhibited ; now, however, that this branch of the show is considered of sufficient importance to justify a separate publication, such procedure on our part is uunecessary. By far the most interesting part of the above-stairs display was that made by the seedsmen. After the pre- diction of the summer and the realization of the autumn, it was difficult to conjecture where the splendid roots, which crowned and beautified every stand, could come from. What a change has come over this branch of the show. It is not many years since that ai'titicial manures were timidly brought forward, and almost openly scorned by the practical farmer ; the sole artiiicial food was oilcake, bought at the nearest town, and the seedsman was one who kept a retail shop and attended perhaps two markets in the county. Time has changed all this. Om- principal seedsmen and manure vendors now attend metropolitan and numerous markets, advertise to a great extent, and circulate pamphlets which, while describing their own wares, really supply valuable information in a form worthy of preservation. The rough stalls, containing a few roots and sample bags, of Baker-street have in the more attrac- tive Agricidtnral Hall given place to really tasteful designs ; and the articles exhibited are not as they once were, suuply such as any farmer's chib of half a dozen parishes could supply, but the productions of various climes and distant countries. The exhibition Is thus now of a tasteful and instructive character, and hence becomes increasingly at- tractive, not only to the professional agriculturist, but to the general public. We have plants, seeds, and feeding stutfs from all quarters, and the preparation of manures is become quite a scicutilic operation. So great and rapid has been the advance that it seemed doubtful whether much greater progress could be made, but wc sec that the principle of concentration, co-ojicration, and association is at work in the seed business as well as others. The collection of TnoMAS Gibbs and Co., seedsmen to the Eoyal Agiicultural Society of England, gained some wcll- nierited approval. Kothing coidd exceed the yellow and orange globe mangels, and a species of mangel named " Gibbs's Yellow Globe," distinguislied by remarkable beauty of form, sraallness of top, and single tap-root. There was a very fine purple-topped Swedisli turnip, apparently of highly nutritive quality ; and also a green-topped yellow hybrid tur- nip, useful for sheep feed, wliich partakes of the hardness of the swede and the soft flesh of the common turnip, capable of being sown later tliau any turnip save that known as the ' stubble' turnip. We also observed splendid collections of dried specimens of permanent grasses, of English wheats, barley, and oats in the ear. Messrs. Wueeler and Sox, of Gloucester, made a very large and highly creditable display of roots and seeds. Great care bad evidently been exercised not only in the selection of tlie specimens, but in the selection of the seed \\hich was fine. Particular attention was be-spoken for the " milky white," an early and delicious potato. Georcje Gibes and Co., of Piccadilly, presided over a stand upon wliich were collected fine samples of aU the many seeds they deal in, together with their produce. Attention was specially directed to the grass seeds for permanent pastures as very successful. iVll the roots were in splendid condition, and of first-rate quality, many of them bearing the names of the growers. The "Early Sis Weeks" and "Early Stubble" turnips have won a good name ; also Gibbs's large cattle parsnip and Kohl Kabi, both of the large green and the large purple varieties. It will not do to pass on without mention- ing Robinson's " Champion Cabbage." I.SAAC Wright and Sox, of Colchester, made an exceedingly good display of grass specimens, grass seeds, and roots. The Belgian carrot particularly good. Jajies Carter and Co., of High Holborn, fully maintained tjie position they have taken in the department of business by a very fine show of seeds and roots. The potatoes were of remark- al)ly good quality and growth. We may mention " Carter's Champion," Birmingham Prize-taker, and Delmahoy's, as presenting a very clear skin, and bearing an excellent character. There were growing samples of grass seeds and clovers, healthy and thriving. Amongst the turnips we observed a fine-looking hardy swede, known as " Carter's Imperial Purple Top," and amongst the mangels the " Improved Orange Glolie," a remark- ably well grown root with small regidar top. The Long Surrey carrot is deserving of notice for its valuable qualities. The selection of garden seeds and roots was superlative. W>i. SkirvixCt, of Liverpool, exhibited a very capital selec- tion of the " King of Swedes," sound and well groflu ; and Sutton and Soxs, of Reading, occupied, as usual, a long range of gallery with their coUection of samples of all that is grown in the garden and the field for edible pur- poses. Besides 200 dis'tinct specimens of natural grasses, the roots were a sight to see. "Sutton's Champion Swede" seemed to bead the group, being large and fine in shape, and a noted prize taker. This season it has just secured the Silver Cup for the best field of swede in Ireland, and the first for the best pulled roots at tlie Dublin International Exhibition. Enormous mangels were visible, too, weighing from 40 to 50 lbs. The New Yellow Intermediate produced on Mr. Hepburn's farm 70 tons per acre. The Berksliire Prize Yellow Globe grown by Lord Boston weighed SOlbs. Specimens of the " Elvetham" Long Red and Long Yellow weiglied 451bs. — a first prize having been awarded to them at Birmingham. The Kohl Rabi looked none the worse for a drj-'summer, whde the carrots are finer than usual, owing to what has proved a very favourable season for them. 144 THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE. E-P. DixojT and Son, of Hull, showed an assortment of roots, the Yellow Globe being most noticeable. _ Judging by report they have produced a very good description of pea, known as tlie " Yorkshire Hero." It is rather of a dwarf, about a fortnight earlier than " Veitch's Perfection," far more prolific, and of fine liavour. It is said to withstand mildew, and will sometimes yield 70 pods on one stem. Alfred H;VLL, of Westbury Farm, Wilts, had a fair stand of roots. Raynbiiid, Caldecott, Bawtkee, Dawli:n-g, and Co. (Limited), Basingstoke, displayed great taste in the display of a very excellent variety of seeds and roots, of good stocks and fine growth. The roots on the stand were the produce of common farm culture sent by friends. The largest specimens were the Long Red Mangold, grown by Mr. W. B. BoxaU, of Strathfieldsaye ; some of these exceed 30 lbs. in weight; of nearly equal size, and of very excellent quality were the Long Yellow Mangold, grown from seed by Mr. Geo. Wood, of Hatchlands, near Guildford. Mr. D. Burnett, of Ashley, Hants, sent some very liand- some well-grown Globe Mangold and White Carrots, weighing 7 and 8 llis. aach. As a whole this year's root show may be considered a great success. The growers are certainly worthy of com- pliment for the great care they bestow upon this depart- ment of business, and for the energy they display in ena- bling the farmer to overcome certain special difficulties to which by change of seasons and alteration of system he is exposed. We may now revert to the implement stands, which oc- cupied as much space as ever, aud displayed quite as much good work as usual. One of the principal novelties was found on the stand of James Coultas, jun. This was in the shape of an improved means of conducting the con- tents of a liquid manure-cart to the coulters. A little wooden tray, 2 feet square, aud spreading out towards the rear of the dinU, is placed beneath a hole in the centre of the bottom of the cart. The water as. it falls is divided by upright iron diaphrams, and conducted along sepa- rate channels to an India-rubber tube, and thence to the coulters. The diaphrams are made in sets of threes and fom's, &c., fixed in frames, which fit into the afore- mentioned box. The action is said to be ettective. Liquid is said to be very etfectually distributed in this way. The addition can be made to any drill for the sum of 50s. Wm. Cambridge showed a clod crusher, with some slight changes, intended to improve its action in rough laud. John Penney aud Co. showed a variety of good corn- screens and separators. Amongst the exhibitors of stable- fittings and cow-houses, the St. Paucras Company came out with a very perfect little iron piggery, exactly suited for suhm-ban purposes. Next to keeping a cow in clover is, it may be said, to keep a pig in irou. A well constructed substantial building, consisting of two sides, a front, with door, and swing feeding trough, aud a corrugated irou roof, for placing against a wall ; all for £13 10s. Think of it, thou man of porcine proclivities, yet of neat ways ! and say whether this is not to thy mind ? We saw one for several pounds less, but it was a fi-ail affair as com- pared with this. For farm purposes it is far too low ; sties should he airy, with a roof higher over head than is generally supposed necessary. The cow-house fittings were also admirable, clean, neat, perfect. Places built of such materials, stone-pavement and iron fittings, are so easily disinfected that they must come into very general use. As usual, James Tree was present with his useful cattle gauge and meteorological instruments, and Mr. Alway with his bright array of churns, pails, and milk-bottles, backed by Hem-y Bridges, with churns of wood, well-made, and a variety of well-designed butter-prints. Arnold and Sons were great with a formid- able coUectiou of farriers' tools, amongst which wc saw some useful ear-markers used for sheep (in other places for slaves), and a great assortment of fleams — now, thanks to improved knowledge, but rarely employed. At every tm'U one was reminded of the uses of gutta-percha and India- rubber, and aroused into genuine admiration of the fertile resources of the inventors. The stands of the Gutta- percha Company showed stable-buckets, roUs of sheeting for maniire tanks, malting shovels, liquid-manure pumps ; and that of G. P. Dodge and others showed a variety of splendidly-made machine-bands and tubing. Croggon and Co., in the same quarter, displayed the well-known felt in its various forms for roofing and boiler coating, together with asphalt for barn and basement floors. The self-regulating wind-engine of Bury and Pollard, in model, was there. This useful mode of catching the wind and making it useful is making way, we hear. The Govern- ment has found out its merits, and the inventors are hopeful that the public will not be long behind them. The principal feature on S. and E. Ransome's stand was Weston's diff'erential pulley, PuUenger's automaton mouse- trap, and Schafi'er's patent steam-gauge, a capital thing. The valuable pumps of Stephen Hobnan were well repre- sented, all thoroughly well-made and serviceable, but exhibiting nothing specially noticeable. Clinton and Owens, from Pleet-street, made a very similar continua- tion. Their cottage-pump at a guinea is a likely machine to attract notice from cottage-builders. The butter- purifier was working that magical process beneath the hands of Hancock, of Tipton, and gaining many admirers and many purchasers. To get fresh butter for the price of salt by means of a little mechanical manipulation is in these times a secret for which the public may be willing to pay a good price. If so, Ave commend them to Staf- fordshire. Nalder and Nalder's noiseless rotary winnower continues to make way in public estimation ; and the same may be said of Edward Weir's useful draining level and potato- washer. J. and A. Deane's stand contained a variety of stable-fittings and harness ; and next to them were James Barton's beautiful arrangements for the comfort and economy of a stable, . The cast-steel gardeil and draining tools and forks for various purposes of Spear and Jackson are admirable. Their slightness and spring make them invaluable. Buruey's wrought-iron cattle-troughs, aud anti-mouse cornbins, in common with other iron fittings are much used. J. Coultas and Sons, with good specimens of driU work ; and E. Cambridge and Co., of Bristol, with clod-crushers and chain-harrows, occupied a good- sized stand. Picksley and Sims and Co., Rich- mond and Chandler, and Richard Bentall, all showed extensively. We noticed nothing specially new anywhere except a movement in one of Richmond and Chandler's chaft' machines, which at the same time that it facilitates the change from a long to a short cut simplifies the parts. On the flywheel shaft are two pinions of unequal sizes gearing into two bevel wheels of unequal size on the line- shaft. One wheel is keyed on the line- shaft, the other is loose. On the withdrawal of the inner wheel to the stop, a lug catches the outer, which then becomes a driving wheel. On their stand we observed a coUeetion of their very celebrated horse gear works, root washers, bread-kneading machines, &c. ; ten different sizes of chatt' machines are shown, commencing with a small and com- pact machine, easily turned by a boy, and sold at a very moderate price, the sizes gradually increasing to a very powerful cutter, suitable for steam power, and capable of cutting one ton and a-half of short chaff per hour. Cora crushers fitted with diagonally-fluted case-hardened rollers were shown in three different sizes, and are adapted to crush any kind of grain, such as beans, peas, Indian corn, ' &c., and to any degree of fineness by means of a simple set screw acting upon the rollers. We observed- also a useful bread-kneading machine for hand use, whereby the labour of bread-making is materially reduced. This size THE FAKMBE'S MAGAZINI^. Ut is adapted for a family, and will kaead 16 lbs. of Hour at a time, the opei'atioa being completed in about three minutes. The wire-netting and fencing wire, ex- hibited by J. B. Brown, unites two qualities, which expe- rience teaches the world generally to separate — it is cheap and good. On Wedlake and Deudy's stand is a formid- able machine for the distribution of sewage. It is scai'cely worth while giving a description of it here ; for, to be of any value, it would needs be long ; and to give a long de- scription to an implement so untried as this is, is not ex- pected of us. It is intended principally for working upon farms specially laid out for the reception of sewage, and, as such, wiU be some time probably before it comes into o])eration. The inventors are wise in looking a-head : they live at Romford, in the neighhom-hood of the dis- trict that wOl first receive the sewage, and may therefore expect an easy trial. Wood's Royal Agricultural vSociety's first prize grass mower and reaper, amongst the very best of their kind, were exhibited ; for, already, people are giving orders for the coming harvest. Amies, Barford, and Co., as usual, showed a very care- fully selected assortment of practical farm implements. Until they took it up, that American grist mill was a failure : now it is a complete success ; and a most won- derful little machine it is. Then there is the water- ballasting field roller, and a very efficient steaming appa- ratus. L. L. Sovereign showed his now well-known patent combined plough and drill — a Canadian invention ; and Wm. Smith, of Kettering, various well turned-out horse-hoes and barn implements. Wm. Newzam Nichol- son showed the haymaker, horse-rake, as improved for Plymouth ; also a good oilcake mill, which was a former prize winner. Edward Page, of Bedford, as usual, made a display of exceedingly well-made ploughs and harrows ; and Samuelson and Co. showed their grain and grass W mowers, combined and single, no observable improvement being noticeable since we noticed them in July. The old original turnip-cutter (Gardner's) was there in its entirety, and exhibited also in many other shapes. The india- rubber driving-band has its antagonist in the leather driviug-strap, as produced by Turner's Patent Strap and Hose Company (Mark-lane), all of which looked tho- roughly semceable. Priest and Wooluongh show, with justiiiable pride, their achievements at Plymouth : the prize eight-row drill, the prize eleven-row drill, the prize horse- hoe, the prize manure and turnip drill, the prize general purpose drill. This sounds well, and there is doubtless merit at bottom, or the surface would not shine so bright, notwithstanding an old adage about glitter to the con- trary. Henry Kinsey's higli-pressm'e tank-engine of G- hoi'se power was a pretty specimen of woi'kmauship and compacted power ; and Robert Maynard's portable chafi'- cngine for steam-power is just the thing to be worked by it. This machine amongst large holdings is making rapid way. On Dray, Taylor, and Co.'s stand we noticed some well-fashioned corn-bins for mice-infested buildings, and ready-made excellent harness. Carson and Toone displayed their Moody's tiirnip- stripper ; and Hill and Smith show their usual specimens of well-made iron hurdles, continuous sheep-fence, tree-guards, sheep-racks, and cattle cribs, all well got up. From French Rennes millstones, to iron probes and kiln-wires James Hughes's stand displayed aU that was necessary to fit up a mill, or to repair the fittings ; there was nothing new however. The same may be said of W. R. Dell, also of Mark-lane, who in addition showed the now well-known large smut machine and separator. John Boyd, of Cannon-street, showed a variety of lawn-mowers, cake mills, and wire-netting; and Clay, of Wakefield, appeared with a useful selection of tillage implements. John Whit- bread showed his meritoi-ious tile-machine ; Riches and Watts the American Eureka grist mill, in all sizes. Contiguous to these stands was the ari'ay of Henry Clayton and Co., where pipe-making, tile-moidding, and brick- making were all in operation. Hunt and Pickering show some capital implements for the preparation of food; Baker, of Wisbeach, one of the best combined dressing and blowing machine in the building ; and Robei't and John Reeves a water-cart admirably adapted for service in the field. Last, but not least, stand out for notice Coleman and Morton, the weU-kuown cultivator challenging the eye, the potato-digger gib in action, and for the open ear a report of certain achievements with the steam-cultivator somewhere down in Gloucestershire. If in this galloping review we have missed any names, we promise to make up the lee-way when the Club holds its next meeting. CHEISTMAS FAT STOCK SHOWS AND MARKETS. The successful breeder of improved stock, who visited the Great Metropolitan Cattle Market on the 11th December, must have been struck with the unfavourable contrast between two systems of management, the moment he entered the Agri- cultural HaU on the afternoon or evening of that day ; and he could be at no loss as to which of the two systems was in keeping with the times, and that which the welfare and physi- cal requirements of his own cattle (exhibited perhaps in both) imperatively demanded. He could not fail to perceive, for ex- ample, the comparative comfort which the latter enjoyed, in spite of aU the supei^fluous handling and annoyance from strange sights to which they were being subjected, and to con- trast it in his mind with the barbarous treatment and cruelty experienced by the former ; and when he adds to these the stUl more savage and torturing hardships which stock have to endure in being conveyed and driven to the lairs and markets, and from the market to their final destination, the practical conclusion on this all-engrossing topic of the day — dead-meat versus live-meat markets — at which he must arrive is manifest. In the absence of such facts, cattle-salesmen, butchers, and " money takers" may tell him a thousand plausible stories about the commercial economy of their trade, and so forth, and the immutable laws upon which it is based, as they often did before the Committees of the Lords and Commons during the long fruitless Corporation struggle to retain the market in Smithfield to this day ; but with such factsbefore him, this old fallacious method of arguing would only the more thoroughly convince him of the rotten state of the hve-stock trade, and the absolute necessity of producers and consumers taking the matter practically into their own hands by doing business only with the dead-meat trade, thereby giving the live-stock trade its quietus in the most effectual manner. Playing upon the prejudices of the agricultural body has long been an artful game amongst city princes ; but although there is yet a goodly sprinkling of the old rustic leaven in the provinces, the day is nearly gone by when such a game can be successfuDy played by town corporations at the expense and credulity of the British farmer. On the contrary, it requires no second-sight to see that, for the future, the agricultural body are about to lead the van of progress, not ouly in their own department of applied science, but in the majority of the useful branches of industry — those branches upon which the welfare and prosperity of the other brandies, and of the nation generally, depend. And the practical rationale of this is manifest ; for, what have townspeople within themselves upon which they could survive a single winter ? Nothing but what they get from the country, home or foreign ! It would therefore be superfluous to go farther into details in proof of the soundness of this conclusion. The practical problem at present is the slaughtering of fat 146 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. stock at the liomestead of the farmer where they are fattened. What, for example, is to hinder farmers learning to excel bulchers in this branch of art ? Not mucli we should think ; for tlie present town practice of slaughtering and cooling the meat is rough and rude to a proverb ! In point of fact, shep- herds already slaugliter sheep for the best families in the king- dom. As to pigs and poultry, there is hardly a cottager in any province who cannot kill and dress the former, or servant-girl the latter ; so that, if there is any difficulty in the way of a practical solution of the problem, it is in the slaughtering of the ox ; and, we repeat, this can be done in a far superior manner in the pure air of the country, at the homestead of the farmer, than in towns. The farmer must be near-siglited indeed wdio cannot perceive that the slauglitering of his fat stock, and the sending of the carcase to market, or the preparing of it for sale at home, is a legitimate branch of his profession : it is (by way of illus- tration) as legitimate as the separation of his marketable grain from the straw, chaiT, and light corn, so as to elfect its con- version into hard cash, to cover rent, expenses, and interest on capital invested in farming. A formal turn of mind may lead certain people into routine habits of practice in this as in other branches of farming, out of which it may appear to them impossible to get, without meeting ruin in tha face, to whatever point of the compass they may turn. We can readily sympathise with such people ; but the irresistible progress of tilings will have no sympathy whatever. Upon this they may rely with confidence ; and, therefore, those who cannot see tlie line of progression aliead, would do well, at the present time, to get in the wake of others more enterprising than themselves, and follow as they best can — the closer the better ; for these are not tlte times for farmers to fall behind. The butcher, on the other hand, must l)e efj^ually blind to the progress of things in his trade, who cannot perceive that the dirty work of slaughtering, and the washing of so much maniirial matter daily into the sewers, ought not to be- long to him : that the habiliments in which he attends the live-stock market, the dub and dirt therein, the groping and handling the various parts, above and below, on the manifest principle (if principle it can be called) of " buying a pig in a sack" — all belong to a bjfgonc generation, and are a long way out of date. The sum-total of these he must see and feel, if he will only give the subject a practical hearing at the bar of common sense. And much more than the foregoing ; for he must also be sensible of the serious loss sustained both as to the sacrifice of quantity and quality of meat, and how much of this loss both he and his customers sustain. We ourselves have examined a great number of the slaughter-houses of the capital, and also of many of those of our other large towns in various provinces of England, Ireland, and Scotland, and must, in justice to the cause we have long advocated, pro- nounce the best of them an abominable nuisance at all seasons of the year. As a whole, the present plan of bringing so much offal of animals into our large populous tov^^ns, not over well ventilated, has ceased to be tolerable, on sanitary grounds ; and, therefore, the practice ought to be put a stop to by the Legislature. With regard to the farmer's losses they far exceed those of the butcher and consumer, apart altogether from the present engrossing topic of live-stock markets being the means of spreading contagious diseases, and the heavy losses sustained from steppe murrain. Indeed, it is hardly possible to form a just estimate of the loss sustained by those farmers who attend several local markets themselves, or who sell their fat stock to jobbers who do so, which amounts to exactly the same thing, as the candle in such eases is all the time burning at both ends ! while all intermediate jobbers in town and coun- try reap a harvest which they divide amongst them — a harvest of profits which would, under a more intelligent and econo- mical system of management, go into his (the farmer's) pocket. Altogether the farmer's loss is incredible, however pur-blind and insensible he himself may be as to the facts of the case in question ! The oft-repeated answer of the old school, that " the fat ox fetches more money in the live than in the dead-market," will no doubt yet fiud an echo in many an out-of-the-way corner of the country ; but the argument, if it merits such an appellation, is perhaps more in favour of the carcase trade than any direct line of ratiocination yet advanced. It has long been a proverb, that " there are none so blind as those who will not see ;" and this is just the position of those farmers who have hitherto upheld the live-stock trade, under the falla- cious belief that they obtain more money from it than from the dead-meat market. They, in other words, belong to the opinionative class of reasoners — the modern optimists, for example, who see what is going on behind the screen clearly enough. Tell Tom Acre that the small jo))ber who bought his fat ox sold him to a large dealer, who consigned him to a London salesman, who in turn sold him to an intermediate jobber, who slaughtered tliis same fat ox, handing the four- quarters to a carcase salesman, the hide going here, the loose tallow there, the tripe to such-aud-such, aud so on ; and that money was made by the small jobbers and large jobbers at every turn in the marketing of Tom Acre's fat ox ; and Tom's ready answer to all this will be that " it was good luck that made the jobbers' profits, for he knows it well that his fat ox was not worth one penny more than what he sold him for," On the other hand, when this same chronicle of the old opinionative school gets from the dead-meat market the net weight of his fat ox, the price per stone and the sum total he had, after deducting expenses, to place to his banker's account, his own eyes will not believe it at first-sight, the announce- ment is so astoundingly far below what he knows he could have got at home from his old and well-tried friend the jobber, and thus Tom Acre loses one sovereign, two or four sovereigns, according as the trade winds blow upon his fat ox, in having slaughtered liim at home and sent him to the dead-meat mar- ket. With him the case is a clear one, a sad misfortune, one upon which his neighbours of the same school deeply sympa- thise with him over his favourite pipe and pot of ale. The mishap, however, is one of those that cannot be helped : for the fat ox cannot be again placed in the stall. But who can blame Tom Acre from giving battle to every future proposition in favour of the carcase trade F We need not drag the reader's patience farther into the details of the economy of this view of the live-stock trade, as enough has been said to show its fallacy, aud how that the facts of the case at issue are all in favour of the carcase trade. The following self-evident propositions may be laid down as general rules : — 1. The weight and quality of the carcase determine the price, whether the carcase (live or dead) is sold in the live- stock or dead-meat market. 2. The weight and quality of the carcase are highest when the animal is slaughtered by the farmer at his own home- stead ; consequently the money value is also highest. 3. Every step the farmer's fat ox, sheep, or pig takes, and every moment of time that is spent in going to the live-stock market, involve a decrease of carcase weight and quality, and hence a corresponding decrease of price. And as a corollary to this latter proposition, it may be enunciated that (4-) the larger the British capital grows, the greater the reduction of the weight and quality of the carcases of the fat stock sent to its cattle market, and, consequently, the greater tlie reduction of price. I'roof in support of the truth of the above propositions, and their general application, would be superfluous. The farmer who thinks otherwise, and that he can obtain more for his fat ox, sheep, or pig than weight and quality rule in tlie mar- ket, is unworthy of the enlightened age in which he lives. And Ijutchers who cannot see that, with the growth of large towns such as the metropolis, the present system of fat-stock marketing is annually becoming more and more unsuited, are equally blind to the progress of things in connexion with the improvement of the breeds of cattle, and the commerce of animal food of the best quality ; and that the time has at length arrived when producers aud consumers must of neces- sity put an end to the antiquated and wasteful live-stock trade. Now is the time for action, when steppe-murrain lias ren- dered the driving and conveyance of cattle from place to place dangerous in the extreme, and when the provinces are unanimously forced seriously to entertain the proiiosition of putting an end to fat-stock markets altogether, by the im- mediate substitution of a general carcase trade both home and foreign. With a very few exceptions, all parties have become nauseated and sick of the present live-stock system of market- ing ; and even the exceptions themselves appear ready to wel- come the change to the carcase trade if they could only shake from off their shoulders the hici(biis of trade prejudices that THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 147 keeps mewing' into their friglitenetl cars the distorted picture of the future ! We ean well afford to drop a word of sym- pathy with uear-sighted people, whatever uuiy be their craft ; and to- those w'ho are afraid of a want of a suitable supply of dead meat, we may add that it would not take many strokes of the pen to show that doing away with the live-stock traftic on railways will enable railway companies greatly to facilitate the conveyance of dead meat under a better-organised and through-traffic system ; and that the force of steam and quan- tity of rolling stock now employed will bring up twice the amount of butchers' meat to the capital and other large toM'us were the provinces capahle of producing it. In short, all the nu-at grown in the provinces will tiud its way to the dead- meat market more readily than to the live-stock one. There need be no fear cutertained about the matter. It is with some difficulty we cau understand why the most timid of John Bull's children can arrive at a different conclusion. The initiatory step lies with landowners in building proper slaughterhouses for their tenants, and with the public iu giving their exclusive patronage to the carcase trade thus based upon a wholesome fo\indation. A First-Prize Stock-Breeder. THE AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT MAKERS AND THE NEW AUSTRIAN TARIFF. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, a deputation from the agricultural imple- ment makers waited by appointment on j\Ir. Milner Gibson, President of the Board of Trade, in Whitehall, for the purpose of laying before him their views relative to the pending altera- tions iu the Austrian taritf, in so far as they affect agricultural implements and machinery. The deputation, which was in- troduced by Mr. Stansfeld, M.P., consisted of Mr. Clayton (Clayton and Shuttleworth), Mr. James Howard, Mr. II. Gar- rett, Mr. Head (Kausome and Sims), Mr. LeButt (Boby, Bury St. Edmunds), Mr. Exall (Barrett, Exall, and Andrews Com- pany Limited), Mr. Priest, Mr.Wooluough, Mr. Cranston, and Mr. Aveling. Mr. Stansfeld, M.P., in introducing the deputation, stated that they were a committee representing all the leading firms engaged in the manufacture of agricultural machinery and implements. Their attention had been called to the treaty now iu course of negotiation between this country and Austria. They hoped that some advantages might he gained for British manufactures by the treaty, and they therefore desired to point out one or two points iu which, instead of receiving benefit, they would sustain positive injury hy the alterations which were proposed to be nmde iu the tariff. Prior to the 1st of I July, 1865, agricultural macliinery, with the exception of " ploughs, harrows, and horserakes, coidd be imported into Austria by farmers, or landed proprietors requiring it for their own use, at a duty of 4s. 2jd. per cwt. The regulation was somewhat special, as it was necessary to have a petition signed, or supposed to be signed, by a farmer, setting forth that he required the implement or machine proposed to be imported, and that the machine had not hitherto been manufactured in Austria, or, if manufactured there, was much dearer than that manufactured in England. In such a case the machine was allowed to be introduced at a duty at -is. 3|d. per cwt. Of course, as commerce adapted itself as well as it could to the regulations imposed upon it by foreign States, a large husiness had sprung up with Austria, and was rapidly increasing. On the 1st of July last a provisional tariff was introduced fore- shadowing probably the terras of the treaty about to be con- cluded, if that were really the case, EngUsh manufac- turers, instead of being benefited, would be positively damnified hy its provisions. The provisional treaty quoted 8s. instead of 4s. 2d. per cwt. for machinery, consist- ing principally of wrought-iron ; but under that treaty there had been a return of 50 per cent., so as to reduce the duty practically to the same amount at which it stood originally. But on the 5th September last, au order was promulgated re- stricting the reduction to 331 per cent. The result of this alteration was that an c/d valorem duty of 6^ per cent., allow- ing for the drawback, was raised to 10 per cent. The agricul- tural implement makers, anxious that their interests should not he damnified, and that they should enjoy the advantages of the treaty without being subjected to increased taxation, had considered it necessary to lay these facts before the Go- vernment. The Zollverein duties were much more lil)eral than those of the provisional tariff of Austria, and would be much more acceptable as a whole than the present state of things. The deputation were anxious that the trade they represented should in no respect sustain a loss by the treaty, and they thought that if it involved the principle of ad valorem duties they should not be so high as to operate to their detriment. In reply to Mr* Giuso?j. Mr. Howard explained that the high rate of duty was seldom or never paid. The goods remained in bond until they were sold. Mr. Garrett said the Austrian Government never in reahty received the 50 per cent., but the effect of the regu- lation was to throw a great deal of unnecessary trouble upon the English manufacturer, and to prevent an adherence at all times to the exact truth, inasmuch as the machines did not always go direct into the hands of a farmer, but into those of an ageut. Mr. Howard said i.hat the manufacturers at home were no parties to the collusion, but it was entered into simply by the dealers in machinery in Austria. Mr. Garrett said there had no douht been a good deal of bargaining between the Austrian ofiicials^and the dealers in machinery about the 50 per cent. Mr. Clayton inquired whether under the new treaty there was to be an ad valorem duty ? Mr. MiLNER Gibson said that the conversion of the duties into ad valorem duties was not to take place until March next. A commission would no doubt inquire into this particular matter. The duty was the basis at present. No details had at present heen settled. AVhat they bound themselves to was the basis that the maximum duty should not exceed 25 per cent., and after a certain time 20 per cent, ad valorem, but it did not follow that the duty would he placed at that amount. When the French Treaty was under consideration, on the meeting of the commissioners to consider the duties that should be imposed ou different articles within the maxira\im, the first resolution they came to was that no existing duties should be raised. There was a treaty between Austria and the Zollve- rein by which Austria was bound to raise no existing duty within ten years, and the Zollverein was to have the benefit of the lowest Austrian tariff in operation ; and as we were under the favoured nation clause with Austria, it was not possible, as he understood the question, for ten years, to raise the existing duties beyond their present amount. He cotdd not express any definite opinion ou the subject, but he might state that the at- tention of the Foreign Office had been called to it. Ou receiv- ing a communication respecting the allowance of 50 per cent, drawback being reduced to 33 per cent., he wrote to Lord Clarendon, who, he was satisfied, would give every attention to the matter. It was rathei unfortunate that the deputation had not come a day or two later, because Mr. Malet, who was ex- pected to return on the following day, would have been able to throw some light upon the question. But, seeing that the ob- ject of the Austrian Government was to reduce duties and open up trade, he could not imagine that they were going to increase duties, and thus impede trade. He did not think the manu- facturers would be placed in a worse position than they were under this treaty. The reduction of the duty was a matter on which he could not speak definitely. He could speak as to the duty itself, but not as to any allowance to he made. Mr. Garrett inquired if the right hon. gentleman wished the deputation to wait upon him again. Mr. Gibson replied that that was a matter ou which they must exercise their own discretion, but he should have great pleasure in seeing them. After the arrival of Mr. Malet he should be better able to form an opinion on the question ; but he could not conceive that the manufacturers would be placed in P. worse position th-tn they had been, The treaty wa*! 148 THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. on the point of being sigued. It might nlvc-ady liave been Mr. Garrett said he supposed that, even if it were signed, it was wide enough to admit of alterations. Mr. MiLNER Gibson : O yes, in matters of detail. Mr. Clayton observed that the trade generally had done a large business in Austria since 18.51, the exhibition of 1851 having been tlie introduction to it. Up to July last the duties were favourable enough, and the only regret of the deputation was that they might not, through the treaty, he placed in a worse position than they were before, as must be the case if 25 per cent., or anything like that, were levied upon the articles they exported. Mr. M. Gibson hoped the deputation would dismiss from their minds the idea that the fixing of a maximum implied that duties would be raised to that maximum. As he had already observed, in the case of the French treaty there was a maximum, and yet the commissioners began by agreeing to a resolution not to raise any duty. He should not think Austria was likely to raise any of her present duties. She could not raise them directly because of the treaty with the Zollverein, hut she might do so indirectly by raising the allowance in the way mentioned. Mr. Clayton : That is the point. Mr. M. Gibson said that was the very point to which he had called Lord Clarendon's attention, and it was no doubt an important one, because parties might be deprived of the benefit of the treaty. Mr. Garrett observed that the manufactures were subject to a heavy duty for carriage. It amounted to about 10 per cent., which \\&s a protection to the foreign manufacturers. Mr. Clayton said the English manufacturers would he better satisfied with the Zollverein than with any other duty. If that duty were agreed to, it would place all Germany on the same ])asis, and all the people speaking the German lan- guage would be under the same tariff. Mr. M. Gibson said that, as he had already intimatated, the matter was under the consideration of the Foreign Ofiice, and he was quite satisfied that it would he properly attended to. Mr. James Howard remembered that there was no other country in Europe which imposed an ad valorem duty of more than five per cent. Mr. Garrett added that five per cent, was just about the amount which the implement makers had paid hitherto. Sir. Clayton said, in many countries agricultural ma- chinery was admitted entirely free. There was no duty in Russia, Moldavia and Wallachia, or in Spain. The deputa- tion would not occupy any more of Mr. Gibson's time then ; hut, if it were quite convenient, they would be glad to have another interview with him. Mr. M. Gibson said he should have great pleasure in seeing them again, but the matter was, he repeated, in the hands of the Foreign Office, and they might rest assured that their in- terests would not be overlooked. Mr. Jajies Howard wished the right hon. gentleman dis- tinctly to understand that the implement makers were, for the present, in a worse position thau they had been ; so that the sooner the matter was arranged the better. Mr. Clayton added that the 50 per cent, drawback had al- ready been reduced to 33 per cent., and that it might be further reduced to 25. A door had, in fact, been opened for great mischief. The interview then terminated, with an understanding that Mr. Clayton, as chairman of the deputation, should communi- cate with Mr. Milner Gibson respecting any further conference that might be deemed desirable. THE LEATHER TRADE. ANNUAL REPORT. Our present annual report of the leather trade will he found to be, in many repects, more satisfactory as regards the interests of the manufacturer than we were enabled to offer at this period last year. The improvement has taken place principally during the last five months ; it has been steady and general, free from speculative transaction, and is still progressing. The year commenced with an active demand for most articles ; but the subsecpient extreme dryness of the weather checked the consumption of heavy goods, and probably of other descriptions also ; as from March until August, only a limited business ■\\-a3 done, and prices in some cases rather receded ; after that they began to rise and have had an upward tendency during the remainder of the year. We attribute this improved position of our market almost entirely to an increase in the home consumption, as the Austra- lian trade has been very quiet, and but little has been required for the supply of military orders, either by our own or foreign Governments. The Customs' returns, it is true, show an in- crease in our exports ; but these have consisted largely of light calf skins, basils, and sheep skins of all kinds, with some other light goods to the United States, which have not affected the general product of our tan-yards. On the whole, we regard the prospects of the leather trade, during the year before us, as more encouraging than they have been for a considerable time past. Stocks are much smaller than they have been at this season for several years, and the Ill-ices of many articles improved, whilst raw goods and bark liave remained nearly stationary. The last harvest was a good one, and has prevented the increased price of butchers' meat from materially interfering with the means of the working classes to purchase clothing and other necessities : whilst, since tlie termination of the civil war in America, arrivals of leather from thence have almost ceased, and nut only has an increased supply of cotton set our mills to work again, but extensive orders for the products of this country have been received, placing our mining and manufacturing population in full em- ploy at good wages, and this must largely contribute to the prosperity of the leather trade in the year before us. Sole Leather. — The demand for crop hides has rather revived, and the lighter weights have become scarce ; these now stand from 0^-d. to Id. per lb. higher than at this time last year ; but heavy have declined in value to about the same extent. Light English butts have met a steady sale during the greater part of the year, particularly low-priced quahties ; but no ad- vance in price resulted, and during the last quarter they have declined in value about OJd. per lb. Heavy of prime quality, on the contrary, have been in more request latterly than in the early part of the year, and realize'an advance of from OJd. to Id. per lb. Heavy foreign butts met a good inquiry in the first three months, but were dull of sale from March until August, during which time prices receded Id. per lb. : an improved de- mand then sprung up and prices gradually advanced, until at the close of the year they stand at from O^d. to id. per lb. higher than at its commencement. New South Wales butts have not been so plentiful as they were in 1864 : there has been a steady demand for them, and although prices have fluctuated occasionly, their present value is as nearly as pos- sible the same as in January last. Oft'al has been in good recivest throughout the year. Bellies and shoulders advanced Oid. in February and again in September. Bellies are now l^d.. per lb. and shoulders Id. per lb. liigher than at this time last year. Dressing Leather. — In scarcely any description has the supply been much in advance of the demand ; a good steady business was done up to August, when prices mostly advanced. Light calf skins, in particular, went up 2d. per lb., principally in consequence of large purcliases made for the United States, and tiiose of 401bs. and under continue in request on these terms, whilst middle weights and heavy are Id. per lb. above the quotations of twelve months since. Best saddlers hides have varied but little ; light have been for the most part scarce and wanted ; prime of middle average have scarcely varied in value ; extra heavy have not been so much required as usual, and have receded O^d. per lb. The supply of light common hides has been mostly lather short of requirements, and they are O^d. per lb. dearer than in January last, Prime bark tanned shaved THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 149 hides have generally met with purchasers on arrival, aud siuce August have realized from O^d. to Id. per lb. advance; mixed tannages have met a steady inquiry with scarcely any variation in prices. Consignments of East India kips have been made, principally to meet the actual requirements of purchasers, and but little stock has remained ou the market; scarcely any change has taken place in the value of best sorts, but common qualities are Id. to IJd. dearer. English horse hides have sold freely thronghout the year, aud during November an advance of Id. \)ev lb. was estabhshed, aud is now readily obtainable. Spanish have been in very limited supply, and heavy are scarce and realize Is, to 2s. per hide more than they did twelve months since. Basils have met an active inquiry for the supply of the United States, aud this market has been nearly cleared of all kinds : our extreme quotations only show a variation of Id. per lb., but intermediate kinds mostly realize 2d. per lb. more than they would have done at this time last year. CuRRiKD Le.vtiiee. — The supply has geuerally been rather short of requirements, and stocks have gradually run down, so that at the close of the year several descriptions are almost cleared out. Kip butts have met the most active inquiry. Prices advanced iu August from Id. to Ijd. per lb., since which a further similar rise has taken place ; and at the close of the year the best qualities are readily saleable at from 2d. to 3d., and inferior kinds at from IJd. to 2d. more than could be made at its commencement. Kip grain has been equally scarce, aud has advanced to a like extent. Cordovan has met a good inquiry during the last quarter, and common kiuds are 2d. per lb. dearer than they were a few months siuce. Shoe butts aud Scotch middliugs of light substance have mostly heen readily saleable ; but, until August, heavy descriptions were difficult to move. The market at present is nearly cleared of all kinds. Of calfskins the supply has beeu un- usually small. Light weights realize a considerable advance, and are much wanted. Harness hides and backs were not much required in the early part of the year ; but latterly they have sold more freely, aud well-flayed lots, of good substance, are now iu request. Raw G00D.S. — On reviewing the trade in South American hides during the past year, and comparing it with the earlier part of the preceding one, a great similarity of features is to be observed iu both — the same declining tendency to the eud of March ; hut from that time down to the close of 1863 there was a steady and regular improvement in price till the whole of the previous fall was recovered, and the rates for heavy, light ox, and cow, vary but slightly from those current a twelvemonth since. The most extreme fluctuation has beeu in light ox, which at one time receded fully l^d. per lb., whilst the extreme fall in heavy was never more than Ofd. per lb. ; hut their relative cheapness induced large purchases, and a rapid advance took place, which soon restored them to their proportionate value with heavy ox. The position of the hide market now is due entirely to the improved state of the sole leather trade, this article being generally in good demand, at more remunerative rates than for some time past ; and as there is every prospect of tanning material being cheaper, we think tanners commence the new year with a fair prospect of remu- neration for the capital and talent employed. As to the supply during the present season it is yet too early to speak with confidence ; hut there are several elements at work which will assist in procuring large supplies. In the first place, one of the little wars which so constantly retard the prosperity of the River Plate has been terminated by the repulse of the invaders ; and the Saladeros can therefore be worked in safety. Secondly, the value of both hides and taUow is so much enhanced as to render the slaughtering ope- rations more profitable, and will induce purchasers to go fur- ther into the interior to seek supplies. And lastly, a new process for extracting the nutritious portions of the meat, and sending it to Europe in a concentrated form, has already been suceessfijlly tried ; and it is expected that very large quantities of cattle will be required for this purpose, and thus relieve the saladeristas of an article which has frequently proved a source of loss instead of profit to them. By reference to imports we tind that Rio Grande contributes very largely to our supply of hides ; and there is no reason to doubt that the present year will show as great a total from that port as the past has done. The stocks of hides now here are small, compared with Ja- nuary last; but tanners generally are reported to be well stocked. The new import may be expected earlier than last season ; and our advices state that large contracts have been already made hi the River Plate. During the past month the arrivals have been limited, amounting to 4,215 salted River Plate ox aud cow, 500 dry aud 835 salted Rio Grande hides, and 10,077 dry West Coast hides. The sales comprise 5,8G7 salted River Plate hides at the extreme rates current in No- vember ; but in Liverpool G^d. has been paid for heavy ox, and G|d. for extra heavy, being fully O^d. to O^-d. per lb, above the prices ruling here. The Rio Grandes noted above were sold afloat ; and the stock in importers' hands is only 2,057. The stock of River Plate hides is 9,993 salted, against 51,292 in 1865 ; and the total import of South American hides into England is 2].,095 dry and 093,333 salted, against 49,5 for best feeding. An advance of 5s. per ton was realized in March, the supply being limited. From that time no alteration of consequence took place up to the last month of the year, when £6 5s. was accepted for best green ; and we close it with a firmer market, crushers demanding £C 10s., and stock in hand in a narrow compass. Cotton Seed. — The trade in this article has very consi- derably increased during the year. The import has more than doubled, but has nearly all passed into consumption, the year closing with a stock equal to about six weeks' work, which is all in the hands of crushers. The arrivals during the next two months must necessarily be very small, as there are hut few cargoes of old seed afloat, and new seed (of the crop of 18C5) cannot arrive in quantity before March. Prices have fluctuated frequently duriug the year. Old seed opened at £G 15s., but during the months of February and March the price advanced to £7 10s., from actual scarcity ; and during the same period £7 2s. Gd. to £7 5s. was paid for cargoes of new seed — December, January, February shipments. Great incon- venience was felt during the spring through the non-arrival of cargoes due iu February and March, but which did iiot come in till the end of April, after the cake season was over. A very large arrival at that time completely overwhelmed the market, and the price fell to £G 7s. Gd. per ton. From this low point, however, there was a rapid rally ; and prices in the end of June reached £7 12s. Gd. to £7 15s. Large ar- rivals and a dull cake trade reduced it to £7 to £7 5s. duriug July, which prices prevailed up to the beginning of Novem- ber. A considerable inquiry for refined oil for export then caused a rapid advance up to £8 10s. by the end of the month. New seed of the crop of 18G5, for positive monthly deliveries, was also sold as high as £8 15s. During the month of De- cember the market has been rather easier ; and the year closes with sellers of old seed, shortly expected, at £8 5s., and of new for monthly deliveries, March to May, at £8 10s., which prices buyers are at present indisposed to pay. Cotton Seed Oil. — The large supply of seed, the defi- ciency of the rape crop, and the improvements iu refining, liave all helped to bring this valuable oil into more general notice. The year opened with crude at 33s. 6d. to 24s. naked, and re- fined at 31s. to 32s. in casks, and these prices prevailed during the whole of the spring with but slight variations. From June to September prices gradually crept up to 27s. crude and 34s. refined, and further during September and October to 29s. and 36s. respectively. In November crude advunced to 34s. and refined to 42s. in consequence of a large demand for ex- port ; but these high rates have scarcely been maintained, and the present quotations are 33s. 6d. crude and 41s. refined in all positions. Cotton Seed Cakes.— Owing to the non-arrival of car- goes, seed was very scarce during the early months of the year and commanded £6 per ton. When the large arrivals of seed took place in May, crushers met the inquiry very freely, and several thousand tons changed hands on contract at £5. From that time the trade was excessively dull, and prices declining ■up to the end of October, when £4 5s., the lowest price of the year, was reached. At that figure an immense demand cleared away the stocks in the mills, when the price rapidly returned to £5, and deliveries have since been fully equal to the produc- tion. The present price, both for spot and spring delivery, is £5 5s. Olive Oil. — The imports this year have been 7 555 tons against 5,195 in 1864,5,177 in 1863, 7,454 in 1862, and 3,372 in 1861. The import shows, as we anticipated, " good sup- plies ;" but large as they have been, the consumption has kept equal pace with them, and prices have ruled for the first four months .at £.'35 to £56 for Gallipoli. Liberal supplies having theu come forward, prices gave way about GOs. per ton for the next four; after which, from the brisk demand, scarcity of seed, and other oils, prices have gradually advanced to .£57 to £58, at which they remain at present. Tlie continued high prices at most of the shipping ports, coupled with the general scarcity of other oils, are calculated to maintain present rates. Tlie present stocks are about 400 tous, against 539 same time last year. Flax. — The total import of Flax into this port during the year from the several countries whence our supplies are usually drawn, amounts to 13,729 tons, against 15,208 tons in 1864, 12,678 tons iul863, and 14,763 tons in 1862; and of Tow and CodiUa 7,104 tons, against 7,026 tons in 1864, 3,763 tons in 1863, and 4,385 tons in 1863. There have been exported iu the same period 1,264 tons of Flax, and 404 tons of Tow, principally to France and Belgium. During the first three or four months of the year the trade was iu a very chequered state, the prices continually drooping, until in April tiie value of Flax in this market had fallen nearly £10 per ton since 1st of January. Although the uncertainty and continuance of the American war necessarily checked the expectation of Cotton supplies, yet the Linen trade remained in a depressed condition. In the month of April the conviction obtained that Flax had seen its lowest quotations, stocks were now reduced within a narrow compass, especially of the best colour and quality, and the usual spring snppUes from Riga were anxiously looked for. In ]May there was a revival of the demand for Flax, with some anxiety on behalf of the spinners to get into stock, and prices began to recover. In June and July further and decided advances in prices took place, it being seriously feared that the new crops of Flax in Ireland, France, and the Low Countries had suffered much injury by the drought and heat, and the con- sequence was that the French and Belgian spinners appeared in the llussiau markets, and were iu fact outbidding the Eng- glisli buyers. The month of August brought further active demands from the continental, IrisJi, and English spinners, and tliis, connected with the high rates paying in Riga, gave a fur- ther stimulus to our market and threw up the prices still further. In September and October the activity in the Linen and Yarn markets was very great. Stocks of Flax were small, and it was moreover ascertained that the yield of the Irish crop was really deficient. All these concurring facts tended of course to stiffen prices both in Riga and our home markets. During the month of November an advance of fully £5 per ton took place, and business seemed only checked by tlie want of supplies and suitable qualities. Distant buyers appeared iuour market anxious to satisfy their wants. The closing month of the year is generally one of caution, and the now very high rates somewhat restrict operations. It may be observed that the advance in prices from March (the lowest point in the year) to the present time is over 40 per cent., and from the 1st of Janurary to 31st December it may be noted at nearly 25 per cent. ! From the review of the year it will be seen that the failure of the Flax crops, concurring with the great activity in the demand from the spinners (who have extended their machinery) has been the cause of our very advanced prices. It may be further noted that the French spinners have been buyers in the Hull market. Two or three years ago the neces- sity was urged of an extended growth of the Flax plant in all countries adapted for its successful culture. Looking this moment at the vast increase of Flax machinery in the United Kingdom, also iu France, Prussia, Bohemia, Saxony, kc. (as reported by that able Government inspector, Robert Barker, Esq.), it becomes a matter of grave national importance that a very extended growth of Flax should be promoted and en- couraged. The Linen trade is evidently largely on the increase, and the demand for the raw material will be in correspondent measure from many different countries. Hemp. — The receipts of this article are largely in excess of previous years, the import amounting to 7,527 tons, against THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 1^^ 3,671 tous iu ISGi, ihc antieipatod abuuchuit iiipiily named in our last year's report being thus fully realized. The price of clean opened with the new year at £33, remaining thereat for a short time, and then gradually, owing to limited de- mand, drooping in July to £~S. Soon after, a demand hav- ing appeared for American account, the price advanced to £35 to £36, the year closing with firmness at £34 to £35 for clean. Present consumption is good, while stocks may be considered moderate in amount. Cattle Bo>'es ajJd Guaiv'o. — The import is about the same as last year, but we this year receive more from South America (chiefly on crusher's account) than from Ihc Medi- terranean or BaJtic ports, where they begin to use them more largely on their own soil. The value of European imports iu the spring ruled about £6 7s. 6d. per ton ; more liberal im- ports in May drove prices down to £5 17s. 6d., and in June to Mb 10s., at which there were buyers to hold over. Imports, however, fell off and prices gradually advanced to £5 15s. in August, £6 in September, and £6 5s. to £6 7s. 6d. in October and November. South American being held for £0 2s. 6d. per ton. Stocks are trilling, say 500 tous, against 1,000 tous last year, and the value of European is £6, and of American £5 17s. 6d. per ton — Ash £5. GuAjvo. — This important trade seems now fairly established here. During the year 12 ships have arrived from Chinchas bringing 19,000 tons, and the stock on hand, including the cargoes now discharging, is about 15,300 tons. The price is fixed at £12_3s. 6d. per ton, and the agents report a large and increasing demand. Tar. — Prom Finland and Swedish ports the import this year has been 26,05-i barrels, against 26,256 ditto last year. Prices this season liave been rather irregular, the first arrivals selling at 16s. to 16s. 6d., later on lis. to 14s. 6d. was accepted. The arrivals, however, found a fair market, and prices ranging from 15s. 6d. to 17s. w^re realised. The Finland ports closing rather earlier this year, has caused a deficiency in the imports, which otherwise might have been expected. The nearest value on the spot now is 17s. 6d. to 18s. A large demand has lately sprung up for crude tar, wliidi is being used as a disinfectant for the " cattle plague" now raging in most parts of England. The present stock in aU hands is about 6,500 barrels, against about 9,000 ditto same time last year. Akciiai^gel. — Ovving to the high price, the import of this article continues small compared with previous years, only one cargo has been imported, consisting of 950 barrels. The pre- sent value is about 22s. TuRPE^'TI^"E Sfirit.s. — Our market continues to be well supplied, principally from France, which country seems likely to be henceforth a rival to America ; the supply from the former country in the shape of manufactured products (rosins and turpentine spirits) seems fully to meet English demands, for spirits liave ranged during the year from 42s. to 50s. ; the nearest value is now 47s. Rosix. — The finer sorts for soap making have been well supplied by the French makers, and shipped direct from Bor- deaux to Hull. Prices have varied from 18s. to 30s. accord- ing to quality. Common sorts are in good supply from 13s. to 15s. 6d. American rosin now begins to be offered, but at prices too high compared with the French. The importation of Timber and Deal, as compared with 1864, has increased 23,757 loads, being 286,284 loads, against 262,527 ; notwithstanding the Hull merchants continue send- ing large quantities into Hartlepool, where a still larger pro- portionate increase is understood to have taken place. The importation into London is also said to be larger than in any preceding year. The very low price of foreign wood which I has jircvailcd during the last four or five years has no doubt ' greatly increased the consumption. The reduction in tlie duty from a high rate to an almost nominal one has led to the im- portation of inferior quahties and varied dimensions, which were excluded when the high duties were in force. There has been very little variation in the prices during the year, the present being very similar to those that prevailed at tlie com- mencement. The stocks on hand are greater than they were at the close of the last year, and quite equal to supply the prospective demand at the commencement of the spring im- portation. C'OAL.s. — The export trade this year has been iu excess of any previous one, being 177,240 tous, against 154,700 tous the year before ; the strikes amongst the collieries still con- tinue to embarrass business, and enhanced prices are the re- sult ; nor can we look for a fair development of the trade until such unhappy differences are overcome, and until we are able to communicate direct with the coal districts of South York- shire, and possess the means in our docks of accommodation and despatch to vessels loading. SiiiPriXG. — The chartering of vessels has not been very active this season. Freights opened at 31s. Quebec to Hull or Grimsby, 75s. Miramachi and Shediac, 60s. Riga, 46s. 3d. Cronstadt, 47s. 6d. Gefle to 'W'est Hartlepool, 45s. "Wyburg and Fredericsham, 40s. Cronstadt, and 26s. Gothenburg to ditto. American freights became very lifeless, and the close of the season found seeking ships obliged to accept very low rates. Baltic freights, on the contrary, improved quickly, and from Cronstadt to Hull and Grimsby, rates gradually in- creased, imtil 60s. and upwards was paid. Wyburg 63s. to 64s. The use of steamers in the Baltic, French, and Medi- terranean trades continues yearly to increase, with, on the whole, favourable results ; our export trade has this year been very extensive. P. Bruce. JIi/l/, December 30. 1865. THE LIVERPOOL WOOL TRADE. ANNUAL REPORT. If we cast a retrospective glance at the wool trade in general for the year now about to close, no particularly striking fea- ture presents itself to distinguish it from its immediate prede- cessors. The same healthy state reported for several years past has prevailed, and spinners and manufacturers have been M'ell and profitably occupied, the demand for woollen goods, more particularly for home use, having been excellent throughout, consequent upon the general prosperity of the country, aided by a favourable harvest, and money on the aver- age at a moderate rate. There has been some fluctuation in the prices of the raw material, and, although they now rule somewhat lower than at the beginning of the year, with the exception of some classes of fine colonial wool, on the whole their range has been con- sidered by consumers and dealers sufticiently high to warrant great caution in their purchases, which have, therefore, been altogether free from a speculative character, and chiefly re- stricted to the supply of actual requirements. The imports of wool have continued on the increase. The official returns of the Board of Trade, which at present are available only for the eleven mouths ending the 30th Novem- ber, 1865, showing a falling ofi' in foreign wools of about 14,000,0001bs. as, compared with those of the same period in 1864 ; but there 'is, on the other hand, an increase of about 18,000,0001bs. in colonial wools. The exports of wool this year exhibit a very great increase, the returns at the end of November showing an excess of 30,000,0001bs. as compared with those of the previous year. France and Belgium alone have taken 18,000,0001bs. more of colonial, and 3,000,0001bs. more of foreign wool. In the ex- ports of home-grown wools there appears to be an increase of about l,000,0001bs., but there is no very material diftereuce between the sterling amount of the exports of woollen manu- factures, those for the eleven mouths of 1864 amounting to £22 307,204, whilst for the same period of this year they sum up to £22,980,929. Presuming that the Board of Trade returns for the whole twelvemonth will not to any material extent affect the above 156 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. statistics, it would appear that the quantity of wool left for home consumption is about 26,000,0001bs. less this year than iu ISG-i; and, as we may safely assiune that if there has not been an actual increase in the rate of consumption, there certainly has been uo decrease, this diminution in the supply of tlie raw material will suiRciently account for the well-known unusual lightness of stocks of wool in the hands of importers, as well as manufacturers and dealers. AusTKALiAN. — The arrivals stand tlius •. 833,603 bales in 1865, against 330,801 bales in 1864. Tlie quarterly public sales in London took place from the 2nd to the 37th of March, with SJ-jSli' bales, including 33,658 bales Cape ; from 11th May to 24th June, 159,399 bales, including 21,985 bales Cape; from 17th August to 33rd September, 139,072 bales, including 35,302 bales Cape; and from 16th Novem- to 6tli December 60,287 bales, including 30,737 bales Cape. Total 4i3, 372 bales, inclusive of 101,683 bales Cape. The quantity taken for export, chiefly to France and Belgium, is estimated at about 150,000 bales! Prices at the two first series of these sales maintained about their former position, advanced slightly at the third series, and at the last showed a further improvement on previous rates, particularly for long- stapled descriptions. The growth and condition of these wools have been of much the same character as those of the preceding year; but in many flocks " burrs" seem to be on the increase, and these, if not checked, must, of course, seriously affect the value of such clips. Cape Wools have also arrived in much larger quantity (the imports of 1865 being 99,990 bales, while those of 1864 were 69,053 bales), which increase is no doulit in a great mea- sure owing to slupments having been directed to this country instead of to the United States. They have — though not to the same extent — participated iu the eunanced value of Aus- tralian. Western wools continue to enjoy a preference over those of the eastern district, on account of their superior breed and condition, which remark has reference more par- ticularly to shipments brought forward during the last series. Short wools, faulty and infested with seeds, have been neglected, and heavy of sale. SrANisii AND PoKTUGAL. — The imports from Spain have again consisted chiefly of greasy and black wools, for which the inquiry has been very languid. Those from Portugal show a considerable increase as compared with tliose of 1864. Oporto wools liave, every now and tlien, participated in the duluess of English descriptions, but, on the whole, maintained their value better, the difference between the present range of prices and that of tlie same tune last year being about Id. per lb. Of CasteUo Branco and frontier, the supply has been ratlier limited, and, as they were much sought after, have realized very full prices. River Plate Wools.— In the earlier part of the year, transactions to a large extent, principally in unwashed Buenos Ayres, took place, at ratlier low rates, several importers having decided to meet the market freely, iu order to clear off old stocks before arrival of the new clip ; and again during the last two or three months a fair business has licen done in the same, for export to America and Belgium. The arrivals from Monte Video have met with ready sale at full market value. Cordova and Santiago of good quality have to some extent been influenced, in Ijoth demand and price, by English wools ; l)ut the lower and ill-conditioned kinds have been difticult to move. The growth of wool in the Plate districts ;s rapidly increasing, producing now twice as much as it did four years back. The exports for tlie year ending the 81st October, 1865, are announced to be 139,500 bales, whUst for the same period of 1861 they were only 61,800 bales. To Belgium alone, where the consiunption of this class of wool has always been considerable, no less than 63,600 bales (or nearly one-half of the total exports) have been shipped this season. Peruvlvn AjS'b Alpaca. — There has been a considerable diminution in tlie imports of Peruvian wools this year, and, owing to the temporary blockade of the ports there, the exports were for a time altogether suspended. In the early part of the year supplies were ample, and prices ruled in favour of buyers ; but later, with decreasing stocks, tliey gradually recovered, and ourmarket is now quite bare of tliis description. Lima and Chili of a good class have met with ready sale for the greater part of theyeai, and commanded fuU rates. For Alpaca the demand has been very good, the sales made having been gene- rally for future arrival, at gradually advancing prices, which rule now from 4d. to 6d. per lb. higher than at this time last year. East India and Persian.— Tlie imports which, with trifling exceptions, all come to this port, have been brought forward at the following four series of public sales — From the 34th Jan. to the 1st Feb 15,565 bales. „ 20th April to the 26th April 11,735 „ „ 36th July to the 3nd Aug.... 13,741 „ „ 18th Oct. to the 37th Oct 30,399 „ luaU 61,430 „ Against 69,458 bales inl864. The better classes of white and yellow East India have been most in request throughout, and have gradually advanced in value; whilst inferior and gray and all ill-conditionedkinds have commanded much less attention, and, in consequence, liave suff'ered in price to some extent. Persians have, like East India, arrived in smaller quantities than in the previous year, and the better descriptions of true-bred wools have again been taken, chiefly for export to France, and realized fuU prices. Our next series wiU most likely not take place until the latter end of January. Arrivals since the October sales amount at present to 6,196 bales only. Russia, — Donskoi wool has experienced a good demand ; prices have fluctuated a little, but are at present as high as a twelvemonth ago. I^arge parcels have been shipped to America during the last two or three months, and stocks are at present in comparatively small compass. EsYPTIiUV AND other MEDITERRANEAN WOOLS have been iu moderate request, but the tendency of prices has been rather in favour of buyers. The decrease in arrivals is con- siderable. Bakbary. — Washed Wools, which have reached us in but trifling quantities this year, have been of ready sale, especially the better class ; but greasy descriptions liave been more or less neglected, and prices nominal. Much less of both kinds has been directed to this country than for many years past. Iceland. — More than double the usual quantity has arrived during the year. The demand has been fair, and the best kinds of North wool have commanded fuU market value. Mohair has been imported in larger quantity than ever. The article has been in great request, and has considerably advanced during the year ; fair average quality, worth this time last year from 2s. 9d, to 3s. per lb., realises now Ss, 6d. to 8s. 9d. per lb. Domestic Wools were higher in value at the close of last year than they had been for upwards of a quarter of a cen- tury, and it was, therefore, not to be wondered at that, during the first five months of this year, consumers purcliased with more than ordinary caution, in consequence of which prices gradually receded until about clip-time, when they were 15 to 30 per cent, below tlie closing rates of 1854. At this period, liowever, stocks in manufacturers' and spinners' hands had be- come very much reduced, and as growers showed great firm- ness in their demands, they were compelled to pay rather higher rates, and at these a considerable quantity of the new clip found buyers. Since then the market has assumed a very quiet tone, though prices have, with some slight fluctuations, been remarkably steady, and close at fuUy the same range as at chp time. Scotch : As long as the principal portion of the wools from Scotland were forwarded by water, Liverpool was a veiy important depot, as not only consignments, but also nearly aU the wool bought by the Yorkshire dealers and manufacturers came to this port ; however, our market has become of less importance, since the introduction of railways has given such facilities for sending the wool where required for consumption, and another new feature has presented itself in the periodical sales by auction in Leith and Glasgow, where growers send their wools direct. — At the Fairs prices opened at about the same decline as iu English wools, viz., from 15 to 30 per cent., but have since then somewhat recovered. Sheepskins. — Until May last, the business done was of very limited extent ; but from that time until now there has been a better demand by private contract, as well as the public sales, and skins of a good class are now rather dearer than at the commencement of the year. Liverjpool, Bcc. 30. E. W. Ron.u.d and Son. THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE. 157 THE CATTLE PLAGUE. THE CHANCELLOR OE THE EXCHEQUER ON GOVERNMENT INSURANCE. The following letter has been addressed by the Cliaucellor of the Excheq[uer to Sir T. D. Lloyd : — " Uawardeu, Chester, Dec. CO, 18G5. " Dear Sir, — Tlie reasons which first otter themselves to my mind Hgainsl any undertaking by Government to treat tlie insurance of cattle as a state concern, and to support it by a guarantee from the Exchequer, are of tlie foUowiug cha- racter : — "1. The difficulty, and not the difficulty only, but the impos- sibility, of preventing carelessness, waste, and fraud of every kind, from tlic first moment it should become known that the ultinuxte responsibility (beyond a fixed limit, which would at once be found a very, very narrow one) lay with the public purse. " '2. The fact that in a number of eases particular districts and landlords have already made their own arrangements, which must have been acted upon. Were Government to move into the field, these good examples would be neutralised, and those who have met tlieir own losses would be called as tax-payers to assist in meeting the losses of other people too. " 3. If it shall appear, as is probable, that it is to preven- tion rather than cure or compensation that we must chiefly look, xmder Providence, for the mitigation of the calamity, nothing could be so unfortunate as a measure like a State guarantee, which, by relaxing vigilance and the ingenuity of self-interest, would tend to take the minds of men off a subject obviously of the greatest moment, and, as clearly, not yet sounded to the bottom. This objection does not apply to plans of a voluntary nature, where every man would be checked by his neighbours, and each scheme would have its proper ad- justments. " 4. If the cattle plague should not extend itself on a large scale, and so the losses of a severe character should be con- fined to a small fraction of the farming class, there seems an obvious impropriety in relieving landlords, neighbours, and ratealjle property from tlie duty of assisting, so far as assist- ance is necessary, those on whom the blow has fallen. And the precedent would be an evil one. " 5. But if, on the other hand, the disease should extend very widely, the result must inevitably be felt in a much aug- meuted price of meat. The consumer would then, probably, taking the country all over, pay the same, or a larger aggregate amount of money for a greatly diminished quantity. All those who were not smitten iu their own cattle would thus profit largely by the disease as producers, wliile as consumers they would only suft'er in common with the community at large. How, then, would the community be asked to pay twice, first for their meat in extra price, and, secondly, for the cattle lost ; while landlords and cultivators of the soil would, probably, as a class, have their loss (as in a bad corn year) countervailed by a corresponding or greater benefit ? " I have thus stated freely what occui's to me, and perhaps, in prudence, here I ought to end, as my particular official duty ends with considering the merits of any call made on the Exchequer ; Init the nature of the appeal you make to me induces me to go somewhat further, and to state opinions which I hold with due submission to better judgments, and with all readiness to be corrected by events changing almost from day to day. " The severity with which this calamity falls in particular cases is grievous. It may be met, in part at least, by asso- ciations for insurance, which will diminisli the difficulty arising from uncertainty — first, by only dealing with a proportion of the loss ; secondly, by widening their local area. Then there is a special claim — though one varying with circumstances — ■ upon tlie landlord for help. Then there is the resource — should tlie evil greatly grovr — of public subscription, in which I hope we should find classes that have received benefit in other great visitations willing to return it. There is, lastly, the resources of some legal charge upon rateable property of the description likely to suffer. But the particular application of these considerations must depend upon circumstances in great part as yet undeveloped. " In the meantime, I believe the first of all duties is to study in every way the subject of prevention. T'he public mind is now in a state to endure measures of restraint in larger measure than before the fact of serious and progressive increase was established ; and the powers in the hands of local autliorities arc, I believe, as large as actual circumstances justify, or as general opinion would sustain. " So mucli for prevention by restraint upon traffic in beasts. But there are other measures of prevention, to be taken by each man for himself, whicli are of great moment, but which (as far as my information goes) would appear to have been likewise less, or less intelligently, considered. I hear, from time to time, of cases in which substances are introduced into yards and sheds and cowsheds for prevention, with no aim more distinct than that of creating a strong smell ; whereas the two main objects to lie taken into view, I conceive, must be these — to neutralize the poison, especially by the removal of all substances on which it would most easily lay hold ; and to improve the air by substances wliich increase the life-sustaining element in it, and thus raising the tone of health, so as to remove or diminish that predisposition in the animals on wliich so much depends, and which appears, in cases of this description, to be what is rudely called a low state or tone of body. " I shall not attempt to enter upon question^ of chemistry with which I am uuact[uainted ; and I assume that the best which any man can do at tlie present moment is to state any facts within his knowledge which give a presumption of being possibly useful ; certainty appearing for the present out of the question. At this place one medical man — a scientific, able, and cautious inquirer — has tentatively advised several of our farmers to adopt simple measures of precaution, which I may in a rough way (without his authority) describe as follows : 1. To remove from the cowhouses all substances probably af- fording a ready lodgment to the poison. 2. To restore and invigorate the atmosphere by phosphorus. 3. To keep the stock within walls, as no agency of the kind mentioned can be effective in the open air. The disease has now been in this neighbourhood for weeks. It came into the parish, I think, about a week ago. It has partially surrounded farms wliere these measures have been adopted, and thus far they remain unscathed. We must not presume to answer for to-morrow ; but I have not yet liappened to hear of any facts so well worth attention. I may add that the circumstances of its appearance liere seem to suggest that the disease passes by a diffused movement in the atmosphere, and not only, though in all like- lihood much more virulently, by contagion. Likewise that there are various points of detail which, if stated, would go strongly to support what I have said of tlie preventive mea- sures. One word more of the measures themselves. At any moment the disease may appear on the exempted farms. But the evidence of their failure would certainly not approach completeness until it were known what proportion of the stock were seized, and what proportion of the seized had recovered. The return for the week ending December 16th gives us the foUoM'ing figures : Cases. Died. Recovered. Countyof Chester ... 1,423 ... 534 ... 46 AH Scotland 4,909 ... 1,075 ... 366 Tims, in Cheshire, the deaths are 37i per cent, of the cases ; in Scotland, 32 per cent. ; and in Cheshire the recoveries are 8| per cent, of vhe deaths ; in Scotland, 34 per cent. I beg you to excuse any error which may have crept into this letter, and I remain, dear sir, your very faithful servant, W. E. Gladstone. Sir Thomas D. Lloyd, Bart., M.P. P.S. — In Cheshire allowance must be made for dairy stock } but the inequalities elsewhere are many. The recoveries in all England are to the deaths as one to eight ; in Eorfarshire, where the numbers attacked are larger thau iu any county except York, they are two in seven, 158 THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZ1]S[E. THE CATTLE PLAGUE ONE-HUNDRED-AND-riFTY YEARS SINCE. Our readers have of late frequently uiet with the name of Lancisi as au autiiority referred to on the cattle plague ; but fe\y, prohably, luxve read the very remarkable history of the disease as recorded by liim in his treatise Be Bovilld Peste. Nearly a luiudred and fifty years have passed since Lancisi wrote that history ; and yet it is no exaggeration to say that his account of tlie plague, of its nature, its symptoms, and its treatment, is as perfect as anytliing wliich this present day has produced. It is impossible to peruse his pages without re- gretting that so much wisdom, and lessons so practical and so full of instruction, should have been, for us at least, written in vain. Our readers will, we arc sure, thank us even now for calling their special attention to a work so marvellously replete with wisdom and common sense and scientific know- ledge. They may well turn for a few liours from " the current literature of the day," and take a draught at the pure foun- tain of a bygone philosopher's knowledge. It is well to see how a great physician writes wlien he records his experience, not for the advertisement of his own fame, but for the benefit of the public and of posterity. In liis apology for writing the treatise, our readers will catch a glimpse of the philoso- phic mind which pervades it. " I may be asked," he says, " of what benefit can this com- mentary be to posterity, as I have no remedy to oiler for the cure of the plague ? I answer, of very great benefit ; for it is no little thing in human affairs to know what to avoid and what is true — lucrum eliam in rchi's hiimaiiis iwii e^u/uum est habere cerium aique e.rplorafum quod ritemus. And surely we have learnt this much, that, from the very beginning of the plague, all commerce in cattlemust bearrested; andthat,if we are not able to cure the disease, we kuow at least how to deal with the evils attending it. Here, as happens in many other dis- eases, we may prevent their occurrence ; but, when once they have possession of tlic body, we are powerless to cure them. E conirario, caw jam facta sunt, nuUi ceduiit mediraminir And we may here remark that, throughout his work, Lan- cisi endeavours to impress upon posterity, for whose beueflt he wrote, that the only remedy for the disease is the arrestment of its outagion — the very remedy recommended, a hundred and fifty years later, by the Cattle Plague Commissioners. The cattle plague, he tells us, first appeared in Italy in 1709, in the district of the Po. It wasbrou;^ht there by au ox from Hungary ; illefatalis, iiavi e.v llutujarid adcectus hos. Thence the disease, as " a neglected spark, spread like a conflagration over Italy." It did not, however, reach the Campagna (Latium) until the summer of 1713. Directly its presence there was announced, most stringent measures were taken to arrest its progress. All tralHc in cattle was forbidden, and the severest punishment inflicted on those who disobeyed tlie order. Then arose the ijuestion how to deal with the infected oxen ; whether it would be best at once to destroy every animal within the city boundaries, whether diseased, or supposed to be dis- eased. " I advised," says Lancisi, " that the animals should be killed ; for I argued that, if they were left to slow death, they would cause great expense in drugs, vetcrinaries, attend- ants, &c. ; and especially that, by their presence, they would assist in the spread of contagion. The Sacred College, how- ! ever, determined that a milder course should be pursued, aiul remedies tried ; and, indeed, were much moved to tiiis by the fact that there were plenty of persons who asserted they had infallible cures for the disease." " Eut the truth is," added the sagacious Lancisi, " that in the cattle, as in the human plague, not every one who takes the disease dies of it. Some recover ; and thanks to Nature, rather than to the remedies given them. " As Lancisi anticipated, these attempts to cure the disease led to its wider spreading. Edicts \icre issued forbidding the Ijringing of cattle from the Campagna into the city district of Rome, under penalty of death to a layman, and of the galleys for life to an ecclesiastic. Strictly forbidden also was the sale of the skin, horns, flesh, and fat of the ani- mals ; and their bodies were ordered to be buried in deep pits, and covered with quick lime. Religions ceremonies were pre- scribed, and prayers ordered, by order of tlie Sacred College to stay the progress of the plague. Measures also were taken to prevent the sale of diseased meat. Inspectors were ap- pointed to visit the markets ; and only those pieces of meat which were stamped with a hot iron by the inspector were allowed to be sold. Salting of the diseased meat was for- bidden. It may, perhaps, be doubtful, says Lancisi, whether the eating of diseased meat is hurtful ; but still it is best to err on the safe side. Skinning of the dead carcases was for- Ijidden, Ijccause thereby exit would be given to diseased mat- ters, \ihich might thus be spread abroad by the wind and tlirough tlie infected soil. The severity of the edicts issued were complained of, he adds ; but it is a fact that here, where the laws were strictly enforced, the plag\io was arrested much sooner than in other parts of Italy. Lancisi then details a series of wise measures which were taken to anticipate the misery which might arise from the destruction of the cattle ; and the great liberality of the Papal Government to those who had thereby suffered severe losses. Calculation made of the cattle destroyed by the plague during its nine months' stay, in the Compagna and the city district, showed that 26,252 had perished. The different edicts issued by the Sacred College are given at length by Lancisi ; and for the reason, " that he thinks they will be of great service to posterity, if a similar misfortune should ever again happen — which may Heaven avert ! They may be regarded as sure and certain documents, teaching how the plague may be extinguished," &c. In the third part of this work, Lancisi gives an historical summary of i the cattle plague, as referred to liy ancient writers. He then proceeds to describe the signs and symptoms of the disease. The disease, he says, presents all the signs of a true plague : it is a pernicious fever. The symptoms of the disease vaiy somewhat in different animals, just as diseases do in man, according to their tem- peraments : but there are certain signs constantly present in ahnost all cases. Thus we find that " the animal drops its head ; tears flow from its languid eyes ; mucus and saliva pour forth from tlie nostrils and mouth ; and, seized with fever, quickened pulse, shiverings, and horripilation, it lies sick upon tlie ground. Inflammations, pustules, hydatids, and ulcers in- variably and very painfully aft'ect the mouth and fauces. In not a few there are scattered over the skin watery tubercles {haud pauci pellcm hahent aquosis tuhcrculis distinctam), and the hair falls off. At first the thirst is ofteu great ; but after a time the animal is often unable to masticate or to swallow, neither eats nor drinks, and thus dies more rapidly than it would otherwise have done from the sole effects of the disease. Sometimes the bowels are constipated, but more fre- quently are purged ; tlie evacuations being foetid, variegated, or mixed with bloody humours. There may be great ad- dominal pain and tympanitis. The urine is crude, turbid, and sometimes bloody. With these symptoms, most of the animals perish in a putrid state (putidij, witli difticult respiration, and occasionally with cough, and within a week from the begin- ning of the attack. Those wliich survive the first week gene- rally recover." 15y the side of this description of the disease, portrayed with such remarkable accuracy by Lancisi, we will place the symptoms as told by the most recent observers, the Norwich Commissioners, in their report just issued, one hundred and fifty years later. " The ears are hanging, the head drooping ; there is a con- stant flow of tears ; a discharge of mucus from nose and eyes ; quickened pulse ; occasional rigors. The beast lies painfully moaning. There are abrasions of the mucous membrane of the mouth, accompanied by a cheesy deposit on its surface. There is a loss of appetite, and thirst. Diarrlitca sets in, the discharges emitting a highly offensive odour, and being occa- sionally streaked with mucus and blood. Tlie breathing is aborious. The duration of the disease is usually from four to six days." And now let us see what this accurate observer aud pro- foundly philosophic physician offers as to the nature of the disease ; and then ask ourselves what we, up to this day, with THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 159 all our advanced pathology, liave to add, truer or better, to the tale he then told of this matter. " The disease never arises spontaneously, but always through contagion ; and the contagion is not spread solely by the cattle, but much more frequently by the sbeplierds, vctcriuaries, and even also by dogs and other animals who have been in the ueiglibourhood of the infected beast. By these, and in many otlier ways, the seeds of the jilague — that is, the fomites — are communicated to healthy animals. Every fact clearly sliows that tlie cause of the plague is some exceedingly fine and per- nicious particles {corporis parficiihis,qiitr stoiimd qiiidem feimi- intc, d jicniicitale praditir), which pass from one body to another, by contact, or by the means of fomites. It tliercforc resembles a special virulent poison ; a few particles affecting the wliole body, operating probably just as we see ferments act in bread and wine — a few particles leavening the whole mass." Lancisi continues the subject in a letter (translated from the Etruscan into Latin), originally addressed by him to Bishop Borromzeus. He here tells us that he does not approve of the delicacy and fastidiousness of those doctors who think it be- neath their dignity to care for the health of brutes and to meddle with veterinary matters ; and shows how, from the earliest days, medicine has benefited by dissections and obser- vations made on animals. He then shows that the plague is the very same disease as that which records sliow to have at different times destroyed the herds of Italy. The same signs of its genuine pestilential characters were noted then as now. Passing over the more ancient references to the disease, he comes to the plague as spoken of l)y Fracastor, viro in iniiecrsd arte mecUcd mayni nowiiiis, which, about two hundred years before (in 1514), arising in Eriuli and spreading to Verona, almost annihilated the cattle. Eracastor says : " The con- tagion fell on the oceen alone. The ox, without any mani- fest cause, ceased to feed. Asperities and small pustules were seen on the palate and over the whole mouth. Un- less tliose infected were immediately separated, tlie wliole herd was quickly destroyed. Lancisi reminds us here that the Greeks make four species of cattle diseases — the dry, tlie moist, the articular, and the subcutaneous. And he argues that, in this contagion, three of these were clearly present, viz., the dry, the moist, and the subcutaneous, the articular alone being absent. " Why should we exclude the subcutaneous ?" His words here are very remarkable, and especially interesting at the present moment : "Do we not see that the skin is stripped of its hair by the disease, horripilation, tremor of the shoulders and of the buttocks, and that the skin is infected with spots and pustules fniaci/lis deniquc e/pi/s/idis iiifeda cutis i'J ; and so that indeed some have thought that the oxen were destroyed, not by the plague, but by the pustules called small-pox fbovis Ho/i liie, sed ipsispusfidis, qi/as variolas vocant, interirej." Lan- cisi speaks next of the origin of the disease : " I now come to a question of the deepest importance, wherein there can be no dispute about the mere signification of words. Whence came the pestilence ? It is certain that our cattle were free from the plague previous to the arrival of the Hungarian ox at the estate of Count Borromco. From that spot, and from tliat moment, spread the flame which has decimated our herds. The arguments used by some objectors, that the plague appears amongst cattle far removed from a manifest source of infec- tion are easily disposed of. Is it not certain that the still more terrible plague which destroys mankind is often carried to great distances by animals, and in clothes, papers, &c. ? But where could I find a better proof of the fact than in your own excellent commentaries? Did not the herdsman who had tended the diseased cattle afterwards visit other cattle in per- fect health, and infect them all, through the diseased particles attaching to his clothes ? Did not the most learned Valis- nerius write to caution me that the disease might be conveyed long distances by dogs ? Considering these tilings, and reflect- ing in how many ways and how far the pestilential virus may be carried liy men and animals, and by the winds, there is no need for me to seek for hidden and unknown causes of the dis- ease, when I liave before my eyes tlie proof of its origin offered by tiiat Hungarian ox. You yourself relate the case of an ox in perfect health, which f(41 ill immediately upon feeding in a field where diseased oxen had been previously pastured ; re- minding me of the words of Gesner : ' Oxen in feeding infect the grass; in drinking, the fountains; when housed,infect their stalls, and in this way healthy cattle perish tlirough breathing the odours of the sick.' " Having discussed the nature of the pestilence, Lancisi then asks, " But « hat should we do for its cure? My opinion is this (setting aside the prevention of its contagion, which, mehercides ! I would say, is the most excellent and only mode of averting tlie disease) that we must endeavour to preserve the oxen from being infected 1)y giving them a proper diet, and that when they are infected, the only thing which can save them from dcatli is still a proper diet. Hitherto tlie disease has eluded all the powers of pharmacy; and experience has shown that nothing avails more than a sparing diet. Applications of vinegar, oil, &c., may be used to tlie tongue, palate, &c. But as to venesection and violent remedies, they are always hurtful in contagious diseases ; and the sentence of Hippocrates may be here well called to mind : ' So act that, if you do no good, you at least may do no harm.' I think it is well posterity should know that, of all the many and powerful remedies used during the pestilence, none has been fouud which vvill bear tlie name of a proper or specific remedy." Lancisi, however, tells us wliat remedies were most generally used, and most extolled in diftereut parts of the country, and then gives bis own opinion of them. " As for our experience at Home, I must confess that we met with no re- medy which could be called true, sure, sound, and specific. Many we found useless ; many hurtful ; and some few seemed useful." Tlie next chapter is headed thus : " The only sure Kemedy for Warding ott" the Pestilence is to prevent all Inter- course of Healthy with Lifected Cattle and with all other In- fected Bodies." It was observed, he says, that those who care- fully obstructed every chink through which contagion might approach, preserved tlipii cattle from the plague. Thus, while the plague was raging around, the cattle on the estates of Prince Pamphilo and of Prince Borghese, by the greatest care and watching, to ward off every possible source of infection, re- mained unalfected. Li his last chapter, an appendix, he sums up " the steps which a viise Government should instantly take whenever (which may Heaven avert !) the pestilence may again appear upon our borders. All roads and by-paths should sliould be carefully guarded, so that no ox or canine animal be allowed to enter the coimtry. Any animal so entering should be forthwith destroyed and buried. Should the pestilence, however, gain entrance, the separation of the sick from the healthy must be enforced l)y decree. Indeed, in my opinion, by far the safest course is instantly to destroy the animal, and with the poleaxe, so that no infected blood may escape on to the ground ; for, in attempting to cure the diseased animal, the veterinary surgeon may convey the plague to healthy oxen.* The healthy oxen should be removed from their former pastures, which must now be regarded as contaminated. The diseased oxen should be kept in stables, to which no one is admitted except the veterinary surgeon or the herdsman. The fountains and vessels used by the animals should be frequently cleaned with quick-lime. The clothes of the shepherds also should be fumigated. The dead carcases, from which not one hair is to be removed, are to be buried in deep pits ; and any saliva or secretions which may drop from them on the road to the pit to be carefully removed. If any cows are infected, their milk is instantly to be thrown into a hole in the ground, and the severest punishment inflicted on those who disobey this order. The passage of all rustics and dogs from one district into another should be forbidden. Such are the means, and the reasons for employing them, which I offer for the purpose both of avoid- ing and of suppressing the plague. But, in truth, when I re- flect upon the difliculties, the expense, the dangers, and the labours required in carrying them out, I confess that I know of no means by which the plague may be more easily, more surely, and more expeditiously removed than by instantly knocking on the head every infected animal, and burying them deeply in the earth." This brief suimnary of Lancisi's treatise will suffice to indicate its value ; but to be fully appreciated, it * It is a curious fact that Fantonius, Professor of Medicine and Anatomy at Turin, in a letter about the cattle plague, written to Lancisi in 171G, should refer to this poleaxe treat- ment of the disease as having been already successfully prac- tised in England. Siiperiorihus a/i/iis i/i Britannica Insuhe Provincia exortam armeidornm pestum cclcrrimh priefocatam audiviniKs, noii alio sane artifieio qtiam infectorum, ccetero- ruinqve de recenti confagio snspectorum houm internccionc. He then pays the English a compliment, calling them gens vigil ac strenua, who showed admirable firmness an4 courage at this juncture. 160 THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. must itself be read. Well would it have been for this countiy if, by some happy accident, a Sydenham Society had popularised it by putting it forth iu an EngUsh dress. The Privy Council would liave then had at their disposal models for their orders touch- ing the cattle plague, iu the admirable edicts published by the Sacred College under the advice of Laucisi. And are we say- ing too much if we add that,if whatLancisi had put onrecord for the benefit of posterity had been listened to by posterity, there would have been little work left for Cattle-Plague Commission- ers to do, but to recommend the reinforcement of the edicts as d decrees of the Sacred College, as handed down to us by Lauci i. It should be added that, iu nine mouths, Rome and the Cam- pagua were freed from the pestilence through the energetic proceedings prescribed for its suppression, wliilst it raged iu other parts of Italy for several years. " Should this plague ever recur hereafter," said Laucisi, " posterity may study these pages with some satisfaction, and certainly with some profit,"— The British Medical Joumal, DISEASED MEAT The growing prevalence of diseased meat is a more com- prehensive question tlian is generally imagined. The subject may or may not be a Christmas one, according to the par- ticular view the reader may take in examining it ; but, at the present time, when murrain prevails so extensively amongst cattle, and when so many fallacious notions are in circulatiou relative to the meat of animals that have been aifected by rin- derpest, it is one that demands a thorough investigation from every point of the compass. Diseased meat may either have been cut from the carcase of an animal that has been in an unhealthy or diseased state when slaughtered, or it may have been taken from the carcase of an animal that was iu a healthy state when slaughtered, but whose carcase either has undergone the natural process of decomposition from having been too long kept, or it has been contaminated by coming in contact with diseased meat or a putrid atmosphere, or the like. The former of these sources — bad health prior to slaughter- ing— embraces a great many animals, whose constitution is often in common conversation termed " weakly," but whose sanitary condition is nevertheless generally acknowledged to be normal and free from disease, and whose meat is consequently admitted into the market as sound. According to this erroneous but popular notion, the vast majority of cattle, in- cluding oxen, sheep, and pigs slaughtered for human food, may be said to have been labouring under either chronic or acute diseases — tlie meat of the former being sound, but that of the latter unsound or diseased. Happily for the future generation, if not the present, the progress of microscopical and chemical inquiry is fast dis- pelling the murky atmosphere that still beclouds the public mind, generally speaking, relative to the quality of both animal and vegetable food. Estranged habits may teach the human palate to relish putrid flesh in preference to sound and whole- some quality. The experience of numerous tribes of our race may be quoted in proof of this — tribes, who do not consider animal food fit for the table until the first stage of putrefaction, so to speak, is over — when the carcase begins to show self- evident signs of reanimation, and by whom the thousands of tons of diseased meat that is annually condemned in the London dead-meat markets and sent to the knackers' caldron would be relished with wlrat may be termed a natural gusto ' But when we bring estranged and coufimied habits of this kind to the bar of practice, what is their analyses but so many questions of degrees? In illustration of the proposition of degrees, as to a vitiated taste from abnormal habits, let us take the example of diseased meat : The//-*/' quality, the flesh of what is termed animals of a weakly constitution, in whichtherc is a deficiency of certainnormal element, but in which certain of the more harmless members of the protozoic family have taken up their residences. The second quality, the flesh of animals which are deficient of nor- mal element in a greater degree, and in which other members of the protozoic family — say, for the sake of argument, vibrios and monads, miUious of them in a single drop of the fluids or juice of the meat — have taken up their quarters, and are begin- ning to run riot and play all sorts of havoc, even before the animal is slaughtered, the disease being then termed acute ; and the third quality, when maggots begin to devour the vibrios and monads by thousands at a mouthful ! Now, if the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands prefer the third quality to either of the former two, and certain sections of the English public the second and first because ' of their lower price and the force of liabit which pecuniary circiunstances of loug standing have forced them to adopt, v\e may as well leave the reader to draw the practical conclusion relative to degrees from such premises. With regard to the meat of animals that have been afiected with the cattle plague, and that have been slaughtered iu various stages ol the disease, nothing yet can be definitely said as to its true character ; but it is hoped that the investigation of the scientific conunission recently appointed by the Govern- ment, and now at work, will very soon throw a flood of day- light upon the subject. Meantime the more prudent course is to await their reports. True, the microscope has already discovered certain members of the protozoic family in the fluids of animals that have died of rinderpest, or that have been slaughtered in a very diseased state ; but a more extended and matured analyses may prove such the exception and not the rule. One practical conclusion, however, may safely be de- duced— that rinderpest meat is unwliolcsome, and therefore un- fit for human food, whatever may have been the stage of the disease wlien the animal was slaughtered ; for, there cannot be a doubt that such meat is iu an abnormal state in a two-fold sense, both of which call for a special notice under existing circumstances, in order to guard the health of the public from consequent diseases to which the consumption of rinderpest meat may give rise at a future time. As a general proposition it may be enumerated, that the consumption of diseased meat, whatever may Ije the stage of disease, is sowing the seeds of disease in the systems of those who consume such meat. For a time, or so long as such seeds (/. e., the formites of disease) are thrown off from the system by the excretory functions as fast as they multiply and are taken into the circulation, not much harm may be experienced; but however careful people are themselves both as to cloth- ing, dietary, and purity of atmosphere, the presence of such seeds in their bodies of necessity involves an abnormal con- dition, which must eventually assume a more virulent form, as the excretory functions become impaired, and the seeds of disease consequently accumulate ; for under such circumstances there is not only the presence of abnormal poisonous matter in the system, but also the absence of nutritious matter neces- sary to supply the body with aliment. Hence the two-fold character of the aluiormal process of breaking up the vital functions and structure of the body. The twofold question under immediate consideration, it wiU thus be seen, resolves itself into two distinct propositions — first, the presence and chemical action of certain substances in the circulation and structure of the body, which ought not to be there, and which multiply in the carcase after death; and second, the absence of certain substances in the fluids and solids of the body, that are absolutely necessary for existence, and the abnormal chemical action that attends the same during life, and which renders the flesh of such ani- mals when slaughtered unfit for human food. And here we may add, for the sake of brevity, that these two propositions apply in cases when the abnormal substances present are of a vegetable or inorganic origin, as well as when they are of the animal kingdom, as in the preceding example ; and whatever may be the normal elements wanting iu the fluids and soHds of the living body and of the dead meat. And the reader will bear in mind that we are not now investigating the presence and absence of these suljstances in the living organism of the ox or sheep, and how far they afi'ect the health of the animal before it is slaughtered ; but on the contrary, the presence and absence of these substances in our beef and mutton, and how far they affect the health of those who are in the habit of con- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 161 Sliming (liiily sncli abnormal and imwholesoiuc Ijutchcrs' meat. To the former application of the two jiropositions we may re- turn, in a separate paper ; to tlie latter wc must couiiuc our observations at present. 1. When protozoie life is present in tlie living organism, the rapidity with which it multiplies when tiic animal is slaugh- tered, and the carcase cools down to between &2 decrees and 43 degrees, is almost incredible. It is also anestahlislicd con- clusion, that certain kinds of protozoa consume the nitro- genous portion of the llesh, others the fat, and so on. Now, the practical question at issue reduced to its simple common- sense form, which calls for solution, is briefly this : when a certain per-centage of the solid portion of the llesh is con- verted into the tiny tribes of the protozoie family, sporting themselves amongst the thready areolar texture that remains of tlie former organism of the ox-ycleped beef, and when these tiny bribes are well boiled, roasted, fried, stewed, or eaten alive, what nourishment do they supply to the human body? And^;r/ contra, are they easily digested ? and have they any after-consequences deleterious to the health ? If the reader can put these questions in a plainer and more practicable form, by all means do so. The above will at least convey a general idea of the facts of the case, and how some meat " eats queer," cook and season it as you may. Were these tiny protozoie triljes as large as cheese-niites and " jumpers," professional cooks and thrifty house-dames would look Blue-frocks broad in the face, as he whets his knife upon the steel, all the while shouting his monotonous " trade call," " Buy, buy, buy !" sufficiently loud to be heard half-a-mile thence, but for the deafening din and clamour around ; but because the protozoa are so small as to be invisible to the naked eye, that does not disprove their existence in the meat. In point of fact, if individually small, they are the more in number, so that nu- merical multiplication, or as some say division, may be said fuUy to make up for ami counterbalance individual magnitude. 2. Our second proposition has reference to the nutritive value of what remains of the carcase after the protozoa and other kindred animalcules have had their share. Much, of course, will depend upon the stage of disease, when the animal was slaughtered, and the length of time that transpires be- tween lliat and when the process of cookery may be presumed to have arrested the development of protozoie life. In bad cases, the loss may be as high as fifty per cent., and in less virulent examples twenty per cent., and downwards. But, generally speaking, the loss is greater than is calculated even by physiologists wlio have subjected the meat to the most minute microscopical analysis in their power; for it must be borne in mind that a very large percentage of flesh is water, so that, if fifty per cent, of tlie solid portion that remains is almost wholly composed of protosoa and their refuse matter, the waste is something serious. And this is not the worst of it ; for the remainder must of necessity be in an abnormal state, viz., deficient of certain elements necessary to constitute the flesh wholesome food for man ; while there must also be less or more crude matter in its composition, owing to the existence of protozoa, or the life germs of such, in the blood and other fluids, and also in the tissues, liefore the animal was slaughtered. To cut a long story short, the contrary hypothesis is absurd. The percentages of loss in the preceding paragraphs can only be received as very distant approximations to truth. Until a lengthened course of chemical and microscopical experi- ments determine the actual waste arising from disease, and until future experience also solves the question as to the in-t flnence of such meat upon the health of those who consume it, there is but one alternative left — of an approximate estimate between extremes sufficiently wide asunder as to contain the physical data at issue somewhere between them. But, making every allowance for divergence to either side, what has been advanced is sufficient to account for the complaints of poor people, that they do not derive much nourishment from the cheap meat which tliey consume, and that to its daily con- siunptiou is due much of the bad health they experience. Politicians may talk glibly, but mysteriously, about cholera, typhus and typhoid fevers, small-pox, scrofulas and consump- tive complaints, bad colds, and so forth, as if such maladies belonged to the spiritual kingdom, and not the physical ; but when the light of science has dissipated the darkness which still hangs over the public mind, then physical elFectswill be traced to physical causes. CARE OF POULTRY IN WINTER. Being originally from warm countries, heat or rather warmth is indispensable to poultry, both as regards the growth and fattening of birds for the table, and also for the production of eggs. This condition of their prosperity was obtained in the long days of summer without any care on the part of tlie hen- wife ; but now that the genial weather has gone, and that cold and bitter days and frosty mornings and evenings replace them, the warmth spontaneously obtained in summer must be sup- plied by other means. Then the animal food which was so plentifully obtained in the fine season, in the shape of worms, flies, and insects of all sorts, cannot now be liad, and the want must be made up, if we would have our baskets filled with plump and beautiful eggs. Cleanliness is another condition, without w'hich fowls cannot thrive ; and for this they have abundant opportunity when roaming at large in tlie summer heat. Whoever has watched their habits must have seen how they take advantage of every heap of earth or ashes within their reach, how they scrape and roll themselves about in it, revelling, apparently, in the delight attending that cleansing bath, to which the sure guidance of instinct directs thcni. And should no dust heap lie near, the smallest spot of earth on the borders of their pen will be noticed, and they may be seen scratching, and scraping, and rolling, until a bath of sufficient size for their purposes is made, in which they perform their toilet with a scrupulous care, which might put to shame many an unfeathercd biped. The thoughtful hcnwife, then, will mark tlie varied circumstances of her charge, and carefully supply their now increased and increasing wants in such a manner as to make the curtailing of their summer privileges as little felt as possible. And first, as to the loss of tlie warmth of which they are so fond, and wliich contributes so much to their health and comfort, we would recommend that the defi- ciency be made up l)y an additional supply of food of a more nourishing quality, and given moderately warm. In tlie sum- mer mouths, when the fowls leave their roosts shortly after dawn, it is usually found convenient to give them dry grain for their first meal : it can be left in their yard the previous eve- ning, unless the henwife happen to be an unusually early riser* But in winter, we would recommend that their first meal be a warm one ; it sets them up, and makes them comfortable for tliB day, and, besides, promotes laying. As they descend later from the roosts in the short days, their food can be prepared without inconvenience to the henwife or her assistants. The mixture we have found to answer best is potatoes boiled very soft, beaten up with sharps (sometimes called thirds or mid- dlings) and any pot liquor or refuse bits of suet and meal which the kitchen may furnish, seasoned with salt. This will be found excellent food ; potatoes are unquestionably nourishing, and the fine bran (sharps) is remarkalile for its warmth-giving properties. Barley-dust may be substituted for sliarps, or, what is still better, half barley-dust and half sharps maybe used. Tlie raspings of bread, which can be had from the baker at a moderate price, 5d. per peck, may be used at times to vary the food. One advantage of the bran (sharps) is, that it makes the mixture friable, a property which soft food should always have : anything glutinous, adhesive, " sticky," we would say, is peculiarly annoying to fowls ; to avoid this, make the mixture as dry as possible. By working it into little balls, a proper consistency wiU be obtained, and by scattering these balls in their yard a more equal distribution of the food will be made tliau by merely putting it in their feeding traps. The sand and gravel they pick up along with it promotes digestion. Should the kitchen not produce enough of fat and meal to make up for the worms and insects found in summer, liver may 162 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 1)R used instead. A quantity suflieieut to serve a dozen fowls for a week may be obtained for a few pence. The water in which it is boiled can be mixed with the morning meal, the liver can be chopped up, and portions of it mixed in the food eacli alternate day. Some liave ol)jectcd to boiling the liver, on the ground that fowls have not the worms and insects boiled. In view of this, we tried the plan of throwing down a raw lump in the yard, and allowing tlie fowls to dis))ose of it as instinct should direct them. "We watched them attentively, l)ut found one and all approach the lump liesitatiugly, and tnru away without offering to peck, as if moved by an undefina- I)le terror and loathing. We tried it also in its boiled state en masse, but found a similar result. The same tiling also occurred in putting large worms before the fowls, from whicli we inferred that small insects being tlic natural food of fowls, it was advisable to reduce the animal food given tliem also to a similar size ; and to do this conveniently it must be boiled : so boil it we always liave done, and found it to answer excel- lently well. Salt has also been objected to, as being poison for fowls : in large quantities it certainly is so, but if used in the manner and quantity as for the table, it will Ije found bcneti- cial, as will also a little pepper, in the winter mouths espe- cially. There should also be placed every morning in the •yard a supply of green food, a cal)bage, or a turnip, or a beet, whatever the garden can supply — in the raw state of course ; the fowls will pick out the most delicate pieces: tlic head of the cabbage is their favourite bonbon. They are fond pf green meat ; it is good for them ; not only so, but it is doubtful, we should say, that they can thrive without it. From the earliest hours of chickenhood, up to their latest day, such food should be liberally supplied. And last, not least, pure and fresh water must not be forgotten ; it must jje renewed daily, and given in large quantities. Innumerable diseases flow from the neglect of this indispensable condition of health, a condition so easily and so cheaply obtained that the neglect of it is quite inex- cusable. A covered shed under which to place the food and water, to protect it from rain, &c., will be found highly advan- tageous ; it win also serve as a shelter to the foMls from the inclemency of the weather. Towards mid-day flic fowls can have a good feed of dry grain ; but should economy be studied, a renewal of their morning meal, with the addition of a small quantity of boiled barley, will be found very suitable. What- ever be their mid-day meal, it is imperative tliat they have before roosting a small quantity of dry grain — we prefer oats : the warmth which they give prepares the fowls for the long winter night ; and if accustomed to this, should they at any time be forgotten, they will be found waiting in their accus- tomed place long after roosting hours, as if to remind the for- getful heuwife of their empty crops. Those fowls which are intended for sale should be fed more frequently, and larger quantities of grain should be given to them than to the other fowls. Where speedy fattening is re- quired, the following will be found a good plan : — Put the fowls to be fatted into a quiet place, and feed them tliree times a-day with rice boiled in skim-milk till it is quite soft and swelled out. Give each time just as much as will satisfy them, and as dry as possible. Remove the feeding dish each time. Let it be thoroughly washed, that no sourness may be conveyed to the fowls, as tliat prevents them fattening. Give them the milk of the rice to drink, or a little clean water. It will be found that this method gives the flesh a whiteness which no other food can give ; and when it is considered how short a time is required for fattening, it will be found as econo- mical as any other mode, or even more so. In five or six days the fowls will be sufficiently fat for the table. The coop in which they are confined must be cleaned daily, and no food given for sixteen hours previously to being killed. Of course, the fowls must have gained size and ftesh previous to being put up, or the process descriljed above will be of no use. Let a cliicken be well cared for from its earliest days, have an abundant supply of food and water during tlie day, and a warm, well-aired lodging during the night : it will then gain both size and flesh ; and when the period of fattening arrives, it will be easily and speedily accomplished. Besides giving attention to food at this period of the year, the henwife must see that the fowl-house be impervious to rain and snow, fi-ee from biting draughts, and otherwise warm and comfortable. If placed contiguous to a stable or cow-house, or kitchen fire, the heat thus communicated will be found of great advantage ia wiflter. The dust-bath must not be forgotten, and be placed either in the fowl-house or in a covered place in the yard, as, on account of the frost and rain which may now be expected, we cannot calculate on the fowls being able to find or make baths as in summer ; and without this means of cleaning they would soon become covered with the vermin to whose visits, even under the most favourable circumstances, they are at alt times subject. A little sulphur sprinkled in their nests, which should be provided with clean straw frequently changed, is a good preventive to this annoyance. The house should be swept daili/, and the walls and perches occasionally washed with clean water, in whicli a little lime has been mixed. It is highly desirable that the fowls should have the benefit of the sun whenever it shines. Tor this purpose their yard and run should have an exposure to the south or south-east. They take great delight in basking in the sun's rays, if we may so speak, and do not now seek the shade as they did in the hot days of July. LABOURS OF THE MONTH. Long ere this time the hens have ceased to lay, but the Cochins and Brahmas should still contribute their share to fill the baskets. Still, witli the utmost care and abundant feeding, the supply will be but scanty. There is only one method whereby ■we can with any certainty reckon on an abundant supply of eggs, a method which seems little known to many poultry keepers, and scarcely mentioned in books for their guidance. This method does not consist in any peculiar mode of treating adult hens, or any extra nourishing food ; this, so far from making them more prolific, often prevents them laying entirely. We all know the story of the woman who, having a hen which laid her an egg each day, fancied that by extra feeding she would get two. We know that, far from this being the case, her hen became so fat that it ceased laying altogether. Evidently, then, while generous and moderate feeding may induce the hen to go on a little longer in the manufacture of eggs, over-feeding has a quite contrary effect, and prevents laying entirely. 15ut, to come to the point, the plan to which we refer is — simply to take advantage of the natural laws to which fowls are subject. Now, we know it is their nature to commence laying at a certain age, however late the season or rigorous the weather. Cold, and other adverse circumstances, may diminish the number and size of the eggs, but it cannot prevent their laying — lay they must, and lay they will when the proper season arrives. This season is earlier or later ac- cording to the kind of fowl. Cochins, if hatched at the time most favourable to growth, and if the weather be fine, will com- mence at five months old — they have been known to do so as early as sixteen weeks old. JJorkings and Spanish hens do not usually begin till seven months old. Now, by having broods so arranged that a succession of pullets may be ready to commence laying when the eggs are wanted, a supply may be provided when the adult hens are taking that repose evidently necessary for their future fruitfulness. We do not say that hens never lay in winter — the Cochins and Brahmas are peculiarly winter layers ; the Spanish hen, too, frequently lays all the year round ; but we do say tliat, notwithstanding all this, they cannot be depended on to do so. The only certain plan is what we have just stated — to rear a sufiicient number of pullets which may begin to lay at the timewaiited, and continue to lay during the winter mouths. With this view, it will be well at this early season to give every inducement to the adult hens to brood. This may be done by placing several eggs, or pieces of chalk made so tis to imitate them, in the nest, which must have in it plenty of clean straw or hay. The clucking sound indi- cates the desire even before the hen begins to sit. Should there be any doubt of her sitting, she can be placed on addled eggs on trial. If she keep close to her nest for a day or two, she may then have valuable eggs given to her. — Illustrated Far- mers and Gardeners'' Almanac. TO FATTEN CALVES.— An American paper says that sugar-beets cut into thin slices are excellent food for young calves, and that they eat them with avidity, requiring less milk, and keepuig sleek and fat. TO RAISE CREAM.— Have ready two pans in boiling water, and on the milk's coming to the dairy, take the liot pans out of the water, put the milk into one of them, and cover with the other. This will occasion great augnientation in the thickness and quality of the cream. THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 163 INSECTS INJUEIOUS TO THE TURNIP CROPS. By the Rev. W. Houghton, M.A., P.L.S " What thou owcst, 0 Rome, to the Neroes," says Horace, in one of the most sublime of his odes, " tlin river Metaurus and vanquished Hasdrubal are witnesses ;" and he had good reason for saying so, for the victory of Claudius Nero over Hannibal's troops was a decisive one. The tide of conquest was turned ; and when the great Carthaginian general saw the decapitated liead of his unfortunate brother thrown into his camp, he n'as compelled to exclaim, " Ar/uosco fortunam Car- iluKjiiiis''' ("I acknowledge the fate of Carthage"). AVe may borrow the above-named words of the bard of Venusium, and say : " What thou owest, O agriculturist, to the turnip crops, the whole science of farming, aud the cattle, not ' on a thou- sand lulls,' but in a thousand stalls, bear witness." Tor what should we do without turnips ? What is the main support of our stalled oxen during the winter months ? We may certainly use oilcake and other fattening substances with great advan- tage ; but still we must have our turnips, whose succulent na- ture is necessary to counteract the too stimulating and heating effects of oilcake, barley meal, and other such like food. " Without the turnip," a writer in Morton's " Cyclopaxlia of Agriculture" remarks, " rotations of crops would have been still limited to weedy corn and foul pastures, the production of butcher's meat would have depended on pasturage, and conse- quently the great mass of the population must still liavc been condemned to a farinaceous diet or salted rations in winter. Under such circumstances it is easy to conjecture what must have been the result. The cultivation of the potato would have increased to such an extent that the whole of Britain must now have beeu what Ireland lately was." AVithout acknowledging as an undoubted sequilur the above conclusion, we must all agree that the turnip has played and will continue to play a very important part in British agriculture ; and his name is worthy to descend to posterity who first introduced to British field cultivation the variety of the Brassica campesiris, which we believe to be the origin of our Swedish turnip."^ Probably there is no plant which has more enemies in the insect form than the turnip. The late lamented John Curtis, whose entomological knowledge is widely known and greatly appreciated, enumerates nearly forty species of insects, besides scolopeudraj, slugs and snails, which, in a greater or less degree, at certain times are found to injure the turnip crops. The ants run olf with the seed as soon as it is sown ; that \^liicli is spared by the ants is attacked the moment the tender leaves appear above the surface by one of the most formidable, albeit diminu- tive, enemies of all, namely, the little flea-beetle, popularly known throughout England as " the fly." Should the crop weather this storm, another blasting influence occasionally at- tacks it, in the shape of the " nigger" caterpillars of the turnip saw-fly {Athalia splnarum'), and the larvne of the white butterflies ; these soon make skeletons of the leaves, and defile them by their excrements. Beneath the cuticles of the leaves the larvjB of dift'ereut kinds of two-winged flies excavate their winding tunnels ; other dipterous larviB riddle the turnip bulbs with innumerable mines, while the smother-^y, in two or three of its species {Ajihh), entirely destroys the leaves. Fat grubs — bad luck to them ! — the larvre of certain moths, bite o(f the young root, and sever it from the green portion ; wire- worms — /. e., the larvffi of various click beetles {Elaierida) [all vermiform creeping things of the earth are wireworms in the farmer's zoology !], centipedes, and weevil beetles must be added to the long catalogue of turnip enemies. When we reflect on this formidable list of destructive agents iu the form of insects, and add to its various fungi, which live parasitically upon the leaves (such as Peronospora parasit'wa, a species allied to the potato mould, and a kind of Oidii/m [Erysiphe], which covers the leaves with its innumerable in- terlacements, looking like delicate threads of frosted silver, * Some writers suppose that the swede is the hybrid with turnip and rape. Professor Buckmau (" How to Grow Good Roots," p, 15) says this is doubtless the origin. Has the point, however, T would ask, ever been satisfactorily established ? under the microscope), it would seem almost to be a matter of wonder that turnips ever come to perfection at all in this country. But the especial object of this paper is to bring before the reader's notice some account of the insects whicli have been the cause of the complete failure of the turnip crops in Shropshire during the year 18G5. Look where you will, the crops are in many instances utterly destroyed ; in others so deteriorated in quality, as to render them, comparatively speak- ing, valueless, if not, it is to be feared, absolutely injurious as an article of food. To the ordinary observer, no doubt, the bulbs (I am speaking of the swedes), thougli small, appear sound externally ; but only let us cut into the root, and five out of six specimens we sliall find to hold numerous little maggots. These I shall speak of by-and-bye. Tlie first serious damage from insects is caused by the " fly," a small beetle about the size of a flea, aud which, like that irri- tating little brute, is possessed of wonderful leaping powers. The muscles of the last pair of legs are enormously developed ; by means of these the insect is able to take its tremendous jumps. The insect in question is not a fly properly so-called, but a beetle ; and were wo not guided by the old proverb, that " handsome is that handsome does," I have no doubt we should be inclined to allow him a claim to beauty. The elytra are greenish black, with a distinct broad longitudinal line or band of yellow down each ; the body is black, antenufe and legs tes- taceous. The name of this insect is Haltica nemorum^ i.e., the " Leaper of the Groves," the specific name having reference to the localities frequented by the animal before turnips were as common as they are now. The injury the countless hosts of these little beetles do to the turnips, just as they show their two cotyledonous leaves above the ground, is too well known to need repetition : with their sharp mandibles they bite through the succulent leaves, and riddle them through and through. It is the perfect insect or ima^o alone that does this damage. It was long before naturalists became acquainted with the economy of HuUica nemorum ; various theories were promulgated, and most of them were false. It was supposed that the minute white spots occasionally seen upon the seeds were the eggs of the beetle : accordingly turnip-seed steeped in briny and other solutions was sold in the London seed-shops in order to ensure a crop. This may seem strange to us who refer every minute organism to the revelations of the microscope, which will tell us at once whether our preconceived theories be true. The whole history of this little pest, however, has been made known by the careful investigations of Mr. Le Keux ; and though, now that we have become acquainted with the habits of the turnip-fly, we are still unable to supply a re- medy against its attacks, yet it is obvious that every attempt to provide against the ravages of any insect is little likely to prove efficacious until the economy of that insect is made known. We must first be sure of the disease before we can apply the remedy. And here let me remark that this department of Agri- cultural Science is eminently indebted to the late Mr. John Curtis, who has studied through a long period of years the habits and life-history of a vast number of insects injurious to our field crops. The results of these valuable investigations have been published in the " Transactions of the Entomological Society" and the " Quarterly Journal of Agriculture," and conveniently methodized in his beautiful work on " Farm In- sects," published by Blackie and Sons in 1860. To what Mr. Curtis has written on the subject of insects injurious to our tur- nip crops, I have on the present occasion nothing new to re- cord ; but the naturalist takes delight in verifying by peisonal observation the investigation of his predecessors. To the unobserving, the apparently sudden appearance of myriads of insects is unaccountable ; hence people sometimes call in the direct agency of the east wind, and attribute to that much-abused quarter the power to engender, by some myste- rious influence, whole hosts of countless myriads of flies. Thig is termed a blight — a term which expresses in vague language nothing clearly intelligible, so far as relates to the direct cause of the mischief that ensues. Now the H(ilfica neworvM is prg- , 164 THE FABMEE'S MAGAZINE. bably kuowii to, and seen by, farmers only at the time when the turuii)s are putting fortli tlieir smooth leaves. He has not no- ticed them at other seasons of the year, and wonders where in the world they could all have come from so suddenly, with de- struction on their wings. But the naturalist notices them even as late as November, sitting with hind legs ])eut under tlieir bo- dies ready for a spring, upon the leaves of the plants. He no- tices, too, tlie various holes made in the fidly-developed leaf, and witnesses the little enemy busy at work, in the very act of making them. But we must tell the short history of their lives in a few words. The sexes pair from April to September. Ac- cording to the investigations of Mr. LeKeux, the eggs, which are laid about one each day, are deposited on the under side of the rough leaves of the turnips. They are hatched in ten days, when a small maggot, of a yellow colour, appears. He immediately begins to eat his passage between the cuticles of the leaf, then hides himself in the ground, and changes in about six days to a chrysalis, the perfect insecs emerging in about a fortnight afterwards. This little pest it widely distributed over the whole country, and is alnindaut in Germany, Sweden, and other ]iarts of the Continent. In this country, says Mr. Curtis, it is probable that every bank and meadow harbours them to a greater or less extent. Tliey have been found on grass-lands which had not been ploughed for many years, and where there were no turnips within half a mile. The strength of this little animal's jaws may be proved by the fact that some specimens which Mr. Curtis put in a quill with a cork stopper, " soon reduced the inside of the cork stopper to powder." Tlie beetles hybernate during the winter, hiding in the bark of trees, under stones and leaves, ready to be called into active life Ijy the first sunny days in the early part of the year. iUthougli, as a rule, the turnips suffer only from the depredations of this insect while they are in the smooth, cotyledonous leaves, yet instances are on record, it is said, of the autumnal crops having been destroyed by tliese enemies. Cruciferous plants form the principal food of the turnip-beetle. The white turnip seems to be preferred to tlie swede. Charlock, or kedlock, is a very favourite diet. A farmer told me the other day that he attributed the immunity of his swedes from the attacks of this insect, in 1865, to the presence of a quantity of charlock amongst the turnips, the fly choosing this latter plant in preference to the turnips. Va- rious recommendations to get rid of this scourge have from time to time Ijeen suggested ; hut for the most part they are unsuccessful. One method was to soak the turnip-seed in brine, brimstone, milk, and other solutions. This plan is as old as Columella, who recommends a solution of soot. I may liere remark that the turnip-beetle, either IlaUica nemorim or other species of the genus, was known to the Greeks in the time of Theophrastus, under the name of Psylla. The Roman agriculturists were well aware of the injury this little insect caused to plants of the cabbage family. " Whoever will sow," says Columella, " rajm and tiapns in summer, must take care lest, by reason of the drought, the flea (piile.r) consume the tender leaves just as they come out. In order to prevent this, let him collect the dust from the ceilings or the soot that adheres to the roofs above the fireplaces, and mis this with the seed, sprinkling water upon it the day before sowing, in order that the seed, by being steeped, may imbibe the liquid : the following day you may sow. Certain ancient authors, as Democritus, recommend the seeds to be steeped in the juice of the herb sediiw, as a remedy against the attacks of these creatures, which, from experience, I have found to be useful ; but because this plant is not generally procurable, I generally use soot and dust, and have saved my plants from injury." — Columella, cle Be Riisl., xi., iii., 60, 61. Modern agriculturists have made use of soot and dust, though not exactly in the way directed by the Roman writer. " We learn that Mr. Dickson has perfectly succeeded in saving his crop by a very simple dressing. He took some road-dust, some soot, and a little guano, and, mixing these to- gether, sowed them along the rows, in the middle of the day. In a short time he found that tlie crowd of flies had altogether disappeared."— Curtis's " Farm Insects," p. 31. Nets, to catch the insects ; newly-painted or tarred boards, to be drawn over the turnips ; fumigation by " burning stubble and weeds to windward of the field, so tliat the smoke drives along the ground ;" watering the plants with brine— are all mentioned as remedies against the ravages of the turnip-fly : put, although some of these may be efficacious in tliemselves, the practical application of them on a large scale renders them for the most part unavailable. The problem may be rather solved by considering not how we can put the fly out of the reach of the turnip, but how we can put the turnip out of the reach of the fly. " Rapid growth of the plant is the best security." The farmer must watch his opportunity : let him have his ground ready for the seed by the end of AprO. Should the weather be showery, let the seed be put into the ground ; but if there is appearance of continued dry weather, let him wait. " The vegetation of the seed may be accelerated by steeping it in water for twenty-four hours, and the surest way to ob- tain a strong crop is to sow seed of the same age, otherwise the plants do not come up simultaneously, and the fly will at- tack and destroy the crop in detail ; for it is ascertained that young seed vegetates quicker than old. This year's seed will, therefore, have the start of two or three years old, by as many weeks."* But we will suppose that our turnips have survived the at- tacks of the tiu'nip-beetle, and are growing and looking well for some seven or eight \Aeeks ; but what ails them once again now, we will suppose, about the end of July ? The leaves look sickly ; in a month's time after this, the whole crop may be said to be destroyed. What is our enemy here ? Let us puU up a few plants by the roots ; why they are actually cut in two just beneath the surface of the soil; the tap root remains in the soil, the broken stem and withered leaves alone we hold in our hands. And here find the enemy in the shape of an ugly fat caterpUlar, though he is not yet fully grown. These caterpillars vary slightly in colour, being generally of a pale, dirty, greyish-green, with a number of black spots along the back. Most forraidalile enemies are these caterpillars to the turnip crops. Here, in Shropshire, tliey have destroyed three or four consecutive sow- ings on several farms in this neighbourhood, during the sum- mer of 18G5. The enemy is the larva of a very beautiiul moth, the A^/rotis e.cchimatioiiis, or " the heart and darn moth." Tlie Latin specific name was given to this moth ot account of the markings on the anterior wings, which bear some faint resemblance to tlie note of exclamation (!). The English name is somewhat more appropriate, so far as the form of the marks is concerned (the heart and dart being very distinct in the wiugs of the m.ale figure) ; but both Latin and English names are highly appropriate, so far as relates to the dreadful damage these moths cause to the tur- nips. Is not this insect rightly called c.irlamatioins ? for alas (!) for tlie hopes of the farmer where it abounds ! and people fond of symbolic representation may discern, in the markings of the wings, the farmer's heart about to be pierced by the dart of destruction. Nor is it turnips alone that these grubs davastate : they are very fond of lettuces, as I know to my cost, for they destroy a great number of plants in my gar- den every year by biting the root, and separating it from the stem. These caterpillars are to be found abundantly in the ground as late as the middle of November : they change to pupte in the winter, and appear as moths about June. Another species, very similar to the last, namely, the Acjrot'iS serjetum, is also a destructive enemy to the turnip crops. As to the means to be employed to get rid of this destructive caterpillar, I believe we must depend upon the rooks, starlings, peewits, and other birds. It is said that soot is particularly obnoxious to them ; but for field crops it would be difficult to obtain it in sufticieut quantity : in gardens, doubtless, soot may be used to advan- tage. If a crop has been destroyed by these caterpillars in the month of August, the prospect of securing a second sowing is but small ; for the grubs are still in the ground, and, being- larger, are able to do more mischief. Perhaps deep-ploughing, so as to bury the enemy, might be of service ; but the best friends or the farmers are, undoubtedly, the rooks and star- lings. Let the rook be as sacred to the agriculturist as the owl to Athene and the stag to Artemis ; let rookeries be every- where protected, and the birds encouraged ; let rook-shooting be deemed an offence of the gravest kind : those poor cawing ''^ " Farm Insects," p. 20. How necessary it is to sow ')tew seed, has been experimentally proved by Professor Buckman, who has shown that seeds that have been kept three years ge- nerally fail to the extent of about 38 per cent.—" Science and Practice in Farm Cultivation," No, 1, p. 38 (Hardwieke). THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 165 young ones, over whose untimely fate the sorrowful parents, wheeling round high above the reach of gunshot, are be- wailing in such pitiable strains, are worthy of a more honour- able treatment than to be stuffed iu a pic ! How long will tlie farmers have to be told that by killing the rooks they are destroying their friends ? Let them learn the following easy distich, which I improvise for the occasion :— Oh I fanuer, spare that bird. Touch not a single quiU ! Tho rook is thy true friend ; Requite him not with ill. Instead of the last line, a little variety may he introduced by reading :— Of grubs he eats his fill. The choice of reading must be left to the poetic taste of the bucolic mind. The smotlier-fly, or plant-louse ("Aphis), must be enumerated as a very injurious insect to the turnip crops. The effects of its destructive work throughout a large portion of Shropshire, last August and September, were most remarkable. Crops that had survived the turnip-beetle and the caterpillars of Agrotis sef/etum and exclamnfionis, and seemed to lie thriving, were suddenly attacked by myriads of Aphis, chiefly of the species A. brassicx. Iu a few days, that which promised so well was hopelessly blighted. The leaves first curled and puckered inwards — then withered and died ; and the smell arisiug therefrom completely tainted the air with a peculiarly otfensive odour. Hardly a green turnip-field was to be seen for miles around — nothing but dead leaves, which, in the dis- tance, gave to the field rather llie appearance of a brown fallow than a crop of turnips. As an illustration of the desirability of cultivating some knowledge of natural history, aud especially the economy of insects, I will mention that two farmers in this neighbourhood imagined that the lady-bird beetles (Cocdnella septum punc- tata), of which in some fields I observed prodigious numbers, were the cause of much of the injury, and therefore slew as many as they could. " What !" I exclaimed, " kill your I friends ! Don't you know that the lady-bird, both in its larval and adult condition, is a notorious consumer of aphis flesh ?" Oh, no ; of course, neither the one nor the other had ever heard of such a thing. " Well, then," I said, " look here, on this leaf;" and I showed my friend the little beetle engaged in the vei^ act of dining ofl: an aphis. The cocciuellse are unquestionably very useful in this way, and it is a great mistake to destroy them ; but so innumerable were the armies of aphides in the autumn of 18G5, that their well-meant endeavours to lessen the swarms were inappreciable. Of far greater benefit to the agriculturist than eitlier the lady- bird or the larvae of the syrphidae and lace-wiuged flies, is a minute hymenopterous insect, about \\ lines long and 3 lines in expanse of wng. Towards the middle of October, the turnip-fields swarmed with this useful insect ; your clothes would be quite covered with them; of course they were not distinguished by an ordinary observer from the aphis — this was the Ichneumon aphidnm of Linnteus, the Aphidius (Trionyx) rapce of Curtis. I dare say some of my read.ers have noticed on the under sides of the leaves of abnost any plant afifected by the aphis, some dry, pulTed-out skins, gene- rally of a light-browu colour. Tbese bodies are evidently those of an aphis ; you see his legs, head, and the anal tubes ; there can be no mistake about his aphis character ; he is, liowever, quite motionless. By a careful inspection of these occupants of your leaf, you will notice in some cases a small round hole opening out from the back of the bodies. Out of this lack door the litt.e parasite has emerged. Tlie Aphidius belongs to the Ichneum'mdcf, aud the female had deposited after the man- ner of that ;amily of insects an egg in the soft body of the Aphis, whi2h, turning into a maggot, lived on the vitals of the plant-louse, changed into a nympha, and then into the perfect insect. Aoout the end of October the farmers' hopes bright- ened ; ths cold and rain had annihilated the "smother-fly," and the turnips, though small, showed signs of vitality, by putting forth from the crowu a few fresl) green leaves. The crops would grow now, it was supposed ; and though the bulbs would not attain to any size?, it was at least expected that they would be sound. But, alas ! as formidable an enemy as either grub or smother-fly was stealthily doing his work of destruc- tion underground. We take a turnip up : the upper part seems externally sound enough ; the soil which attaches itself to the root prevents our seeing the injury I am next going to notice. Let us brush the soil away — and now we see brown erosions and portions of the tap-root quite rotten ; let us slice away, aud wc find a w hitish maggot, about four lines long, with a pointed head, out of which he protrudes a curious organ fur- nished with twoblack hooks (I)y means of which he scrapes tunnels in the bulb), and a truncaited tail end, having in the centre two projecting brown spiracles, from which proceed along the back a pair of silvery trachese ; the truncated end is surrounded with about a dozen serraturcs. Hardly a turnip is free from some of these maggots ; most of the turnips contain numbers ; some — and these have not put forth any fresh leaves — are com- pletely riddled through aud through, and quite rotten ; the decomposition has been evidently caused by the maggots. If we examine the soil near the root, we find the pupce, brown semi-cylindrical bodies, showing through the hardened integu- ment the black hooked organ so prominent in the larva, and the serrated teeth at the posterior extremity. These pupse change into two-winged flies of the genus Aiilhomyia of Mei- gen. The species to which this maggot belongs is the Antho- myia hrassiccrt of Bouche. I have pupae now in my possession, but have no personal acquaintance with the perfect insect. That given by Curtis is the male of a closely-related species, named by Bouche Anihomyia radcum, whose larva is said to be very similar to the last-named, and to be, like it, injurious to the turnip roots. Of all the numerous enemies to the tur- nip crops, I suspect that this, as in 1865, will prove itself the most to be dreaded. The maggots boring their way into the bulbs are there as fixtures, until they wish to assume the pupa form, when they quit the tiu'uip and bury themselves in the ground. A curious parasitic insect, one of the useful Ickneumonides, named by Bouche Alysia manducalor, lives as a larvas within the bodies of the Anthomyia pupae, and keeps them iu check. I am not at present acquainted with it. The problem to solve, in order to prevent the fly from laying its eggs near the turnips, is to discover some preparation obnoxious to the insect and not hurtful to the plant, which might be put upon the soil. Lye of ashes, into which cabbage plants on being transplanted are dipped, are said to preserve them: but, as Curtis as well re- marked, " It often happens that good specifics which may be successfully employed iuthe gardeu cannot conveniently be ex- tended to the field." I suspect that gas-tar might be used with great advantage. The larva ol ihe An/homyia brassier has a pair of curious branchiae between the second and third segment of the an- terior extremity. These are connected with delicate branching trachece. A.11 the maggots whicli I noticed in the turnip bulbs ap- peared to belong to the same species of fly ; but Mr. Curtis eruraeratC'S two or three other kinds, which, either in this country or on the continent, are known to affect the crops; and adds, " My own opinion is, that nothing can be more likely to encourage the maggots of the cabbage and turnip flies than fresh duug, in which it seems they luxuriate ; aud such being the case, by spreading it iu a raw state an entire field may at once be inoculated with the disease." As far as my own experience goes, I have not found the maggot that has proved so destructive to the bulbs in dung, but a closely-related one I have noticed in abundance in farmyard manure. I suspect that the aphis was not primarily tlie cause of the injury to tlie swedes, but that its attacks were induced by the previous uu- healthiness of the plants, wliich had been caused by the mag- gots of the aboved-uamed fly already beginning their excava- tions.— The Pojmlar Science Beview for January. 166 THE FAUMER'g MAGAZINE. CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE. This month is generally very favourable for the work of ploughing, which must be pushed vigor- ously, leys and stubbles, and in subsoiling. If the season be unfavourable and frosts and snows pre- vail, continue the operations of carting as directed last month. Feed all live stock regularly and amply, and thrash grain regularly, to afford fresh straw. Reckoning the season favourable, pull turnips and store the bulbs ; use them in succession now, green rounds and swedes. Give oilcake along with turnips to the fattening beasts, and salt to the sheep to lick. Ewes will now require good shelter and juicy food, as the lambing season will commence. Much attention must be paid to the young animals at this tender season. Feed and shelter the mother, and she will feed her young. Lay dung on grass lands: when dry, bush-harrow and roll, and pick off by hand all rubbish. Spread mole-hills and tufts of dung, and put gates and fences in order in float meadows. During the whole month fell timbers and cut underwoods ; plash hedges and plant new ones. Plant all kinds of forest trees, and cut over those planted last year, that maybe weak and unthriving, to ensure more vigorous growth in the new saplings that rise from the stem. Open ditch plantations and fence against trespassing. Fill up the vacan- cies of last year's planting. Open the hills of hop grounds, and apply strong manures, as rotten dung, brines, and oleaginous substances. Dress the roots, and plant in beds the shoots cut off, to come on for sets. Collect and prepare all kinds of artificial manures. In fine seasons the sowing of grain will com- mence in the early districts. Sow beans and peas, oats, barley, and spring wheat. Sow also spring vetches for horses and sheep feed. Sow on warm well- prepared grounds cabbage seeds for plants to go to the field in May and June. CALENDAR OF GARDENING. Kitchen Garden. Hotbeds of dung and leaves, or of leaves only, collected from woods or by rakings of parks — these contain much withered grass, and must be pre- pared for obtaining early potatoes and asparagus. Two most valuable objects are thus acquired — the preparation of much manure, and the production of most excellent vegetables and fruit, not to be got by any other means. The weather, though variable and inconstant, will permit during fine intervals the operations of the spade and the fork. Peas, beans, carrots, parsnips, onions, and beetroot may be sown in ground pre- pared during autumn, in the effectual nsanner before described. Asparagus plots must be particularly attended to; when, with adequate means and a proper degree of preparation, a crop may be got to vie with any professional management. The crop will yield for twenty years, and must be strongly laid in the foundation. Twelve double- row beds with 12 inches between the rows of plants, and an equal space on each outer side of the rows, the beds will be 3 yards wide ; an alley between the beds, and one at each of the remote ends, making the entire space required to be 17 or 18 feet, the length of the rows being arbitrary. The whole of the ground must be deeply trenched and drained, the good soil kept, the bad removed, and a turfy loam introduced, and incorporated with farmyard dung of bulk equal to the loam. Guano and bone-dust will be useful, with some salt, sul- phate of ammonia, and perhaps chalk. The beds may be raised by the materials, and must rest in that state to settle till Lady-day. A similar preparation will be useful for sea-kale, artichokes and rhubarb, and all would remain fer- tile for several years. Sow twice or oftener spring spinach, lettuce, salads, radish, and at the end of the month cat- rots, onions, leeks, and some early cabbages. Parsley : Sow a full crop in beds or in edging ; it lasts two years well, but a yearly sowing is better. Sow some sweet herbs late in the month, as thyme, hyssop, and marjoram. Prepare good loamy soil for onions and shallots. Fruit Department. Gooseberry and currant bushes : Prune, or the buds will be breaking. Retain a good supply of the best placed young wood of the former, spurring but little. Currants require rigid spurring to pro- duce the fruit in close clusters. Retain about six canes to each raspberry bush, cut these back to the bud just under the part where the cane takes a bend, then collect and tie them neatly at the summits. Mulch over the ground around the plants, and remove the wandering suckers without digging the ground. After this necessary work prune wall-fruit trees, and pears as has been di- rected, and apple espaliers. Flower Garden. Sow annual seeds of the best sorts in pots or pans about the end of the month, in rich light loam with leaf-mould and very old cattle-dung, under the heat of a frame. The hardier sorts are raised under glass in the same way as convolvulus, lupines, sweet-pea, navel-wort, Venus' looking-glass, dwarf lychnis, and candy-tuft, &c., &c. In open grounds worms, slugs, and snails will often devour the plants as they emerge. Flower beds are well dressed with a pointing of old cattle-dung or leafy-mould, or manured in a foot deep with light loam, leaf-soil, or better with heath-mould, as nothing can equal fresh virgin earth. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 167 GRAZING PROSPECTS FOR THE SPRING. The cattle plague is making siu'h awful inroads upon our foltl-yards aud grazing cattle as to make us apprehen- sive of a scarcity in the ensuing spring. Should only the present rate of increase of attacks in cattle continue much longer, it will pretty nearly exhaust the surplus stock which the breeders bring into the market for sale to graziers. But the danger is that it will be much more alarmingly and extensively spread. It is now breaking out in fresh districts daily, and that with more fatal effects than ever. The losses in the district from whence I write are fearful. Beautiful herds are swept off in a week or two, which has created such a disastrous panic as to cause many of our cattle-owners to make away with all their neat stock, rather than incur further risk. What is done in this district is only a sample of what is doing else- where. Witness the iletropolitau Market of ^londay last ! It is true the number of cattle shown was considerable, but numbers of them possessed no qualifications to make beef. Hence very many which iu our store-cattle yai'ds would be valued at from eight to fourteen pounds each, only realized from two pounds to four pounds ten shillings each. They must be sold for slaughtering, and that wilMn four miles of the centre of London. That is the new City regulation. "What a sacrifice ! But go to the dead-meat markets : there will be seen many hundreds more of car- cases, with still less pretensions to be called beef, and sell- ing at almost any price that a buyer may choose to offer. What is to be the end of all this ? These are the very animals we require for our spring and summer grazing. They ai'e thus prematurely sacrificed as a dead loss to the Owner and the country, aud to the serious injury of the Cattle grazier, who is thus left without cattle for his sum- mer pastures, and the conmiunity will sooner or later fail their supply of beef. What then is to be done ? our grazing prospects are in the highest degree discouraging. Many of our " best bullock lands" are not well adapted for sheep gTazing, and if they were, how is the grazier to procui-e sheep for them ? We have not any sheep to spare for " bullock lauds ;" scarcely can we iu ordinary seasons find a suffi- cient supply for our usual " sheep lands," much less for our usual bullock pastures. To allow many of these lands to stand for meadows and meadow-hay would be poor policy ; what is to consume it when got ? it cannot all find sale in our hay-markets. There is no help for it, but to find grazing stock of some kind wherewith to depasture such lands : it is their legitimate use. It is to no purpose to turn such lauds into tillage for a term of years, and then to attempt to restore them to pasture : the very destruc- tion of the old thick -set pasture grasses would be fatal to their restoration as fattening pastures. New pastm-age will sustain a large average number of grazing stock, but artificial aids would be requisite to fatten them. It is the wisest aud best course, notwithstanding the severity of our losses, to continue them nnder pasturage, and to use our best endeavom-s to procure profitable grazing stock for them ; to this end, and in furtherance of this desirable object, I will venture to make a few suggestions. It would, under our present position of things, be higlily impolitic to import cattle for grazing purposes ; it would be to them certain destruction. The only reasonable course would be the importation of sbeep, and that with the utmost care aud strict supervision. They must be procured from healthy flocks in healthy districts on the continent. They must be im- ported in ships altogether devoted to sheep accommoda- tion, and from which cattle have been long excluded. Sheep will take the cattle-plague under some couditious, therefore every precaution must be insisted upon, aud every preventive lie adopted and strictly carried out. The continental railway carriages should all undergo a close inspection before being allowed to carry sheep intended for exportation, as also their lairagcs, wharves, pens, &c. Exporters cannot be too cautious or sufficiently careful. The point of landing these cargoes of sheep should be near to the district iu which they would be required for grazing. Hallway travelling iu this country is not only expensive, but it is deeply hazardous just now ; far better that arrangements should be made to laud the sheep where they are most wanted. We have seldom been so highly favoured with green crops as in the past season, aud a very large quantity of cattle aud sheep food is now in hand. This being the case, it follows that our right course, our best policy, is to en- deavour to obtain as large a supply of sheep from the con- tinent as we can keep till our pastures are ready, and that we procure them as early as we can, consistently with safety of transit, and having regard to the healthy condi- tion of the animals. It may be ruinous to take thriving animals from suitable keeping, to subject them to the hurry-scurry of the " I'ail." Then the privations of the voyage, and possibly in the stormiest of seasons. Cor- rect judgment and wise discretion are obviously necessary to success in these speculations, because, be it remem- bered, these slieep are for profitable grazing, not imme- diate slaughter. It is highly desirable that no time should now be lost. Spring will soon put in. The sheep should be well rested, and restored to their thriving state, by judicious care, and feeding on turnips, &c., before they are turned out to pastm-e, or the season may be "thrown away." I am by no means well acquainted with the precise dis- tricts on the Continent where these sheep may be best found ; but I should say Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Saxony, Holstein, and some parts of Germany and Prussia, Sheep from these countries might be imported at once — the sooner the better. From Spain and Por- tugal Merinos may be procured in considerable numbers. These, I should suggest, ought to be imported in April or May, lest the rigour of our climate might prove injurious to them. I would on no account have any slieep travel far to market or fair, or along our highways or railways to their pastures ; and I would particularly stipulate that all imported sheep shoidd be consigned to some conve- nient port near a grazing district — not to London, Southampton, Hull, or any similar universal landing- places. There they run imminent risk of contagion, which it is our aim to avoid. I think wise arrangements might be made by importers, to induce purchasers to meet the cargoes as they arrive at their various ports. I wish to avoid exposure and the chance of contagion in oiu' markets or fairs. We cannot, in these dangerous times, be too particular. Sheep can carry and dissemi- nate the plague, even if they escape it themselves. It is not for me to advise individual speculators or men of business as to what course they should pursue to import these sheep satisfactorily. All I desire to say to them is, that there will assm-edly be a demand for the sheep, and in considerable numbers. I wish to have them imported early enough to be useful as summer stock — i. e., to be made fixt in the summer, not in autumn or succeeding winter, M 168 THE FABMEB'S MAGAZINE. THE KEEP OF DAIBY STOCK. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MASK-LANE EXPEESS. SiE, In reply to " North Cheshire," whose letter in your last impression requests the opinion of your readers as to where the boundary -line of full-feeding dairy cattle should stop, I beg to say that the article he alludes to was written more for the purpose of drawing the attention of farmers to place their de- pendence for food supplies on the crops grown on their own farms than on purchased foods, such as oilcake, rapecake, and the various sorts of meal now so largely advertised and promi- nently brought before the agricultural public. Although decidedly of opinion that it is a dangerous thing for a working farmer — meaning by that term farmers who live exclusively by their farms — to spend too much money on con- centrated food, yet I think there is but little danger of any one going beyond the mark by the most extensive system of full- feeding, when the food used is grown at home. The various sorts of cake are very well, in moderation, at certain seasons of the year, but their place is admirably sup- plied by the cereals grown on the farm ; the benefit derived from these being nearly equal weight for weight, and the ex- pense at present prices — which rule also holds good for the past three or four years — not much over half. Eut the great source of supply for house-feeding cattle all the year round must ever be the bulky crops capable of being grown on almost every variety of land, such as vetches, clover, cabbages, rape, man- golds, and turnips. These crops have the great advantage of returning a large amount of manure to tlie soil, repaying in this way alone a considerable amount of the extra expenditure entailed by this system. "Wlxen, during the summer months, dairy cattle receive a fork- ful of fresh, nourishing, and appetizingfoodmorningand evening — or morning, noon, and evening, if milked three times a day (an excellent plan) — they become independent of the weather, and continue to give copious supplies of milk, even during the most protracted drought. When the supply of house-food has been so managed as to meet what has been provided for winter, the cows keep on their milk in considerable quantity at the very period when it is in greatest demand, and the price remu- nerative. If the supply of food runs short, and they are allowed to depend on the grass alone for even a fortnight, say in Oc- tober, they dry at once, and no amount of food afterwards sup- plied will bring them up again for the remainder of the season. It is just at this period most people fail ; and if this point is not attended to, a cow that would otherwise have given an overflowing return will give only a moderate one, and render to a certain extent nugatory the efforts of the previous months. When a cow is in full milk during the present season, 21bs. of crushed oats sprinkled over each feed of turnips or mangold makes an excellent addition to the food of the animal, increas- ing the produce and neutralizing the taste of the roots. By using oats in this manner, they wiU give a much better return in the shape of cash than they would if sold in the market. It is impossible to avoid loss by a few of the cows missing or casting calf when the stock is moderately large, some sea- sons occurring to a grievous extent ; the loss as stated by your correspondent being most truthfully near the mark. This is a loss every owner of a dairy stock must lay his account to a greater or less extent ; but by having tlie cows always in good condition, and using only young bulls, the loss from this source can be a good deal modified. A really good cow is worth making an effort to bring round for the following season ; and it is truly surprising how much mUk she will give when well fed, even although not having had a calf. In general, however, it is better to feed off for tlie butcher, this being easily done when the fuU-feeding system is carried out ; her produce, up to almost the end, will go far in paying for her food. By selling in merely store condition, the loss is dreadfully heavy. Ilighly-bred cows are more liable to this fatality than the ordinary run of country cattle. With such an excellent price for milk as 3d. per quart, there is no branch of farming will pay nearly so well as a carefully- managed and well-fed dairy stock, unless in very exceptional situations, that being about the highest price obtainable in this country (Ireland). With house-feed eveiy day during the milking season, the amount in hard cash from each cow, at that price, should be at least £25. Deducting £2 10s. for oats or other concentrated food, the very handsome sum of £22 10s. is left as the net produce of the cow. This amount is neither a supposed or exaggerated one, but it is the exact amount received during the past year per cow from a stock of the very smallest Ayrshire cows procurable — worth £12 each on the average — and located on a farm of very indifferent quality, being almost pure sand, and a hard, impenetrable pan within a few inches of the surface. Time and space prevent me fi'om going deeper into this subject at present, but at a future time, if such a desire should be expressed by any of your readersj I would be most happy to do so. A. BE VIE WS The Farmer's Almanac and Calendar ecr 1866. By Cuthbert William Johnson, Esq., r.B.S. Loudon : Ridg- way, 169, Piccadilly ; A. and C. Black, and Bell and Bradfnte, Edinhord ; and dIcGlashan, Dublin. This almanac, which has gone tlii'ough twelve volumes, has established for itself a reputation, which is sustained by the correct character by the large and multifarious information it contains. To the farmer it is an invaluable handbook of agricultural operations ; whilst to the housekeeper and ama- teur gardener it affords a fund of valuable hints on matters relating to their departments of domestic economy. To those who have hitherto used the Calendar, there is little need to speak in its praise. THE HERD BOOK OP HEREEOED CATTLE. Vol. 6. By T. Duckham. It is a satisfactory proof of the present status of the Here- ford to find that this is by far the most bulky volume of the Herd Book ever yet issued. Breeders are beginning to see that the value of an animal must be regulated, more or less, by the authenticity of his pedigree ; and Mr. Duckham's ex- ertions in this way will materially conduce to the advantage of those who have worked with him. It may have been au uphill game at times, but the editor now appears to have fairly conquered his difficulties, as we believe most of the herds of any repute are here duly chronicled. It is almost needless to say that the several particulars have been collected — and collected ■ndth the greatest possible care and industry, as the intimate knowledge of his subject is the best guarantee against Mr. Duckham fathering a mistake, or adopting a statement that could be questioned hereivfter. In fact, the Hereford Herdbook is the authority it should be. At the same time it is very handsomely turned out, and in the way of typography, illustrations, and convenient arrangement, a very model for the compilers of similar information. The Editor has appropriately included in his book a lecture he read a short time since at Cirencester on the history, pro- gress, and merits of his favourite breed; while it is gratifying to add, as some practical comment on these labours, that a number of his friends and neighbours are about to present Mr. Duckham with a Testimonial in appreciation of his services as the champion of the Herefords. In a " class" business like this, it is about time tliat a man must go for his character, and our Editor consequently commands the best possible recom- mendation for his ofSce. THE FABMEES' CLUB. The following subjects have been selected for discussion in 1866: February 5, " British Tillage, Present and Future ;" pro- posed by Mr. J. J. Meclii, Tiptree Htill, Kelvedon. March 5, " The Cattle Plague, and the Government Mea- sures ;" proposed by Mr. H. Corbet, Salisbury-square, London. April 2, "Agricultural Shows, and their Influence on Agri- cultural Progress ;" proposed by Mr. A. CrosskiU, Beverley. May 7, " On Increasing the Supply of Animal Food ;" pro- posed by Mr. R. Smith, Emmett's Grange, South Moltou. November 5, " The Present Aspect of Steam Cultivation ;" proposed by Mr. J. A. Clarke, Long Sutton. December, " The Best Mode and Period of Applying Ma- nures ;" proposed by Professor Voelcker, Salisbury-square, London. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 169 AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR JANUARY. Notwitlistaudiug that the weather has been remarkably mild for the time of year, except during- the period that we had a heavy fall of snow, the accounts from nearly the whole of our agricultural districts, in reference to the appearance of the young wlieats, are very favourable. As yet they have shown no signs of premature growth, and the prospects are certainly in favour of an abundant harvest. The supplies of home- grown wheat on sale in the various markets have been very moderate, and for the most part in very middling condition. Good and fine parcels have, therefore, been in fair request at full quotations, but all other kinds have moved off slowly at irregular quotations. A fair amount of business has been passing in dry foreign wheals for mixiug purposes on former terms. The rise in the Bank rate for money to 8 per cent. has completely checked all speculative operations in wheat, either on the spot or for arrival, although it is evident that for several months the total imports of foreign produce will be on a very moderate scale. The high rates at which both wheat and llour are selling in America leave a heavy loss upon every shipment riiade to the United Kingdom. On the 8th of January the stock of flour at New York was 750,000 barrels, of wheat 3,000,000 bushels ; but it is expected that about one-third of these quantities will be forwarded to the Southern States. There has been a fair, but by no means active, inquiry for malting barley, at fuU quotations, grinding and distilling sorts have moved off slowly, and the currencies have been with diffi- culty supported. Malt has been somewhat drooping in price, but oats have commanded extreme rates. Increased qiiantities of beans and peas having been on show, these articles have rather given way. The flour trade has continued remarkably quiet, on former terms. Throughout the continent wheat has given way in price, with a heavy export inquiry. The supplies held by most of the growers, especially in France, appear to be very large. Barley, oats, beans, and peas have changed hands to a fair extent, chiefly for spring shipment, at steady currencies. The transactions in all descriptions of wool have continued on a restricted scale, and, in some instances, the quotations have had a dowiiward tendency. Dear money is certainly against a steady expansion of the trade ; but as stocks, both here and on the continent, are greatly reduced, and as the export trade in woollen goods is still moderately active, the next public sales of Colonial wool in London are looked for- ward to with considerable interest. The quantity already arrived for the March sales is about 28,000 l^ales, leaving about 30,000 bales afloat. English wool has been held at steady currencies, arising in some measure from the high rates ob- tained for cotton, in the face of increasing importations, and the prospect of only a moderate clip this season. Although there has been a fair demand for tallow, rough fat has declined to 2s. 4d. per Slbs. Apparently the make of home tallow is on the increase. Certainly, the beasts and sheep dis- posed of in the Metropolitan Market have exhibited an im- provement both in weight and quality compared with several previous months. The quantity of liops on sale has been moderately good. The dry fine samples have moved oft" slowly, on former terms ; but inferior kinds have been a mere drug, at barely late rates. The imports have been moderate. There has been an improved demand for both hay and straw — the supplies of which have fallen off, and the cur- rencies have had an upward tendency. Meadow hay has realised £4' 4s. to £5 los., clover £5 10s. to £7, and straw £1 16s. to £2 2s. per load. Considerable inroads have now been made upon the stocks h.eld by the farmers near London ; prices therefore are likely to be well supported for several months. The demand for wheat in the leading markets in Scotland has ruled inactive, at about stationary prices, Barley and oats have sold freely, on former terms ; but all other articles have met a dull inquiry, at barely late rates. In Ireland, wheat has sold slowly ; nevertheless, the cur- rencies have been fairly supported. The transactions in other produce have been to a moderate extent on former terms. The shipments to England have been on the increase. REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. The closing of several local markets, in order if possible to check the cattle plague, has led to the arrival into London of increased supplies of beasts. Those received from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire have been in fair average condition ; but we regret to state that the graziers in Lincoln- shire have sent forward rather large numbers of half-fat beasts which ought not to have been forwarded till Julynext. The trade as a whole has been in a very inactive state, and prices, owing to an Order in Council having been issued prohibiting the re- moval of cattle through London— certainly within a radius of four miles from Charing-cross— have suffered rather a heavy decline. Since the order was issued, scarcely any sales of stock have been effected for country use and consumption, and the result has been that large numbers have remained unsold at the close of each market day. The best Scots have therefore declined in value to 4s. 8d. per Slbs. as a general top figure. The Scotch beasts have come to hand in wonderfully fine con- dition ; but those from Ireland have shown no improvement. The numbers of sheep brought forward have been only mo- derate, but nearly all breeds have made their appearance in greatly improved condition. The transactions have been to a fair extent ; nevertheless the currencies have had a drooping tendency. At one time during the month, the best old Doi^tis and half-breds sold at 3s. 8d. per Slbs. The supplies of calves having been limited, the veal trade lias ruled active on higher terms. The best veal has produced 5s. 8d. per Slbs. The imports of foreign pigs have increased, and the pork trade has been in a very inactive state, on lower terms. The trade has, it will be seen, been in a very unsatisfactory state ; but our impression is that it will not long continue so, from the circumstance that consumption must be met, what- ever may be the tenor of Orders in Council, and, from the actual demand for live animals, is likely to increase. At present the general current of trade is thrown into confusion by ab- surd restrictions. The total supplies of stock exhibited in the great Metropo- litan Cattle Market have been as under :— Beasts 24,620 head. Cows ... ... ... ••• 320 Sheep 89,390 Calves 1.754 Pigs 3,225 Comparison or Supplies. Januarv. Beasts. Cows. Sheep. Calves. Pigs. 1865 " 20,669 376 73,714 1,095 2,370 1864 .... 19,442 452 80,230 1,019 2,567 1863 '. 20,455 450 83,422 1,637 2,456 1862 ... 20,680 502 82,160 853 2,850 1861 . 17,612 505 75,240 677 2,000 1860 . ... 20,500 535 92,425 1,067 2,045 1859 19,805 364 90,620 921 2,400 1858 .... 20,312 572 80,742 1,108 1,759 1857 19,947 355 81,200 1,071 2,355 1856 17,532 435 101,600 757 3,930 1855 '."... 19,717 500 120,460 962 2,625' 1854 19,687 510 95,080 887 3,279 For the time of year, the imports of foreign stock have been large. In the quality of both beasts and sheep there has been a decided improveraent. Very few losses hare been » 2 170 THE FAEMEK'S MAGAZINE. sustitiiifil on |)assiige; iiiul llie slock, generally, has arrived in full average concliti(jn. The annexed return shows the arrivals : — Beasts 3,301 head. Sheep 19,478 Calves 1,163 Piffs 1,837 Total 25,838 Total in Jan., 1865 10,953 1864 9,907 1853 11,893 1863 8,783 1861 2,708 1860 6,760 1859 9,364 1858 2,343 1857 4,633 1856 3,292 „ 1855 9,103 1854 7,919 The foUowiug arrivals from our own distriets, as well as friJTii Ireland and Scotland, thus compare with tlie two pre- vious jears : — 1800. 1865. 1864. From Norfolk, Suffolk, Esse.x, and Camhridgeshire 6,960 9,400 9,600 Lincolnshire, &c 5,290 — — Other parts of England 3,100 3,400 3,400 Scotland 2,859 1,498 1,590 Ireland 800 557 300 It will be seen from the above that over 5,000 head of beasts have been received from the northern districts, at a time when the " season" is, generally closed. The highest and lowest prices during the month have been : Beef from 3s. 4d. to 5s. 2d. ; mutton, 4s. 4d. to 6s. 8d. ; veal, 4s. to 5s. 8d. ; and pork, 4s. to 5s. 4d. per 81bs,, to sink the offal. COMPAKISON OF PeICES. Jan., 1862. Jan., 1863. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Beef from 3 2 to 4 10 3 4 to 4 10 Mutton 3 4to5 6 3 6 to 5 10 Veal 4 8 to 5 8 3 8 to 5 0 Tork 3 10to4 10 3 8 to 4 8 Jan., 1864. Jan., 1865. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Beef from 3 0 to 5 3 3 6 to 5 6 Mutton 3 8to6 0 4 2 to 6 2 Veal 4 Oto5 6 4 4 to 5 8 Pork 3 6to4 0 3 4 to 4 8 The supply of food for winter use is still abundant. Tlie stock is, therefore, doing well ; but the heavy losses in cattle have created no little alarm in nearly all parts of the country. Portunately, tjie plague has not extended itself to Ireland. Newgate and Leadenhall have been well supplied with meat, which has sold slowly at our quotations. Beef from 2s. lOd. to 4s. 6d. ; mutton, 3s. 4d. to 4s. Sd. ; Veal, 4s. to 5s. 2d. ; Perls, 4s. to 5s. 3d. per lbs. by the carcase. AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c. BANBITRY FAIR.— A good supply of mutton, but the demand slow. Tegs and wether sheep from 5s. 8d. to Gs. 4d., ewes 4s. lOd. to 5s. 2d., and veal 5s. to 5s. 4d. per stone. Bacon and pork 10s. 6d. to lis. per score. No cattle. There was altogether a good show of horses. Superior cart horses realized from £60 to £80, and best backs .about £00. BOSTON FAT STOCK JMAUKET.— A large show of fat sheep, with a slow trade, from 8d. to 9d. per lb. Show of hoggs also large ; best sorts made 60s. each. CHESTER HORSE FAIR.— There was a great demand for cart horses, buvers being more numerous than sellers. DUMFRIES PORK MARKET.— The weather was clear and inclining to frost, which made a good prospect for the market. Over night there was a change, and tlie night's frost had entirely disappeared by daylight. Carcases were in fair condition, and were not neaily so numerous as last market day. There was a numerons attijudance of dealers, and this, along with the circumstances just luentioucd, caused the dcnuoul to be rather brisk. Sales moved steadily, and in the end a good clearance was cflccted. Prices rose slightly, but tlic increase in rates was not general. Top lots fetched 7s. od. and 7s. Id., and in a few instances 7s. 5d. per imperial stone. Secondary sorts ranged from 6s. 9d. to 7s. 2d., and a few heavy bouks at from 6s. upwards. LOCHMABEN PORK MARKET.— The supply numbered 141 carcases, all of which were in good condition. Demand was not so brisk as on former occasions. Prices ranged, for best carcases, from 7s. 2d. to 7s. 4d. per imperial stone : heavier weights, from 6s. lOd. to 7s. NOTTINGHAM FAIR was confined to horses, and they were as numerons as was expected, the agricultural class being the best represented. Dealers, as usual, mustered strongly, and would have transacted more business, had not the owners de- manded above the average price for their animals. In tlie liack trade very little business came under our notice, in fact, very few of such animals were sliown. Amongst the colt class there was a great falling oft', while fillies were hardly visible. In- quiries after horses for carting j)urposes viere numerous, Ijut only few were sold. The pony trade was dull, and more were taken home again than the number sold. Quotations for horses of the agricultural class ranged from £20 to £35. Strong colts also fetched £20 ; and hacks from £10 up to £13 and £16. Fillies of good breed made as much as £18. Ponies realised from £7 to £12. SHEFFORD FAIR.— There was a moderate show of light and cart-horses, for which high prices were asked and given ; the unsold animals kept back for the large PoUon fair to be held on Monday and Tuesday, 29th and 30th January. Good cart-horses sold at from 30 to 35 guineas each, colts for harness or the saddle from 40 to 45 guineas, ditto several warranted for troopers 35 to 40 guineas. Inferior and aged horses not in demand. SEPTENNIAL AVERAGES— TITHE COM- MUTATION. Sir, — As many of your readers may feel anxious to know the result of the corn averages for the seven years to Christmas, 1S05, published, by authority, in the London GKeiic of tliis evening — viz., Wheat, 5s. ll|d. ; Barley. 4s. ^\i^. ; Oats, 2s. 9.jd. per imperial bushel — I beg to state, for their information, that the value of each £100 of tithe rent-charge will, for the year 1866, amount to £97 7s. 9|d. It appears, from my " Annual Tithe Commutation Tahles," that the lowest average value of £100 of tithe rent charge, during the thirty years which have elapsed since tlie passing of the Tithe Commutation Act, was, in the year 1855, viz., £89 15s. 8fd., and that from that time up to the year 1861 the average gradually increased — £22 7s. 8d., or about 3| per cent, per annum — up to £112 3s. 4f d., or the liighest value during the whole period. From 1861, tlie septennial average value lias been gradually receding in a similar ratio. For the Year £ s. d. For the Year £ s. d. 1837 98 13 9f 1852 93 16 IH 1838 97 7 11 1853 91 13 5f 1839 95 7 9 1854 90 19 5 1840 98 15 9.V 1855 89 15 8f 1841 103 12 5^ 18.50 93 IS \\ 1843 105 8 Oil 1857 99 13 71 1843 105 12 2-^ 1858 105 16 3}t 1844 104 3 5t 1859 108 19 6t 1845 103 17 IH 1860 110 17 8.i 1846 102 17 8^ 1861 113 3 4^ 1847 99 18 lOi 1862 109 13 6 1848 102 1 0 1803 107 5 2 1849 100 3 7^ 1864 103 3 lOt 1850 98 16 10 1865 98 15 lOi- 1851 90 11 ^i 1806 97 7 n 30) 3,020 9 4A General average for 30 years ... £100 17 7f I am, yours most respectfully, Charles M. Willicii, Late Actuary University Life Assurance Society. 2. Mouipeliei-sqHare, Rathnid-f/afe, S. Jr., Jcot. 0-, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 171 REVIEW OE THE CORN TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. The new year has opened in a very remarkable manner, there having been only two winter-like days as yet in January, viz., that of the heavy enow storm of the 1 1th and the day following, when it at first seemed doubtful whether the deep-cover- ing was to bs permanent. But we were soon un- deceived^ by the rapidity of the thaw and a heavy rainfall, followed by disastrous floods, while the sad talc of wrecks at sea through terrific gales will long live in the memories of the bereaved. We were hoping for a frost to ameliorate the condition of the wheat, but the long prevalence of damp has placed us nearly in the condition of I860, when al- most every day had its shower. But let us not murmur, but trust that Divine Goodness is at the helm of our stormiest times, though we see it not, and hope, though apparently against hope, as re- spects both the condition of our corn and our cat- tle. Doubtless the latter visitation is severe, and there seems no cure for it but by a voice from on high. The young wheat has hitherto gone on well, the mildness as well as moisture helping the last- sown land, so there is a wide-spread verdure in the fields yet full of promise. Our prices, with weather so damp, have rather receded, say, perhaps, 2s. per qr. ; but we doubt whether really fine samples could be had at more than Is. per qr. reduction for the month, and it is remarkable what facility of sales has been found for floating cargoes off the coast, at a slight decline. There has also been a great falling otF in the weekly deliveries, say for a fortnight, to the extent of 49,800 qrs., or one-third of t!ie entire sales, a feature not to be overlooked, and certainly indicative either of an intention to hold for better times, or that free sellers have nearly done their utmost. By an official calculation of the averages for seven years, taken at 47s. 8d,, we are yet Is. 7d.per qr. below par, notwithstanding the rise upon the low rates at the beginning of 1865 ; and our foreign stocks are not so heavy as to bt a nest egg in a time of adversity, and with the cattle murrain still making fearful way, and prices in Germany and some parts of America beyond our own, as the consequence of a deficient produce, there is ample scope for a large advance before next harvest. Some have attributed the present depression partly to the promise of the young wheat ; but practical men know what this is worth, and don't trust it, thougli 7 per cent, discount is really against speculative operations, and will be, so long as it lasts ; we think, however, a good frost, by the improvement of samples, would more than counterbalance any temporary monetary pressure, and put a proper value on agricultural produce, at what we may certainly call an " evil time." The mildness of the weather diminishes consumption, l)Oth as respects cattle feed and breadstufFs ; but a requirement of two million quarters per month on a doubtful average and equally doubtful imports must tell, as time works on. The stock in London is estimated at something less than 350,000 qrs., or six weeks' consumption for the metropolis. The following rates were recently quoted at the places named : Wheat at Paris 398. to 43s. ; at Bor- deaux, 44s. ; at Antwerp, Baltic red 48s. ; na- tive at Louvain, 45s. ; Polish at Amsterdam, 55s. ; fine red at Hambro', 52s. 6d.; red, at Stettin, was held at about 52s., cost, freight, and insurance in- cluded ; fine new high mixed wheat at Dantzic, 57s. in the same way; Banat, at Venice, 42s. Floating cargoes of fine Ghirka to 42s. 6d. per qr. Marianopoli to 43s. 6d.; Polish Odessa at 42s. Gd.; spring wheat at Montreal 40s. per 480lb. ; at Mihvaukie, 43s. id.; at Chicago 42s. per 4S0lbs. In New York, new Milwaukie to 51s. 6d. The first Monday in Mark Lane commenced on moderate arrivals of wheat both English and fo- reign. The show of fresh samples on the Essex and Kentish stands was very limited, but in con- sequence of the damp prevailing, the condition was bad. The market, partly as a consequence of the ho- lidays as well as from the inferiority of the samples, was generally Is. per qr. lower, with but slow sales at the reduction. Some parcels of foreign were also placed at a similar decline where sellers were anxious, but generally there was no change in the quota- tions. A similar reduction was submitted to on the part of holders of floating cargoes. No im- provement in the weather taking place through the week,- the influence of the London decline was felt in many places, and made the following markets Is. perqr. lower, say Birmingham, Barnslcy, Hull, Ipswich, Dunstable, Manchester, Newark, Market Harbro', and several other towns. Liverpool noted a decline of Id. to 2d. per cental for the week. No change was quoted at Edinburgh and Glasgow. Home-produce at Dublin and several other towns in Ireland was unaltered in value. On the second Monday there was but a mode- rate English supply, and from the continent the arrivals were very scanty. This morning the exhi- bition of samples from the near counties was very limited, and the condition really wretched : EngUsh factors only describing the market from these mi- serable samples, wrote it down Is. to 28. per qr. ; but had there been any dry samples, they would have made fully the previous prices, and as quality is the standard of value, we made no change in our quotations. The inferior lots on hand were quite unserviceable to millers. The foreign trade was, however, very quiet, and prices barely maintained, while floating cargoes could only be placed at Is. per qr. decline. Theexcessivelydarapweather prevailing through the week depressed every market, but very much lessened the weekly exhibition of samples ; yet for want of condition many places quoted a further abatement of Is. per qr., and among these were Boston, Gainsborough, Lynn, St. Neot's, 112 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Sheffield, Stockton, Wolverton, and a few other places; but after the snow-storm there was a diflferent feeling, and Croydon then reported some advance on fine qualities. Edinburgh and Glas- gow were down about 6d. to Is. per qr., but Dub- lin was without change, though dull. On the third Monday there was only a moderate English and short foreign supply. But few fresh samples were exhibited on the Essex and Kentish stands, and these were again in very poor condi- tion, so poor as to render them next to unsaleable. Holders of anything fine were able to sell readily at former quotations, but the rest were neglected. The foreign trade, though of a retail character, was firm for all dry samples. In floating cargoes but little was passing, though the previous week's rates were paid on all fine quaUties. In spite of weather, which was damp and rainy all through the week, the wheat trade in the country was then firm, and higher rates were insisted on in several mar- kets. About Is. perqr. more was paid at Boston, Burton-on-Trent, Hull, Newark, and some other places, and the whole tendency of the markets was upwards, from the great falling off, in the supplies. At Glasgow there was an improved feeling, but Edinburgh was slow. At Dublin no change was noted in native wheat, but foreign was dull. On the fourth Monday the supplies, both En- glish and foreign, were moderate. There were very few fresh samples this morning on the Kentish and Essex stands, and their condition was really deplorable, and certain to involve a sacrifice on the Eart of farmers. Very little was therefore sold ; ut the better tone cf the country markets pre- vented the quotation of reduced prices. There was a much better attendance from the country, and a better demand was experienced for all dry good foreign on fully the previous terms. Floating car- goes were firm, but few really good quality on sale. At Luton on the same day dry samples were Is. per qr. dearer, Sleaford and Newcastle-under- Lyme being imaltered. On the last Monday, with moderate supplies, prices both of English and foreign were unaltered. The imports into London for four weeks were 22,080 qrs. Enghsh wheat, 17,465 qrs. foreign, against 20,664 qrs. English and 11,646 qrs. foreign for the same time in 1865. The London averages commenced at 49s. 4d., and closed at 47s. id. The general averages began at 46s. 8d., and closed at 46s. Id. per qr., thus showing that the principal decline was in London. The London exports were 1,489 qrs. wheat, 266 cwt. flour. The im- ports into the kingdom for four weeks ending 13th January were 1,874,919 cwt. wheat, and 614,726 cwt. flour. The flour trade during the entire month has been very dull, with rather lower prices for country qua- lities, in consequence of considerably increased supplies, country millers naturally calculating on more ready sales from the falling oflf of foreign ar- rivals. To some extent they were right, but all sent to market has not been cleared oflT, and it would be diflUcult to place stock at the former rates. Fine marks have, however, brought 36s. ; but to realize 33s. for Norfolks has been difficult. Ame- rican barrels have been less easily sold since the larger arrivals from the country, as well as French sacks ; but the quotations have stood nominally the same. Town sorts have been without change, 46s. remaining the top price. The imports into London for four weeks were 93.917 sacks country, 5,570 sacks 13,934 barrels foreign, against 80,964 sacks country, 904 sacks 3,826 barrels foreign for the same period last year, showing that American im- ports, though still small, have lately been increas- ing. The barley trade throughout the month has been dull, more especially the stained medium sorts of English : occasionally good prices have been made of fine Scotch, say to 408. per qr., and low grinding sorts have been hardenmg in value, since the rise in oats and beans, and we think these latter likely to maintain prices ; but the malt trade having lately been slack, the better qualities have not been in such good demand, or of such certain value. Danubian grinding is now worth 27s. to 28s., and stout French 31s. perqr. The imports into London for four weeks have been 16,368 qrs. British and 14,527 qrs. foreign, against 22,114 qrs. British 47,960 qrs. foreign for the same period in 1865, showing a great falling oflf lately in foreign imports, notwithstanding the openness of the season. The malt trade has been dull throughout the month for inferior qualities of new, but fine have occasionally found a brisk inquiry, subsiding how- ever at the close of the month into calm, and all old samples have so grown into disfavour as to be of doubtful value. There has been a very great falling off" in the foreign supply of oats, partly in consequence of the prevalence of storms and contrary winds, and had it not been for an unusually good stock of Russian in granary we might have seenhigherprices; but large dealers, purchasing freely during the late gluts, have so little appeared on the market that the trade left to a retail and country inquiry has been very alack, and rather cheaper for granary parcels. Good sweet Swedish sorts, however, are wanted, and would probably bring higher rates, so on their arrival, if in condition, we may expect more animation in the trade; ordinary Russian have been worth 23s. to 24s., fine up to 27s. Not- withstanding the present dulness of the trade, we do not anticipate any material decline even with good foreign supplies from the well known defi- ciency of the Enghsh crop, and the certainty that this must create a large country demand. The im- ports into London for four weeks were 11,221 qrs. English, 3,751 qrs. Scotch, 2,280 qrs. Irish, and 47,417 qrs. foreign, against 8,645 qrs. English, 34,116 qrs. Scotch, 3,512 qrs. Irish, and 67,134 qrs. foreign in 1865. Every source of supply has, therefore, been straitened, Scotch arrivals very prominently so, as well as foreign. New beans at the opening of the month declined 2s. per qr., farmers then sending better supplies, and they have scarcely maintained their price since, say for soft qualities ; but all those hard enough for splitting have been in request, and again some- what hardening in value. Egyptiaijp are nearly all used up, and our principal source has therefore failed ; so prices are likely to be dear all through THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. 173 the season, from the scarcity of fine old, and the smallness of foreign imports. Tne arrivals during four weeks into London have been 6,092 qrs. English and 2,307 qrs. foreign, against 3,998 qrs. English and 2,998 qrs. foreign for the same period last year. The trade in peas has been very dull all through the month. All hog-feeding sorts have given way fully Is. perqr., and white qualities in consequence of free imports from Canada have gone down 2s. per qr,,the mildness of the weather lessening the consumption for boilers ; indeed, fair Canadian lately worth about 41s. to 42s. have been selling at 37s. to 38s., and the best English or Danzic are scarcely worth over 40s. per qr. ; whether there will be a reaction greatly depends on the weather, as the stocks on hand are low; but as white are used as substitutes for beans, we see little chance of any further decline. The imports for four weeks of all sorts into London have been 1,985 qrs. English and 8,421 qrs. foreign, against 2,691 qrs. English and only 5 qrs. foreign in 1865. The price of linseed gave way Is. per qr. on free arrivals noted the first Monday, and has remained dull ever since, though after-supplies were scanty. We expect, however, the decline will ere long be fully recovered from the failure of the crop in In- dia, and cakes all through the month have had a very free sale at quite previous rates. Cloverseed has not been so brisk as might have been expected, from the nearness of the season. Great losses sustained in the trade in former years have made speculators averse to forward move- ments. After some rise here and in France there has been a check, with sales more difficult, and some American appearing has rather damped the market. Prices, however, yet being moderate on a short crop seem likely to be fully maintained when seed-time comes, and we may say the same of trefoil. Foreign tares have hardly come into de- mand yet, small being worth about 42s., though more is asked. An importation of canary seed has lowered rates from their extreme value fully 4s. per qr. Other seeds have I'uled calm, with rates much as last quoted. IMPEEIAL AVERAGES For the week ended January 20, 1866, ■Wheat 58,223iqrs. 45s. 7d. Barlej' 67,209| „ 32s. lOd. Oats 9,406| ,, 223. lOd. FLUCTUATIONS in the AVERAGE PEICE of WHEAT. Peice. Dec. 16. Dec. 23. 1 Dec. 30. Jan. 6. Jan. 13., Jan. 20. COMPARATIVE AVERAGES. "WHEAT. BARLEY. OATS. Years. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. s. d. 1863.. . 56,129^ ... 61 4 78,7231 ... 36 n 13,093| ... 22 2 1863.. . 68,004i ... 47 10 71,352i ... 35 0 12,9264 ... 20 2 1864.. . 93,241 ... 40 10 74,2714 ... 31 10 13,7741 ... 18 10 1865.. . 78,2141 ... 38 10 75,7531 ... 28 9 9,855 ... 19 1 1866.. . 58,223^ ... 45 7 67,2091 ... 32 10 9,406| ... 22 10 AVERAGES Foe the last Six Weeks: Dec. 16, 1865 Dec. 23, 1865 Dec. 30, 1865 Jan. 6, 1866 Jan. 13, 1866 Jan. 20, 1866 Aggregate Average Averages last year Wheat, s. d. 46 8 46 8 46 11 46 3 46 1 45 7 46 4 38 10 Barley, s. d. 32 9 32 10 32 6 32 9 32 6 32 10 32 8 Oats. s. d. 22 11 23 1 22 6 23 6 23 8 22 10 22 11 19 1 46s. lid, 46s. 8d, 463. 3d, 46s. Id 458. 7d, CURRENT PRICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR IN MARK LANE. Shillings pel- Quarter. WHEAT, Essex and Kent, white ■. new... 40to51 „ „ „ red „ ... 38 46 Norfolk, LincoLn, and Yorkshire, red 40 46 BARLEY 28 to 31 Chevalier, new 33 39 Grinding 26 29 Distilling 29 32 MALT, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, new 54 61 Kingston, Ware, and town-made, new 54 61 Brown 48 53 RYE 26 28 OATS, English, feed 21 to 26 Potato 25 30 Scotch, feed 21 26 Potato 25 30 Irish, feed, white 20 23 Fine 24 27 23 Potato 24 27 42 Ticks 39 42 45 Pigeon 46 50 41 Maple 38 to 42 Grey, new 35 36 FLOUR, per sack of 2801bs., Town, Households 42 46 Country, on shore 33 to 35 „ 37 39 Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore 32 33 FOREIGN GRAIN. ShillinKS perQuarter. WHEAT, Dantzic, mixed 51 to 54 old, extra 54 to 60 Ditto, hlack 19 BEANS, Mazagan ...39 Harrow 43 PEAS, white, boilers.. 36 Konigsberg 48 52 extra 53 Rostock 48 52 fine 53 Silesian, red 46 48 white 49 Pomera., Meckberg., and Uckermrk red old... 45 Russian, hard, 42 to 44.... St. Petersburg and Riga 44 Danish and Holstein, red 44 BARLEY, grinding 25 to 27 distilling and malting 30 OATS, Dutch, brewing and Rolands 22 to 26 feed 21 Danish and Swedish, feed 22 to 26 Stralsund... 23 Russian, Riga 22 to 24.... Arch. 21 to 24....P'sburg 23 TARES, Spring, per qr 44 BEANS, Friesland and Holstein 36 Konigsberg 38 to 42. ..Egyptian — PEAS, feeding and maple. ..35 37. ..fine boilers 36 INDIAN CORN, white 30 34.. .yellow 30 FLOUR, per sack, French. ..33 36. ..Spanish, p. sack 33 American, per brl 23 25...extra and d'ble. 26 PRICES OF SEEDS. LONDON, Monday, Jan. 29.— The seed market has been quiet during the week, at the reduced value. Red cloverseed has found buyers, and with improved inquiry this morning, prices are again pointing upwards. The supply of English continues very small, and fine samples are scarce. "White continues inactive. Trefoils do not yet meet much inquiry, but are firm in value. BRITISH SEEDS. MusTAED, per bush., white 10s.tol2s. CANABT,per qr 50s. 56s. Cloverseed, red 65s. 80s. CoEiANDER, per cwt — s. — s. Tares, winter, new, per bushel 6s. Od. 6s. 6d. Trefoil 27s. 31s. Linseed, per qr., sowing 743. to 76s., crushing 54s. 68s. Rapeseed, per qr 80s. 84b. Linseed Cakes, per ton £9 10s. to £10 lOs. Rape Cake, per ton £5 10s. to £6 Os. FOREIGN SEEDS. Coriander, per cwt 20s. to22s. Carraway ,, — s. — s. Cloverseed, red 55s. to 648., white 60s. 80s. Trefoil 26s. 6d. 28s. Hempseed, small — s. per qr., Dutch — s. 48s. Linseed, per qr., Baltic 58b. to 60s. Bombay... 68s. — s. Linseed Cakes, pv3r ton £9 10s. to £11 Ob. Rapeseed, Dutch — s. — s, Rape Cake, per ton £5 Os. to £6 Os, HOP MARKET. BOROUGH, MoxDAY, Jan. 29.— Our market during the past week has exhibited no change, the business transacted having been confined exclusively to the execution of small orders to meet the actual wants of consumers : prices of every 174 THE FABMEK'S MAGAZINE. lOOs., l-i7s., 190s. 100s., 12Gs., IGOs. SOs., 115s., 130s. 70s., 100s., 112s. 95s., 130s., 13os. class of hops remain tirm, and an improved demand is still looked forward to. American advices per last mail report the Hop trade as quiet, but titin : the intensely eold weather lately prevailing- in Kcw York (being the most severe experienced during tlie past 25 years) lias nmtcrially interfered with all kinds of business^ but an improved demand for all Hops of average cjuality is anticipated as soon as the weather mode- rates. Prime American Hops are in short supply, and com- mand 65 to 70 cents. Mid and East Kents . . . Parnhams & Country. Weald of Kents Sussex Yearlings WORCESTER HOP MARKET (Saturday last).— This market is iirm for all grades of samples of the new growth, but the amount of business doing is trifling, arising more from the absence of stock than inquiries lor samples. Ercsh and well-kept old olds, with colour, are in request without change in value. POTATO MARKETS. SOUTHWARK WATERSIDE. LONDON, Monday, Jan. 29. — During the past week the arrivals coastwise have again Ijeeu large and very heavy by rail, which have been more than sufficient for the present limited demand, prices having a downward tendency at the following quotations : — Yorkshire Flukes per ton „ Regents „ Rocks Dunbar Regents Perth, Eorfor, and Eife Regents ... Do. Do. Rocks Ercnch and Belgian Whites BOROUGH AND SPITALEIELDS. LONDON, MoxDiY, Jan. 29. — The supplies of Potatoes on sale are tolerably large. Nearly all qualities are in slow re- quest, yet very little cliangc has taken place in prices from last week. Yorkshire Regents GOs. to SOs. per ton. Yorkshire El ukes SOs. to 100s. „ Y'orkshire Rocks 40s. to GOs. „ Scotch Regents 40s. to Scotch Rocks 40s. to Kent and Essex Regents GOs. to COUNTRY POTATO MARKETS.— Do.ncastek, Saturday last : An average show of potatoes, ami the whole were soon sold at last week's prices. JLvjkjiiesteii, Saturday last : Potatoes 4s. 6d. to 10s. per 252 lbs. York, Saturday last : There was one of the largest supplies ever seen in this market, niid the demand continuing limited, jjrices have rather a down- ward tendency. Round potatoes sold at from 5s. to 5s. Cd. per tub of 280 lbs., tlic retail prices being the same as before : ash-tops for seed 4s. to 4s. Od. per bnshel. PRICES of BUTTEE, CHEESE, HAMS, &c. BUTTER, p. cwt.— s. s. Friesland 132 to 13-1 Jersey 112 120 Dorset 132 136 Carlow — — Waterford — — Cork — — Limerick — ■ — Sligo — — Fbbkh, per doz., 1-ls. Od. to 18s. Od. SOs. to 100s. G5s. to 75s. SOs. to 55s. GOs to 75s. 45s. to GOs. 45s. to 50s. 35s. to 403. 70s. 55s. SOs. CHEESE, per cwt.— s. C'.lieshire C6 1 Dble. Gloucester 68 Cheddar 70 American 58 HAMS: York iiew90 Cumberland ,, 90 Irish „ 00 BACON :— Wiltshire 68 Irish, green 62 100 100 100 EiMGLISH BUTTER MARKET. LONDON, Mo^NUAY, Jan, 29. — Li the absence of stock, except a little of middling quality, we can Juirdly give qnota- tiuns for English Butter in casks. Dorset, , 110s. to 120s. per cwt. Fresli lis. to 19s. per dozen lbs. CAR^MAllTHEN BUTTER MARKET, (Saturday last.)— Fair supply of Butter to market tliis day, for which farmers readily obtained 13^d. to 14d. per lb., according to quality. Cheese more in demand, and prices liardeuiiig willi more wintry weather, CORK BUTTER EXCHANGE, (Saturday last.)— Tlie supplies average about 400 firkins daily, which are sutticieut for the demand. Prices are steady, with a slightly rising ten- dency. Since Monday thirds rose from 110s. to Ills., while firsts and seconds remain as at the opening of the mouth, at 134s. and 128s. Mild-cured supplies arc triiliug. It quotes to-day from 122s. to 137s. GLASGOW, (Wednesday last.) — A liberal supidy of cheese for the season, but, being mostly .second lifts, they meet witli a very slow demand, a considerable quantity remaining unsold. About 15 tons passed the weigh-housc scales. Dunlop, new GOs. to GGs. ; Cheddar-made, new 63s. to 67s. per cvvt. COVENT GAHDEN MARKET. LONDON, Satuedat, Jan. 27. — Winter greens are still well supijlied, and they are, for the most part, excellent in tjuality. Conspicuous among Ibrced vegetables are asparagus, sea kale, rliubai-b, and French beans. Of good apples, both foreign and homegrown, there continues to be a scarcity. Pears, too, arc by no means abundant : the latter consist chiefly of Easter Beaurro, No plus Meuris, and Beurrt^ Banco, Grapes and pine-apples are snflicicnt for the demand. Flowers chiefly consist of poinsettia pul- cherrima, orchids, heaths, Chinese primulas, camellias, and roses. FRUIT, s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Apple.s, per half sieve 2 0 to 3 0 I Walnuts, per bush. ...14 0to20 0 Grapes, per lb 8 0 15 0 Chestnuts, ber bush. 8 0 IG 0 Lemons, per 100 G 0 10 0 Oranges, per 100 4 0 10 0 Melons, eacli 3 0 5 0 Pears, kitchen, "j^ doz. 2 0 4 0 Nuts, Cob, per lOOlbs.lGO 0 0 0! ,, dessert, f! doz. 1 « GO Filberts, per lb 0 9 1 0 Pine Apples, per lb.... 0 0 10 0 VEGETABLES, s. Artichokes, per dozen Asparagus, p. bundle. Beans, Kidney, "H 100 j u Beet, per dozen 2 0 Brocoli, per bundle ... 1 0 Briis. Sprouts, J-sieve 2 0 Cabbages, per dozen... 0 !) Carrots, per bunch ... 0 4 Cauliflowers, per doz. 4 0 Celery, per bundle ... I 0 Cucumbers, each 2 0 Endive, per score 1 0 GarJic&Shallots, tUb. 0 8 Herbs, per bunch 0 (> Horseradish, %i bunch 2 G Leeks, per bunch 0 3 Lettuces, per dozen ... 1 0 s. d s. d. d, 6 to R. d. 0 to 6 0 Mushrooms, ^3 pottle 8 0 12 0 Must. & Cress, "t»punn. 0 2 0 0 3 0 4 0 Onions, per bushel ... 3 0 5 0 2 0 3 0 Pickling, per quart 0 6 0 0 10 2 0 Parsley, per J-sieve ... 10 1 G 2 0 3 0 Parsnips, per doz 10 2 0 0 0 1 « Potatoes, York Re- 0 4 0 8! gents, per ton 75 0 !)0 0 4 0 8 0 Rocks, per ton 53 0 (15 0 10 1 G: Flukes, per ton 100 0 120 0 2 0 3 0. Kidneys, per cwt 80 12 0 2 6 Radishes, per 12 bund. 0 G 10 0 0 Rhubiirb, per bundle 0 9 10 0 0 ISavo.ys, per dozen 0 9 1 G 4 0 iSen Kale, per punnet 2 G 3 0 0 0 I Spinach, per bushel ... 3 0 4 0 0 0 'Turnips, per bunch... 0 4 0 G CHICORY. LONDON, Saturday, Jan. 27.— A moderate business is doing iu Chicory. Prices are without material change from last week. Deliveeable from Whaef in Bags, exclusite of Duty. Harlingen £8 10 to £11 0 1 Antwerp £0 0 to £0 0 Bruges 8 15 11 0 | Hambm-gh ... 0 0 0 0 OIL MARKET. OILS, Olive, Florence, V2 chests ;ei 4 0 t Lucca 10 0 Gallipoli, per 252 gallons 50 10 0 Spanish 53 0 0 Linseed, per cwt. 1 16 0 Rape, pale 2 IG 0 Brown 2 13 0 Cod, per tun 51 0 0 Seal, pale new 50 0 0 Brown, yel., &c. 0 0 0 Sperm 115 0 0 He.ad Matter 113 0 0 Southern 48 0 0 CocoaNut,percwt 2 7 6 Palm 2 2 8 RESIN. French £0 12 0 American 0 12 6 10 0 0 0 10 1; 13 u I 0 0 PITCH. British, per cwt... £0 8 G to 0 0 0 Archangel 0 Id 0 0 0 0 Stockholm 0 12 0 0 0 0 TURPENTINE. French £2 5 0 2 GO American 2 10 0 2 18 0 Rough 0 17 G 0 00 TAB. American £0 CO 000 Archangel 0 18 0 0 0 0 Stockholm 0 15 G 0 0 0 WHALEBONE. Greenland, full size, ton £675 £700 South Sea GOO BARK, &c. LONDON, S.ATUEDAY, Jan. 27. £ s. £ English, per load of 45 cwt. deUvered in London IG Otol7 10 Coppice IG 10 18 0 Dutch, per ton... 5 0 6 0 llambro' 5 0 G 0 Antwerp Tree G 0 7 0 Do. Coppice G 10 7 IU French 0 0 0 0 Mimosa Chopped... 9 0 11 0 Do. Ground 10 0 12 0 J?0, Long 7 0 9 0 Cork Tree, Bax'bary ... Do. Sardinian Valonia, Smyrna Do. Cam.ata Do. M^ea Terra J.aponica:— Gambier in Ijalcs Ditto free cubes Cutch Divi Divi Myrabolams Sicily, Sumach, p. cwt.: £ s. £ s. G 0 toG 10 8 10 9 10 14 0 24 10 IG 0 24 0 !4 0 :m 0 10 0 1:! 10 13 0 10 0 6s.tol7s.Crt THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. LEADENHALL LEATHER MARKET. LONDON, S.VTUHDAv, Jan. 27. Tho lVc8h supply of loatlicr on s;ilo is laodonitc. I'rimc heavy ))iitt.s, ollkl, and call' .skins aro iii lair ilcmanil, and prices rule Jirui. Otherwise tho leather trade is quiet, but at full quotatiuns. Raw hides move oil' slowly, at late rates. CROP HIDES. ENGLISH. d. U'/atoU llMi 15 BUTTS. ENGLISH. 11 Vi 11 VS OFFAL, d. loy^ English Shoulders 12 Do. Cheeka and Faces. 7 9 Do. BelUes 0V> UV2 Do. Middles do 11 l.^i Foreign Shoulders 10 12 Do. Necks 8 Do. BeUies 9 Do. Middles do 10 Dressing Hide Shoulders. 10 Do. do. BeUies 7Vo Kip Shoulders 5 ' Do. Bellies 5 DRESSING HIDES, lbs. lbs. d. Common 20 to at ... 11 to Saddlers' 30 Do 36 Bulls 10 Shaved.... U 16 . 13VS, ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS, NEURA.LGIA, RHEUMATISM, SPASMS, &c. CAUTION. —" IN CHANCERY." — Vice-Chancellor Wood stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was undoubtedly the Inventor of Chlorodyne. Eaiinent Hospital Physicians of London stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was the discoverer of Chlorodyne ; that they prescribe it largely, and mean no other than Dr. Browne's— See Times, July 13th, 1864. Tlie Public, therefore, are cautioned against using any other than Dr. COLLIS BROWNE'S CHLORODYNE. This INVALUABLE REMEDY produces quiet refreshing sleep — relieves pain, calms the system, restores the deranged functions, and stimulates healthy action of the secretions of the body. From J. M'Grigok Croft, M.D., M.R.C., Physician, London, late Staff-Surgeon to H.M.F. "After prescribing Dr. J. Collis Browne's Chlorodyne for the last three years in severe cases of Neuralgia. and Tic Doloroux, I feel that I am in a position to testify to its valuable effects. Really in some cases it acted as a charm, when all ether means had failed. Without being asked for this report, I must come forward and state my candid opinion that it is a most valuable medicine." No home should be without it. Sold in bottles, Is. 1 Jd., 2s. 9d., 43. 6d., and lis., by J. T. DAVENPORT, 33, Great Russell Street, London, W.C, sole manufacturer. Observe particularly, none grnuine without the words " Dr. J. Collis Browne's Chlorodyne on the Government Stamp. Earl Russell has graciously favoured J. T. Davenport with tlie following : — " Extract of a despatch from Mr. Webb, H. B. M.'s Consul at Manilla, dated Sept. 17, 1864 : — ' The remedy most efficacious in its effects (in Epidemic Cholera), has been found to be Chlorodyne, and with a small quantity given to me by Dr. Burke I have saved several lives.' " The increased demand enables the Proprietors to reduce the price; it is now sold at Is. IJd., 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and lis. PRIZE MEDAL AWARDED. Highly Important to Dairymen and all who keep Cows* BAMiAWD'S PAXEllT MII.I£I]¥€^ AlPPAltATUS, by means of which lOO Cows Uiay Millc tlfteiusel've.% in OlIC Hour. It is recom- mended by several well-known land stewards of the United Kingdom for its clennliUCSS, <|lltck« neSfS, and economj'. Farmers need only to give it a trial to see its advantages over all other inventions. "We have received from so trilStfTOi'tliy a source so good an account of the Pocket Milking Apparatus that we feel ourselves Justifl©- TRUSTEES. The Right Hon. LoBD Strathkden ajtd CASirnELU I John Coble Blake, Esq. The Kight lion. Lord CuELM.LP. Georgb Law, Esq. Clapton PHYSlCIAN-p. 1 DIRECTORS. George Martev. Esq., rarkfield, Uppe William Murray, Esq., Birchin Lanu. Richard Nicholson, Esq., Sprinf,- Gardens. Mr. Serjeant Storks, Seicoant's Inn. John Swift, Esq., Great George Street, W stminster. William Henry Tinney, Ee shewn so far as the operations of this Society are concerned. (Hear, hear.) Another matter which it is very desirable the proprietors should be satisfied with is one v?lnch, with the Actuary's assistance, I have gone into, and of which I can state the result in one line. It is the rate of expenditure at which the business of the Society is conducted. I believe it will bear comparison with almost any other society, because from 1823 down to the present time the average expenditure — and of course it was larger rateably in the earlier stages of the Society — does not exceed 1| per cent. (Cheers.) I trust that what I have now detained you in saying has given you some satisfactory illustrations of the prosperity of this Society; biit there is one other thing which I ought not to sit down without calling your attention to. The Directors labour assiduously for the purpose of bringing business to the office ; but if you would secure a large number of policies, it must be brought about not only by the exertion of the Directors and Officers — but by that of the proprietors and policy-holders. (Hear, hear.) I say this more especially because it seems to be considered that u Tlie N A Oomp Contineni the Princ pool Stee, Sold Now fiel: With S RichinoiK The V( SHILLI^ Copies eo^ 16 in proprietaiy offices it lies — with the directors of course — but mainly with the proprietors — and not at all with the assured — to bring business to the office. But see what a fallacious idea that is, if it be entertained ; for whereas the proprietor is interested to the extent of one-fifth of the profits, the policy-holder is interested to the extent of four-fifths. Now, I do not know Vv-liat rate of profit gentlemen may expect to make by any exertion of theirs — not exactly in the line of their ordinary business, but i)i tlie little outer transactions which they may allow themselves to go into — ^but what can a policy-holder in this office do much better than ti-y to increase the business of this Society, where the results are so satisfactory? — where one-fifth of the profits has raised tlie value of a proprietor's share (£10 paid) to £85, and where four- fifths of all profit gained by the office goes into the pockets of the policy-holders ? (Hear, hear.) You will forgive me for having brought this under your notice ; for I really thmk that, with the security and advantages we are enabled to give, every man can honestly recommend this office very strongly to those who are contemplating life assurance, and it is clearly most desirable on our own account that we all should so exert ourselves. pAUT V-y Bro that Dr. J than Dr. other than This IN the derang Fr. "After and Tic D. as a charn etate my ci No hom .•33, Great words " I) Earl Ri) Mr. Webi (in Epiden Burke I h£ The incr and lis. The Chairman concluded by moving that the Report now read be received and adopted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Turner, and unanimously adopted. Thanks were then voted to the Directors, the Chairman, and the Actuary, and the meeting separated. Printed by G. & J. W. Tatlor, Little James Street, Gray's Inn Boad. (W,C) BAB by means mended by ness, ar inventions. " We hj Apparatus Messenger, Jau. t, i^ut. - - -- .-..v.v;.o it, n. —jjeus aol^»ol'll'. ''' ''' ''''''''''* P^^ fre6.-Circulars sent on demand.--A liberal discount to orders fo. LO^NDOn'''^'^^'^^'^*^ ^ "^'^^ Wablo to THOMAS BARIAND, IG, NQRFOLK-STREET, STRANT>, THE ROYAL FARMERS' INSURANCE COMPANY, 3, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. Persons insured by this Company liave tlie security of an extensive and wealthy proprietary, as well as of an ample capital, always applicable to the payment of claims. FIRC DEPARTHEIVT. First class... Not Hazardous Is. tid. per ceut. Second class • Hazardous 23. 6d. ,, Third class Doubly Hazardous 48. 6d. ,, BIJIIiDIIVO A]!ir» IflEIlCA-WTIIiE mOPEItTY of every description in Public or Private Warehouses — Distillers, Steam Engines, Goods in Boats or Canals, Ships in Port or Harbour, &c., kc, are insured in this Office at moderate rates. I§P£CIA]J HrlSKfit — At such rates as may be considered reasonable. T^RUJIITHfO JiXOCIt.— 5s. per cent.; and Portable Steam Thrashing Machines allowed to be used, without extra charge. Nearly five millions insured in this Office on this description of property alone liOSSES paid immediately after the amounts have been ascertained. lilFJB. — Life Insurances on moderate terms, by Policies payable to the registered holders. BOUT US, — Insurers of the participating class are entitled to four-fifths of the profits. At the last declaration of Bonus in May, 1864, £6 5s. was added to every £100 insured by Policies of five years' standing, being at the rate of £1 Ss. per cent, per annum, and proportionate amounts to all other insurances on which two or more annual payments had been made, being in some cases about 60 per cent, on the premiums received. Additional Agents wanted. Application to JOHN REDDISH, Esq., Secretary and Actuary. IMPORTANT TO FLOCKMASTERS. THOMAS BIGG, Agricultural aud Veterinary Chemist, by Appoinlment to His late Royal Highness The Prince Consort, K.G., Leicester House, Great Dorer-street, Borough, London, begs to call the attention of Farmers and Graziers to his valuable SHEEP and LAMB DIPPING COM- POSITION, which requires ao Boiling, and may be used with Warm or Cold Water, for effectually destroying the Tick, Lice, and all other insects injurious to the Flock, preventing the alarming attacks of Fly and Shab, and cleansing and purifying the Skin, thereby greatly improving the Wool, both in quantity and quality, and liighly contributing to the general health of the animal. Prepared only by Thomas Bigg, Chemist, &c., at his Manufac- tory as above, and sold as follows, although any other quantity may be had, if required : — 4 lb. for 20 sheep, price, jar included JgO 2 0 6 lb. 30 „ „ „ 0 3 0 8 lb. 40 „ „ „ 0 4 0 10 1b. 50 „ „ „ 0 5 0 30 lb. 100 „ „ (cask and measure 0 10 0 30 lb. 150 „ „ included) 0 15 0 40 1b. 200 „ „ „ ...... 10 0 501b. 250 „ „ „ 13 6 60 lb. 300 „ „ „ 17 6 80 lb. 400 „ „ „ 1 17 6 1001b. 500 „ „ „ 2 5 0 Should any Flockmaster prefer boiling the Composition, it will be equally effective. MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE. From Mb. Herapath, tke celebrated Analytical Chemist : — Bristol Laboratory, Old Park, January 18th, 1861. Sir, — I have submitted your Sheep-Dipping Composition to analysis, and And that the ingredients are well blended, and the mixtare neutral. If it is used according to the directions given, 1 feel satisfied, that while it effectually destroys vermin, it will not injure the hair roots (or " yolk ") in the skin, the fleece, or the carcase. I think it deserves the n'lmerous testimonials pub- lished. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, William Herapath, Sen., P.C.8., &c., &c.. To Mr. Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry, Leicester House, Great Dorer'Street, Borough, London, He would also especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, or LOTION, for the SCAB, or SHAB, which will be found a certain remedy for eradicating that loathsome and ruinous disorder in Sheep, and which may be safely used in all climates, and at all seasons of the year, and to all descriptions of sheep, even ewes in lamb. Price FIVE SHILLINGS per gallon— sufficient on an average for thirty Sheep (according to the virulence of the disease); also in wine quart bottles, Is. Sd. each. IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL. "Scoulton, near Hingham, Norfolk, April I6th, 1855. " Dear Sir, — In answer to yours of the 4th inst, which would have been replied to before this had I been at home, I have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the efficacy of your in- valuable 'Specific for the cure of Scab in Sheep.' The 600 sheep were all dressed in August last with 84 gallons o( the ' ffon- Poisonoiis Specific,' that was so highly recommended at the Lincoln Show, and by their own dresser, the best attention being paid to the flock by my shepherd after dressing according to instructions left; but notwithstanding the Scab continued getting worse. Being determined to have the Scab cured If possible, I wrote to you for a supply of your Specific, which I received the following day; and although the weather was most severe in February during the dressing, your Specific proved itself an invaluable remedy, for in three weeks the Sheep were quite cured ; and I am happy to say the young lambs are doing remarkably well at present. In conclusion, I believe it to be the safest and best remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir, your obedient servant, " For JOHN TINQEY, Esq., " To Mr. Thomas Bigg." " R. RENNEY. IB^" Flockmasters would do well to beware of such prepara- tions as " Non-poisonous Compositions :" it is only necessary to appeal to their good common sense and judgment to be tho- roughly convinced, that no " Non-poisonous" article can poison or destroy insect vermin, particularly such as the Tick, Lice, and Scab Parasites — creatures so tenacious of life. Such advertised preparations must be wholly useless, or they are not what they are represented to be. Dipping Apparatus £14, £S, £4, & £S. mn^tt tf)e ^Patronage of <&A^^"%^ ^^^ J^flajestg *' E^e Olueen,' antr Hvo^al dFamilg ^^^^ffi^ft ^^ ©aat ISritam, t|^e seb^ial S>obei;eign0 €^^^^^^^3 antj Otourta of ©utope. flWfZ universally HELD IIST HIGH ESTEEM. nOWlMANliS^ MACASSAR OIL, Is universally known as the'only article that really promotes the GROWTH, RESTORES and PRESERVES the HUMAN HAIR. It prevents Hair from falling off or turning grey, strengthens weak HAIR, cleanses it from Scurf and Dandriff, and makes it 3B]EAUTIFUI.i:.Y SOFT, M^IABIiE, AlVD C^I^OSSY. In the growth of the BEARD, WHISKERS, and MUSTACHIOS, it is unfailing in its stimulative operation. For CHILDREN it is especially recommended as forming the basis of a BEAUTIFUL HEAD OF HAIR; while its introduction into the Nursery of Royalty, and the numerous Testimonials constantly received of its efficacy, afford the best and surest proofs of its merits. ^VfOlVDERFUI. RKCOTEItY OF HAIR. ' A striking instance of the power of scientific art to remedy the defects of nature has lately occurred in the case of a Mr. 1, the Rov. J. E. Daniel, then clergyman of the parish, offered him a wig as a substitute for his lost hair. Under these circum- stances he was lately induced to try the effect of RowLAwns' Macassar Oil, and it is gratifying to add with the most happy results. As soon as part of a bottle was used the growth commenced, and he has now to boast of a very thick and luxuriant head of hair, which presents this peculiarity, that though prior to losing his hair it evinced no tendency to curl, the new growth is curly and strong. The fact speaks too strongly for itself to require observation." — Bell's Messenger. Price 3s. 6d., 78. Family Bottles (equal to four small), 10s. Gd. j and double that size, 2l8. ROW LANDS' KAI.Y DOR, AW ORIEMTAIi BOTAWICAl. PREPAIftATIOir, This Royally-patronized and Ladies'-esteemed Specilic exerts the most soothing, cooling, and purifying action on the Skin, eradicates FrecMes, Tan, Pimples, Spots, Discoloration, and other Cutaneous Visitations, and renders XME ^KIIV SOFT, CI,EA«, A]«I> B1.00Mim€}. During the heat and dust of Summer, the frost and bleak winds of Winter, and in cases of sunburn, stings of insectSjOr incidental inflammation, its virtues are universally acknowledged. — Price 4s. 6d. and 8s. 6d. per bottle. WaZTZ: AND SOUND TEETH Are indispensable to PERSONAL ATTRACTION, and to health and longevity by the proper mastication of food. ROWLANDS' ODONTO, ^ , OR PEARl DENTIFRI CE, Compounded of ORIENTAL INGREDIENTS is of inestimable value in ' PRESERVING AND BEAUTIFYING THE TEETH, ST]t£]VOTHX:ZVIMO THE €}U9I§, and in giving a _ PIiEA9I7VO PRA€}RAI¥CJB: TO THK SHEATH. . It eradicates Tartar from the Teeth, removes spots of incipient decay, and polishes and preserves the enamel, \ to which it imparts aPEARIi-JL]:K.i:tiV^H]:Ti:iV£l»9. ! As the most efficient and fragrant aromatic purifier of the Breath, Teeth, and Gums ever known, ROW- LANDS' ODONTO has, for a long series of years, occupied a distinguished place at the Toilets of the Sove- reigns and the Nobility throughout Europe ; while the general demand for it at once announces the favour in which it is universally held. Price 2s. 9d. per B6x. TO PREVENT These are smftU Articles as they their IMPOSITION. copies of the appear in Wrappers. Sold by A. R01VX.AND &. SONS, 20, Hatton Garden, Xiondon, and by Chemists and Perfumers. *#* Ask for ♦' ItOlTIiAlNmS' " ArUcles. m THE EARMBR'S MAGAZINE. MARCH, 1866. CONTENTS. Plate I.— THE BANKS OF THE WYE. Plate H.—" TRUMPETER;" A Thorough-bred Stallion. Descriptions of the Plates .... The Fish we Consume : By Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S. The Lambing Season .... Early Spring Sowing .... Lecture and Discussion on the Cattle Plague The New York Cattle Market Steam Cultivation : By J. Locke King, M.P. Fat Stock versus Railway Locomotives. Stock-taking in Ireland . . . The Agriculture of Australia A Broken-Barley Separator , Bath and West of England Agricultural Society : Meeting of Council Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland: Council Meeting The Irish Labourer . . . , . On Local Agricultural Societies Subdivision of Land— Chemical and Mechanical Progress On Leases ...... The Health of Cattle, from a Mechanical Point of View Cultivation of Potatoes .... Light-Land Farming . , , . . Farm-Slaughtering Premises . , , i Dairy-Farming in the United States . Ruined by Game ..... Central Farmers' Club : British Tillage— Present and Future List of New Members .... The Grub Repeal of the Malt-tax .... Royal Agricultural Society of England : Monthly Council The Cattle Plague — Deputation to Earl Russell The Health of Cattle, from a Chemical Point of View Review : " A New Year's Budget" Climatic Influences .... Furze, Whins, or Gorse — Ulex Europeus The New Farm .... Danger of Vaccination Mr. Worms' System of Cure of the Cattle Plague How the Cattle Plague is met in Prussia The Lambing Season .... The Cattle Plague and the necessary Precautions Breaking-up Grass-Lands Calendar of Agriculture Calendar of Gardening Foreign Agricultural Gossip . Tolls on Thrashing Machines: Important Decision General Agricultural Report for February . Review of the Cattle Trade for February . Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs, &c. Review of the Corn Trade during the past Month Market Currencies, &c. . . Page 177, 178 . 178 . 181 . 182 . 183 . 190 . 191 . 192 . 193 . 195 . 196 197,243 , 198 . 203 ' . 209 . 213 . 215 . 216 . 218 . 220 . 222 . 224 . 225 . 226 . 243 . 233 . 234 . 240 . 241 . 244 . 245 . 246 . 247 . 248 . 250 . 251 . 252 . 253 . 253 . 254 . 255 . 255 . 256 . 258 . 259 . 259 . 261 . ^62 265-6 CURE FOE CATTLE PLAGUE. W O R B E N A, ]>i§coTerea l>y ]>r. J. CoUtf^ :ffiroTr]ie; M.B.€.^.£.^ (late Army Meflical ^taff.) The great succ3ss attending the use of this Preparation is now so well known that further comment is unnecessary. Prepared and Sold by J. T. DAVENPORT, 33, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury Square, London. Sold in Bottles, 4s. 6d. and 10s. each, with full directions. PRIZE MEDAL AWARDED. Hij;hly Important to Dairymen and all who keep Cows. J8AIiaiAl¥I>'8 :PATE]¥T MII^KIIVO^ A1»:PAKATUS, by means of which lOO Cows may JMEllk flieniselves in One Hour. It is recom- menfled by several well-known land stewards of the United Kingdom for its Cleanliness, qMlClC- neJiiS and ecoitomy. Farmers need only to give it a trial to see its advantages over all other inventions. "We have received from so tl'USt nortliy a source so good an account of the Pocket Milkinp: Apparatus tliat we fetl ourselves JUS tiliert in calling the attention of our readers to it." — Bell's Messtnyer, Jan. 4, 1864. Price lOs,, the Set Complete, post free.— Circulars sent on demand. — A liberal discount to orders for dozens of sets. Post Office Orders to be made payable to THOMAS BARLAND, 16, NORFOLK-STREET, STRAND, LONDON. ALDERNEY, JERSEY, AND GUERNSEY COWS AND HEIFERS.— EDWARD PARSONS FOWLER, of Jersey, will have on PRIVATE SALE, at Mr. GOWER'S REPOSITORY, Barbican, London, E.G., a Choice Herd of the above, the SECOND and LAST MONDAY IN ever-j Month TiiRou«HOUT THE YEAR. Warranted perfect, direct from the Islands, and of the Purest Breed. On view the Saturday prior. DAVID BAILLIE & CO. beg- to inform tlieir friends that they are now prepared to send out their MANURES for 1865. Agents wanted in North Wales, Midland Counties, North of Entiland, and Scotland. Wainlon Works, near Chester. NEW WORK BY THE AUTHOR OF "MANHOOD." Just out. 18mo Pocket Edition, Post Free, 12 stamps; Sealed Ends, 20. DR. CURTIS'S MEDICAL GUIDE TO MARRIAGE: a Practical Treatise Ox\ its Physical and Personal Obligations. With instructions to the Married and Unmarried of both Sexes, for removing the special disqualifications and impediments which destroy the happiness of wedded life. — By Dr. J. L. Curtis, 15, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. This work contains plain directions by which forfeited privileges can bo restored, and essential functions •trcngthenod and preserved. Also, by the same Autlior, a New and Revised Edition of MANHOOD : A MEDICAL ESSAY on the Causes and Cure of Prma'': si^^vl 1 1;e adopted, to permit more frequent and deeper houmg. The THE FARMER'S MAOAZINE. 183 same quautity of seed should be sown, Le the intervals less or more. Small seed-peas may be sown iu limited quantity; but large seed must have a full allowance, f. e., ten pecks of small seed is proportionate with sixteen pecks of some of the large varieties, and must he sown accord- ingly. Drilling is by far the best mode of putting iu the seed of peas. Beans. — The second order of seeding shauld be for the bean crop. When beans are dear, it is preferable to dibble in the seed. Beans in crop should stand nearly single, or the flower at floweriug-timc gets injured by friction with adjoining stems. Dibbling beyond any other mode effects this more regular distribution of plants ; but it has its drawbacks. The land gets too much trodden, as the seed is seklom thoroughly covered iu. Drilling is, upon the whole, preferable, and a careful drillman wiU put in the seed with great regularity. About eight pecks per acre of good seed will suffice for good soils, but care must be taken to provide for all contingencies. It is foUy to sow the seed too thin; the plants can be thinned out by hoe. The drill intervals should be a little wider than for peas ; the depth to put them in, the same. The preparation and working of the soil should be well done. A good tilth is a main feature of success in all cases of culture. Barley. — This seeding should come next, although bean and barley sowing are seldom to be found on the same farm ; but where such does take place the bean-seed- iug should have precedence. The barley crop is second in importance to the wheat crop, and great care should therefore be taken to secure a good seeding. If the seeding be early, and is well got in, a good crop of excellent quality may be expected. Late-sown barley on lands highly fertile is almost siu'e to lodge, or grow too luxuriant in straw, and the grain] will then be of coarse quality. Early-sowing should, if possible, be secured. The straw Ijy slower growth obtains greater hardihood and strength, and will not so soon lodge ; consequently the grain by this more gradual growth becomes better filled, and the colour is brigliter, and skin fmcr, so that the quality is good and of great wciglit. Whereas the late-sown barley, owing to the warmer weathei*, obtains a very ra])id growth ; consequently the straw is tender and soft ; every wind injures it ; the grain can but poorly fill, and that quiclcly ; so as to produce a wrinkled coarse skin, causing the grain to be of bad quality and light weight. The proper time for barley- sowing is about the second and third weeks iu March and up to April. Drilling is, undoubtedly, the best practice, and the proper quantity about twelve to fourteen pecks of good seed. Tlie whole should be got in well and at unifonu depth, so that all comes up together, grows alike, and at last produces an even sample. Oats. — The oat crop is an important one, but cannot compare with either wheat or barley as regards public utility. The varieties are very numerous ; but those kinds intended for oatmeal are most deserving notice as respect cultm-e. These varieties should be sown early : weight and quahty are most desirable, and, with an abundant yield, can alouebe got by early sowing. The potato-oat, the Poland oat, the Hopetoun oat, and the birley-oat are good varieties for this purpose. The first and second weeks in March should be chosen for this early seeding ; the produces will be good in quality and weight. In all other cases from that time to the second week in April will suflice, but the earlier the better. It is the same with oats as with barley. The late-sown oats produce a light " frothy" straw, is soon down, and instead of a good crop of oats an abundant crop of shapes without flour is the result. About fourteen pecks of oats is a fair seeding. Drilling is by far the best course for the oat-seeding. The late-sowu oats are often badly got in, owing to the land becoming ha^'d through treading and the dry w'eather ; every care should be taken to obviate this. Every fold at the latter end of the folding season should be sown as soon as the sheep are moved forward to the nest. Much is often saved in this wav. LECTURE AND DISCUSSION ON THE CATTLE PLAGUE. On Wednesday, Feb. 21, a lecture was delivered at the Royal Agricultural Society's House, Hanover Square, on the cattle plague, by Professor Simonds ; the Duke of Marlborough in the chair. Professor SiMO^'DS said that in making some observations on the important subject of the cattle plague he shoidd en- deavour to be as brief as possible, and also to avoid as much as possible going into the details of any debatable points. It was extremely diflicult, however, to handle a matter of this kind at the present moment, and more especially was this the case when we came to reflect upon the circumstances of the Society itself, as by its Charter bound not to discuss any poUtical matter or any question that might be luider consider- ation in Parliament. Por that reason he should endeavour to avoid all allusion to what was now taking place in either House upon the subject. In the first place, then, he proposed to make some remarks upon the disease as it had existed here in former times, and then to come down especially to the mtro- duction of the disease on the present occasion, the progress which it had made in this country, and the means which had been adopted from time to time to arres't its progress — those means being, of course, medical means, under the head of either curative or preventive. With regard to the history of the question, it was not necessary to take up any consider- able portion of time by referring at length to its different appearances, other than to say that the first period assigned for its appearance in England was the year 1665. It would be in the recollection of the meeting that that was about the time when the Plague also existed here ; but it was nn interesting fact in connection with that supposed outbreak that the disease had a prior existence in Western Europe. In the year 1714 a paper was presented to the Privy Council by Dr. Bates, who bad a medical appointment to George the Second, and in that paper was an allusion to the disease. Dr. Bates said : " It is affirmed by several now living that there was a mortality among the cattle a httle before the last Great Plague in the j-ear 1665, wliich was imputed to the want of due care in burying them ; and your Lordships may know of what importance it was judged by the King of Prussia, the States of Holland, and several other princes and States, by the care they took '.o publish decrees and placards co.,ii.....-.ll»ig lliem to be buried upon pain of death or other severe penalties ; and I himibly conceive it would be necessary not only to bury tbose wldch shall die, but that such as are already dead may have the same care, as also that they be Imried nine or ten feet deep at least." Those observations apphed, of course, to the disease of Yl\^, which Dr. Bates was then engaged in combating ; and there was quite sufficient iu them to show that the afiection existed in Western Europe about that time. There was also a fair probabiUty that it existed in 1665 ; and this was tlie earliest record, as far as he was aware, of the disease in England, though there were many earlier ones of its existence in C'ontinentiil Europe. In 1714- 15 the disease seemed to have been imported into this country, but those who chronicled its history had not given any particu- lars as to the manner in which it was introduced. Here it was found, however, that it not only existed in Western Europe, but also in Italy in 1/11-1*. It made its way in 1714 18i THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. to Hollaud, aud was thus directly opposite England, aud it appeared that there were uo restrictions of siifiicieut force to prevent persons from introducing animals from the Continent. So that tliere could be hut little doubt that we got the disease from the Netherlands on that occasion. It did not prevail in Eugland for any great length of time, and it was cliielly con- fined to the ncighbourliood of London. There was an account extant of certain regulations or Orders in Council having been issued, which had for their object the destruction of the infected anrmals and the paying of individual owners a certain sum of money, aud the country sustained «ome considerable loss — he believed about 5,000 animals. The numbers of bulls and cows lost, as reported by Bates, were, in Middlesex, Essex, and Surrey, 5,418, and of calves 439. During that outbreak, which lasted some sis months, measures were adopted by which, to use a common expression in the present day, tlie disease was "stamped out." The next outbreak was in 1745, whicli extended to 1757. In that ca:-.e the disease was un- questionably imported from Hollaud, and had its existence generally in Western Europe. Its introduction had been at- tributed by one authority to two calves having been brought to Poplar, and by another to some skins imported from Zeeland. However that might be, he was of opinion that tlie disease was introduced by direct infection from animals in some form or other. It was important to notice the time at ■which it made its appearance in 1745, and upon looking over an old work by Dr. Theophilus Lobb, he found some excellent remarks respecting it. Dr. Lobb said : '• There is in the London Gazelle of Saturday, May 25, 1745, the following paragraph — \iz., ' Hamburgh, May 19th, N.S. : The mortality among the h.orned cattle has now reached within a German mile aud a-half of the BaUiage of Pinnenberg, contiguous to tlie territorv' of Hamburg, which is of little extent on the side of Danish Holstein. The appearance of some distemper at Hamburg gives an alarm, lest it should gain fnrtlier on that eide of the country. Proper precautions are used to prevent its spreadmg, aud to get the better of it in its beginning, ■which is attributed to some infected cattle having jiassed through there. This evil has communicated itself likewise to he Danisli islands of Zeeland and I'uhnen.' " Thus it was probably about the middle of the siunmer of 1745 that the disease was imported into England. The next outbreak of which there was any record was a partial one, which occurred in 1769, reached its acme in 1770, and extended, ■with little outbreaks here and there in difl'erent parts of the country, down to 1771. The districts chietly affected at that time were Hampshire aud Banffshire ; and it was remarkable that the disease should have appeared simultaneously in two districts like these, so far removed from each other. It would appear from the -iiTitings of Dr. Layard, who was consulted by the Government, that tlie authorities were very much upon the alert, and that Orders in Council were issued, and the provi- sions of a special Act of Parliament, passed in 1745, enforced ; which precautions appear to have been sufficient to stamp out the disease at that time. Certain outbreaks had been de- scribed as having taken place in 1779 and 1805 ,: but, although Orders in Council were issued in each of these instances for the purpose of suppressing these supposed outbreaks in differ- ent parts of England — for example, in the county of Suffolk, a parish in the Orkneys, and other remote districts — he inclined to believe that the disease had no real existence from 1770-71 down to the last outbreak in 18G5. With regard to this out- break and its origin there was much difference of opinion. A great deal might, however, be said with reference to the dis- ease having come from Russia, from the circumstance that the Koyal Commission had failed to show that there was any dis- ease in Western Europe at the time. But, be that as it might, it subsequently appeared in Holland, Belgium, and Prance, having been exported from England; and "it was not a little singular that, with the disease in this country about the middle of June, animals that were sold in the 'Metropolitan Market liaving been known to be tainted, we should have sent the disease from England so early as July. It was hardly necessary to say that the disease still existed in Holland, al- tliough it had been stamped out completely in France aud Belgium, where the Governments had adopted means which "^•l joi" their object the slaughtpring of all animals subject to the disease or exposed to it. Having made these observations with regard to the history of the affection in this country, he TTOnld pass on to make a few remarks with reference to the pathology of the disease. He did so for the purpose of re- cording his opinion as to the speciality of the disease. Kot- withstanding all that had been said with regard to its nature, we had yet to learn a great deal as to the true nature of the cattle plague ; and he thought it had been a judicious course in this country not to give any special name to the affection. Eor if any special name had been given to the disease, there must have been a foundation for it, true or supposed ; and in that case we might have found ourselves tied and fixed down to its treatment, in a manner from which we were now perfectly free. We in England liad adopted the name applied to it by the Germans, who termed it the "rinder- pest," which we translated the " cattle-plague." Various distinguished medical men had held the opinion that the disease was of a typhoid character. They seemed to think they recog- nized a connection between it and typhus in the human sub- ject ; but he believed very few persons entertained that opinion now. Some medical men had also adopted the view of its being variolous, or of the nature of smallpox. That opinion was entertained by Dr. Mnrchison and others. He thought, however, that sutlicient information had been obtained to show that it was not at all of the nature of smallpox : indeed, some earlier experiments proved that sheep wliich had been sub- jected to the cattle plague, and recovered from it, were still liable to the smallpox. He for one never thought for a mo- ment that there was any connection between it and smallpox, save and except its being an eruptive fever. It was, however, important to see whether it should be spoken of as an eruptive fever of a peculiar kind, because the treatment of the disease successfully would, of course, depend upon a knowledge of its pathology. He would now pass on to make some general ob- servations with reference to the ditl'erent causes or sources of danger which were found in practice to give rise to the disease. There were certain things which became the medium by which the disease was introduced on a premises. There was not only the direct importation of diseased animals, or animals desig- nated infected — that was, animals in whose system the disease mi'ht be incubated : there w ere various other sources of danger. When they came to look at the circumstance that the discharges from the eyes, the nose, and the bowels of cattle, all contained morbific matter in immense quantities, and that if they took a small quantity of the matter, say on the point of a lancet, and let it become dry, there it would be preserved for several days, and that then, by making an insertion of the lancet so soiled into the organization of the animal, they thereby eft'ectually inoculated that animal, they could at once see what ready means there were of transporting the affection. A man going into a shed and putting his hand on the animal, or treading on the dung in the shed, and going thence to other animals, might carry this morbific matter, a«d thus be the means of communicating the affection. It might likewise be transmitted by the animals themselves. Animals that came in contact with a diseased animal might be a fruitful source of propagating the affection. He thought, therefore, that al- though we might not be able to trace the outbreaks in different parts of tlie country to the direct importation of diseased ani- mals, we must not suppose that the disease will not be conveyed — that it was not, in the ordinary manner, a contagious disease ; that it was a disease which affected animals through the atmos- phere ; and that it was to be looked upon as an epizootic affection, and not a purely contagious disease. One of the best answers to the statement that it \;as epizootic was the fact that there were parts of the country altogether free from the disease, although they were adjacent to the great centres of the affec- tion. He did not dispute that where a number of diseased animals weie congregated together, the air that passed over them might be the means of conveying the disease ; but he denied that it was to be regarded as an epizootic disease com- municated from place to place, through the atmosphere. Again, there was no doubt that the disease had been conveyed by persons to animals in some parts of the country. He might also mention, as an example of another source of danger, the fact of some skins of animals having been brought to Taunton for the purpose of conversion into leather, and the direct proof wliich existed that those skins were the means of communicating the disease to hving animals. This showed the wisdom of the regulation for burying the animal and co- vering their bodies with lime, so that tliey might be decom- posed as quickly as possible. There was another point in con- nection Aiith the conveyance of this disease, upon Vi\dc\\ he THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. 185 would also say a word. He had good reunion to believe that ceitaiii individuals had bceu guilty of the heiuous otfeuce of wiltully transportinpf the disease from place to place — that there liad been certain persons in the eastern counties who, for the purpose of buying at a low rale animals that were kuown to be fit or nearly tit to go to the market, had abso- lutely been the means of transporting diseased cattle to the neiglibourhood, and thus to communicate the pest to some of the aninuils, when they would buy the rest ut a very di- minished price, the purpose of course being to get a large profit out of them. Xo language which he could use was sufficiently strong to condemn proceedings of this kind, and he was sure that no Act of Parliament could make sucli men honest men. It was, liowever, necessary to mention the case, because there were very good proofs that the disease had been propagated in England" by means of that kind. Enumerating other sources of danger, the learned Professor said that both cats and dogs might communicate the disease from one farm to another. Then, the imperfect burials of the animals were a fruitful source of the disease. And here he might instance the county of Hereford, where the hole had been so shallow, that portions of the animals were scratched up by dogs and taken to other places. Some animals had likewise been buried only just below the surface, by the side of a small stream, which was thus made the vehicle for carrying the disease from farm to farm. It was therefore absolutely necessary to pay the utmost attention to the burial of the animals, with a view to preventing the extension of the disease in various parts of the country. He also believed that the disease had been com- municated from one farm to another through the medium of pigeons. That had been the case, particularly in Yorkshire ; and as4)igeons were not very profitable at any time — but even if they were so, it would be better to sacritice a few of them in infected districts than to run the risk of propagating the disease through their agency^ — the best tiling to do would be to get rid of such birds. Lord Feversham : Kooks, I presume, would carrj' it too. Professor Si.\io>"DS : Yes, in fact any birds would convey it in the same way, includiug starlings, I should say, which are very much in the habit of alighting on sheep's backs, and pick- ing out the ticks. Lord Waxsixgham : Wood-pigeons would do the same thing. Professor Simo^ds: Well, they were more generally outside the farm. But as regarded birds, he might remark that there was greater risk from them in the breeding season, when the animals were out at pasture. He would now proceed to direct attention to the medical means which had been suggested from time to time for the prevention and eradication. With regard to the prevention of the disease, he feared that very little, in- deed, could be done, unless the infected animals could be securely isolated, so as to prevent the matter coming from them tiudiug its way to other animals. Strict isolation, there- fore, was to be advocated before anything else. Much atten- tion had been given to the use of disinfectants and various medicinal agents, with a view of preventing the disease ; some of these agents having for their object the fortifying of the animal's system against the influence of the morbitic matter, and others having for their object the destruction of the mor- bific matter within the organism of the animal before the disease couJd be said to have declared itself. With regard to medicinal agents fortifying the system, or rendering it secure against the attacks or influence of the morbific matter, he be- lieved that up to the present time there was no satisfactory evidence on the point. Xo doubt a vast number of agents had been used, and many of them greatly extolled, and persons had arrived at the conclusion that, because a certain number of animals did not show the disease, security had been aflbrded. Among the communications wliich he had received on this subject was one from a gentleman in Russia, who said he had arrested the plague in that country by getting an animal to drink acidulated water, and that water impregnated with sul- phuric acid was found to possess qualities by means of which the disease had been arrested. Well, acidulated water had been lately tried in this country, and in every instance had failed. Another gentleman stated that he had used sulpliuric acid in connection with sulphate of iron. This also had been tried to a considerable extent at his (Professor Simonds') suggestion ; for, wishing to put no barrier in the way of cure or preven- tiou, he had departed li'em the legitimate course of medical science, and, regarding this as a great national ijuestiou, had treated it as one upon which we ought not to be bound upon medical principles. The remedy had been tried in the county of Hants, under various circumstances, and in every instance had failed to give the least security. Sulphate of iron and even iron itself had been tried, and that, too, had entirely failed. Again, salt had been tried to a greater extent than any other prophylacteric, and had also failed in every case to give security. Then, there were other agents designated anti- septics, which were supposed to act upon the blood. The best of these perhaps was sulphur. They had also the sulphites — sulphites of potash and soda, and hyposulphite of soda. These latter had been tried in Kent and b"urrey, and also in the Roval Veterinary CoUege, without any beneficial results. He must admit, therefore, that all our medical means in the way of medicinal agents had failed to give protection to animals against this malady. It was almost useless to go into the question whether security could be given by vaccination. It had already been tested and found to fail. Indeed, unless the disease w;is of the nature of a variolous affection, no one could suppose that it would be of any use ; but he might observe, in addition to that, that even if the disease had been of a variolous nature, it would not necessarily follow that vaccination would give security. There was a parallel instance in the smallpox in sheep. That was a disease which was carried througli a very large number of these animals ; and, as a sheep disease, it might be regarded as being as fruitful in infection as was the cattle plague among cattle, except that it did not extend so rapidly by infection. Vaccination gave no security to sheep against this affection ; nay, it could hardly be said that sheep were susceptible to the true vaccine disease. In making this remark, his object was to show that if we had the true vaccine disease it would not foUow that we must be protected by vac- cination itself. With reference to disinfectants, a certain amount of advantage might arise from their use when the cattle plague was in the neighbourhood. At the same time we must ask ourselves what we were really disinfecting. If we were guareUng against the introduction of matter in certain ways, and if we had a disinfectant lying outside the door where the animals were kept, so that every person who trod tliere might have his shoes brought into contact with it from day to day, we might then see a certain advantage to be derived from it ; but to hope that any great advantage would arise from the use of disinfectants in sheds where there was no disease would be unreasonable. No doubt disinfectants were valuable in preventing the propagation of the disease when it had esta- blished itself on a farm, and he believed that a great number of the ravages by the disease in this country had resulted from the non-disinfecting of infected premises ; and, not only that, but also on account of the forms in which disinfectants had been eraiiloyed. He had found the most extraordinary things that could possibly be conceived resorted to under the idea that they would disinfect the premises, and used in such a manner that they might as well have been dispensed with altogether. But oil this question of disinfectants we were lamentably be- hinu, and unless something was done to secure thorough disin- fection, he anticipated that there would be fresh outbreaks hereafter in different parts of the country, owing to the manure and refuse matter coming in contact with the animals not having been disinfected. He could not, therefore, too strongly impress upon gentlemen the necessity of paying strict atten- tion to this subject of disinfection. He now proposed to make a few remarks upon the means at our disposal for curing the disease. He had already observed that various medicinal agents had proved failures. Every means yet tried had failed to cure the disease, and we might have expected that such would be the case when we looked at the nature of the affec- tion, and what had been the experience of continental Europe in regard t'j the treatment of the malady. Prussia, the whole of Germany, France, and indeed the entire continent, might be said to have given up the idea of curing the disease. It was hardly to be expected, therefore, that this country should possess a greater power of arresting the disease by curative means than the countries which had failed on the continent. Considering the nature of the aflection, and the laws which govern its spread, he had been of opinion from the first that it was not to curative means, but to strong preventive measures, that we must look for getting rid of the disease. Here he might allude to one curative means in parti- cular that « as now occupying the public attention, and which 186 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. was regarded as so imporiaut that it « as not unlikely to inllu- enee the decision of Parliament itself. The remedy to which he referred was that which had been iutroduced by Mr. Worms, of Ceylou. It should be kuowu to the meeting that Mr. Worms was a geutlemau who was highly conuected. He pos- sessed a considerable fortmie, and had been engaged for many years of his life as a colfee-plauter in the island of Ceylon. By marriage he was connected with the family of Baron Rothschild." Moved, no doubt, by anxiety to do all he could to arrest the progress of the cattle disease, which he believed to be identical with a disease that he was acquainted with in Ceylon, and having found that the disease existing in Ceylou had yielded to special remedies, Mr. Worms was also inclined to believe that he could arrest the disease by similar means here. The first opportunity he had of trying his remedy was in the case of some animals at Datchet. Those animals belonged to a farmer, and bad Ijeen seen by a veterinary surgeon who was inspector of the Windsor distriet. There were uiueteen animals which were subjects, as was supposed, of the disease, and these were all put under Mr. Worms' treatment. They were apparently somewhat relieved, and a paragraph appeared in the Times, and some other papers, to tlie efl'ect that these nineteen auimals liad been aU cured of the affection. This paragraph came under the notice of Lord Leigh, \y\io, having the misfortune to have the disease on his farm, telegraphed for Mr. Worms, who thereupon went down to Stoneleigh, where lie had a certain number of Lord Leigh's animals placed under liis treatment. Now, with regard to the uiuetcpu animals M'hich were said to have been cured at Datchet, he might say, without fear of contradiction, that not only had they not been cured, but that Mr. Worms admitted they were all dead. Mr. Worms was inclined to tlunk, however, that their deaths had arisen from some mismanagement, and from not having given his remedy in sufficient strength. Be that as it might, they had the unpleasant fact of these nineteen animals having succumbed to the disease of which they had been the subjects. Then with regard to Lord Leigh's case, if he were correctly informed, one cow in an advanced stage of the disease was placed under the care of Mr. "\^^orms, and that animal was said to liave recovered. IVenty-four of the cows were subse- quently treated by Mr. Worms, and they also were said to have recovered. As to the cow for which a grave had been prepared, and which was spared in order that she might be treated by Mr. Worms, if he were rightly informed, the animal was at the time Mr. Worms first saw her somewhat convales- cent. At all events there was a little abatement in the severity of the symptoms. He could not give this on the authority of his own investigation, but he had been told it on pretty good authority. Moreover, he was told last Saturday that the animal so treated by Mr. Worms had afterwards relapsed, though what was the result of that relapse he did not know. With refer- ence to the twenty-four animals, he was also informed, on tlie same authority, that they were separated from the rest of Lord Leigh's herd ; that up to the time of his receiving the information not one of them had had the disease ; that they had been removed from the sphere of its influence to a certain extent, and that tlie removal liad protected them from the dis- ease. With regard to tlie third instance in which Mr. Worms' treatment had been tried, namely, that of Baron Rothschild, he was thoroughly well acquainted with all the facts of that case. On hearing that there was a certain number of animals on Baron Rothschild's farm wliich had been affected by the disease, and had recovered in the course of a very short time, by the use of Mr. Worms' remedy, he received instructions to go down at once, and investigate the facts of the case. When he arrived at the place, he was not so fortunate that day as to see Mr. Worms or the Baron himself. But having investigated the case, and examined every in- dividual animal, all he could say was, that of the ten reported cases of convalescent animals, he believed not one of the ani- mals had ever had the disease up to that time. There was no evidence at all of any of the animals having been subjects of the disease. He went down again last Saturday, and had an interview with Mr. Worms, when lie learned that throughout the whole of the animals had ))een removed out of danger and placed in sheds for treatment. Ten animals, which he saw on Wednesday, he reported as not having had the disease : they were perfectly free from it. Eight other animals, which had also been picked out from the herd as being subjects of the disease, he had carefully examined, and found that four of them Mere perfectly free from rinderpesi, and, in reality, gave no in- dication whatever of the disease. These cases' were looked upon as convalescent cases. There were nine animals alto- gether which had undoubtedly been subjects of the plague. One was taken ill on the Friday, and at that time it was not a very severe case ; and one other, which had been taken in from the general herd, was then suffering from it. On the Saturday night, there were altogether five animals unquestion- ably aftected with the disease at BaronRothschild's. Mr. Worms was at the mansion : he had been there a day or two, and returned to London on Saturday. He (Professor Simonds) went down to the place on Jlonday. His colleague also went down to see how things were going on ; and they reported that the animal wliich had been taken ill on Tiiday was dead, and that the other was dying : fuithcr, that four of the animals which had been pointed out as cured of the disease had abso- lutely contracted the disease. Thus it appeared, in these cases, there was great reason to believe that the cattle plague was not met by this particular remedy : in fact, he was afraid we should find, in the course of time, that there was no larger number of animals saved by that remedy than by any other means whicli had hitherto been tried. He believed he had novy occupied something more than an hour of their attention, and was perfectly well aware that he had stiUleft a great num- ber of matters altogether unnoticed ; but if he could in any way add to the interest of the discussion which was to follow he should be happy to do so (Hear, hear). Coionel CHALLO^"EU wished to put a question to the Pro- fessor with regard to the disposal of animals which had died of the disease. The difficulties and expense of burying ani- mals were so great that in many cases it was not done effectually. Would it not be well, then, to substitute burning for burying, especially as fire was a great purifier ? Professor Simonds said burning was tried in 1714. Mn Bates, the surgeon to whom he had alluded, recommended to the Privy Coimcil of the day the adoption of burning ; but it was found so offensive that the recommendation could not be carried out. Sir John Johnstone, M.P., quite agreed with the Pro- fessor, that it was to prevention, and not to cure, that attention should be directed. Some persons had recommended the fre- quent washing of the nostrils or the mouth with certain anti- septics. He should be glad if the Professor would state whether he thought that would be useful in infected districts within a certain range. Professor Simonds did not think any advantage could arise from the application of tar, or some cleaner substance of the same kind, to tlie muzzle of an animal, or from the mere washing of the nostrils, seeing that the morbific matter mingled with the atmosphere, and was inhaled with it. No doubt the disease might be said to be contagious ; but the infectious matter, mingling with the atmosphere, affected animals within a certain range ; and considering that with every breath an animal might inhale a certain quantity of morbific matter, he could see no advantage in the application of an antiseptic to the mouth or the nostrils. If they were dealing -with some- thing tangible in the mucous membrane, the case might be different. Lord rE\T;RSHAM said another thing which had been tried in the north of England was the suspending of camphor bags round tlie necks of animals ; and in all the cases with which he was acquainted the animals had escaped the disease, although it existed perhaps within about a mile. Having heard of this remedy some time ago, he had recourse to it himself on two farms ; and as yet none of his animals had had the disease, which was actually within half-a-mile of one of those farms. As regarded iron, the Professor was doubtless aware that the water of the district around Tunbridge Wells was strongly impregnated with that substance. That district had escaped the disease ; and he was informed that the in- habitants attributed its escape to the presence of iron in the water. He understood that the cattle plague had not existed within ten miles of the Wells. He quite agreed with the Pro- fessor that prevention was better than any remedy ; and he should certainly take one or two hints whicli he had given, and especially that with regard to pigeons, happening to have some on his farm in Yorkshire. Professor Simonds said, as regarded the suspending of cam- phor bags round the necks of animals, he must observe that camphor was not a disinfectant, though it gave out a hrge THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 187 ijuautity of odoril'erous mutter. It miglit keep ccrtaiu things out of woolleu clotlies, but he did uot believe it wouhl liave the least etfect as regarded the luorbilic matter of the cattle plague. He remembered that when lie was a boy persons wore camphor bags round their necks to prevent small-pox, but he never heard of any one being saved from fever or measles by such means. i\^ to tlie escape of his lordship's cattle, he should attribute it to tlie prevention of any communication with the infected places in the neighbourhood. As regarded Tunbridge Wells, he did not think the district had been entirely free from the cattle plague. The couuty of Kent was, in fact, one of the first counties to sulTer. Lord Feversiiam : Some parts of it. Professor Simomds continued: The disease appeared at Canterbury as early as July li. lie should not attach any im- portance whatever to the presence of iron in the water there, any more than he should as regarded certain parts of North- umberland and Yorkshire, which had been free from the dis- ease. It was only a parallel instance to the uou-communica- tion of the disease in other parts of the comitry. Lord Cathcart observed that there was a French system of medical treatment founded on the use of camphor, the name of the author of that system being, he thought. Dr. Rasphail, and it consisted, he beUeved, chielly in the sticking of a piece of camphor in any part of the human body where a lodgment could be found for it. The learned doctor laid it down that the essential principles of camphor and tar were the same, and he contended that the best mode of treatment for cattle was the free use of tar and camphor water. As regarded the birrning of animals which had died of the disease, he would remark that that had been tried at Malton, in Yorkshire, and tlte odour was found so disgusting that it was necessary to dis- continue the practice immediately. Lord Berneks wished to put a question with regard to burying. It appeared that in some cases the ground was of such a nature that it was almost impossible to dig a grave six feet deep. It would be remembered that when pleuro-pneumo- uia was first raging in this country it was recommended that animals should be buried. He tried that in two instances in accordance with the recommendation laid down in that room, namely, that there should be six or seven inches of burnt earth, that the animal should be put on it and covered with a great quantity of sulphuric acid, that there should then be a covering of from 18 inches to 2 feet of burnt earth, and lastly another covering of common earth. Six months after, he had the place opened, and found one mass of, apparently, black vegetable earth. This he mixed with other things to use it for mangold vvurzel and swedes, and he found it one of the best adjuncts any one could possibly obtain. Now, he wanted to know whether the Professor thought sulplmric acid might be used in such quantities as thoroughly to decompose and disinfect an animal, so that it might be safely used afterwards as manure ? Professor Simoxds said: As regarded the destruction of animals in pits in certain districts, he thought the use of sul- phuric acid would be a very effectual means of securing that object ; and in his opinion recourse should be had to that system in localities — rocky districts, for example — whicli did not admit of animals being interred at any great depth witJiout a very considerable amount of labour. Supposing animals to have been destroyed by means of sulphuric acid, he did not think any more harm could arise from the subsequent use of the decomposed parts, mixed with earth, and so on, for agricul- tural purposes, than arose from the use of artificial manure. In a national point of view that was a question of great im- portance. He feared that thousands of animals must still be slaughtered, and if such a system were practicable with safety it would of course be a great advantage. Lord Percy thought that Lord Cathcart had treated the use of camphor with a degree of contempt which was not quite warranted. As a preventive to hay fever camphor had been found very beneficial ; and it might, perhaps, be useful in some cases as a preventive to the cattle disease. Lord CATHCiVHT said he did not intend to deny the medical value of camphor, but merely to point out that as regarded the treatment of cattle disease tar and camphor were the same thing. Dr. Crisp thought the great object of discussing the cattle plague shoitld be to see whether or not they could get rid of the cattle-plague. For the last four years he had seriously studied the diseases of the lower animals, believing tl^at they woiJd never understand the diseases of man unless they com- menced with the vegetable kingdom and worked upwards. It was in the lowest forms of organism that they could liest read nature. With regard to the rinderpest, lie must remark that the word was altogether a misnomer. The Germans who used that term believed that the disease was confined to the ox, but there w-as in foct not a ruminant in existence in which it miglit not be traced. He knew eight different species of ruminants in this country that had been afl'ected, audit had prevailed in the Zoological Gardens. It was well-known, too, that at an early period it was conveyed by two gazelles which went from Lon- don to the Jardin d'Acclimatation at Paris, in consequence of which 43 different ruminants there were killed, and the disease was thus stamped out. lie should presently show the im- portant bearing which that point had upon present legislation. Though Professor Simonds did not Hke to give the so-called rinderpest a name, thinking that they did not at all know what it really was, he (Dr. Crisp) would call it exanthcmatous fever — a fever affecting chiefly the lining membrane of the whole of tlie alimentary canal. There was in some cases an eruption on the skin, but it bore no resemblance to small- pox. Considering that the length of the alimentary canal of an ox was about 150 feet, and that under disease the assimila- tive process was stopped, he would ask whether it W'as likely that such things as chalets and onions could have any influence as regarded the progress of the disease (Hear, hear) . He had received hundreds of letters with regard to alleged successful treatment. One gentleman in Scotland having had 70 animals attacked, grew desperate, it appeared, and took to drinking. He then left seven animals that were affected for some time in a shippon, where they could get nothing but water, and when he returned there he found them recovered. If onions had been given to those animals, or if they had been under liomceopathic treatment, it would liave been said, " Here is a wonderful cui-e!" (Hear, hear). Professor Simonds touched very lightly upon dogs. He stated, indeed, that dogs would, communicate the disease, but he said not a word about hunting. Occupying, as the Professor did, a vei-y responsible position, he (Dr. Crisp) would ask him whether he did not believe that this disease was con- veyed to a great extent by hounds running over cUtterent parts of the country ? Three members of the House of Commons were reported to have said that in their opinion the disease could not affect slieep. He (Dr. Crisp) believed, on the con- trary, that thousands of sheep had been killed by it, and he had placed before the Lords of the Council ten or twelve ex- amples. He had just received two letters giving additional cases. One was from Mr. Barthropp, of Suffolk, who stated that he had just heard that some sheep had died on the farm of Mr. W. Scott, of Floxne, and that the disease had also shown itself among some sheep at Ixworth. A gentleman at Saffron Walden, having been asked whether any sheep in liis district had been affected with plague, replied " Yes, eighty- six in one lot and forty in another." On learning from Mr. Barthropp that the plague had prevailed among sheep in Suffolk, he immediately took the train and M'eiit down to the farm of Mr. Denny, Battesford. The farmer there had had eighteen oxen, seventeen of which died. He had also one hundred hoggets so close to the oxen that their noses almost touched, and in a short time he lost thirty-five sheep. He examined those sheep, and he felt certain that they died of the plague. The fourth stomach w^as ulcerated and had the spotted appearance which was so peculiar in the ox ; the intestines had that mottled look which could not be mistake*; and the rectum also corresponded with that of cattle which had died ol the disease. How any member of Parliament could rise in his place and state that sheep could not take cattle plague he was at a loss to conceive. He (Dr. Crisp) had seen a sheep inocu- lated from an ox, and an ox from a sheep, and both animals had taken the disease. Surely that was the experimciiinm crucis as regarded that question. He believed that unless great care were takeu sheep would be the means of disseminating the dis- ease to a fearful extent. It was decided in Parliament on tlie previous night that sheep might be driven along public roads, and he thought it would be found that in that and other respects the new Act would require great alteration. Without more stringent measures than those hitherto adopted it would lie useless, in his opinion, to attempt to extinguish the cattle plague (Hear, hear). Mr. Fawcett (Hertfordshire) wished to remark, with re- 188. THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE. ference to Mr. Worms' treatuieut, tluit there whs uo novelty whatever in the use of onions. He could give the names of persons who had used them in a similar form to that in which the)' were now administered almost for the last fifty years. Mr. Thomas Ewings, wlio lived near iVppleby, in Westmorland, used onions for cows after their ca'ving, boiled with butter and mixed with ginger. Neither was tlic use of aesafoetida new. If any benefit were derived from Mr. Worms's treatment, it arose froin the taki.ig the disease at a very early period. The Chairman asked what was the effect of assafretida. Mr. Fawcett said it removed spasms. In his opinion, it was very desirable to take hay from animals when there ap- peared to be the slightest danger. When his hog-gets were suffering, he noticed that those which discontinued eating re- covered, while those that went on eating died. It was the same in milk-fever. If a cow commenced gorging within forty-eight hours after calving, it was a thousand to one that she woidd die. As regarded salt, he would remark that about twenty years ago, in consequence of having read some pamph- lets on its beneficial effects, he gave it to a certain number of calves, and the result was that the whole of them went mad. Mr. C. Sewell Re.U), M.P., inquired how much was given. Mr. Fawcett replied that he first gave about a table- spoonful with each meal, and that the quantity was gradually increased to nine spoonfuls a day. Lord Feyersuam : That was enough to kill anything (Hear, hear). The best plan is to let animals lick rock-salt as they want it. Mr. Fawcett said having tried salt he did not consider it worth a straw. The Ciiairma?j : As a preventive or as a cure? Mr. Fawcett : Neither as a preventive nor as a cure. Lord Feyersuam : Don't you consider it a purifier of the blood? Mr. Fawcett said no doubt it was; but he believed tJiat vegetable matter contained a sufficient quantity of salt for that purpose. Mr. C. Sewell IIe.\.1), M.P., said, with reference to the ob- servations of the last s])eaker as to cattle having recovered through not being allowed to feed when attacked with cattle plague, he might say that in his experience the animals were at the very first stage of the disorder shut up and deprived of all food, except in the shape of washes, gruel, arrowroot, and linseed tea, and other kinds of nursing food ; and, notwith- standing that system of feeding, combined with the best medi- cal treatment, {hey all died. He agreed with Lord Berners that in certain districts — rocky districts, for example, and the fens — where there was no good place of burial, the best course would be to cover animals with sulphuric acid. If, in such districts, an animal were at once placed in an iron lauk, and covered with sulphuric acid, that would be much better than an attempt at burial. As to burning, he knew one or two in- stances in which parties who had recourse to it were after- wards indicted for a nuisance. A question had occurred to him with regard to manure. Manure was such a bulky sub- stance that it was impossible to disinfect it ; and he would ask the Professor whether it would not be best to scatter it at once on the land and plough it in ? Lord Cathcart said it appeared to him that Dr. Crisp's remarks about hounds and hunting were not at all necessary. He felt sure that every country gentleman in England would rather give up hunting and never hunt again than any one of his neighbours should sulfer from cattle plague. Farmers were as fond of hunting as their landlords, and, indeed, one of the great charms of hunting was that the two classes met togettier in the field (Hear, hear) ; but he was sure that landlords would all give up hunting if a general wish were expressed that it should be discontinued (Hear, hear). Now he thought they were all greatly indebted to the learned Professor for the clearness and ability with which he had treated this subject, and he v^ ould add that the decision which the Professor had shown in this matter, in common with otlier chiefs of the medical profession, and the forethought which they had evinced in relation to it, did them the utmost credit (Hear, hear). He was sure it was the wish of all present that the veterinary profession should be elevated throughout the country. He (Lord Cathcart) had never joined in decrying the inspectors ; on the contrary he hud patted them on the back and encottraged them to do their duty, feeling sure that to tell any man beforehand that he would do «rong was the most likely way to make him do wrong; and he be- lieved that the inspectors generally had done their duty to the country as regarded tlie cattle plague (Hear, hear). He en- I tirely concurred in the opinion that there had been unques- tionable attacks of cattle jdague in sheep. In the North Riding of Yorkshire some sheep which had died had been ex- amined by tl\e highest veterinary authority in that part of the country — Mr. Home. In an account which he gave, Mr. Home stated that some of these sheep had been in actual contact with diseased cattle in a particular instance. The farmer who was the owner — a man of substance and character — wrote sub- sequently that they were not in actual contact, but were in the next field, bitt perhaps they were brought in contact with the dribblings from the eyes and mouth of the cattle. As regarded the early detection of the disease, he believed a very important application had been made of the thermome- ter, by which the disease was discovered in its earliest stage when it could be discovered in no other manner. Something had been said about Mr. Worms's treatment. He had heard from a neighbour of his m ho was for a long time in Ceylon, where Mr. Worms gained his experience, that the remedy in question was there by uo means considered a specific (Hear, hear). He understood that the plague was to a certain extent raging in Ceylon at the present time, and that cattle were actually dying on Mr. Worms's own farm. The historical view of the learned Professor was very interesting, but he did not refer to one of the best authorities, namely, Lancisi, an eminent Italian jihysician of the 17th century, who about 1G9U wrote a most admirable work on this subject. He was, more- over, employed by the Pope to exterminate the disease in his dominions ; and the result was that it was got rid of there long before it was got rid of in the rest of Italy, the means employed being simply the pole-axe and isolation. The ques- tion of burial was one of great importance, especially as re- garded the infiltration of wells. In one case with which he was acquainted 29 dead cows were buried close to a spring which supphed a village with water ; and the consequences of such a state of things might be most seri- ous as regarded human health (Hear, hear). The Professor, in giving the history of the cattle plague at former periods, alluded to an outbreak in Banffshire. From an old record of that outbreak it appeared that it was caused by the landing of some hay from a ship, and that was a very instructive fact. He wished to say one word on the subject of statistics. Sta- tistics were the anatomy of a nation, and he considered it a national misfortune that this country had not agricultural statistics. He believed that the reason why they had not such statistics was that there remained the old leaven of the unholy wars caused by tithes, and he hoped that after what had occurred there would be no opposition to their collection. There were, he believed, only two other countries in Europe in which agricultural statistics were not obtained, namely, Spain and Turkey, and those countries were certainly not the best examples that could be followed (laughter) . A great deal had been said about disinfectants, and they were much indebted to the Professor for his excellent remarks with regard to them ; but he should have lieen glad if something had been said about Mr. M'Dougall's compound, which he (Lord Cathcart) had himself used. As regarded his own farm, he might remark that he had made a sort of magic circle round it, and that so far he had escaped the cattle plague. It was, however, most important to bear iu mind the capricious nature of this disease, as shown by its history in 17i5 and subsequently. Many persons had said in conversation, " 0, I have had the dis- ease, and shall not have it again." Now in the North-Riding the cattle plague after killing a certain number of animals in a par- ticular district had gone away, and after a time, perhaps two or three months, it had returned and killed almost every head of stock. That had been especially the case in the neighbourhood of Malton. He repeated therefore that they ought to bear in mind the capricious nature of the disease — that after going away it might return. As regarded railways, it had been proved on the highest authority that the conveyance of cattle by trains had caused the spread of the disease. No man could tell what animal was infected and what anim.al was not. AVheii there had been droppings on a particular part of a rail- way in the passage of the train, the animals on an adjacent farm might sniff and smell them, whether solid or liquid ; and would any ope venture to say that the plague had not be^u THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 189 propagated to a great extent in that way? (Hear, hear). Some persous said that the cattle plague \Yas a farmer's ques- tit)n ; but he (Lord Cathcart) would afliriu that it was uot a farmer's question so much as a public one. No oue had alluded that moruing to the importance of milk. Philanthro- pists and fducatiouists might labour, but if children were de- prived of milk, or had not a suflLcicnt quantity of it for the formation of the bones, the constitution was sure to suller, and the after-consequences would be most serious. That con- sideration made this question not a farmer's question only, but a national one (Cheers). There was one otlier point whicli it was essential to observe — it was, in fact, the turning point in the discussion — nan^ely, that contidence was a plant of slow growth in the agricultural bosom. They were asked why the disease \>as uot dealt with in this country as it was in Aberdeenshire — why it was not stamped out three or four months ago ? The truth was that stamping out was simply a question of money, and they all knew that money did not flow wliere there was not confidence. Moreover, they might stamp the disease out, but how were they to prevent it from returning ? The only other point with which he would detain them — and he desired to impress it on agriculturists generally — was the importance of the pre- sent. Now, if ever, was the time when something effectual might be done (Hear, hear). If they put off action till the grass came and tlie cattle had ceased to be tied up, he did not see what could be done. They ntust determine to work toge- ther as one man to get rid of this plague, and all con- siderations that interfered with united action ought to he made to give way. When he heard the absurd and frivo- lous objections which were urged against stringent measures, lie was reminded of something that happened the other day on board the '" London." Some of them might remember reading of the smile of pathetic humour wliicli appeared on the countenance of the captain of that vessel when he saw a man coming towards him with a carpet bag. Tiiere was the ship sinking, and nearly all on board were going to the bottom, and yet that man was still thinking of his worthless property. That case illustrated the trifling character of many of the ob- jections which were urged against the measures adopted for the destruction of the cattle plague (cheers). Mr. Spooxer (Hants), after referring in detail to some cases of cattle plague in his own county, adverted to tlie Bill which has just passed througli Parliament, and said it would in his opinion have been better, instead of imposing upon juries or individuals the dithcult task of ascertaining half the value of animals that had long been dead, to have given a fixed sum of £i for all animals attacked. Mr. Staxldy wished to know whether Professor Simonds believed that the disease ever occurred spontaneously from the atmosphere without the atmosphere being infected with it ? Dr. Ckisp wished to say one word more about hunting. If, as Lord Cathcart had stated, the cattle disease was introduced into Banffshire by means of hay, must not hundreds of packs of hounds convey it about England ? He believed that by-and- bye no pack of hounds would be allowed to wander about. The Chairman observed that as that was a very debatable question, he thought they had better not enter into it. He would now remark that he was sure they all felt much obliged to the Professor for his kindness in attending there that day, and giving such a very excellent lecture on the nature and progress of the disease. At the same time, they could not but feel that he held out, unhappily, at present, very little en- couragement ; but he trusted that in the course of time more daylight would be thrown upon the manner of treating this disease, or preventing its spread and that the next time the Professor addressed them, he would be able to do so in more encouraging language. He should be glad if the Professor would state whether he thought tlie plan which was now being ■put in force of stamping out the disease by means of slaughter was likely to prove successful ? That was a most important point, and one aflVcting, as every one must see, the prosperity of the country generally. The head of stock in the country was, of course, limited, though it might be at present very large ; and the future prospects of agriculture as regarded the breeding of stock must depend entirely upon whether this experiment was successful or not. In the last century, hundreds of thousands of stock were slain, and yet the disease lasted for 10 or 13 years. He should be glad to know whether the Professor had turned his attention tn the question whether it might not be necessary to .make a complete cordon, to establish complete quarantine and isolation, in places where the disease had broken out. It should uot be forgotten that in foreign countries there was in such cases always a strict cordon. He believed that in some countries the cordon was enforced by military measures ; and not only was transit through the infected district stopped, hut men, women, and children were enclosed within the spot ; the provi- sions necessary for them were laid down at a certain point, and after taking them awav they had to go hack into their enclo- sure. Lord Cathcart had alluded to a French physician who advocated the use of camphor, as if that were a similar remedy to tar. Luring the prevalence of cattle plague in the last century there appeared in the GcutlemaiCs 3Iar/nzi/ic an article which contained a prescription of tar-water for the disease among cattle. Bishop Berkeley also recommended the use of tar-water. Lord Catiu ART observed that it was remarked that the Bishop's book began with tar-water and ended with the Trinity. The Chairman said: Be that as it might, it appeared that tlie French doctors' remedy had been tried before, and he should be glad if tlie Professor would state whether, th.ere being antiseptic properties in tar, it was useful in treating cattle platcue. Professor Simonds then replied. He said, as regarded the question whether the disease might arise spontaneously from the atmosphere though the atmosphere did not contain the germs of it, he could not for a moment suppose that to be the case. The origin of the disease was distinctly traced to animals that were brought to the Metropolitan Market from a foreign country. He might here add that at the time when the So- ciety was holding its annual Show at Plymouth (he was not aware of the fact till afterwards) the disease was actually in that town. One animal that was exhibited, afterwards proved to have been under the influence of the cattle plague ; so that they were in the midst of danger without knowing anything about it. There was one of the Chairman's questions which he felt considerable difficulty in answering, namely, whether they could get rid of the disease by killing infected animals without thelntroduction of cordons. As to the strictness of cordons on the continent, he could entirely corroborate the Chairman's remarks. In Prussia he was himself told, that if he went inside an infected district, as he desired to do, he must remain till after the plague had disappeared. In some cases the authorities of Germany had gone so far as to tar theroads ; and in all cases travellers were compelled to keep outside the Circle The Chairman observed that the words of the Prussian regulation were, that the place should be as if it were not in existence. Professor Simonds said he was told himself that if he went inside he would be obliged to receive his food at the end of a pole ; and after receiving it, he must place his money in a pan of water. Such restrictions could never be carried out m a coun- try like this ; but he did think they must have some very strin- gent measures in connection with the slaughtering of animals (Hear, hear). It was true that they would now have a very great slaughter ; and he hoped that that slaughter of animals infected, and of animals exposed to the disease, might exter- minate the afl'ectiou ; but he was one of those who thought it would lie necessary to establish very stringent regulations, and even, perhaps, to establish cordons, in order to get rid of this disease (Hear, hear). The meeting would excuse him for not entering more fully into that question, seeing that it had an important bearing on his position in relation to the Govern- ment. He agreed with Dr. Crisp that all ruminants were in a greater or less degree susceptible of this disease ; but, as regarded sheep, they had this security— that they were less susceptible of it than cattle, and therefore there were not so mauy cases of attack. Tliis comparative insusceptibility secured a great number of Hocks against the disease ; and a larger percentage of sheep than of cattle recovered. Having, however, investigated the matter carefully, he was perfectly satisfied that not less than twenty-three flocks in this country had been subjects of the cattle disease. The total number of sheep attacked in those twenty-three flocks was 3,948, and the total number of deaths ~,~65 ; so that the number of recoveries was 1,683. A.S to hunting, he quite agreed with Lord Cath- cart, that as soon as it was shown that hunting had been a means of propagating the cattle plague, it would be given up. T)r. Cri*ip ■• You think it ought to be given up. 190 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. Professor SiMONDS continued: In his observation that morning he had endeavoured to avoid giving any opinions of jjig o\yi^ dealing with facts, and facts alone (Hear, hear) ; and he thouglit a" great many eminent medical men would have stood in a better position had they not been so ready to put forward their opinions (Hear, hear). Dr. Crisp : I want to get at the fact about hunting. A Member : Dr. Crisp don't hunt (laughter). Dr. Crisp : I beg pardon ; I have hunted a good deal. Professor Simonds said he thought it was not yet satisfac- torily proved that the disease had been spread by hunting (Hear, hear). With regard to Mr. Worms' treatment, to which there had been so much allusion, there could be no doubt that the keeping of animals that were in a state of dis- ease, and especially disease like the cattle plague, was very desirable ; but it must be borne in mind that, generally speak- ing, even if most tempting morsels were placed before an ani- mal in that condition it would not partake of food. He did not, therefore, attribute Mr. Worms' supposed cures to any special remedy ; and he must say that he believed that proper nursing, combined with tlie use of such agents as would sup- port strength well, and not overdo the digestive organs, was better than medical treatment (laughter). As to Turkish baths, and everything of that kind, they called for the exercise of a function which tlie animal had not sufficient strength to exercise, and death was almost certain to take place within a very short time after the experiment. The ploughing-in of manure was a very important question. If tlie manure could be carted to the land at once, the process would be safe and easy ; but then there were many farms and districts where that could not always be done. What would be the result of such an attempt in Buckinghamshire or on the Middlesex clays at this moment ? (Hear, hear). Why, it would be as much as they could do to cart the manure out of the yard, to say nothing about ploughing it in. On that point he thought ths course recommended by Dr. Voelcker would be found the best. THE NEW YORK CATTLE MARKET. The last American mail has brought us the statistical returns of the New York cattle market for the past year, and it may be some consolation to consumers here who have been complaining of the price of butchers' meat, to know that unusually-high prices have also ruled there, beef having touched 13 d. per pound, while the average was lOd. per lb. Dm-ing the past year the lowest quotations for first-class beef were 7id. to 8d. per pound, and that only in three weeks, in July and August. The highest quotations of the year were February 14, when first-class meat was Is. and 13d. The number of animals for slaughter received at all the city markets in 1865 was as follows : Oxen 273,274 Cows 6,161 Calves 77,991 857,426 The number of sheep was 836,733, and swine 573,197, making a gross total of animals of every kind of 1,761,355. The weights are not given, and therefore we are not able to enter into any investigation of the proportion of meat to population. Of the stock sold in the markets of New York in 1865 very few were bought by farmers, owing to the high prices which prevailed tlu'oughout the year, and as the war closed early, very few were taken on Govern- ment account. The consumption of the city was therefore naturally greater than ever before, although by compari- son the weekly average of animals was lower in some heads than the previous year. The comparison stands thus : 1864. 1865. BuUocks 5,146 ... 5,255 Cows 146 ... 118 Calves 1,454 ... 1,500 Sheep 15,047 ... 16,091 Swine 12,696 ... 11,023 Of the oxen the State of Illinois seems to furnish con- siderably more than half; but this State cannot be credited with this number, because aU the stock bought at Chicago come as Illinois cattle, notwithstanding many of them had been fed in Missouri, Iowa, and other States west of the Mississippi. It must be borne in mind, in looking into this subject, that New York furnishes nearly all the meat that is consumed for thirty miles around, l)esides supplying all the shipping, and of late several of the hotels in Southern cities. In looking over the market returns for the past ten years, the consumption of beef, mutton, and pork has increased 50 per cent, in the city of New I'^ork. Pork shows great fluctuations: in 1854, 252,326 swine were sold for slaughter, in 1862 and 1863 more than 1,000,000 each year, in 1864 upwards of 660,000, and last year nearly 100,000 head less. In this class of stock there is probably a large decrease thi'oughout the great pork-producing regions of the west. But it was not owing to the war as much as to disease, which has for some years prevailed among the hogs. Adding the milch cows to the bullocks, which we do be- cause they nearly all go to the shamliles, we find the yearly receipt of slaughter- cattle was 279,435 head. Un- like the Boston market, the value of the fifth quarter is never estimated in New York. Taking the cattle at 7001bs., average at 8d. per lb., we find the value about £22 10s. per head. We also bring out a total of 195,004,5001bs. of beef, which, at an average of 8d. per lb., makes an aggregate paid for beef of £6,260,000 for the year. The population of New York in 1860 was over 800,000, and as it had increased nearly 300,000 in the previous ten years, we may assume it now to have nearly reached one million. The price of mutton, including sheep and lambs, is stated in the New Y'^ork market to have averaged last year 4d. per lb., and, if we take the average weight at 801bs., this gives 26s. 8d. per head. Mutton seems getting much more into favoiu- with the Americans than formerly, for at one time it was seldom eaten. Swine are always sold by the pound, live weight, and they realized higher average prices than were ever known before, say 5d. to 7id. per lb. Milch cows sold extravagantly high during the year, often over £20 per head, and the sales were one-half below previous years. Calves brought unheard-of prices, which had the effect of drawing from the country many thousands which should have been reared to furnish stock for futui'e years. Al- though the official agricultural statistics of 1860 showed a large increase in the live stock furnishing meat in the United States, yet the withdrawal of hands from agricul- tural pursuits, and the immense demand made for food and for draught cattle by the war, must have ma- terially checked the onward rate of progression. The census returns for the whole of the States gave the num- bers of live stock in 1860 as foUows: Milch cows 8,663,265 Working oxen 2,188,154 Other cattle 14,599,325 Sheep 24,823,566 Swine 32,497,811 To these figures must, however, be added the follow. THE FARMER'S. MAGAZINE. 191 ing, owned by persona not engaged in agricultural piur- suits, and which were therefore not included in the agri- cultural schedule— 3,347,000 ueat cattle, 1,506,000 sheep, and 3,4'G8,000 swine. Now we know that a sad raid was made on the live stock in the southern and adjoining States during the protracted civil war, and that it will take long to repair tlie destruction thus carried out. Im- migration, the progress of settlement in the west, and the preservation of peace and order, may do much towards increasing once more the rearing of live stock, for which the American States, with their bountUess pasturage and abundance of grain, furnish such facilities ; but we ques- tion whether the census returns of 1870 will show a like advance of about 50 per cent, on cattle, or any very ma- terial increase in the numbers of sheep and swine, so as to conduce to send down prices to the low level which has prevailed in America It is satisfactory to Iniow that in the adjoining British colony of Canada the rearing of live stock is steadily pro- gressing, uudistiu'bed by any material check from disease or civil disturbance. In 1801 the number of milch cows in Canada was 780,000, of oxen and steers 300,596, Of young cattle 751,694, of sheep 1,853,054, and of pigs 1,062,401 ; and as a comparison with the previous decen- nial census shows the amar^ing rapidity with which live stock increases in that colony, the next returns will show a very rapid progress, taken especially in connection with the great increase of emigration of late years to Canada. We have not the annual returns of the provision mar- kets of j\lontrcal before us for last year, but referring to tlic report of the trade and commerce for 1864 we iind that 31,371 barrels of pork were packed and inspected in Montreal, and 1,715 barrels and tierces of beef, being 81 per cent, of the receipts, the ratio in 1863 being 73 per cent. Tlie market was dull throughout the year, the price of prime mess beef iu tierces ranging from 21 dol- ars to 16 dollars, with little or no demand. The packing of pork in the city was less than in some preceding years, the choicest of the hogs being taken at high prices for markets iu the United States. The weight of pork in carcases brought to Montreal by the Grand Trunk Rail- way in 1864 was 2,000,0001bs., or about 10,150 car- cases; in 1863 the weight was 3,715,421|lb3., or 13,580 carcases. STEAM CULTIVATION. BY MR. 3. LOCKE KING, M.P. I can speak with the greatest satisfaction of the results ob- tained by the use of the Steam Cultivator. These are of a permanent character. 'Wliere the ditches on a farm have been properly attended to, and are sufficiently deep, steam cultiva- tion will render uuderdraining unnecessary. In some of my sandy and gravelly laud, at a depth varying from sis to four- teen inches l)elow the surface, there is a hard pan or bind perfectly impervious to water. AVhere this pan exists, which it does to a great extent on soils of this kind, in dry weather the land becomes so parched that vegetation is withered, while in wet weather the laud is inapproachable both to horses for the purpose of tillage, and to sheep for feeding off turnips. Underdraining is of no avail unless the drains abnost touch one another. But where this pan or bind has been broken through by subsoiling, tlie land appears to change its very nature. Tlie ordinary operations of tillage need no longer be set aside, and horses and sheep go on it without difficulty. If this pan is more than six or seven inches iu depth, it can only be effectually broken by tlie aid of steam, and it is desirable to go over the field twice, the "lifters" of course being taken off tlie shares, and the second operation being considerably deeper than the first. This deep subsoiling canuot be done satisfactorily with horses, for the deeper the sul)soil plough has to go, the greater is tlie number of horses required, the trample and tread of whicli alone must create another bind in the place of the one to be removed. In my case this simple Init permanent operation with the steam cultivator has, I am convinced, added considerably to the actual value of the free- hold, so that the cost, whether it be a few shillings more or less per acre, is not worth considering. I believe that on most arable lands, even where there is no natural bind, the tread of tlie horses and the sole of the plough form in the course of time an artificial bind, whicli becomes as impervious as the natural pan. I may, I think, assume that a farmer who occupies as little even as 300 acres, the greater part of which is arable, can scarcely get on with satisfaction to himself un- less he has a portable steam-engine. It is almost indispensable, not only for thrashing, but for cutting hay and straw into chaff, and for cracking and grinding his inferior corn for cattle, sheep, and pigs. I know he may hire for thrashing ; but this is often attended with serious inconvenience. He cannot obtain the engine at the time he wants it, and, when he does, is obliged to thrash out a great deal more than he otherwise would, and a great sacrifice of straw is tlie general residt ; while for the other purposes I have referred to, hiring is out of the question. The scarcity of food last winter taught us, at all events, that we could economise to a great extent, and that we had in former years wasted enormous quantities of food. We then found tliat straw cut into chaff and mixed with pulped mangolds or turnips makes excellent food. I can only speak from experience. I tried to do all this work with horses, but I utterly failed, and then had recourse to steam with great success. Having gone so far I soon discovered that, with an additional outlay of about £200 I could also cul- tivate with steam. I accordingly purchased Howard's tackle, and have indeed every reason to rejoice that I did so. Now what I want the farmers to see is, tliat for all ordinary pur- poses a steam-engine is a real necessity ; that if they wiU only take care to have one somewhat larger than is required for thrashing, they can, with an additional outlay of £300 or £250, cultivate also with steam, and tliat this additional ex- penditure is a mere trifle compared with the advantages ob- tained. To go on plodding with the plough and horses in these days reminds one of some prejudiced men of former days , who were so attached to things as they were, tliat they would not travel by rail if they could only find a stage-coach ! Steam cultivation will do for agriculture what the railroads have done for internal communication throughout the length and breadth of the land. I M'ill undertake to say that the advantages of steam cultivation are so great that they only require to lie known and its use must become general. 192 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. FAT STOCK versus RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES. The railway locomotive has driven the old coach and horses off the road; hut if we can helieve some metropolitan cattle- salesmen and butchers, the fat ox is to beat the steam-horse by road or rail, and in the streets of the capital for all time com- ing. And this is not the more attractive part of this Derby Day contest ; for the fatter the British farmer fattens his ox, tlie more matchless a locomotive he becomes, and the farther the steam liorse will be left behind in the race-course of the future. Those not versed in the cattle-trade legerdemain of the capital may, perhaps, conclude that the sequel ^^^ll fall short of the proof involved in such an exordium ; but if they exercise a little patience the reverse will be the case, for they will find fifty blue-frocks ready to give evidence Ijefore a Par- liamentary Committee, that a fat ox standing in a railway truck can be brought up to London from John-'o-Groat's more easily and better than the four quarters of his carcase, should the Corporation of London and its " cattle-market money takers," ifec, require such evidence to continue the present system of cattle marketing. The more radical representatives of the people may shake their heads at this ; but, of course, the Peers of the Kealni and Her Majesty's Privy Councillors will respect " chartered rights," and this is the key to the solu- tion of the whole secret just now, as it was in the dub-aud- dirt days of old Smithfield. But let us go into our subject practically, leaving future experience to teach whether free- trade and wholesome meat do not make a Ijetter charter than the rotten parchment and trade monopolies of the past. Prom an engineering point of view, our subject reduced to its sim- plest form is fa/ muscle v. steam, let the cattle-market trade say vrhat they like to tlie contrary ; and we need hardly add, that the latter, steam, must eventually triumph. In the railway conveyance of heavy goods the nearer the centre of gravity of the load is to the rails, the less the tear- and-wear upon the line and rolling stock for any given amount of tonnage, other things (as the velocity) being equal ; and rire versa, the further the centre of gravity of the load is from the raUs, or above the rails, the greater the tear-and-wear upon them, &c. Pat cattle come up to the market mostly standing on their feet in the railway trucks, so that the trucks thus loaded are " top-heavy ;" consequently the tear-and-wear upon the lino and rolling stock are at a maximum. In carcase-loaded trucks the' centre of gravity is low, and the tear-and-wear upon the line and rolling stock consequently at a minimum. The heavier fat cattle are individually, the greater the tear- and-wear upon the line, &c. ; hut the lieavier the carcases are individually, the less the tear-and-wear per ton. The fatter an animal is, the less is its muscular power to move a given weight of its body from place to place, or to stand upon its feet in a railway truck, lair, or market ; and in standing or travelling there is a continuous and increasing loss of muscular power for any given time or distance, the loss of muscular power during the last division of time and measure of distance being greater than during this first division of time and measure of distance in its journey to market, or from the market to the slaughter-house ; other things being equal. The above propositions are so self-evident, as to render a detailed proof superfluous — at least, to the vast majority of our readers. Their application to the subject under con- sideration wU also be readily understood. It will be seen, for example, that railway companies can carry a ton of dead meat on easier terras than a ton of live meat ; so that wlien the weight of the oifal is deducted from the latter, the difference in the expense of conveying a ton of beef or mutton, as available food for market, is something considerable in favour of the carcase trade, without taking into account the tear and wear upon the live-weight of the animal sustained between the feeding-stall of the farmer and the slaughterhouse of the butcher ; as also tlie manurial value of much of the offal that fetches next to nothing, or rather less than nothing, in the capital and most of our other large towns. rrom the foregoing datft it in manifest that our railway companies are, in duty to themselves and the public, bound, under the present exigencies of the country, to organise a better system of carcase conveyance than is now in operation, as, in doing so, they and the public, including both producer and consumer, would be mutual gainers. We hope, therefore, that the shareliolders of the various railways will look closely after their officials at the present time, so as to secure for the benefit of all parties the grand desideratum at issiie ; for the question is truly a national one, and well worthy of their timely consideration. As the national gain arising from the carcase trade may be taken as the equivalent of the national loss sustained under the present live-stock system, this national view of the sub- ject presents a twofold importance for investigation, and rice versa, our present losses being the equivalent of our future gains. It will therefore be necessary to go somewhat further into the practical details of our present losses, in a national sense, so as to get a clearer view of our future profits. Is there anything mysterious about the locomotive functions of a fat ox, practically speaking ? Are the working-parts and the motive-power of tlie animate machine subject to the same or to similar physical laws as the working-parts and motive- power of the inanimate machine ? In short, what is the difference lietween the mechanical philosophy of the farmer's fat ox, considered as a road locomotive, and that of his traction engine ? Railway companies have long been familiar with the heavy expense in working their lines and in keeping their rolling stock and raUs, &c., in working-order. Experience is also fast teacliing farmers a practical lesson somewhat similar, relative to their engines now at work, thrashing and steam- ploughing, and therefore if any of their number has made the discovery that it is otherwise with bovine locomotives, the case will be a singular exception. Ko coals ! no grease ! no new brakes ! " no nothing" being required to work and keep in thorough working-order the more complicated mechanism of the fat ox during the long protracted, exciting, and painful period of marketing ? ! ! The day is nearly gone-by when cither " smock frocks" or blue frocks can give a blind credence to such fallacious conclusions. That the living machine is the more complicated and expen- sive of the two in question, and that it is annually becoming more and more so, are propositions which have long ago been settled at the bar of experience. And, it may be added, that at the present time the increasing mortality from steppe- murrain is rendering any argument to the contrary superfluous. The old short-sighted policy, that when the farmer sells at liome, and thus has his money in his pocket, the loss upon his fat ox afterwards does not fall upon him, has long since been tossed to the winds by the more intelligent producers, who both see and feel that it is contrary to the commercial order of things for any trade to go on from market to market doing business at a losing game. In otlier words, they see that every trade must exist on the profits which it makes, and that the commerce in live fat stock is no exception to this rule. It follows therefore that the butcher's weight and quality is actually that which the first purchaser buys from the producer and for which he pays him its value. Kow, when intelhgent farmers come up to London, and with some difiieulty recognize their own fat stock in the MetropoUtan Cattle Market, they at once see the heavy loss sustained of both weight and quaHty of meat and also of loose fat, and that all this enormous loss lias to be borne by them. Hence the practical conclusion at \\ hich they arrive in favour of an improved system of carcase trade, and against fat ox locomotives, either by road, rail, or in the streets of the capital. In this we ought perhaps to inform our readers that we write from practical experience, having examined fat stock as above, fattened by ourselves and also by others, some twenty years ago, when we first arrived at the above conclusion. And since tlien things have gone on from bad to worse, and of necessity must continue to do so with the growth of the capital. Already a large number of the best cattle have to travel from eight to ten miles through the streets of the metropolis to supply tlie consumption of the princely THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 193 family residences in Uie Kent aud Surrey siil)url)s, streU'liiiig all tlie way round iVoiu Blacklieath to llicliuioud. The drover's iillowauce is small and on the contract principle, and as the supplies are increasing to meet the demands of a rajjidly- increasing consumption, the poor man has thus an opportunity, and therefore to make the most he can he drives at a killing pace, greatly heyoud what fat stock are able to bear. And this, too, does not show the worst feature of the cruel aud horrible state of mismanagement, and the wanton sacrifice of what we have shown to be the property of the farmer, for the droves are not drafted out and formed of vn if or in fatness, but promiscuously, to suit the purposes of delivery, &c., not the equal jiace of the stock ; consequently the lean and half- fat, amidst the uproar and excitement of the street traffic, " buss," and cab-whips, lead on ahead at a jog-trot pace, while the extra fat animals are goaded on at double or treble the speed due to their obese condition ! On the great Monday market (December 11), for example, two droves passed us on the Surrey side, about six miles from the market. The day was mild for the season, and we were not going fast at the time, say about three miles an liour, so that both droves were at twice the speed they ought to have been driven. The fore- most drove was composed chiefly of heavy Shorthorns and Herefords ; the hindmost one Scotch beasts, about the one-half Highlanders, evidently cake-i'ed,being very fat, aud the other half Polled cattle, some of which were not over half-fat, being what we should have termed in good store condition for " putting up to finish olf for the London market." The majority of both droves were, in a market phrase, " blowing hard" like a pack of hounds after a long run, their tongues protruding from their moutlis, fully three to four inches ! The Shorthorns were not walking much faster than we were, and we allowed them to pass on without a word of comment. But when the more plucky Highlanders came up at a greatly more rapid pace, with the biting teeth of drover's dog, and goad actively at work in keeping up the rear, we were instinctively as it were led to administer a gentle reproof for " driving too fast," to which the drover promptly answered, " Oh ! sir, 'tis the extra fat that makes them blow so." " Granted," was our equally ready reply ; " but is not the extra fat the reason why you should drive slower ? "Why mix lean beasts with such fine cattle ? Send your dog in front to keep them back, and give these poor fellows a little more time." Instantly, as if caught by his employer, he gave obedience to our orders by sending his dog in front, and so we repassed one of the best lots of Highlanders we have seen for a long time. But as we had not much farther to go, the probability is that when we were out of sight the dog had again been brought to the rear, &c. How many such examples we have seen would weary the patience of Job (o hear. The above is enough to show the intelligent reader that the sooner tiiere is an end to the driving of fat cattle in the streets of London, the bettei; for those who fatten them. So much for the present. With regard to the future, those of our readers who are acquainted with the manner the capital is now being thinned out towards the centre by the formatioa of railroads, &c., and the rapid spread of the population to- wards the circumference, more especially along the lines of the various railways — the great work of ventilation, if we may so call it, extending already to fully a radius of ten miles from the centre, thus giving a diameter of twenty miles — our readers, we repeat, who see all this going on, and every acre of ground being rapidly covered with buildings, will have no diificulty in arriving at a practical conclusion as to the driving of extra fat cattle such [distances through crowded streets. They will in the first place perceive, that the opening of so many new rail- ways is greatly facilitating the work of establishing the com- merce of dead meat, or an economical wholesale and retail trade, as recommended in a previous paper, as the distribution from the main lines that bring in the supplies, home and foreign, will be easy to every part. Thus the Aberdeen and Inverness carcase-vans coming up by the Great Northern, can run on to Woolwich, Blackheath, Sydenham, Croydon, Streatham, Toot- ing, Mertou, Wimbledon, Richmond, and Kingston, with all intermediate places, without stopping ; so that the twenty or thirty miles by railway, when consumers are mostly in bed, will add very little difference to time or expense, and nothing, com- paratively speaking, to the depreciation of weight and quality. In point of fact, if carcases are properly set and conveyed, loss of weight by evaporation involves only a less percentage of water in the meat, and hence an increase of quality and mar- ket value per stone. This is an important feature of a properly- conducted carcase trade, which ought closely to Ije borne in mind by farmers, butchers, and consumers at the present time. How diametrically opposite wUl the case of the live-stock trade be, on all these points, supposing it practical to preserve it in existence for other fifty years ! Let every farmer who consigns to the capital make the case his own. Before he leaves home let him study the mechanical philosophy of his bovine locomotion, if he has never done so before — compare it with that of his traction-engine — and let him bear in mind that whether the former is standing in a railway-truck or tramping the streets of the capital for twenty or thirty miles, it is all the while thrashing, consuming fuel and grease and blowing off steam, and that all expenses have to be borne by the carcase weight and quality of his iat ox, and we venture to say the practical conclusion at which he arrives will be in favour of the carcase trade. STOCK-TAKING IN IRELAND Although with the grievous miuTaia of cattle which prevails in Great Britain we have no authoritative data of numbers to fall back upon, it is satisfactory at least to know that there are returns which can be relied ou for the sister island, and which it may be interesting to examine as a source of supply. For England we have but vague estimates of either numbers or value of the live stock. Sir J. K. Shuttleworth, indeed, estimates the value of the neat cattle in England at 70 million sterling ; but this assumption is purely conjectural. In Ireland, at the very low rates at which for official pui-poses they are usually priced, the aggregate value of the neat cattle is over 23 mUliou sterling. As yet, most providentially, Ireland has been free from the heavy visitation which has brought ruin to so many a farmstead ; but the plague is too near to allow of security. The committee, appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant to consider what means it would be ad- visable to adopt to check the cattle plague in case it should break out in Ireland, have recently sent over here ten persons to study the disease, six of them medical meu (one beins( the heaUh officer of the city of Dublin), two veterinary surgeons, and tw^o practical stockmasters. The committee have also drawn up a number of practical regu- lations as to isolating any iufected district, should the disease unfortunately be introduced, which it is not neces- sary here to enumerate. The chief source of Ireland's wealth now arises from her flocks and herds. Not many years since, with nearly double the pojiulation, Ireland exported wheat, oats, and barley, to a very large amount. She is now an importer of cereals, with an ever-lessening population. Most beneficial as the repeal of the corn laws was to a manu- facturing country, the most transcendental free-trader must confess that the measure inflicted serious injury upon an agricultural country, such as Ireland was. She could not compete with those nations whose territory is exceedingly rich, practically unlimited in extent, and almost free from rent and imposts. When Ireland changed, or rather endeavoured to change, her system, and to pro- duce cattle and sheep instead of corn, the duty on foreign cattle was removed, and once more this country was ex- posed to competition amiust nations which enjoyed p 194 THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE. special advantages. It soon became manifest that unless the Iiish breeder of stock endeavoiu'ed to improve in every possible way the character of his cattle, it was vain to struggle against the foreigner. For many years, firstly through the active energies of the Royal Dublin Society, and secondly by the establishment of the Royal Agri- cultural Society, with kindred associations in every part of Ireland, the stock in Ireland has been improving. The cattle shows of the Royal Dublin Society mark the degree of progress attained. The live-stock in Ireland in 1865 were as follows :— Cattle 3,493,400, sheep 3,688,740, pigs 1,299,890. The increase in all these is chiefly in the number of those under a year old. Cattle appear to be increasing annually, at the rate of 11 per cent., sheep by Hi per cent., and pigs by nearly 6 per cent. Looking back at the returns for the past ten years we find that in cattle there was a gradual increase from 1855 to 1859 of about 7 per cent., i. e., from 3,564,000 in 1855, to 3,815,000 in 1859. Afterwards there was an annual decrease from 1839 to 1863, amounting in iive years to about 17i per cent., i.e., from 3,815,000 in 1859, to 3,144,000 in 1863. Since that period they have increased up to 1865 about 11 per cent., i. f., from 8,144,000 in 1863 to 3,493,400 in 1865. The numbers are now rather above what they were in 1861, and only 71, 00 or 2 per cent, less than in 1855. If we consider the comparative rate of animal increase in the provinces and several counties, it is not only inte- resting, but suggestive. Cattle in Leinster increased in 1865 over 1864 about 4 per cent. The increase is great- est in the county of Longford, being fully 12 per cent. In some of the best counties the increase is but small as compared with the less prosperous counties. For instance, in the county of Meath, which has, in proportion to its area, the largest number of cattle, there was a decrease in 1865 as compared with 1864 of fully 2 per cent. In the county of Kildare the increase is only one-half per cent ; in Wicklow it is only 1 per cent. ; and in Carlow 1^ per cent. The proportion of cattle to area is one to every 5^ acres. In the county of Meath it is one to every 4 acres. Cattle in Connaught have increased about 13 per cent. The increase is highest in Mayo, where it is about 17 per cent. ; and lowest in Leitrim and Roscommon, where it is about 12 per cent. The number of cattle in proportion to area is one to every 85 acres. In Leitrim it is highest, being one to every 4^ acres ; in Gal way it is lowest, being one to every 12 acres. Cattle in Munster have increased about 72 per cent. Tlie largest increase is in Tipperary, where it amounts to 8^ per cent. The smallest is in Limerick, where it is about 6 per cent. The number of cattle in proportion to area is one to every 5 J acres, nearly equally spread over the entire province, the highest being in Limerick, where it is one to every 4 acres. Cattle in Ulster have increased about 6^ jier cent. The largest in- crease is in Tyrone, where it amounts to 9 per cent. The smallest is in Down, where it is only 2 per cent. The largest number of cattle in proportion to area is in the counties of Cavan and Monaghan, where it is one to every 4^ acres. The greatest number of cattle in propor- tion to area in the province of Munster is in Limerick, and yet the increase in numbers in 1865 as compared with 1864 is smaller than in any county in Munster. In Lei- trim the number of cattle in proportion to area is larger than in any county in the province of Connaught, while the increase in numbers in 1865 as compared with 1864 is smaller than in any county in Connaught. With respect to cattle, the total increase for five years, from 1855 to 1859 in all Ireland, was about 7 per cent. The increase in 1865 over 1864 was nearly equal to the total increase fi-om 1855 to 1859, being about 6^ per cent. la Leinster the increase in 1865 over 1864 is about 4 per cent, ; in Ulster; for the same period, it is 6i per cent. ; in Connaught, for the same period, it is 13 per cent. ; in Munster, for the same period, it is 7i per cent. Of the counties in Leinster, the largest increase is in Longford, where it is 12 per cent. ; in Kildare it is only \ per cent. ; in Meath there is a decrease of 2 per cent. Of the counties in Ulster, the largest increase is in Tyrone, where it is 9 per cent. ; the smallest in Down, where it is 2 per cent. Of the counties in Connaught, the largest increase is in Mayo, where it is 17 per cent. ; the smallest in Roscommon and Leitrim, where it is about 12 per cent. Of the counties in Munster, the largest increase wus in Tipperary, where it is 8^ per cent. ; the smallest in Limerick, where it is 6 per cent. The num- ber of cattle (3,500,000) in proportion to area in aU Ireland is 1 to every 6 acres. In Leinster it is 1 to every 5^ acres ; in Ulster it is 1 to every 5 J acres ; in Connaught it is 1 to every 85 acres ; in Munster it is 1 to every h\ acres. Of the counties in Leinster, the largest number in proportion to area is in Meath, where it is 1 to every 4 acres. Of the counties in Ulster, the largest is in the counties of Cavan and Monaghan, where it is 1 to every 4i acres. Of the counties in Connaught, the largest is in the county Leitrim, where it is 1 to every 4i acres ; the smallest is in Galway, where it is 1 to every 12 acres. Of the counties in Munster, the largest num- ber in proportion to area is in the county of Limerick, where it is 1 to every 4 acres. Taking the average value of the cattle at £6 10s. — the sum assumed by the census commissioners since 1841 — we mark an aggregate value of £22,751,100 ; but to which £7,000,000 more might fairly be added, to ap- proximate to the present value. Before passing from cattle, we may incidentally draw attention to the decrease in the production of butter in Ireland, as evidenced by the annual figm'es of the Cork and other great marts. Let us now look at the sheep statistics for Ii'eland, and see how the retm-ns compare with former years ; and here the comparsion is equally favourable. In sheep there was a gradual decrease from 1856 (which was the year of the highest number) to 1863 (which was the year of the lowest number) of about 10^ per cent. — i. e., from 3,694,000 in 1856, to 3,308,000 in 1863 ; and in the last two years, 1864 and 1865, there has been a gradual increase of about lU per cent.— i. e., from 3,308,000 in 1863, to 3,688,000 in 1865; the numbers now being very nearly equal to those of 1856. Sheep in Leinster have increased in 1865 over 1864 about 6 per cent. This increase is greatest in the county of Louth, being there fully 17 per cent. The next largest increase is in Meath, being there 11 per cent. The smallest increase is in the Queen's County, being only 2 per cent. In Wicklow there is, instead of an increase, a small decrease ; and in this county there is the largest number of sheep in proportion to its area, being one to every 2i acres. The number of sheep in proportion to area in the whole province is one to every 3| acixs. Sheep in Ulster have increased about 13^ per cent. The increase is highest in Antrim and Fermanagh, where it is fully 20 per cent. ; in Donegal it is 19 per cent. ; in Londonderry it is only 62 per cent. ; and in Down there is a trifling decrease. The largest number in proportion to area is in the county of Donegal, where it is one to every 9 acres ; the smallest is in Fermanagh, where it is about one to every 38 acres. Sheep in Munster have increased about Hi per cent. The largest increase is in the county of Cork, where it is 17 per cent.; the smallest is in IMp- perary, where it is only 8 per cent. The number of sheep in proportion to area is one to every 6i acres ; this pro- portion is highest in Tipperary, where it is one to eveiy four acres. Sheep in Connaught have increased about 9 per cent. The increase is highest in Leitrim, where it is THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 195 about 18 percent. ; nud lowest in Galway, where it isouly 6 per eent. The number of sheep in proportion to area is one to every 4 acres; in Galway it is one to every 21 acres ; in Lcitrini it is oue to every 30 acres. "With respect to sheep the total increase in 1865 over 1864i is about 9 per cent., being nearly equal to the de- crease in the seven years from 185G to 18G3, which was about 10 per cent. In Lcinstcr the increase was G per cent. ; in Ulster it was about 13i- percent. ; in Connaught it was about 9 per cent. ; in Munster it was about Hi per cent. Of the counties in Leinster, the largest increase iu sheep was in Louth, iu which it was 17 per cent. ; the smallest was in the Queen's County, where it was only 2 per cent. Of the counties of Ulster, the largest increase was in Antrim ami Fermanagh, where it amounted to 20 per cent. ; the smallest was iu Londonderry, where it was about 61 per cent. Of the counties in Connaught the largest increase was in Leitrim, where it was 18 per cent. ; the smallest iu Galway, where it was 6 per cent. Of the counties in Munster, the largest increase was iu Cork, where it was 17 per cent. ; the smallest in Tipperary, where it was 8 per cent. The number of sheep in pro- portiou to area iu all Ireland (3,688,000) is one to every 5 J acres. In Leinster it is one to every 3f acres ; in Ulster it is one to every 15 acres; in Connaught it is one to every 4i acres ; in Munster it is one to every 6i acres. Of the counties in Leinster, the largest number in proportion to area is iu Wicklow, where it is one to every 2f acres. Of the counties in Ulster, the largest number in proportion to area is in Donegal, where it is one to every 9 acres. Of the counties in Connaught, the largest number in proportion to area is in Galway, where it is one to every 2 J acres. Of the counties in Munster the largest number in proportion to area is in Tipperary, where it is one to every 4 acres. Taking the value of the sheep at the Registrar General's return of 223. per head, we have a total value of £4,057,614. THE AGRICULTURE OF AUSTRALIA. The sixth annual report (18G4-5), presented to the Boai'd of Agriculture by the Council and to both Houses of Parliament by command of his Excellency the Governor, is an instructive document, as showing the efforts that are being made to secure and extend a beneficial cultivation of the soil, and to render the practice of agriculture in strict accordance with modern science, instead of adopting the ruinous system of working the land out by incessantly cropping it with cereals, as is tha practice in America. It appears by this report that there are thii'ty-one local Softieties in connection with the Board of Agriculture, all in full operation, for the support of which the Parlia- ment of Victoria appropriated the sum of £6, 000, in addi- tion to £500, theproceeds of sales at the ExperimentalFarm. This money was expended iu prizes awarded to com- petitors, to the amount of £6,190 12s. Gd., amongst the different associations, for the best animals of all kinds, implements, vegetable produce, ploughing matches, vine- yard and orchard produce, and trials of implements and machineiy. The number of exhibitors in these several classes amounted to 12,698, which proves, in so small a colony, how comparatively large a hold the principle of competition has taken upon the agricultural mind. We particidarly notice amongst the products wine, silk, and tobacco as occupying a considerable portion of the atten- tion of the Board. From the reports of the judges on these three products, it woidd appear that the climate of Victoria is well adapted to their cultivation, and that they are likely to prove an extensive and profitable branch of commerce. Some of the wines have already reached England, and the quality has proved good. The selection of grapes for cultivating this product is a very important point, and will, doubtless, be attended to by the Board. The same may be said of the silk, a superior class of siUi- worm not having yet been obtained ; but it having been proved that there are no climatic obstructions to sericul- ture, the recommendation of the Judges, that the Board should procm-e the best types of the worm, ^rill be attended to. We look upon this encoui'agement of a new branch of cidtivation as the embryo of a future silk-trade, especially when we recollect that in half-a-century, or thereabouts, the wool trade of that continent with the mother-country has risen from a few score pounds weight to the enormous amount of upwards 100 million pounds annually. We therefore look upon the growth of seri- culture in Victoria as certain, though it may be slow ; and the increasing demand for that product is an additional argu- ment for the cultivators to persevere. By far the largest portion of the report is taken up with results of analyses of the soils in different districts of the colony, in order if possible to discover the cause and efl'ect a cm-e of the rust in wheat, which appears of late years to have greatly prevailed iu the country. It reads by the results, that most of the soils on whicJi the rust and blight are found are deficient both in phos])hates and iu carbonate of lime and magnesia. Of the first, most of the soils contained only " traces" — some not even this. Thus, of twenty samples taken from several districts, the highest ratio of phosphates was .71 per cent., and the lowest nil; of lime .77, and 7nl ; of magnesia "traces," and nil. With such a deficiency of the most essential elements of a good wheat soil, it is not surprising that a failure should occur, but rather that wheat can be pro- duced at aU, which must be owing rather to the manure applied than to the strength and adaptation of the virgin soil. The supplementary report di'awn up by Dr. MacAdam, analytical chemist to the Government of Victoria, is an admirable and comprehensive piece of composition. Embracing as it does a variety of the most interesting practical subjects connected with agriculture, it may be read with profit by the best informed English farmer, to whose system and soil it is almost as well adapted as to that of Victoria. A statement of the results of experiments in wheat culture by Hermbstadt, with different manures, in regard to the production of yhden, which confirms a similar series of experiments made by Boussingault, we are induced to give for the benefit of our readers. The following is the series : Other Manures, Gluten. Starch, matters. Total. Produce. No manure 9.2 66.7 24.1 100.0 3-fold. Vegetable matter... 9.6 65.9 24.5 100.0 5 „ Cow dung 12.0 62.3 25.7 100.0 7„ Pigeons' do 13.2 63.3 24.6 100.0 9„ Horse do 13.7 61.6 24.7 100.0 10 „ Goat do 32.9 42.4 24.7 100.0 12 „ Sheep do 32.9 42.8 24.3 100.0 13 „ Dried uight-soU ...33.1 41.4 25.5 100.0 14 „ Dried ox-blood 34.3 41.3 24.5 100.0 14 „ Human urine 35.4 39.3 25.6 100.0 13 „ The intrinsic value of wheat to the consumer depends upon the amount of gluten it contains ; and the extra- p2 196 ,THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. ordinary difference between the first two and the last of these analyses, both in the gluten and the general produce, is very instructive. If the five last mauiu'es will increase both thegluteuand the general produceto so large an extent, common-sense would give the inference that they arc the most profitable, where they can be obtained. Premiums of from £10 to £40 are ottered by the Victoria Board of Agriculture for the best qualities of wheat, in parcels of 50 bushels ; with similar prizes for flour, and other cereal produce. Some of the Australian wheats exceed in weight those of all other countries. Seventy and even seventy- one pounds per bushel has been the weight of cer- tain sorts imported into England. At present the colony does not grow enough for its own cousumption ; but as the land gets under cultivation, it is expected that a considerable surplus will be raised ; in which case it will probably find its way here as ballast, if the price will allow of such a business being developed. The attention of the Board, and through it of the farmers, is turned to the importance of drainage and irrigation, both of which are strongly recommended. The want of it is probably the cause of the rust ; for it cer- tainly, with us, prevails chiefly in undrained lands. Dr. Mueller, the chairman of the committee, considers this to be the case, and that the spoi'cs from the rust-plant are conveyed from those lands to others that are drained, and that thus the disease is propagated far and wide. The fact is, want of draining causes weakness in the plant, and prepares it for disease, whether from parasitical plants or insects ; for the latter always attack the weakest or diseased plants. The utmost stress is laid by the reports upon a thorough knowledge of the com- position of the soil, in order to know what manm-e to apply and in what proportion. " Absolute ignorance with respect to the ingredients of his land, leads many an agriculturist among us to the choice of culture plants for which the soil of his farm may neither directly nor indirectly be fitted without the application of judiciously- chosen fertilizing substances. Not rarely we may find also farm-land over-run by weeds ; and thus by useless consumers the strength of a poor soil is still farther im- poverished, to the detriment of the growing crop. The means recommended as direct preventives of the rust are various. A BROKEN BARLEY SEPARATOR. TRIAL AT BURTON-ON-TRENT. There are two defects in the condition of malting- harley, as it is usually delivered for sale by the farmer, which occasion a considerable drawback upon the quality of the malt made from it, and the profits of the brewer. The first is the unequal vegetation of the grains when under the process of malting, by which a considerable pro- portion of the barley comes from the steep and the couch ■without being malted or sprouted at all, and is thus worse than useless in the making of beer ; but with this at present we have nothing to do. The second defect arises from the number of grains that are broken by the thrashing-machine — estimated at 10 per cent. — and which, when removed from the steep and placed on the couch, instantly begin to mould ; while, although the kiln stops the increase of the parasitical plant of the mould, it fails to remedy the evil by destroying the musty flavour, which is communicated to the beer. And the result is not con- fined to the broken grains ; for the plant of the mould, being exceedingly rapid in its growth, communicates itself to the sound grains with which the broken ones lie in contact ; and so, while the barley remains on the couch, the mischief makes considerable progress. It is estimated by maltsters that at least eight-tenths of the mould formed in malt is occasioned by the broken corn. It is therefore an object of considerable importance to the brewer, as Avell as the maltster, to separate the broken grains, and many plans have been proposed for the purpose, but with very partial success, owing to the diificulty in preventing the whole grains of barley from passing through the screen with the broken ; the latter being mostly the larger. A plan, however, has recently been projected which it is expected will remedy the defect, by removing, as com- pletely as possible, the broken grains, and thus confining the mould in the malt to the decayed abortive grains that may happen to be found in the bulk. We received an invitation from the inventors of this plan— Messrs. Gretton and Abbott— to inspect its work- ing, at the brewery of Messrs. Bass and Co., at Burton- on-Trent, to which establishment they are attached ; and iccovdiugly proceeded thither on Thursday, where we let the re})vesei,taUves u{ the following Wrm^ :'— Allsop and Co., Salt and Co., Worthington and Co., Thompson and Co., and Bass and Co., Burton -on-Trent ; Messrs. Gilstrap and Sons, Thorpe and Sons, "Wilson and Cafarn, and Warwick and Sons, Newark ; S. Hole, Caunton-on-Trent ; John Thorpe, Nottingham ; Messrs. Dawson and Gentle, Lincoln ; Messrs. J. and R. Marriott, Narborc^igh ; R. Vynne, Swaffham ; H. Edwards, Woodbridge ; R. Boby, Bury St. Edmunds ; Messrs. Everett and Co., Wells, Norfolk ; Messrs. W. and G. Wheeldon and Thos. Clarke, Derby ; and L. S. Cressev, engineer, Bm-ton-on- Trent. We found several of Bohy's well-known corn screens at work, to each of which was attached Messrs. Gretton and Abbott's invention, which consists simply of a zinc or iron plate perforated with holes, about one foot long, fixed at the upper end of the screen next the hopper. The tray or plate is furnished with transverse corruga- tions, in order to catch the broken grains against the edges of the holes, and thus facilitate their separation. The machine, and consequently the zinc plates, being con- structed on a very gradually inclined i)lane, the descent of the grain is promoted by a peristaltic motion imparted by the jumper, rather than by its own gravity, as in the old machines. This action, by jogging the grain over the perforated plates, allows very few (not more than one per cent.) to escape dropping through the holes, the grain being admitted slowly from the hopper, so as to prevent it. It is evident that the same orifice that allows a broken grain to pass will admit a whole one if it presents itself in an upright position ; and this is the case to a certain extent. But these can be, and are, easily separated by dressing over again ; and this, in fact, is the case ; for the sample of broken grain we brought home -with us con- tained at the rate of 75 whole to 400 broken grains ; and as the original sample contained only 10 per cent, of the broken, the 400 represents 4,000 grains, so that the 75 whole grains left in them amounted to not quite 3 per cent, of the original sample. Nor is this all ; for on comparing the 75 grains that had thus escaped through the plate, we found them only equal in weight to 45 good grains, the best of them being small nuJ most of theni THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. V.)7 light aud worse than useless to tlie maltster. On the whole, therefore, we are inclined to think that the inven- tors have snccceded in the object they proposed, an opinion also expressed by most, if not all, the representa- tives of the firms we met at Bnrton. The reader will be apt to agree with this when we state that on a close I examination of the screened barley ready for malting wc fonnd not more than one per cent, of broken grain had escaped the plate. The power reqnired to woi'k the machine is not more than equal to 8 lbs. ; and by widen- ing the machine, as much as 100 qrs. of barley per day may be dressed through it. THE BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. A monthly meeting of the Council of the Bath aud West of England Society was held at Douch's Railway Hotel, Tauuton, on Tuesday, Jan. 30, under the presidency of the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Portsmouth. There were also present the Marquis of Bath ; Sir J. T. B. Duckworth, bart., Sir E. Ilulse, bart., Sir J. Keunaway, bart. ; Mr. Acland, M.P., Mr. Walrond, M.P. ; Colonels Arclier, Luttrell, aud ManscU ; Drs. Brent and Gillett; Rev. T. Phillpotts ; Messrs. R. D. Adair, H. G. Andrews, R. G Badcock, W. A. Bruce, C. and R. H. Bush, J. H. Cotterell, T. Dauger, J. T. Davy, E. S. Drewe, R. Dymond, M. Earrant, H. Fookes, J. fry, C. Gordon, John and Jonathan Gray, J. D. Hancock, H. P. Jones, J. W. King, J. E. Knollys, J. Lush, Henry St. Jolm Maule, R. May, H. G. Moysey, S. Pitman, G. S. Poole, W. Porter, J. Rawlence, J. W. Sillifant, H. Spackman (official superintendent), W. Thompson, E. U. Vidal, W. Wippell, and J. Goodwin (secre- tary and editor), &c., &c. Salisbuey Meeting. — A deputation from Salisbury, con- sisting of the Mayor, Mr. Alderman Kelsey, Mr. Alderman Woodlands, Mr. Councillor Style, and Mr. C. M. Lee, Town Clerk, introduced by Sir E. HuJse (one of the vice-presidents of the society), urged upon the Council the desirability of holding a meeting at SaUsbury in 1866, comprising aU depart- ments of the Society's ordinary exhibitions excepting live stock, to be followed in 1867 by a second aud more complete meeting, including live stock if not then prohibited. After long and anxious deliberation, in the course of which it was provisionally resolved that, subject to the concurrence of the authorities and the Local Committee of Salisbury, the exhibi- tion in June nest shall comprise horses, poultry, agricidtural implements, works of fine and decorative art, aud horticultural specimens, the Stock Prize List prepared for 1866 was ordered not to be issued ; but the Stock Prize Sheet Com- mittee were instructed to draw up a new list of prizes for horses, the sum distributed not to exceed £500. The Poultry Stewards were also authorised to offer additional prizes not to exceed £50 in the aggregate. The following letter has since been addressed by the secretary to the Town Clerk of Salisbury : — " Bath, 31st January, 1866. " Sir, — I am directed to inform yon that the Council of this Society, at their meeting held yesterday, the 30th inst., nega- tived a proposal to postpone the Salisbury meeting from 1866 to 1867, and that they are precluded by their fundamental rules from pledging themselves, without the consent of an annual meeting, to hold a second meeting at the same place in 1867. " They are therefore unwilling to complete their arrange- ments for 1866 until they learn that it will be satisfactory to the authorities and citizens of SaUsbury to hold such meeting as may be practicable under the circumstances, leaving the course to be taken in 1867 to be decided at or after the annual meeting in June next. " I have to request that you will be pleased to lay this com- munication before the Salisbury Local Committee, and to for- ward to me, on or before the 9th proximo, any representation which they may wish to make to the Council of the Society, in order that it may be considered at an adjourned meeting thereof, to be held on Tuesday, the 13tli proximo. " I have the honour to be, sir. Your very obedient servant, JosiAH Goodwin, Secretary. " C. M. Lee, Esq., Town Clerk of the City of New Sarnm, Hon. Secretary to the Local Committee for receiving the Bath and West of England Society." The Society's Meeting in Cornwall. — The considera- tion of the report of the deputation appointed to visit Eal- moutli and Penzance, and report on the most eligible place for holding the Society's meeting next after SaUsbury, was deferred until the next meeting of Couucil. The Cattle Plague. — The attention of the Council had been previously called to this subject in a letter addressed hj Mr. Acland, M.P., to the secretary in the following terms : — " Spryndoncote, Exeter, Jan. 21", 1866. " Dear Sir, — The letter of Sir John Lotlibridge, whicli is to be laid before the Couucil of the Bath and West of England Society at its next meeting, on the 30th inst., in calling atten- tion to the position in which landowners and occupiers of farms in breeding districts will be placed by the prolonged continuance of restrictions on the movement of cattle from districts wliere tlie cattle plague does not exist, opens a wide question, which deserves, aud wiU doubtless receive, tlie serious attention of the Council. It is a question to which I Imd, in conjunction with other members of the Council, given most anxious consideration before I received that letter. " 1 wish, if I am not too late, to give notice of my intention to move, after the reading of the letter of Sir John Letlibridge, that the Council do at once consider the expediency of address- ing a memorial to the several local authorities of the counties and boroughs in the AVest of England, respectfully requesting them to enter into negotiations with a view to the coD^.erted adoption of some system of licence for the removal of cattle from and through healthy districts, coupled with provisions for the prompt isolation of every farm or district in which tlie cattle plague shaU exist or has broken out. " The Council have much reason to look back witli satisfac- tion on the result of their appeal to Lords Lieutenant of Coun- ties and Magistrates of Petty Sessional Divisions early in December, and there is little reason to doubt that any recom- mendation which the Council may think fit to tender on the present occasion will be received with all due consideration. " I have carefully compared the orders which are now in force, and which, unless they are revoked, wiU continue in force till the 1st of March, in the Western Counties, aud I shall l)c prepared to lay the result of the comparison before the Council. I tliiuk it will be at once admitted tliat, although uniformity has not been yet attained, much good has resulted from the at- tempt of the authorities in each county to deal with the facts witliin tlieir respective spheres. It is vain to expect that the provisional action under "Orders in Council" can, within three weeks of the commencement of business in ParUament, he wholly superseded by a matured Act of the Legislature. We must therefore proceed on the assumption that our local responsibilities will not terminate on the 1st of March. " I wish, therefore, to call attention in time to the evil which may be caused by the continuance of arbitrary rules prohibiting all movement of cattle across the boundaries of parishes, or of magisterial divisions. Such rides may have been necessary for a time, but they cannot have sufKeient elasticity to meet the varying circumstances of particular dis- tricts ; nor do they do all that is needed in the way of strin- gent isolation. The consequence of this arrangement, as it exists in some quarters, appears to be that some of tliose who should have the strongest interest in supporting measures of precaution are provoked to evade them by every means in their power. The evasion is justified on the ground that the rules laid down operate unequally, and do not appear to be effectual. " The remedy for this state of things would seem to be, that the interests of the farmers, whether breeders, graziers, or dairymen, should, under the general sanction of the magis- tracy, and with the aid of the police, be committed to leading practical men selected by the farmers, for the responsible duty 198 THE FAIIMER*S l^IAGAZINE. of decidiug on the fituess of animals for removal in conformity with the conditions laid down by authority. " This course has been recommended, after careful enquiry and consideration, by the Cattle Plague Committee appointed by the Court of Quarter Sessions in Devonshire, and iias been acted upon in some of the midland counties. I hope to he in a position to lay the details before the Council at its next meeting. " I am also disposed to ask the Council to entertain the pro- posal that it should make a second appeal to the Government, with a view to obtain a general prohibition forbidding the removal of cattle, alive, from any common market or place of sale in which they have been exposed. " The expediency of closing markets in great towns, now legally open for fat cattle, is a subject on which there is much difference of opinion. The practicability of supplying meat to these towns exclusively in the form of carcases is open to question, both as regards mechanical appliances and the risk of loss to the producer and the consumer. But I think we may aU agree in asking the Government to aid our local efforts by preventing any risk of reflex injury to our agriculture which may result from the return into the country of cattle which have been exposed in open markets during the prevalence of the disease in any part of Great Britain. " Perhaps the most convenient course for us to take will bo to move for the appointment of a cattle plague committee, with instructions that it do draw up and send the two memo- rials which I have suggested ; and I think that it would be desirable to instruct such committee further to take into con- sideration the question whether the Council can aid in the conduct of any experiments as to the efficacy of vaccination in arresting the cattle plague. " I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, " T. D. AcLANi), Jun. " Joslah Goodwin, Esq., Secretary of the Bath and West of England Society." A long discussion ensued, in which the JMarquis of Batli, Mr. Acland, M.P., Mr. Walrond, M.P., Colonel Luttrell, Mr. G. S. Poole, Mr. Pitman, Mr. H. G. Andrews, and others took part, and it was ultimately resolved — " That a memorial be presented to the several local autliori- ties of counties and boroughs in the West of England, respect- fully requesting them to enter into negotiations with a view to the adoption of some concerted system for the removal of cattle from and through healthy districts." "That a second memorial be addressed to Government, praying that some general regulations may be made for per- mitting cattle sold for slaughter in parishes free from cattle plague to be taken to the nearest town, railway station, or slaughter house." Tlie following resolutions were moved by Mr. H. G. Andrewes, seconded by Mr. Moysey, but negatived : the num- bers being 6 against and 5 for : — " That the Council do present a memorial to the several local authorities of counties and boroughs in the West of Eng- land, suggesting the general adoption of the advice given to Her Majesty by the majority of the Cattle PlsK^ue Commission, and after the 1st of March of some unifonn relaxation for a given time of the restrictions on the movement of store cattle. " That a memorial or petition, signed by the president on behalf of the council, be presented to the House of Lords and to the House of Commons, praying the enactment of a legis- lative measure to prevent cattle sent to towns and foreign cattle entering our ports from leaving these places alive ; for authorizing the payment of tliree-fourths of involuntary losses by cattle plague liy a county rate, one half to be paid by owners, and the other half by occupiers, and applied only to losses within the county (under uniform regulations) by county boards ; and for payment, from the consolidated fund, of all expenses incurred in the national object of destroying infection by compulsory slaughter of infected animals, or in the administration of any measures enforced by law or by Orders in Council. " That the president, the Marquis of Bath, the Earl of Devon, Lord Portman, and other peers and members of the House of Commons connected with this Society be solicited to present and support the petitions, and that in the opinion of this Council a meeting of noblemen and gentlemen sliould be convened in London to consider and agree on some measure to be proposed in Parliament should the propositions of Her Majesty's ministers be inadequate or unsatisfactory. " That the Secretary prepare and send printed copies of these resolutions, and of the memorials or petitions, to the lords and gentlemen indicated, to members of Council, and to members of the Society." New Members. — Mr. T. Harton, Harnage Grange, Salop ; Mr. R. E. Duckering, NortJiorpe, Kirton Lindsey ; Messrs. J. Wilton and Sons, Salisbury ; Mr. T. P. Broadmead, North Petherton ; Mr. E,. Gordon, West Knoyle, Wilts ; Mr. J. Sehvood, West Knoyle, Wilts. Members Increasing their Subscriptions.— Messrs. J. and J. Keene, Bath Journal Office, Bath. The Council, at its rising, adjourned to Tuesday, the 13th of Eebruary, when it will be finally decided what wiU. be the character and extent of the Salisbury meeting in June, 1866, providing the authorities of Salisbury are content, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, to comply with the resolu- tions and requirements of the Council. UOYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND. COUNCIL IVIEETING. Sir George Hodson, Bart., presided. Memhers of Council present : Lord De Vesci, Earl of Erne, Lord James Butler, Sir Percy Nugent, Bart., Robert C. Wade, Hon. George Gough, Major Borrowes, M. O'Reilly Dease, Wm. Petherston H., Joseph Kincaid, John Bolton Massy, P. M'Evoy Gartlan, Phineas lliall, Hon. C. J. Trench, Col. Knox Gore, Wm. Don- nelly, C.B., Hans H. Woods, Charles C. Vesey, Robert Powler, H. J. MacFarlane. The following members of the Society also attended : Sir Thomas Butler, Marcus Goodbody, G. W. Slator, J. B. Bankhead, Francis Colgan, Edward Purdon, T.C., H. 0. Sanders, J. B. Kennedy, Robt. Irwin, .ind Michael M'Cormick. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and con- firmed, ,^^ord James Butler proposed the following resolution: That the suggestion of Colonel Knox Gore relative to ^^f^ig't optional for the winner of the gold modal ottered as the drainage prize to take that medal, or, instead thereof, a bronze medal, together witli tlie sum of £10, be extended to aU winners of the Royal Agricultural Society's gold medals." Tlie motion, having been seconded by JMr. Wm. Fether- STON H., was carried unanimously. Colonel Knox Gore moved the following resolution : "That the Government be urged to adopt more stringent measures to prevent the introduction of the cattle plague into this country." He said that, o\ving to the insular position of this country, it had up to the present been saved from the affliction of the cattle plague ; but as that disease might at any moment reach her shores, he thought the Government sliould be called on to adopt the most stringent measures to prevent such a calamity. Prevention was betterthancure ; andheinight also say it was cheaper than cure. It was totally impossible that this terrible distemper could reach these shores from the importa- tion of cattle, because importation had been prohibited ; there- fore it followed that its introduction here could only take place by means of the drovers who passed from this country to England, and, after going through districts, retm-ned, having infection in their clothes. The Government should at once take measures to prevent tlie disease being introduced in this way into Ireland. The steam-packet companies and the drovers were anxious that something should be done. He wished to suggest that some arrangement might be entered THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 199 iuto, to prevent tlic disease beiug ao intioduceJ lioi-e. He Ije- lieved Government was very unwilling to interfere with the liberty of the subject ; but if tliey looked back to what was done in the Roman iicnodthey would find that wlicu a foe was approaching their country the people invested their rulers with despotic power. This was a case in which despotic power sliould be exercised. The drovers should be compelled to change their clothes. The people of this country would never forgive themselves if, by neglecting proper measures, it should unfortunately happen that this dreadful disease should come amongst them, lie thonglit that inspectors should be ap- pointed and stationed at tlie dilfercnt seaports for the purpose of compelling persons who had gone in charge of cattle to England to change their clothes and to obtain a certificate of health before they returned here. The Government would not, he believed, act without being supported by public opinion, and he thought that Government should have it demonstrated that the people of this country were most desirous that stringent measures should immciUately be adopted to prevent the cattle plague reaching this country. He would suggest that a com- mittee shoiJd be appointed to consider the best mode by which this measure should be carried out. The Earl of Erxe seconded the motion. His lordship said it was of the utmost importance that measures of a strong cha- racter should lie immediately adopted to prevent the introduc- tion of this fearful distemper into this country. A friend of liis in England had written to him, stating that it was com- mitting the most frightful ravages there. They should not leave one single stone unturned to keep it out of this country. Thank God that up to the present it had not visited these shores. He believed that tliis Society should take a promi- nent part in the matter. He did not know whether they should WTite to the several unions throughout the country ; but, at all events, they should c;ill on the various farming societies to adopt resolutions to memorial for the adoption of such mea- sures as would effectually prevent the introduction of the dis- ease iuto this eountrj'. If the hands of the Government were strengthened in this way, the more surely would the Go- vernment act, and, if necessary, bring the matter before the at- tention of Parliament. The danger stared them in the face. It was so near this country as Cheshire. One landlord in- formed him that his tenants had aU become bankrupts, and that so much did he himself suffer that he was obliged to give up his carriage, and residence in^London. If this disease once came into Ireland, it would sweep through the whole country, because in every district there were small farms with fences only between them, so that it would run from farm to farm without the slightest obstacle. Nothing shoidd be left undone to prevent such a dreadful calamity coming to this country, Mr. Phineas Riail said that it had been suggested that the cattle should be simply consigned, and that drovers should not be allowed to accompany them. He did not see what power there was to prevent drovers accompanying cattle. Mr. M'EvoY GartljlX said there was danger to be appre- hended from the various ports of Ireland, especially those of DubUn, Drogheda, Dnndalk, Belfast, Cork, Derry, and Sligo ; and the practical suggestion he would make was, that the Go- vernment should be called on to place inspectors at each of the ports, giving them positive instructions to act in a dicta- torial way for the prevention of the introduction of disease into this country. If, unfortunately, that disease should reach them, it would affect every class of agriculturists — the large landed proprietors and the tenant-farmers. Rich and poor would be brought to the one level of poverty. The steam- packet companies were anxious that something shotild be done immediately ; but they looked to that Society to move in the matter. Mr. CoLTiirRsx Veset said he thought it would be better for the meeting to pass a resolution at once, and send it to the Government, asking to have an inspector appointed at the various ports. Sir Pekcy Nugent said the great object which the meet- ing had in view was to strengthen the hands of Govermnent. The Government were quite wilhng to act ; but he thought they had acted injudiciously in the first instance in not con- sulting that Society and the Royal Dublin Society as to the best mode of carrying out the object in view. He considered they should make a vigorous demand on Government to give them such powers as the urgency of the case required. Mr. O'Reillt Dease said they shonld move a resolution for the .appointment of inspectors, and make an urgent appeal to the executive to be invested with the necessary powers. The Hon. Captain GoUGii concurred. The Chairman said it would be very easy to embody that in Col. Knox Gore's resolution. He had received the following important letter from Lord Talbot, which he would read : " 73, Boulevard de Waterloo, Brussels, " 20tli Januar)', 1866. "My deak Sir George, — I liave been spending some time here, and thought I could not be better employed than in making some inquiries about the cattle disease. Belgium has hitherto escaped it almost altogether. There have been, it is true, some cases at Alost and Ostend ; but, by vigorous and prompt measures, it has been stamped out for the present. In Holland, however, it is far otherwise. They have lost im- mensely, but nothing compared with the losses in England. Tiie proportion of recoveries has, however, been much greater than with us. The most successful treatment has been that of Jlessrs. Sentin and Gondy, two Belgian gentlemen who were sent over by the Dutch Minister. Lord Sidraouth and myself had some interviews with them ; and they described their treatment as successful in almost every case where they were able to attack the disease in time. The Dutch Govern- ment also, I understand, were quite satisfied, and wished to introduce their system generally into the country ; but there was so much passive opposition on the part of the ve- terinary surgeons, that they were obliged to give ixp the- idea. Sentin is a homceopathist ; but he teUs me that he did not confine liLmself to homKopathic medicines, or homceopathic treatment. Where he thought it advisable, he he resorted to allopathic treatment. Lord Howard de Walden has taken the matter up, and has urged the Privy Council to guarantee their expenses if they go to England, which they have consented to do. The matter now rests with the agri- cultural body. If the disease existed in Ireland, I should strongly advise the trial of that system. However, as we are at present exempt, it would be premature. I see that the re- sults of vaccination as a preventive have been so successful in Cheshire that I should be very anxious if we could induce the farming interests in Ireland to get their cattle vaccinated with- out delay. It could do no harm ; it would not entail much expense, and would be one of the most valuable modes of insur- ance they could adopt. Perhaps you would kindly bring the matter before the Agricultural Association. Care should be taken that a respectable vet. should be employed in the matter, so that it may be done effectually. I should be quite ready to guarantee the expense of carrying out this experiment on my own estates, and I should think that most landed proprietors would do the same. — Believe me, dear Sir George, yours very truly, " Talbot de Maxahide " P.S. — I am going to England next week, and shall be at Windsor on the 30th inst." Lord James Butler considered a very important sugges- tion was contained in that letter. It was important to bring before the farming classes of the country the great advantages of vaccination. Sir Percy Nugent said the process of vaccination was only on its trial, and they had no evidence up to the present whether ic would prove efi'ective. Major BuRROWES considered it was most important to take some decided and immediate measures. If the cattle plague came to this country, it would be almost a more serious visita- tion of Providence than that which He was pleased to visit this country with in 18-t8, namely, the famine. It was then the poorer classes were affected ; they would be stiU more afflicted by the cattle plague, for it would deprive the richer classes of the means of affording them relief. At an agricultural meeting in Kildare, last week, some valuable hints were thrown out by Mr. Walter Bulwer, of Athy, respecting the prevention of the disease by disinfecting the clothes of cattle drovers. He be- lieved those men could be easily induced to submit to the pro- cess for disinfection. He beUeved there were only 120 of the principal drovers, and he would suggest they shoiild be taken into the pay of the steam-packet companies, and when going over with cattle not to allow them to leave the ship. He con- sidered it wotild not be sufficient to have inspectors appointed at the Irish ports. He wotdd go further, and say there should be inspectors at every port in England where Irish cattle were sent to. It was important that some very stringent jneastues 2U() THE FARMBR'8 MAGAZINE. sliould he adopted. He iound ljy ii report that wiieu the rm- derpest last visited England 200,000 cattle were destroyed. The present malady had prevailed in England for about nine or ten months, and its ravages, in comparison, were greaterthan whenitfirst prevailed. Tlieonly thing they could hope forwasthat it might please Providence to spare this country. lie believed lie was correct in stating that when it last appeared in England it did not visit this country. If proper measures were taken to prevent it, he trusted in Providence it would not come ; for it would entail ruin on many. The importance of active mea- sures was illustrated by the fact that at a recent fair at Naas two drovers, who had only returned from Norwich, where the disease prevailed, were going at)out the cattle, wearing the same clothes they had worn in England, and which might have carried the infection. lie considered they should bring before the executive a resolution of the most forcible character pos- sible. In the county of Kildare they had sent a veterinary surgeon over to England for the purpose of studying the dis- ease. Sir Percy Nugent said there was no gentleman present could give more important information on the subject than Mr. Edward Purdon, to whom the country owed so much for the exertions he had made in connection with the cattle plague committee. Mr. O'Reilly Dease said there were several gentlemen present well acquainted with the subject. The Chairman said there was a standing rule against gen- tlemen speaking who were not members. Mr. M'Farlane, J. P., said the public every day were be- coming more alive to the importance of stringent measures being adopted. Mr. Gladstone had written some days ago, stating there was the utmost necessity for the adoption of stringent measures for the prevention of the disease. Lord De Vesci considered if the disinfecting process were properly earned into effect, nothing could be better. It would be easy to carry it into effect in the case of large exporters who had their own drovers, and could control them ; but there were a large number of drovers whom it might be found very difficult to manage. Major Borrowes was incorrect in sup- posing that there were only 120 drovers principally employed in bringing cattle to England. Major Borrowes said he merely referred to tlie drovers who were in the employment of large exporters. Lord De Vesci said that was quite true ; but it was froni the drovers who were not in the employment of large exporters that they had to apprehend the danger. There were tenants of his own whose principal business was sending cattle to Norfolk and Yorkshire. If necessary, they should adopt mea- sures to prevent the exportation of any cattle at all from Ire- land. If the disease once showed itself in the country an order to that effect should be made. At the present moment a com- pany was about being formed in Waterford for the exportation of dead meat to England. The same might profitably be done in Dublin. In different parts of England and Scotland at the present time stringent measures were taken to stop fairs and markets, and cattle were not even allowed to travel on the public roads. Should they not, therefore, in Ireland make any sacrifice rather than run the slightest risk of having the rin- derpest come amongst them ? Stringent measures were, doubtless, necessary for the purpose. He feared the sugges- tion for disinfection would not be successful in all cases, having regard to the multitude of small drovers who were constantly going to England. Mr. WiLLiAji Donnelly, Registrar-General, regi-etted ex- ceedingly they had not the pleasure of hearing Jlr. Edward Purdon, who had laboured so incessantly in connection with the cattle plague committee. He, above all others, could afford the meeting some valuable information. He was aware that throughout the country there was but one feeling of unanimity as to the necessity of active measures being adopted to ])revent the frightful calamity visiting this country. At the meeting of drovers and sales-masters which was held, one gentleman suggestel tliat the corporation should be called on to prohibit the sale of lean stock in the Dublin market, inasmuch as it was stated that class of cattle was most likely to carry the disease over the country. With regard to lat cattle there was not so much danger, for they were readily disposed of in the market. Lean stock olten returned unsold, and there was danger of their carrying the disease. He again expressed his regret that Mr. E. Purdon could not be heard. lie could nut avoid thinking the society owed a deep debt of gratitude to him and the members of the Cattle Plague Committee. At a recent meeting a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Pur- don for the zeal and ability with which he acted as honorary secretary to the Cattle Plague Committee. Government, he believed, were most anxious to aid the committee in every possible way. He found from a return which he held in his hand that tliere were no less than 26 ports in Ireland from which cattle could be exported. It was true cattle were not exported from all these ports ; but, unless precautions were adopted, individuals might arrive from England, carrying with them the infection in their clothes. The Society should ask tjie aid of every gentleman living in the neighbourhood of those seaports to assist in carrying out the object in view. The police alone would not be sufficient to carry out a system of precaution, but they should have a regular cordon at each seaport for the purpose of carrying out the regulations agreed on (Hear, hear). Tlie Chairjian said, while the subject was under discus- sion, he wished to read an important letter wjiich he had re- ceived from Lord Longford : " To THE Secretary, Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland. " Sir, — I venture to submit that it may be in the power of the Royal Agricultural Society to lessen in some measure the injury and loss that may be anticipated from a visitation of cattle plague by making such preliminary inquiries and arrangeu'ents as will enable them to issue, in case of necessity, advice and instruction for the disposal of ' dead meat.' On the appearance of cattle plague it can scarcely be doubted that tliere wiU be a general disposition to get rid of cattle at any price, hut a better price may, perhaps, be obtained by organis- ing a ' dead meat' trade. If country butchers and country farmers can understand from good authority that meat can be conveyed — say, from Athlone to Dublin, at an expense of — . per cwt., and that — , salesmaster, will receive it, and sell whatever is saleable, in such case the farmer might ask, and the butcher might give, more than the ordinary jobber, who, of course, with heavy risk, and the Enghsh market for live stock closed against him, will offer very little. The system, being quite new, will require some explanation to those most interested ; but it is believed that, by communication with rail- way companies and salesmasters, and by enlisting the jobbers (whose live stock trade will cease) to tout for the country butchers, within isolated districts or otherwise, farmers may be saved from some portion of the sacrifice that wiU otherwise fall upon them. " I am, sir, your obedient servant, " LONGEORD. "5, Leinster-street, Dublin, 24th Jan., 1866." Lord De Vesci mentioned that in Scotland the magistrate* were applied to, to prevent the holding of the Ealkirk Tryst. They felt a difficulty in doing so, and the consequence was that cattle wliicli had been driven from the tryst spread the infec- tion on several estates, and cattle to a considerable amount were destroyed. It was found that the cattle sold at the tryst were Irish cattle which had become infected at the ports of Glasgow and Liverpool ; therefore it was, having regard to the fact of the disease being so close to them, that he threw out the suggestion whether it would not be better at pre- sent to stop the exportation of cattle, and in lieu send over dead meat. Colonel Knox Gore said he had altered the resolution so as to make it somewhat more comprehensive, and he would, therefore, propose the resolution as foUows : "Resolved — That a committee of the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland deem it to be their imperative duty to come forward to aid and strengthen the Government in the adoption of such stringent measures as may prevent the possibility of the fatal and ruinous cattle plague visiting this country ; and, as one of the measures that appear absolutely required to take effect as soon as possible, we propose that government in- spectors be appointed at each of the ports in Great Britain and Ireland in the habit of importing and exporting cattle, who will be authorised either to prevent drovers being allowed to go over from Ireland with cattle, or not permitting them to enter the port of import, or permitting no person who had THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 201 Ijpini 111 L-liiiiyi' 1)1' iMttlc ill Gi'Oiil Britiiiii to outer :iu Ii'isli port until disinfected, and cnrtiticatc of sucli handed to him. We also beg to direct attention to the resolutions unanimously passed at the meeting; of salesmasters, cattle-drovers, and cattle exporters lately hold in Dublin." Lord James Butler seconded the resolution. The Chairman said lie saw uo objection to asking Blr. Purdon to state the result of his conversation with the Chief Secretary on the subject of disinfection. Mr. PuRDOX stated that a deputation representing the steam-packet companies and other interests had waited on the Chief Secretary, and pressed for an order to jirevent drovers returning from England and from landing witliout undergoing tlie process of disinfection. The Chief Secretary was of opin- ion Government could not so far interfere ^^^th the privileges of the subject. Government could not interfere with drovers going with their own cattle ; but were most anxious to act in every way to prevent the extension of tlie disease to this coun- try. He (Mr. Purdon) looked on the meeting of cattle ex- porters and drovers as a very important one. Resolutions were unanimously adopted to provide change of clothing for the drovers at the ditferent depots, and a subscription was about being opened for the purpose. The large exporters promised that they would liold themselves responsible for their drovers, who would act according to the resolutions passed at the meet- ing. If they could not be coaxed into it, they could not be coerced. There was no diiheulty, so far as the large exporters were concerned ; but the difliculty was to reach the small ex- porters (Hear, liear). With respect to the steam-packet com- panies, the committee were in correspondence with all these bodies. The secretary of the Steam-packet Association, and the representatives of the several steam-packet companies, met Mr. Fortescue, when the matter was fuUy discussed (Hear, hear). Mr. W. Peatherstonhaugh considered that the proposal of Lord de Vesci was the only certain method of keeping the cattle plague out of the country, and that was, to stop the exportation of live beasts. It might be difficult in some cases to get the drovers to submit to the process of disin- fection. Mr. John Bolton Massy said he was also of opinion that Lord de Vesci's proposition was the best and cheapest. Mr. Robert Fowler proposed the following as an amend- ment to the original resolution : " Resolved — That the committee consider that the most stringent measures are recjuisite to prevent the introduction from England of the cattle plague into this country, and we beg earnestly to impress upon Government the necessity of forbidding entirely the export of live cattle from Ireland to Great Britain, and the importance of encouraging in every way the exportation of dead meat." Lord James Butler seconded the amendment. Colonel Knox Gore said he thought liis resolution was sufficiently comprehensive for the present. Sir Percy Nugent considered that Colonel Knox Gore's resolution contained everything necessary. Mr. John Bolton Massey expressed himself in favour of Mr. Fowler's amendiiient. Mr. H. J. MacFarlane, J. P., considered it would be pre- mature to stop the exportation of live cattle at the present time, when all they required could be done by the process of disinfection. Lord James Butler said their simple object was to adopt some measure that would, as far as human possibility went, prevent the introduction of the plague. It was proposed that inspectors should be placed at the 26 dilferent ports. That was not sufficient. They should demand a pledge from every dealer as to whether he had been near cattle in England. The Government could not interfere so far with the liberty of the subject, as to interfere with individuals coming and going ; therefore it was that he was in favour of Mr. Fowler's pro- position. Mr. R. C. Wade considered both resolutions contained ex- cellent propositions. He thought it was better they should be passed as substantive resolutions. Col. K. Gore said he was not the least afraid that Govern- ment would do all that was required, having regard to the fact that England sent twenty millions of money in the famine year for the relief of Ireland. He did not consider it would interfere with the liberty of the subject to adopt measures which would have the. cUbct of prcventiug a great calamity befalling the country. Mr. Kincau) a])proved of the resolution of Colonel Gore, but suggested the striking out of the M'ords referring to the meeting of cattle-dealers. Colonel Knox Gore said lie had no objection to do so. The resolution was then put, and adopted unanimously. Jlr. MacFaiilane, J.P., considered that a resolution ought to be proposed to the effoet that it was important to at once make necessary preparations for supplying the English markets with dead meat. After some discussion, Mr. Fowler's amendment was put as a substantive resolution, and unanimously adopted. Mr. O'Reilly Dease moved the adoption of a resolution to the effect that a deputation from the council should wait on the Lord Lieutenant at an early day, and impress on him the necessity of Government taking immediate action on those resolutions. Lord De Vesci seconded Mr. JlacFarlane's proposition, wliicli was also adopted. The Earl of Erne said he was aware that several of the butchers in England would rather have the dead meat sent to them from Ireland, because cattle were so much heated after travelling, so that they were not fit for use. Mr. MacFarlane said that if all the cattle wliicli were annually exported were killed in this country, it would have the effect of increasing the hide trade very much in Ireland. PROPOSED i:>SURANCE OF CATTLE. Mr. J. Kincaid said the matter he wished to bring under the notice of the council was the necessity and importance of forming an association for the insurance of cattle and other live stock, especially with reference to the anticipated visita- tion of the rinderpest. The object of such an as.sociation wonld be to make provision against individual losses that might arise. It was, practically, six months since the disease made its first inroads among the farming classes by the sacri- fice of the stock on the other side of the Channel. He was conscious of the responsibility which rested on liira in bringing this project before the council ; and he admitted that the sub- ject was involved in some embarrassment and difficulty. How- ever, having devoted a great deal of time to the matter, he believed that the association he projected was perfectly feasible, and that its foundation was not merely a matter of expediency, but one of absolute necessity. In all the measures that had been taken as a protection against the cattle disease he fully concurred, and lie sincerely hoped that they would be suc- cessful. But, could they insure Ireland from the inroads of the rinderpest ? In England, as tliey were aware, the spread of the cattle disease had caused the greatest anxiety and alarm. Within six months, the disease had spread through every part of England — from north to south, from east to west : it had passed from the dairy-yards of London to the borders of the Irish Channel, from which it now stared Ireland in the face awaiting, as it were, the invitation to come over. He had collected some facts which showed the frightful ravages of the cattle disease in England, and the loss it inflicted upon the owners and the country generally. He mixed a great deal with the farming population in Ireland, and was astonished to find the indifference and apathy which prevailed with respect to any anticipation of the disease being extended to this coun- try. It was, therefore, essential that the matter should be plainly placed before them, and the dangers pointed out which would arise from so terrible a visitation. They should be made to remember that in the short space of six months it had extended itself to almost every farm in England. So great was the dread of the disease in Cheshire, that public meetings were held ; and it was expected that from those meetings application would be made to Government even to proclaim a day for fast, humiliation, and prayer. In view of the present crisis, he had taken a few notes with respect to the progress of the disease. He would refer back for two mouths only ; and he could state tliat then there were 3,600 animals per week attacked with the disease. One month ago, that number increased to 6,250 per week. The week ending 20th December, the number of new cases was 7,700. On the Gth of January last, the niunbers attacked were 9,120. The last return he had was the 13th of January ; and the number of new cases in that week was 9,270, showing that the malady was still ou the increase, He did not think he could be 202 TPIE FAEMEPvS MAGAZINE. accused of exaggeratiou when he put dowu the number of new cases iu England at 1,500 jjer day. The approximate value of each of those animals was £10 per head. The actual sacrifice was ahout 75 per cent, of the number attacked. When the plague first visited the dairy-yards iu London, more than four-fifths of the cattle were attacked, and only nine-and- a-half per cent, ever recovered. Should the disease, un- fortunately, visit Dublin, the havoc among the dairy-yards would, he feared, be as great. Assuming the loss iu England was 75 per cent, on the number attacked, and the average value of each beast was £10, it was a loss of £12,000 per day, or about £350,000 per month. For the next two months, without going farther, should the plague unhappily continue, they would have to anticipate a loss in the same ratio to the amount of £700,000 more. That was a lamentable state of things, and if it continued it would make a fearful inroad on the capital of England, rich as it was. The wealthy lauded proprietors, as well as the hitherto-comfortable tenant-farmers, would sustain a loss which not only they, but the country, would feel for many years to come. Was it not therefore im- portant to make some provision in the way of insurance to indemnify owners of stock iu this country, should the plague unhappily visit it? The amount of stock in England was stated to be about 7,000,000 ; the number in Ireland, accord- ing to a return which he held in his hand, was 3,500,000. Therefore, if they were losing at the rate of £10,000 or £13,000 a day in England, was it unreasonable to assume, should the visitation come upon us, that we would lose £5,000 or £6,000 per day in Ireland ? It was really fearful to think what the total result of this daily loss would be, and still more fearful to contemplate the disastrous consequences it must en- tail on the agriculturists in Ireland. He hoped every man who would read that statement would feel that some measure in the way of insurance should be adopted. He was no alarmist, but he felt the necessity that some provision should be made for restoring lost cattle to them. If the plague came to Ireland, and lasted even only a few months, incurring a loss of capital at the rate of £5,000 per day, it would be more than the country vvould be able to Ijcar. How could we tell the duration of this grievous murrain if it once comes into tlie country ? In 1745 it lasted for a period of twelve years. Several measures had been suggested to meet the difficulty. In several counties in England local insurauce associations were formed to provide means of restoring lost capital. Every one of those local assurance associations had been obliged to give up business. Any attempt at local association would necessarily fail, from the smallness of the area. The success of an assurance association must greatly depend on the area being large, and the number of cattle insured very great. The question is, can we not do something for ourselves ? He lield it to be important to encourage self-reliance, and this would be nearly wholly destroyed if each man's losses were to be borne either by the poor-rate or by Government. His idea was that a patriotic, a benevolent, but still a business, associa- tion should be got up by the members of the Agricultural Society, presided over by nicu of influence, of weight, and of business habits — men who wiU get fanners to insure their cattle, and to insure them under such conditions as would create public confidence in the project. He admitted there were difficulties in the way — very great difiiculties; but he thought they could be overcome. He could not approve of any mutual assurance company that had not either a subscribed capital or a guarantee fund. He suggested that such an as- sociation should be formed, either in anticipation of the rinder- pest or without it. If they adopted his suggestion they should come forward liberally as guarantors for the purpose of creating a fnnd which the company could fall back upon in case the visitation came upon them. The project was not a charitable one, though its object was benevolent. The eftect would be to save the pockets of the landlords, and that could be done iu a manner that would combine benevolence and patriotism. A guarantee fund was essential for the under- taking, and he had the names of 1,000 landed proprietors from whom he believed there would be no difticulty in getting an ample guarantee fund to carry on the insurance business. Suppose he succeeded in getting a thousand lauded proprietors to join ia the guarantee fund, did he not at once enlist a most ^iT I® agency in promoting the interests of the association throughout the country ? Lord Erne, and other noblemen like nun, who spent their time amongst their tenants, would induce them to insure their c;ittle. He had uuderlaken a good deal of trouble, and, no doubt, incurred serious personal responsi- bility. He did so because it was of importauce to the landed gentry of Ireland, to himself as a land agent, and more pai'ti- cularly to the agricultural aud farming classes. He had said that the quantity of cattle iu Ireland, was three millions and a half; one-tenth of those, no doubt, would be insured, aud this alone would amount to a sum of £350,000. Four or five per cent, premium would be sufficient charge to make for insuring cattle in anticipation of the rinderpest. If it began at five per cent, it would produce £170,000 as a first year's income, and would not that income alone be able to meet their engagements, which should be properly met ? K they formed such au association the Government would see they had done their best, with a view to protect the agricultural interests of the country ; and should the demand be consider- able upon them, aud beyond their means, he entertained no doubt they would receive assistance from Government. He was encouraged in that opinion by Lord Russell's letter to Lord John Manners, and, indeed, he was bound to say that Government was always ready to help those who helped them- selves. The insurauce, he thought, need not be confined to cattle. They would insure pigs, sheep, and cattle as well, im- posing an extra premium for the rinderpest, should it unliap- pily visit the country. He had drawu up a series of resolu- tions respecting the formation of the insurance association, which he would place before them for consideration. The first was that having regard to the ruin the cattle plague, if it visited Ireland, would entail upon the landed proprietors and agricultural classes, it was the opinion of the council that an association should be forthwith formed to insure cattle and other agricultural stock against loss iu respect of animals dying from the plague. The next was, that a com- mittee be formed to frame a prospectus aud draw up articles of association aud a report, to be submitted for consideration and approval to a public meeting. The third was, that iu case the project was luidertaken a guarantee fund of not less than £100,000 should be provided. The fourth was, that if neces- sary the aid of the Government should be asked iu the way of au advance of money to the association at a moderate rate of interest, aud repayable by instalments. The committee he proposed comprised guarantors and members of the society. The names were — The Marquis of Downshire, the Marquis of Kildare, the Earl of Longford, the Earl of Clancarty, Lord de Vesci, Lord Powerscourt, Lord Cloubrock, Lord Tallx)t de Malahide, Lord Naas, Lord James Butler, Hon. George Gough, Hon. C. Preston, Sir George Hodson, Sir R. Grifliths, Colonel Taylor, M.P. ; Anthony Lefroy, M.P. ; John La Touche, Major IBorrowes, William Donnelly, Captain C. Vesey, H. H. Woods, Henry J. M'Farlaue, John B. Bennett, C. W. Hamilton, Hon. M. French, W. D. Webber, J. M. Royse, W. Owen, William Lane Joynt, G. M. Dalton, M. Goodbody, Edward Purdon, Joseph Kincaid. Mr. O'Reilly Dease considered the council owed-a debt of gratitude to Mr. Kincaid for the very able and interesting statement he had made. Lord De Vesci inquired if it was contemplated to at once establish such an association, quite irrespective of the country being visited with the cattle plague. The Chairmak said it was so vei7 important a matter that he would move that its consideration be postponed until the next day of meeting. Lord De Vesci suggested that in the meantime the resolu- tions of Mr. Kincaid should be printed, and sent to each mem- ber of the council. This proposition was assented to. new members. The following gentlemen were proposed as members, and duly elected : — James E. Farrell, Esq., Merrion -square ; JRobt. F. Ellis, Esq., Seapark, Arklow ; Rd. Fleming Handy, Esq., Finstown House, Lucau ; George D. rottrell,Esq., Woodview, Merrion-aveiiue ; Mark Aungier, Esq., The Lays, Swords ; Thomas Strickland, Esq., Castlemore, Ballaghaderin ; Edmund H. Pery, Ballina ; James Norton, Esq., 8, Lower Dominick- street ; Hans White, Esq., Kildare-street Club ; William M'Donnell, Esq., Turvey, Donabate ; William J. O'DriscoU, Esq., Mountjoy-square, and Belcourt, Bray; Major Wm. Mills Molony, Kiltamon, Tulla ; Robert Lynch, Esq., Killester. The meeting then adjourned. THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 203 THE IRISH LABOURER. Tho cxlraoviliiinvy and continuoxis stream of emigration that has liciuff S^iiig on from the various Irish ports for a consider- able number of years past, so extensive, and so ajiparently inexhaustible, as to have received the standing appellation of the Irish Exodus, and which has attracted the attention of nearly the whole civilized world, cannot Ijut have exercised a powerful and wide-spread influence amongst the class or classes from whose ranks the great mass of emigrants are recruited. Altiiough men of all trades and professions emigrate, it is the labouring and small farming classes that form the great hulk of tho immense human freights that weekly — nay, during the summer season, almost daily leave the Irish ports to cross the Atlantic in search of a new home. The large, and now very noticeable decrease in the number of labourers occasioned by this movement is felt rather severely by the farmers, on account of the extreme ditlieulty they expe- rience, at certain periods of the year, in procuring the necessary number of hands to forward pressing and important agricul- tural operations. It is, however, with the position of the labourers themselves that we more immediately propose to treat ; their present con- dition as influenced by their yearly decreasing numbers ; their mode of living, habits, and manners at the present day. The present generation of the labouring population in Ire- land are by no means an ilUterate race ; on the contrary they are rather intelligent, nearly all possessing a fair knowledge of the rudiments of education ; read with considerable fluency, write a fair hand, know something of arithmetic, and, in some instances, have a smattering of geography and grammar. There is a great desire on the part of parents to give their children a moderately good education, excellent facility being within reach of the poorest and humblest for the carrying out of this exceedingly laudable object. Since the introduction of National Schools, the opportunity of getting a good education is brought Mdthiu the reach of all, and is gladly availed of, the children being kept at school as long as the limited means of their parents wiU permit. Althongh they sometimes will occasionally be met, the num- ber of parents is yearly getting scarce who consider education not at all necessary for those young persons whose future posi- tion is to be that of farm labourers. A few years ago it was often assigned as a reason for not sending chUdren of that class to school, that it made them dissatisfied with their lot in life, and not liaring the means of otherwise forwarding themselves, they became habitual grumblers, and passed their lives in a chronic state of dissatisfaction. That there was, and probably still is, some truth in this assertion, cannot be denied ; but this argument again is met, on the other hand, by a more enlightened one, viz., that when a young person of humble parents has got a good education, he or she has by this means attained to the first step on the ladder of promotion ; and if, therefore, an opportunity occurs for improving their position, by being offered a Ijctter situation, their superior early training enables them to accept it. The National Schools of Ireland have the great advantage of possessing for the most part teachers of considerable ability, well versed in the elementary branches of education, and capable of imparting the elements of a sound education to their humble pupils. Before leaving tliis part of our subject, it may not be amiss to notice a very important source of wide spread benefit to the youth of this country in the way of education. Honour should assuredly be given to those to whom honour is deservedly due, and the monks and nuns deserve the greatest praise for their indefatigable exertions in promoting the welfare of the young people in the neighbourhood of monastery or nunneiy. Not only do those religious bodies impart the rudiments of a good sound English education, but they also, in the care of the nuns, teach their pupUs knitting, lace-making, &c., and thus put them, particularly the girls, in a way of earning a respectable liveli- hood, without being compelled to undergo the (to females) degrading drudgery of field-labour. During the few years that Crochet was so much in fashion, and was worn so universally by all classes, it was exceedingly dilTicult to get women to assist infhc very lightestdepartmcutsoflicld labour. Nearly every girl or unmarried woman was actively employed knitting crochet, and bands of them might be seen round every hamlet and village ; in fine weather always out of doors busily employed at this "branch of industry. The nuns taught this to every one within their reach, and in many cases were the purchasers of the work when finished, sending the manufactured goods to English and Continental markets. Scarce as public works and manufactories arc in Ireland, there are many opportunities notwithstanding for young men, of humble parentage, who have received a fair education, and who arcposscssed of a moderate amount of conunou sense, to better their circumstances. An intelligent man of this class will often leave far behind him in the race of life men born under vastly superior auspices, and who received a much superior education, and whose privileges and opportunities were superlatively higher. Men of the latter stamp, often the sons of successful and money-making farmers, when they come home from school, or it may be college, are often above assisting in the ordinary occupations of the farm, and very freeiuently spend the greater portion of their time in lounging about with a gun in their hand, and a lean pointer at their heels, to the intense grief of their parents, and the annoyance of the neighbourhood. The motto of such men is undoubtedly " retrogression," if they but knew it ; while that of their humbler, though more acute, intelligent, and practical neighbour — often their father's ploughman's son — is " onward." In England and Scotland the opportunities for a pushing young man forwarding himself are, of course, much more fre- quent, there being necessarily many more situations of trust which half educated men must be had to fill ; and in both these countries the instances of self-raised men are much more niunerous. Considering the limited opportunity in Ireland, it speaks volumes for the energy and perseverance of her sons, to find instances so frequent as they are of men who have raised themselves from the humblest position to one of comfort and comparative independence. Notmthstanding that it is generally considered to be quite the contrary, the very worst way a man can possibly attempt to raise himself from the position of a labourer is by taking a small piece of arable laud. AYhen once he does this, his position is fixed as far as improvement goes ; and if, by hard work and poor living, he can manage to pay his rent and make ends meet (or, as he rather expressively says, bring out the answer), he may be, and indeed generally is, very thankful. For the four consecutive years succeeding 1859 the small farmers of this country had a veiy hard lot, their principal dependence being on the potato crop for their own food and that of their family, and on the small patch of grain they could grow to pay rent and taxes. Both crops partially failed, en- tailing misery, and, in numerous cases, absolute ruin on large numbers of this class. Even, under ordinary favourable cir- cumstances, the taking of a few acres of land adds very little to the comfort of a labourer. He may have the pleasure of calling himself his own master, but that is about the extent of his pleasure, if it can be so called ; his food, dress, home com- forts, and dsiily labour remain radically the same, the latter being frequently of a more hard and grinding nature than falls to the lot of the day-labourer employed by a respectable farmer or gentleman. While the latter is not, and, if attempted to be forced, will not, of late years, do more than just a fair day's work, observing the hours of stopping with the utmost exacti- tude ; the small farmer and his family must work from " early morn till de«7 eve," with, in unpropitious seasons, not even such a good reward for their toil as falls to the lot of the day- labourer. A modification or conjunction of the two positions — that of labourer and small farmer — is to he found in what is called the con-acre system, stjded the allotment system in England. Wliere a man has a large familjf, and where the piece of land he holds is not very extensive, it is a help to a poor industrious family to have such a piece of land, on which can be grown 204 THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. potatoes, and, pcn-liaps, a small ixituli ol caljljage— the oiuy two crops attempted to be grown by such people luiless lu very rare instances. But when the piece of ground attached to the cottage of the labourer, or in his occupation, wherever situated, is so much as to cause him to leave his work at intervals, for tlie purpose of attending it, these intervals occurring, as a matter of necessity, at the farmer's busiest time, it is often the cause of much annoyance and bitter feeling between employer and employed. Should the man be punctual in his attendance to his work, losing no day or portion of a day, but yet having to get up at daybreak for tlie purpose of working a couple of hours in his own patch, before g(3ing to his regular employment, doing the same in the evening after returning from liis day's labour, it is questionable whether such a man is either able or willing to do an honest day's work for his employer : it may be pretty safely inferred that he is not. Again, it is hard to suppose that the employer would be quite as cordial in his morning greeting to his man, when he knew that, instead of coming to him refreshed and invigorated by a sound nighf s sleep, he came fagged and weary from at least a quaiter day's hard work, not to speak of the work of the previous evening. He should be something different from the common run of farmers, and he himself in easy circumstances if he could. Whatever philanthropists may say to the contrary, from experience we are no believers in the refreshing and exhilarating tendency of two or three hours hard work after the regular days' labour, all the labourers we have ever known being more anxious to remain in a state of repose than to renew their exertions, and continue them till bed-time. There can be no better way in this, or probably any otlier agricultural country, than that of paying the labourers of the farm in money, or partly in kind ; it being understood, in the latter case, that no more of the produce of the farm, such as milk, potatoes, meal, &c., is to be taken by the workman than he himself chooses, and nothing but the current market price of the day is to be charged for each article. With such a system disputes seldom occur, and the master has the gratifica- tion of knowing that the strength and energy of his men is not exhausted in any employment but his own. In Ireland up to the period of the potato failure (18i6), the labourers, not only of the tenant farmers, but also of a great number of the gentle- men, were paid in kind. This mode of payment came easy to the employer, and was at that time, and under what the labourer considered the extremely favourable circumstances of that period, most pleasing and satisfactory to the employed. This payment consisted of a free house, an acre (more or less) of potato garden, grass for a few sheep, the privilege of keeping a pig or pigs, and an unlimited amount of poultry. At a glance it will be seen that such a method of payment was eminently suited to both the farmer and his labourer. It was well suited to the farmer, inasmuch as it, on his part, involved hut little outlay, the small amount in the current coin of the realm he was called upon to jiay occurring at such extended periods, and being of such infinitesimal quantities, he felt it no burden. On the other hand, the labourer had good reason to be satisfied with his part of the bargain, as potatoes being at that time plentiful, and mostly of excellent quality, he was at all times abundantly supplied with this his favourite food. His sheep kept up a supply of milk for his faintly during the greater part of the year ; the wool he clipped from them sup- plied them with clothing, or if the family was large, assisted in doing so ; while the sale of the lambs added to his stock of hard cash. The addition to his diet which lie derived from the inmates of the pirj-stye, where there happened to he one, and poultry-yard, was, of course, considerable ; and when not con- sumed at home, both privileges were worth a good many pounds in the course of the year. Since the failure of the potato crop, this pleasing state of matters between the Irish farmer and his labouring men has been in many cases wholly, in others par- tially given up, the impossibility of growing potatoes in any- thing like the former quantity compelling a larger monetary payment. Both parties regret the change ; the farmers de- claring that their profits can iU afford the comparatively large sums in specie they are now compelled to pay weekly. The labourers as loudly assert that the increased wages are insuffi- cient to procure for them the comforts they enjoyed formerly, when Ihey scarcely received any cash at aU ; and when speak- ing of their condition, and comparing the past with the present, never fail to characterize the former as the good old times. ^ Probably no class of people in the wliole world have felt the OSS of lliG potato so severely as the Irish labourer. It was his sole dependence, preferring it to every other food within his reach, being perfectly satisfied to breakfast, dine, and sup upon it every day in the week, seldom troubling himself about a bread diet, unless perhaps at Christmas or Easter. With a large supply of this esculent provided for the winter, he feared no evil ; if sick, or prevented from working by the inclemency of the weather, the feeding of his family never cost him a thought ; he could keep all the holidays, and spend a little money on a " drop o' drink " on a St. Patrick or Stephen's day ; dancing a jig or whirling a shillelagh with all the liglit- lieartedness for which his countrymen are proverbial. Notwithstanding all that has been said and written about the deteriorating and even demoralizing influence of a potato diet, the men were wonderfully healthy when purely potato fed, possessing strong stalwart frames, their countenances rosy and florid, the very pictures of health and happy contentment. The large population of that period was evidence sufficient to show that Irishmen were not forgetful of the injunction to be fruitful and multiply, nor did the extreme rapidity with which the increase took place say much against the prolific tendency of their staple article of diet, the much-abused potato. Although, from its bulky nature, the potato had a tendency to enlarge the stomach, when used as the leading article of food, it must not be on that account supposed that the men were sluggish or inactive; on the contrary, the young and hearty men were full of fire and animation, and when assem- bled in large numbers, playing at the national game of f/oal, no impediment would stop them, when in pursuit of the ball, prodigies of speed, strength, and activity being at every such meeting performed, to tlie manifest danger often of life — always of limb — and striking with wonder, amazement, and even fear the unaccustomed spectator. It was from such men that Britain at one time drew her largest supphes for the recruiting of her armies ; and with such stuff, and such men, Wellington won his most celebrated and memorable victories. During the famine years, and for several years afterwards, the fortunes of the farm-labourer in this country were at a very low ebb. Not only was work, owing to the poverty of the farms and unproductive state of property, exceedingly scarce, and consequently hard to be procured, but the remuneration was so low as scarcely to be able to support existence. As is well known, pestilence, in various forms, followed famine, and large numbers of the working population died, in thousands of instances the disease being brought on as mucli from the change of food, as from absolute scarcity. At that period, giving a portion of potato-ground as part wages was of no use, the produce of an acre being almost valueless ; a whoUy monetary payment became therefore absolutely necessarj'. Up to the year 1853 the wage of the day-labourer was sin- gularly small in amount, and it is almost inconceivable how men could sustain existence and maintain a family on such very small wages. From sixpence to tenpence a-day was the usual hire of a farm-labourer. Low as this was, the employers had the utmost difficulty even in paying these sums, as the land, between blight and low prices for both corn and cattle, was so unproductive as to be scarcely worth holding. This miserable state of things was not solely confined to the labour- ing and small-farming class, but extended upwards to the most extensive and aristocratic proprietors. Large numbers of them, from their tenants being unable to pay a penny of rent, were no longer able to meet the interest of the mortgages on their estates, and were compelled to throw their affairs into the hands of the Commissioners of the Encumbered Estates Court. Such was the dread of the past, and consequent want of con- fidence in the future of Ireland, that many valuable and weU- situated estates sold for little over half their value. Under the action of this Court the scion of many a noble family, who could probably trace a clear and unbroken line of descent to the time of the Conqueror, found himself dispossessed of his paternal inheritance, and was compelled to earn his bread, often in very humble situations, in his own country, or become an exile in a foreign land. In 1853 a manifest improvement took place in the produce of the soil, the potato becoming so free of disease as to be wortli growing, and the corn crops improving greatly, both in quantity and quality. The great demand for improved breeds of cattle that took place about this time was another source of real prosperity ; and the enormous rise in the price of com THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 205 that took place simultaueously with the breakiug-out of the Crimean War, gave sucli an impetus to Irish agriculture, and put everyone who gained a living IVoui the soil in such excel- lent spirits, that the long dreary and miserable years of famine and wretchedness were well-nigh forgotten. AVith increasing national prosperity, the position of the labourer rapidly im- proved, and from six to ten shillings a-week, according to the season, became the current and standing rate of wages in the country. The improvement spread, and made itself felt so rapidly amongst all classes, that in a period of not more than two years the wages of a laljourer, in money, became as much with board and lodging, or a free house, as they previously were without them. From 3s. Gd. to 5s. a-week, with food and a free house and a portion of potato- ground, with liberty to keep fowls and pig, is about the usual rate for farmers, and fiom 6s. to 10s. a-week, according to locality, for the workmen of gentlemen, with free house, and the usual privileges of men in country districts. It is obvious that when the potato-patch brings a good crop tliere is not much danger of the workman and his family being in want of food, and so far tlus arrangement is a good one ; but when the crop fails, or even partially does so, a considerable amount of misery is the inevitable result. Where the wife is a good manager, and gives her attention to them, fowls are often made to assist materially in the support of the family. For a poor person there is no fowl so profitable as the common hen, being the most hardy, consuming the least food, laying the greatest number and the largest eggs. The common people — and they must be considered to have excellent judg- ment in the matter — keep no breed but tliis, eschewing Cochins, Dorkings, Spanish, &c., as only fancy fowl, and fit for the yards of gentlemen. As far as they themselves are concerned, their practice is undoubtedly correct. Where the situation, from isolation or other fortuitous cir- cimistauce, permits the keeping of geese and turkeys, the sale of these birds is a material assistance, and of great benefit to a humble family. Few farmers, however, now-a-days, like the idea of having the larger fowls treading their grass, ami the rearing of them is iu a great measure confined to tlie small and middling farmer. The pig is to be found at the door of every cottager, running loose ; and for the most part wandering at his own sweet will during the day, and sharing the cottage of liis owner at night. It is difficult to see how a pig can be a source of profit to a poor man, who has nearly everything to buy ; but that they are a help, iu some way or other, is moderately clear, or they would not be so universally kept. They would abnost appear to be looked upon as a sort of savings-bank, in wliich the few pence that can be saved from each week is deposited, until it amounts to several pounds. It can then be made available, first, to purchase a young pig, on the instant — a proceeding never in any case neglected ; the balance going for clothing and other necessaries. The pork and bacon fed in tliis way is of excellent quality, the animals being always in good con- dition, and not suddenly put on copious supplies of food, and fattened-off all in a hurry, like the American pigs— tlie pork of wliich, by the way, when put iu comparison \\-ith Irish, is simply execrable. An Irish peasant is invariably a capital judge of a pig, and on the roads in the neighbourhood of their cottages may be seen pigs, of all ages and states of fatness, so handsome, and withal so highly bred, as to liave more the appearance of prize pigs from the sty of some famous breeder, tliau that of a poor labourer, whose sole possession is a solitary one. From the scarcity of coal mines, fuel is very dear in most districts in Ireland, and, therefore, not easily pro- curable by the labouring class, a good deal of hardship resulting on this account. Men engaged at work on the demesnes of the resident gentry, are very kindly treated in this respect, being for tlie most part permitted to carry away all the branches of felled trees, and to search the woods for windfalls and all broken or useless timber. Men employed iu the open country with farmers have not this advantage, but must purchase coals out of their slender earnings, aided and supplemented by the furze or gorse on the fences, which, when old enough, makes not very bad firing. The miserable appearance of the houses of labourers and small farmers in Ireland' is a standing subject of comment by all w!io visit the Emerald Isle, eitlier for business or jdeasure. That they are behind the age, there is not the slightest doubt; but public opinion on this matter is decidedly for reform : and already in diil'erent parts of th(^ country comfortable cottages liave been built by the resident gentry for their workmen. Although in England and Scotland there is stiU unfor- tunately plenty of houses inhabited by farmers' men, and even by the men employed by rich landowners, which are a disgrace to civilization, yet both these countries present a marked and pleasing contrast to the state of matters in Ireland. It is strange that landlords in general pay so little attention to this subject, as from the high rates paid for the miserable cabins usually inhabited by agricultural labourers, there is not the slightest danger of losing money by building labourers' houses; on the contrary, they would pay a very excellent per-centage. For some years past there was a greater disposition to pull down the old rather than build new. This feeling has about worn itself out : the necessity for it no longer existing, the re- action has come, and as in the ueiglibourhood of the towns respectable workmen's liouses are springing up in all direc- tions, it may shortly be expected that the country gentlemen will ere long follow their example. Mud-cabins were very numerous in this country at one period, and still exist rather plentifully in some backward districts ; but such houses are seldom built now (although we saw one built very recently, and not in a backward part of the country either), stone, lime, and slates having taken the place of mud and thatch. Mud-cabins had the advantage of being cheaply built, and were warm and comfortable, which was a very important matter to their inhabitants, to whom the useful was of much greater consequence than the ornamental. These cottages were, and of course stiU are — specimens of them being easily found — of a singular construction. From whatever reason the Irish peasant has a singular antipatliy to glass, and in- stead of having a respectable-sized window, capable of admit- ting sufficient light, he has only one or two small panes, the remainder of the window space being either boarded or built up, the bouse wlieu the door is shut being in a state of semi- darkness. Where at all practicable, there are two doors, a back and a front. Suppose them to be facing north and south, which they often are, if the wind is blowing from the north, that door is shut, and the southern one opened, and when blowing from the south vice versa. By this rather doubtfully ingenious though roundabout method, a sufficient amount of light and ventilation is obtained. One marked and never-failing peculiarity of Irish cottages, is the dunghiU and sink, at the very step or threshold of the door. How the inmates can enjoy the amount of health they do is incomprehensible, and certainly incompatible with recog*- nized sanitary laws . In wet weather the water of the dung- hill is often flowing over the step of the door into the house, while in many instances the same water is percolating at all times thro\igh the wall into the very sleeping apartment. Iu cases where gentlemen insist on these sinks being cleared out and fiUed up — a proceeding scarcely ever capable of being enforced wdthout a magistrate's order — the owners manifest the greatest indignation, and consider the clearance was com- pelled to be made more for the love of meddling, or to gratify private spleen, than for sanitary or philanthrojjic reasons. Many people wonder what the immense dung-heap is for, and marvel at the tenacity -with which the habit is kept up. When it is remembered that Irish agricultural labourers have mostly a bit of potato garden as part wages, and when it is also known that the extent of this ground is only limited by the amount they can provide manure for, the intense anxiety to scrape together as much manure as possible is at once ex- plained. It is popularly supposed that Scotch and English farmers are better fed and infinitely more comfortable than Irishmen of the same class. With the opinion that they are more com- fortable in some respects we coincide ; but not long ago, when a comparison of the food used in each kingdom by rural labourers was instituted by certain scientific men capable of forming a correct opinion, judgment was given in favour of the Irish. From long and extensive experience we know that Irishmen are capable of long-continued and severe exertion when plentifully supplied with the food peculiar to the coun- try. Even in the houses of very well-to-do farmers, meat is seldom seen by the servants except at Christmas or Easter, potatoes, salt fish, and home-made wlieateu cake and milk being the leading articles of diet. On this food, where given with a liberal hand, the men are as round and fat as bullocks, 206 THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE. and capable of g:oing through the most severe aud protracted exertiou required ou a farm at the busiest seasou, with but little trouble to themselves, aud with profit aud satisfactiou to their employer. Wheu meu diet with their families, the fish accompaniment is probably not so frequent, but the other materials of food are essentially the same. When potatoes are plentiful, they are used at two meals ; the third being cake and milk, the cake being the common griddle cake of the country, made of coarse flour , very thick, and eateu warm, wheu possible to do so. This cake is by no meaus a despicable article of food, but rather appetizing, wheu hot aud well baked, and is a right good thing for keeping the stomach of a working man. Compare this diet witli that of a large number of Scotch ploughmen, in the northern counties particularly, whose food, three times a-day — or, as they themselves rather more expressively and suggestively say, twenty-one times a-week — consists of nothing but oatmeal, stirred foi a moment with a little boiling-water, and then deluged with milk : the Irish- man's food is surely the very personification of comfort. The Scotch have the name of being more comfortable ; but this fact does not go far to prove that they are so. Although the Scotch ploughmen work well, and, whUe young, look well on a purely oatmeal diet, it is on account of the heatiug nature of the oatmeal — to many eonstitntions exceedingly injurious, the stomach becoming permanently injured ; aud many fine men are tormented with what they term " stomach complaint " to the end of their lives, brought on by nothing else but tlie fact of their living for a nmnber of years iu succession on badly-cooked and heating food. Before dismissing the comparison between the Irish and Scotch agricultural labourer, we will institute another com- parison, in which it will be seen that the Irish do not come off by any means secoud-best. In Ireland, the working hours are from sis to six in summer, and from daylight till dark iu winter. He is by no means hardly driven ; nor will he, of late years, permit himself to be so. The hours of stopping work are rigidly kept ; and even in the most liurried seasons it is considered a great favour to get the men to work a little over- hours. When tlie favour is conceded, it cannot by any mean be said to be done cheerfully ; and many under-toned remarks wiU be noticed, such as, " Ten hours are enough for any man to work iu one day ;" " If we had stood out, 'tis at home we'd be now," &c., &c. This stiff manner is a new thing in Ireland, as, a dozen years ago, in hay-time or harvest, the meu never thought of going home until all was secured ; and, when the weather was tavourable, hay might then be left out to get the longest possible advantage of sun and wind, the employer being confident that there was no danger of his men failing him — that they would stay till dark, if necessary. The farms in Ireland not being nearly so iiigh-rented as those iu Scotland, there is not so mucli necessity of taking the last pennyworth out of the men ; nor is it done. The Irish farmer is rather friendly with his men, leans against the fence, and chats familiarly with them about the news of the day, or the gossip of the neighbourhood ; lights his pipe at the turf-fire they have burning beside them for that purpose (for, in Ireland, the rule is to smoke — not to smoke, the exception), and altogether identifies himself with his men in a way seldom seen in the sister-countries, unless amongst men in a very humble position indeed. In Scotland, both iu summer and winter, the hours are not much different ; aud they are from half-past four until, in many instances, seven at niglit. Before going to the regular day's work at six, grass, clover, or vetches must, during the summer, be cut and brought to the yards ; and, in the winter, the thrashing is, in a great measure, done before daylight in the morning. So hard, of late years, have they been driven, that they have been forced to combine, for the purpose of procuring an increase of wages, aud, if possible, to a certain extent, obtaining some mitigation of their hard and unceasing toU, not very inaptly termed a state of bondage or slavery by some of the speakers. The Mid-Lothian ploughman who deUvered the opening speech at one of their late meetings spoke as probably never ploughman spoke since the days of the immortal Burns, the poet-ploughmau of Ayrshire. His pithy, eloquent, and expressive speech has been wafted on the wings of the Press over the length and breadth of the three kingdoms, and has already had the effect of stirring the men of Other diijtricts to follow the example of Mid-Lothian, In the advance of civilization, wonders will never cease ; and certainly the present movement of the Scotch ploughmen is a wonder of wonders to those who knew anything at all of their dependent position. Although heartily wishing them God-speed, we cannot but differ from them in two things : first, they are, in their public speeches, rather personal while alluding to their employers, and slightly disposed to be abusive. Now, as " ill words" never helped a good cause, we think they should argue the matter cahnly and quietly, endeavouring rather to conciliate thau coerce — getting the farmers, if pos- sible, to attend their meetings. We differ from them, secondly, in calling it a farmer's question, it being more a landlord's. The farmers, in their mad race for farms of late years, having olfered the very utmost penny the laud was worth — often more, indeed — they are now, in consequence, compelled to work their men hard, and screw their wages as low as they possibly can, to afford themselves a living, and pay twenty shillings to the pound. If, therefore, the expenses of a tenant- farmer are increased one way, they must be decreased in ano- ther ; and there is, apparently, no better way that can be man- aged than by offering less wages. In Ireland, ploughmen have not gone to the length of com- bination for the purpose of improving their position just yet, although iu other trades it is perfectly woU understood, and often so injudiciously acted on as to ruin the trade and every one connected \A\\\ it. The increasing scarcity of men for agricultural work com- pels employers to bid high, whether they like it or not ; and, of late years, an idle man of good character and ability is almost a rara avis iu even the most backward districts of Ireland. Iu the neighbourjiood of large towns, particularly seaports, it is very hard to get men for farm-work, farmers not being able, unless under hard pressure, to give the wages paid iu docks and factories. Iu the south, the fortifications of Cork Harbour, &c., take up almost every available man ; and it would scarcely be cre- dited by any one unacquainted with the circumstances, how ex- tremely difficult it is to get suitable men for field-work ; far- mers, in fact, having scarcely any choice but to take what hands they can conveniently get, without being over-particular in the selection. But that such a large portion of the land is laid down to permanent pasture, and the land under crop therefore considera- bly circumscribed, it is difficult to see how men could be got to work the land and save the crops, without heavy loss, if, indeed, in some seasons they could be saved at all. Under such circuiustauccs the men would be iu a better position to dictate terms to their employers than their employer to them. Even as it is, Irish labourers are not by any means what they once were, on the score of respect to their masters ; having be- gun to feel their power, a consideralDle amount of that exces- sive servility aud constant effort to conciliate is being rubbed off. They are now stiffer in their manner, and wh'ere boarded in the farmei's house, are much more difficult to please in the matter of food than they formerly were, fre- quently at a busy season giving no end of trouble, aud at once demanding their wages, if their requests (often unreasonable oues) are not complied with. The days when an Irish gentleman could, even in bnrlesqiie, tell his man to go out and shoot one of the tenants, so that his English visitor might be gratified by the sight of an Irish wake,* are gone for ever ; the utter dependence on the lords of the soil that existed in former days becoming a thing of the past. It is no harm that it is so, as it says but little for the mate- rial prosperity of a country, when its working population are dependent and servUe, aud lack that manly spirit of independ- ence that should be the distinguishing characteristic of every freeman. Tliose departments of the public service that are supplied with men from the labouring and small farming class begin to feel much greater difficulty thau they formerly experienced in filling their ranks. Of these departments the principal are the army, navy, and the Irish police force. Instead of getting fine men of a high physical and moral standard from the country districts, the recruits for the army are mainly town-bred lads, vi'ho have been reared in the streets, and whose moral and physical organization is truly of a very * Thi,^ Story, I Wi^y^, is attri)}Uti?(l to Pefvn ^vdft. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 207 different type from that of the recruits obtained in the country towns and villages. In the police force the same difficulty is now felt. Tlie men finding that the remuneration is low, and the probability of promotion but slight, do not join it in sufficient inunliers to keep up the proper strength. This, coupled with the fact of large numbers of respectable and well-trained men leaving the force every month, to fill situations, or look for employment in England and the colonies, leaves the police force of Ire- land several thousand men short of what is considered to be the requisite number. This is a very significant fact, and surely shows a widely dif- ferent state of things to what formerly existed in this country. So easy was it at one time to procure men of good moral cha- racter and physical stamina for the police, that a very high standard was fixed on ; and the result was that Ireland for many years possessed, and to a great extent still does possess, the finest and most useful body of constabulary probably in the world. To procure men now in sufficient nmnbers, the standard of height must be lowered ; although, for the reputation of the force and the safety of the lieges, it is to be hoped the moral standard wiU be as high as formerly. In imitation of the farmers and other employers of labour in Ireland, it is also probable that the Government will be com- pelled, ere long, to raise the wages of their servants, or in some other way present advantages not at present given. Unless this is done, the vacancies in the constabulary, once so eagerly sought for, wUl soon pass uiinoticed and unheeded by the more respectable portion of that class from whose ranks the vacan- cies were formerly easily filled. No class of persons take so Ul with this altered state of things as the mid(.lling farmers of the country, particularly those men who were born and began business under the old rejinte, and whose ideas, associations, and sympathies have never become assimilated with the present state oi the labour market, or the changed tone and manner adopted by their labourers. In their earlier days, and that probably may not have been more than twenty years ago, there was no occasion, in looking for men, to go further than the nearest road passing theirfarm, when within tlie space of perhaps one hour enough men could be had to buUd a large rick of hay, or cut with hooks a good many acres of corn before evening. iSfow, if only a couple of extra men are wanted to work on a farm, they must be looked out a consider- able time beforehand ; and, after all, the real " Simon Pure" — that is to say, the sort of man most suitable for the business in hand, may not be obtainable. Tliis diminution in the number of labourers has been going on yearly since 1846. Many died during the famine years ; these deaths being the fii'st serious inroads made upon the enormous population proved to be in the country at the taking of the previous census. Although in 1811 the census showed Imt a trifle over eight millions, it is popularly supposed in Ireland that there were over nine millions of inhabitants in the countiy at that time, thousands, it is said, havmg left their homes, and even hidden themselves in the mountains to avoid enumeration. By this theory it is made out that the census in Ireland was never pro- perly taken, as from the period of its regular introduction in 1811 luitilthe last time in 1861, the same thing was repeated, and continued. However incredible it may appear, there are not wanting plenty of men, both educated and respectable, who hold this opinion, giving as their reason for doing so the suspi- cious resentment so generally entertained by the peasantry against the Government, and who could by no known processs of reasoning be made to believe that the taking of the census was not the forerunner of something inimical to their happi- ness or prejudicial to their interests. The second reason for the remarkable decline in the popu- lation at this period was the decrease in the number of births ; a most peculiar feature, but also, when looked into, a feature quite natural and unavoidaljle. The loss of the potato having made the means of living, even in the most humble manner, much more difficult than for- merly, the habits of the country people underwent a complete change. Early marriages were discouraged, and hence the re- sult. Previous to the taking of the statistics, no body of men could give such a true statement of the position of the coimtry with respect to this subject as the priests stationed in the coim- try districts, and whose congregations were mainly made up of labourers and their families, this being the class in which the decline was most observable. The parish priest noticed the paucity of hi rl lis by the rapid iliminution he experienced in the amount received as christening fees ; and as the natural result of cause and effect, it was a noticeable feature in country parislies that, eighteen years after, the number of young couples getting married was decreased in a corresponding ratio to the decline of births during the four of five years imme- diately succeeding 1815. The third, and greatest reason for the decrease of the labour- ing population of Ireland, is the emigration that set in on such an extensive scale during the past twenty years. The facilities afforded by tlie various lines of steamers sailing from British and Irish ports has wonderfidly developed the emigration move- ment ; the speedy transit and low fares inducing numbers to cross the Atlantic, who, under the old system of going Iiy sail- ing vessels, would never have ventured. In probably no other earthly pursuit do Irishmen show such fixedness and tenacity of purpose, as is exhibited by them in hoarding up money out of their small earnings to take them to America. When one member of a family lias, by dint of hard struggling on the part of the whole, contrived to reach in safety the land of his adop- tion, his attention is at once turned to saving up such a sum as will bring over to join him one or more of his family in the course of the following season. In this way, every member, yoimg and old, of a large family, wiU have become reunited in their adopted country in a very few years. Many remarkable instances of filial affection occur in humble life, uever chronicled, but not the less honourable on that account to those who display it. He is counted a bad son, who by great exertion on the part of his parents has been fitted out and his passage paid for America, that on arriving there does not strain every nerve to save money to seud home to Ireland. It is perhaps all the more noticeable and more execrated by reason of the infrequeucy of its occurrence. Fathers go out, work a while, then send to the old country for wife and chil- dren ; sons and daughters send for parents and younger branches ; lovers of either sex send for their sweethearts, and thus little colonies of Irish plant themselves on the American continent, the laud that gave them birth being proportionately thinned. For about eight months in the year, the leading and most jemarkable feature in Irish travelling is the number of emi- grants to be met with, by steamboat or rail— in fact, by every mode of locomotion available to the public. At almost every leading railway station, numbers of them are to be found waiting for the train ; at the seaports they crowd the offices of the shipping agents, or stroll about the quays, having as little resemblance to, and holding as little communication with the inhabitants of the town, as if they were a distinct race. Their whole anxiety is to be away ; and the moment the steamer, in which the agent has told them he has got berths for them, appears off the harbour, all the listlessness which previously characterized them disappears, and the quay at which they embark becomes the scene of a perfect tumult of life, bustle, and activity. Most intense and bitter is the disappointment of those for whom berths cannot be found ; a contingency that during the height of the season often happens, notwithstanding the immense accommodation afforded by the magnificent steam- ships of the C'unard and Inman lines. "When friends accompany friends to the port of embarkation to see them safely oft', the parting brings out some of the most characteristic traits of the warmheartedness and impulsive nature so proverbial to the character of the Irish peasant. When the entire human freight has been received on board, and the planks and gangways are being drawn on shore, a per- fect howl of misery is set up, varying in loudness, intensity, and continuity, according as the preparations for starting are more or less quickly carried on. When the screw or paddles begia to be set in motion — striking now backward, now forward, for the purpose of getting clear of the quay, a wail of anguish is evoked at every stroke ; those in the ship stretcliing out their liauds to those on the shore, and those onshore doing the same to those in the ship, as if they longed once more to clasp each other in a loving embrace. But when the ship's head is fairly pointed sea-ward, and the paddles begin to strike in un- mistakable earnest, the element which it is their peculiar province to conquer, such a shriek of agony bursts forth as might be supposed capable of breaking the very heartstrings. The noble ship soon carries her load of feeling, sympathetic, and, for the time being, agonized liearts, for out of sight and 208 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. liearing, and tlie mourners return to their houses, in the majority ol' c;!ses never eeasing to anxiously look forward to the time when, supplied with the requisite amount of funds, they will he enabled themselves to cross the Atlantic, and join those who went before, and whose parting was attended with so much sorrow. From tliese causes — famine, followed hy pestilence, decrease of births, and au extensive emigration — the population of Ireland lias fallen, in the space of twenty years, from over eight millions to five and a-half millions, or thereby — a most remarkable decrease ; unprecedented, probably, in modern history. With such a diminution in the pressure, a material elevation in the social condition of the labouring-class may be looked for. That au improvement has taken place, and is likely to go on increasing, we have already shown ; and wiU now, in bringing the subject to a conclusion, glance at a few of the leading habits and manners of the Irish labourer. Decidedly the most unmistakable feature in the character of a man in tliis class is his political bias. Unlike the farm-labourers of England and Scotland, who seldom trouble themselves about politics, your genuine Irishman, racy of the soil, is a thorough politician. Unfortunately for his own peace of mind, his politics mostly consist in being dissatisfied with the powers that be. lie looks upon England as a usurper, deplores the loss of an Irish Parliament, and looks forward hopefully to the time when his beloved Erin shall be disenthralled from the yoke of the hated Saxon, and become a free country and au independent kingdom ! Singular as such a thing may appear, it is yet an absolute fact that this is the political creed of the great majority of the working-classes in this country. Abundant evidence of this being the case is shown in the trials now, and for a con- siderable time, going on in this country. That this Fenian conspiracy was wide-spread and deep-rooted was weU known to all who had dealings with this class ; and notwithstanding the sneers of a considerable portion of the press, the loyal in- habitants of Ireland are, to a man, grateful to the Lord- Lieutenant for the repressive measures so ably conceived, and so admirably carried out, for the crushing of the attempted rebellion. One would almost conceive that a field-labourer had quite enough to do in attending to his employer's interests, and minding his own private affairs ; but such appears not to he the case, as, particularly where a few of them are at work together, a daily paper is taken in, the news of the day descanted and commented on, and treaties, subsidies, and ministerial changes talked about as freely as the members of a club might be supposed to do in any of the large cities. It would appear that patriotism is the peculiar attribute of every lowly-bom Irishman ; as men who, when at home, were decent, quiet, well-behaved men, taking no particular interest in the Government, when they go to America, or Australia, it may he, and get on well, become at once fully-fledged and completely-developed patriots. Their letters home are full of such expressions as " Erin, my beloved country, it is the dearest wish of my heart to see thee free !" &c. Hence the associations in America for the liberation of Ireland from the tyranny of the hated Saxon, of which we have heard so much during the past year ; and hence the thousands of fools'-pence which have found their way into the pockets of knowing men, who take very good care to indefinitely postpone the day for Ireland's regeneration and the expulsion of the Saxon. With the great drawback of being dissatisfied with his rulers, the Irish labourer has another trait in his character which is a fertile source of injury to him, and destroys much of the com- fort both of himself and his family, and that is his fondness for the public-house. Notwithstanding aU the good done by Father Mathew, and others wlio have followed in his footsteps, and struggled with the evil, the public-house may be said to be the curse of the country. In it (if he can at all manage it) his Sunday afternoons and evenings are passed, every penny that he can possibly scrape together being spent on drink. It is very little use attempting to remonstrate with them for so doing ; the answer is always ready, and invariably is something like the following : " It is the only day I have a moment's leisure ; I can go, after mass, and drink a few pints of porter, to refresh myself after the week ; I meet ray acquaintances and friends, and have a friendly chat with them ; and if I cannot do that much, I am in no way better than the brute beasts." WiOi s',\rh r> rouv=e of rpnsouiutr it is ditripult to grapple, even althougli it may be pretty evident, from certain nmrlcs on the outward appearance of the man, that the chat, in the end, was rather on the north-side of friendly. The labourers will not be argued out of their habit of going to the public-house on Sundays, nor will they be convinced tliat such a proceeding is both foolish and wicked. The cure seems, therefore, to consist in providing some more innocent way of amusing them ; for amused they must be, if they are to be drawn from the attrac- tions of the public-house. How to provide such amusement is, however, a problem, the solution of which is, to all intents and purposes, both difficult and distant. It is a pity that Irishmen should have such a falling ; as they are, admittedly (even by their enemies), a clever race — ingenious, witty, smart at re- partee, and, as servants, when well-treated, active, obliging, and industrious. As already noticed, they will not now-a-days be forced — at least they will not stand much of it ; but when receiving a moderate share of his master's countenance and good-will, an Irish ploughman is a perfect treasure to an employer in middling circumstances, as he will put his hand to anything, and, what is better, do everything he puts his hand to, in a workman-Uke manner. IMany of them are capital masons, building a house, if necessary, and even roofing it ; make their plough-swings ; mend, and sometimes make, new harness ; and filling up their time in wet weather hy making and repairing the ordinary wearing shoes of the family. Like a chUd, an Irish labourer is much easier governed by love than by fear ; doing more under the influence of the gentler feeling than he does under that of the harsher, and to better purpose. As, in the government and management of children, love is the prevailing feature in these days of enlightenment, and is found by parents and teachers to be a more powerful incentive to good behaviour and attention to duty than was ever attained by threats, and holding up the dread of corporeal punishment ; so employers of labour in Ireland will from henceforth find that better results and a happier and pleasanter state of feeling will accrue by giving their men that respect and good-will which they are now in a position to demand, and which is their undoubted right, being made in the same image. THE HOMCEOPATHISTS AND THE CATTLE PLAGUE. — It will be remembered that £50 was voted by the Norfolk Cattle Plague Association to the Homoeopathic Asso- ciation to assist a series of homoeopathic experiments in Nor- folk. A sort of pledge was given by Lord 15ury that if these experiments were not successful, the £50 would not be claimed. Although the experiments proved a dead failure, the £50 was duly paid. At a meeting of the Norfolk Association on Sa- turday, attention was called to the pledge given by Lord Bury, who said that the Ilomceopathic Association now stated that they had no funds ; he would, however, himself re-pay the money, or see that it was paid. Mr. Caird, the vice-chairman of the Homoeopathic Association, had offered to repay half, or £25. It was considered, however, by the meeting that it would not be fair to call upon Lord Bury or his friends to re- pay the £50, and that the Norfolk Society could only receive it as coming from the Ilomceopathic Association, HOW TO MAKE MALT WINE, OR MOCK MADERIA. — To one quart of sweet wort, the first running, add two gal- lons of water and five pounds of good raw sugar, the rinds of two lemons, the whites of two eggs well beat, boil them all to- gether half-an-hour, skim it well in the boiUng, then put it into a tub ; when cold enough for working put in two spoont- full of new barm ; let it work two days, tlien put it into the cask, with the juice of two lemons ; let it ferment until fine. Let it stand four months in the cask. Put into the cask when toned 21bs. of Malaga raisins, picked and chopped small, being lib. to each gallon, which is a great improvement ; when bottled add a little brandy to each bottle. The above is from a Yorkshire farmers' wife, and will be found very good. Another way : Sugar 301bs., boil half-an-hour with 10 gallons of soft-water, skim it quite clear, and when cold put to every gallon one quart of new strong beer ; work it in a tub six or seven days, stirring it each day till fermentation is over, then put it in the cask with six pounds of raisins, chopped small, and one ounce of isinglass dissolved in some of the liquor ; stop it close, and let it remain in the cask for twelve months THE FARMER'S ]\IAGAZINE. 209 LOCAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. At the first montlily discussion meeting of the Tarporley Agricultural Society, Mr. Josepli Aston, of Brassey Green, occupied the chair, and after a brief introductory speecli, Mr. lliGKY, of Fenny Wood, according to previous announce- ment, delivered the following address: — There is a maxim frequently quoted hy men after having done an imprudent thing, wliich is both a truism and an apology, and vvliich you must allow me to quote in reference to the promise I gave to open the discussion of this evening. The maxim I refer to is, ' No man is wise at all hours.' These few words contain a truth that is constantly declaring itself, and one which admits of universal application. We sometimes liear the most saga- cious and cautious of men 'wondering what could l\avc possessed them to do sucli an unwise thing !' while the young and speculative have often to adopt the same regretful exclama- tion ; indeed, so true is this maxim of some of us, that it may be applied to all our hours, in the estimation of our friends at least, for they get quite sceptical on the point, and sometimes say they doubt if there are aiii/ lioiirs in which we are wise. Now, without claiming place among the first-named, or ranging myself among tlie last-mentioned unfortunates, I beg to be allowed, apologetically, to quote this maxim in reference to the hour in wliich I consented to undertake tliis duty. Whether it stood alone as an hour in which I did a foolish tiling, and was remarkable on that account, or whether it was an hour in which the weakness of my nature was only more fully revealed than was constantly showing itself, is not for me to say : I only ask you to think of the maxim as I proceed, and be as leuient as possible in your criticisms on the manner in which the promise is redeemed. Having taken an active part in the management of the Over Agricultural Society fi-om its com- mencement, and having been frequently asked lately, ' Do you think these shows are really beneficial to the farmer ?' I was induced to choose the subject of discussion in acceding to your request, with a view to accept the challenge implied in this question ; and also to evince my own goodwill, and the kindly feehng entertained by the Over Society towards you in the formation of a similar institution here. In proceeding to do this, however, it will be necessary first to define the constitu- tion and object of such societies, which I will endeavour to do as briefly as possiljle. In constitution they are simply clubs or associations of men united together under self-imposed rules, with properly qualified officers, for their effective administra- tion ; and their object is to seek certain definite results, as a collective body, which could not be obtained individually. The first-named officers on their roU are patrons or presidents, and the duties of these offices are generally assumed, as is most proper, by the landed proprietors of the district, and although merely honorary, it is desirable to have the names and coun- tenance of such, gentlemen. Our cousius across the Atlantic may smile at what they term our weakness in this matter, and our politicians of the Republican school may display some truthful sarcasm in the sajiug that ' England loves a lord,' but there is a deep-seated respect for the aristocracy of this coun- try generally prevalent in the lower and middle classes, wliich, I am so conservative as to think, conduces very materially to the good order and welfare of tlie kingdom. ' Honour to whom honour is due ' is a divine command, and in no county is this feeling of respect for the higher classes more sincere than in Cheshire. Next in order in the constitution of agricul- tural societies is the committee, upon whom the success of the association mainly depends. They should be men of superior intelligence in their profession, independent in spirit and thought, but considerate in feeling of the views and opinions of others, impartial in actiou, of unsuspected reputation, and active in efforts to promote tlie welfare of the society. The offices of treasurer and secretary are now generally held by the same person, and where auditors are appointed there can be no possible objection to this, while it gives u xuiity and simplicity of action whicli is not always obtainable in divided responsi- bilities ; but it is essential that tlie individual accepting these offices should have all the properties previously named as requisites for the committee, and also he a man of business habits and tact, lie is expected also to be strict in adherence to defined rule, courteous and considerate to every member, and severely impartial in all his proceedings. He should also be largely possessed of self-reliance and self-control, for occa- sions will occur that render Ijoth necessary ; not so thick- skinned as to be insensible to reproof, nor so thin-skinned as to take olfence at every hasty expression or seeming opposition, but able to govern his own spirit, and in some measure the spirits of others also — and this latter quality is desirable in every member of the society. The close competition that results in disappointment may cause an exhibitor to speak in an unkind and unjust manner, that is most provoking to the temper of the successful candidate ; and here a sharp biting of the lip, and a remembrance of the words of the wise man, ' That a soft answer turneth away wrath : but grievous words stir up anger ' is most opportune and desirable. One word upon the character of llie j udges who award the premiums. They are generally chosen, and indeed always should be selected, because known to be men of ability for their office, and of honourable character. ' Kissing goes by favour,' said one, ' and so do premiums ;' but after a pretty extensive obser- vation of the coudnct of judges, as a steward in the county society, as a colleague in others, and as general superintendent of our own at Over, I can safely assert that I never but once had occasion to suspect the integrity and uprightness of any of these gentlemen in the least degree, and in the exceptional case am not sure there was sufficient ground to do so. I men- tion this to advise competitors, when disappointed of a prize on which they had set flieir minds, to be cautious in their re- marks, and not too hasty in ascribing dishonourable conduct to those who uudertake the offices of judges at our shows. The object of local agricultural societies, as I have said, is to seek certain definite results by united actiou, which cannot he acquired through individual influence. These contemplated results, as generally set forth, are to stimulate and encourage agricultural enterprise, and to improve the moral and social position of the farm labourer ; and the oldest and still most general mode of eft'ecting this is by the offer of money prizes for the best ploughing, the best cultivation of laud, the best specimens of all kiuds of stock and produce, the best imple- ments, and the best and longest servitude. Another mode, and one which seems to be growing in favour with the fanner, is the adoption of monthly meetings during the winter for discussion of agricultural topics, aud I venture to think that such meetings will rise in general estimation as they are better known. Fanners are not generally reading men, but there is no lack of inclination and ability among them to talk to each other of their own practice and experience, as witness the zeal with which any knotty point is discussed in the rail- way carriage or the market room ; aud such meetings as this are precisely similar, perhaps more formal and orderly, but none the less likely to be useful. There are two or three other modes of promoting the farmer's interests which it has occurred to me might be profitably connected with the action of a local agricultural society, aud which, for the sake of discussion, I beg to suggest for your consideration. 1st. Might not their machinery be made useful to the farmer in the purchase of guano, bones, seeds, oilcake, (and miller though I am), even of corn for his own use and consumption. We all know that in business the man who buys largely and pays promptly has more advantages, and secures more profit on his transac- tions, than the small trader whose payments are postponed to the furthest possible period ; and if mombers of agricultural societies would send a periodical or monthly order to the secretary, or other specially appointed officer, for any of these commodities, the aggregate order it is almost certain would be supplied upon better terms as to quality and price than any one of them could possibly obtain individually, at least on all ordinary trausactious. Again, might not our local agricultural Q 210 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. societies profitably assume the work of ' district cattle iusurance societies ?' There are mauy local cattle clubs which are very successful ; aud now" that the rates of deaths fi-om pleuro-pueu- monia ; and all other diseases are so well known, it would not be difficult to organize such an association as would meet the requirements of members, and redeem some part of the large per-centages that are paid to agents and inspectors in public companies. It has also occurred to me that our agricultural societies would be useful to the farming interest by providing good schools towards the centre of their districts, where the ordinary classical teaching could be combined with scientific and practical lessons in agriculture. Suppose a farm of 200 acres were taken by the society as tenant, or, what would be better, if some of the still unreclaimed laud of the forest were purchased or leased for a long term by the society, or part of its members as a proprietary company with limited liability, and two or three masters placed upon it who could combine the teachings of science and practice : it must give a great ad- vantage to our sons in their future career as farmers ; and the time is certainly coming when the combination of these teach- ings will be imperatively demanded for the more complete development of the earth's resources, and the l)asis of this education will have to be laid in early life. The boys intended for merchants, la\n"ers, doctors, clergymen, and for the army and navy, generally receive an education from their earliest years for these special professions, and why should not the farmer-boy his P There are in the field already implements of various design and multitudinous advantages, the working of which demands more than the ordinary skill of the untutored labourer. Chemistry is to most of us like a locked chamber that is full of important secrets, the key of wliich it is too late for us to find. Meteorology has more knowledge to unfold than that the moon changed last night, aud therefore the weather will to-morrow ; and botany and geology stand as far from us that we despair of ever learning anything from them. But if we put our sons upon their trail in early life, they may overtake them, and may subjugate them to their sway. ' He who learns young learns fair,' and here if anywhere the proverb will be true. I know that there are agricultural colleges at Cirencester and other places where a most complete education is given ; but these places are too far away, too expensive for most of us, and some portions of their training not well adapted for preparing their scholars to undertake the rough and laborious duties of a Cheshire farm ; and there is really much need of such an institution as|I name, in our own county. But I am perhaps wandering from the question of the evening, and must now address myself to its discussion. Is the increase of local agricultural societies, when constituted as I have described, desirable ? ' Why, what good do they do ?' asks one whose thoughts have run in the same groove, and whose practice has kept one circuitous round for the last forty years or more. ' Did you ever know any of your sho\\7 men get rich ?' and ' Look what harm they are doing to farmers by telling laud- lords what stock can be kept, what corn can be grown, and what crops of turnips and mangolds can be got.' And what an inducement tliis is to advance their rents. We have most of us heard these critiques or objections, and have no difficulty in calling to mind a type of the men who use them; and have generally found that when we attempt a reply, their patience is soon exhausted and our argu- ments are totally unheeded. We frequently find these men, however, in our show-yards, where they are often loudest in their comments upon the 'proceedings, sometimes dift'ering from the decision of the judges, and sometimes agreeing with them, but meanwhile informing their ovra minds whether they know it or not ; and the next bull they buy is compared men- tally with the first prize beast, although it is not acknowledged. When walking round the pig pens they mark where the prize boar comes from, and meanwhile tliink of their own sows at home. If they keep sheep, Mr. Winner's rams are severely scrutinised, and if they don't buy one from him after the show they buy oue like his. The stallion that carries the ribbons is either better or worse than the one they put their mares to last spring. The cheese, some of it looks well, but they believe they have as good or better in their own cheese-room, and then as » rule they go away ungraciously saying, ' they don't see the *ood of it,' and ' if they had a good thing they would keep it >t home and not bring it here to make a boast of.' But I +i!wi*f ■''"'' '''™'^'^^ ^^^^ ^'^'^y ^^^'■'^ ^^^^ ^'^"^ goo"! of i^ and Their talking thus is mere nonsense, which rather exposes their feeling than reflects their wisdom, aud reminds oue of the doggrel lines : — ' I do not like thee. Dr. Fell, The reason why I cannot tell, But this indeed I know full well, I do not like thee. Dr. Fell.' Can any farmer go through a show-yard without being bene- fitted by it even though he does not examine everything very closely. His eye is trained to see defects as well as beauties, and when he gets home his own geese do not look so much like swans as they did. The best of his swedes, he confesses next morning, are not nearly so heavy as those that were exliibited ; and if he only gives them a little more guano next spring, or an extra hoeing aud another scariiying, I contend tliat he is benefited, and is bound to admit that these shows do some good. I cannot press our friends too hard upon their second objection. As a rule they are right, showing that men who are breeders of first-class stock do not always get rich. The pioneer in any new enterprise seldom gets rewarded as he deserves, aud the case of our noted breeders is no exception to the rule. They pay dearly for their parent animals, and often find they have made mistakes at the commencement, which require further outlay, and subjects to longer deferred profit. Added to this, the food of such stock must be of the best and most expensive kind, and unless the breeder lives to be an old man, it is very doubtful if he does get rich. But should it be the only aim of life to get rich ? It is pleasant, nay, necessary to continuance in any course that we realize pecuniary profit or advantage ; but there is something more than lionoiu- and grati- fication in pursuing a course which will act and re-act to the advantage of others at a future day, as must be the case to some extent in seeking the improvement of stock. Ha\dng granted this much, let me remind such objectors that non-exhibitors of stock do not always get rich either, and therefore the objection proves nothing. The balance which is struck in winding up the profit and loss account is not at all dependent upon the position assumed as exhibitors or non-exhibitors. I must, however, be allowed to break a lance with our friend when he says that agricultural societies do harm to the farmer by the information they give to landlords in their reports ; as if the landlord could not see these things for himself in his hunting or shooting excursions if no agricultural societies were in existence ! and it is well known that large stocks cannot be kept, nor great crops raised on any laud, without superior skiU and considerable outlay. Ou many farms the rent is not to be compared with the amount spent in implements, labour, seeds, and manures, and the production of large crops proves much more clearly that the farm is managed by a clever and enterprising farmer, who must be retained in any case rather than that the rent is too low, and may be advanced. I submit also that facts are opposed to such conclusion. The landed proprietors of Cheshire deal most considerately and honourably with their improving tenants, and the instances are very rare where advantage has been taken of their confidence and enter- prise. They know there is great diversity in seasons, sometimes serious fluctuations in the value of produce, and always con- siderable risk of capital from diseases or epidemics, and that the resultsof any one year are not to be placed to its account alone. I/arger returns of profit than ordinary are generally the result of systematic proceeding for two or three previous years, which liave tested the farmer's skill, patience, and promptitude, as well as the state of his funds. It is not very easy to bring a farm up to a high state of culture, and it is even more difficult, perhaps, to keep it up in one harmonious whole. Any tyro may grow a good crop of turnips on leys of deep loamy soil, or may clothe his grass land with rich verdure if he has guineas in abundance to scatter upon it in the shape of bone, or he may extract all superabundant water by the employment of a draining engineer ; but he is the best farmer whose crops are of uniform good quality throughout, whose land as a whole is treated according to its respective nature and wants, and last, though not least, whose balance-sheet shows a clear profit ou all expeuditure, and even with him the picture has its dark side as well as its bright one ; there are shadows in it as weU as gleams of sun- shine, and the best man's work is not always attended with success : even in the most favourable instances farming is a slow way of making money compared with trading. Only once in the year can the farmer turn over his capital and not make more than 20 per cent, as a whole, whereas the tradesman may obtain returns upon his transactions ten or twelve times over. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 211 Tliere is a balance of health, of pleasure, and of liomely com- fort, as I think, in the pursuit of the farmer ; but he who wishes principally to be rich in the world defeats his object wlien he becomes a farmer. He may attain a competency by patient plodding, diligence, and perseverance ; but in the majority of cases little more can be obtained by farming alone. I submit then that, these things being considered, tliere can be no injury done to the tenant farmer by the reports of agricultural societies ; and to the honour of our landlords be it spoken, especially they of the old county families, there are few, if any instances, where unfair advantage has been taken of the farmers' outlay and improvements, whether members of agricultural societies or not. But the utility of agricultural societies is not merely of negative character. Their advantages may not Ije of that positive or demonstrative character which some other kindred associations assume, but there is a passive or quiescent influence connected with them that is potent for good. The money premiiuns that are won at the show it is freely admitted are seldom secured at a profit. The advantage that a fat animal has over one that is in ordinary store condition with equal character is so weU known, that extra food of the most expensive kind is often given to secure a prize ; and this practice is carried so far in some cases (more particularly in our larger societies) that there must be a large ))alance due to the account at\er having received the prize, and oftentimes the winner is a loser in a pecuniary sense. The greatest benefit that accrues to members of agricultural societies consists in the stimulating influence that competition enforces, and their value must be estimated more by the efl'ects they produce upon the character and practice than by the ' fisli they bring to the net !' There are many agencies and associations at work in the world which proceed so noislessly that we are scarcely aware of their existence, but if their action were to cease tlieir usefulness would soon be manifest. Blot them out of existence, and the blank they leave would soon declare their worth. It is in sickness that we value health the most ; and it is my conviction that if an Act of Parliament were passed to-morrow to suppress all agricultural exhibitions, it would be one of the greatest calamities that coidd befall the farmer, not on account of the direct loss that he would sustain thereby, but by the removal of one of the best stimulants to increased efforts. No more terrible doom was to overtake him a few years ago than the repeal of the corn laws, and it did seem unfair to place his opponents of the New World, who had no rent or taxes to pay, on an equal footing with him here in disposing of his produce ; but the act a\\-oke the dormant energy and skUl of his nature, and called forth these competitive powers which soon banished his short-sighted fears. The old Anglo-Saxon nature, which it has been pithQy said ' won't stand no nonsense,' was put upon its metal, and the old courage that would try in the face of superior force, and failing ' try agahi^ was true to its ancient reputation, and having accomplished the object, it learned there were other fields to conquer, and no lack of means or ability for the work wlien thus challenged. And the operation of our agricultural societies is precisely similar to tliis, and they seem to have taken up their work from this point, their special work being to awaken tlie emulative spirit of the farmer, and excite him to doubled diligence und assiduity in the prose- cution of his arduous calling. Isolated from each other, as farmers necessarily are, they miss the stimulant of a healthy competition such as our merchants and tradesmen constantly feel ; and being accustomed to plain fare, and inured to labour and toil, it is easier for tliem to indure privation than to pursue their work with earnest zest : they can live where the former would starve, and are apt to yield themselves to circumstances rather than strive to overcome them by more enterprising conduct. But the agricultural society brings them together, starts some of them in one general race, gives others an interest in their course as spectators of the friendly strife, provokes remark and comment, excites thouglit and reflection, and gradually infuses and keeps alive those principles of honourable enterprise that have made our country's commerce thegieatest and the most valued of any nation of the earth, and w-e con- clude, therefore, that their increase is desirable because of tlie effects they produce in this way. But I am reminded that our discussion tliis evening affects the action of local agricultural societies only. These institutions are springing up on aU sides, having a market town for their centre, and embracing the townships immediately adjoining ; and if my previous remarks liave a legitimate application to any, that application will have even more force in reference to such an one as you have formed here, and such as are being formed in other districts of our county. The large societies almost overawe the majority of farmers. They embrace the best men in a county. The best stock in the county is generally exhibited at their shows, and althousih all the cheese that they bring together may not be the finest that is to be found, yet the best that is there will bear comparison with it. And although I have said that the winner is generally a loser in a pecuniary sense, yet it is more profitable to win a premium than to lose it, and most of us would ratlier compete where we are likely to do so than where greater danger of losing lies ; and the facilities offered by these small societies induce competition among the men whom the large societies would not affect. The hopelessness of success to many in a large district is so probable, and the long distances which stock has often to be taken together, effectually deter them from exhibiting at all ; but the neighbourly contest for superiority among the farmers of a given district is a different matter. They know the character of each other's stock, and no one of them fears the other as a bond fide exhibitor. His lordship's bailiff or Mr. Pedigree's bulls are most feared at first, and the plain practical farmer sometimes thinks they have a class to themselves, and a silver medal for a prize, and per- haps they should ; but after a little time they find they are not such terrible opponents, and the ice once broken tlie spirit of the contest will sustain them until death or victory is the result. These remarks, it will be seen, apply principally to the premiums offered for the best cultivation of farms, for stock, and for produce; there are, however, two other classes by which, as farmers, we benefit largely that must not pass unnoticed — I mean the implement makers, and the agricultural labourers and liired servants. It may be doubted whether th» exliibition of implements does not conduce more than any other part of our shows to their utility, by bringing together a large collection of tools for the more economical and profit- able working of our farms, and exposing them to our view side by side with each, together with such friendly descrip- tion as the respective exMbitors are ever ready to give to a probable purchaser. A few years ago an old wooden plough, and an equally wooden set of barrows, comprised the stock of implements on the majority of farms ; but now an implement house is as requisite a part of farm buildings — indeed, almost more so than a barn. Many of those we see at our shows would puzzle a lawyer to name and describe, but the majority are of such a useful character that they liave become essentials of our practice. Many a jaded liorse M-ould utter his thanks to the mechanical genius of the makers if he had the gift of speech. Many a puzzled and almost despairing farmer resumes work with profit by their help, which he had previously abandoned with disgust. Many machinists have found a new and extensive trade in their manufacture, and their agents a new, and, we hope, highly profitable business in their sale, for much if not for all of which mutual obligations should be entertained for those agricultural societies whose help they have so freely had ; and believing, as we all must, that there is yet greater progress to be made in this line, and that the machinery of our annual shows is well adapted to display their several merits, we think we have in this anotlier inducement to plead for their increase. The other class I named — agricultural labourers and servants — must also be benefited by their extension ; not pecuniarily so much (for the prizes they win are of smaU amount), but in the kindly feeling towards employers they awaken, and in the increased self-respect they engender. Our proceedings in this department have been severely criticised in some quarters, because of the small sums that are offered being of no value compared with what they deserve ; but they are not meant as a reward in this sense, nor are they valued simply on this account. There is a laudable pride and satisfaction felt by a successful competitor when he hangs up the prize card on the walls of his cottage, which is worth more to him than the money it represents : and the lesson which it is ever silently teaching to his cluldreu cannot but conduce to their future usefulness and liappiness, and it is most desirable that these traits of character should be fostered and encouraged. The life of a farm servant is one of toil and exposure, and often of privations of which we can form no adequate conception ; and, as these, as a rule, are borne with exemplary patience, it is but seemly therefore that we should mark our sense of approval in this manner, or in some other that is more expressive, On the 212 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. other liaud, we are so teazed and annoyed by the obstinacy and recklessness of some of tliis class, that we are at our wit's end, and declare them to be the greatest pest of our lives, and they do possess much power to annoy when they incline to exercise it : and this also should be borne in mind when we think of those who are faithful and devoted to our interests. Further remarks on this head, however, would necessarily trench upon your next subject for discussion, and I leave it, merely remark- ing, that in our efforts to raise and improve the morals and liabits of our servants and labourers, we have a promising and popular help in the establisliment of local agricultural societies, and on this account again I conclude tlieir increase is desirable. It may be questioned however. May not tlieir number become too great P Not if their centres be so far apart that tliey do not trench upon each other's ground to any large extent ; and tlie more general tlie application of the agricultural societies' agency the more good they must accomplish. If a principle be true as a whole, its most extended application cannot impeach its truth, but must rather extend and develope its power. But it may be again replied. What is to become of the larger county associations? If we all become members of local agricultural societies we cannot contribute to their maintenance if we derive no benefit from them. Assuredly not ; but why should we not derive increased or corresponding benefit P They may teach us more than our local shows can : our heifers may win all before tliem at home, and we may conclude too soon that one is matchless and the other perfection. The county show may tell us an unpleasant, albeit, a useful truth if we send them to their trysting ground, and it may repeat the lesson in other departments if we ask for its teaching : and when we have all in our several spheres done the best we can, and the necessity of its continuance as a public show is passed, a little alteration in its construction aud rules may give it new and more important work. Say, for instance, that its show be held late in the season, and its prizes be offered only to winning animals and produce in the local lists ; or, that one of its objects shaU be the determination of analysis of maunres, soil, &c., through its owu chemist and laboratory ; or, in the pro- vision of able lecturers on popular subjects in the winter mouths ; or iu the offer of prizes for essays on agricultural subjects ; or in tlie collection of facts respecting epidemics anywhere prevalent in the county ; or iu a general investiga- tion and report of any unusual occurrence that may promise to he of interest to the farming community ; aud in this way, and many others, it may serve us better than the local society can, and prove itself deserving of our best support. And we shall certainly require all the help we can get from these sources in the new phases whicli farming is every day assuming ; without saying anythiug upon the extended application of chemistry, or any other of the sciences, which to most of us are known only as hard words with a very indefinite meaning. Look at the effects that are being produced by steam cultivation in the arable counties. If the nia.vim be true, ' Uig deep to find the gold,' the steam plough or grubber, or smasher, will go to any depth we wash without compressing the subsoil as do our horses, and leave the whole to the depth of a foot or eighteen inches to be easily penetrated by the rootlets of wheat, turnips, or mangold, allowing free access to the air, and giving perfect drainage to the rainfall after having perfectly filtered and re- tained its fertilizing properties ; aud we must push on to understand its action and prepare for its application upon our own holdings. Look also at the manufacture of cheese, the principal business aud practice of our county. There are few who will allow that this part of our proceedings is in as satis- factory a position as can be attained. On the same farm, with the same stock, and with the same conveniences and vessels, nine-tenths of our dairymaids cannot make the same quality of cheese three years together, while on farms adjoining eacli other the most opposite principles in its manufacture are pur- sued. One sets the milk with rennet at 75 deg., and tlie other at 90 deg. ; one dries the curd in the cheese-tub as much as possible, the other lades it into the drainer in a sloppy state ; one puts it into the heated furnace after making, the other removes it to the coolest part of the kitchen ; one wall jmt nearly a ton weight of pressure upon it afterwards, the other will be satisfied with a hundredweight ; one will have it dried and removed to the cheese-room in a week, the other will give it a fortnight at least ; one will sell it and deliver it in eight weeks aftev making, the other cannot think of such a thing under eight months ; and we ftnd the most indefinite ranging of practice between all these two extremes, aud not one can tell you why, or which is best. The whole questiou seems yet to be precisely similar to the state iu which the clever authoress of ' Our Farm of Four Acres ' found the making of butter to be in among her neighbours so far as the knowledge of leading principles are concerned. ' We stiU had occasional trouble with our butter making,' says she : ' sometimes it would come in half an liour, sometimes we were hard at work with the churn for two or three hours, and then the butter was invari- ably bad. We tried to procure information on the subject, and asked several farmers' wives in the neighbourhood how long butter ought to be in coming. We always received the same answer • " Why, you see madam, that depends." " Well," we asked, " what does it depend on ?" " Oh, on lots of things." " Well, tell us some of the things on which it depends ?" " Why, you see it's longer in coming in hot weather, and it's longer in coming in cold weather, and it depends on how long the cow has calved, and how you churn, and on lots beside." Now, without casting the least reflection upon our dairy-maids, but rather desiring to say all good things possible in their praise, and especially in praise of those who under such circumstances make first-class cheese, aud their name is legion ; yet I put it to you if there is not much to be done in this branch of our business before we rest upon our oars and sail smoothly down the stream ? At present tliere is an uncertainty in the manu- facture of almost every cheese as to the character it will ulti- mately assume. As Eurns has put it, in reference to one of his compositions, ' It may turn out a song, or it may turn out a sermon ;' and we must remember that decided improvement in the quality of all other cheese is everywhere noticeable. The American is no longer the definition of a strong, raucid, rotten cheese, almost unfit for human food. The Shropshire is not now all of tlie character at which ' dogs were said to bark, and pigs to grunt, but neither of them would bite.' The Stilton has superseded the Cheshire upon the table of the aristocracy ; and the Cheddar threatens to drive us out of house and home. It remains for us to go forward also, if we would not be left entirely behind in the race. Surely the ancient reputation of our mothers is dear to us. Time was when ' Cheshire chief of men and Cheshire chief of cheese ' ran in llie same hire, and it remains for us to keep up the connexion by more diligent enquiry, more earnest pursuit, and more enterjirising conduct ; and in this, as in all other parts of our proceedings, we sliall get much valuable assistance, as I think, from local agricultural societies. The ClIAIRM.v^' said Mr. Rigby was entitled to their best thanks for delivering the first lecture in connection with this society. lie wished it to be distinctly understood that the meeting was now open for discussion, and any gentleman in tbe room was at liberty to state his views upon the subject they had heard so ably advanced. He did not for one moment suppose they aU agreed with Mr. Eigby in everv tiling he had said, nor did he consider that they should, for he believed that God never intended all men to think alike ; variety was the order of Frovidence, perceptible everywhere, aud it had been established for a wise and gracious purpose. He (the Chair- man) liked to hear both sides of a question, and as something useful was generally obtained from public discussions, he was in favour of them ; and lie had no doubt that when they returned from the mectiug they would be wiser men than when they came there. The Rev. Mr. Statii.vji would record his sense of the value of Mr. Rigby's lecture, iu which some important argu- ments had been adduced, as showing the desirableness and advantage of local institutions like that to which they belonged. There were of course many points in the address which were more familiar to the practical men present than to himself ; hut there was one subject which he was pleased to notice, and which had occupied a place in his mind for a great many years — he meant the education of the young farmers. He had had a good deal to do with the management of schools, conse- quently his observation had been directed to the resources of education in that and other parts of England. It had always appeared to him that since the year ISS'J, when the Govern- ment began their endeavours to promote national education among the people, the class that had been the least benefited were the farming and trading community. Great sums had been spent, great pains had been bestowed, aud great experi- ments had beeu made in the education of the children of the cottagers, but the like advantages liad not been lield out to tlie THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 21^ fhildi'cn of tlieir employers. Perhaps there was a mistake in the prevailing supposition that the National School was not upon to any but the chilclrcn of cottasjers, but he believed that it was always luiiversally intended that it should be open to all classes of the eonuuunity. lie could easily conceive the objection and hesitation that fanners and tradesmen might have in sending their children to a National School. The general disposition was to send their sons to those institutions where their associations would rather be elevated than lowered, and he confessed he had always regarded that disposition witli anxious jealousy, lie had very great pleasure in bearing his testimony, from experience, to the fact that it was possible for children of the trading and farming community to obtain a suitable education in a National School without that contamina- tion which, perhaps, might by casual observers be too readily apprehended. After some further observations, Mr. TiiOM.vs Davies expressed himself in favour of "marling." If there were more of it done, it was his opinion that it would be better for agricultural purposes in general. Mr. AV. Vekxon spoke in terms of praise of the lecture, and referred to the benefits these societies conferred upon the agricultural community at large. Mter a vote of thanks to Mr. Rigby, that gentleman said he could like to have heard some further expression of opinion upon other topics referred to in his paper ; but he was glad to find that the suggestion he had made respecting an educational institution for farmers' sous had met with so much favour. The remarks of the Hector were very appropriate in reference to National Schools ; but without entering upon the question of position or of liome training, he thought that farmers should not be content with the education that could be got in the National Schools, but should seek to give their son; an education suitaljle, as far as practicaljle, for their futurd career, and he would add at tlieir own cost also. He was not prepared to lay down particulars of the plan he had suggested, but he was of opinion that such an institution might be made self-sustaining if taken up with spirit and with ordinary business prudence. Considerable profit must arise from the management of the land, which, supposing the scheme were managed by a society or company of shareholders, could be applied in reduction of terms. Youths should not be sent under twelve years of age, and if they continued there until sixteen years old, and were accustomed to working upon the farm one or two hours per day, and were taught the application of various sciences or studies to the practical course of farming of which they were engaged, he thought it would give them great advantages in thc'r future course, lie hoped that the matter would be further thought of, and that such a school would be originated somewhere in that neighbourhood, suffi- ciently central for the whole of the county. Perhaps Mr. Davies was right about marling. They ought not to set at nought the wisdom and the practice of their ancestors. A friend on his right hand, however, had whispered to him there was nothing like boning, and he believed that nine-tenths of them would decide in favour of bone versus marl. He wished them every success in originating this society. In this depart- ment of their proceedings they had made a capital beginning, and he hoped their progress would be uninterrupted. The meeting then separated. SUBDIVISION OF LAND— CHEMICAL AND MECHANICAL PROGRESS. Many of our small farmers, labourers, and artizans, are at the present time allowing themselves to be led astray by the fallacious political dogma that landlords, tenants, and labour- ers are the only three classes of our industrial system that are engaged in British agriculture. "Were such the case, it would follow as a matter of course that the subdivision of the land would increase the number employed ; but the reverse being true, the contrary conclusion is indicated, viz., the minute subdivision of land reduces the population, and this is what the voice of experience teaches. The tailor, shoemaker, and those who supply the above three classes with clothing, imple- ments, and the daily necessaries of life, are, for example, as much engaged in farming as themselves. In short, sub-divided labour involves the whole industrial fabric of the country — the above three classes inseparably included. The cotton-lord proposition, of converting our "great barons" into piccaiii/ii lairds by the old gavelkind rule, at this time of day is, viewed from what point of the compass you may, such an anomaly that it requires to be treated in a somewhat exceptional or dc facto manner, to be tangibly understood by perhaps half the ordinary capacities of practical men. Had it been enunciatedin the daysof Abraham, Isaac, andJacob — when the caste system of subdivided labour prevailed in the East, when the minute subdivision of land was often carried to its extreme extent in the principle of gavelkind settlement, and when the small owners of land, who in famine or under other misfor- tune were obliged to pawn their lands for bread, became the bond-slaves of the cotton-lords and other capitalists of that time, often under circumstances of the most unprincipled cha- racter imaginable — then the matter in question could have been brought to the test of daily experience. Thus the guilty sons of Israel, who sold their brother to the Ishmaelitcs, were sensibly aUve to the force of this caste law in Egypt w"hen they were brouglit*into Joseph's house : for they said, "Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in ; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses." The working of the peasant-proprietor system of those days is farther illustrated in the case of the small Coptic- lairds, who eacli sold his field to Joseph for bread-corn, and who virtually thus became nothing less than a species of per- manent bond-slaves to Pharoah. Eventually the Hebrews themselves were unjustly made the subjects of the same en- slaving practice (so historians generally conclude). Such being the practice, it may reasonably be inferred that, had the cotton-lord proposition been made in Joseph's time, it would have been perfectly well understood ; but flounced in the flow- ing robes of Manchester and wig-wam hoops of Birmingham, it, like " a pig in a sack," requires cautious handling to com- prehend its natural symmetry, and how it may look when turned out and examined in broad daylight, practically some- thing as follows : The number 5 has very often been taken as a family one. If we, therefore, assume that this is the number of each rising generation — half boys, half girls — then the rule would be to divide every two estates by 5, or every individual estate by 2^, to determine the division of the land ; and to multiply the two families by half that number, viz., 2^, to get the progressive number of families, and the Malthusiau limit of the old caste system. Example: Given Bright-Castle Estate 10,000 acres, and Cobden-Castle Estate at an equal area, and the Bright and Cobden families to intermarry, then the follo\A'ing would ex- hibit the time and process of reducing the two estates and families to that limit when it may be presumed the Malthusian rule of starvation is understood to begin — Families. Acres. Present 2 20,000 = 10,000 acres each. First division ... 5 5)20,000 = 4,000 „ Third ditto 25 5) •i,000 = 800 „ Fifth ditto 125 5) 800 = 160 „ Seventh ditto ... 625 5) IGO = 33 „ Ninth ditto 3,125 5) 32 = 6a. Ir. 24p Tenth ditto 7,182 2|) 6a. Ir. 21< p. = 2Kacreseach. The reader will perceive in the above tabular view that we have only taken half the periods, or every alternate genera- tion, in order to avoid the odd numbers, which otherwise would have interfered ; but the general inference that ten generations would suffice to reduce Bright-Castle estate and Cobden-C'astle estate each to two-and-a-half-acre holdings will readily be understood, the Irisli principle — if principle it can be called — of rags and potatoes being the sole rule in the domestic economy of the united families ; and although the example is too absurd to be seriously entertained in tliis coun- try ill a practical light in modern times, it nevertheless has had 214 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. too manv parallels iu the world, aiul iudeed still has in other quarters" of the globe, to be passed over as altogether unworthy of a passing notice in the col uuius of an Agricultural Journal whose motto is " Tenant Right." This naturally brings us to inquire what would become of tlie tenants and labourers upon large estates during the process of dividing them into small oues, and also of the implement makers, village and other merchants and manufacturers to whom they give employment ? It will no doubt be answered by those of the cotton-lord school, who advocate the subdivi- sion of land, that it would advance tiie manufacturing and commercial interests generally, and thus increase the total population directly and indirectly connected with agriculture ; but the past and present experience of every quarter of the globe is overflowing with tangible proof to the contrary ; and this, too, is manifest from the above table ; for at the seventh remove the tenant-farmers would disappear from the Biight- Castle and Cobden-Castle estates, like the melting snows in April and May, and the whole labouring popidation at the ninth. Our great implement makers have only to examine their ledgers, when they will also be in a position to speak practically as to the orders they would likely secure from thirty-acre lands, farming their own lands on the descending scale of subdivision, as advocated by pseudo-economists. And if our village magi cannot comprehend the language of expe- rience thus expressed in figures, they have only to go over to the sister-country, Ireland, where idleness, rags, potatoes, and small holdings form the rule of things, when they will see all the other branches of industry in the most prostrate and hope- less state imaginable, and which of necessity must remain in tliis deplorable state so long as this antiquated rule of subdivi- sion is in force. No doubt it may be argued j^er contra that under a minute subdivision of landed property one conclusion is manifest — viz., cotton-lords would get cheaper labour, and thus be in a better state to compete witli those countries where small hold- ings prevail, and labour is cheap. Such is apparent enough, and may even be seen looming in the distance already, per- haps by the keen eye of some close-fisted business men. It is also a well-established fact that peasant proprietors pay large ijiterest on capital lent on the security of their small estates, so that under such a system the spare capital of catton-lords would realize perliaps nearly double the interest it now does when invested in large landed properties. Thus far we can iinderstand the advocates of minute subdivision of land accord- ing to the old caste law of gavelkind tolerably well ; hut when we come to the working capitals of the small landowners themselves invested as tenants' capitals, and the capitals of the lahouring population, as farm-sei-vants, me- chanics, &c., and the capitals of implement makers and the other manufacturing and commercial interests involved, the very reverse is true, much less interest being realized for capital and remuneration for skilful labour than in England, at present. In short, from a pecuniary point of view, the pro- position may be in favour of Jews and cotton-lords for a short time, but it is evidently against everybody else ; and, in the long-run, the former conclusion is very problematical, for it could not long apply, as a general rule, even to pawnbrokers and money-lenders. All arts (agriculture not excepted), whose modm operandi involves chemical and mechanical processes, are firmly based upon laws and principles established and upheld by their Great Creator. And if this is true of the chemical and mechanical operations of farming performed by the farmer, as it unques- tionably is, how much more so are tlie animal and vegetable productions of the land subject to the laws of Nature ! AVhat care com and cattle for small farms and large ones ? for cotton- lords ? or anybody else ? Wlio ever dreamt of making fields smaller or larger, to make more or less corn or grass grow, apart from secondary considerations ? We are, on the con- trary, at the present time, from one end of the kingdom to the other, talking and experimenting about enlarging and squaring our fields for steam culture ; we are annually increasing the numher and weight of artificial fertilizers for manuring and enriching the land ; we are also greatly enlarging our stock ot feeding materials for cattle ; and we are likewise increasing our stock of implements beyond enumeration. But if any of our cotton-lords have made the discovery that all this wide- spread expenditure upon chemieal and mechanical aids to larming can be obviated by simply dividing the land into small fields of, say, an acre each, it is certainly a novelty to which he may justly lay claim as " the true and first inventor" in her Majesty's Patent-office, under the title of, say, " Bright's Agricultural Revelation," as the case may be. Practically and generally speaking, the subdivision of land into small peasant proprietorships of a few acres each is the reverse of subdivision of labour in agriculture. The same is true of small farms, small manufactories, and every similar branch of art involving the economical subdivision of labour through the instrumentality of chemical and mechanical means. The contrary, seldom now advocated, is alike opposed to the established laws of Heaven and the industrial prosperity of the human race. Cotton-lords, for example, might just as trutlifully and consistently have proposed the breaking-up of their large manufactories by this antiquated rule of subdivision, and a return to the spinning-wheel and distaif of the olden time as a remedy for Lancashire in her recent distress, in order to find profitable employment for the operatives and investments for small capitals, as the sulxlivision of land into small estates and holdings for the general and permanent improvement of those engaged in agricidture ; for the former is not more out of date, and inapplicable to the progress of chemical and mechanical science at the present time, than is the latter. There is no doubt a certain limit to the size of an estate, or a farm, beyond which increase involves loss, just as there is a limit to the magnitude of a cotton lord's manufacturing and commercial establishment. But into practical details of this kind we need not enter, as they may safely and prudently be left to balance each other, and find their respective positions in the march of improvement, subject to those laws which alone can guide them as hitherto. There no doubt exists at the present time a vast amount of mismanagement upon many large agricultural estates and fanns, just as there exists a corresponding, if not a far greater amount of mismanagement upon the large cotton-lord estates and establishments. On either side this cannot be denied, for the condition of the agricultural labourer furnishes ample proof in support of the former, while the recent distress amongst the operatives of Lancashire supplies tangible evidence that the con- duct of the latter hitherto is not only equally, hut many degrees more untenable, and further from what it should be, as to duty. This naturally brings us to the backbone of our subject, viz., progress; and witliout any preliminary remark, we shall at once state the obvious conclusion that landlords and cotton- lords are joint members of the same system of subdivided labour, and therefore may profitably join hands for the future in making better provision for themselves and their respective labourers. Practically speaking, there can be no mistake about the working details of this, for lioth parties are a long way be- hind their individual requirements at the present time, as the facts already quoted prove ; and here we may further observe that small landed-estates and farms and small manufactories are, generally speaking, further behind in the march of pro- gress than the large ones. Systems of industry that do not pro- mise full and regular employment for all the working-classes engaged in them, always including tailors, sliocmakers, &c., can never be pronounced in a normally healthy state ; and whatever poUtical economists may say to the contrary, far as the agricultural classes are behind in this respect, they are not so far behind as the manufacturing and commercial classes generally, more especially those cliiefly engaged in the cotton- trade. But that is no reason why we should call upon land- lords thus to take the motes out of the eyes of cotton-lords before tliey take the beams out of their own, or vice versa. The more advisable course for landowners and tenants is to set about getting steam-ploughs, artificial manures, cattle-food, and cottages in abundance, upon all those estates and farms where they do not exist at present, and to make provision for our surplus population m our colonies. We are not insensible to the fact that the very mention of a colony as an adjunct to the system proposed is yet offensive to many ears ; but those who adopt the contrary theory of " Home, sweet home," only (the poor-house of course being left out, as understood), should not forget that they are blindly subscribing to that most obnoxious of all political" dogmas, viz., the Mahhusian one, of first con- verting our surplus race into old maids and bachelors, and then starving them systematically to death, as a general rule ! There being but two ways left for action, we have only an alternative choice, and the natural one is obviously- a colony for our surplus. At the same time, the other improvements THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 215 contemplated, viz., cottages, steam-ploughs, &c., ftc, would enable our provinces to support a greatly-increased population in better circumstances than at present, but only eventually to increase its annual surplus, and consequently the demand I'or a greater area of fresh ground annually. This responds to the increasing requirements of our manufacturing to^iis, whose over-crowded inhabitants at the present time stand much in need, not only of an increased colonial demand for their sur- plus inhabitants, but also for the importation of a greater amount of raw produce of our colonies, to find them in em- plojTucnt at home. Hence cue reason why landlords and cotton-lords should pull together in the common industrial enterprise of the country. In point of fact this is the very enterprise at which they are now beginning to work together, more sincerely than hitherto, in harmony, generally speaking ; for our colonies are now beginning to supply the mother- country with tea, cotton, and wine, besides a long list of other articles of a kindred character for which we have hitherto been wholly dependent upon foreign states, which is contrary to a properly-organized system of national industry. ON LEASES Feudal ideas seem to be irremovably attached to the possession of land, and to descend in a line of succession unbroken and continuous as the most rigidly entailed in- heritance of primogeniture. These descents of property and ideas may be consistently expected from the lapse of titles and ducal territories — the one inheritance accompanies the other ; and, without it, the original object would not be half ful- filled. But no sooner has the most active, energetic, and liberal-minded comraercialist, who has amassed a large capital by unrestricted trading, converted the accumulation into a landed property, tiian he is infected with the "iramobihty" that ever attends the possession of the soil — imbibes the feu- dalism of the acres ; and the inoculation being fresh and vigorous, it often exceeds in vigour the old entertainments that are somewhat dimmed with age and faded in lustre. To the prevalence of these cherished ideas of landed sovereignty must be ascribed the reluctance that is yet shown, in many cases, of granting the necessary security, and of getting land improved and the resources of the soil developed, by giving to others than the possessor an interest in it, by means of a lengthened endurance of tenure. This condition has been well exemplified in the letting of building grounds, which are improved, sold, and let by various holders of the security ^with the original pur- pose strictly maintained of the property reverting to the first pro- prietor in an improved and much more valuable condition. The ground has been made useful by employing capital and labour, affording houses in tenancy, and has fulfilled the legitimate purposes of its existence. A sense of justice, or, probably, necessity of circumstances have produced this inevitable con- sequence of thickly-crowded and enlightened communities. No proprietor of land will build a house, plant a tree, or make a road, till he enjoys the security of his tenure, which is supported to him by the laws of the country. In like manner, he cannot expect or request that any person must do what he will not do himself, under exactly similar circumstances, or that the farmer is to expend capital in improving the soil, without security of reaping the benefits. The common-sense of the case debars all such en- tertainments ; and the length of tenure must be sufficiently prolonged to allow the fuU and amply-indemnified return of the outlay that has been made. Capital recoils ^vith instinc- tive abhorrence from the want of security, which must never in any case depend on the kindness or charity even of the most benevolent holder of landed property. The feudal smeU of returns and per-centages on the days of rent-audits arises from the old furnaces that one party must live on the charity of another, and must be dependent for their existence. The rent must be so arranged for the currency of the lease as to bear^in the hands of the farmer, the ups and downs of pro- ductive circumstances, and not to rest on the benevolence of any party whatever. Independence is the most glorious pri- vilege of human nature. The lease being settled as most essentially necessary, the length of it, or the number of years in the tenure of the soil, is the next question for solution. The most enlightened prac- tice and the very best authorities on the subject have fixed the period of tnenty years as the most eligible under the pre- sent social circumstances, and to be rather above than under that figure. The crops that are reaped from the soil lequire several years in which to repay the improvements that have been made : the rewards are not obtained by one or more re- turns of the year ; and the very nature of the employment im- poses the necessity that an endurance of security exists. The period of the year at which the most convenient quit and entry can be made to farms of laud, is fixed on 1st of May, by the best practice and most enlightened judgment. At that time the crops of the year are most thoroughly separated — the outgoing tenant has manufactured for his use all the crops of the preceding year, and all the manure made from these crops remains for the use of the farm, and passes " free of any charge" into the hands of the new tenant, to be used by him for the benefit of the land. The quitting tenant sows the grain crops of the coming year, which, when nearly matured, are valued and paid for by the incoming tenant, become his property, aud are reaped by his emplojTuent. This arrange- ment prevents the sales by auction, and the carrying away and bringing in return of the straws and grain for the use of the farm. It is both just and convenient. The use of artificial manures, as bones and guano, may have a tenant-right of three years in value, as the articles are extraneous, and belong to purchase. The incoming tenant pays the grass-seeds bUl of the former year, and ttie expense of sowing them, as no crop has been obtained from the outlay. Stable accommoda- tion is given for two pairs of horses from 1st of January of the year of entry, with which to prepare the winter's farm- yard dung for the green crops, and other necessary work. The outgoing tenant performs the winter ploughing of the lands intended for green crops, and is paid for the labour by the in- coming tenant, according to the current rates of the country. This provision secures to the soils the inestimable advantage of the Nvinter's pidverizatiou, with which no mechanical working of the ground can be compared. All the provisions are intended to perpetuate an undisturbed possession, and pre- serve a similarity of occupation. Confused scenes and violent disruptions are to be avoided, and the change is to be dou^ at once, and in every connection. After the 1st of May there only remains to be settled the value of the growug corn crops, which can be valued and received by proxy, and from any dis- tant residence. The above arrangement constitutes a very large improve- ment over the Michaelmas entry of the extreme south- ern counties of England, when the whole crops of the year remain in the liands of the outgoing tenant, aud are partly bought by the in-comer and partly manufactured by the out- gocr during the winter in the barns. The valuations amount to a large sum of money, and the connection is too long con- tinued after the possession of the larm has been demitted. These inconveniences have roused the farmers of the custom to consider the abolition, and to substitute the 1st of May, with its easy transition. The lease of land must be a simple deed, easUy understood and as easily performed. Simply entertained and pointedly expressed, devoid of all technicality and unmeaning verbiage, it must contain no impossible or unintelligible stipulations, no unnecessary or hurtful clauses, and rather teU the farmer what he is not to do than what he is to perform. It must be based on sound economical principles, and must be divested of every feudal tendency. Being a simple agreement between two persons who engage to grant and perform, it must afford no inlet to captious litigation. Being a heritable deed, it must contain the power to make itself respected, and to enforce Jhe fulfilment of the obligations that are incurred. In cases of intestacy the lease descends to the heir-at-law, who cannot assign it unless the leave to do so be specially granted by the words of the deed itself. But the person that is intended to 216 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. ■inherit the lease is most generally mcntioncil h\ name in the written agreement, and Ly the express consent ot both parties : two and even three, persons are sometimes designated in suc- cession, in order to provide against the chances and accidents of hum'an life, and for the purpose of upholding the right maintained by the landowner of having the dclcdtis iicrsoiuc, or the choice of the person who is to use his property in the usufructuary interest. The assignment of a lease is generally excluded, except by the consent of the landowner, who exer- cises his 'discretion if the person be eligible in his opinion for the intended occupation. Though this choice of persons is much reprehended in many eases, yet there seems much justice in the owner having something to say in the case of a change of occupiers. It is best when some individual of the farmer's family, or liis relations, can he appointed by name to succeed in the lease, and who is of the agricultural profession, as it is inconvenient that such an inheritance comes into the hands of a person that is trained to a foreign occupation, and cannot attend to the farming business. In that case, a sale of the lease or an assignment may be permitted, the consent of the landowner beinsc always obtained. The best mode yet found is to name three persons in the agreement as successive heirs to the lease, with leave of assignment in any case of non-acceptance, the owner's consent and choice being duly stipulated as essentially necessary to the performance of the change of heirs and occupiers. On the other hand, a lease has been reckoned as a property for disposal in the will of a testator — the same as any other possession — and not to be subjected to any control or hindrance in the demise. But the peculiar nature of the article may render necessary a different arrange- ment, both in the use and disposal. The stipulations of a lease must be few and simple, impos- ing few obligations, and cautiously avoiding any fetters that may retard a progress on any useful puints. An extren.e liberality on the point of a leasehold occupation of land has prescribed that, the covenanted rent being duly paid, no re- strictions are to be imposed on the tenant ; which would be the same as to direct a maltster ^aIio rents premises in the number of quarters of barley he must steep in a week, or a cotton-spinner in how many revolutions the spindles must make in a day. But the comparison is not just, nor is the analogy correct. The restrictions on the farmer do not re- late to the detail performances of his business, but to the arrangement of it, which in the execution may inflict damage on the soil — which is the owner's property — and render it of less value for a new occupation. This is the same as the damage inflicted on houses by the occupiers of any kind, and whioJi are liable in damages by the very just law of all such cases. To direct tlie farmer how many bushels of wheat and oats he must sow on an acre of land, would coincide with the ease of malting and spinning, neither of which inflict any damage on the landlord, and are therefore not included within his notice. Some restrictions are required — as not sowing two grain crops in succession, nor mowing hay from land twice in the same year ; keeping all houses, fences, gates, and roads in due repair, or receiving the raw materials for the purpose ; cutting tall weeds in proper seasons ; and the use of game animals. In case the old tenant should leave the farm, it may be stipulated that he quits the occupation at the issue of the lease, without any legal notice or warning whatever. Good farming is now known almost cvei'ywhere, and between two willing parties few "pros" and " cons" will be required. The conditions being agreed are placed in the hands of a pro- fessional person, who puts them into legal form in order to withstand any inquiry that may occur during the currency of the lease and at its end, occasioned by the chapter of accidents in all human afl'airs. THE HEALTH OF CATTLE, FEOM A MECHANICAL POINT OF VIEW. We are told that " the mechanism of vital action is un- known," by writers of the highest authority ; but the expres- sion, we aver, requires deflnition in order to he practically understood ; and when the thing to be defined is unknown, compliance with such a proviso is, of course, no easy matter, as definition under such circumstances not unfrequently ren- ders llie subject more obscure than before. It is not sur- prising, therefore, that much confusion should exist amongst medical and physiological authorities as to what is the motive power in the animal machine, aiul how that power is generated and kept in action — or in harness, if we may be allowed this familiar and old practical phrase. At all events, the subject, generally speaking, wants ventilation. In this paper it is not our intention to go into questions of controversy, our object being simply to examiue from a me- chanical point of view a healthy state of the organs of cattle, chiefly in reference to the murrain now prevalent amongst herds. In other words, we intend to glance at the importance of keeping the whole organized mechanism of the bodies of our cattle in healthy working order, both as a means of pre- vention and cure of *eppe-murrain and other maladies by which they are continually liable to be afi'ected— more so, we are apprehensive, than when brought up and fattened in a less artificial state. Our subject will thus embrace the normal and abnormal action of the voluntary and involuntary muscles and nerves, the mechanical action of the chest, lungs, and heart, for example, the distribution of the arterial blood, and the return of the venous blood, the mechanical data involved in the pro- cesses of mastication, deglutition, rumination, digestion, ab- sorption, defecation, and excretion, the mechanical action of the nerves and muscles in standing in the feeding-stall or in moving about upon the pastures in search of food, the me- chanical action of the mouth and tongue in browsing, ifcc, of the nerves and muscles that control the senses in hearing seeing, feeling, &c. "' Whcu we thus begin to count up the various mechanical processes of the animal i>conomY, we are at once brought to tlie conviction of the complicated nature of the whole, and how necessary it is to uphold all the parts, individually as well as collectively, in cflieieiit working order. In a compli- cated piece of inanimate machinery, we are sensible of the heavy tear-and-wear that takes place, and the ruin that imme- diately follows when a single screw-bolt gets loose, or the tooth of a wheel or pinion is greatly worn or broken, or when any foreign matter gets amongst the working parts ; and just so is it with the living machine. A clownish wit of a bygone age exclaimed, when some one threw dust in his face, that "his eyes were so mechanically exact that they would not hold a mote ;" but truthfulness of configuration is not the only jiroperty of the animal machine that requires to be attended to ; for the quality, strength, and durability of the various organs, and even of individual tissues, require equal if not greater attention, in order to secure uniformity of action ; otherwise an abnormal condition or bad health is the result. It is only when the pendulum oscillates uniformly that the clock keeps time ; and so is it with the pulse and health of the animal. From such preliminaiy data we come to examine the gene- ral details of mechanism and their natural state of efliciency for work ; and the first practical question that calls for ■ solu- tion is the ordinary health of our improved breeds of cattle. Is it normal or abnormal, when examined from a mechanical point of vievv ? If, in answering these questions, it is admitted that our im- proved breeds have a natural disposition to lay on fat and to arrive at early maturity, then we are apprehensive that the health of such cattle is abnormal — at least, in a mechanical sense — as a proneness to run to fat indicates a low state of nervous and muscular action, if not actual disease in the form of obesity. At all events, it is now generally admitted by physiologists that an extra development of fat is opposed to the normal growth and health of niusele ; and, when the ac- cumulation of fat is in connexion with any of the vital organs, as the heart, the degree of health is then very low, the slightest influence from without — extra heat or cold, or sudden exercise or excitement of any kind — being sufiicient to en- danger life. An extra deposition of fat about the liver or THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 217 kidneys is also attemlcd with similar conditions unfavourable to the general health. To tlve siiperlicial observer tiic sleek skiu and plump round ibiin of the obese condition of body may appear to indicate the opposite — viz., a more than or- dinary degree of health ; and this in a great measure may, in their estimation, be confirmed about feeding time from the abnormally voracious appetite of the animal, and its liveliness at other times from the momentary excitement produced by the presence of strangers, or any other exciting cause of a similar nature ; but intelligent herdsmen and farjners who are fomiliar with their fattening or growing stock, and whose stock arc consequently familiar with them — who can enter tlie feeding-house, or go about amongst the herd or tlock when grazing in the pastures, without creating the slightest disturbance — see signs indicative of an abnormal condition of healtli ; hence, they examine closely the appearance of the eye, the action of the chest, the beating of the pulse, and the state of the urinary and alviue discharges with considerable solici- tude, more especially in thunderstorms, close weather, or times when the electrical or other condition of the atmosphere is such as to alt'ect the nervous system. However much we may advocate in favour of our improved breeds as returning more money to the farmer, so long as contagious diseases are absent ; yet the above facts of the case relative to the general stamina of health speak for themselves in terms that cannot be denied — more especially in trying times of contagious disease like that which is now experienced, when a healthy normal standard of vital force to throw otf the foraites of such diseases, so as to prevent their accumulation in the system, is of inestimable importance, as it may enable the animal thus to avoid contagion, when otherwise it would be infected. In Russia it has long been observed that some animals escape contagion even when the majority of the same herd fall vic- tims to steppe-murrain ; and, although the predisposing cause in such cases may mainly be due to an abnormal chemical condition of the fluids and tissue, yet chemistry alone is not sufficient ; for abnormal chemistry, so to speak, always of necessity involves abnormal mechanism, so that this chemical offset rather strengthens than weakens our mechanical con- clusion relative to the normal standard of vital force necessary to throw otf in the excretory functions the fomites of con- tagion, so as to prevent their accumulation in the system. To the chemical view of the subject, it may not be out of place to observe, we shall return in a separate paper under an appropriate heading ; for the present, the mechanical field is of greater breadth and length than we can well condense into the limited space at our disposal. The soundness of the above conclusion, relative to the normal standard of vital force, will appear more manifest to those of our readers not vrey familiar with this branch of jihysiology, if we examine individually some of the principal functions already enumerated, using, in doing so, the common phraseology of the herdsman and his master — such, for ex- ample, as the organs of circulation, alimentation, locomotion, sensation, and innervation — confining our observations as closely as possible to the consideration of their mechanical actions. Of the circulation, the aerating or respiratory circulation, the chest and lungs, &c., are the Jlrsf that always demands the farmers' attention ; the second is the nutritive circulation, the organs being the heart and blood vessels ; and the third the secretory circulation, the organsof secretionbeing termed glands. The breathing and conjunctive motions of the chest are visible and attractive signs of good or bad health, according as the action is natural or otherwise, and the atmosphere pure. In this proposition there are three conditions that claim atten- tion— the purity or quality of the atmosphere breathed, tlie quantity of the atmosphere inhaled, and the state of the res- piratory organs. If the atmosphere is impure, the breathing will be abnormal, granting that the lungs are in a healthy and efficient working state. On the other hand, if the tissues of lungs, including the muscles, &c., that actuate them, are in a lax and feeble [state, and the organ thereby unable to inhale a sufTiciency of air for the process of aeration, oxidation will be defective, and the arterial blood consequently impure, grant- ing that the atmosphere is pure. Tliis latter is always less or more the case during sleep ; and when fattening cattle sleep during the greater part of the day, as well as during most of the night, then the total amount of air consumed is abnormally small, the nutritive current impure, and the quality of the meat inferior. Such blood is also more liable to be contami- nated with the poisonous fomites of contagious diseases that are inhaled, suspended in the atinospiiere, or with other nox- ious matter injurious to health, wliether it be of inorganic origin, or of the lowest organic type, animal or vegetable. When the organic mechanism and motive power of the lungs and chest arc defective, those of the heart and blood vessels are almost invariably in a similar state, consequently the circulation is sluggish both in the arteries and veins, and the liability to disease at a maximum from poisonous matter taken into the circulation, either in the atmosphere inhaled or in the food, or by any of the absorbents of the system. AVhat has thus been said of the lungs, heart and blood ves- sels, apply with equal force in a great measure to the glands that secrete the urine, insensilile perspiration, &c. ; and also to those glands that discharge their secretions into i\w prima ri'>T:K OF TKEATtNG THE MILK. There are two springs in the spring-house — one is soft water, THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 225 aud the other liappens to be slightly tinctured with iron. Vats are constructed about the springs for liolding the \ratcr. Tliey are tliree in number, 12 feet long by G feet wide, set down even with the floor, and with racks in the bottom for holding the cans. The water flows up through tliese racks and ahove them to the depth of 17 inches. The pails are 22 inches long, and S inches in diameter, and as fast as the milk is received they are filled within 5 or G inches of the top, and immediately placed in the water. Care is taken that the surface of the milk in tlie paUs is not above that of the water in the spring. The pails are set close together, and one spring \n\]. hold 20-10 quarts of milk. The spring should have a suflicient flow of water to divest the milk of the animal heat in less than an hour. Mr. Slaughter regards 5G deg. as the highest tempera- ture tliat tlie water of tlie spring should he for conducting ope- rations successfully. He has not yet determined the precise temperature of water best adapted for obtaining the most cream from the milk, but is satisfied from his experiments that the natural temperature of the water should not be helow 4>8 deg. nor above 5G deg. He says more cream, and that of better quality, for butter-making, can be obtained by setting the milk on the above plan, than in shallow pans. The object is to ex- pose as little of the surface of the milk to the air as possible, and that surface should always be in a moist atmospliere, in order that the top of the cream may not get dry, which has a tendency to fleck the butter and injure its flavour. The milk of one day is left in the spring until next morning, when it is taken out, the cieam dipped off and put immediately in the churns. In removing the cream, a little tunnel-shaped cup, with a long upright handle, is used. It is gently pushed into the pails, and the cream dipped off. It is very expedi- tiously effected, and the milk line easily determined by the ap- pearance of the nulk. The cream at this season of the year, and in spring, is churned sweet. In summer the cream is dipped into the same pails, and returned to the spring, and kept there until it sours. As fast as the cream is removed, the milk in the pails is emptied into the vats for making skim cheese. THE CHUKN-ROOM A^'I) CnVR>'I>"G. The churning is done by horse-power. The churns are the common barrel and a half-dash churn, four in number, and are placed on each side of the power, so as to be all worked together. About 50 quarts of cream are put in each chum, and each then receives a paU of hot spring water, and tlie mass is brouglit to a temperature of G3 deg. to CI deg. Li warm weather it is sometimes broken up and put in the chum to reduce the tem- perature to 56 deg. : but it is deemed better to chum without ice if the cream does not get above 6-t deg. in tlie process of churning, as butter made with ice is more sensitive to heat. It is, however, a less evil to use ice than to have the butter come from the churn white and soft. It requires from 45 minutes to an hour to chum, when the butter should come solid and of a rich yellow colour. It is then taken from the churns aud thorouglily washed in spring water. In this pro- cess the ladle is used, and three times pouring on water is generally all that is required. It is then salted at the rate of 1 lb. 2 oz. of salt to 22 lbs. of butter. In making winter butter a little mote salt is added at the last working. The butter, after having been salted and worked, is allowed to stand till evening, and is then worked aud packed in GO lb. paUs, and shipped twice a-week to New York. In hot weatlier, after the butter is salted and worked over, it is taken to the spring and immersed in the water, where it remains nntU evening, wlien it is taken out and worked over and packed. For winter butter a small teaspoonful of pul- verized saltpetre and a large tablespoonful of white sugar are added for the 22 lbs. of butter at the last working. No colour- ing matter is used in butter at this establishment. The butter is worked on an inclined slab with beveUed sides mnning down to the lower end, and within four inches of each other. A long wooden lever, so formed as to fit in a socket at this point, is used for working the butter. It is a very simple affair, and does the work effectually. la chuming the dashers are so arranged as to go at every stroke witliin a quarter of an inch of the bottom of the churn, and rise above the cream in their upward stroke. When butter is packed in firkins none hnt those made of white oak are used. These firkins are very handsomely made, and are tight, so as not to allow the least leakage. Before using they are soaked in cold water, and after that in hot water, and then again with cold water. After being filled with butter they are headed up and strong brine poured in at the top to fill all the intervening spaces. The pails for holding the milk in the springs are thoroughly cleaned with soap, rinsed in spring water, and put on a rack to dry. In furnish- ing a factory two paUs are idlowed for each cow, as it is neces- sarj' to have a double set. RECORD OF RESULTS IROM A Gn^EX QU-CXTITY OF OTLK. Mr. Slaughter has only from time to time made a record of a single day's work — liis books being arranged for monthly statements. Among the single day's results are the following : On May ISth, from 3512 quarts of milk, wine measure, there was produced 213 lbs. of butter and 560 of cheese ; May 2Gth, from 33iX) qnarts of milk, 210 lbs. of butter, and 550 of cheese; September 12th, from 312S quarts, 200 lbs. of butter and 5-16 lbs. cheese ; October 1-lth, from 2027 quarts of milk, 120 lbs. of butter and 407 lbs. of cheese. Take the result, for instance, of May ISth ; The 2513 quarts of milk by our system would make, say 800 lbs. of cheese, which at ISc. would come to 144 dols. But by the Orange covmty process 213 lbs. of butter at 70 c. comes to 149 dols. 10 c, aud the 560 lbs. of cheese at ISi c. comes to 104 dols. 60 c, or, for both, the sum of 252 dols. 70 c, making a balance in favour of the Orange county farmer, on the same quantity of milk, of 108 dols. 70 cents. Is not that sum too much for us to lose ? ADVANTAGES OE THIS SYSTEM. It \rill be readily seen that the advantages of this system in conducting the dairy are very great. Large profits are reaUzed by the farmer, since the milk is more thoroughly worked up and with less loss, while at the same time the butter product wiU bring from three to four times more than it would if made into cheese. Good butter is needed, and will readily sell for a high price in all our cities, ^e are opening up another mar- ket for cheese by furnishing the kind that will keep well on long voyages and in hot climates, and of the precise character demanded by the people of those cUmates. factories of this kind should be put in operation in every county, at least a half-dozen or more, in order to supply the home demand for good butter. Tlie plan works well in Orange county, where there are already some 15 factories : and we are satisfied, after thoroughly looking over the ground in both dis- tricts, that, with proper care and attention, as good butter can be made here in the central counties as elsewhere. RUINED BY GAME. At the London Court of Bankruptcy lately, the following ca-re, which was an examination and order of discharge sitting, un- der the bankruptcy of James Harvey, of Church Farm, in the parish of Eversley, in the county of Southampton, farmer, whose creditors reside at Sherborne, Dorsetshire, Corfe Castle, Wareham, aud Blandford, was heard. Mr. Charles Edward Lewis (Harrison and Lewis), Old Jewry, appeared, to oppose on behalf of the creditors' assignee, Mr. Robert Taylor, of Corfe House, near Wareham, gentleman ; and Mr. Ernest Read, instructed by [Mr. Limb, of Basing- stoke, supported the bankrupt, whose accounts are tliu? summed up, viz, : — Dr. To creditors unsecured To ditto holding security Ck. By property given up to my assignees Ditto in hanjls of creditors ... Deficiency £. s. d. 1,236 0 5 119 IS 6 £1,355 IS 11 43 18 10 150 0 0 1.162 0 1 Total £1,355 IS 11 Tlie bankrupt stated his exp«^nditnre to have been f 150 per B 226 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. annum; he attributes liis bankniptcy to the "over-preservation of game" upon liis farm. • .• , i i j Mr. Lewis stated that the bankrupt s examination had already been once adjourned, in order to answer requisitions, and show the consideration, with dates and amounts received from liis son for the conveyance of a cottage at Lytchett, wliich was freehold, and produced £15 to £16 per annum. The bank- rupt had not answered those requisitions satisfactorily, and therefore he (Mr. Lewis) was obliged to ask for a further ad- journment, as the transaction was of a very suspicious cha- The' bankrupt was then sworn, and examined by Mr. Lewis. He stated that the conveyance was completed in February last to his son. That was within three months of his bank- ruptcy. His sou lent him £76 in four advances. He dared say he could produce the dates, but was not quite sure. He was not prepared to say which was the largest sum, or which the latest date, but he thought the last advance was in August or September. His son had been four or five years in his em- ploy previously to liis bankruptcy, and he also bred poultry on his own account. He never paid him any wages, but said he would do something for him. He had not returned his son as a crethtor in his account, because the cottage was assigned to him long before, although the conveyance had not been com- pleted. By Mr. Read : Mr. King, of Basingstoke, was employed iu making the conveyance. He had never been bankrupt or in- solvent before. He was bailitf to the late Lord Chancellor Eldon for 31 years, and had been farming aU his life. He be- gan with £3,600, and had lost all that money. Eive years ago he was worth £5,000, and he had lost the whole of that through the over-preservation of game on his farm. In 1863 he had SO acres of wheat, from which he did not get more than 6 bushels, iu consequence of the destruction caused by hares, rab- bits, and other game. Mr. Read : Then instead of your land producing corn, it produced game for the Loudon markets ? Bankrupt : Yes, sir. My landlord would not aUow me to give up the farm unless I found another tenant. Mr. Lewis said those statistics about the hares and rabbits might be very interesting to his learned friend, who neverthe- less indulged in the wicked sport of shooting. But the assignee was not the bankrupt's landlord, and the only question was, whether or not the bankrupt was not bound to aiford satisfac- tory information of this transaction with his son. After some further discussion, the Court adjourned the bank- rupt's examination until the 8th of February next, upon his un- dertaking to produce his son to lie examined at a private meet- ing on the 35th of January. Reuewetl protecUou from arrest was granted the bankrupt. CENTRAL FARMERS' CLUB. .BRITISH TILLAGE — PRESENT AND FUTURE. The first mouthly meeting of the Farmers' Club for the present year took place on Monday evening, February 5th, at the Clubhouse, Salisbury-square, and was very well attended. The chairman for the year, Mr. G. Smythies, of IMarlow Lodge, Leintwardine, presided; while the subject fixed for con- sideration was "British Tillage — Present and Future," tlie introducer of which was Alderman Mechi. The CnAiKMAN said that his first duty that evening was to present to Mr. Edmunds, of Rugby, the very handsome cup which he held in his hands, and he felt great pleasure in per- forming that duty. The committee who had to decide tlie question whose paper last year was liest, were unanimous in the opinion that it was the paper of Mr. Edmunds (cheers) ; and not only was he very glad that they were unanimous, but he was also glad that the subject of the paper which liad gained the prize was that of education (Hear, hear). Farm- ers did not, he was afraid, get much credit for caring about education ; they set little value upon account-keeping, modern languages, and other branches of knowledge ; and he was therefore very glad that the first prize given by that club was for the reading of a paper on education, for a good educatioji was the best foundation for every business (Hear, hear). He had also on behalf of the committee to thank the gentlemen who had read the other papers that had been submitted to the club during the year. It was a rather invidious thing per- haps to look through so many good papers with the view of picking out the best ; and so deeply did the committee feel that difficulty, that they had determined not to present any more cups. He concluded by presenting the cup, which bore the following inscription — " The Farmers' Club. Presented to Mr. E. Edmunds, of Rugby, for his paper on Middle-class Education, read 6th February, 1865." Mr. EoMUNns said he was proud of receiving this cup from the cliairman, as the mouthpiece of the committee ; but in- stead of assuming any merit on his own part, he beUeved it was the subject which deserved approbation. Education was the great subject of the present day, being the great instru- ment of civilization and advancement, and he hoped his paper would not have proved useless, but that it had aud would be productive of some good. If that were so, he should be amply rewarded for his trouble iu preparing his paper. Mr. Mechi then said : If, in the progress of this discourse, I feelcompelled to cast some censurcon British tiUage,I trust that all good farmers will consider that I treat of British tillage as a whole, comprising the tilled portion of those 57 millions of available acres which are estimated as the agricultural area of the United Kingdom, and that I especially exempt from reproof aU good cultivators, of whom I know so many. I have, during the last thirty years, closely observed THE GENERAL DEPTH OF OUK CULTIVATION, and found that about 4 to -i^ inches is the full average depth. I do not mean when brokcn-iip, but as taken on the sohd or land side of the plough. I have often discussed this ques- tion with my hospitable farming friends over a glass of theirgood port, and when they indignantly repudiated the depth of 4J inches, I quietly pocketed an empty wine-glass, and on reach- ing the newly-ploughed ground, with the plough still iu it.s work, placed the glass against the solid or land side, and gene- rally found its mouth considerably above the land (ordinary wine-glasses rarely exceed 5 inches). I might have won many wagers on this matter. When I hear of 9 to 13 inches' depth by horse-power, I am naturally sceptical, until convinced by actual admeasurement. I have on more than one occasion found the depth of cultivation only 3J inches. I believe we never shall have very deep cultivation, until we substitute steam for horse-power ; for ploughmen, as a rule, are so fond of seeing fat and sleek horses, and are altogether so careful of them, and of their own shoulders too, that they have a great aversion to deep cultivation, especially in hard or tenacious soils. It is amusing, or annoying, to see how they " ease off" the difhcult places, by raising the point of the plough or throw- ing it a little sideways, leaving an uneven and ill-ploughed floor. Now, when we consider that one inch of soil per acre is fuUy 100 tons per acre, we can estimate the importance of ample depth. I always, in preparation for root crops, trench- plough with a plough without the breast, drawn by four horses, following in the track of the first plough, drawn by two or three horses. This breaks-up the subsoil, and partially mixes it with the surface-soQ and manure, without bringing it to the surface. Before doing this, the field is well scarified, harrowed, and any twitch removed immediately after harvest THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 227 and tlieu heavily manured. The manure thus falls in among, and gets partially mixed with, the poor subsoil. When jdough- ing the laud after the removal of the root crops, my plough- men complain of haviug no bottom for the iilough to slide ou ; they miss the (to them) comfortable liard floor ou which the plough used to slide. Sometimes after wet weather our rauk clay, or " loam," as the natives call it, throws out the plough, unless a boy or a heavy weight is placed upon it- A Scotch farmer said to my baililf the other day, " We have no such laud as this in all Scotland." It certainly is like pitch, putty, or bird-lime in winter, and although when wet as sHppery as butter, often like cast-iron in summer; and yet, by drainage, good manuring, ami deep cullivaliou, it produces large crops of wheat, beans, and mangolds. But I may be asked, " Would you bring to the surface by deep ploughing the rank and bad subsoil ?" My reply would depend upou the uature of the sub- soil. If that subsoil is a rank, uuaerated, and undi-aiued clay, or otherwise unfitted to receive the young plaut, it would, as in my case, be ruinous to bury the top soil and cover it with the villanous subsoil ; but why is it viUanous ? and how cau it be amended ? I will answer that question presently. If a subsoil is of such a quality that, on placing some in flower-pots, plants will flourish in it, you need not fear to bring it to the surface. I proceed now to consider WHAT OUR DEPTH OF CULTIVATION OUGHT TO BE, AND WHAT IT PROBABLY WILL BE. But let me not be misunderstood, and do not suppose that I am advocating deep cultivation for all soils ; on the contrary, we know that on light, sandy, loose, and non-adhesive soils, compression rather than cultivation may be necessary ; but I allude more particularly to our dense clays and hard-bottomed soils of every description. I know some very good farmers who do uot even exempt hard chalks, although there is a difference if opinion upon that point. But, before very deep cultivation dare become general, those unfortunate twenty millions of un- drained acres, which, according to the estimate of our depend- able frieud Bailey Denton, still require tapping, at a probable cost of £100,000,000, or £5 per acre, must undergo that neces- sary operation. It woidd never do to break up the undrained soil below the ordinary furrow. It might fairly be presumed that no one now doubted the value of drainage on stifl:' clays ; but I am sorry to say that some even of my neighbours still say that 4 ft. drainage 28 ft. apart in stiff clays is of no use ; it being too deep I and too far apart ! Some however have recanted their errors, and have benefited proportionally : I hope more will follow them. It would be beside our present question to give the thousaud-and-one obvious reasons in favour of the percolation of water and air through soils and subsoils by artificial drainage, or to suggest the necessity or propriety of economizing our drainage water for the purpose of spring and summer irrigation. I may, however, be permitted to say that a gentleman near Faringdon is making 50 acres of tanks, or reservoirs, for the purpose of irrigating his grass land with his drainage water. WHY IS OUR SUBSOIL VILLANOUS ? AND WHY IS OUR SURFACE SOIL, WHETHER CULTIVATED OR NOT, ALWAYS MORE OR LESS PRODUCTIVE ? I wish I could induce many of my brother-farmers to keep company with Baron Liebig in these long winter's evenings. It is so pleasant and so instructive to follow that wonderful and powerful mind in its researches into Nature's mysteries, and thus to miderstand and appreciate the all-wise, but hitherto mysterious arrangements for the provision of food for man and beast. The surface of the earth almost everywhere, except in pure sands, is covered with forests or other vegetation, without the aid of manure or cultivation. We may strip off and carry away all the cultivated or top soil, and leave bare the poor subsoil. Yet, after awhUe, this again becomes covered with vegetation. This actually takes place on our poor heath, whose surface has, time out of mind, been dug ofi' and carried away. The elements of air, acting on the inorganics of the soil, pro- duce this result : The growing of a crop fertilizes the soil ; it is only the removal of that crop that impoverishes it. Well, then, if the presence of air is needful to fertilize our soil, its absence in the subsoil explains its poverty ; but there are also other reasons. The four or five inches of cultivated soil have the power to arrest and fix for the use of plants the most valiuable elements of the manure->!-viz., potash, ammonia, and phosphate of liinc, so that the subsoil never gets any, at all events a very small jiroporf ion. By cutting a vertical section, we see the poor and pale subsoil under the few inches of dark and cultivated surface. It is this poverty of the subsoil that militates so much against the development of those deep- rooted plants which cannot thrive unless they find in the sub- soil (their feeding ground) the necessary elements for their formation. Here let me pay a tribute of justice to that clear- headed agriculturist, whose sagacity in the field is a practic;J and concurrent illustration of Liebig's theories in the cabinet. The Revd. Saml. Smith, of Lois Wcedon, has taught us a great practical lesson. He turns back the surface soil, thereby doubling its quantity, and leaves the subsoil exposed for a year to the atmospheric influences. Into that subsoil he incorporates the manure, knowing full well that it could never reach that subsoil through the surface soil. In consequence of this aera- tion and amelioration, the subsoil becomes attractive to the roots of the adjoining and following crops, giving surprising and most profitable results. Ilis subsoil soon loses its poverty, and becomes rich in fertility, while that of his neighbours re- mains unaltered. I once deeply trenched a field on the great ridge, and buried pig manure, in the bad subsoil, in the furrows. The surface soil had beeu manured prior to the trenching. The result was 431- tons of mangel per acre, and good crops ever since. It is to deep cultivation and good manuring that I own my great crops. AU my heavy land (1865 crop) has yielded 7 quarters per acre (one field 7 qrs. 5 bush.) of fine wheat, and I get 5 qrs. per acre off my poor light land. The disbelief of the profitableness of deep tillage is too general not to be surprising. I think, however, that this prejudice is slowly but gradually giving way after drainage and the steam plough. Often, when I have beeu told that " deep cultivation will not do on this soU," I have archly asked, " Have you no cottage gardens in this vicinity ?" and I too frequently see a marked and peculiar change of countenance come upon my respondent, as if it had never struck him before " that it won't pay to cultivate a garden so shallow as a field." We ought to consider — HOW DEEP THE ROOTS OF PL.iNTS GO IN SEARCH OF FOOD, and then we shall no longer be surprised at the gradual failure of our turnip and clover crops, which find an empty cupboard in the unmanured and exhausted subsoil. Baron Liebig saga- ciously observed that all the attempts of Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert to grow clover continuously, by heavily dressing the surface soil with various manures, failed, because these manures never reached the subsoil or feeding ground of the clover roots, the top soil having arrested and fixed, or appropriated those manures, which really ought to have been buried and intermixed with the poor subsoil. In a rich old garden, where the subsoil had been long and well fertilized, the same gentle- man could grow red clover annually. It is very probable that only enough of the manure we apply to the surface reaches the subsoil in eight or twelve years, so as to enable us to take a red clover crop once in that period. The young clover plant thrives well until in the spring its roots descend to the subsoil, and then it perishes for want of proper nutriment. When the clover crop was first introduced into thie country and Ger- many, clover could be frequently grown ; but it appears now to have exhausted the small store of its elementary constitu- ents which existed in the subsoil. It is not unreasonable to attribute to the same cause the frequent failure of our deep- rooted turnip crops. Many of us are not aware to what depth the roots of annual plants will penetrate where there is a free passage for the roots and for air and water. In a clay pit be- longing to my neighbour, Mr. Dixon, of Bivenhall, which had been somewhat undermined for brick earth, a mass of earth 20 feet thick fell over loosely, and was afterwards sovm with parsnips. My frieud, observing a fine one, desired his man to pull it up, which he did, and the vertical root measured 13 feet 0 inches ; but it was evidently longer, for it had broken off and left a piece of its root still deeper in the soil. Lucerne has lieen known to go very much deeper thau this parsnip. The imperfect development of some of our cereal crops arises from an ill-contlitioned suljsoil. Wheat roots occupy the subsoil to the depth of four or five feet, therefore the condition of that subsoil as to manure and drainage must materially affect the crop, as we see by the yellowness or " going ofl" of many wheat crops in May, when the roots attempt to search for food in the uu- aerated and unmanured subsoil. It was not known until dis* R 2 228 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. covered by Way, ami confirmed liy Liebig aud others, that a few inches in depth of surface soil has the power to fix or retain all, or nearly all, the food of plants which our manure contains, such as potass, phosphate of lime, and ammonia, tlius prevcEting its passage into the poor subsoil. WE MUST LOOK TO STEAM-POWER FOR I>EEPER TILL.VGE. Althouo-li deep tillage by either hand or horse labour will pay, still both nmst succumb, in matter of economy, to un- tiring and all-powerful steam. The question of tilling the land at the right time would be, in itself, a sufficient reason for using steam-power. In a long summer's-day how vexing it is to sec our sufficiently-worked horses return home at one o'clock in the day, having ploughed their acre ; while, by the use of untiring steam, from five to eight additional hours \yould have become available ! It is precisely during the dry weather tliat steam is most useful, both as regards facility of locomotion, condition of soil, aud destruction of weeds. We can thus deal readily with those tenacious but fertile clays which arc almost impracticable during the wet and winter mouths. The time is coming when suitable roads and proi)erly- squared fields wUl be considered indispeusable for the most economic application of steam to tillage, and this will also bring with it a much more ready and economical system of exchanging, purchasing, or selling land. In an economic and business point of view, our ill-shaped and over-wooded fields, ill-placed homesteads, and muddy lanes are a commercial dis- grace, for farming should be treated as a business. In the most successful practical iustancos of the use of steam-ploughs the fields are large and rectilinear, the fences low and few, and the roads hard aud well kept. In some cases the machinery is let out, at a moderate price, to the tenantry, when not required on the home-farm, llaving used a fixed steam-engine for eighteen years on my own farm, for thrashing, grinding, crushing, jnimping sewage and water, chall'-cutting, root- pulping and root-cutting, sack-elevating, and cake-breaking, I can vouch for its efllcacy as an item iu farm profit, where much stoci is kept : I could not produce so profitable a result with- out it. Even its waste steam is used for boiling water, cooking chaff, &c. My engine, although eighteen years old, is likely to last for many years longer ; my boiler I have just exchanged for a larger one ; I am sorry that, it being fixed, I cannot use it for tillage ; but with Sfi head of cattle and 230 sheep, the engine is almost always in request, especially for occasional sewage irrigation. Every labourer on my farm is convinced that, even if horses could have done the work of my engine, it would have been at double cost. That valuable and able con- tributor to agricultural literature, Mr. J. C. Morton, has just coUeeted, aud published in the Ar/ricultural Gazette of the 20th January, returns from a great many users of steam-power for cultivation. Tlie general results singularly confirm the esti- mates of the judges of the Royal Agricultural Society : they show clearly a saving of one-half, as compared with horse- power ; taking, of course, into account the quantity of earth moved. There is also an increase of corn-crop, arising from deeper cultivation, of about six bushels per acre. Drainage is greatly assisted, the land lying much drier, aud more available. Aldermanic old thistles aud docks that have liad comfortalile and undisturbed possession of the hitherto-unmoved subsoil, are routed out of their stronghold, and expiate their long- continued depredations by an ignominious death. Some of the returns say that blocks or clods of earth weighing 2 cwt. are torn up liy the steam grubbers and diggers. In tliese clods must be many an old sinner of a weed, which, under the old 4|-inch system of horse-jjloughing, only had his nose cut off. It really seems as if my predictions of 1853 are likely soon to be realized, and that we shall soon see steam-cultivators of 50-horse-power employed, when suitable roads or tramways are prepared for them. Why not use them if it pays ? and all the evidence goes to show that increased depth produces in- creased crops. The case I quoted of the parsnip is evidence of tiie necessity for making the passage, both of water and of the roots of plants, less difficult, especially iu dense adhesive clays. I have received the following truthful letter from a distin- guished member of our Club, whom I now see present : " I think there is a point or two you might take up in your Paper witii advantage. Many people who go into steam cultivation expec result^ from it which they have no right to entertain, stl.,^ ?r ."/ '^•■^'""S '^"^ "nplement through the soil by steam, m hen oi horse pgwer, cannot render tlie soil richer ; 'tis only by increasing the depth of the tillage that steam power is so beneficial. Again, it is not one deep stirring that will render the laud permanently more productive ; it must be fol- lowed up year after year. I know people possessing stcaui- eultivating apparatus who have done their land little or no good. To get over a great acreage is their sole study, and this, of course, at a sacrifice of depth. One of the fields of mine you went over when at , eight years ago, had only a staple soil of some 5 inches — all below sheer clay ; now, by constant deep stirring and exposure, I have from twelve to four- teen inches of " staple," good, dark-coloured soil. If you can spare a day to run down before reading your paper, I shall be glad to see you. I am confident that in twenty years' time no cultivator — at all events of strong land — will be without his oiun steam-cultivating apparatus, where the occupation is over 300 acres. I have not much faith in companies or letting-out ; farmers used to hire their drills since I can remember. THE COMPETIXCi SYSTEMS OF STE.VM TILLAGE. I have neither the time nor the inclination to enter upon this debatable ground, there are so many atteudant circum- stances to be considered, namely, length of purse, form of fields and state of roads, size of farms, price of coals, water supply, &c. One thing, however, is quite certain, that a 14;- horse-power will move twice as much earth as a 7-horse-power. Steam is so uniform that there can be no mistake about this. Also we may use diggers and cultivators in dry weather, while in wet sticking soils we must use the plough. I consider the decisions of the Royal Agricultural Society's judges very de- pendable. AVe may reasonably calculate upon the introduction of much more powerful engines when we are more convinced of the profit of deeper cultivation. We shall then contrive means for the easier locomotion on farms of such ponderous masses. Too often now they become embedded in our imper- fect bases, and become for a long time unavailable or difficult to remove. I presume this is why it is so difficult to hire these engines for steam ploughing, which I should be very glad to do occasionally. Some admirable work was done on my farm in 1850 by Eowler's steam plough with Cotgreave s sulisoiler attached, so that the lower earth or subsoil was turned over without being brought to the surface. How is it hat this is now so seldom done ? AVe could see for several years after that the crops were better on the portion so ploughed. I re- joice to see the active paper war going on as to the merits of the various systems of steam cultivation. Our inteUigeut and pugnacious friend. Smith, of Woolston, lias provoked an im- mense amount of reading which must have benefited our farm- ing friends, by interesting them additionally iu this important matter of steam culture. Y/IIY STEAM-POWER IS MUCH CHEAPER THAN HORSES. [n first cost, for instance, we can buy a good fixed engine and boiler for £25 per horse-power, while a good farm liorse, for heavy land, cannot be had under £-iO to £50. Again, look at the per-centage of disease and death which occur among horses ; whereas our steam-engine is never troubled with gripes, or colic, mange, farcy, staggers, or other horse-diseases, to say uothing of kicks, strains, lameness, and vices of temper. If you have breakage or a screw loose with your engine, it is easily repaired, assuming that you live in an advanced neighbourhood, where steam engineers have found it worth their while to carry on their business. Horses must be fed when not in work — not so the steam-engine. You can feed your engine for a shilling a long day each horse-power ; while your living horse costs near double that amount for a very short day ; and steam-life is much longer than horse-life. One man can attend to feed aud clean a twenty-horse-power engine, aud be always with it. What a contrast iu cost in this respect with real horses! In one respect no one can doubt the advantage of steam-tillage: ;here is no treading or undoing of cultivation by horses. When it is considered that, independent of ploughing, there is drill- ing, and frequent harrowing (sometimes as much as eight or ten times in very heavy undrained lands), one can appreciate the advantage in this respect of steam-power. It is creditable to Mr. Smith, of Woolston, that he works his drills and har- rows by steam-power. I rejoice to be able to state that there are at least six hundred sets of steam-cultivating tackle at work in various parts of the United Kingdom. How many thou- sands will there be in another ten years 'i We must all liave observed THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 229 ItOW MUCH rL.\.NTS ARli IMPROVED IN APPEARANCE AFTER EITHER HANB OR ItORSE-lIOEING, iiidcpcndcut of the removal of weeds. The cause is thus ex- plained by Baron Licbig, whose powerful mind deduces some new theory from almost every experiment. He says : " The outermost crust of the earth is destined for the development oi organic life, and its broken particles arc endowed, by the wisest arrangement, with the power of collecting and retaining all the elements of food \\hich are essential for the purpose." llow significant are these words — " broken particles !" and how regretful it is that our " outermost crust" is only about five inches thick, and too often " unbroken," or imperfectly broken ! I wish that you would read in his books his beau- tiful description of how the " outermost crust," not only collects and retains all the food-elements that we put into it, as manure, but also how the " broken particles," collect from the air, during hot dry weather, moisture (with carbonic acid and ammonia), and how this absorbed moisture warms and fertilizes the soil and moderates the cooling of the ground from radiation. How important then it must be to thicken this " outermost crust" by steam tillage, and increase its quantity of " broken particles," so that they may " absorb from the deeper-lying moist strata that constant distillation of water which is taking place towards the dry surface, accompanied by a corresponding evolution of heat in the upper strata on its absorption of the vapour." TILLAGE IMPLEMENTS. It would be an insult to this Club to define the varied and efficient implements of tillage which at our great annual agri- cultural shows attract so much attention, and bear testimony, not only to the increasing intelligence of agriculture, but espe- cially to the enterprize and skill of our well-known implement makers. I am sorry, however, to be obliged to say that much loss occurs on too many farms by the use of ill-conditioned implements, particularly harrows, whose teeth, worn down to a stump, cannot pulverize and intermix the soil as they should do to fonn a perfect seed-bed. It is like using a rake without teeth, or merely the stumps of teeth. IMany farmers have yet to learn that iron harrows with steel teeth would be a great benefit to them, compared with the trumpery wooden ones that bound over the land vvithout penetrating it. One can hardly wonder at misplants arising from water stagnating in the drill coulter marks, or the ravages by birds on the imperfectly covered seed. Ploughmen like light harrows, or any other tool that will ease their horses. The non-use of the horse- hoe among drilled corn crops is an unprofitable omission. I have used Garrett's horse-hoe for twenty years. A man with pair of horses clean-hoes between the rows 12 acres of wheat or beans a-day, and sometimes, with an extra pair of horses, he has clean-hoed 23 acres of wheat in a long spring day. This hoeing should be done among corn before the spring roots push into the rows. Root crops especially require frequent horse-hoeing. Tillage in every shape is beneficial in more ways than the mere eradication of weeds. TILLAGE ANOMALIES. I have many times seen, in certain counties, four horses at length, drawing a plough, attended l)y a driver and ploughman. I should not, perhaps, object to this, provided they stepped together, and ploughed twice as deep as a pair of liorses. I am sorry, however, to say that I have often found that a pair of horses would have sufficed for such shallow work, and that a useless expense had been incurred, especially on light soils. The high ridges and deep furrows of the serpentine lands of the miiUand counties testify to a peculiar system of ploughing, or gathering towards a centre, which must have originated in a desire for surface-drainage before under-drainage was prac- tised, the serpentine form being chosen to prevent the too rapid rush of the flood-water. The result is, too often, a crop ripe ou the top of the ridge, while in the furrows it is green, or unripe, and weedy. Under-drainage is gradually abolishing this unprofitable system of tillage. BARON LIEBIG ON TILLAGE. Heavy land may be very quickly got clean and in condition by the plough, the Crosskill clod-crusher, and heavy, deep har- rows with teeth a foot to eighteen inches long. Of course, this must be done in dry weather, after very deep ploughing and subsoiling, the surface having been scarified immediately on the removal of the corn crop. Liebig points out to us how necessary it is to separate each granule so far as practicable. Many of the Baron's remarks and dibcovcrie.s in connection with tillage are so original and so valuable that I wish 1 had time to quote them all ; hut, failing that, I recommend a carc''ul study of his works, particularly "The Natural Laws of Husbandry," " Letters on IVlodern Agriculture," and " Prin- ciples of Agricultural Chemistry :" we should then know why salt, nitrate of soda, and superphosphate are useful in some cases and valueless in others. Permit me to read the following quotations from Liebig's fifty principles of agricul- tural chemistry : " A certain physical or mechanical qua- lity or state of the soil is a necessary condition to the efficacy of the food which is present. The soil must admit the free passage of air and water, and allow the roots to spread on all sides in search of food. All plants, without exception, require for nutrition, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, the alkahes, lime, magnesia, and iron. Some important genera require silica. Those which grow on the sca-sliore and in the sea require common salt, soda, and iodides of metals. All these substances are included in the term 'mineral food of plants.' Car- bonic acid and ammonia are the atmospheric food of vegetables. Water serves liotli as a nutritive substance, and, as a solvent, is indispensable to the whole process of nutrition. The different substances necessary to the growth of a plant, or the different articles of their food, Are nil of eqifal ralKC — that is to say, if one of the whole number be alisent, the plant will not thrive. To improve, enrich, or fertilize a soil by proper means, hue without adding to it any mineral constitu- ents, is to render moveable, soluble, available for the plant, a part of the dead or immoveable capital of the soil. Stag- nant water in the soil, which excludes the air from access to the insoluble compounds, is an obstacle or resistance to the weathering. Tallow is the time during which this wea- thering takes place. During fallow, carbonic acid and ammo- nia are conveyed to the soil by the rain and the air. The am- monia remains in the soil, if substances be present in due proportion which deprive it of its volatility by combining with it. Land in which the necessary mineral constituents are not present in any form cannot be rendered fertile by fallowing or by ploughing. In a soil rich in the mineral food of plants, the produce cannot be increased by adding more of the same substances. In a soil rich in the atmospheric food of plants (rendered so by manuring), the produce cannot be increased by adding more of the same substance." Care- ful mixture and distribution of the nutritive substances present in the soil are the most important means of rendering them effective. * * * The influence of the mechanical opera- tions of agriculture upon the fertility of a soil, however im- perfectly the earthy particles may be mixed by the process, is remarkable, and often borders upon the marvellous. * * * One of the principal requirements of the practical farmer is to know the causes, as well as the means, whereby the useful nutritive substances present in the soil, but not in a form available for nutrition, may be rendered diffusible, and capable of doing their work : the presence of moisture, a certain degree of heat, and free access of air, are the proximate conditions of those changes by wliich the nutritive substances in chemical combination are made available for the roots. As the smallest liortions of food cannot, of themselves, leave the spot in which they are firmly fixed by the soil, we can understand what im- mense influence must be exerted on its fertility by its careful mechanical division and thorough admixture. This is the greatest of all the difficulties which the agriculturist has to overcome. If a field is to produce a crop corresponding to the full amount of food present in it, the first and most important condition for its accomplishment is that its physical state be such as to permit even the finest rootlets to reach the spots where the food is to be found. The extension of the roots in every direction must not be obstructed by the cohesion of the soil. Plants, with their delicate roots, cannot grow on a tenacious heavy soil, even with abundance of mineral food. None of the three most important constituents of food (potass, phosphate of lime, and ammonia) exists, by itself, in a soluble form in the ground, and none of the means employed by the agriculturist to make them available to his plants deprives the soil of its power of retaining them ; or, if dissolved, of with- drawing them from the solution. The principal end gained by the" means he employs is only a uniform distribution of the food throughout the soil, so as to put it within the reach of the roots of his plants." Baron Liebig says that irrigation of meadows brings the ground into a condition similar to that 230 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. produced by cavefiil ploughing ; and explains why it is so. His general conclusion is that we have in many soils a considerable amount of mineral nutritive substances, chemically combined, and therefore unacceptable to plants, which require to be dis- solved and physically condensed on tlie surfaces of the gra- nules of the soil, from which the rootlets of plants might then easily obtain them. Tillage tends greatly to this result. It is the infinitesimal divisibility and solubility of guano which render it so valuable in proportion to its bulk. By tilling well the soil, separating and intermixing its graniiles, ex- posing them to a marriage with the air, a thousand fertilising influences are brought into play ; for the earth and the air are both, like doctors' shops, full of chemicals with strong and peculiar affiuities, which can only be indulged when permitted, by ample, frequent, and perfect tillage, to come into each other's presence. The dense, hidden, and hence infertile sub- soil requires to be brought into the presence of air and light, when its poisonous protoxide becomes fertUe peroxide, and no end of pleasing and profitable results ensue. Dr. Daubeny found that there was in the soil and subsoil a large amount of nutritive substances in a passive, and therefore unavailable, condition. Liebig shows how tillage and manures, aided by air and water, render these unused substances available and profitable. My sagacious practical friend, tlie successful grower of roots, who tills his land so frequeutly both before and after manuring, considers the fallow imperfect, unless the soil is fiue enough to go through a sieve. Here is a prac- tical man, who never read Liebig nor probably heard his name, and yet, by a natural perception and sagacity, is work- ing out that great man's theories with as much exactitude as though he had studied his books. IN CONC'LU9I02f, We, as agriculturists, have now to compete with the whole world in the production of food. If that competition is to be as successful in corn and meal as in cotton, it must be by the general use of that cheap and miglity power, steam. It is quite as much a landlord's as a tenant's question, for their in- terests are identical. The less remunerative the practice of farming becomes, the lower will the rents be. No sensible men will continue to invest their capital in the land of another without a profit. Before we close this subject, let us not forget that great advocate of tillage, Jethro Tull. His sagacious and perceptive mind all but divined the mysteries of chemistry, which then, as applied to agri- culture, were undiscovered. IlappDy, since that useful man's time, Davy, Liebig, and other able cliemists have un- veiled Nature's mysteries, and shown to us the why and wherefore of agricultural fertilization. Let us pay heed to their advisings, and no longer treat agriculture as an empirical art, but render farming more intelligent and more profitable. There is something to be learned from the story of the old man who, on his dying bed, told his sons to seek in his field for money which he had somewhere buried there. The soil and subsoil were carefully and deeply examined. They did not find the actual money ; but they found ample money's worth in the greatly-increased crops resulting from deeper and better tillage. I think you will agree with me that we are approaching gradually, but surely, to a state of things which I ventured to predict at the conclusion of a lecture which I read at tlie Chelmsford Literary Institute in 1852; and as it harmonises perfectly with my present feelings, I will, with your permis- sion, repeat it : "I see in perspective a railway activity perva- ding British agriculture. The time is coming when farms will be squared, trees removed, and game moderated ; when tram- ways will intersect estates, and one horse will draw to market the load of four ; when the sewage of our towns will ebb back to its original source ; when the waters of our rivers and drains will be applied to the irrigation of our fields ; when our millers will use steam instead of water ; when our farmers and their children will he better educated, and rank higher in the social scale ; when our labourers will be better housed, taught, and fed. Then wiU the blundering rudeness and clumsiness of ignorAilce he exchanged for the watclifulness and thought of an enhghtebed intelligence ; then will the fractional calculations ot profit outweigh the fears of cost ; then will antiquated ter- monal legahties be superseded by personal respensibihty, iden- tity, and possession. I see all this in perspective. It is a ^MnS!T°^*^'-.^ ''^ "^'-^'^ «"^Smes in railwayed open fields, tearing up furrows a yard deep, making the land look like a sea ; I see those hungi-y earthy masses saturated, and immediately fertilized, with the sewage of our towns. I see ample evaporation and facile percolation. Tottering and dilapidated farmeries will give way to permanent and con- venient homesteads ; the pinching economy of a penurious and pernicious system will be exchanged for liberal view's and large operations ; capital will develop its giant strength, unfettered by seigneurial restrictions ; agriculture, commerce, and manu- factures will unite, by the ties of a great common interest and common intelligence, for the good of our people and for the honour of this great nation." Dr. VoELCKER (Salisbury-square) said : Our friend Mr. Alderman Meclii has been so consistent an advocate of deep tillage, and all rational men who have to deal with stiff clays have so strongly advocated the use of steam ploughs and steam cultivators, that I should be very sorry if any remarks of mine escaped which could in the least be interpreted to mean that I was opposed in any way to many of the remarks which have fallen from oui friend who has favoured us with his ex- cellent paper, or in any way discourage farmers from engaging in steam cultivation. Mr. Mechi has very truly observed that what a farmer requires to know is the causes of success or of failure ; and it is for this reason that I wish to offer a few remarks, wliich are somewhat opposed to the views which our worthy friend has advanced. If I understood him aright, he mentioned wliat nobody will deny as a matter of fact — that the subsoil as wc find it, especially under stiff clays, is a very nasty material, which the fanner would be glad to get rid of if he could ; and notwithstanding what has been said about the growing of flowers in flower-pots of subsoil, I believe that there are very few subsoils of any kind in which you could grow rhododendrons, azaleas, or any flowers that are worth culti- vating at all. You may grow some beautiful daisies and docks — magnificent docks ; but as to beautiful flowers, I question if ever they have been grown in subsoils. I think we are all agreed on this point, that the subsoil is very generally sterile. There- fore, what we have to inquire is. What are the causes of tlris sterility in the subsoil? Why is it sterile ? I understand our friend to say, that it is sterile because it has been exhausted of its mineral constituents ; but I likewise understood him to say that the roots of the plants, unless the subsoil is prepared, can- not go into it. Tlien, what I cannot understand is this, if the roots of the plants cannot go into the subsoU, how they can exhaust it, and make it so poor. I may state also that I have examined a great many subsoils as well as surface soils, and the general conclusion I have arrived at is this, that, speaking generally, the subsoil contains vastly more mineral elements of fertility than the surface soils, and for the simple reason that the plants do not go into the subsoil on account of its bad phy- sical condition ; and that they exhaust the surface soil. Now, as has been justly remarked, it is very important that we should know the causes of this sterility either of the subsoil or of the surface soil, because a recognition of the true causes wiU lead us to adopt a right practice. Our- friend recommended us, if I understood him correctly, to manure the subsoil. Now, I know it is a favourite theory with some to bury the manure in the subsoil immediately that it is put upon tlie land, and to bury it deeply. At one time I held the opinion that it is desirable not only to spread the manure immediately, but after it has been carted on the land plough it in tolerably deep, in order that it may reach the roots of plants, and loss by evaporation be avoided. But a careful study of the subject has shown me the fallacy of the preconceived notions, which Baron Liebig still entertains. I now decidedly recommend people to put the manure on the top of the land, and to plough it in at their convenience. I believe that in this way you secure a more uniform distribution of the manuring elements, and the manure is placed where it is wanted, for the surface is more readily exhausted than the subsoil. I have analyzed a great many subsoils, and have found them fuU of food — of all the mineral elements that Mr. Mechi has mentioned — plenty of potash, plenty of phosphoric acid, and frequently lime— - where none is to be found in the surface-soil. But it is dangerous to bring it up, because the subsoil is not properly aerated ; and if these elements lie there useless, it is dead capi- tal locked up. Nevertheless, it is upon this capital that the farmer must draw, and may draw, without running the risk of permanently exhausting the land. All that has been said about permaneut exliaustton of clay land is mere nonsense. You THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. 231 may, if you have a good subsoil, plougli it up ; aud tlic more yon work it by the steam cultivator or sul)soil plougli, tlic more plaut food it will yield. It is the surface, and not the subsoil that, as a general rule, requires manuring. It is the subsoil that requires the admission of air, mechanical working, and tlic development of the mineral riches that are contanied in it ; aud I know of no better or more efllcacious means of effecting this olijoct than the steam plougli or cultivator. If the steam cultivator did not do that, I don't know what it would do. It certainly does not put manure into the subsoil, and yet we admit its wonderful efficacy in developing the na- tural sources of fertility in the soil. Seeing what takes place when we cultivate stilf el.iy soils, I think we have, in the very excellent result which follow from steam cultivation, the most evident proof that many subsoils are not so poor in mineral elements of fertility as Baron Liebig has said, but are very ricli in them. Tree admission of air and mechanical working un- questionably mil develope the natural sources of fertility, which for centuries have lain in a dormant condition. It is the great pride of the present generation of farmers to boast that this dead capital is now utilized to some extent ; and the natural sources of fertility will, I Jiave no doubt, be still more de- veloped, as the benefits of steam cultivation become more gene- rally known (cheers). Lord Berxeks wished to make two or three remarks, in consequence of what had fallen from the learned Professor. He had not had the pleasure of hearing the beginning of the worthy Alderman's observations ; he slionld therefore apply himself simply to the statement of Dr. Voelcker. In the first place, he might say lliat what lie had practised for the last thirty years, and what he considered to be the great secret of successful farming, was thorough draining, autvuunal cultiva- tion, and subsoiling ; and he might add to that, that the great success whicli he had had with root crops he attributed to covering up tlic manure the moment it was taken out of the yard, and never aUowiug it to be exposed to the atmosphere. AVith regard to the subsoil being brought to the surface, he would mention this fact : He had been a very large planter in his time, and he had found that the cheapest and most efficient way of planting was to bring the sulisoil up to the surface ; and the reason was, that no small seeds would grow upon that subsoU, aud it required little or no hoeing afterwards. But if the subsoil were kept at the bottom, and the turf was mixed vrith the soil, they would find the first year that they had such a crop of weeds that it would entail considerable expense to keep tlie plantations clear. Now, the observations of the learned Professor, if he understood them, was that, contrary to his preconceived opinions, he thought it best to place the ma- nure on the surface. Was he, then, to understand that that manure was to remain upon the surface until a convenient time might come for ploughing it in ? He could mention several in- stances— and one in jiarticular he had the pleasure of showing the worthy alderman, and which he would describe to the Club —where he had ordered the manure to be covered up in heaps as it was brouglit into the turnip field, and so to remain until it could be spread and ploughed in. The result was that in the month of September there was one portion of that field which had been so covered where he was up to his knees in plants, whilst the otlier was only a little above his ankles. Inquiring of the bailifi^ what could be the cause of the diifereuce in this otherwise fine crop of swedes, he was told that at that particular part of the field, where the turnips were smallest, the laliourers had been caught in a thunderstorm on the Friday afternoon, and could not get to work again until the following Tuesday. Consequently tlie manure had remained uncovered for four days ; and it was plain, from the very first springing of the turnips until they were gathered in the winter time, where the men had left off. In another field the wheat stub- ble was in one part so strong that he could scarcely get hispoint- ers into it, aud it was as high as his knees. Mentioning this to the bailiff, the latter said, " If you mean a point from a cer- tain oak-tree in that field where the stubble is so strong, I can tell you the reason. It was this : You came to me, and found fault with me for not having covered up the heaps just at the tree, and it was from that point that we covered them up for about six or seven acres. He (Lord Berners) was extremely pleased at hearing the observations of Professor Yoelcker, and if that gentleman would explain to him how this bit of expe- rience was not in accordance with his views he should be ob- liged to him, Mr. IIUDSOX (Castleacre) inquired whether, in the case, referred to Ijy Lord Berners, the manure had been spread upon the land, as Professor Voelcker had described, or remained in the heap to dry for several days without being spread upon the land P Lord Berners : Exactly. Sir. Hudson : Then that clearly explained the whole matter. He himself had many times spread manure on the land, and ploughed some of it in immediately ; but where it was spread on the land, he never saw but that it did as much good when it had been exposed for several days as where it had been ploughed in. You, my lord (addressing Lord Ber- ners) cultivated on the heap. Lord Berners: Yes. Mr. Hudson : Well, the other part of the land could not have had the benefit of that. Ho had no doubt that many light-land farmers put on manure for wheat ; and in Norfolk they certainly did not put it all on for the root crop. There they put on a great deal for wheat ; otherwise they would not grow wlieat at all. And he had invariably foimd that where the muck had been put on spread, aud remained not only several weeks, but even months, before it was plonghed-in, it did more good for the wheat crop than where it had been ploughed-in immediately. Lord Berners : The system referred to by Mr. Hudson was adopted in West Norfolk. It was that of manuring the clover leys. [Mr. Hudson : " Yes."] His bailiff had been on a farm on tlie Cromer side of the county, and had begged him to follow that system of spreading the manure on the clover ley. He (Lord Berners) said, " I do not approve of it, though I know it answered in some places, and that in- telligent farmers in West Norfolk practise it who would not do so if it did not answer. Nevertheless, take a couple of acres across the middle of the field, and tell me in the spring aud autumn which is the best." Well, the bailiff tried the experiment ; and the result was that he came to him and said he would never attempt it again. There was another matter which he should like to refer to in connection with clovers, and that was, the difterent localities and tlie different climates. In Norfolk, it was always considered that if they got a good root to the clover ley, they were quite sure to get a good crop of wheat. He had induced some of his tenants, many years ago, to try the practice in Leicestershire ; but two of them had come to him and said, that where they had tried it two years in succession it had been a failure. He also continued the practice himself for several years, and he certainly found that it did not succeed in Leicestershire. From this, he came to the conclusion that what might answer very well in one county might not answer in another ; and he was very much struck with this when reading a paper on the effects of climate in the Royal Ayricullural Society's Journal. That paper men- tioned the very thing which he had found out — that the clover ley which produced a good crop, or a certain crop of wheat on light soils, was destructive to the crop of wheat on heavy clay soils. Mr. Frere asked what was the nature of the noble lord's soil in which the manure was laid ? Was it tenacious soil ? Lord Berners : It was originally clay — what the late Mr. Baker, of Writtle, described, when he saw it, as " loving land." Mr. F. Maunder (Barnstaple) said, as the surface of the soil necessarily became more exhausted than the part below, to place manure on the surface was to put it where it was most likely to be equally distributed ; but on the other hand, if applied in heaps as Lord Berners recommended, it was not unlikely that it would be immediately washed into the soil and its properties considerably lessened in value. He would sug- gest whether the turning up of the subsoil might not be ad- vantageous in this point of view. Of course, the plant would only receive nourishment, so far as the food which came from beneath the surface was concerned, by the heat of the sun drawing from the plant a quantity of water, and thus bringing up the mineral matter from the soil. If there was not suf- ficient moisture in the land, the plant soon became yellow ; and when a larger depth of soil was turned up, it was fitted for a more lengthened growth of the plant. Mr. Edmunds (Rugby) wished to ask one question, namely, what was the present and what the future of British agricul- 232 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. ture? (Hear, hear, ;iiul langlitcr). lie had sat there about Mil hour anil a cjuarter, and he did not at all know what they h id been talking about. Such a discussion as that was a posi- tive burlesiiue on the subject. He had heard a little about deep tillage, and something about spreading manure on the surface, and that he supposed was the " present" of agricul- ture ; but as to the future, he had not heard of anything except a 50-horse power steam-engine (laughter) ; tlie future was a positive blank (Hear, hear). It was as old as the hills that if you put the plough three inches into tiie land you would have three inches of cultivation ; but what INIr. Mechi recom- mended had often led to great loss. He did not consider a discussion hke that at all calculated to raise the Club in gene- ral estimation. Jlr. J. Wood (Ockley, Ilurstpicrpoint, Sussex) said he had expected some information from tlie worthy alderman as to the course of tillage which it was best to pursue in order to make cultivation pay — that was the commercial view of tlic matter wliieli he should have thought a commercial man would take ; but, instead of that, they had luid a lecture ou elementary priuciples. When, however, a question like that was raised, they must all feel indebted to Professor Voelcker for his opinion on the question whether manure should be ploughed in or left on the surface, lie (Mr. Wood) was not in a position to enlighten his brother-farmers ; but it was certainly a question for serious consider.ition, having regard to the cattle plague and the price of beef and mutton, wliat they could do to render their business as farmers more profit- able. Whetlier a diminution to some extent of cereal crops would not be advantageous was a question which lie hoped would be dealt with before that discussion closed. Although he luid not seen anything of it in his own county, he under- stood that in some other counties an alteration of tlie course of cultivation had been found advantageous, inasmuch as it had enabled farmers to grow more beef and mutton, particu- larly the latter, and that seemed to be the point to be aimed at in order to render farming more profitable. This year he had endeavoured to dispense with some of his white straw crop, substituting for it potatoes ; but it so happened that the potatoes sold worse than the wheat, and he had had to buy straw (laughter). Last winter, on his stiff land in the Weald of Sussex, he had ridged the soil, thrown some manure into the trenches, turned it over as soon as he could, and then left it without doing anything more. The frost came — it had not yet arrived this year — and pulverised the soil, which was a black stiff gault; and, on the 19th of April, he drilled-in his mangold wurtzcl, and on the 20th his swedes. He was at first doubtful as to the result ; but he never had a better crop. Instead of selling otf a couple of Imndred tegs, he drew off tlie best of the swedes, and fattened the sheep with the aid of a little cake on those remaining on the land which was now growing wheat. This year he was trying a similar experiment on 32 acres ; but, instead of having frost to mellow the laud, he had this time nothing but rain to run it together. The winds of March might, however, produce the desired effect, and in that ease he would again be able to feed off the land with sheep, which he repeated seemed to be the great point to be kept in view. He (Mr. Wood) would like to hear any ob- jections to growing roots on stiff land, and to this mode of cul- tivation, and to sowing thus early. Mr. R. Smith (Emmett's Grange, South Molton) must con- fess that, like Mr. Edmunds, he felt disappointed. He had hoped that Mr. Mechi of all men would have advanced some new principles or propounded some new theory, or might have helped them to conquer the difficulties of the present day ; but as an old farmer, and an old member of that Club, he had not derived much benefit from the paper, which dwelt more par- ticularly on matters with which the farmers of England gene- rally were familiar. Whatever might be the case with regard to the present, nothing was said in the paper as to their guidance for the future. As to the past they might well feel proud of the progress which had been made by their forefathers, while during the last 20 or 25 years agriculture has progressed rapidly, though not perhaps quite so rapidly as manufactures. Mr AA ood had spoken especially of the production of beef and mutton. He (Mr. Smith) woidd not enter into that subject, iiecausc his name was associated with it in the programme of suDjccts for the year, and he hoped to be able to atford informa- tion winch would prove useful ; but he would remark generally that rt seemed to him better for farmers to turn their attention to the production of mutton, which was excessively dear, than to that of wheat, which was excessively cheap (Hear, hear). ;Mr. J. K. FowLEU (the Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury) thought the last two or three speakers had been rather too hard on Alderman Mechi, particularly with regard to the future of British agriculture. The great question was how they eoidd make the land produce more than it did now, at a reduced rate of cost ; and so far as his practical experience enabled him to judge, that would be done best by such means as the Alderman shadowed forth — namely, deeper tillage and steam cultivation. He was thoroughly convinced that that was the only way that they could get out of their dilHeulties. Mr. Smith said in effect that cereal crops scarcely paid for cultivation, and that it was to the production of beef and mutton that they should now direct their attention. 13ut how was that to be carried out ? Why, by growing an increased quantity of root-crops and green-crops ; while if they grew root crops and green crops they must have cereal crops also, and thereby increase the depth of cultivation. Hr. Voelcker had admirably treated the question of the management of manures, but the grand point to be aimed at was deep cultivation. He (Mr. Fowler) had now used a steam cultivator for four years. For two years he had lured one ; but he could not continue that system, because he could not get the apparatus exactly when he wanted it. Accordingly he bought one, and that was the only way for a farmer to be master of his own business. He had ploughed no less than 320 acres completely by the 8th of October last, and the whole of the tackle was now packed up ready for next harvest. After he had done his own work, he was applied to for his apparatus by a neighbouring farmer. He agreed to let him have it, but then the rain came down, and it had never ceased (laughter). He did not take quite so gloomy a view of the discussion as Mr. Edmunds, believing that on some points it would prove useful to agriculture. As regarded Dr. Voelcker's remarks, he would remark that farmers in the grazing district of Ayles- bury had always thought that the best time for drawing ma- nure upon grass land was immediately after the hay crop was carried. They had continued that system ; and though they never ploughed grass land, they saw the most valuable results from the mere spreading of manure. Mr. AViLSON (Althorue, Essex) said : The subject under dis- cussion may prove of practical utility, if we realise to ourselves our position. Let us view ourselves as intrusted with the cul- ture of tlie cultivable lands of the country — say some sixty millions of acres. Now, do we utilise them to the best ad- vantage ? Do the value of the laud and the amount of its rental experience improvement under our management ? Look at the vast importance of our responsibility in a national point of view. Why, an increased rental of only 8s. per acre amounts to the interest on the whole national debt ! and if capitalised on the same terms would produce as much ! Are rentals increasing ? or is the general value of land increased ? Of course there must be exceptional cases, caused by railways, proximity to towns, or investments for territorial (not pecu- niary) objects. Look at the increase in the value of money in trade. Take, for instance, a ship: if well found in her fittings, and well commanded by one cognisant of all recent discoveries in navigation, she makes more voyages, obtains in consequence higher freights, pays larger dividends, and so is worth and sells for more. Is this so with land ? Do we use the best or even any machinery in its tillage — I mean steam ? Have we skilled labour to till it with ? or do we strive by education and wages to obtain it ? Is steam machinery at all used eom- mensiiratcly with its worth ? (Yes, yes.) I say no. Why, in my own neighbourhood, I recently endeavoured to form a company for its use, and failed, some thinking that it would raise the rental of land, and some objecting to any n«w system, having learnt to farm with horses. So was it with lirunel, when trying to get steam-power applied in the Navy. He was thwarted by the clerks, who did not wish to go to school to learn mechanics. The most marked improvements in farm- ing are in the live stock of all kinds, their more rapid maturity from earlier feeding, and from care in the selection of the breeds, and in the great increase in the root crops. The mover of the discussion broached a novel doctrine, " that the growing of crops fertilizes land, but removingthem impoverishes it." I have always understood that growing crops tends to im- poverish land, unless the exhaustion is supplemented by ma- nure. He also, I think, said that there were 400 or so steam ploughs at work in the country — surely no quantity, consider- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 233 iiig liovv many years have elapsed siiieo prizes liavc been offered llirougliout the eountry for tlio best adaptation of llieiii. Mr. James Howard (Bedford) could not allow one state- ment to go to the public uncontradicted, lie thought the last speaker must have been asleep for the last five-and-twenty years, declaring, as lie had done before that clul), that the farmers of England were opposed to the use of machinery (Hear, hear). If that were the case, how was it that so many great maun- factories of agricultural machinery had risen up in this country williin the last few years ? (Hear, hear), lie was astonished that a man like Mr. Wilson, wlio was not a man that stayed at home or lived in a benighted part of the country and did not know what was going on, should have made such a statement, riiere was no class iu the country which of late years had called machinery to its aid more than the agricultural class (cheers). Mr. WiLsox explained that his remarks were intended to apply to steam, not to machinery. The Chairman thought that due credit had not been given to Alderman Mcchi for the paper which he had read that eve- ning. Perhaps when the members present came to read it over quietly and to study it they would find a great deal of matter in it, and to maTiy farmers it might prove very useful. The larmers who came there were certainly not men who required instruction in the ordinary questions of tillage ; they knew the benefits of deep draining and deep stirring of the land ; but he hoped that a great many farmers would read the paper witli prolit. The discussion had turned mainly on two points — deep cultivation and manuring. lie was sorry it had turned so much on the mere question of manuring. lie was in hopes that they would have heard more about the cul- tivation of the land. What had been said about steam tillage was, indeed, very useful ; but they had heard little or nothing as to the courses of crops, and he bhould have thought that that was a good suljjcct for consideration at the present time. Tiierc was a great deal of discussion going on as to the advisability of laying down tillage land for grass. Now, he was of opinion that if farmers did that, they would produce very much less stock. He believed that well-cultiva- ted tillage land would grow more stock than grass land ; but as farmers they knew practically the dilTieulty of making a profit out of tillage land by growing corn crops upon it. He had hoped that they would liear something that evening to show them how they could cultivate land by growing both stock and corn so as to keep it iu a state of tillage. At that period of the evening he would not .attempt to give his own views upon the subject ; but he would remark that tlicre were a great many farmers in his neighbourhood, which was a stock district, who found the necessity of keeping a certain amount of tillage land iu such high condition for the sake of growing root crops only, that it got too rich to grow corn. Tliey grew a succession of root crops, corn, and grass on the old system of tillage, and they found it to their advantage to keep for root crops a certain amount of land which they cultivated to a great depth. They had found mangold wurzel and other crops of the same description to pay better than any other crops, Ijecausc when they had a large amount of stock it afforded manure for future tillage. Mr. Mechi, in replying, said he was glad to find Mr. Wood admitting, notwithstanding his remarks on the general charac- ter of his paper, that by means of deep draining he had grown the best crops that he ever obtained. On the motion of Mr. Skelton, seconded by Mr. Wood, a vote of thanks was given to Alderman IMeclii for his intro- duction, and thanks having been also, on the motion of Mr. J. Williams, seconded by Alderman Meciii, accorded to the Chairman, the proceedings termiuated. THE GRUB. During the past season the turnip and other root crops have suffered to a most destructive degree by grubs, numerous speci- mens of which were received at our olHce throughout the sea- son. But grubs of dilTercnt species of moths or butterflies are iu 30 many instances so like each other that no naturalist will undertake to decidedly name them till they have gone through their different transformations, and emerge the perfect insect. On this account we were unable hitherto to throw any light on this very serious subject, being totally ignorant of the devas- tators' history and economy. We therefore suggested, as the only mode of clearing up the subject, the necessity of taking those grubs, feeding them in a box half-filled with dryish earth, and covered with gauze to prevent their escape, and allow them, when their proper time had come, to bury themselves in the earth, assume the chrysalis state, and when the perfect in- sect emerged to forward it to us in order to have it scientifically examined and named. TJiis advice has been taken, and a gen- tleman called some time since and left us two boxes, one con- taining both grubs and a chrysalis, the other with two perfect insects hatched from the chrysalis, and, as it fortunately turned out, a male and female. We brought our ireasnres to Dr. Carte, the talented director of the Natural History Museum, for his examination, when he pronounced them, after a parti- cular examination, to be the Agrotis (formerly Noctua) sege- tum, the common Dart moth, which is well described and figured in Curtis's Farm Insects. He says, " This moth is sometimes seen flying in multitudes about the tops of hedges soon after sunset in June and July, and I have taken it on the sand hills near Laudwick in the middle of Octoljer. From this it may be inferred that there are either two broods in a year, or that there is a constant succession of them during the summer and autumn months." " The females lay their eggs in the earth in the month of August or earlier, and the young cater- pOlars emerge from the shells in about ten days or a fortnight, and after living through the winter they attain the length of 1| or nearly 2 inches, when they are as thick as a goose quill." He then gives several instances of their voracity and de- structiveness, and says a fi^eld of swedes at Farnham, in Surrey, •was entirely destroyed kv tlieni in 1839 ; that they attack the roots of a great variety of plants ; and are equally destructive iu gardens. " They pass the winter in a ball of earth the shape of an egg, formed t\\ o or three inches below the surface, in the cavity of wliich they are completely protected from frost and wet ;" coming out in the spring to resume their destructive propensities, at first very sparingly, but increasing iu voracity as they get stronger. The only remedy proposed is by hand picking, and it appears by a foot-note that Lord Suffolk " cleared a field of eight acres of swedes by hand jjicking : a boy followed each hoer, and collected upwards of 6,OU0 daily. Above 16,000 were picked up, at an expense of less than two shillings per acre ;" and an Irish gentleman this season adopted the same plan as the only remedy, though not at so snuall an expense. Other grubs have been sent to us this season as doing im- mense damage to the turnip and mangel crops, the worst of which, a formidable-looking brute, tliough we did not know it at the time, proves to be that of the cockchafer, Melolantha vulgaris, which the rook looks upon as a dainty morsel, and searches for with the greatest avidity ; and another of these reptiles is the grub of the Tipula oleracea, crane fly, or daddy- long-legs, which is so destructive in the spring amongst the corn crops, particularly the spring-sown ones. Hand picking iu this case is also the best and surest remedy. The common dart moth, and also the daddy-long-legs, have been unusually numerous this season ; in fact, the latter have been personally trouldesome and annoying. Last September, when walking through the fields, so numerous were they, and in houses in the country, flying about at night, and scorching them- selves iu the candles, that we have every reason to expect fearful ravages from them in the next sown spring corn, if measures are not taken to destroy them. The constant war kept up against the common rook or crow, which is the most indefatigable enemy known against grubs, promotes their enormous increase, and should be put an end to; for the rook is the greatest friend that the farmer has, and the loss sustained in the small quantity of corn or potatoes it eats is just so much well-laid out money for the service it does. In confirmation of this, a gentleman called at this office a few days 234 THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. since, and stated that he liad sown down a large iield last spring with rape, whicli proved a fine crop, and had it eaten off with sheep, after which he prepared it for and sowed it again with rape, which also came up luxuriantly ; but about an acre of it disappeared suddenly, and it was remarked that that portion of the field was resorted to by immense flocks of crows, which got the credit by the gentleman's labourers of eating up all the rape ; but as he knew crows did not live on green rape plants, he forthwith made an examination, and found that the plants had been cut across at the roots by grubs, and that the crows had only been feasting on the enemy. It sometimes happens that by mere accident discoveries are made that solve the most difficult problems ; and so it has happened, we hope, with these devastating creatures. A clergy- man called at this office a short time since, and stated that in preparing manure for a largo field of turnips part of the manure was mixed with gas tar ; and though the rest of the field was all but destroyed by the grub (agrotis), on the part where the gas tar was applied there was not a plant lost. If this proves good on furtlier trial, we have at last, by mere ac- cident, discovered a sure remedy, and we give it such early publicity in order that, in preparing the land for the next root crops, gas tar, as well as dry, fresh, gas lime, may be employed both as suitable manures and destructive agents against this small but powerful enemy. And so we end for the time this chapter on Grubs. — Irish Farmers' Gazcite. EEPEAL OP THE MALT-TAX. On Monday, Feb. 5, in accordance with long-prior announce- ment, a public meeting of the farmers of England and others desirous of promoting the repeal of the malt duty took place in the Sussex HaU, Frccraason's Tavern, under the presidency of Lord Berners. The attendance, though not quite so large as that witnessed at a similar gathering tliis time last year, was very numerous, being probably between three and four hundred ; and the audience consisted, it is believed, for the most part, of farmers and landowners. On the platform were Lord Sondes, Lord Curzon, Lord Feversham, Major Parker, M.P., W. Beach, M.P., H. C. Wise, M.P., H. Sel- win, M.P., Sir Fitzroy KeUy M.P., Colonel Barttelot, M.P., Colonel North, M.P., Mr. Adderley, M.P., II. Surtees, M.P., G. Sturt, M.P., W. H. Dyke, M.P., Ormsby Gore, M.P., B. Samuclson, M.P., J. II. Thorold, M.P., W. Davenford Bromley, M.P., G. W. Hunt, M.P., Hon. R. Button, M.P., R. P. Long, M.P., Sir Charles Mordaimt, Bart., M.P., W. H. Barrow, M.P., Banks Stanhope, M.P., Hon. C. H. Cust, M.P., Colonel il. Fane, M.P,, Colonel Cartwright, M.P., Lord Eustace Cecil, M.P., Lord A. Har\ey, M.P., Sir Thomas Western, Bart., M.P., C. S. Read, M.P., Charles Du Cane, M.P., Sir John Tyrell, Bart., Sir George Jenkinson, Bart., J. M. Cobbctt, Lord George Manners, M.P., R. B. Harvey, M.P., Sclater Booth, M.P., Gurdeon Rebow, M.P., and Sir M. Cholmondley, Bart., M.P. The proceedings commenced shortly after one o'clock. The Chairman, who rose amid repeated cheers, said : My lords and gentlemen, I most sincerely \^isll that sonie younger and more influential man had been appointed to take the chair on this great and important question ; but from the flattering manner in which the invitation sent to me from this society was couched, I could not hesitate for one moment to comply with its request that I would take the chair, because I feel it my bounden duty to express publicly my opinion and take my full share of the consequences in any questions that may involve the interests of the farmers of England, or any of the great interests of the country (cheers). As an advocate of more than 30 years' standing for the repeal of this obnoxious tax (cheers), it is a source of great gratification to me to see here to-day so large and influential an assembly (cheers). I desire to impress upon you that on former occasions we have failed in our object for want of union and perseverance (cheers). When I see around me a meeting like the present of gentlemen and farmers from every part of the country, I am rejoiced to tliink we are now more imited, and that at last we are all de- termined to press upon a reluctant government the rights we claim, and which camiot justly be denied us (loud cheers). At this particular time, when such a fearful scourge decimates our herds, it yet remains the bounden duty of every farmer, by every means wliich science dictates, to do his best to supply this great kingdom with the largest amount of wholesome food for the people (cheers). At the same time I say that the Government Js greatly responsible if it withholds from our producers any known means of fattening or restoring the condition of cattle (cheers). Another thing which I wish to impress on this meeting is that this question ought not to be considered as a party question (loud cheers). I hold that it is a great social question (cheers). It is a question far beyond the region of party leehngs or party politics (cheers). It is a question which affects all classes — the producers and the consumers alike. It affects the producer first by the restrictions of the excise, preventing producers from making the most of their produce. It affects the consumer, inasmuch as to the upper and middle classes it makes a difference of one-third in the price of beer, while to the labouring classes it makes a dif- ference of one-half. 15ut it affects the labouring classes stiU more. It affects their morality and their comfort (clieers). What is the malign influence on the poor man when he is not enabled to enjoy with his wife and family the wholesome beverage which he formerly brewed at home ? He is driven to the beer-house (cliccrs); It is said by some that the habits of the labouring man arc changed. I remember the time in my younger days when eveiy old woman brewed her " peck-o'- maut" (cheers). In Norfolk, it was the custom to give in part payment of the harvest wages a bushel of malt, which was always brewed at home. The habits of the labourer may be changed, but it is from necessity (cheers). Tlie present price of malt is beyond his means, and he is therefore driven for his beverage to the beer-shop — that curse of the country (laughter and cheers) — the beer-house with its deleterious potations. The poor man drinks his pint of beer there, but it is neither invigorating nor cheering. It is ratlier exciting and stimulating ; it does not quench his thirst, hut rather creates a thirst for more ; and there it is that he meets with evil com- panions and associates (cheers). He begins to run up a score which he has no chance of liquidating, and to get out of debt he plunges into crime, and his family is left in hopeless dis- coiufort, disgrace, and misery (cheers). But all this is not confined to the agricultural labourer. Every mechanic and artisan, every person employed in our great seats of manu- facture, labours under the same difficulties and disadvantages. "Wliat would be their condition if they had good wholesome beer instead of the noxious draughts and unwholesome gin which they now imbibe P Instead of 'the stunted and pigmy race whicli throng the streets of our large manufacturing towns, we should, if they were enabled to obtain at a smaller price the national beverage, see again the na- tional race wliich has made England great (loud cheers). Mr. Huskisson acknowledged in a committee of the House of Commons that the impost amounted to from 60 to 70 per cent, on the value of the barley, and that the restrictions and in- conveniences incident to the Excise regulations were equiva- lent to 00 per cent. more. The duty being a fixed one tends to confine malting operations to the superior qualities of bar- ley. The noble lord tlien quoted the opinions of Sir H. Par- nell. Sir J. Graham, Mr. Cobden, Lord FitzwUliam, "ViUiers, Earl Russell, and Sir R. Peel in favour of an abolition of the malt tax; and said if they looked on the Conservative side of the house, they must remember that Mr. Disraeli, in his budget, proposed to take off one-half the malt tax (loud cheers). In conclusion, he impressed upon the meeting the necessity of continued agitation. The barley growers sought for no exclu- sive immunities and privileges ; but they demanded, and would continue to demand (loud cheers), what they were fiilly entitled to by right and justice (cheers). Mr. P. S. PuNNETT, Chairman ofthe Council of the Central Anti-Malt-TaxAssociation,movedthe first resolution, viz., "That this meeting is of opinion that the excise duty upon malt couti- THE FARMER'S MAQAZIKE. 235 nuos to iiiilict great aiul scrions iujustice upon tlic growers of Isu'lcy, wliicli, after wheat, is the chief product of our native soil ; that it is a grievous bunleii npon the consumers of our national home beverage, especially the working classes, by whom beer is°so largely used as a portion of their diet — and is wholly at variance with the free trade policy of the country." Mr. Punnett, who was most cordially received, said : I should not have presumed to have taken a foremost position here to- day, excepting that I have the honour of being the Chairman of tlie Central Anti-Malt -tax Association, and am therefore responsible for having called this meeting. Many present have seen me here before, and I have had the opportunity of speak- ing on many, very many, occasions, on malt-tax questions ; I liave, gentlemen, nothing to advance new (Hear, hear). I have only to tell you that those of Tis who have paid deep at- tention to tlie subject, have long made up our minds that the tax is -WTOng and iniquitous from the beginning to the end of it, that it always has been, and we don't mean to put up with it any longer (loud cheers) . AUow me, gentlemen, in the name of the Council of the Association, to thank Lord Berucrs for the manner in which he so kindly and quickly responded to our invitation to take tlie chair to-day (cheers). This, gentle- men, is not a meeting got up at a short notice by some no- bodies down in the country, who have nothing else to do — (Hear, hear) — but it is a meeting of gentlemen delegated from kiniLred associations like our own, spread over some thirty or forty counties of this great kingdom, and they are here to-day to express tlieir determination to put up with the iniquities of the malt-tax no longer (loud clieers) . This, gentlemen, is a meeting of the leading minds of the pro- vinces, and not a meeting of men merely who have an interest in this matter (Hear, hear). Our determination is, that we win arouse, as well as we can, by means of meetings like these, public attention to this iniquitous tax. We wish to show that we ask for no favour, but that we are liable to an inequa- lity of taxation which no other class of the community is sub- ject to (loud cheers). We say that the time has now come for our cause to be considered, and we demand, as justice, a fuU consideration of our cause. Theu with regard to the way in which we intend this to be done. We intend to go to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Wednesday next, to discuss in detail with him the various matters which affect this question (Hear, hear). Mr. Gladstone has asked that the deputation shall not be so numerous as npon the last occasion (Hear, hear, and laughter), for he had not then, it seems, room to express his opinions (Hear, hear, and laughter). He availed himself, howc\er, of that opportunity of saying that he was sensible of tlie great attention bestowed upon him, Init the deputation was too numerous to discuss the matter in a social kind of con- versation (renewed laughter). On this occasion the hon. gentleman limits oirr numbers, for the business of the deputa- tion, to fifty ; and I therefore trust that every gentleman who has promised to take part in that deputation will be present. We meet at the Westminster Palace Hotel, at one o'clock, and go to the Chancellor of the Exchequer at two o'clock precisely. Then after tliat we trust that we shall find men who will consistently bring before the House of Commons the merits aud demerits of our question (Hear, hear), and we hope that it will meet with an attention which a matter of so much importance as the malt tax deserves (loud cheers). And, gentlemen, I cannot help thinking that we stand a much better chance with the new Parliament than we tlid with the last one. Men in the House of Commons can- not slide quite so readily in the grooves of party warfare at the commencement of a session as they can at tlie end of one (Hear, hear). Having been lately before the country they win rememlier the questions put to them upon tlie hustings, and the partial promises they then made (Hear, hear) — not possibly as pledges of their future conduct, but as a means of indicating their course in the House of Commons, a seat in which they were then aspiring to occupy (loud cheers). I think, gentlemen, we may go to the Ministerial side of the house, and say to them — for this, gentlemen, is no party ques- tion, and is advocated in no party spirit, and, although having its merits as a fiscal question, is a social question affecting the whole community, as well as that class to which we imme- diately belong (Hear, hear). I say we may say to that side of the House of Commons — one great principle has been mixed up with your proceedings and views for many years past — the principle of free-trade. We say — apply the acknowledged axioms of free trade to our cause (Hear, hear). Apply them honestly and with a purpose to do right, and we don't fear the result (loud cheers). Surely, gentlemen, it cannot have come to this — that witli the free-traders in the House of Commons, their principles, their integrity of purpose, and tlieir lionesty of mind, and their readiness to express their convictions upon the great principles of free trade, have all disap- peared with the death of the great apostle of free trade, Kichard Cobdcn (loud and continued cheering). Then, gentle- men we shall go to the other side of the House — to that section which is called the great country party — and we shall say to those gentlemen, while you watch over the interests and the welfare of the country at large, we ask yon to combine together with more unity of purpose, to watch over and protect the in- terests of that class which has more particularly been instru- mental in sending you to Parliament (loud cheers). We say there is room for more unity of action upon this question, and we claim that we ought not to be set aside for any party pur- poses whatever : we say the principles we advocate have been acknowledged by Cabinet Ministers and the principal leaders on that side of the House, but that during the last session of Parliament there was not shown that united front wliich was necessary to secure the respectful attention of the senate (loud cheer) . I speak plainly npon this (question, gentlemen ; for I have been a plain-speaking man all my life-time (Hear, hear). We, however, acknowledge gladly the ability and zeal which some members have shown in advocating our cause. None, more so than Sir Eitzroy Kelly (loud cheers), and Mr. Sclater- Booth and Colonel Barttelot have done their duty, and stood manfully by us (cheers). Now, gentlemen, I have said all that I need say. I believe that if we stick maufuUy to the point that we shall succeed — not perhaps this year, nor the next, but ultimately (loud cheers). Mr. C. S. IIe.vd, M.P., in seconding the resolution, said : My Lords and gentlemen, about twelve months ago we held our first Anti-Malt -tax meeting at Norwich. It was attended by about a hundred farmers, by two or three landowners, and by one county member, who took part in the i)roceedings. Last Saturday week we held another meeting in favour of the repeal of the malt-tax, and we then liad something like 1,500 persons present, and had the four county members, aU of whom moved resolutions. I put this change before you, to show that if you wiU but stir and ventilate the question, you arc sure of support (Hear, hear). I put it before yon to show what farmers can do when they are determined and united ; I put it before you to show what the great barley-producing county of Norfolk thinks of the malt tax ; for as long as Nor- folk gave an " uncertain sound" on the question, it was assur- redly a disgrace to our country, and it was, in my opinion, a let and hindrance to the movement for repeal generally. Mlieu I left the hall where the meeting was held, I en- countered a large maltster ; and he said to me, " 1 will make you a little speech about the malt-tax. I now sell my malt re- tail at 8s. per bushel; if you do away with that tax, I shall have to sell it at -is. 6d." (cheers). A remark of that nature surely carries conviction with it. One part of my resolution declares that the malt tax is whoUy at variance -with the free-trade policy of the country. At present, free trade is something like the Irishman's reciprocity — it is all on one side (laughter and Hear, hear) . Wc farmers have had to bear the burden, and we have reaped noue of the advantages. Our receipts have become gradually less : our expenses are continually in- creasing (Hear, hear). While the majority ef Englishmen are becoming richer and richer, the farmers of England are be- coming poorer and poorer. And, gentlemen, when you con- sider that the duties on the produce of foreigners — whether they be Chinamen, or niggers, or Hottentots — have been either entirely repealed or greatly diminished, and then consider that the produce of the English f^irraer is as heavily taxed as it was twenty years ago, you can easily see why the English farmer is becoming poorer and poorer (Hear, hear). Why, what has free trade done for the farmer? Has it not reduced the price of wheat something like 18d. per bushel (Hear, hear) ; and notwithstanding the counteiTailing influences of bad seasons which the Chancellor of the Exchequer talks about, are we not in my county at the present time, when we had the worst crop that we ever remember in East Angha, selling wheat at something like 5s. 6d, a bushel? (Hear, hear.) If free trade has uot reduced the price of meat, it has introduced among us all sorts of diseases, and culminated in giving us the cattle 236 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. plague (Hear, liear). The faraimg interest lias, during all this time, certainly had to Ijear its fuU share of imperial taxa- tion. The property tax was imposed, I believe, in order to carry out fully and fairly free-trade ineasures. Every landlord wlio has liad to pay succession duty has had to pay also under Schedule A, and we farmers have had to pay our income-tax in too many casss principally out of capital. Our local bur- dens have, I am sorry to say, not diminished in the mean time. On the contrary, the police rates, the highway rates, and other county burdens have increased. Tlie malt credit, too, which M'as taken off the maltster — that long credit, vihicli the Chancellor of tlie Excliequer thought it right to curtail, has really been transferred to the farming interest. Througli that change we have been deprived of several hundred good buyers of barley, and malting has become a greater monopoly than ever. I say, then, gentlemen, the repeal of the malt tax is not simply a matter of feeling, or even of justice ; it is a matter of absolute necessity (cheers). It may not, perhaps, be out of place if, as a tenant farmer, I express my opinion upon the re- laxations which the Chancellor of tlie Exchequer has lieen pleased to grant (Hear, hear). I begin, of course, with the Malt for Cattle Act. I tried this very extensively last year, and, notwithstanding tliat I sold my barley at 9d. a stone, and gave double that price for malt, I was convinced that I could convert a certain amount of raw and hard matter into digestible and palatable food. I never tliought for a moment that it was going to supersede oilcake and corn, but I thought that it might be used, and used very freely, as a condiment. I should have gone on with tlie experiments if the cattle plague had not visited us this year. As regards sheep, I determined not to make the trial, because I found that the impalpable i)owder to which Mr. Gladstone's mixture is reduced is unpalatable to sheep in hot weather. I am one of those who think that beer should be as free as the bread and cheese that we eat with it. When you go to Mr. Gladstone, he compares home-brewed beer with gin and whisky. Why you might as well compare a slice of Wiltshire bacon with turtle soup, or a Norfolk dump- ling with a poundcake (laughter). Surely we are justified in saying to Jlr. Gladstone, Wliy do you not apply that principle of reducing taxation which has been so successful in other cases, as, for example, in that of tea, to the case of malt ? AVliy, if reduction has been so successful in other cases, should you think that if the malt tax were reduced by one-half, the revenue would suffer ? I say it is clearly an error to tax the raw ma- terial. If we must have a tax, let it be a tax on beer, rather than on malt, and then the brewers will soon find out that the cheapest commodity with which they can adulterate beer is malt (laugliter and cheers). Twenty years ago, as Lord Ber- ncrs has reminded us. Lord John llussell, now Earl IlusscU, said that if he were in power when the corn duties were re- jiealed, the first tax that he should repeal would be the malt tax. Gentlemen, we have had free trade in this country for eighteen years. Earl Russell is now at the head of the Government ; and if the malt tax be not the first tax that betakes off, I hope to goodness it will be the last that he will have the opportu- nity of taking off (loud cheers). I for one shall be happy to condone his lordship's ofFeuces. I say, "Better late than never"; and as Mr. Gladstone has taken a leaf out of Jlr. Disraeli's budget of 1853, by repealing a portion of tlie tea duties, I hope he will take the remaining portion of that budget, and take off at least one-half of the malt-tax (loud cheers). Sir FiTZROY Kellt, who was received with loud and gene- ral cheering, supported the resolution. The time had come again, he said, when they had to confront an adverse Chan- cellor of the Exchequer, and also, he feared he must admit, an adverse majority of the House of Commons. The only attempt ever made during the last half-century by any Go- vernment to relieve the nation from tlie burden of the malt- tax was made by the Administration of Lord Derby. Never- theless, they must not look at that as a party question, but should unite their efforts with the efforts of all those, of what- ever political opinions, who desired to put an end to that most odious impost (cheers). He could not but express his astonish- ment that at that period of their history, when what were called the doctrines of free-trade had prevailed, or were sup- posed to have prevailed, for the last twenty-four years, Ik; should be driven to ask upon what ground of jjolicy or of justice, or, above all, of recognized iinancial princijiles, that tax should, up to the present hour, have been maintained. The avowed principle which had guided the late Sir 11. I'eel and the present Chancellor of the Exchequer in their fiscal legislation was the removal of all fetters, restrictions, and com- plications from the growth, the manufacture, and the dealing in those commodities which enter into tlie general consumption of the people. Well, in consistency with tliat principle, they now demanded the repeal of the malt-tax. The duties on corn, cotton, wool, bricks, timber, and glass had been either totally abolished or largely reduced, as had also the duties on tea, coffee, sugar, and even foreign wines— the luxury of the rich (cheers) ; while the tax on malt and beer — not merely one of the comforts, but one of the necessaries of life to mil- lions of the humble and labouring classes — had not only not been diminished, Init had actually been increased during that period (cheers). He and those members of Parliament who agreed with him on that subject would do their best to con- vince the Chancellor of the Exchequer that he could not, without abjuring the great principles of our fiscal system, maintain that tax — no, not for one other Session of Parlia- mcnt (cheers). The opponents of that impost had not been dealt fairly with either by the Government or the Legislature. Not one solid argument against their views had been adduced in the debates of 1864; and 18G5. They had been attacked by that gigantic gladiator the Times, which told them very lately that they had mistaken the meaning of the term free-trade (a laugh) — that free-trade consisted only of the removal of pro- tective duties. If that were so, lie must wonder why they had ever heard the very name of free-trade since the year 181-6, when the protective duties on corn were repealed. Sir R. Peel, in one of the early discussions on the corn-laws, em- phatically declared that if those laws were to be abrogated it would be impossible to give an answer to the farmer who should ask them on what pretence they still retained the duty on barley (cheers). They had been told what Lord llussell had said on the same point ; and now that that Noble Lord and Mr. Gladstone administered the finances of the country they had a right to ask them to redeem their promises and act up to their solemn declarations (cheers). He could only account for the continuance of the malt-tax by the fact that tlie manufacturing classes took, as he believed, a most erroneous view of their own and the public interests, and out- numbered the advocates of its repeal in the House of Com- uions. The Government of the day, yielding from time to time to the representations of those classes, had left the agri- cultural interests to take care of themselves (Hear, hear). So far from all the objects of free-trade having been achieved when the corn-laws were abolished, even now it was made the basis of our fiscal policy, and, not content with applying it at home, the Government in all their diplomatic communications were endeavouring to urge its adoption upon foreign States. Why, tlie Chancellor of the Exchequer might take a lesson from his own pupil, the Emperor of the French, who the other day told the French Legislature, " Wc have done much for the commercial interests ; it is time that we now do something for the agricultural interests" (clieers). The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the debate on the malt-tax, had, in a way which was hardly worthy of him, endeavoured to create a prejudice in the minds of the Scotch and Irish members against the re- peal of that impost, bv stating that England contributed nearly £5,000,000 of its produce, v\hile the rest of the United King- dom contributed only the remaining million. Surely, if the tax ^Aos unjust and impolitic, that could he no reason for re- fusing its repeal. The right hou. gentleman had asked why they should lay on new taxes on Scotland and Ireland in order that England might be relieved ; but he forgot tliat they did not wish him to impose new burdens on any jiart of the king- dom : they asked no more than this, that those great annual surpluses arising from the application of free-trade, coupled witli the immense increase of population and of wealth, should be fairly and proportionably distributed in the relief of the agricultural and the labouring classes of the community (cheers). Having next combated the objections of the Tem- perance Societies to that movement. Sir Fitzroy proceeded to contend that that tax which annually brought £5,500,000 net into the Exchequer took out of the pockets of the consumers four times that sum ( Hear, hear) . At least one-third of the price paid for the whole of the beer consumed was occasioned liy the malt-tax, and that one-third amounted to £;J0,000,000 ; for the entire price of the beer consumed in this country was £60,000,000 a-year. The Times had denovmced that statement i THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. 237 as a gross exag-ger;\tioii ; but tlie exaggeration, if there was any, was certainly not his. He had niaile tlie statement on the authority of tlie Ecuiwmisf — a publication which Mr. Gladstone himself extolled iu bringing forward his Budget in 1864 — and he believed it was no exaggeration at all. In tlie House of Commons Lord R. Montagu had repeated it iu 1864, and he liimself had done so in 1865 ; and neither Mr. Gladstone, Mr. M. Gibson, nor any one else had suggested that there was any doubt about it. In 18G1 and 1865 the jualt duty was paid on something more than 6,000,000 quarters. The quantity of beer which that would make was somewhere between 800,000,000 and 900,000,000 gallons, and calculating the retail price at about 16d. per gallon — which was periiaps less than tlie average price at which the public-liouses retailed it — they arrived, at least, at between £58,000,000 or £60,000,000, the very sum stated by the Economist. In an able pamplilet by Mr. Smee it was said that during twenty years of the reign of James I., when there was no malt-tax, the average price of barley was 16s. per quarter, and the price of malt was the same, while the price of beer at every public- house in England was Id. per tpiart. That being so, he asked why, if the price of barley now was 3i2s. per ciuarter, beer coiild not be sold at 2d. per quart, supposing there ' were no malt-tax (Hear, hear). Within the next forty-eight hours they would see what the Chancellor of the Exchequer had to say on that momentous question, and it would then be the duty of their representatives — a duty which, he would answer for it, they would unllinchiugly perform — to consider the time and the mode iu which they would urge that question upon the Govcrruuent and the Legislature (Hear, hear). And al- though they might not look forward to the total repeal of that tax in the present Session, still, if the agricultural classes, and, above all, the labouring classes, only met together and acted with the same energy as their representatives had done, if they loaded the tables of the House of Commons with peti- tions containing signatures to be counted not by hundreds aud thousands, but by millions, he believed that their appeal to the wisdom aud justice of Parliament would not be made in vain (cheers). Colonel Barttelot, M.P., also supported tlie resolution, contending that the agricultural interest had not received that fair attention from the Government and Parliament which had been accorded to'the manufacturing interests. The malt tax, which ought to have followed immediately the repeal of the hop duty, yielded so large a revenue, and was so favourably regarded by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in consequence, that unless an irresistible pressure was brought to bear upon the Government it was not likely that so frightful a source of income would be abandoned. Tlie Malt for Cattle Bill and the Malt Weighing Bill had been, in operation, useless for the objects for wluch they were iuteuded. It was said the removal of the malt duty would be unjust to the spirit duties. But if so, the matter was iu the hands of the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, who might take the tax off malt and put it on beer ( No, no). He was not advocating a tax upon beer, but he suggested this as a mode of adjustment as regarded the spirit duties ; feeling, however, convinced that if a tax were put upon beer the outcry against it would be so strong that it would be repealed almost as soon as it was imposed. He promised his best assistance in Parliament in furtherance of the objects of the meeting. Lord CuRSON, M.P., president of the MidlaighCounties Anti-Malt-tax Association, likewise supported the resolution, referring to the cattle plague as an additional ground for urging upon the Government some recognition of the claims of the agricultural interest. Mr. G. ScLATER-BooTH, M.P., who also spoke to the reso- lution, did not attribute the failure of the demand for repealing the malt tax to want of unanimity in the House of Commons, but to the apathy of those out of doors. Many clergymen and others, from a worthy but mistaken motive, refrained from joining in the agitation against the tax, on the ground that it would tend to promote intemperance. He had no such ap- prehension ; on the contrary, he believed that by placing it in the power of the labouring population to consume wholesome and cheap beer you would promote sobriety. He disputed the argument that the repeal of the malt tax could only be pur- chased by an increased income tax, observing that no tax could now be repealed except out of a surplus of revenue ; and no one would propose to repeal one tax by the imposition of anotlier. As to the argument that wine, spirits, and other consumable articles were taxed, and therefore beer shuuld be taxed, he advised them to accept it (No), and to say, take olV tlie malt-tax, and, if necessary, replace it by a tax upon beer (No, no). The tax would then be paid in proportion to the quantity actually brought into consumption. Mr. Baldwin, of Birmingham, had always contended for the total repeal of the tax, and to t'lat iic meant to stick (Hear), and if they all determined to do so they would succeed. The resolution was then put, and carried amid loud and ge- neral cheering. Mr. Joshua Pielden, of Yorkshire, on rising to move the next resolution, was most cordially received by the meeting. He said : My Lord Beruers and gentlemen, I thank you most heartily for the very enthusiastic manner in which you have welcomed me on this occasion. I have been requested to move the following resolution : " That, entertaining the views expressed in the foregoing resolution, this meeting ear- nestly calls upon the supporters of the cause to persevere in using every possible means to obtain the immediate reduction and ultimate total repeal of the malt-tax ; and strongly ad- vises that public meetings, with that object, should be held forthwith throughout the country, at which a peti- tion to Parliameut, I'.ereby agreed to, is recommended for adoption." If anything could show the necessity for adopting the course here recommended, it is tlie history of this short agitation so long as it has continued. Only three years ago, I remember, we met as a small body of persons who dignified themselves, I almost say, with the name of the Anti-Malt-tax Association of England, for they were but a mere handful of men. The question was not then understood or thought of, nor supported by the great mass of the people throughout the country. Now, what has been done since that period P We see by this meeting not a meeting simply of London citizens, but a meeting of hundreds of individuals, each of whom re- presents hundreds of other individuals in his own part of the country. This shows that the agitation has spread (cheers). It is a curious fact in the history of the malt-tax agitation that we had two things to deal with. We had first to deal with the ignorance that existed on the subject : we had next to deal with the misrepresentations which had been made, not by obscure persons writing in the press under fictitious signatures, but by men high in oflice, by men supposed to be in the con- fidence of the Queen — these men sending forth their misrepre- seutations to the world, and those misrepresentations being spread far and wide by the corrupt press (cheers). Now it is a remarkable fact that until latety tlie tax has never been re- presented as a tax of 70 per cent. I believe that throughout the whole of the debates iu Parliament last year I did not hear one single iudividual say that it was 70 per cent., and certainly the inference that would be drawn from the reports of that de- bate in the newspapers is that it was a tax of 30 per cent. Thank gooihiess ! a new light is beginning to dawn upon us, and at every meeting it is now proclaimed that the tax is one of 70 percent. (Hear, hear). Why, it must be so : 31s. is the price of barley — the average price ranging over a series of years — and upon that barley, on its conversion into malt, there is a tax of 21s. Sd. But that is not all. It is a tax that inter- feres with the farmers iu the cultivation of his laud. He can- not cultivate the land as he wishes to do ; he cannot cultivate the laud in the way that he believes would be most beneficial ; he canuot convert the produce of his land so as to make it useful and profitable in feeding cattle. Thus the tax creates obstacles iu the farmer's path, interferes with his operations, and adds to the cost of keeping his stock. But in addition to this, the labourer who cultivates the land is not allowed to par- take of good wholesome beer made from its produce, without paying an enormous tax. The tax is to tlie man who lives in his own cottage 100 per cent, at least, while to the man who buys beer over the counter it is 1-10 per cent. These state- ments are based upon actual results. There is no misrepre- sentation in the ease. If our opponents say I am wrong, let them show where I am wrong, and that the pressure of the tax is not what I state. Let us have the simple truth. If it can be shown that French wnes ought to be admitted at a nominal duty, that the labourer's beer should be taxed to the extent that I contend it is — if that can be shown to the satisfaction of the collective wisdom of the country, let it be so, and let tlie thing be put on record ; but do not let the country be lioodwiukeil by liaviug it represented that the tax is smaller 238 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. than the duties ou other articles which come into com- petition with beer. Let me now turn to the misre- presentations which have been made by our opponents with reo'ard to this impost. In 1864 Mr. Milner Gibson made a cefebrated speech on tliis question; and in that speech he stated that this tax is a tax of only 13| per cent. It is very curious how carefully he worded the sentence. It was so worded that, if viewed strictly grammatically, it might seem that he did not say that ; but that what he said was, that the tax on beer was 12^ per cent. But there is no tax on beer (Hear, hear.) We were not asking for the repeal of a beer-tax ; the debate was a debate on the repeal of the malt-tax ; and if Mr. Gibson meant anything, he meant that the malt-tax was a tax of 12 J per cent, (cheers). Whatever he meant, however, the Times, and the great bulk of the press, took care that tliere should be no mistake as to what they meant ; for they re- peated, over and over again, and it was thrown in my face over and over again in the north, that the tax was only 12| per cent. Therefore, whatever Mr. Gibson intended, his words conveyed the idea that the tax only amounted to that. Some of you may remember that, at the interview with Mr. Glad- stone this time last year, I pulled Mr. Gibson's statement to pieces, and showed that the tax was 70 per cent, in the first instance, and 100 per cent, afterwards. I showed also that the taxes on various articles with which Mr. Gibson had compared malt were much lower than he liad represented. In replying in tlie House of Commons to my statement — for tliere was no other statement to which liis remarks were applicable — in the malt-tax debate of last Session, he said, " My figures have been so much attacked out of doors, that I am afraid to use any figures" (laughter). Well, did he tlien set to work to show where I was wrong ? I gave the figures on which my cal- culation was based. I showed the prices in bond of different articles ; the duties on them, and tlie cost of collecting those duties ; and I said that the malt-tax was a tax of 70 per cent. in the first instance, and of 100 per cent, afterwards. Did Mr. Gibson show that I vi^as wrong in my materials ? Did he show that my figures were wrong, and therefore the conclusions I drew from them were wrong? No ! He said : " I adliere to my statement" (laughter). Well, that was probably the wisest thing that he coidd do ; and it strikes me that he will either have to withdraw what he said about the pressure of the malt- tax, and admit that he was wrong ; or he will have to satisfy himself with adhering to his statement (laughter and cheers). Well, then, in his Budget speech, Mr. Gladstone took up this portion of the question, and said that the statement of his right hon. fiiend the President of the Board of Trade was a rigidly just statement. According to him, it was an honest and true statement to say that a tax of 31s. 8d. on an article wortli 31s. was 12j per cent. That is Mr. Gladstone's idea of a just statement! After declaring that Mr. Gibson's state- ment was a rigidly-just one — that is, a statement which could not be twisted, could not be taken from or added to, one iota — Mr. Gladstone went on himself to show that the malt-tax was a tax of 20 per cent. If Mr. Gibson's statements were rigidly just, liow could Mr. Gladstone's be so P (Hear, hear). That is a question which I shall leave to be settled by Her Majesty's Ministers in Council (laughter). Well, now, I wisli to sliow you what is really the cost of brewing in the cottage of the poor ; for it is very important that it sliould be known to what extent, and in what way, this tax presses on the people. We will take what a man can Ijrew for now, and we will take what he could brew for if the tax were repealed, and the differ- ence will clearly show the pressure of the tax. I shall, I know, be told that there is no such thing as cottage-brewing. (" No, no.") Well, I liave been told so ; and therefore I have forti- fied myself with facts, by collecting information on the matter. Whatever may be the case now, there can be no doubt that at one period cottage-brewing was universal in England. Mr. Ellman stated to a committee of the House of Commons in 1831, that 45 years before that, when he became a farmer, every labourer in his parish of Glynde (wliere he lived) brewed his own beer, and drank it by liis own fireside. Forty-five years back from 1831 takes us to 1770. At tliat time there was no tax on malt, if made by persons for their own con- sumption. In the year 1783, this permission ceased. In 1713 when the population was 5,000,000, the manufacture of malt in tlie year was 30,000,000 bushels, giving a proportion of b bushels per head. Li 1844, when the population had in- creased to nearly 30,000,000, the mauuiacture of malt was 45,000,000 bushels, beijig, instead of 6 bushels, 1^ per head (Hear, hear). Here, again, I wish to draw attention to a re- markable statement of Mr. Gladstone last year. Mr. Glad- stone represented that the consumption of beer was as great now as it ever was. He said that in 1841 the consumption of malt was 1.70 bushels per head, and in 1803 it was 1.7'J bushels per head. He then goes on to say, " But it may be said, and it is perhaps true, that thiugs, as regards the consumption of malt, are a little better than they were 20 years ago ; but when we go back to the good old times of our forefathers, we see how difl'erently the matter stands." He then goes back to the past in this way : " I wU take the year 1722 ; probably that will be remote enough. Well, sir, I find that the con- sumption of — what? Malt? He was talking here of malt ; but he does not go back to the bushels of malt which were consumed (Hear, liear) ; although in making his comparison between the two periods he ought to have done so. He takes the number of barrels of beer brewed by the publicans. Now, we know that in 1722 every man brewed his own beer, and consumed it at his own fire-side ; therefore there was none, scarcely, brewed by the publicans. Mr. Gladstone states that in 1722 the quantity of beer was 6,000,000 barrels, or a barrel per head, and that in 1863-4, the quantity was 20,000,000 barrels, or nearly a barrel per head. That is the way Mr. Gladstone makes out his case. This is one of the rigidly-just statements of which we have heard (laughter). I cannot help suspecting that Mr. Gladstone had made the calculations in bushels of malt, and found that it would not answer his pur- pose, and that it then occurred to him to make the calculation another way. If he had stuck to bushels the result would have lieen different. In five townships in the parishes of Hali- fax, Huddersfteld, Calverley, and Eochdale, there are 7,340 families, of which 77 per cent, brew at home, 8 per cent, would brew but cauuot afford it, and 6 per cent, buy beer, making to- gether 91 per cent., and leaving 9 per cent. who do not drinkbeer. Mr. i'ielden then made an elaborate statement of the compa- rative cost of brewing in a cottage without the tax and with the tax, and also of the price at which beer might be sold by publicans imdcr the two conditions. This he repeated subse- quently in the interview before the Chancellor of the Exche- quer, and his calculations wiU be found in the report of that interview in another column. Reverting afterwards to Mr. Gibson's statement that the malt tax was a tax of only 12^ per cent., lie said that, bad as that statement was in itself, it was still v.orse, Ijecause it was made the basis of a comparison between the duty on malt and the duties on wine, tea, coffee, sugar, and other articles. The pressure of the tax should be taken at the stage at which the duty was levied ; it could not be fairly taken at any other time, because another article might have been added which was not the subject of taxation. It was surprising to find the President of the Board of Trade making his calculations in such an unsatisftxctory manner. He (Mr. Eielding) had himself made some calculations as to the comparative pressure of the duty on tea. Taking the tax first at tlie time when it was levied. Two ounces of tea made eight quarts of tea-drink, and a tax at the rate of 6d. per pound — the present amount — was 0|d., being one-tenth of a penny per quart. Again, a quart of tea was sold at re- freshment places for working men for 4d., the duty then being one-tenth to 2| per cent. According to Mr. Gibson's calcu- lation the tax on malt was 12^ per cent. Again, a glass of sherry \iitis sold over the counter for 6d., being at the rate of 6s. a bottle, or 36s. a gallon. The duty was 2s. 6d. per gallon, being at the rate of 7 per cent. So that on Mr. Gibson's own principle of calculation malt was taxed more heavily than either tea or wine (Hear, hear). Looking at the proportion of taxation to the prices at which wine sold, he would remark that the tax on tea was 25 per cent., on coffee 36, on sugar 49, on champagne 11. The tax on malt was 70 per cent, to tlie man who brewed and consumed at home, 100 per cent, to the man who bought beer of the brewer, and 140 per cent, to the man who bought it over the counter. He would not detain the meeting any longer. He wanted these figures to go forth to the world, and he was prepared to defend them and stand liy them. In conclusion, he would urge them to hold meetings in their several localities. They had a noble cause, the cause of the great mass of the labouring population. They had unscnipulous opponents ; while all they wanted was to give the poor deserving labouring man and his wife and child a. healtliful beverage free and imtaxed, That was the THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 239 cause of justice aud right, aud it must ultimately triumph (loud cheers). Mr. C. Lattimoue seconded the rcsolutiou, and complained that the tax Ihuited the growtli of Ijarley ; enforced an undue repetition of wheat, to tlie injury of the farmer ; raised the price of cattle-food, aud increased the price of heef and mutton. The question was a tiseal, not a political one. Wlio paid the malt tax ? According to the authority of Montgomery Martin, the rich paid l-5th, tlie middle-class 2-5tlis, and the lahouring- classes 3-5ths ; so that the incidences of tlic malt-tas just re- versed the incidences of tlie income-tax. Colonel North, M.r., in support of tlie resolution, promised liis best services in the House of Commons in support of any measure tending to the repeal of the tax in question. Mr. Adderley, M.P., also spoke in support of tlie reso- lution, and stated his conviction that a claim supported with so mucli energy aud so unanimously by the landed-interest could not be resisted. Six millions of taxes resting upon one article of consumption was of itself a great fiscal inequality and injustice (Hear). It might be said that it could not be with- drawn without some substitute being provided ; but there m as another way of making up the deficiency which woidd be occasioned by the repeal, besides imposing some new tax, aud that was retrenchment ; and it was to be remembered tliat retrenchment was one of the principles by which Mr. Glad- stone held office. If Mr. Gladstone held that the malt-tax was so advisable aud unobjectionable an impost that it raised a large revenue without aifectiug anybody, why did he not say at once, "Here we have found tlie philosopher's stone ; we have here a tax which nobody feels, and we wQl therefore abolish all others of our fiscal imposts, and raise the entire revenue from the malt-tax ?" (Hear, hear, and laughter.) He wished the agricultural-interest to show as much determination in support of their just riglits as would have Ijcen witnessed on the part of the manufacturing-interest had such a duty been imposed upon cotton. The resolution was unaaimously adopted, as was the follow- ing form of petition : " To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of a public meeting of the farmers of England, and others desirous of promoting the repeal of the malt-tax, held on Monday, Feb. 5, " Showeth, — That your petitioners are deeply interested in the prosperity of agriculture, and in the weU-heing and im- provement of the working-population. That next to wheat, barley is the most valuable production of British soil, and yet it is loaded wiUi a duty, when coverted into malt, of about 70 per cent., or 21s. 8d. per quarter. In 1750 the malt-duty was only 4s. per quarter. In 1865 it had increased more than five- fold, viz., to 21s. 8d. per quarter. That your petitioners par ticularly beg to draw the attention of your honourable House to the anomaly of a heavy duty upon malt surviving the repeal of the customs-duty upon corn and the excise-duty upon hops ; being still maintained, moreover, in undiminished severity, in the face of successive reductions in the duties upon wines, tea, and brandy. That your petitioners, from their experience, are able to assert that the duty is a great hindi'ance to the profitable produc- tion aud the use of all but tlie liest quality of barley in the manu- facture of beer, the recent legislation relating to light barleys notwithstanding. That your petitioners submit that the malt duty is altogether at variance with the principles of free trade, and an exceptional and invidious tax upon a highly important production of British industry. That the duty inflicts great injustice upon the consumers of beer, and is opposed to the first principles of sound taxation, the effect of a heavy tax upon a raw material being to enhance the ultimate selling price of beer far beyond the mere amount paid as duty, thereby taking out of the pocket of the consumer a much larger sum than reaches the exchequer. Tliat the tax is espe- cially oppressive upon the working classes, to whom pure beer is a nourisliing beverage and an almost indispensable article of diet. That the malt duty is altogether indefensible, and, it is believed, is only maintained because of the amoimt of re- venue which it realises, and wliicli, indeed, is the measure of its injustice. Your petitioners entertain a confident expecta- tion, however, that a tax open to so many serious objections will uo longer he tolerated, aud that a sense of justice will lead your honourable House to its early and entire abolition. Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that you will be jilcased to enact a measure providing for the total repeal of the malt duty, by the application of any present or future sur- plus revenue to that purpose uutU the final extinction of the tax. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray." Mr. Fowler, of Bucks, moved tlie third resolution — . " That this meeting pledges itself to support, by subscriptions and otherwise, the Central Anti-Malt-tax Association, which has been established in London as the medium of communica- tion with Parliament, and the central authority for organizing and conducting the agitation for the repeal of the malt tax, and requests the council of the association to take prompt measures to have the question brought before the House of Commous on an early day." Mr. CoBBETT, formerly M.P. for Oldham, seconded the motion, aud asked if Sir F. KeUy would move for a committee in the present session to inquire into the pressure of the tax, whether it was on the malt or on beer. Sir F. Kelly, M.P., replied that, before pledging himself to do so, it would be necessary to watch the course of events, and ascertain what the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed to do. If he thought the demand woidd be conceded, he would make that demand th.c moment Parliament met ; but as to the time or the nature of the motion he might ultimately bring forward, he shor.id feel it his duty to consult with those who took the same view before giving any pledge. Mr. CoBBETT was satisfied with the answer. He had always regarded the malt duty as a tax of 100 per cent. He would have preferred last year a reduction of the malt than the tea dut}'. He believed that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had, by reducing the tea duty, placed within the reach of many who had not used it before one of the most detrimental foreign drugs that came into this country (Hear, hear, and laughter). All doctors now held that tea was not only not good, that it contained no nutriment, but that it produced baneful conse- quences ; and one of them went so far as to say that it pro- duced madness. Dr. Smith, of the Consumption Hospital, said, in his book on dietary, that tea was useful to the corpu- lent and over-fed after a full meal, but was hurtful to the poor and Ul-fed, and was not calculated to qualify a man for exer- tion (Hear, hear, and a laugh) . Dr. Drevrit, in his book on wines, extolled the iutroductiou of cheap Hungarian and other low wines as being calculated to drive out the " enervating tea" (a laugh). He (Mr. Cobbett) remarked that the first of these books was dedicated to Mrs. Gladstone, and the second to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He hoped the right hon. gentleman would read them, and then he would see what liis own (the Government) doctors thought about tea, the duty upou which he had taken so much credit for reducing, wliUe he retained the duty on malt, the basis of what one of these doctors declared to be the most wholesome and sustaining beverage. Mr. SuRTEES supported the motion, as did Mr. Barrow, M.P., who advised them to go for the repe.al by instalments. In confirmation of what Mr. Cobbett had said, he observed that his physicians always advised him to drink more \rine and less tea ; and he found that in the union houses in the country the medical men always prescribed wine or beer, and not tea. The resolution having been carried, On the motion of Major Parker, M.P., seconded by Mr, Brandon, of Essex, a vote of thanks to the C'liainnau was car- ried by acclamation, aud the Chairman briefly returned thanks. The meeting lasted nearly four hours, and the interest of the proceedings was maintained to the last. GAME CALCULATION.— At a recent battue in the North of England, 4,011 pheasants and 5,000 hares and rabbits were slaughtered. It is estimated that the number killed were about one-third the number reared, so that in the preserve there must have been 14,000 pheasants and 15,000 hares and rabbits. To grow gram for the support of the birds would require the cul- tivation of 240 acres, and for the hares and rabbits 1,100 acres. Four hares are supposed to eat as much as a sheep, and seven rabbits cat and destroy as much as four hares. It is estimated that about half the food of the pheasants consists of grain, and the other half of beans and corn, 2t0 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. Monthly Council, Wednesday, February 7. — Pre- sent : Lord Tredegar, President, in the chair : Earl Cathcart, the Earl of Powis, Lord Berners, Lord Wal- singham, Major-general;the Hon. A. N. Hood, the Hon. A. H. Vernon, Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, Bart., M.P. ; Sir Massey Lopes, Bart., M.P. ; Mr. Ackland, M.P. ; Mr. Amos, Mr. Barnett, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Clayden, Mr. elide, M.P. ; Mr. Dent, M.P. ; Mr. Druee, Mr. Brand- reth Gibbs, Mr. Holland, M.P. ; Mr. Hudson, Mr. Jonas, Colonel Kingscote, M.P. ; Mr. Lawes, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Pain, Mr. Rigden, Mr. Randell, Mr. Shuttleworth, Mr. 11. Smith, Mi\ Thompson, Mr. Torr, Mr. Wells, Mr. Jacob Wilson, Mr. Frere, and Dr. Voelcker. The following new members were elected : — Allcock, Charles, Bulwell, Nottingham Bagshaw, John, Belstead, Ipswich Boby, George, St. Andrew's Castle, Bury^St. Edmunds Boldero, John, Kattlesden, Woolpit Bottom, Charles, Newmarket Druee, S. Benjamin L., New University^ Club, St.^Jame-s's- street, Loudon, S.W. Fox, William, Adbury, Newbury Frewer, Alfred, Debeuliam, Ipswich Gayford, George, Tlie Lodge, Barrow, Bury St. Edmunds Henley, Henry Cornish, Leigh House, Chard, Somerset Hubbersty, Henry A., South Collingham, Newark, Notts Hervey, Lord Augustus II. C, Ickwortli, Bury St. Edmunds Jonas, WiUiam, Heydon,61loyston Marks, Thomas Henry, Tiptree House, Kelvedon Peter, John Luke, lledrutli Stone, Edward Baldock, Chipchase Mill, Wark, Northumber- land Taber, John, Herne-hill, Dnlwich, S. Woodgate, John, Brenteleigh, Bildeston, SuiTolk Finances. — Major-General the Hon. A. N. Hood, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presEnled the Re- port, from which it appeared that the Secretary's receipts during the past two months had been examined by the Committee and by Messrs. Quiltcr, Ball, & Co., the Society's accountants, and were found correct. The balance in the hands of the bankers on January 31 was £1,309 12s. 4d. The balance-sheet for the quarter ended December 31, 1865, and the statement of subscriptions and arrears, were laid upon the table ; the amount of arrears then due being £984. One hundred and eighty members have given notice during the past year of their withdrawal from the Society. Journal. — Mr. Thompson, Chairman, announced the recommendation of the Committee that the following subjects be announced for discussion at Weekly Councils, viz. : — Wednesday, Feb. 21, Professor Simouds to open a discussion on Cattle Plague ; Wednesday, March 14, Expected Report of Royal Commission ou Cattle Plague to be considered in its practical bearings. Application having been made for permission for the dynamometric apparatus of the Society to be used for testing some cotton gins for a dejjartment of Governmont, any injury to be made good, the same was granted. A series of resolutions prepared by the Cattle Plague Committee having been adopted by the Council, it was resolved that any Members of Council who can attend do form a deputation to urge upon the Governraeut the adop- tion of the views embodied iu the resolutions. The Fii'st Lord of the Treasury will receive the deputation at two o'clock on Monday, in Downing Street. Mr. Barnett read letters from which the following are pxtvacts ; — " I liave been a martyr to tlie rinderpest, and it occurred to me that I ought to fnid out tlie nature of the complaint, and, if possible, to ascertain the antidote, which I believe to be hyposulpliitc of soda, so I set to work upon the remnant of my well-bred animals, all of which I have saved ; those which were not treated with hyposulphite have all died. The same result lias occurred to several cowkeepers in my ueiglibour- liood ; but wheu the treatment lias not been used, the cows have nearly all been cleared out. Rely on it that if you will use the prescription you will save your stock, if not already atfected witli the com[)laiiit ; but until the system becomes charged withhyposulpliite 10 days they are not safe against the infection. Five pounds of hyposulphite of soda to 100 gallons of water to be given as the constant drink. The soda will cost wholesale 22s. per cwt. " My plan has been to dissolve 5 lbs. in a pail by pouring on it 5 quarts of boiling water, then apportioning it in the ratio of 1 lb. to 20 gallons; and when the animals have taken the hyposulphite in this way for 10 days or a fortnight I believe their systems will be fortified against the disease ; but go on with it afterwards. I liave given it for tliree months, and all the stock I have given it to are quite healtliy ; but when it was not ad- ministered to them I lost all my stock. " I am very glad to hear you are trying the hyposulphite of soda ; that and the bisnlphate will act, I believe, as nearly as possible in the same way. We find sulphuric acid so very easily given — no trouble of dissolving. If it has a tendency to make the animals costive, give a laxative. Many, if not all the people, have been told of these sulphuric preparations ; but I believe they do not persevere with them ; if they are to do good the system must be thoroughly charged. I cau show you eiglit steers and heifers that have had the plague, but the symptoms were so slight the owners did not even know they liad had it : 1 wormed it out of the feeder. These animals, fairly full of sulphuric acid, were not off their feed, though they h.ad the running at the nose and eyes, aud had the spots on the nose, which I saw myself. There were 11 in this lot ; the two first taken had no sulphuric acid — they died ; the next taken was getting a trifle better, when the acid was commenced to be used, and he is quite well. Tliore are two calves in this place to whicli a cow in the last stage of the disease had access, and gave her breath ; tliese calves are full of the acid, and now, five weeks since the cow's visit, are perfectly well. If you will but persevere with the hyposulphite, bisulphate, or sulphuric acid, I have little fear of your suffering from cattle plague." The latter extract refers to the fens of Cambridgeshire. The Council resolved that during the months of Febru- ary, ilarch, and April, an adjourned Council be held at II o'clock, on the third Wednesday, to consider questions connected with the Cattle Plague. The following notice had been received from the Board of Trade with reference to the returns of Live Stock to be made by all Occupiers on the 5th March. " Returns of Live Stock. " The Board of Trade desire to give Notice that it is not practicable to complete tlie arrangements for obtaining these Iteturus upon an earlier day tlian the 5lh March next. " The Schedule will be issued by the Board of Ti-ade, stamped iu two places for free transmission by post, aud will be sent to all Occupiers (not only to Occupiers of and above 5 acres as previously notified) before the 5th of March, and upon that day the Number of Live Stock is to be entered in the Scliedules by Occupiers. " The Board of Trade would feel particidarly obliged to the Magistrates, Clergy, Poor-Law Guardians, and other Country Gentlemen of influence, if they would be good enough to ex- plain to Farmers, likely to require guidance in tilling up the Return, the importance of writing in the Schedule the Number of each kind of Live Stock, in Figures, upon the line ruled for that purpose, and in the separate Columns headed with the names of the Stock, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 241 " A Copy of the following directions will be sent to each Occupier with the Schedule ; — " In the Column for ' Coivs.' — The total number of Cows of all ages should be entered in the Column under the head of ' Milk Cows.' " " III the Col limns fur Other Cattle'— lHho Number of Cattle, other than Cows (not including Horses), should be entered in the two Columns under the Head of " Other Cattle," according to the speciQed Age — Of and Above Two Years or Under Two Years, but without stating whether they are Bulls, Oxen, Heifers, Calves, &c. "//( the Columns for 'Sheep.' — The Number of Sheep should be entered in the two Columns under the head of " Sheep," according to the specified Age — Of One Y'ear Old and Above, or Under One War Old, but without stating whether they are Ewes, Wetliers, Rams, &e. /// f/ie Column for " Pif/s." — The Total Number of Pigs of all kinds and all ages, should be entered in the Column under the head of " Pigs." *^* It will save trouble if Occupiers who, upon the 5th of March next, do not possess Stock of any kind, wiU write the word " None," across the Schedule, and return it by Post as requested. " Whitehall, January, 1865." The following letters are published for the information of agricultural implement and machine makers : "29, St. Swithin's-lane, E.C., Jan. 25, 1866. " Sir, — The Committee of the Imperial Agricultural Exhi- bition, which will take place at Vienna in May next, is de- sirous that the division representing matters pertaining to Agriculture and Agricultural Buildings shoidd be well repre- sented. As the English management and practice of agri- culture and all its branches have been so eminently successful, and are so highly thought of, the Vienna committee would thankfully receive from the lloyal Agricultural Society of England, and other societies in this country connected with agriculture, plans, sketches, and models of farm-buildings, sheds, granaries, stables, and manufactories ; plans for water- ing and drainage ; and particulars connected with the manage- ment of forests. I trust, therefore, that you will be good enough to use your influence with gentlemen connected with agriculture to induce them to exhibit the above-mentioned objects ; and as it is particularly desired that this branch of the Vienna Exhibition should be successful, I shall be happy to receive, with a view to communicating with them direct, the names of any other societies to which you may consider it would be advisable to write them on this subject. " A. ROTUSCIIILD, " Imp. Roy. Austrian Consul-General. " The Secretary of the R. A. Society." " Consulate-General of Denmark, "London, January 6, 1SG6. " I have the pleasure to inform you that the Agricultural Society of Denmark has, in conjunction with their lUtli Meet- ing, besides their usual Show of Cattle, Horses, &c., and native Dairy produce, also made arrangements for an Exhibition of Foreign as well as Home-made Machines, Implements, Models, Drawings, Designs, Patterns, Jfce., used in Agriculture, Horti- cidture, Eorests, Hunting, and Fishing, and likewise of Cereals from all Countries, for which Prizes wiU be awarded in all Classes. The Meeting will be held at Aarhems, Jutland, from the 25th to the 29th of Jiuie of the present year, and all applications for space must be made before the 1st of April, and all articles for Exhibition are exempt from Import Duty, unless sold to remain in the country. Full particulars as to the arrangements will be supplied on application at the Danish Considate-General, 26, Mark Lane, E.C. ; which wiU also re- ceive, for free transmission. Models, Drawings, Samples of Cereals, Specimens, and less bidky articles. Hoping that you wiU have the kindness to bring this to the notice of your Committee, and to the public interested in agriculture, &c. " A. Weste>"hoi,tz. " The Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society." Adjourned Monthly Council: February 14, 18GG. — Present : Mr. Thompson in the chair, Earl Cathcart, Lord Walsiagham, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Clayden, Mr. Dent, M.P., Mr. Holland, M.P., Mr. Hutton, Mr. Wells, ftnd Mr, Frere. The names of candidates were proposed. Viscount Sidmouth attended the meeting, and made a communication relative to the trials of Horaflcopathic treatment of Cattle Plague in Holland, especiaDy the treatment adopted successfully by IMessrs. Scutin and Goody ; and contradicted the statement that their plan had been tried in Norfolk. The Council then adjourned to Wednesday, Feb. 21. Professor Simouds will open a discussion on Cattle Plague on Wednesday, Feb. 31. THE CATTLE PLAGUE.— DEPUTATION TO EARL RUSSELL. Monday afternoon, February 12, a deputation from the Royal Agricultural Society of England was received by Earl Russell, at the official residence of the Prime Minister in Downing-street, for the purpose of submitting to his Lordship the resolutions which had been agreed to by the Council of the Society with a view of arresting the progress of the cattle plague. The deputation consisted of Lord Walsingham, the Earl of Powis, Lord Feversham, General die Hon. A. N. Hood, the Hon. A. H. Vernon, Sir Thomas Western, M.P., Sir J. Shelley, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Acland, M.P., Mr. Dent, M.P., Mr. Jonas, Mr. H. L. Thompson, Mr. Braudreth Gibbs, Professor Siraonds, and Mr. Hall Dare (the Secretary of the Society.) Lord Walsingii.^m, who introduced the deputation, said : The subject on which the deputation which represented the views of the Council of the lloyal Agricultural Society of England sought an interview with his Lordship was one of great and serious importance to the country at large, and more especially to the agricultural interest. He should read the resolutions which had been agreed to at a very large meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society, and he should make some comments on them as he proceeded. With regard to the first resolution, he thought they were correct in saying that the cattle plaiiue had increased and was increasing to an alarming extent, and that the measures hitherto adopted had not been sufticicnt to arrest its progress. The question now was, whether they were to go on as they hUd hitherto done, hoping that the plague somehow or other would come to an end of itself; or whether they should adopt such stringent measures as would give them some hope of speedily arresting its course. He would venture to say that now it was rather late to begin ; but at all events, the time was now coming on, when the pastures must be stocked, when the grass would spring up, and he was afraid there were not more than six weeks during which regu- lations so stringent as those which the Council suggested could be allowed to remain in operation. At the end of the month of March it woidd be necessary that some relaxation should be made in the resolutions, and therefore it was necessary that Parliament should adopt some immediate and stringent mea- sures. The first resolution adopted by the Council was : " The immediate slaughter and burial at least 6 feet deep of all cattle suffering from the disease ; making compensation to the owners in sucli mode and to such extentas shall be considered advisable." We dift'ered in this respect from the Conference, or Congress as he might term it, held at St. James's Hall. They recom- mended not only that all cattle suffering from the disease, but also that all tliose which had been in direct contact with diseased animals, should be slaughtered. We did not go so far as that. The next resolution was, " The rigid surveillance of all infected farms, and the immediate slaughter of all ani- mals which from time to time shall show the slightest symp- toms of the disease." We then went on to say, in our third and fourth resolutions, " The thorough disinfection of all infected premises, and a prohibition to remove therefrom all manure, litter, hay, or straw for a period to be fixed, and then only subject to certain specific regulations." — " That the Govern- ment be requested to bring before Parliament a Bill to direct and empower the Justices in Quarter or Special Sessions to assemble immediately to carry out the above resolutions, and in such Bill to make provision for charging the necessary ex- penses on the County rate, and also for assimilating the action of Counties and Boroughs." Then we recommended "That simultaneously with the destruction of diseased cattle, the transit of all animals, whether by road or rail, be entirely prohibited, with such exceptions only as may be absolute^ 242 THE FABMER'S MAGAZmE. necessary." His Lordship would see tliat this led at once to the change of the ordinary cattle market into a dead-meat market. He apprehended tliat there would really be only a very small difficulty in effecting this change. London and some of the large towns were already supplied in this way to a large extent. London and other towns were supplied with fish, which must necessarily be brought in a dead state. He was informed by a member of the Council that Mr. Clive, of Mayo, sent large quantities of dead meat to London ; and that the Great Western Railway had special accommodation for hanging dead meat, and so bringing it up to London. A gentleman, who was a large contractor for the supply of dead meat from Scotland, stated at the meeting in St. James's Hall that in a comparatively short time he could supply half a mil- lion of people with dead meat. The sixth and last resolution was, " That during the existence of the cattle plague all im- ported cattle, sheep, or swine shall be slaughtered forthwith at the port where they are landed, and their hides, skins, and offal disinfected there." AVith regard to the question raised, whether sufficient slaughterhouses could be foiind in the ports where cattle were landed, he thought no great difficulty would be found in meeting that objection ; and, as to foreigners not submitting to such a regulation, he could only say that the farmers of this country were subjected to far more stringent ones. Going back to the question of the transit and removal of cattle, there was a great wish on the part of the Council that there should be no exception at all, except in the case where a road crossed and divided the same farm. In that case they thought the owner should be allowed to remove his cattle fronr one part of his farm to another, though he should have to cross a public road for the purpose. Otherwise, the gene- ral feeling was against any exception ; for, if exceptions were allowed, the main object of the regulations would be lost. Earl Russell : I quite agree that the cattle plague has in- creased, and is increasing to an alarming extent, and that the measures hitherto adopted for the purpose of stopping its pro- gress have been ineft'ectual. But I think this is to be said, that measures which could not be adopted some months ago can be adopted now ; and, therefore, much greater facilities now exist than did some months ago for adopting measures to stay the progress of the disease. With regard to the convey- ance of dead meat from one part of the country to another, I believe measures have been taken, which were not in operation some months ago, which will make tliat a much easier process than it used to be. With regard to the Bill wliich is to be in- troduced this evening into the House of Commons by Sir George Grey, I will state generally what its provisions are ; but I will not enter into details. It is certainly right that animals suffering from the disease should be slaughtered ; and regulations upon that matter will be found in the Bill to be in- troduced. I understand that the Council of the Royal Agri- cultural Society are not of opinion that all sound animals having any contact with those wliicli are diseased should be slaughtered, as was the case for some time in Aberdeenshire. I lately presented a petition from the Rinderpest Association of that county, and they do not now recommend that course. But, at the same time, I must observe that precautions ought to be taken that cattle should not be removed from farms or other places where the disease has broken out, for a consider- able time after it appears to have been stopped, as I believe there are several instances in which two or three cows having died, the owner was in a great hurry to dispose of the remainder of his stock, and sold them at low prices ; and in this way, although the animals sold appeared to be sound at the time, the disease afterwards broke out amongst them, and was pro- pagated in other places. Whilst, therefore, it is undesirable to slaughter all the cattle which have been in contact with the disease, it is most important and desirable that there should be no immediate sale or removal for some time, as it is impossible accurately to distinguish the disease in its early stage. I am informed by Sir George Grey that the means of preventing such removal have been much improved, and that the con- stabulary are much better able to carry out the regulations made with this object than they were a few months ago. It is pro- posed by the Government, in order to assimilate the action of the counties and boroughs, that in all towns lielow a certain size— towns having a population of less than forty thou- sand—the county magistrates should have jurisdiction ;U this matter with the borough magistrates, so as to have their action uniform. Then, as to the expense of carrying out the provisions of the Bill, we propose that it should be raised by the county rate ; and it is also proposed to lay a tax of so much per head on the owners of cattle. With respect to the fifth resolution, which relates to the transit of animals, that also W'ill be provided for in the Bill, with a limitation as to time. The slaughtering of animals at the ports will also be provided for in the measure. There are some difficulties, or questions rather, as to the terms of commercial treaties with foreign countries, which make it doubtful whether it would be possible to make that special prohibition as regards foreign cattle ; but tlie Government are of opinion that it would not be inconsistent with the terms of tliese treaties to prohibit the importation of foreign cattle, except in the condition of im- mediate slaughter, and I do not tliink we will encounter any great difliculty in that matter. It is, of course, a matter of considerable difficulty in this country, where the consumption of meat is so great, to make any efl^ectual regulations on this subject. We know that the West Riding of Yorkshire made regulations which the North Riding refused to adopt. There are many points therefore in which differences of opinion may arise, and some difficulty may be experienced in particular localities in carrying the regulations into efi'ect. But, in speaking of the means of arresting the disease, although the cattle plague has not diminished, I think there is a strong feeling, in which the Government entirely participates, of the great danger of tlie disease, and that the most effectual barriers should be opposed to its progress, and therefore a greater willingness to carry stringent measures into effect than pre- vailed some months ago. I should hope therefore that, with the blessing of God, if these means are adopted, there will be that general willingness to submit to provisions and to carry into effect regulations which in the ordinary state of things would not be submitted to. Mr. Thompson said that some regulations were easily carried out : others presented a great deal of difficulty. The slaughter- ing of diseased cattle was an easy and simple matter ; but when they came to disinfection they would find it an extremely diflicult thing to deal' with. He hoped therefore that full power would be given to the local authorities to take upon them- selves the expense of carrying out any measures of that kind. If this matter was left to the owners of the cattle on the pre- mises tliey did not know how to do it, and the expense would cause it to be done in a slovenly manner. But if the expense was to be borne in the same way as the cost of killing cattle, and if the proper means of disinfecting were pointed out, he thought it would be a great advantage. The proper officer should have power to call on the parish constable to aid him. It was considered by the farmer to be an infringement of his rights to go into his premises, and this could only be justified by direct enactment. The owner should be compelled to keep a register of all his stock, so that the inspecting-officer should have under his care every head of stock which was liable to the suspicion of being infected, and the magistrates should be empowered to appoint committees to carry out the provisions of the BiU. Without some enactments of this kind he did not think the means of obtaining the desirable result of disinfection would be effectual. He might also mention that as a Bill took a considerable time to pass through Parliament, the portion of the measure wliich related to the expense might be separated from the other portion, in order to facilitate its passage through both Houses. If the Government officers slaughtered the infected cattle at once, and gave an assurance that the expense would be paid on a subsequent day, that would be sufficient. Immediate paj'ment was not pressed, and the spreading of the infection made it every day more difficult to be dealt with. Earl Russell : I hope the Bill will pass very soon. It is intended to move the second reading to-morrow, and to go into committee on Wednesday. Lord FEVERsnAM said it was a matter of great importance whether cattle brought by sea were to be slaughtered immedi- ately on their arrival, or before. He liad received a letter from a butcher of considerable experience in Maldon, who said that what was wanted was, the entire suppression of the live-cattle trade throughout every part of the kingdom. It was stated at the St. James's Hall Meeting, that thousands of tons of fish travelled by railway every day ; and he did not see why dead meat should not be brought in the same way to London and other large towns. He presumed it was the intention of the Bill to make the action uniform throughout Great Britain, and I THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE. 243 that it woTild not he left to the local authorities to decide wlie- ther this or that measure should he carried out, hut should merely carry into operation the orders emanating from the central authority. Without uniformity of action no good would ])e accomplished. Earl IxCSSELL : I imagine the inspectors will act under some general rule. Mr. J0NA.S wished, as the only tenant farmer present, to sug- gest that the tenant farmers should he empowered to deduct from the landlord's rent half of the rate levied under the Act, so that the Ijurden might he equally divided hetween the owners and occupiers. Mr. Dext, M.P. : A provisioh of that kind might he intro- duced into the Bill. Earl Russell : I believe some counties in Scotland have already made rates, and so divided them. Lord W.-^LSixGHAJi having thanked his Lordship, the depu- tation withdrew. THE BATH AISTD WEST OF ENGLAND SOCIETY. An adjourned meeting of the Council of this Society was held at Douch's Railway Hotel, Tauntou, on Tuesday, Eeliru- ary 13th, under the presidency of the Right Hon. the Earl of Portsmouth. There were also present Sir J. T. B. Duck- worth, Bart., Colonels Archer and Luttrell, Rev. T. Phillpotts, Messrs. H. G. Andrews, W. A. Bruce, C. Bush, R. H. Bush, T. Danger, J. T. Davy, M. Farrant, J. Fry, C. Gordon, John and Jonathan Gray, J. D. Hancock, J. Hole, H. P. Jones, R. K. M. Kins', J. E. Knollys, J. C. Mansel, H. G. Moysey, T. Pain, S. Pitman, G. S. Poole, J. W. SiUifant, P. P. Smith, H. Wilharas, H. Spackman (Ofiicial Superintendent), and J. Good- win (Secretary and Editor). The Cattle Plague. — A letter was read acknowledging the receipt of a memorial addressed to the Lords of the Privy Council by the Council of the Bath and West of England So- ciety ; also a letter from Mr. Helps, clerk to the Privy Council, stating tliat a copy of the circular letter, addressed by the Secretary of tlie society to the authorities of the Petty Ses- sional Divisions and Boroughs in the AVesteru Counties, had been referred to the Cattle Plague Commission. The Salisbury Meeting. — Letters were read from Mr. C. ]\L Lee, Town Clerk of Salisbury and Honorary Secretary of the Local Committee, accepting the proposal of the Council of the Society to hold a sliow in June next, and otferiug to use the best endeavours to make it as effective as possible. It was thereupon unanimously resolved that the Secretary be directed to reply to the Town Council and Local Committee of Salis- bury to the effect that steps will be immediately taken to announce that the Society's Exhibition for 1806, to be held in the week commencing the 4th June next, will comprise horses, poultry, agricultural implements, works of art, fine and decorative art, manufactures, horticultural specimens, &c. The sum of £500 will be offered in prizes for horses, care being taken to give special encouragemeut to those used for agricultural purposes ; and the prizes for poultry wiU be on a much larger scale than at former meetings, with a view to the encouragement of poultry breeding as an important auxiliary to the ordinary means of provicUug food for the people. The Cornwall Meeting. — The ConncLl, after long and anxious deliberation, resolved that the meeting of the Society to be held next after Salisbury shall take place at Falmouth, in consequence of the great railway facilities possessed by that town, in addition to its important packet service and uumer- ous coasting vessels. Ample testimony was borne by the depu- tation to the cordiality and hospitality with which they were re- ceived by the Mayor and authorities of Penzance, who, it is believed, will in true Cornish fashion unite heartily with their neighbours at Falmouth in giving the Society a hearty welcome. The Cattle Plague. — Several Communications on this subject from the Rev. T. Phillpotts, of Portligwidden, Truro, and Dr. Brent, of Woodbury, Exeter, were referred to the Cattle Plague Committee. New Members.— Colonel Hogg, M.P., a governor 5 Captain Adnejr, Colliunpton, a member, CENTRAL FARMERS* CLUB, NEW MEMBERS, Elected at the Meeting of the Committee, on Monday, Decern- her 11th, 1865 (for 1866):— J. C. Alexander, Heme Hill, Faversham. W. Adcock, Farndisli, Wellingborough. W. Biddell, Hawstcad Hall, Bury St. Edmunds. G. Baxter, Theydon Bower, Eppiug. J. G. Carlill, Kingstou-upon-Hull. J. Collins, Argyle House, Camden-road. M. Evans, The Craven Arms, Newton, Salop. G. Ely, Tong, Sitting-bourne. A. Froora, 2a, Portsdown-road North, Maida Vale, AV. Gardner, Beksbourne, Canterbury, S. Grant, Farelsthorpe, Alford. S. A. Goodwyii, Leistou Hall, Saxmundham, E. Habershon, Beaulieu, Battle. R. Harrison, Sandwich. C. HaU, Jun., Romford. G. H. Ilussey, The Green Farm, High Wycombe. Sir G. S. JenLinson, Bart., Eastwood Park, Berkeley. F. Knight, Castle Rising, Lynn. T. MidcUeton, Hill House, Dulwich. C. Sewell Read, M.P., Honingham-Thorpe, Normch. T. Saunders, Llanelly, Carmarthen. H. D. Thomas, Exeter. On Monday, January 1st — F. B. Alderson, 10, King's Bench Walk, Temple. R. G. Badcock, The Elms, Taunton. C. S. Bigge, Barton Grange, Much Wenlock. G. Burford, Holdhurst, Cranley, Guildford. E. Boards, Edmonton. C. Clay, Walton, AVakefield. F. Curtois, Swineshead Abbey, Spalding. T. Davey, Garboldisham, East Harlinge. A. Dickson, Chester. W. Eager, Whipley, Guildford. H. W. Foster, Cranwell Lodge, Sleaford. AY. W. GascojTie, The Lawn, Sittingbourne. J. Harvey, North Rauceby, Sleaford. R. H. Murray, AA'est Hall, AA''eybridge. E. Packard, Ipswich. A. H. Page, Swansea. H. AV. Peek, Wimbledon House, Wimbledon. J. W. Smith, Brocklehurst Lees, Cranley, Guildford. AA'. Stanton, Houghton, Rougham. H. Scales, Groby, Falkingham. Rev. J. H. Sapte, Cranley, Guildford. S. TiUey, 8, AAlntehall-place. J. J. Thorney, Hull. On Monday, February 5th— J. Ashlin, Firsby, Spilsby. AV. Beardsley, Glenn House, Leicester. R. Betts, Holbeck, Horncastle. G. Blaker, Pangdean, Hurstpierpoint. R. Bruford, Nerrols, Taunton. W. H. Clare, Twycross, Atherstone. T. Harris, Calne, Chippenham. F. Hodge, 58, Holborn-hill. T. Kingsnorth, Perry Court, Faversham, F. Maunder, Barnstaple. R. P. Nisbit, Thorney, Peterborough. R. H. Palmer, Newton House, Rugby. T. F. Ringer, Abbotts Ann Down, Andover. AA'. Taylor, ThingeliiU Court, Hereford. J. Voile, Churchover, Rugby. THE CROWN LANDS.— During the ten years ending March 31, 1865, the rough revenue derived from Crown lands was as follows :— 1856, £281,516; 1857, £284,857; 1858, £276,654; 1859, £280,040; 1860, £284,479; 1861. £290,568; 1862,295,000; 1863, £300,000; 1864, £305,000; 1865, £310,000. This branch of the pubHc revenue thus displays a tendency to increase in productibility j in 1851 it yielded only £160,000, •244 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE HEALTH OP CATTLE, FROM A CHEMICAL POINT OF VIEW. If " the mechainsrn of vital action is uuknown," as stated by a high aiitliority, less perhaps is kuown of its chemistry, to which may be added its microscopic analysis. At the same time we must accord to those at present engaged iti this de- partment of science that discovery is making rapid progress. Doubtless much farther advances require to be made before it can be safely said that the shades of night are gone, and that the agriculturist is fairly into the liglit of meridian day. In- deed, the face of Nature, as regards the liealtli of cattle, may not inaptly be compared to a dense jungle, into all the dark labyrinths of vv'hich the eye of the farmer may never be able to penetrate ; still the force of duty and interest compels him to work his way through, as best he can, liowever dark ap- pearances may be a-bead. In no department of liis profession is this more true at the present time than in the management of live-stock, owing to the growing prevalence of disease in innumerable forms, and the still-darker clouds that are gatlier- ing upon the horison of the future. If cattle, for example, barely pay for their food when in the enjoyment of good health, liow will the balance-sheet of the grazier stand when the heavy losses from steppe murram are added to the account ? The question is a very solemn one at the present time, enough to awaken the dullest mind, and to start tlie more active into a thousand inquiries of discovery in search of remedial means, one way or another, from the heavy calamity thus experienced. Hitherto there has existed amongst farmers, as a body, it must be confessed, an unpardonable amount of apathy relative to tlie health of their cattle, aud the chemical means essentially necessary to keep them up to the normal standard. To con- fess short-comings of the kind in question may be humbling ; but the sooner it is done, the more hopeful tlie prospects of the future, wliile fanners will also be the more able to give effective battle to the present ; for the enemy is unquestionably an active subtle foe, so that to sit down in supineness, leaving him in full possession of the field, without any opposition whatever, is not only silly and short-sighted, but cowardly in the extreme ; and niore than that, for it is .altogether un- becoming the agricultural body, in the present emergency, when England obviously expects every farmer to do his duty. The battle is truly a chemical one, and must be won on chemical ground. The microscope may do much ; but it is only discovering the position and force of the enemy, aud how his columns are entrenched, or otherwise disposed of in re- pelliug opposition, aud extending farther aud farther his occupation of the field — a battle-field tliroughout the length and breadth of which, instead of repulsive forces being throwii in his way, or even allowed to remain, eveiythiug repulsive to his progress is removed, and everything to attract his ravages substituted in their place ! This is worse than Immljling, for it is miserable, and a matter of fact so palpably plain that it cannot be denied. The following hypothetical examples may be taken to illus- trate our subject practically : (1) The chemical action of ab- normal food ; (2) of an impure atmosphere, including extremes of heat and cold; (3) of improper grooming, and general mis- management ; (4) of the presence of certain forms of animal and vegetable life in the system ; and (5) the chemical action of mineral, animal, or vegetable poisons taken into the cir- culation. The reader who has had much experience in the rearing and fettening of live-stock must be familar with examples of each of the above five kinds, and those who are only serving their apprenticeships can hardly have failed to be cognisant of most of them, in some form or other, so as to be able to apply general observations to individual examples in practice ; and we may further observe that, as the general drift of our re- marks has for its special object the illustration of tlie cattle- plague now decimating our herds, this object must be specially borne in mind throughout. Ex. 1. — The continued use of abnormal food not only pro- duces a low standard of constitutional health, but also a pre- aisposition to catch certain contagious diseases. Tlius chymi- eation and chylification pre chemical piocesses; and if defective from certain elementary substances not being supplied in the food, all tlie subsequent processes must also be defective ; hence tlie reason why the various organs, as the lungs, heart, and blood-vessels, get not only chemically out of order, but also mehanically, as shown in a previous article. Of the various chemical processes performed in the natural laboratory we know comparatively nothing, as yet, in practical detail ; at the same time. Discovery has made certain progress, and is at the present time making farther advances. It is known, for example, that tlie lungs must supply a definite quantity of oxygen, and remove a corresponding amount of carbonic acid ; otherwise the nutritive function, including the reparatory ])ro- cesses, is impaired, consequently a certain degree of atrophy of nerve and muscle must be experienced. During this im- perfect growth and repair of the organs an e.\^tra quantity of inferior fatty matter may be deposited in the adipose tissue, aud water in the flesh ; the latter containing much crude saline and other matter, thereby forming abnormal juice, as in the case of obesity and sheep-rot. It is also an established fact tliat when the arterial blood is in a normal state, there is also a healthy and copious diaphoresis or secretion from the skin, much of the insensible perspiration thus secreted being the refuse-matter of the arterial blood. In other words, the organs of secretion of the skin require the presence of a natural stimulus to keep them in healthy working-order ; and unless this stimulus is present in the food, and in the nutritive current flowing in the arteries, much of this refuse abnormal matter will be thrown into the system, as in the flesh, bones, &c. It follows, therefore, that when tlie organs of secretion of the skin have an abundant supply of their natural stimulus, and' are otlierwise kept in sound mechanical repair and working- order, they will discharge the foinites of contagious diseases, or the ova of entozoa, &c., in the insensible perspiration ; but if otherwise, such fomites, &c., will go into and accumulate in tlie flesh and viscera, eventually breaking up the system, as will be shown more at length under the second and fourth lieads of our subject. I'nder an abnormal dietary, such as the food now too com- monly used ill the fattening of stock during the winter season, and also during much of the summer time, somewhat siraOar results are produced in the stomachs and viscera of the abdomen, as in the lungs, heart, and blood vessels — when they get out of order, chemically as well as mechanically. Thus, the organs of smell and taste arc now generally termed chemical senses, and in a wild state their function is to guide animals in the proper selection of their food ; but the forced habits of domestic life compels Nature, as it were, to adapt herself as much as possible to the abnormal circumstances in which she is thus placed ; hence the organs of smell and taste, including the appetite, become vitiated, so that animals learn to eat anything, often acquiring a voracious desire for articles which in a wild state they would slum with disgust. Nor is Nature without good reason on her side, for a greatly- increased quantity of such abnormal food must be consumed in order to enable her to obtain from it those elements abso- lutely necessary to preserve the system even in an impaired state of health. There is therefore a three-fold prodigality, or sacrifice of economy — Jirsf, the extra quantity of food con- sumed; second, i\\e loss of time and health; and third, i)ie production of an inferior article, either in the form of dairy produce, young breeding stock, or of butcher-meat. And this is not the worst of the matter ; for to tliese three losses must be added a fourth, viz., a predisposition to catch con- tagious and other diseases peculiar to sucli abnormal conditions, as will be shown more in detail under the fourth and fifth heads. Ex. 2. — Our second proposition is the cliemical action of an impure atmosphere inhaled, including extremes of temperature. We have in this proposition three chemical conditions enun- ciated, that demand our special attention, inasmuch as all three were exemplified in a more tlian ordinarily active form during the past summer, viz., in the first case an atmosphere gre.itly loaded with pestilential matter, both of organic and inorganic origin ; in tlie next case eKtreme heat during the THE PAKMER'S MA^AZmE. •2-ii (lay; attcuded, in tlic hibt casp, witli extreme dogrce of cold or absence of lieat duriug the night — a state of tlio weather which was frecjuently at tlie time compared to au East Indian climate by those who had been iu our Eastern empire. The eil'ect of such a season therefore was not only calculated to hatch into being the peculiar germs and ova of vegetable and animal life introduced into this country \\ith tlic llussian produce of the IJaltic and Black Sea awl other places of tlic continent of Europe and Asia, where the cattle phigue has recently existed ; but also at the same time to predispose our horned cattle to catcii contagion. AVhat in ordinary seasons miglit lie dormant, or prove harmless, would during the past summer play all the havoc whicli has been experienced in the dairies of London, and elsewhere iu provincial licrds ; for the secretory function of the skin being already in an abnormal and weakened state from an improper dietary, the extreme cold at night would almost completely close up the pores of the skin, thus diverting tlie refuse matter of the arterial current, including the contagious poison, whatever it may be, into the flesh, &c. ; it would also injuriously affect the air passages, predisposing them to catch the infection ; in other words, the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs would in such an abnormal condition possess an affinity for the contagious matter, and therefore attract it, thus affording it a nidus for in- cubating the disease, so to speak. A similar result would take place in the prima vise ; for, as the chemical action of tlie absorbents is attractive instead of repulsive, as in a state of sound health under a proper dietary, the contagious matter present in the food would be taken into the system instead of being expelled in the alviue and renal discharges. What follows need not be told. Moreover, from the presence of typhus-breeding malaria, catarrhal matter, &c., in the atmos- phere, as well as exantliematous matter, the disease may be found to be of a very complicated character when understood in all its details; as yet, however, chemistry and the microscope have to do much before we get this length, practically speaking, iu tlie investigation of our subject. Ex. 3. — Our third proposition involves the chemicul action produced within and without by improper and general mismanagement. A dirty skin, for example, not only impedes the free egress of the insensible perspiration, thereby exciting an abnormal action within, but it also has an injurious effect upon the skin itself ; so that the two, acting together, give rise to a complication of diseases within, while they greatly predispose tlie ani]nal to contagion from without. Jlismauagement is a comprehensive term, including irregularity in the time of feeding, neglect of watering, harsh treatment at the hands of the cattle-man or from older cattle, noise, strange sights, and other exciting causes of this kind, and so on. Into the imme- diate effect produced by these, and by the abnormal chemical action to wliich they give rise, through the instrumentality of the nervous system, &c., we need not go, as they all have a tendency in one direction, alternately predisposing animals thus treated to catcli contagion. Ex. i: — Our fourth proposition is the chemical action pro- duced by the presence of certain forms of animal and vegetable life in the system. In the fluids and tissues of animals, for example, that have died of the rinderpest, "spurious entozoa," " protozoa," and certain " peculiar cells" have been seen under the microscope in numbers sufficiently large to indicate either a complication of diseases, where all are found in the same carcase, or different diseases, when found in separate car- cases. But, so far as we have been able to gather together the facts of the case, microscopical analyses are faulty, from having been made at a date too long after the death of the animal, as very rapid and important changes take place imme- diately after death ; whereas we want the analysis of the ani- mal when in life, so to speak, or before the fluids and solids have had time to cool down below animal heat, for certain de- grees of temperature play a very important part iu the deve- lopment of cells, protozoa, &c. Whatever may be the variety of forms of animal life and degree of organization which they may have attained in the fluids or solids of the live ox, it is more than probable that they all produce a direct poisonous action or chemical change, gradually subduing vitality as they increase in number and force. Next, their mechanical movements must give rise to nervous excitement ; while they must also, in supporting them- selves, consume the nutritive substances that otherwise would have been assimilated and used up in the rcparalory processes of the living structure of the ox. And lastly, from the per- centage of the iluids and solids which they form, they must negatively give rise to abnormal chemical action. Erom these observations, it will readily be seen that pre- vention is the tiue maxim of dealing with so formidalile a malady as the cattle plague, whatever may be its real patholo- gical character. Hitherto we have been cultivating a low standard of mechanical action, accompanied with a high de- gree of chemical attraction for contagious matter! It is not easy to imagine a more disastrous liue of policy, it being the very reverse of that which the exigencies of our position de- mand. Eor the future, therefore, we must pay more attention to the dietary, so as to strengthen and brace up both nerve and muscle, and also stimulate the organs of secretion by na- tural stimuli or feeding materials, so that the whole circula- tion, including the Iluids of the flesh and viscera, shall exer- cise a repulsive action towards such contagious matter, instead of an attractive action, thereby discharging such contagious matter from the lungs, skin, and kidneys, and thereby keeping the system comparatively clean, as exemplified in the case of those animals that are not infected. Thus, if the horse and donkey are grazing in the same grounds with the ox, they must necessarily breathe the same contagious, loaded atmo- sphere ; and if the latter is infected with steppe murrain, and the former two are not, the obvious rationale is, because the fluids and solids of the horse and donkey possess something chemically repulsive to the contagious matter inhaled, whereas those of the ox possess something attractive. Such being the chemical view of the question, the solution of the problem of prevention becomes manifest, as feeding materials must be used in accordance with the natural retj^uircments of cattle. Ex. 5. — Having never heard of the cattle plague being traced to the eating of poisonous plants, or mineral poison of any kind in their food, very little requires to be said under our last example. We have, however, heard it attributed to the in- jection of animal poison into the system by the bite or sting of certain insects, as the " tse-tse," noticed by Dr. Livingston, who says it keeps a certain disti'ict in the interior of Africa v\ithout cattle, every horse or ox, for example, crossing into this district falling a victim to its ravages, the action of the poison of this insect presenting symptoms somewhat similar to those of rinderpest ; but we are not told of any chemical or microscopical analysis having been made, to determine either the nature of the poison and its action, or ^yhethe^, along with the poison, the insect deposited its ova, &c. The general conclusion to be deduced from these observa- tions is that which has already been drawn — viz., that the battle of the cattle plague must be fought on chemical grounds. In other words, more attention must be paid to the chemistry of the natural food of our cattle, so as to preserve a higher standard of health, with a repulsive action to conta- gious matter. EE VIEW. A NEW YEAR'S BUDGET; or The Farm, The Eireside, and The Eield. By J. I. Lushiagton ; illustrated by the Author (Loudon : lioffcrsoa and l'i(.efonI, 246, Strand. 1866). This little poetical brochure contains the effusion of a " Man of Suffolk," and it displays considerable poetic talent, as the following extract will show, from "Lines to the Nightingale ;" " Come, Nightingale ! come to our shores again , Leave the retreat where thou the winter long Hast sojourned. Come, and once more with thy strain, So plaintive — aye, far sweetest of all song- Make glad our hearts, as through the midnight hour (Perched on the lilac, whose slight branches free Wave o'er the fragrant honeysuckle bower) Thou pourest ibrtli thy wondrous minstrelsy T' Again, in '' Lines to the Snow ;" " Beautiful Snow ! so fragile and light, Spreading a mantle wherever you go ; Purity's self is your bosom of white — Child of our northern clime, beautiful Snow ! These extracts will of themselves recommend the work. The verses in the vernacular of the " Man of Sutfolk" are correct to the letter, and the iUustrations are beautifully executed. 246 THE FAEMER'S MAQAZINE. CLIMATIC INFLUENCES. Climate exercises a sovereign sway over both the animal and vegetable kingdoms. The truth of this is apt to be for- gotten in the daily bustle and chat of the world about tilings common. How often does it happen that the conclusion of farmers in one county is the very parallel of that of the other ! old folks getting offended at the contrary, as if the equatorial and the polar regions were next-door neighbours ; and, doubt- less, so they are ; but for all that, when we appeal to the fiat of Nature on the subject, the judgment pronounced is a flat contradiction, and, what is more, the jury (animals and veget- ables) are unanimous in their verdict. The practical key to this is the imperceptible change ex- perienced at any two adjoining places as to the influence pro- duced by climate. We may start and go south for the parched plains of Central Africa, or proceed in the opposite direction, to the frigid regions of the north, rid Russia ; but, even at the railway speed at which modem tourists travel, the difference between to-day and yesterday is not more than observable by the vast majoritj'. That there is a difference between the animal and vegetable productions of one degree of latitude and those of its nearest neighbour, north or south, no one ■will deny. The force of habit has given a common credence to the fact ; but how softly and gently do latitudes pass the door of the railway-carriage often unobserved ! The physiognomy of a modern Gaul may readily be distinguished from that of an Anglo-Saxon, and so on ; but this is not the effect of climatic influence, but naiional breeding. Shorthorns, long- horns, and poUed breeds of cattle are not produced by climate, but peculiar systems of breeding — so, at least, it is said ; and such, too, is the belief of the public generally. But exterior appearances and the bare credence of the gene- ral public are worth very little in questions of the kind under consideration. " The gooseberrj'," says a writer on the " Tood of Man," " in the south of Europe is small, tasteless, and neg- lected ; and, though it grows to a large size in the warmer parts of England, its flavour there is very inferior* to that which it has in Scotland. Even in that country the flavour seems to increase with the cold ; for, if there be warmtli enough for bringing gooseberries to maturity, the farther north they are grown the better." But is the gooseberry the only member of the vegetable kingdom that improves in flavour as we go north ? Certainly not ! In the same man- ner we might quote plants that improve in flavour in southern latitudes as compared with northern. Now, the general question of utility that is naturally deduced from such differ- ences is, the influence of climate on the cereaha and other cultivated crops, and its effects also upon cattle, and we might have included the farmer himself. What, for example, is the difference between the flavour of wheat grown in Kent or Essex from wheat grown in Yorkshire, the Lothians, Aber- deenshire, and the other northern counties ? The same ques- tion may be put relative to differences between barley, oats, peas, beans, and the different root crops, and the grasses ; and that between beef, mutton, pork, venison, &c. ? But let us first decide what is flavour ? what is its value in the market? what is its chemical composition ? what its nu- tritive value ? what is its medicinal action ? what is its func- tion in reference to health and tlie economy of the other con- stituents with which it is or may be associated ? Or the ques- tion may be reversed thus : Are the insipid properties of flesh and vegetable substances of any value as food for man and beast, without the odorous and sapid properties that naturally belong to tliem when grown under the most favourable circum- stances P Much might be said in answer to these several interroga- tories ; but when we begin to apply the same practically to wheat, barley, oats, &c., &c., the less said the better, because Mtle or nothing can be said to any useful purpose, or that can De rehed upon as identified fact. According to the general acceptation of the word, flavour includes both the odorous and sapid properties of the article, as flour, or flesh, or grass ■ but wnen we apply such to the difference between English Irish ana bcotch flours, we are at a loss for an answer that would be received by our readers as satisfactory. If dogs and other animals, whose organs of smell and taste are more sensitive, were gifted with reason and speech, no doubt they \\ould give us some insight, practically, into the solution of the question ; but until our olfactory organs are better educated, we can only, as a matter of course, somewhat hesitatingly admit the neces- sity of the existence of a difference. We may perhaps be allowed to go a step farther than this with some of our readers, by acknowledging a sensible difference in the amount of nourishment received from the staff of life ; but beyond this the best half of what is said can only be received as specula- tive inquiry in search of the facts of the case that lie ulterior of present discoveries. In examining this more than ordinarily comprehensive sub- ject from a general point of view, our limits will only embrace two utiUtarian topics — quality, and the mixing of quahties to improve the sample or stock. Millers and bakers, for example, have long been familiar with the qualities of wheat aud flour, and with the advantages of mixing certain samples so as to improve the bread. In this the reader wiU understand that both the stocks mixed are of the best quality, and not a mix- ture of good and bad to get rid of the latter. What is difference of quality in a chemical sense P We talk of " hard wheats" and " soft wheats," " flinty wheats," and so forth. Agricultural chemists also tell us of differences in the percentage of certain organic and inorganic substances, but neither of these furnishes a satisfactory solution of the question. Hitherto a greater value has been attached to the percentage of gluteu, albumen, and caseine, or flesh-forming substances as they have been termed, and to starch, saccharine, fatty and gummy matters, or fat-forming and respiratory sub- stances, than is justified by the results of practice, and too little value upon the inorganic difterences ; while there is another class of substances of an odorous and sapid nature that are entirely left out of the account of computation or reckoning. The above conclusion is aU the more anomalous, inasmuch as in practice no value is put upon it (the extra per-centage of fat-forming and flesh-forming element) . Thus it is a well- known fact that peas and beans contain more of the so-called flesh-forming substances than wheat, so that if dietetic value was to be determined accordingly, we should all be living on the good substantia fare of the olden time ; but, unfortu- nately for this rule, we have lost our " pea, barley, and rye teeth" long ago. Agricultural chemistry, it wiU. thus be seen, is moving in one direction, and the national taste in the oppo- site. Very possibly both are somewhat astray from the true path of progress ; but, making every allowance for human frailty on either side, it is manifest that the odds are two to one in favour of the latter. The national taste is doubtless susceptible of a more scientific — or, at least, rational — system of education than has hitlierto been pursued. The Boman gladiators were called hordearii, from their liberal use of barley-meal and preparations of barley as food, so Pliny tells us (book xviii., cli. 7). The same grain is largely used by the Spaniards and other nations in feeding horses. In our cUmate the oat is given to horses in preference to barley. In the north of England, and in Scot- land, where both oatcakes aud wheaten bread are every day upon the table ; the consumption of the former is generally directly as the tear and wear upon nerve and muscle. And, lastly, a preference is given to barley-meal for the fattening of pigs in this country, while Tripoli rice is used for the fatten- ing of women in Moslem harems. Now, in all this we have flesh-forming and fat-fonning practices that do not harmonise either with national taste or the dietetic theories taught in modern books upon agricultural chemistry. The practical conclusion is a thorough reformation in our mode of experimental inquiry. The present rule is, " I like so and so," whereas it should be (granting that our natural che- mistry is correct), "Why is it that I prefer this to that ?" Why is it tluit the use of wlieaten bread has superseded that of oaten and barley-rye cakes in oiu' southern provinces, and is THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 247 slowly doing so in the northern, while we are daily taught at the same time by experience that health and strength do not correspond with the changes that are thus taking place in the national dietary ? Why is it that the exclusive use of fine wheaten bread is even injurious to health ? and that children reared on the common preparations of fine wheaten flour, butter, tea, and coflee are not so healthy and robust as those fed on the preparation of oatmeal, the quantity of milk con- sumed, liousehold accommodation, clothing, and management being equal ? WUy is it that the flour of wheat, barley and oats is so superior wlieu crops are well ripened and harvested to what it is when the contrary as to crops is experienced ? And why is it that the flour of wheat, barley, and oats grown in certain districts is preferred to that of wheat, barley, and oats grown in a difl'erent district, although the per-centage of nitrogenous aud carbonaceous elements or flesh-forming and fat-forming substances are comparatively equal or insufficient to account for the difference? Exactly the same data in prin- ciple apply to out-door stock-feeding, and something over ; our dietetic conclusions being many times more anomalous in reference to our cattle than to ourselves. In all tliese examples dift'erences in the proportion or per- centages of flesh forming aud fattening substances are not suf- ficient to account for differences of dietetic value ; and this is equally true of the food of mau as of the food of cattle. Soil, manure, and management have, no doubt, much to do in the practical solution of the problem ; but climate is the principal source to which we must look for the real cause of such differ- ences, for without the agency of the latter the former would not be effective. Of course climate means heat, light, mois- ture, pressure of tlie atmosphere, and natural phenomena of this kind peculiar to certain latitudes and elevated places ; and this just accords with the premises already advanced as to the peculiar nature of those substances commonly known as the odorous and sapid properties of food — i. ?., those normal con- stituents upon whose presence depends the peculiar flavour and nutritive value of every animal and vegetable product, but of which comparatively nothing is yet known, chemically speak- ing. True, farmers, millers, and bakers have long been familiar with differences in the quality of the gluten and starch of wheats grown on different soils and in different climates, which has already been acknowledged under the appellation of hard, soft, flinty, &c. ; but this is just the objectionable mode of investigation wliicli it is desirable, for many reasons, \ye should as agriculturists throw aside, because, by so doing, practical inquiry would then be directed into the channel that would lead to discovery of the odorous and sapid properties upon whose presence, in a normal per-centage, the real value of animal and vegetable substances depend, and also the natural per-centage due to latitude and elevation above the level of the sea. The second topic of inquiry has reference to the mixing of vegetable productions natural to one climate with those pro- duced in anotlier, in order to increase the dietetic value of the whole. That this is practicable to a certain extent has already been proved by the immense importation into this country and consumption of sugar, and a thousand productions of other climates, including carob beans, linseed-cake, and cottonseed- cake, used in feeding cattle. But, confining our observations to cattle, are the few articles now imported as feeding-stuffs the only ones that can be used profitaldy ? And is there no exchange we can make at home ? Between the " Land's End" and John o'Groat's does climate produce no difference in the growth of flavouring substances of which cattle are fond, and which woidd improve their food ? An affirmative answer has already been given to this ; for gooseberries and cloudberries are not the only vegetable productions that improve in flavour as we proceed north, and vice versa as we return south. The practicability of such a project of exchange, therefore, like aU other questions in agriculture, hinges upon that of profit — " Will a jMi/f" And tliis again resolves itself into the harvest problem — can those vegetable substances of which cattle are known to be partially fond be harvested where they are grown to best advantage, so as to retain their natural fla- vouring properties ? In the southern provinces most things grown can be harvested successfully, but as we advance north- wards the practice becomes more and more surrounded with difficulties, having a tendency to reduce dietetic and market values. No doubt many of tliese could be overcome by arti- ficial means, as by storehouses for drying ; but this, if it did not increase the expense in a manner that would do something more in the majority of cases than swallow up all the profits, would at least be on that side of the balance. Another pro- position may be enumerated, viz., to introduce new plants for cultivation adapted to the different climates and elevations of south aud north. Bacon, in his time, hints at something of this kind, viz., the growth of certain pi nts on mountains to improve tlieir medicinal values. From time immemorial it has been observed that the grass of valleys was more tasteless and insipid than tliat grown on elevated grounds, and that the flesh of animals fed thereon bore evidence to the same conclu- sion. Tlie superior quality of the beef of Aberdeenshire is attributed to the fineness of the quality of the grass and other feeding materials consumed by stock. W. B. EURZE, WHINS, OR GORSE— ULEX EUROPEUS.— This is proved beyond question to be a most beneficial crop, and in all found to be an essential (when cultivated) on every farm. No farm can produce to its full capability which has not its due proportion of this crop. It requires a dry soil, and if retentive, or inclined to moisture, the land should be thoroughly drained and deeply cultivated. Furze grows well on light, shingly soils, between rocks and stones, where the land has to be worked with pick, crow, and spade ; but the better the land the greater the produce. It is best to trench with plough or spade to the depth of the fertile soil, aud to move the subsoil, but not to raise it. The surface should be manured with ashes, bones dissolved or crushed small, or dung compost, should the land not have grown a manured crop the previous year, and even should it have done so, an application of one or other of the manures (bones best) is beneficial to nourish the plant in its early stage : after that it requires no manure. Though it has been recommended to divide tlie furze meadow into wide beds, aud in following years to spread a sufficiency of ashes, bone manure, or such, and to dig it into the furrows and cover the beds, this is to be done in April (after the crop has been cut off), when the growth for next year commences. The ground being prepared for sow- ing, eight stone of oats or barley to be sown to the statute acre ; when this is harrowed and rolled, then to sow forty pounds furze seed to the statute acre ; to cover lightly the seed, and roll. The months from March to May inclusive is the proper time to sow furze seed. The crop will be fit to mow for use in the November twelvemonth after the sowing of the seed. A statute acre of good furze wiU feed five head of cattle from first of November to first of May, giving three feeds of one bushel (8 gaUons) each feed by day, and two bushels at night, with one stone of mangolds or turnips, at each feed, to milch cows ; the turnip or mangold to be cut in Gardner's turnip sheer. It is beneficial to cut a portion — a fourth — of grass in the long cut of the furze cutter, the furze being cut in the short cut, and to mix it with the furze. Horses at work should get two feeds oi steamed swedes or carrots, or eight pounds of crushed oats. Dry cattle, or young or any idle horses, require no additional food. The furze, if annually cut, requires no bruising ; but if it is wished to do so, tlirashing with the flail will effectually bruise it. A very great improvement, which greatly facilitates the mastication, is to put the furze, when cut small, into a vat, and cover it with boiling water, and to add to it 41bs. of any meal and 21bs. of malt dust : pigs feed on this food and thrive well ; the vat to be kept covered for 12 or more hours. The price of the furze cutter is, according to the size, from £3, which suffices for a few, to £10, which is necessary for a number, and for horse or water power. Furze is a permanent winter crop, and will last mowing every year for twenty or more years. If it is wished to change the field, the furze meadow which has been mown every year is as easily ploughed as any grass land. Mr. Norwood, of Dunraanway, Co. Cork, had to do so in re-arrangement of his land. He found it easily ploughed, and the furze roots much easier cleared off than couch, and the potato crop on that portion was the best he had that year. — Prise Essay of Rev. JV. M. Toivnsoid, Rector of Aghadda, Cod:. 248 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE NEW FARM, " Here we are again !" to quote the simple words with which the inimitable Wright used nightly on his appear- ance to convulse the audience — as a bad penny returned. The fact is, that since the time when last we met " I have been roaming," not only " where the meadow-dew is sweet," " but I'm coming, and I'm coming" with the sawdust on my leet. What a lesson this is to one not to procrastinate ! It seems but yesterday that I wrote to you before, and it is two full months since. If you let the stream but once catch yom* bows, you will have right hard work to recover your course. How sadly easy is it for us farmers to be swept behind our work ! and yet the main prolit of our business depends upon our being smart, early, and punctual. But for the sawdust. It was gathered during a pro- tracted and eager study of the curiosities of Bingky Ilall — of Mr. !M'Combie's black ox that was bcnl down in the back as though he bore the weight of all Scotland's honours — of Mr. Crisp's prize pen of Black Diamond sows, one of which exhibited such wondrous breadth of beam that we doubt if even our excellent friend himself, set on ITIO:^ Of RUFF'S GUIDE TO THE TURF; OR, POCKET RACING COMPANION FOR 1866. OTon tents : The Nominations for 1866, and tho Horses Indexed with their Fedisrrees — The Great Stakes for 1867— A (/ompleto Calendar of Races and Steeple Chases in Great Britain and Ireland in 1865 — Racing on the Continent in 1865, fully Indexed — Laws of Racing and Steeple-chasing — Lengths of Courses— Winners of the Principal Races from their commencement — Queen's Plate Articles, and Weights— Winners of the Liver- pool Steeple-chase. Sold at the SPORTING REVIEW OFFICE, 246, STRAND; by all Booksellers; and at the various Railway Stations.- Price Half-a- Crown in Cloth. Now Ready, Cloth, in two Volumes, 782 pp., with four steel Portraits, Price I6s. uniform with "SCOT! AND SEBRIGHT," "SILK AND SCARLET," &c., FIELD AND FERN, OR SCOTTISH FLOCKS AND HERDS. BY H. H. DIXON. With Steel Engravings of Mr. Hugh Watson, Professor Dick, Mr. Nightingale, and the late Duke of Richmond, &c. The Volumes, "North" and " South" (of the Frith of Forth) may ba had separately— Price EIGHT SHILLINGS each. Copies will be sent by Post on application to the Author. ROGERSON AND TQXFORD, 246, STRAND. AYNBIRD, CALDECOTT, S, A^VHIEA, BRONCHITIS, NEURA.LGIA, RHEUMATISM, SPASMS, &c. CHI.OBODYNE. CAUTION. — " IN CHANCERY." — Vice-Chancellor Wood stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was undoubtedly the Inventor of Chlorodyne. Eminent Hospital Physicians of London stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was the discoverer of Chlorodyne ; that they prescribe it largely, and mean no other than Dr. Browne's— See Twies, July 13th, 1804. The Public, therefore, are cautioned against using any other than Dr. COLLIS BROWNE'S CHLORODYNE. This INVALUABLE REMEDY produces quiet refreshing sleep— relieves pain, calms the system, restores the deranged functions, and stimulates healthy action of the secretions of the body. From J. M'Grigor Croft, M.D., M.R.C., Physician, London, late Staff-Surgeon to H.M.F. "After prescribing Dr. J. Collis Browne's Chlorodyne for the last three years in severe cases of Neuralgia, and Tic Doloroux, I feel that I am in a position to testify to its valuable effects. Really in some cases it acted as a charm, when all other means had failed. Without being asked for this report, I must come forward and state my candid opinion that it is a most valuable medicine." No home should be without it. Sold in bottles, Is. 1 Jd., 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and lis., by J. T. DAVENPORT, 33, Great Russell Street, London, W.C, sole manufacturer. Observe particularly, none genuine without the words " Dr. J. Collis Browne's Chlorodyne on the Government Stamp. Earl Russell has graciously favoured J. T. Davenport with the following : — " Extract of a despatch fi'om Mr. Webb, H. B. M.'s Consul at Manilla, dated Sept. 17, 1864 : — ' The remedy most efficacious in its effects (in Epidemic Cholera), has been found to be Chlorodyne, and with a small quantity given to me by Dr. Burke I have saved several lives.' " The increased demand enables the Propriet n-s to ndiice the price; it is now sold Rt Is, IJd., ^s. 9d., 4s, 6d, and lis. LONDON AND COUNTY BANKING COMPANY. ESTABLISHED 1836. Sntoscribed capital £1,875,000, in 37,500 shares of £50 each. Paid-wp capital £750,000 Reserve Fund £250,000 DlBECTOBS. Frederick Harrison, Esq. Edward John Hutchins, Esq. Wm. Champion Jones, Esq. William Lee, Esq., M.P. William Nicol, Esq. Nathaniel Alexander, Esq. Thos. TyringhamBernard, Esq Philip Patton Blyth, Esq. John WiUiam Burmester, Esq. Coles ChUd, Esq. John Fleming, Esq., M.P. Gexeeal Manageb. — William M'Kewan, Esq. Chief Inspector. — W. J. Norfolk, Esq. Assistant Geneeal Manageh. — William Howard, Esci. Chief Accountant. — James Gray, Esci. Inspectoes op Branches. H. J. Lemon, Esq., and C. Sherring, Esq. Secretary. — P. Clappison, Esq. Head Office— 21, Lombard-street. At the Annual General Meeting of the Proprietors, held on Thursday, the Ist February, 1S66, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, the following Report for the j-ear ending the 3l8t December, 1865, was read by the Secretary. William Nicol, Esq., in the chair. REPORT. The Directors have the satisfaction to submit to the proprie- tors the balance-sheet of the Bank for the half-year ending 3l8t December last. They have to report that, after pajTuent of all charges, interest to customer.s, and making ample provision for bad and doubtful debts, the net profits amount to £99,419 13s., which, added to £13,660 76., Ijrought forward from the la«t account, produces a total of £113,080. From this sum a special bonus, amounting to £4,81-1 17s. lid., has been presented to officers whose salaries are under £300 per annum, leaving £108,265 2g. Id. for appropriation. The Directors recommend the payment of the usual dividend of 6 per cent., with a bonus of 6^ per cent., making together 12^ per cent, for the half-year, which will amount to £93,737 3s. 3d.— this, added to the August dividend, will be 27, per cent, for the j'ear, and leave £14,527 18s. lOd. to be caiTied forward to profit and loss new account. They have to announce the retirement in December of John Wright, Esq., for many years an auditor. The directors retiring by rotation are — Coles ChUd, Esq., and Frederick Harrison, Esq., who, being eligible for re- election, ofier themselves accordingly. The dividend and bonus (together £2 lOs. per share), ft-ee of income tax, will be payable at the Head Office, or at any of the Bl-anches, on and after Monday, the 12th instant. BaI/ANCe-shebt of the London and Counit Banking CoMPANT, Dec. 31, 1865. Dr. To capital paid up £750,000 0 0 To reserve fmid £250,000 0 0 To amount due by the bank for customers' balances, &c £11,842,748 10 To liabiUties on acceptances 1,009,066 14 5 To profit and loss balance broughtfromlast account To gross profit for the half- year, after making pro- vision for bad and doubt- ful debts £13,660 7 0 321,299 1 6 12,851,816 0 3 384,959 8 6 £14,186,774 8 9 £2,907,992 4 8 Cn. By cash on hand at head office and branches £1,510,427 12 4 By cash placed at call and atnotice 1,397,564 12 4 Investments, viz. : — By government and gua- ranteed stocks £1,033,170 8 8 By other stocks & securities 108,310 17 8 „ ^. , 1,141,481 6 4 iiy discounted bills, and advance to custo- mers in tgwB ftiidcpvmt*7,,,,„,,,, <. PjSlS.OW la 6 I By freehold premises, in Lombard-street and Nicholas-lane, freehold and leasehold I property at the bi-anches, with fixtures and fiitings". 137,179 12 9 By interest paid to customers 85,658 7 2 By salaries and nil other expenses at head office and branches, including income tax on profits and salaries 90,562 7 6 By special bonus on salaries under £300 per anmim 4,814 17 11 I i £14,186,774 8 9 j Dn. Profit and Loss Account, I To interest paid to customers £85,658 7 2 I To expenses as above 90,562 7 6 i To special bonus on salaries under £300 per annum 4,814 17 11 To rebate on bills not due, carried to new account 45,658 13 11 To di^-idend of 6 per cent, for thehalfyear... 44,993 16 9 To bonus of 6i per cent 48,743 6 6 To balance carried forward 14,527 18 10 £334,959 8 6 Cr. By balance brought forward from last ac- count £13,660 7 0 By gross profit for thehalf-year, after making "pro-\asion for bad and doubtful debts 321,299 1 6 £334,959 8 6 We, the undersigned, have examined the foregoing balance- sheet, and have found the same to be correct. (Signed) WILLIAM NORMAN ) a ,,.:.._„ R. H. SWAINE, } Auaitors. London and County Bank, Jan. 25, 1866. The foregoing Report having been read by the Secretary, the following resolutions were proposed and unanimously adopted :— 1. That the Report be received and adopted, and printed for the use of the Shareholders. 2. That a dividend of 6 per cent., together with a bonus of 6i per cent., both free of income tax, be declared for the half year ending 31st December, 1865, payable on and after Mon- day, the 12th instant, and that the balance of £14,627 18s. lOd. be carried forward to profit and loss new account. 3. That Coles Child, Esq., be re-elected a director of this Company ; that Frederick Hamson, Esq., be re-elected a director of this Company. 4. That William Norniau and Richard Hinds Swaine, Esqs., be elected auditors for the current year. 5. That Robert Escombe, Esq., be elected an auditor for the current year. 6. That the thaiiks of this meeting be given to the Board of Directors for the able manner in wluch they have conducted the affahs of the Companj". 7. That the thanks of this meeting be presented to the audi- tors of the Company for their sei-vices during the past year. 8. That the thanks of this Meeting be presented to William M'Kewan, Esq., and to the Principal and other Officers of the Bank, for the zeal and ability ^^•ith which they have discharged their respective duties. (Signed) W. NICOL, Chairman. The Chairman having quitted the chair, it was resolved and carried mianimously, 9. That the cordial thanks of this Meeting be presented to WilUam Nicol, Esq., for his able and courteous conduct in the (Signed) W. CHAMPION JONES, Deputy Chairman Extracted from the Minutes. (Signed) F. CLAPPISON, Secretary. LONDON AND COUNTY BANKING COMPANY.— NOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN, that a DIVIDEND on the Capital Stock of the Company, at the rate of 6 per cent, for the Half-year ending 31st December, 1866, with a BONUS of 6i per cent., WILL be PAID to the Proprie- tors, either at the Head Office, 21, Lombard-street, or at any of the Company's Branch Banks, on and after Monday the 12th inst. By order of the Board, W. M'KEWAN, General Manager. 21, Lombard-Street, Feb. 2, 1866. No. 4, Vol. XXIX.] APRIL, 1866. [Third Sekibs, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE AMD MONTHLY JOURNAL OF THE AaRICULTUEAL INTEREST. TO THE FARMERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. LONDON : PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 246, STRAND. PRICE TWO SHILLINGS. aOGEBBOK AND ICXFOBD,] r»..-^ nie '■' iPaWTEBS, 246, BTBAND. H O "W A B B S' CHAMPION PLOUGHS WON in 1865 and TWO PREVIOUS YEARS the Unprecedented Number of SIXTY. EIGHT ALL ENGLAND PRIZES, AND UPWARDS OF ' EIGHT HUNDRED LOCAL PRIZES, BY FAR THE LARGEST MPMBER EVER GACTED BY ANY MAKER. HOWARDS' CHAMPION PLOUGH Gained at the LAST TRIALS of the Royal Agricultural Society op England, at Newcastle, The FIRST and ONLY PRIZE for the BEST WHEEL PLOUGH FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. This is the most important Prize for Ploughs oflfered by the Society, it being for the Ploiiffh best adapted for both light and heavy land, as well as for the best work at various depths. For the LAST TEN YEARS J. & F. HOWAED have been the Winners of this Prize. II011^A»]>^^ CHAHPIOIf PIOUC^H has RECEIVED FIFTEEN FIRST PRIZES FROM THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND, Being the Largest Number of Prizes awarded to any kind of Plough ever exhibited. MORE THAN SIXTY JHOUSAND ARE IN USE. The following Prizes have been awarded to J. & F. Howard by the Royal Agricultural Society of England : FORTY-FOUR FIRST PRIZES FOR THE BEST PLOUGHS FOR LIGHT LAND, BEST PLOUGHS FOR HEAVY LAND, BEST PLOUGHS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. BEST RIDGING PLOUGHS, BEST SUBSOIL PLOUGHS, BEST HARROWS, BEST HORSE RAKES, BEST HAYMAKERS, AND BEST HORSE HOES; ALSO THE GOLD MEDAL, AND OTHER PRIZES, FOR STEAM-CULTIVATING MACHINERY. FULL PARTICULARS MAY BE HAD OF THEIR AGENTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, OR WILL BB SENT FREE ON APPLICATION TO JAMES AND FREDERICK HOWARD, BRITANNIA IRON WORKS, BEDFORD, E2IIGLAND. LONDON OFFICE: 4, Cheapside-Three Doors from St. Paul's, THE ORWELL WORKS, IPSWICH. RANSOMES & SIMS, OEWELL WOEKS, IPSWICH, ENGLAND, A re especially celebrated for the A grictiltiiral Machinery described in the following Pages. RANSOMES & SIMS construct thefr Machines of the Best Materials, manufactured as far as possible by Machinery, and with the greatest attention to Simplicity, Durability, and Ease of Repair without the employment of skilled labour. They are sold at the Lowest Prices at w^hich sound Workmanship and good Material permit. Upwards of 1000 men are employed at the Orwell Works, and they are aided by the best modern Tools and appliances. Illustrated Catalogues will be forwarded Post Free on Applicatmi to RANSOMES & SIMS, ORWELL WORKS, IPSWICH. RANSOMES & SIMS' PEIZE PLOUGHS. Ransomes & Sims have been engaged in the manufacture of Ploughs for upwards of seventy years, during which time they have sold an immense number, and taken a great number of Prizes from the Royal and many other Agricultural Societies at home and abroad. These Ploughs have, during the last two years, obtained greater success than any others. They won Four First Prizes at the last great plough trial of the Royal Agricultural Society at Newcastle, July, 1864, being Four times as many Prizes as were awarded to any other Makers. They won more All England Champion Prizes in 1864, and more again in 1865, than any others, making altogether up to the present time the unprecedented number of 50 All England Champion Prizes in less than a Year and a Half, Together with a large number of Prizes in other classes, and Fifteen Silver Cups in hands of Farmers' Sons and others. These Ploughs are made in various sizes and to suit all purposes. Price of a good General Purpose Wheel Plough, R.N.E. £4? 15 0 The whole of the Wearing Parts, especially Ransomes' Patent Chilled Plough Shares, are of the best possible description, and very economical. Special Catalogues and Full Particulars on Application. RANSOIES & SIMS' STEAl PIOU&HII& lACHIIfEItY, (FCWLER'S PATENT). Illustrated Circulars of the most improved Machinery for this purpose (Fowler's Patent) will be forwarded on application, and RANSOMES & SIMS will furnish, with much pleasure, most satisfactory evidence of the profitable employment of Steam Pow^er in Tillage. RANSOME8 cfe SIMS' PATENT STEAM THRASHING MACHINERY Is guaranteed to perform its work in the most perfect and satisfactory manner, and from its peculiar construction and excellent Materials, it is with- out exception the most desirable and economical in the Market. RANSOMES & SIMS' PORTABLE STEAM ENGINE. RANSOMES & SIMS' PATENT DOUBLE BLAST & FmSHING STEAM THRASHING MACHINE (Class A). HANSOMES AND SIMS HAVE GREATLY REDUCED THE PRICES OF THEIR STEAM THRASHING MACHINERY, WHICH IS THE BEST AND CHEAPEST MADE. CATALOGUES AND TESTIMONIALS FREE ON APPLICATION. AN EXAMINATION SOLICITED. ENGJ-inSTES and. Mi^CHINES Constantly Kept in Stock. THIS MACHINERY HAS BEEN AWARDED THE FOLLOWING PRIZES:— Royal Agricultural Society, England, 1841, 1842, 1852, 1854, 1855. Royal Agricultural Society, Ireland, 1854, 1855. Pans, 1856. Rouen, 1856. Vienna, 1857. Pesth, 1857. Amsterdam, 1857. Rotterdam, 1858. Brussels, 185S. Schwerin 1861. St.Petersburg, 1861. Bourges, 1862. Longford, Tasmania, 1862. London, 1862. Ballarat, Victoria, 1862. Liile, 1863. Hamburg, 1863. Greisswald, 1863. A lipore, India, 1864. Stettin, 1865. Dresden, 1865. Cologne, 1866. p RANSOMES & SIMS, ORWELL WORKS, IPSWICH. Ransomes & Sims Patent Self -Cleaning and Adjustable Rotary Screen. More than one thousand of these invaluable machines are in use. They can be adjusted to separate more or less from any sample of grain. They require no brushes or cleaners to keep the wires clear, as they are perfectly self-cleaning. They have also other peculiar advantages, which are fully explained in a special catalogue that will be forwarded on application. Fixed and Portable Corn Mills, FOR GRINDING FLOUR, PREPARING GRAIN FOR CATTLE FEEDING, AND OTHER PURPOSE*. These Mills are all arranged to be worked by an ordinary Portable En- gine, and the smaller Mills, from 2 ft. to 2 ft. 0 in. diameter, may be worked by a Horse Gear, driven either by Horses or Bullocks, but they grind rather less when so driven than when worked by Steam Power. When fitted with French Burr Stones and a Dressing Apparatus, which can be neatly attached to the frame-work without adding to the bulk of the Mill, they will produce the finest flour for household purposes. The Fixed Mills are mounted on a neat iron or wood Frame, in- stead of on wheels. Biddells Patent Mills. BIDDELL'8 PATENT MILLS. For crushing beans, maize, oats, and oil cake, by Hand Power, on Iron Frames. Price — Oat Mill, ;^3 15 o Bean Mill ^400 Oat and Bean Mill on one stand 600 Oat and Bean Mill and Oil Cake Breaker on one stand . 7 15 o So7tie t/ioiisands of these Patent Mills are in use, and giving the greatest satis- faction. Special Catalogues on Application. Biddells Patent Root Pulpers. BIDDELL'8 PATENT ROOT PULPERS Are very superior, and require less power and less time to do a given amount of work than any others. Made in two sizes — ^4 146 and £,"] ']s. Special Catalogues and Testimonials on applicatioji. IMPROVED IRON HORSE GEARS, WITH INTERMEDIATE MOTION, FOR DRIVING SMALL MACHINERY. These Horse Gears, with the exception of the Wood Draught Bars, are made entirely of iron ; the frame or bed plate is one solid piece, and therefore cannot get loose in work. They are made for one, two, three, four or six horseS, as ordered. They are exceedingly useful for driving Chaff Cutters, Bruising Mills, Root Cutters, and other small Machines, and the large sizes for Horse Power Thrashing Machines, Pumps, Cotton Gins, etc. THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. APRIL, 1866. CONTENTS. Plate I.—LEICESTER WETHERS : the Silver Cup Pen, Plate II.— « FAIRTHORN/' f' TIARA," and "SNEEZE:" Brood Mares. f». Descriptions of the Plates .... Our Sewage Difficulties; by Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S. Royal Agricultural Society op England: Proceedings in Council Earl Cathcart's Lecture on the Cattle Plague Herds of Great Britain : Probus Club and Tregothnan Horse Trade of Australia On Reclaiming Waste Land ; by Professor Tanner Road and Railway Carcase Vans Dunghills and Dung Making . . The Island of Jersey. Agricultural Statistics in Australia. Gentlemen Farmers . . . Malt as Food for Cattle Council Meeting of the Bath and West op England Agricultural Society Central Farmers' Club : Discussion on the Cattle Plague Cattle Plague and Isolation. : The Origin of the Outbreak: The Revel Cargo The Debates on the Cattle Plague . Cattle Plague Law .... Railway and Steamboat Conveyance of Dead Meat Agricultural Statistics : Discussion at the Midland Farmers' Club A Farmer's Notions on the Labourer's Education Cultivation of Barley Prevention and Cure of the Cattle Plague . The Kentish Agricultural Labourers The Meeting of Agricultural Labourers at Maidstone Ervum Ervilia— New Fodder . Stallions for the Season 1866 Foreign Agricultural Gossip . Smithfield Club « Small-Pox in Sheep . . Cattle Plague in South Africa Beer AS a Wholesome Drink, and as Malt ; . . . Reviews . . . How to Make Milkers . A New System of Shoeing Horses Calendar of Agriculture . Calendar of Gardening General Agricultural Report for March Review of the Cattle Trade for March Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs, &c. Review of the Corn Trade during the past Month Market Currencies, &c. . • . A Substitute for Milk Page. . 267 . 268 : 270 . 273 . 279 . 281 . 283 . 291 . 293 . 294 . 299 . 300 . 302 . 303 . 304 . 316 . 317 . 318 . 324 . 325 . 327 . 329 . 330 . 331 . 333 . 334 . 337 . 338 . 344 . 346 . 346 . 347 . 347 . 347 . 348 . 348 . 348 . 349 . 349 . 350 , 350 . 352 . 353 355-6 COW^UMI^TIOW, COUC^M^- €01.»^, ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS, NEURALGIA, RHEUMATISM, SPASMS, &c. CHIiORODYME. CAUTION. —"IN CHANCERY." — Vice-Chancellor Wood stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was undoubtedly the Inventor of Chlorodyne. Eminent Hospital Physicians of London stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was the discoverer of Chlorodyne ; that they prescribe it largely, and mean no other than Dr Browne's— See Times, July 13th, 18G4. The Public, therefore, are cautioned against using any other than Dr. COLLIS BROWNE'S CHLORODYNE. This INVALUABLE REMEDY produces quiet refreshing sleep — relieves pain, calms the system, restores the deranged functions, and stimulates healthy action of the secretions of the body. From J. M'GrRiGOR Croft, M.D., M.R.C., Physician, London, late Staff-Surgeon to H.M.F. "After prescribing Dr. J. Coliis Browne's Chlorodyne for the last three years in severe cases of Neui-algia. and Tic Doloroux, 1 feel that I am in a position to testify to its valuable effects. Really in some cases it acted as a charm, when all other means had failed. Without being asked for this report, I must come forward and state my candid opinion that it is a most valuable medicine." No home should be without it. Sold in botiles, Is. l^d., 29. 9d., 4s. 6d., and lis., by J. T. DAVENPORT, 33, (>reat Russell Street, London, W.C., sole manufacturer. Observe particularly, none genuine witliout the words " Dr. J. Collis Browne's Chlorodyne on the Government Stamp. Earl Russell has graciously favoured J. T. Davenport with the following : — " Extract of a despatch from Mr. Webb, H. B. M.'s Consul at Manilla, dated Sept. 17, 1864 : — ' The remedy most efficacious in its effects (in Epidemic Cholera), has been found to be Chlorodyne, and with a small quantity given to me by Dr. Burke I have saved several lives.' " The increased demand enables the Proprietors to reduce the price; it is now sold at Is. 1 d. 9s. 9d., ^^. fid. and lis. NEW WORK BY THE AUTHOR OF "MANHOOD." Just out, 18mo Pocket Edition, Post Free, 12 stamps; Sealed Ends, 20. DK. CURTIS'S MEDICAL GUIDE TO MARRIAGE: a Practical Treatise on its Physical and Personal Obligations. With instructions to the Married and Unmarried of both Sexes, for removing the special disqualifications and impediments which destroy the happiness of wedded life.— By Dr. J. L. Curtis, 15, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. This work contains plain directions by which forfeited privileges can be restored, and essential functions strengthened and preserved. Also, by the same Author, a New and Revised Edition of 'ANHOOD : A MEDICAL ESSAY on the Causes and Cure o^ Premature Decline m Man ; the Treatment of Nervous Debility, Spermatorrhoea, Impotence, and those peculiar infirmities which result from youthful abuses, adult excesses, tropical climates and other causes ; with Instructions for the Cure of Infection without Mercury, and its Prevention by the Author's Prescription (his infallible Lotion). — By Dr. J. L. CURTIS, 15, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. REVIEWS OF THE WORK. "Manhood. — This is truly a valuable work, and should be in the hands of young and old." — Sunday Times, 23rd March, 1858. "We feel no hesitation in saying that there is no member of society by whom the book will not be found use- ful, whether such person hold the relation of a Parent, Preceptor, or Clergyman" — S'wn, Evening Paper, " Dr. Curtis ha? conferred a great boon by publishing this little work, in which is described the source of those diseases which produce decline in youth, or more frequently, premature old age." — Daily Telegraph, March 27, 1856. London: Published by Allen, 20, Warwick Lane, Paternoster-row; and Mann, 39, Cornhill, London. *** Either of the above scientific and useful Works sent Post free by the Author or Publishers for 12 Postage stamps ; or in sealed envelopes, 20 stamps. Consultations from 10 to 3, and 6 to 8. ALDERNEY, JERSEY, AND GUERNSEY COWS AND HEIFERS.— EDWARD PARSONS FOWLER, of Jersey, will have on PRIVATE SALE, at Mr. GOWER'S REPOSITORY, Barbican, London, E.C., a Choice Herd of the above, the SECOND and LAST MONDAY in every Month throughout the Year. Warranted perfect, direct from the Islands, and of the Purest Breed. On view the Saturday prior. T\AVID BAILLIE & CO. beg- to inform tlieir friends that they are now prepared to J^ send out their MANURES for 186G. Agents wanted in North Wales, Midland Counties, North of England, and Scotland. ' ' England, and Scotland. Waverton Works, near Chester. GREAT SAVING TO FARMER; BELL'S By Her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent. THE CHEAPEST AND BEST MANURE NOW IN USE AMMONIA -FIXED PERUVIAN GUANO Is 30s. per Ton Cheaper than Natural Guano, and produces 10 per Cent- more Wheat - Proved by Experiments- The fixing the Ammonia with Sulphuric Acid, adding Magnesia, and rendering the Phosphates soluble, makes it the Cheapest Manure that can be used. For MANGEL, TURNIPS, CABBAGES, and other Root Crops, its beneficial efTects will be found to be ex- traordinary. For Top-Drcssing it is superior to Nitrate of Soda and much cheaper. One trirtl of it, weight for weight, against Peruvian Guano, will prove its superior value. THE MOST EMINENT PROFESSORS OF CHEMISTRY IIV THIS COUNTRY have Analyzed and reported most tavourably upon it— a full copy of all their reports and analyses will be forwarded on application. Professor WAY and T. M. EVANS, Esq., say—We have carefully analyzed -the sample of Ammonia- fixed Peruvian Guano produced by your Patent pro- cess, and have no doubt that it is a most excellent Manure both for Root and Corn Crops, and also for Hops, &c., &c. ProfessorVOELCKERsays— The sample submitted by me toanalysis contains a"l its ammonia in a fixed state, and may be kept freely exposed to dry air for any length of time without losing in the slightest degree any of its valuable fertilizing properties. I find it rich in soluble phosphate and sulphate of am- monia. Professor ANDERSON, of Glasgow, says— I inclose herewith analysis of your sample of Patent Ammonia-fixed Peruvian Guano, which fully meets the name applied to it. Peruvian Guano treated according to the specificati(jn of your Patent will be much improved, and I have no doubt will be found a TRAOEPAFA yg^y cxcellcnt manure both for Turnips and Cereal crops, &c., &c. Professors OGSTON, SIBSON, and NEWLANDS report most highly upon it. f:* The Patentee is ready to supply Uiis article, carefully prepared, dry, and fit for the drill, at ^11 per to!i, net cash, free on board vessel in the Thames, or at any Railway Station in London. GIBBS, BELL, and CO., Vitriol Works, Victoria Docks, London. PRINCIPAL AGENTS:— Ward & Co., Exeter. Dixon & Cardus, Southampton. Geo, Virtue, Weymouth. E. Strickland, Hailsham. J. R. Cdstloilen, Canterbury. Geo. Youngman, Maidstone. S. Strickland, Dartford. G. H.Wilson, Stratford, Geo. Griggs, Romford. John Kernan, Covent Garden. F. & H. Hicks, Chelmsford. Francis & Co., Colchester. D. Walker, Bungay. Allen & Wells, Lynn. John Baly, Hardingham. G. M. Tingay, Wells. C. F. Foster & Nephews, Cambridge. Thomas Slater, Boston. E. Sanders, Woburn. W. C. Isaac, Reading. J. Hedges & Son, Aylesbury. Thos. Metcalfe, Bridlington Quay. Carlton & Pearson, Thirsk. John Ridley, Hexham. Thos. Harrison, Belsey, R. F. Bell & Co., Edinburgh. David Logan, Berwick. G. A. Pattulo, Dundee. L. Rintoul, Perth. IMPORTANT TO OWNEHS AND BREEDERS OF HORSES. iIRDS'S BOTANIC ESSENCE OR LIQUID BLISTER FOR GENERAL LAME- NESS IN HORSES. Is beneficial in all cases of Curbs, Sjjlents, Spavins, Strains in the back Sinews, Sore Throats, &c., and, when applied in its undiluted state, may be used as a common Blister. Sold, Wholesale and Retail, in Bottles, Is. 6d. each, by the Proprietor, W. L. Bird, 42, Castle Street East, Oxford Street. Also, BIRD'S FEVER DRINKS, for Colds, Shivering, &c. ; BIRD'S Celebrated PURGING PASTE and WHITE OILS; BIRD'S COUGH BALLS, invaluable for Chronic Coughs, Broken Wind, ice. ; and every description of Horse and Cattle Medicines ready prepared from the most approved receipts. Sold, Wholesale and Retail, by the Proprietor, yg¥, J.. JSSItIi (I.ate Pjiuau and Bird), 42, CASTLE STREET EAST, OXFORD STREET, LONDON. Horse Medicine Chests fitted up on the shortest notice. Agent for Dublin— Messrs. OLDHAM & CO., 37, Grafton Street. Liveupool— RAIMES & CO., 85, Hanover Street. ESTABI.ISI3SB UFWAKBS OF A. CENTURV. BUTLER AND M'CULLOCH, Seed Merchants, Covent Garden Market, London, W.C. AGRICULTURAL SEEDS, ALL OF THE FINEST QUALITY, SAVED FROM PURE STOCKS Beet, Broom, Buckwheat, Cabbage, Carrot, Clover, Kohl Rabi, Lucerne, Mangold Wurzel, Mustard, Parsnip, Rape, Rye Grasses, Sainfoin, Turnips white, yellow, and Swedish, Tares, &c. &c. GRASSES FOR PERMANENT PASTURE MIXED TO SUIT ANY SOIL. PRICK LISTS and SAMPLES Post Free on ArPLicATioN. Special quotations for largo quantities. For free conveyance ttrrnngementa gee Catalogue, FBICE ONE SHILLING EACH. NEATLY PRINTED IN FOOLSCAP OCTAVO, EACH VOLUME CONTAINING from 130 to 190 PAGES OP LETTERPRESS KICHAEDSON'S RUEAL BAUD -BOOKS NEW EDITIONS, REVISED AND ENLARGED, WHEAT ; ITS HISTORY AND CUL- TIVATION.—By The Old Norfolk Fabmek. FLAX: ITS CULTIVATION AND PRE- PARATION, AND BEST MODE OP CON- VERSION.— By James Ward, Author of " The WorkI and its Workshops," &c. T> URAL ARCHITECTURE : a Series XV OF DESIGNS FOR RURAL AND OTHER DWELIilNGS. The Ground Plans, Elevations, and Specifications by James Sanderson, Borough Engi- neer's Oflice, Liverpool. THE AGRICULTURx\L INSTRUCTOR; OR, YOUNG PARMER'S CLASS BOOK.— By Edmund Murphy, A.B. DOMESTIC FOWL : THEIR NATURAL HISTORY, BREEDING, AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT. THE FLOWER GARDEN.— By George Glenny, p. L. S., Author of " Properties of Flowers," &c. HORSES; THEIRVARIETIES, BREED- ING, AND MANAGEMENT. — Edited by M. M. MiLBURN. OGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. IGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. COWS AND DAIRY HUSBANDRY.— Bv M. M. MiLBURN, Author of " The Sheep," &c. — (The Daily Department revised by T. Hoksfall). SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. — Em- hvaclnq the HISTORY, VARIETIES, REAR- ING, FEEDING, and GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP; with TREATISES on AUSTRALIAN SHEEP FARMING, the SPANISH and SAXON MERINOS, &c.— By M. M. Milburn, Author of "The Cow," and of various Agricultural Prize Essays. THE HIVE AND THE HONEY BEE. PESTS OF THE FARM.— A New Edition. — By M. M. Milburn, Author of " The Sheep," &c. AND DRAINAGE, EMBANKMENT, AND IRRIGATION. — By James Donald, Civil Engineer, Derby. SOILS AND MANURES, with INSTRUC- TIONS FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT,— By John Donaldson, Government Laud Drainage Sur- veyor. In t^e Iwss, in continmiion of t|)e same Bttm^ THE IMPLEMENTS OF THE FARM. —By R. Scott Burn, C.E. THE POTATO : ITS HISTORY, CUL- TURE, AND NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.— By S. Copland. London ; Houlston & Wright, 65, Paternoster Row, Dublin : J. McGlashan %per Sackville Street, And all Booksellers. I&^y, , if, 'II \"-''- ^hi^Mu THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. APRIL, 1866. PLATE I. LEICESTER WETHERS THE PROPERTY OP LORD BERNERS ; AND THE SILVER-CUP PEN AT THE SMITHFIELD SHOW, 1865. The last sheep-show of the Smithfield Club was generally pronounced to have been the best ever seen in London, and the Keythorp flock again occupied that prominent position it has so often held at these meetings. Lord Berners was first and first in both classes of Leicesters, where he beat such well-known breeders as Mr. Jordan, Mr. Bradshaw, Mr. Wilmore, Mr. Foljambe, and Mr. Newman, winning also the silver cup for the best pen of Longwools of any description. We spoke to these sheep at the time as a credit to the county from which the breed takes its title, as " all symmetry, good looks, and fine quality." PLATE 11. FAIRTHORN, TIARA, AND SNEEZE: BROOD MARES IN THE STUD OF MR. W. GULLIVER, OF SWALCLIFFE, BANBURY, Fairthorn, the bay mare on the left, has the credit of being an own sister to Ellerdale. She was bred by the late Admiral Harcourt, in 1850, and is by Lanercost, her dam by Tomboy, out of Tesane, by Whisker — The Lady of the Tees, by Octavian. Fairthorn did a deal of hard work about the country to the end of her fourth year, when she went to the stud, where she figures as the dam of Mrs. Rarey, Galileo, and others. Mr. Gulliver bought her in I860, and the old mare is now stinted to Big Ben. Tiara, the good-looking chesnut in the centre of the plate, was bred by Mr. Waller, in 1855, and got by Woolwich out of Diadem, by Coronation, her dam by Bay Middleton out of Arbis, by Quiz. Tiara, although not altogether a lucky rcare, was a clipper over the T.Y.C. or anything thereabouts; and in 1859 she landed Lord Spencer's Plate at Northampton, and the Houghton Handicap at Newmarket, whilst she also beat two or three large fields after passing into Mr. Gulliver's possession- Tiara went to the stud in I862. and her first foal. a chesnut colt by Neville, was as a yearling very bloodlike and promising, and indeed, as it struck us, " the bargain " of the whole sale. The mare has,, of course, been since continually put to the same horse. Sneeze, the mare in the distance, was bred by Mr. T. Dawson in 1854, and got by Raby out of Pinch, by St. Martin, her dam Margery, by Vol- taire— Proserpine, by Rhadamanthus. Sneeze was a capital performer at two years old, when she won four or five races right off", while as a three-year- old she ran second to Blink Bonny for the Oaks, beating Imperieuse, who afterwards won the St. Leger, and ten others. Sneeze was first covered in 1856, but being barren was put into work again, and did not throw her first foal, a filly by Russ- borough, until 1861; when she passed from Mr. Dawson's into the SwalclifFe stud, and was last season put to Neville. Mr. Gulliver has a large stud of brood mares always on sale ; while the stallions now at SwalclIfTe are Neville, Big Ben. and Grimston. IT [Voti WX.^-N.). 4i 268 THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE. OUR SEWAGE DIFFICULTIES. BY CUTHBERT W. JOHNSON, F.R.S. Sanitary difficulties naturally commence as soon as men begin to dwell in fixed habitations. As long as they live a wandering life they have little need to regard the refuse matters of their families, since they find it easy to often remove their tents to a fresh locality. When, however, men began to congregate, a diiferent state of affairs arose. Of course the most primitive mode of dis- posing of such refuse matters was by throwing them into the street, a practice that to a very late period was adopted in some of our cities, a plan even still followed in many of the plague-haunted cities of the East. After a time, as towns increased in size, this disgusting practice gi-adually began to be superseded by another bad system. Cesspools were introduced. And now another very injurious sanitary effect was very slowly discovered. These cesspools could only be useful by being constructed in a porous soil, and lined with bricks without cement, so that the sewage daily poured into them from the houses could soak away into the soil. The result was, that the sewage very speedily descended into the earth until it reached the water-bearing stratum, from which the house- well obtained its water. Thus the water used for domes- tic purposes became tainted, and was in fact only a very diluted filtered sewage. The earth through which that sewage flowed in its way to the well (as was then but very little understood) merely removed the mechanically suspended matter, but not the chemically-combined sub- stances of the foul stream. Then came the period, about a quarter of a century only since, when these facts were vigorously explained to the public at large. Long before this time, however, sewers had been constructed, even as early as the days of imperial Rome; but they were only partially used by the citizens, were constructed upon very erroneous principles, and emptied their noxious streams into the adjoining river, Buch as the Tiber, oj- the Thames. Then came the days of the Public Health Act in 1848, when good sanitary principles began to be better under- stood. It was now that the advantage of a copious supply of pure water and of good di-ainage was first estimated at their true value. Sewers of a better character were then made ; the sewerage of various towns was completed ; the sewage of the district was conducted to a common outfall, and that point was too certain to be at the bank of the adjoining stream. A new and very important difficulty nowpresented itself: the large mass of sewage thus for the first time collected and poured into the river, rendered the stream too noxious to be endured by those dwelling on its banks below the sewer's mouth. Courts of Equity were, therefore, speedily applied to; injunctions were gi-anted ; and in con- sequence Boards of Health were compelled to try and abate the nuisance. Here other mistakes were speedily made by those who were honestly endeavouring to benefit their feUow-creatm-es. It was deemed possible to deodorize the sewage before it reached the river. A small flight of schemers soon made their appearance, each with a plausible plan. These comprehended every possible variety of modes — settling tanks, filtering machines, precipitants, deodorizers, and combinations of two or three of these. The fate of these has been uniform ; they have been and will be all failures. They neither accomplished the object sought to b? obtained, nor , if they had done so, would they have been otherwise than a costly and needless expense to the inhabitants of the sewei'ed districts ; to say nothing of the utter waste of fertilizing matter, which they all involve. Several of these plans were carefully tried at the town of Croydon. "We had, however, at length, the power given to us, after a long and expensive law suit, of conveying the sewage of the town away from the upper portion of our river Wandle, past one or two water mills, and then we were enabled, lower down the valley, to procure suffi- cient land for the employment of our sewage in irrigation. To this use of sewage for fertilizing the land I would earnestly direct the attention of all those boards Avho are labouring to difi'use health through their districts ; and I would implore them, on behalf of the agriculturists of our country, not to waste their time and their money in deodorizing, or other schemes, which can have but one re- sult. And let me add, if the mouth of the main sewer is in any locality placed (as it commonly is, of necessity) at too low a level to admit of the sewage flowing by its own gravity on to any available land, that that circumstance is no insurmountable obstacle, for then the pump may be very profitably employed. By this means the sewage can be raised to any altitude, and to any reasonable distance. This is in fact in many situations the most profitable course to adopt, for we are thus enabled to reach land which, by being at a distance from the town, is attainable at a far more reasonable rate than that adjoining the sewers' outlet. The expense of raising the sewage by a Cornish engine is far less than is commonly understood. This, of course, varies with the value of the coals employed ; but in no case is the expense a bar to the use of the steam-engine in irrigation. To give an instance or two with which I have been supplied by Messrs. Baldwin and Alfred La- tham, the engineer and surveyor to the Croydon Board of Health. Suppose a case where we have to lift the sewage 100 feet : then the cost for coals of raising to that height 1,000,000 gallons of sewage (equal to about 4,100 tons) is found to be by a Cornish engine as follows : At Croydon, coals being 20s. per ton, the cost with an engine of 53-horse power is 16s. By a new engine of 150-horse power, now in the course of erection, the cost it is estimated will be reduced to 13s. per_ 1,000,000 gallons. At the East London Waterworks, with engines of 372- horse power, coals being 10s. 6d. per ton, the cost for fuel of raising the same amount of water is 12s. 6d. At the Southwark and Vauxhall Water Works, coals being 10s. per ton, the cost for fuel of raising the same amount of water by engines of 355-horse power is 12s. These liftings are by the Cornish engines, which are so wcU adapted for the economical raising of water ; by the ordinary steam-engines the cost of pumping is con- siderably greater. At Wolverhampton, with various en- gines, and coals at 8s. per ton, the cost is about £1 1 5s, for the same amount of work. These million gallons, we may note, pretty fairly indi- cate the annual best amount of sewage for an acre of grass land. To this cost for fuel of course must be added that of the laboiu' of the engine-keepers (which is less in propoi'tion to the greater size of the steam-engine), and the interest and sinking fund of the capital employed THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 269 ia the necessary apparatus and land ; but after making all these deductions, the increased value of the scwage- irvigated fields wiU be found to more than repay all those considerable expenses. It is, in fact, idle to say that the use of sewage in grass irrisne, the country may yo to the deril." He had another favourite riug-saying, " Gice me a Jersey cow of 3 cwt., I'll put one of my bulls on her, and he'll make a steer of 10 cwt. at three years old." Still it was some time before his lead was generally fol- lov.ed. Mr. Hendy crossed with him early, and is now one of the Probus Company; and Mr. Harvey, of Hayle, among others bought well at his sale. Mr. Olver and his Herefords (of which no less than 20 cows aiul heifers have died of the rinderpest) hold the Penhallow farm now; but the breed, which was tirst introduced by Earl St. Ger- * The substance of " Tlie Herds of Great Britain," with the addition of new sporting aud stock matter, will be pub- lished next vear under this title, as s coiupanion to Field and 280 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. mains, at Port Elliot, does not increase in the county. Its bullocks have not their grand midland prestige," and there is no sale for crossing. Mr. Lobb, whose father was once a great man for the sort, holds well by them, and they have also a supporter in Mr. Davey, M.P., of Bochyni House. The Probus Fanners' Club, which is, save Harlestou, the earliest one in the kingdom, and furnished a copy of its rules, by request, when the London Central was form- ed, bestirred itself in earnest about shorthorns shortly after the death of Mr. Peters. The subject had been discussed on one or two evenings ; and as it was pretty well agreed, after this exchange of minds, that Ihe Merciuy blood was being worked out, and the breed generally going down, a company was farmed of twenty shareholders, at £5 each ; and Mr. Trethewy went as commissioner to the meeting of the Eoyal, at York. His choice fell on Frantick, by Lord INIarlborough, dam Jenny by Rockingham (2550), a three-year-old be- longing to Captain Buncombe, and bred by Earl Carlisle ; and, as the judges had not mentioned him, a fifty-pound note satisfied the Captain. The roan was a great hit for the Club, as he worked for four or five years at all sorts, pedigreed, half-breds, Devons, and Jerseys, and averaged above one hundred cows per year. Lord Fiugal (11716), of Mr. Fawkes's Laudable (9282) and ''Fairy Tale blood, arrived three years after ; and if he w-as not so level or clever behind the shoulders, he made himself a name with his steers. Frautick's place was taken by his son. Earl Ducie (12797), from lluth 1st (by Harold (8131), and so back, through Berkeley, into Rose of Cot- ham's blood), a purchase at Lord Sherborne's sale, where a shorthorn confederacy — Messrs. Trethewy, Doble, Ken- dal, and James Davis — had bought pretty largely. These four bred and sold Earl Ducie to the Club for 100 gs., at six months. He was from a prize-winning line, as his grand- dam Rachel had got a first prize, and the female gold medal at Baker-street, and, as a show bull in Cornwall, he had no peer. Mv. Trethewy has always set much store by the Ruth tribe ; and when the fovir severed, Ruth 2nd fell to his lot; and he has carried on the tribe to No. 24th. Earl Ducie' s own brother, Henry 1st, also did the Club some service, and was sold at four years to Sir. EUiott, of Llandulph : and when the Fawsley sale came on, in '56, Mr. J. Davis and Mr. Tresawua journeyed there as special commissioners in search of a calf. The old baronet was delighted to see them, because " No^o Tve some one from, ererij county hi England;" and he was now more convinced than ever that " You're all Tres in Cornwall." Yandumper (54 gs.), a six months' calf of the Fillet tribe, was their choice. He improved the quality ; but, unfortunately, he turned surly, and they had to poleaxe him rather early in the day. The next one. Lord of the South (110 gs.), from Jlr. IMai^'oribanks's herd, aud with two crosses of Booth in him, left some good stock during the year he lived. Then succeeded the 80- guinea Sir Roger' (14083), a grandson of Grand Turk ; while Rufus stood in the same relationship to old Fre- derick, and gave plenty of hair and thick flesh to boot. He and Duke of Manchester by Third Grand Duke, aud British Knight by Knight of Branches, are now the three bulls ; so that Towneley, Booth, and Bates form the triple wealth — "the fish, tin, and copper" of the club, which still consider Frantick, Henry I., and Earl Ducie, as their best show bulls. A new company arose in '59. We are told by the poet how " Fairy frost-work melts away ;" but they experienced nothing of the kind when they went to Mr. Stratton for Faii-y King, who won the prize as year- ling at the Royal Cornwall, and again the next year as old bull, and worked well for four seasons. Knight of the Shire, from the same herd, followed, but his success was more chequered ; and the Club bulls are now sole masters of the situation. The rain was gone next morning, and the sun gave a cheerful invite to a Shorthorn sally. The weight of eighty years and more has not chilled Mr. Trethewy senior's love of the cause, and under his auspices as agent, the home farm of the Trewithen estate, has deserted Devons for Teeswaters. It is now in the hands of Mr. C.H.T. Hawkins, a nephew of the late Sir Christopher, who re- turned six "True Blues" to Parliament, when Gatton and Old Sarum flourished, and Grampound had its member, ilr. WiUiam Trethewy occupies Tregoose, which is only separated by the high-road from Trewithen, and the herd of father and son contains fifteen out of the twenty-four of the tribe of Ruth, aud several others, with five crosses of shorthorn on the original Devon. Old Brown did her part to reconcile them to the cross, as she was gran- dam by a Devon, and her six steer calves averaged £25 each out of pasture in their third summer. There was another proof of the advantage of crossing in the gay upstanding steer, who was quite a Christmas-like picture with a background of Cornish elms, and showed what Sir Roger could eftect ou a small Jersey cow. The Duke of Manchester had come quite recently from Mr. Robarts's, and his nice Bates head and haiyile and general character could only prophesy of itself at 22 months. After him six Ruths came forth, 5th and 13th to tell of Sir Roger, and 19th of Rufus; while the broad-backed 18th, the red and white 20th with the Towneley head, and 21st went to the credit of Frederick's Lad. Yandumper had com- municated the sire and spots of his dam Garland to Ruth 9th ; and the deep roan 22nd, and the rich haired 23rd from Ruth 9th, and very like her, gradually filled in the family party with Ruth 16th, which was up to fatten, aud Ruth 24th in her calf-hood. Passing through some very nice light gates, we were soon at the top farm of Sornes, among five more Ruths, one of which, the 8th, again proved how well the Yandumper cross had brought out the size in the tribe. The Trewithen flock, through which we looked on our way to the home farm, has been rather reduced in num- ber, and only reaches 125 ewes. They began fi'om a Leicester foundation, and were crossed with Lineolns of Marshall's and Kirkham's blood, and then with pure Leicester again. The Leicesters have quite the run in the county, and have held it since 1790, when Mr. Peters sent that waggon of his, which was such a Cornish cornu- cojiia, to Bristol once more, and returned with a tidyish load of Leicester ewes and a ram. Twenty years after, he introduced Leicester and Cotswold rams, and then he fell back on Mr. Creswell's and Mr. Champion's flocks for original Bakewells, and did not care for the cross-breds. Mr. James Tremayne, of Newlyn, eight miles from Gram- pound, is the leading winner in the sheep classes at the Roj'al Cornwall, and takes his Leicesters with success to the Bath and West of England as well. He has used Sanday and Barton tups, and like Mr. John Tremayne, of Trerice, Mr. Davis of Probus, who got ewes from Mr. George Turner, Mr. Trefi'ry, ofRuan, aud Mr. Rosewarne, of Ilayle, he both lets and sells rams. Mr. Gatley has Cotswolds and Lineolns mixed ; others have Exmoor or half Exmoor, or Dartmoor rams ; and the honour of the short- wools is safe at Tregothnan. Summer Court, a village not far from Grampound Road Station, is the scene on September 25th of a fair for draft ewes, but fewer wethers come there than formerly. Every cottage and every booth has roast geese that day ; and under such savoury influence, many a bargain is struck for ewes, which go to keep up the flying stock west of Trm-o, aud for wethers which are destined for the eastern market. Some of the w^ethers are brought lean by the jobbers to market, and THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 281 sold out to the farmers, anJ then weml their way east before another " goose fair" comes round; but it is very seldom that any Summer Court ewes ever leave the county. As for the geese, every one keeps them on the Western Moors, and they are bought up by jobbers in thousands for the stubbles. But we arc at Tremtheu, not Sununer Court, Fitzroy by Kufus from Ruth 13th was in residence there, and certainly "met us well." Unlike his sire, who was rising six and nourishing out on hire at Tregonjohn, he has been in the Royal Cornwall lists, and second to his half-brother. British Knight was also a promising young bull, and very nice over the ci-ops, and there was Rufus' hair for ever on two younger ones, one of them from a Vandumper cow. The peculiar skin sliade and muzzle of a thick, good- lookiug heifer, tempted us to ask for her pedigree, which was double Shorthorn on a Jersey again ; and a heifer which crossed the road, and bore traces of something, which no shortness of condition coidd hide, proved to be descended from Match, whom Mr. Trethewy chose for part of his portion when he and his three friends dis- solved their Shorthorn partnership. Match has long been worked out, but not before she had nicked well with Frantick in Sir John Barleycorn, who was sold to JNIr. Eosewarne. From Trewitheu to the entrance of the Tregothuan gi'ounds was only a four miles ride through Probus. The tower of Probus church is still there in all its beauty, though the three saints have fallen from their niches ; and sallying forth a bold bridegroom from its portals, was the driver of the mail-cart, who had given us a lift from the station the day before, in his last bachelor journey. Lord Falmouth's residence is reached by a three-miles' ride along the tidal river Tresilian, of which we saw the last in King Henry's Reach, as it wound on its way towards Falmouth Harbour. The plain and the ilex oak, made a good fox harbour in the sloping coppice above, and the black plum-trees, nestled snugly at the head of the creeks. Nearer the house the woods were wild with laurel and ivy-girt elms, and inside the stable-yard the camellias were one mass of white-and- scarlet bloom. Like the Nesfield Garden, with its mineral gravels, they know not those west winds which clip the trees on the North Cornwall coast, and which had even in those points of the shrubbery, where there was a louth or break to the west, scorched all save the black withy, as if by frost or fire. The Devon herd is eighty or ninety strong, and under the charge of Mr. Taylor, brother to Sir A. de Rothschild's agent. There are 31 breeding cows, principally of Mr. Tremayne of Heligan blood ; but, taking heifers and aU, 43 are on the list for cahang this year. Olga is one of the last of the Barton sort ; and that old friend of six years ago was roaming with the rest near the knoll, where a couple of ruined gables and an ivied stone are alone left to mark the roof tree of the Old Manor-house of Tregothuan. John Quartly's Duke of Chester, by Austra- lian, dam by Napoleon, is the sire of the heifers, which are the very marrow of the herd, and Bonny Lass and Bloom from Bloomer, Countess from Cowslip, Lily Bell from Lily, jNIabel from Mayday, and Princess Alice from Pi-ini- rose, were his chief belles, with Pearl fi'om Ruby, Peach from Picture IV. (bothofthemby Young Forester), among an array of three-and-tweuty. Florence, Sister to Sun- flower (the bull with which his lordship won a first prize at Plymouth in iiis first Royal essay), was away with her dam Flower at Penkiril, one of three other farms which are held with Tregothuan. Plymouth fortune did not come sin_glc-hauded, as Bloomer headed the two-year-old class as well. Sunflower is by the Duke of Chester from a Heligan cow, and is not a bull of great size, but a level, thick little fellow, with a neat button head and tapering muzzle, and that wondrous tiUiug up of fore-flank, in which nearly all breeds, bar the Devon, fail. He was still ripe and fit when we saw him ; but a few days after, the fiat went forth from Hanover Square, and his reduced rations soon let him know that there was no Bury St. Edmunds in view. His home sphere is now rather limited : the more lengthy Crown Prince, bred by General Hood, takes up the tale with the Duke of Chester heifers ; and if a fine quarter, loin, heart, and handle can be pei'petuated, the next fall of calves should not train off. One of the boxes, we should add, was occupied by a capital fat heifer ; but her age did not suit the Smithfield rules, or she would have been off by then to the juicy red line on the left of the Islington avenue. The range of buU-boxes, which have all yards attached, form the right wing of the excellent farm-buildings, which have been built of St. Stephen's granite, after his Lordship's design. The coi'respouding one is taken up by the granary, root-houses, and cart-sheds, and the centre by the cow and calf houses, the twelve-horse stable, the piggery, and the dung-house, which is strictly under cover. There was quicklime everywhere, within and without, and an abundant supply of it, with sand in the poultry-house (where game-birds floui'ish better than Dorkings) ; and every beast, from the oldest to the young- est, had rock-salt. One side of the calf-boxes, which face the cow-stalls, with a raised passage between, has a line of Venetian-fashioned shutters, which keep up a perfect ventilation. The dung-house, which is regularly littered down and raked over every day, when the Berkshire and native black pigs have routed it, has its large louver window at one one, which has been a great boon to " straw-treaders;" and equal care has been be- stowed upon the roof ventilation, and the gutters. The towel and the bason in the milker's ante-room also re- minded us of Colly Hill, and the fair troupe of Ayrshires at Dunkeld. Daisy was a great byre feature, but she will milk no more ; and her horn of many curls, which looked like a magnified cabbage at the root, had seen nineteen seasons. Among the calves was Blooming Bride, and another from Ruby, which may set their faces Suffolk or Leicestershire-wards. "Prize-fighters" or not, they all suck twice a-day, and go on till it is thought right to dry off the dam. His Lordship once kept South- downs, and gave the late Mr. Jonas Webb 120 gs. for a ram, which he used for three seasons ; but they are all worked out now, with the exception of a few wethers, and 300 Shrop ewes have taken their place, which, with high feeding, are turned off as fifteen-months wethers, at from 50s. to 60s. But the brief December day was over far sooner than we wished ; and with a peep at the useful- looking Seneschal, whose Cotherstone and Pantaloon blood ranks among the best in the Cornish hunting-field, we turned on ovu' wav towards Havle. THE HOESE TEADE OF AUSTEALIA, Here, as well as on the continent, there is a steady de- mand for horses of all descriptions. Whether for saddle or vehicular traflUc, they are in continuous request. Even in Paris there are 7)500 employed daily ia the omnibus traffic, besides the cabs ; and in London, with our much larger population, the number employed for private and public conveyances is proportionately larger. But it is in our colonies, with tlieir abundant pasturage, 282 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. that horse-breeJiug is calculated to be most remunerative, even though they may not raise the class of animals cal- cinated to realize the high prices obtained here. The Cape Colony and Natal, and the Australian settlements especially, liave given lately more attention to this sub- ject, the' demand for horses in India being large, and in- creasing. Horses are among those items of commerce for which "a lucrative foreign market is always calling on colonial enterprize ; and for producing horses of superior excellence the Australian colonies have peculiar and acknowledged adaptability. The coursers and chargers of which the old Sidney saddle-horse originally established the fame, were once valued above all competitors in the Indian market, and fetched the highest prices there ; but for years Indian purchasers have been complaining that they no longer received shipments fi'om Australia of the former quality. Tor example, the several collections made in Victoria, on behalf of the Indian Government, by the late Colonel Robbins, notoriously disappointed the expectations which led to that officer's mission. Let the causes be what they may, the fact is indisputable; audit is too bad that a trade for which there is so great and profitable an opening, and for which nature is eminently on their side, should not be properly availed of by the colonists. Hindostan is always in need of horses from abroad. The native breeds are very inferior. Deficient in strength and toughness, vicious and ill-shaped, they are not calculated to please the fastidious taste of the Englishman ; and are considered quite uusnited for our military purposes, especially the service of the artOlery ; and that the strait is increasing is shown by late Indian correspondence. The supply from Arabia and Persia, heretofore principally depended on, is gradually failing. The Bombay Government gave £70 a-piece lately for a hundred artillery horses, and will require 1,400 more this year, but do not know where to look for them. 'J'hey imported some ship-loads from Natal a few months before ; but the accommodation on shipboard was so bad, and the animals were so cut up by the voyage, that the entire consignment turned out valueless. The subject is therefore very properly being pressed upon Australian breeders. The requirements of the Govern- ment in the three Indian presidencies are permanent and enlarging ; and, let us add, the demand is not confined to the public service. These imports, when of a good kind, are eagerly sought by the European residents, and even native princes ; and there is a great annual outlay in such purchases by the merchants and eiiiplo/jes in Bombay alone. According to the latest returns the number of horses in the Australian colonies would stand about as follows : New South Wales 200,000 Victoria 104,000 Tasmania 23,000 Queensland 24,000 South Australia 63,000 474,000 The returns for Western Australia and New Zealand we have not immediately available. In Victoria and South Australia the increase in horses in the last live years has been nearly fifty per cent. For New South Wales we have not the late returns ; but there is little doubt that the number, which in 1860 stood at 251^500, has in- creased by fully one-fourth. Six hundred and forty- three horses, valued at £11,000, were exported from South Australia in 1864. As showing the importance of this trade, it may be stated that, during the past five years, 3.2:24 horses were shipped from A^delaido, chiefly to India, of a total declared value of £69,748, Let us glance at the rivals to our colonies in the mar- ket, and analyze a little the competition existing or to be expected. Hindostan itself is never likely, as a whole, to be a good horse-racing country, the tropical exhalations from her luxuriant surface being hostile to animal nerve and vigour. The natural conditions for producing equine excellence are recognized to be a warm but fine and light atmosphere, and light or sandy soil ; and as these are the general characteristics of Arabia, of much of Persia, and of South Africa and Australia, it is from these couutries that India seeks to remedy her own deficiency. Now, all these countries possess famous breeds; but all, even Arabia herself, have an abundance of inferior horses also ; and as it is only for their good cattle that the market is open, the substitution of inferior stock in the shipments has of coiirse the effect of spoiling the trade, and cutting off the Indian custom from that particular source of supply. It thus is easy to understand how the Arab and Persian mer- chants fail to meet the enlarged demand in Bombay. The renowned studs of Arabia belong to the roving Bedaween, and similarly the only prized horses in Persia are those raised by the wandering Turcomans ; but in those un- civilized regions, intercourse with the interior and -with those tribes being often difficult, and the supply of steeds they furnish being very irregular, the dealers have a con- stant temptation to substitute comparatively worthless cattle picked up on the coast. The Bedaweens, indeed, show an almost insurmountable objection to part at all with their first-class breeds. The best Arabs which find their way to India are only of a second-class, and even of that variety they are not, it seems, to be procured in suf- ficient numbers. Yet even between those two superior classes there is a vast dift'erence in quality — a difference often visible even in the matter of temper. Thus the Arabs which the 10th Hussars took with them from India to the Crimea, though spirited vigorous beasts, were re- markably wanting in the gentleness and docility charac- teristic of the prime sort — a fact which would alone indi- cate that they were not reared by the desert tribes to whose peculiar training that valued docility is due. Civilized countries, therefore, like Australia and the Cape, if they take the trouble to raise good horses, have an immense advantage over the Arabian or Persian ports in catering for the foreign market, since not being dependent on the caprice or the imcertain movements of wild tribes, they can keep the supply steady. Cape horses have been, for many years back, largely introduced into India; and a military authority. Sir Walter Gilbert, asserted — and he was not contradicted — that the Dragoon Guards wei-e never so well mounted as on those chargers brought from the Cape. Yet — and this is important to note — the Australian horse, when he is what he ought to be, has always been more esteemed, and has invariably brought a higher price in the same market. With the spirit and endurance shared by his South African competitor, he has more beauty, better points, and a higher suscep- tibility of develoimient. It is very well known that Indian buyers prefer Australian horses to all others, when they are given the superior kind they ask, which for a long time has very rarely been done. It would, indeed, be well worth breeders' while to bestir themselves to re- store the quality and renown of the once-famous stock of Australia. Like the agriculturists, they should have more openness to new ideas ; for the physical peculiarities and opportunities of Australia are not those of the totally- dissimilar countries where the horse, when he is a splen- did animal, is comparatively an artificial one. It is curious to reflect that, not seventy years ago, the number of horses in Australia was only 57. Now, there are on that continent fully half-a-million, besides those belonging to the islands of Tasmania and New Zealand. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 283 ON RECLAIMING WASTE LAND, liY PROFESSOU TAN.\EU. The prosperity which has for some years past attracted tlic agriculturist iu the disposal of his produce, has very much iucreased the competition for farms, and, conse- quently, rents have been advancing iu the same proportion. There is, however, in the waste land of this country an opportunity ottered for profitable farming which has never been fully appreciated. It therefore becomes a question of the deepest importance for us to consider whether we cannot extend the area to meet the increasing competition for land, rather than let this competition raise the amount of rent to an improper level. It is a safety-valve which will relieve the excessive pressure now arising for farms, and which, if allowed to proceed un- checked, will probably raise the cost of land to such an amount that the benefits arising from its cultivation will be lost. The cultivation of our waste land presents to the agri- culturist many opportunities for the profitable investment of capital and labour; but as there are dangerous shoals and sunken rocks to be avoided, I propose to mark them in such a manner that the reader may be enabled to steer cleai" of these dangers, and secure to himself the advan- tages he desires ; and in doing this, I shall endeavour to bring before the reader the experience resulting from an extensive connection with the reclaiming of waste land. A large proportion of our waste land exists in moorland, and in the reclaiming of those districts we have to en- counter our greatest difficulties ; I shall, therefore, give to those moors very especial attention, because their treat- ment embodies all that is required upon other waste land. A careful examination of our moorland districts will almost invariably enable you to trace their waste condition to either of the following causes — to a deficiency of ferti- lizing matter in the soil, to the presence of some substance prejudicial to vegetable growth, or to the physical condi- tion of the land being unsuited to vigorous vegetation. The reclaimer must fully satisfy himself to which of these causes its present condition is referrible ; for, as we shall have frequent opportunity of showing subsequently, his success depends very much upon it. I shall, therefore, without any preliminary comments, proceed to the prac- tical details required. Instances are familiar to most persons acquainted with our waste lands, of large tracts of ground, evidently of good quality, which have, from some cause or other, gone out of cultivation, and ultimately they have become similar to that which has never been broken. This clearly shows that, in such instances, the composition of the soil is not the cause, and it probably arises from the previous cultivation having been of a superficial and imperfect cha- racter, which did not overcome the prejudicial agencies in operation. Hence the produce decreased, and it became of little value to the cultivator. One very influential cause, and especially on sloping, sandy land, is the presence of iron, and sometimes lime, in the subsoil. The water falling on the surface, descends until it enters the ferrugi- nous or calcareous stratum, and, having taken up a portion of the iron or lime, it oozes out on the side of the hill into the surface soil, and, coming in contact with the atmos- pheric air, it is deposited. This deposit, which is either an oxide of iron or salt of lime, gradually cements together the particles of the surrounding soil, and ultimately forms an impervious layer, familiarly known as the "moor-pan," As the causes continue to operate, so the evil extends over a wider area. If any aperture exists which permits drainage from the surface, it quickly repairs itself; for the water which de- scends, carrying with it particles of air, soon closes it up by producing a deposit there. Thus drainage is entirely destroyed, and barrenness results. The lowest forms of vegetation alone secure a footing, and the mosses having established themselves, gradually increase in luxuriance, as they feed on the accumulations which remain from their predecessors. The fern or bracken ultimately follows in due course, and then the heath or ling {Erica vul(/aris). These plants indicate a low degree of fertility, arising from one or more of the before-named causes. A free growth of gorse or furze [Ulex eiirojheus) may generally be considered a proof of more quality in the laud, as we invariably find it only on tlie best parts of the waste land. In consequence of this "moor-pan," there is no drainage : hence the atmospheric air cannot enter into the soil; and the excrementitious matters from the plants, and their decaying remains, cannot undergo a proper change iu the ground ; and the consequence is, a black peaty soil, frequently rendered sour by the pi-esence of one or more of the vegetable acids produced by its imperfect decay. Hence we see that circumstances which act prejudicially to a luxuriant growth have a tendency to thi-ow the land into its original waste condition. The soils which are found upon our waste land vary through all the intermediate stages, from the coarsest grayel en- cumbered with enormous blocks of stone, down to those blowing-sands which travel so independently from one tenant to another ; and althougb instances may be found of more retentive land, yet these soils arc decidedly the exception to the general rule. Their quality takes, if pos- sible, a wider range ; and instances often present them- selves of soils possessing a considerable degree of fertility, but more frequently the reverse is the case. Still it is beyond doubt that thousands of acres are now lying waste which offer considerable inducement to the enterprising agriculturist. The porosity of character which moorland soils so generally possess is counteracted, to a certain ex- tent, by the partially decayed matter they contain, which impedes the drainage, and retains a degree of moisture in the soil, in dry seasons, of which it would otherwise have been destitute. The subsoils are exceedingly various in their character, and exert a powerful influence over the agricultural value of the surface, in consequence of their being frequently intermixed with it, and thus acting as ameliorating agents. This is the most important respect in which their influence can be considered. For instance, a subsoil of clay might render a more expensive drainage necessary ; but this would not be worthy of consideration in comparison with the iucreased value it would confer on the sm'face by being spread upon it without much cost. Hence these subsoils must be viewed in a somewhat modified light, and more especially in proportion as the land becomes more sandy in its character. "With few exceptions, all extensive moors have a con- siderable portion of their surface occupied by bogs. These sometimes occupy large areas, and are frequently of con- siderable depth. They are generally covered by mosses. 284 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. especially Sphagnum palustre, and coarse aquatic grasses. During the summer, they can be grazed by sheep ; but their treacherous character soon becomes known to stock, and they instinctively avoid them at all other times. They generally exist in the valleys, where the water has been unable to obtain a free discharge ; but they are also met with in the highest portions of moors, where they occupy basin-shaped cavities in the surface. All that is necessary for the formation of a bog is to obstruct the passage of the water, so as to render it stagnant. The . surface soon becomes the habitat of numerous aquatic plants ; and each successive growth adds its quota to form a sedimentary deposit, which continues until the mosses can establish themselves, and then the growth of the bog in- creases rapidly. Having gained the highest level to which the water rises, it extends but little above it. If there is a frequent overflow of water, it may creep over the sides and extend for some distance ; but it is generally held in check by the level of the water. Although the bog may not extend, it does not follow that it ceases to grow ; for, as the lowest portions decay and become more compact, an opportunity is afforded for a further growth. In order that I may convey to the reader as much prac- tical information as possible, I shall adopt that arrangement of my subject which actually occurs in practice, although it may not be the most correct, considered simply in a critical point of view ; and, in doing so, I must draw the atten- tion to the conditions which should guide a person in selecting a tract of land for cultivation. From the fore- going observations, the reader is aware that the quaJiiy of the soils varies considerably ; and so also does the prac- ticability of removing the causes of their poverty. It is of great importance to be accurately informed as to the degree of fertility in the soil ; and here an examination by an analysis would be of valuable assistance. In certain cases, where one or two essential elements of growth are absent, the remedy may be such as can be economically ap- plied ; hut if a soil is deficient in tlie principal elements required for vegetable growth, and is thus really a poor soil, it must be looked upon with suspicion by any person seeking a ^;w;i!7rti/'(? investment. Being satisfied on this point, I shovild examine the staple of the soil, or its power of holding manure. If this is deficient, prosecute your examination until you satisfy yourself if there is an avail- able source of clay or loam within moderate distance. If this examination show the land to be ^pioor sand, without much staple of soil, and no source of cUuj or loam near, then you maj safely condemn it as not being desirable/o;- cultivation. If it should be a soil possessing some quality, and capable of retaining fertilizing matter, or if it should be a bog, with a near supply of loamy soil and lime, then the inquiry may be completed by considering the influence of the cli- mate of the locality on its productive powers, aud the probable outlay required to render it available. The extent to which climate influences cultivation will be more con- veniently referred to subsequently ; but I may here state ill general terms that, having two soils of equal quality in a dry and moist climate, whilst the former might not be of quality good enough for arable land, the latter may be sufllciently good to be profitably laid down in grass. These points, when carefully considered in connection with the facilities for the dfsposal of produce, and the various local circumstances which bear on all agricultural occupations, will be suflicient to satisfy the inquii-er as to the preliminary conditions which are essential to success. Before commencing the improvement of any large tract of waste land, it is important that a general scheme of operations should be considered, and a well-digested plan decided upon— thus, as the various details are "completed, they will form parts of one comin-ehensive system. If this j» not done, many will be the subsequent /egrets that the parts do not harmonise, and are not so convenient as they might otherwise have been. The ultimate employ- ment of the land should also be carefully decided on, as many modifications must necessarily be introduced into the improvements to be carried out, which are entirely dependent upon this decision. The agricultural employ- ment of the land wiU be modified by the character of the soil, in relation to the climate of the locality. Our largest tracts of waste land are distinguished by soils light and friable, and although of varying degrees of fertility, yet when considered irrespective of the climate in which they exist, the variety of their produce does not take a wide range. As the influence of climate results from many and various causes — such as elevation, aspect, latitude, proximity to the sea and to the east or west coasts, as well as the peculiarities in the physical cha- racter of the district, as these individually and collectively act most powerfully on vegetation — we must give them due consideration, or experience will painfully remind us that the laws of natm-e cannot be violated with impunity. Experience has shown the agriculturist that the various crops which he cultivates are influenced in a difi'erent manner by the same climatic agencies, and that circum- stances which are favourable to the development of some are equally prejudicial to others. Thus we find that a humid climate, which is so favourable to the growth of grass, is decidedly injurious to our corn crops ; and these have their own special peculiarities, and possess difterent degrees of vigour : thus some can flourish better than others under adverse conditions of climate. We shall consider this hereafter ; but for the present, however, I will assmne that it 'has been decided whether or not the tract of land in question is best adapted for producing grass or coi-n, and what stock it is necessai-y to keep upon it, and that thus we have obtained data for the construc- tion of our farm buildings. The site of the homestead should now be selected, the situation of which should be salubrious, central, sheltered, having a good supply of water, and if possible on a dry platform, with facility for the extension of the buildings should such prove desirable at any future time. The po- sition and character of the buildings being settled, our roads must be marked on the land, as well as the position of the principal fences. If preparation is being made for an arable farm, I should divide it out into certain districts of equal extent for the crops intended to be cultivated. Thus, if a five years' course of cropping be decided upon, let the available arable laud be apportioned equally. These portions should be completed in succession, and thus from the commencement of tillage operations the course of the crops over the farm would be regular, and what is even more important to the farmer (but too often disregarded by him), the entire breadth of land under each crop will be together, thus avoiding the loss of time and labour which arises from conducting similar operations on fields which are scattered over a farm. Under the more ordinary system a larger stock of implements is required, or else they have to be frequently transported from one field to another, and the superintendence is also rendered much more imperfect and difficult. We may now con- sider our plan so far complete that the operations on the land may be commenced ; and I shall now notice these in detail, and specify the variations which are necessary in diff'erent parts of the country. It will, however, be im- possible to make reference to these operations in the suc- cession in which they will always occur in pi'actice, because, according to varj'ing circumstances, they may precede or follow each other, whilst in other cases many may be progressing simultaneously. Clearing the Grotmd. — This operation must depend upon the condition of the surface. In some cases it will present a dense mass of heather and gorse or brush. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 285 Wood : at oilier limes it may be cacmubcred with large masses of stones, which is generally the case on the gra- nitic' formations. I shall notice these in sncccssion ; and fii"st, let ns suijposc the gronnd occnpied witli heath and gorsc. The first operation is to have the gorse roots thoroughly stubbed up. The expense of this will vary with the proportion to which the gorse abounds : iC a/«// crop, it will cost about £3 10s. per acre; aud if very strong, rather more. The gorse should remain on the ground; and here it becomes dry, and useful for llic next oj)eration — viz., burning the heather. This should be doue when the sap is well out of the plant. Dry wea- ther, with a steady breeze, being chosen for this purpose, the heather should be fired so as to burn against the wind, which renders the burning far more complete and less rapid. The progress of the fiamc must be regulated by the attendants firing any portions which the fire leaves uuburut, and beating it out when its progress is too rapid in any particular direction. If the wind should change, so as to drive the flames before it, probably the heath will be imperfectly burnt ; and in this case it must be extin- guished. For this reason, the extent under fire should be moderate when the wind is high or uncertain. If the burning is imperfectly done, the strong and tough stems of the heather remain uuburnt, and cause much subse- quent trouble. It must forcibly be impressed upon the reader's attention that it is of very essential importance to have the heather on the surface thoroughly burnt off; aud when the process of firing has not been so successfid as is uecessaiy, those portions which remain should be cut by a strong scythe, and then burnt. This is seldom done; but I am convinced of its 1?eing by far the least expensive mode of disposing of it. The surface must be entirely cleaned before the subsequent operations can be satisfactorily proceeded with. The expense of burning will depend upon the growth on the land, as well as weather, &c. ; but it may be calculated at 2d. to Cd. per acre. When the surface is encumbered with large masses of stone, the labonr aud expense are considerably increased. There are two modes of removing these — viz., sinking them beneath the plough-bottom, or drawing them otf the land. To sink these blocks of stone is a diificult and laborious operation. It is accomplished by digging a large pit by the side ; and the stone, being undermined, is turned over into it. If the pit has been made sufficiently capacious, all that now remains is to level the surface by replacing the soil ; but it too frequently occurs that the stone has to be sunk after it is overturned, in order to obtain 18 inches clear for tillage operations. This is generally a moi-e expensive mode of operation than re- moving the stones from the surface. If the latter is the plan decided upon, then the large and unwieldy masses of stone must be blasted by gunpowder. It wiU be found economical to be at the expense of this mode of dividing- all large pieces which require above three or four men to remove, as they are more readily disposed of afterwards. The small stones will probably be required for making drains; and the larger ones should be removed to the fences, which are to be constructed with them, and thus fulfil the double oflicc of subdividing the land and being receptacles for these stones. When the blocks of stone to be removed exist in auy considerable quantity, a portable tram-road will prove of very great assistance, and the transit will be more economically accomplished. The cost of clearing the surface of stones, and using the stone removed for making fences, will vary over an indefinite range ; but I should seldom be disposed to go beyond £12 per acre, unless upon any small extent, which for some reason or other may be peculiarly valuable. Mode of Drainage. — No definite system of land- draiuage will be found of general application ; but the mode of operating will vary according to local peculiari- ties of soil and climate. Some of our moors occupy elevated positions, aud have an excessive fall of rain ; others have not above one-half that quantity of water: and hence this is an important element in the calculation, and one which claims due consideration. There is a great diversity also in the soils found on moors. Some are retentive of moisture, in consequence of the moor- pan existing beneath them : others are in the condition of wet bogs. Some, again, are running sands ; whilst an- other class is found to be overcharged with water, fi'oui being of a tenacious character. Each of these will need a very difiereut mode of procedure ; and it may be desirable to notice them in succession. There arc thousands of acres of moorland, upon which drainage is very neces- sary, where we find the soil of a porous nature, and yet this porosity is rendered inoperative by the exist- ence of an impervious moor-pan beneath them. When this is broken, the natural drainage is re-established ; and in the majority of cases deep cultivation will be found to remove this evil : but where the pan lies too deep to be touched by ordinary implements, apertures must be made thi'ongh at frequent intervals. The Drainage of Bogs. — In the majority of eases bogs occupy basin-shaped cavities, caused either by the peculiar formation of the surface, or by some impediment which operates in a similar way. The first step in the proce- dure is attended with the greatest difficulty, viz., the pro- curing an outfall. This must be driven to the lowest point, so as to undermine the foundation by removing the water therefrom. In many cases the depth of the bog en- tirely precludes the possibility of accomplishing this; however, wc must do so as far as we can. ■ It is seldom de- sirable to proceed with the formation of any general series of drains immediately after this outlet is formed. The loose nature of the bog-earth allows the water to per- colate through it for a considerable distance, and there- fore the outlet should be allowed to discharge for some time before anything further is done. A plan of the bog should now be pre])ared, and the proposed drains marked accurately upon it. The main drains should be about 200 feet apart, and should be made 4 feet wide at the top, 1 foot wide at the bottom, and average about 4 feet in depth. At right angles to them the branch drains should be laid down, at about 30 or 25 feet apart. The open drains, if made early in the summer, may often be advantageously left until the following season, by which time the bog will have become much more consolidated, and the formation of the branch drains may then be proceeded with. It too often happens, when these drains are made before the land becomes sufficiently consolidated, that they are rendered inoperative by the water-channel being broken. The branch drains are best made in the following manner : Two lines should be stretched over the ground to be occu- pied by the drain, 18 inches apart. Cut the turf imme- diately under these lines by means of a sharp spade, and let it be removed 12 or 14 inches deep, and laid by the side of the drain, so as to harden in the sun and air. Let the drain now be sunk to within 14 or 18 inches of the bottom, carrjnug the sides down in a perpendicular direction, and in this state let it remain until the first turf is thoroughly hard and dry. When this is the case let the drain be sunk to its full depth, but instead of continuing the side straight do^vn as before, let a shoulder be left on each side, aud simply form a wedge-shaped channel of the re- quired depth. The dried turf may now be placed upon the shoulder of the drain with the grassy side downwards, and the gronnd levelled, by fdling in the soil. The ac- companying sketch may make the explanation more clear. The expense of cutting the ditches will be about 2s. per chain, and the branch drains will cost about 20d. per chain, thus making the cost for draining bog land under £3 per acre, When only a small extent is done, the ex- X 2 m THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. pense is proportionately greater. The antiseptic proper- ties of the turf render it a very permanent drain, and it also possesses other advantages of high order, which com- mend it as being the cheaptst and most effective system for bog lands. The material used for forming the drain is already on the ground, and thereby the serious difliculty and expense of distributing pipes, tiles, or stones over the treacherous surface are readily and effectually surmouuted. Besides these advantages possessed by the turf drain, another may be added of especial importance on this de- scription of land. The water in the bog is almost inva- riably charged with iron (indicated by the metallic lustre it presents), and when passing through pipe and tile drains it leaves a ferruginous deposit, which quickly ren- ders them iuoperative; whereas this drain is safe in this respect. T/ie drainage of runniny sands is, generally speaking, a matter of some difficulty, on account of the peculiar semi-fluid condition of the soil ; but it may be accom- plished by the aid of two wedge-shaped shields. The sides of these shields may be formed of any rough boards, slabs, &c. These are held apart by a simple V-sha])ed frame, with the ends of the same shape — the whole being fitted so as to be separated or put together readily. One of these shields being sunk adjoining the ontfall, a pipe- drain (held firmly together by collars) is laid for the length of the shield ; and the second shield being now sunk immediately adjoining the first, the course of the drain can be continued through it in the same manner. The first shield may now be removed by taking away the framing, and then the sides can be drawn up without dis- turbing the pipe-drain. These running sands seldom exist over large areas ; but it is often desirable to convert them into firm ground, and the above will be found an easy and expeditions mode of eftecting it. There is little difference between the drainage of retentive moorland soils and any other similar laud. The same system may be adopted ; and possibly pipe, tile, and stone drains may each be equally successful in rendering the land dry : local circumstances must regulate the decision. On those moors where stones exist in large quantities on the surface, a system of stone-draining evidently commends itself ; and, if these moors have a wet climate, it will be good policy to have the drains made of liberal dimensions. The common square stone -drain is as well as any other made under these circumstances ; and, as there will be a large quantity of stone to be disposed of from the surface, besides what is required for the fences, a considerable quantity may be advantageously deposited in the drains, and the labour of carriage lessened. I shall not enter into the relative merits of the different kinds of drains, as I consider that, with the exceptions already noticed, the general principle is the same, whether it is a moorland soil or not ; but I shall devote the space allotted for this essay to details more peculiarly its own. The expense of draining with stone may be calculated at from £5 to £7 per acre. Fences. — The direction of the fences will depend very much upon the character of the surface ; for as the sur- face regulates the position of the roads, so do these deter- mine in a great degree the most convenient direction for the fences of the land, in order that the sides of the fields may be as parallel as possible, and thus avoid having long gores in the work and the loss of ground at the corners of the fields. The enclosure and subdivision of moors are carried out in several different ways, dependent on the materials which the locality furnishes. If we take, for instance, the moors on the granitic formation, we find the ground more or less encumbered with large masses of stone, which it is very desirable should be removed with as short carriage as possible. The line of fence presents itself as a convenient repository for them, and conse- quently advantage is taken of the materials being thus collected to employ them for forming the fence. Under these circumstances the fence should be substantially built up with these stones in such proportion as to employ the quantity drawn from the land. The height and the thickness will of course vary in proportion to the stone to be used ; but the former should have the preference rather than the latter, because of the importance of the shelter. Fences of this description made about 5 feet high and 5 feet wide at the base, including the expense of blasting and drawing the stone, have cost about 13s. a rod ; but this includes the labour for clearing the land. It is usual in such cases to let the fencing of a piece of land at an agreed price per rod, and the fence to be made of agreed dimensions, and the land cleai'cd of all large stones. If the stone is scarce, we have a foundation of stone, and the fence subsequently raised to the height of 5 feet with soil. The cost for this class will be from 4s. per rod upwards. The advantages of stone fences are many : they afford no shelter for ver- min and weeds; the cost of repair is small; they form a complete fence at once ; and yield a large amount of shelter, which is peculiarly valuable on open moors. The outlay for fences of this class, therefore, embodies not only the cost of enclosure, but also of clearing the surface, and consequently it becomes an item of expendi- ture, which calls for the }nost careful exercise of judg- ment. Those who are acquainted with the moors of the above class must have observed gi-eat variation in the quantity of stone on the sm-face. Some parts are en- tirely free from it, whilst other portions are literally covered with stone, and we also find all the intermediate stages. The eye soon becomes accustomed to estimate the cost with the varying quantity of stone ; but extreme caution must be exercise by those who have had but little experience in this respect, in forming a correct opinion on the point ere an investment is made upon a new tract of moorland. I cannot advise a greater outlay than £12 per acre, being made for the combined operations of clear- ing and fencing; and more especially so, as so much land may be reclaimed, even in the same neighbourhood, at much less cost. On other moors we have no materials for making the fences, nor does the character of the sm-face offer us any assistance, and here we have to adopt another system. THE FABMEII'S magazine. m7 Tlie followiiiij; plau is usually adopted uuder such circuiu- stanccs. The liuc of roncc bcinp; staked out upou the laud, two parallel lines of lareh railing arc lixed, 5 or 6 I'cet ai)art, and the licdgc and dileh formed by reuujving the soil from the latter to the former. The fence is after- wards planted witli (piiek. The following arc the prices I have paid in a district where labour is high, the labourers receiving 2s. Gd. per day and upwards : GO rails 30 posts £0 15 0 0 10 0 0 1 4 0 1 8 0 1 8 0 3 10 Fixing posts and rails ... Making ditch and bank Quick and planting £1 13 6per28yards. The expense of this was about 6s. 6d. per rod. T/ic jjyojiey shelter for sfockis, a point which claims the careful consideration of the moorland farmer. It is needless for mc to remark upou the economical advantages which result in alfording stock convenient shelter from severe weather of the winter mouths, or the excessive heat of summer. The former is perhaps more essentially neces- sary on exposed moorland districts than in any other, but the want of summer shelter is compensated to a certain degree by the mild and cool air which pervades our moors in the hottest weather. Belts of plantation are the best for the purpose of giving shelter, and these may be ad- vantageously interspersed about a moorland farm. A very good plan has long been adopted in Scotland in the format'Cu of circular yards or stalls to which stock can retreat. These are surrounded by small plantations to shield them from the severity of the storms. If one of these is formed about the point of union of two or more distinct tracts of feeding ground, stock will be found to retreat thither for shelter on the approach of storms. If a stack of good feeding-straw is made in the centre (uuder a fixed roof, supported on poles), it forms a very acceptable help to the stock in severe weather, and a few roots stored near will often prove a great convenience. A low shed might also be built within the circle, and a well-sheltered yard made at a little expense, which will be very valuable to the stock. Some very good plans for these may be found in Stephens' " Book of the Farm." The following trees are best adapted for moorland plan- tations : Scotch pine, lai'ch, sycamore, mountain-ash, and beech. The winds traverse the moors with inci'cdible force and velocity, as there is nothing to check their on- ward career; and hence, even when tlie district is not mucli above the surrounding country, it always has a colder climate ; but when in addition to this the elevation is also greater, the cold rapidly increases in severity. Before leaving the consideration of moorland farms, I must refer to the extent of the enclosure. This must be regulated by the circumstances of each case. If the land is to be used for an arable farm, the fields may be made from 20 to 40 acres, according to the size of the farm. On a farm of 800 to 1,000 acres the 40-acrc field will be con- venient ; if the estate is under 500 acres then the 20- acre field will be more suitable ; but in both cases some pieces of grass land, from 4 to 6 acres in extent, will prove exceedingly useful. In subdividing a tract of Jand for a grass farm smaller enclosures are desirable, for working the land to the greatest advantage, because it admits of more frequent changes for the stock, which is alike ad- vantageous to the growth of the herbage and the pro- gress of the stock. In proportion as the land is more elevated or exposed and the climate consequently colder, so may the fields be made less in size with great advantage. Freparatory tillage operations. — The surface of the land may now be supposed to have been cleared in the planner before directed, and we have uow to notice the preparatory tillage operations by which this tough and unpromising surface can be rendered capable of yielding the required produce. Without going into unnecessary detail, I will bricfiy i)rcsent to the reader the usual prac- tice, and the results 1 have gained from the same. There had been extensive tracts already reclaimed from Forest ; and hence, before commencing my duties at , it was my endeavour to Icaru what was the local experience as to the best mode of procedure. This may be bricfiy stated as follows: The surface having been burnt (but, generally speaking, not cleared as much as 1 think necessary), the laud was plonghcd-up, and the stalks of the heather buried in the soil. In this state it generally remained for the winter mouths (sometimes for a longer period) ; and then, after being cross-ploughed, the soil was cleaned by the combined aid of rollers, drags, and harrows, and all the heather thus separated burnt on the ground. There are several objections to this mode of treatment, more particularly in consequence of the great amount of labour which is required to drag out the heather which the first operation of jiloughing had buried. The labour necessary to workout a piece of land in this man- ner would probably be two or three ploughings, three heavy rollings, four heavy draggings, and twelve harrow- ings. As the heatlier is worked out and becomes free from soil, it is collected in small heaps and biu-ned. This may be done by a gang of boys, under the superintendence of a trustworthy labourer. The combined expense of this operation cannot be estimated at less than 50s. an acre. In order to gain the same results as in the preceding mode of operation without incurring the loss occasioned by burying the heather in the first ploughing, I made use of Bcntall's broadshare, and by this meaus I succeeded in paring the turf from the surface, and presenting it at once ready for the process of burning. This operation of paring required a considerable amount of horse-labour, in con- . sequence of the toughness of the turf; but by taking it off between two or three inches deep, the shares got under the strongest portion of the heather, and it worked satis- factorily. The portion thus pared-olf being now com- paratively free from soil, -the operation of burning was quickly carried out with the aid of one rolling, one drag- ing, and three hari'owings. This course of procedm-e cost about 30s. per acre. Although by altering my course of opei'ations from the first to the second system above-named I saved considerably in the amoimt of out- lay, yet it appeared open to one very serious objection, arising from the loss of a large quantity of vegetable mat- ter by the process of burning. On light, and especially on sandy land, this is a matter of considerable import- ance ; having in general only a small proportion of organic matter present in them, it becomes necessary to husband it with jealous care. The heather-root, being tough and slow of decomposition, cannot be of great value ; but in burning this we burn a quantity of other vegetable mat- ter which is exceedingly useful. My object therefore was to adopt some simple mode of procedure, by which I might gain this advantage economically, and in this I was success- ful. The heather liaviug been well and carefully burnt, the ground was marked out into lands of about 20 or 25 yards wide. By the aid of Bentall's broadshare, a strip down the centre, 30 inches wide, was pared and burnt. The ground was then double-ploughed, by one ])lough follow^- ing on the track of another. The first plough turned over a slice of the turf about 3 inches thick; and the second plongli, taking as deep a furrow as possible, covered it over with about 5 or G inches of earth. Each pair of ploughs repeated the operation, and thus the preparatory tillages were immediately accomplished by one operation, at an expense of about 20s. per acre. Nor was this the only or the greatest advantage, for the turf thus buried acted most beneficially, by preserving more moisture xa. 288 THE FARMEK'S MAGAZINE. the «oil, and staying the loss of maiiui'e from the hiu J, It is almost needless to observe that this course of procedure required a modified system of tillage during the first rotation of crops, so as to avoid deep cultivation ; but by the end of five or six years the best part of the turf will have become so far decomposed as to intermix with the soil. At the termination of each of the three systems of preparatory tillage operations above-named, the land may be considered ready for cultivation, unless it re- quires to be further ameliorated by the addition of lime, clay, or marl. I must now recall the readers' attention to the progress made in reclaiming the bog. This has been laid dry by drainage, the result of which wiU be a gradual sinking of the surface, caused by the consolidation of the mass. When this has proceeded so far as to render the passage of horses upon the surface safe and practicable, further operations may be commenced. If there is any available source of soil near, which can be intermixed with the bog, this should be taken advantage of, and probably a portable railroad will be found of valuable assistance ; and by tlie same means lime may be spread over the sur- face. If the former of these additions cannot be made, then the surface must be more severely burnt, aiid more lime should be used. The paring of the surface in pre- liaration for burning can be readily accomplished by Bentall's broadshare. After the ashes have been spread let the ground be ploughed, so as to intermix the materials on its surface, and then reduced to a fine tilth for sowing rapeseed, which is the best crop to commence with. Limiiifj ilie Land. — The use of lime upon many of our moors is almost invaluable; and in some instances, especially upon the granite, the supply of this manure appears almost to regidate the extent of land annually re- claimed. Lime is required by plants for theii- healthy ^nd vigorous growth, and if it is absent they cannot flom-ish, or become profitable to the cidtivator. Another use of lime is in preparing food for plants, and this it does by changing sour and acrid vegetable matter (especially pre- valent in moorland soils) into nutritious food. Liuie also renders great service by acting upon certain mineral in- gredients of the soil which are-insoluble, and rendering them available for assimilation by vegetables. In addition to this, lime acts mechanically, by rendering close and tenacious soils more open and porous, whilst it imparts solidity to those which are already too light. The quan- tity employed varies-with the expense of the lime ; and as this takes a very wide range, according to the distance from limestone and fuel, it is impossible to set the expense with any degree of accuracy. In the choice of a limestone, where more than one rock is available, it is desirable to know the composition of the stone employed, and to judge of the relative value of each. An instance illustrative of this point occurred in my own practice recently. I was equally distant from a railway station at which lime could be procured at 12s. Gd. per' ton, and a lime-kiln, where the price was 8s. 6d. per ton. It appeared to me de- sn-able to know the quality, in order that I miglit judsre if their composition differed to such a degree "as to com- pensate for the variation in price. Specimens of each were sent to Professor Way, and the following are the analyses : — Sand Oxide of iron and alumina Phosphate of lime ... Sulphate of lime Carbonate of lime Carbonate of magnesia Loss iu analysis No. 1. No. 3. 12s. 6d. per ton. 8s. 6d. per ton. 0.70 4.37 1.55 3.45 0.88 0.37 0.3.3 0.22 91.89 51.18 1.38 39.69 0.37 0.73 100.00 100.00 Iroui this \vc can easily calcidate theu' relative values, and it will be seen by the subjoined calculation that their nierits are in the inverse ratio to their prices. It may be shown by calculating the cost at which each would fm-nish the soil with 1 ton of pure lime. It would require of — No. 1, 37 cvvt. 721bs., costing £1 3 G No. 2, 69 cwt. S71bs., „ 19 8 Besides this the expense of carriage is much reduced by using the strongest lime, 37 cwt. being equal to 69 cvvt. Another point to be observed is the large proportion of magnesia in one sample, which is known to act prejudi- cially in the soil. The value of analysis in such cases is very great. Use of Marl, Claij, ^"c. — The soils with which the moorland farmer has to deal arc generally light and porous in character, and in too many cases the quality only comes up to a moderate standard. The employment of any substances which ameliorate their condition becomes an important point of consideration, and when they exist in close proximity are of considerable value. On many of our moors, even where the land is so light as to be temicd " a blowing sand," we find beds of clay underlying considerable portions of them ; consequently the expense of applying a sufticient quantity to give the soil greater firmness is moderate, and the improvement thereby effected renders it an economical investment. Thirty cubic yards per acre and upwards have been ap- plied, but 40 or 50 yards may be considered a liberal application for ordinary soils, which, at the price of 3d. per yard for digging and spreading, makes the cost per acre 10s. to 12s. Bogs when reclaimed often pay for considerably larger applications than this — even as much as 150 or 200 cubic yards. I have often observed on the sides of our moorland hiUs accumulations of soils suitable for applying to the bogs in the valleys beneath. The bog earth, consisting almost entirely of vegetahlc matter, would be improved by the addition of any soil, however poor, which gave it greater solidity ; but when the soil is possessed of fertilizing properties theu- beneficial results are proportionably greater. Marl acts similarly to clay, but is decidedly more valuable in consequence of its higher fertilizing character. It has been before noticed in another prize essay, " that the sharp gritty clay which is often met with on the moors of the granitic formations is peculiarly adapted for reducing rough peat into a mould. It apparently produces a similar eSect to an appHcation of lime, but their modu^ operandi is very ditferent, the lat- ter decomposing the vegetable fibre by a chemical action, whilst the fonner acts mechanically by means of the sharp grit it contains, cuitiny the fibres immediately it is pressed or cultivated." Cidtivation and System of Cropping. — Having di'awn the reader's attention to these preparatory operations which precede the ordinary cultivation of the land, I must state briefly the principles which should infiuence our decision as to the crops which are best adapted for cultivation, and their mode of management. The culti- vation of our crops may generally be described as having for its object the development of ju'operties which in theii- natural state existed only in a small degree ; conse- quently it is necessary to give them such peculiar treat- ment as shall favour the object chiefly iu view. Observe, for instance, the surprising difference which cultivation has made in the grasses. Here we have two classes pos- sessing totally dift'erent characters — the one cultivated to yield its seed in the fonn of corn, and the other its leaves as herbage. Is it, therefore, a matter of surprise that those climates which are peculiarly favourable to the development of the seed should be proportiouably un- favourable to the growth of the leaf? Certainly aot. and in practice we find continual proof of it ; for the cli- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 289 mate best suited for wheat, oat, and barley crops, is unfa- vourable to a free growth of grass. There arC; however, limits which art cannot pai?3, and where nature remains supreme; and if any farmer more than another meets with instances which teach him how completely faiku'e results from trespassing beyond prescribed limits, it is the cultivator of our moors. To him it is of the deepest im- portance to know and remember this fact, in order that in his advances he may proceed cautiously, aud enquire of Natm'c by careful experiment ere he ventures too large a stake upon an uncertain result. Climate is the chief matter for consideration ; for althougli the soil acts with its usual intluence according as it contains the food re- quired by the crop, or by means of porosity and colom' is able to modify tiie etteci of climate, yet the pecidiarities of moorland cultivation may almost invariably be traced to the former. Moorland soils may be divided into four classes according to their uses : First, Those most suited for tillage laud, in consequence of favourable climate com- bined with a good quality of soil. 2ud. Those best adapted for pasturage, in consequence of humidity of climate ; the expenses of rendering the surface fit for the plough or the quality of soil being of too low a standard for corn. 3rd. Those which are devoted to the growth of timber, for the purpose of sheltering the land ; also in' consequence of the land being unfit for corn or grass, from the expense necessary to prepare it for cither corn or grass. 4th. Those which cannot be profitably used for either of the above purposes. It is desirable to give a cm'soiy notice of the first and second classes, the third and fourth being beyond the re- quirements of this essay ; but before doing so it may be as well to refer to the decision which is assumed above, viz., the adaptation of any particular climate for the growth of corn. It is impossible for any definite standard to be fixed upon, by reference to which this question can be decided. For instance, if we take a certain fall of rain, this is rendered more or less influential according as the land may be porous or retentive of moisture ; the relative distribution of the rain through the diiFerent months of the year- has a similar efl'ect, whereas the degree of expo- sure to cold winds aud the elevation of the district cause the cold to be more intense by the rapid evaporation which then ensues. If, on the other hand, we fix upon a certain mean temperatm'e for the summer months, this again is modified by the extent to which the temperatm-e of the day and the night varies, because when the variation is small, it compensates in some measm'e for a lower mean temperature. Then, again, to fix upon a certain degree of elevation according to the latitude of the place (although probably the best standard which can be generaUy made use of), it is also influenced by other agencies, some of which have already been named. It, therefore, becomes a matter in which local experience must be made use of, ere a decision is arrived at. Prudence wiU always suggest that the safest of the two com-ses should be taken' when doubt exists. There are but few tracts of land likely to come under the hand of the cultivator, which will not allow him to learn by observation sufficient to guide him in this re- spect, aud therefore I feel this to be a safer guide than the statement of any special standard for- each crop. When this is not to be obtained, the follomng will be an approxi- mate guide : Beans and Peas. — These require a favourable climate. On the west coast, the quantity of rain and the cloudy skies appear to act veiy unfavourably, and on the eastern coasts they also suffer from the rays of the sim being too powerful, and the rain not being sufficiently regular. These crops are the first to be placed beyond the reach of a woodland farmer. I have, however, found that when sown together, the one often succeeds even though the other may fail. Wheat. — This plant is decidedly more hardy than the foregoing, especially if hardy varieties are selected. It is stated by good authority that 700 feet is the limit in the North of England. This, however, probably refers to old tillage land of much better quality than is generally found npon the moors, and therefore admits of libeial discount. Biolei/. — This corn follows very quickly on wheat, for they are very similar in their requirements of climate. The barley is certainly more under tlie iuflueuce of the soil, and, when this is unfavourable, it is less pre- pared to combat with difficulties from the climate. Oals. — This is the sheet-anchor for the moorland corn- farmer. Oats are successfully cultivated as high as 900 feet above the level of the sea, in Scotland ; and therefore, under equally favourable circumstances of soil and climate, a very large proportion of our moors are capable of grow- ing tiicm. On Dartmoor and Exmoor they have been most successfidly grown at 1,000 and 1,100 feet above the level of the sea, notwithstanding the large quantity of rain which falls there. There is a kind of oats known as " The Skeg," grown very extensively on poor, sandy moors, as it yields a crop of corn when the land is too poor for oats. This a coarse and hardy variety of coin, which is even more hardy thau oats. The Hoot Crops, like the plants producing corn, have their peculiar requirements ; and we may generaUy con- clude that mangold w lu'tzel will take a similar range of climate to wheat, thri\ing best in dry summers aud with moderate supplies of moisture, and that turnips and swedes will be the companions of the oats. Potatoes, Carrots, and Parsnips take an intermediate position. Grass grows most luxuriantly with a liberal supply of moi|tm'e, and a temperature of sufficieut heat to stimidate its growth. Heat aud moisture are, therelbre, powerful promoters of its luxuriant development; but of the two, moisture is the one which has the greatest practical influ- ence on its cultivation. Guided by the special require- ments of each crop, there will be little difficulty in deci- ding whether or not it is desirable to appropriate the laud as a tillage or a pasture farm. This being arranged, we are in a position to notice the management of each of these somewhat in detail, although limited space renders brevity necessary. Tillage Farms.— The com-se of cropping will in some degree vary with the character of the land, but generally it will be advisable to allow it as much time under seeds as the herbage remains good, more especially for this reason — that, whilst under this crop, the land can be very much improved at little expense by feeding stock upon it. On some of om* moors the clover graduUy disappears dm-ing the first year, whilst in others the herbage becomes in the second year quite coarse and woody. A five-years' course is more generally suitable than any other, and this I will take as an example, for any alteration in manage- ment arising from altering the rotation can be readily arranged. The process of reclaiming the before-described has proceeded so far as to leave the soil ready for ordinary tillage operations. I'pon the ordinary moorland soils a crop of roots should be the first to be grown. It is customary with many to sow the land with oats ; but this is not generally desirable, because the land in most cases requires to be raised in fertility rather than lowered. I shall presume that the third system for clearing the sur- face soil (viz., by double ploughing) is the one which has been followed. The pi-eparation for roots will necessarily be superficial, haiTOWS and drags being the implements chiefly required prior to sowing, with horse and hand- hoes subsequently. In those cases where the double- ploughing is not adopted, it will be better to plough again before the dragging and harrowing. The turnips should 290 THE FARMBE'S MAOAZINE. be drilled with some artificial manui-e, aud, perhaps of all others, none have higher claims to be considered as the moorland farmer's friends (and especially on the sandy moors), than bones and guano, but more particularly the former. I have observed this in the practice of many of onr most successful farmers, and my experience accords with my observation. The manure T used for turnips on moorland of poor quality was equivalent to 2 cwt of guano, 3 cwt. of superphosphate of lime, and 6 cwt. of bones. Instead, however, of purchasing superphosphate, I prepared (he required quantity amongst the bones. In the manufactute of superphosphate the expense of labour depends upon the completeness with which the bonc-carth is acted ou by the acid. Thus it is evident that, if 5 cwt. of bones are to be completely converted into superphos- phate, the expense of intermixing will be very much greater than if 10 cwt. of bones are going to be used and only one-half required to be acted on ; besides which, it is nsual to intermix some other matter with the superphos- phate, to dry it ready for the drill, as in the manufacture it comes into a pasty condition ; consequently there is a certain proportion used, which is a necessary adulteration. As I was going to use 6 cwt. of bones per acre, instead of purchasing 2 cwt. of superphosphate, I used I^ cwt. more bones, and added 561bs. of oil of vitriol of a specific gravity of 1.8., I prcparetl it in the following man- ner : A bed of bone-dust, well beaten, formed the base of a heap sufficient to hold about 40 tons ; into a deep tub placed by the side of the heap two proportions of water to one of acid were poured, and wliilst quite hot from the chemical action resulting from their union, this liquid was spread evenly over the surface of the heap by means of a small tub, furnished with a long handle; more bone-dust Avas then added to the heap, followed by another apn^iea- tiou of acid, and tliese were alternately used until the whole quantity was in the heap. In lliis state it was allowed to remain for ten to fourteen days, during whicli time the heat became very high, and when opened and mixed together formed a splendid manure. "When the manm-e was going to be used, the guano was intermixed. This manure cost £4 10s. per acre, and was most benefi- cial and permanent in its action on the root crops, which were exceedingly good. I strongly advise the free use of turnip seed, especially upon newly reclaimed ground : a difference of one or two shillings per acre is trifling com- pared vvith the additional security to the crops. A crop of roots upon the land is a most important step towards its successful cidture, and when consumed there by sheep should leave it ready for a crop of corn. It \vill sometimes happen on very sandy moors that the sheep when eating the turnips are killed by accumulations of sand in the small intestines. A change of food I have found to be the most feasible plan ; but, still, losses frequently arise from this cause. This is a strong induce- naeut to keep such land under grass. If the land has been properly reclaimed as before described, the turnip ground will be ready for a crop of corn ; but in too many cases I have observed that the breadth attempted has been too much for the strength aud capital applied to it, and, in consequence, the work has been only imperfectly done, and a second root-crop is necessary. The princijjles which should regulate in selecting the variety of corn have already been stated, and I have now only 'to add the old adage, " Take time by the forelock" in your sowing, for the crop is more frequently injured by being sown too late than the reverse, and especially on moorlands. With this crop the land may be laid down in seeds, and remain as long as appears desirable, after whicli it may be brokeu up for a corn crop, aud the course of cropjnng recom- menced. Pasture Fani/s. — Under this denomination may be {lassed the most remunerative of our moorland soils, and especially those which are situated in mild, humid climates. In the formation of pasture lands in districts where the winter is severe, I should be disposed to grow rape, aud feed it oif in the autumn, in preference to roots which require the sheep to be exposed to the inclemency of the weather ; and it will be for the operator to decide between having a crop of corn after the roots, or repeating the rape, aud sowing amongst it the permanent grass seeds. The right selection of seeds is very nccessai'y for all kinds of lands, but it is especially important in selecting grass for the present class; I therefore subjoin a recipe for per- manent pastures on ordinary moorland soils, where they have been prepared as above. This form is I'eeommended by Mr. William Gorrie, a well-known authority iusuch matters : lbs. Arrlienatlierum aveuaceum ... ... 3 Dactylis glomerata ;.. ... ... 4 I'esluca duriuscula ... ... ... 6 IIolcus lanatus... ... ... ... 3 Lolium italicuni ... ... ... 6 ,, perenne ... ... ... 12 rideum ]iralense ... ... ... 3 Medic:igo lupulina ... 3 I'lantago lanceolata ... ... ... 3 Trifolium pratense pereune ... ... 3 „ repeiis ... ... ... 4 48 Bogs may be prepared for grass by the growth of rape, as above described, and then should be laid down in pasture as soon as possible, after being reclaimed, as they will thus have time to become consolidated before gencrid tillage operations commence. These require a different class of seeds, and I therefore cannot do better than furnish the reader with W. Gorrie's formula for this class of soils : lbs. Agrostis stolonifera ... ... ... 2 Alopecurus pratense ... ... ... 3 Testuca duriuscida ... ... ... 3 „ pratensis ... ... ... 3 Lolium italicuni ... ... ... 6 „ pereune Phalaris anmdinacea Phleum pratense Poa triviali.s Lotus major Medicago lupulina Trifolium repens 10 43 I must enforce on the reader's mind the strong induce- ments which exist for laying down in pasture moorland soils which have a climate favom'able to grass and unfavour- able to corn. One of the most zealous moorland farmers of the present day, Mr. Fowler, of Prince Hall, Dart- moor, has clearly proved the great difference between these two modes of employing land under such circum- stances, "Whilst the land was under corn, the profit was less and the ditficulties greater than when under grass. I have known him let the summer-feed of liis grass-land at .€3 per acre, aud this, mirabUe dictu, in the midst of above 100,000 acres of land, producing an annual rent of Id. or 2d. per acre, many thousands of which may be rendered equally productive, with a moderate outlay. The mode of stocking this land will vary according to circumstances, but whenever the locality favours it, I strongly advise the purchase of stock late in spring, when the grass has made a good start, and selling the same again before winter ; for by so doing ive secure the advantages whilst we avoid the losses. The grass land of our moors generally possesses peculiar advantages for summer grazing, in con- sequence of the cool breezes which generally prevail even during the hottest and most sultry months, ancj Tilfi FAllMER'S MAGAZINE. 29i stock are couscqueutly exceedingly healthy and free from the attack of insect, which torment them so much on lowland districts. Farm Biuklliigs. — The requirements of each farm will vary in this respect according to the system adopted. Some village farms may re([nirc a set of buildings as com- plete as any ordinary farm of equal size, involving the application of steam machinery; whilst others, being pas- ture farms adopting the system of summer grazing, will require but limited accommodation. This will be more especially the case if the farm is provided Avith sheltered retreats, described in a former part of the essay, and little beyond this will be necessary for shelter for cattle. One general principle may be laid down as au axiom for the moorland-farmer — " Never attempt lo winter any stock which you cannot put under shelter during severe storms." There is little peculiarity in the management of the moor- land district to require any special modilicalions of (he farmstead to meet its requii'cnients. To enter fully into the question in this essay would be to remind the re;ider of much that has already been very ably put forward by various authorities in the Society's Jouraal ; but I may draw attention to one modification which will be exceed- ingly valuable on moorland farms generally, in conse- quence of the almost invariable want of shelter. I refer to the formation of a loft over all the external buildings, and this may be done at but little expense. The same walls and roof are required in each ease, the extra charge being for posts, and if one side is closed in by weather, I can testify that the convenience of so much stowage for hay, straw, corn, &c., &e., is very great; and the increased shelter given to the yards is most valuable. The important peculiarities of moorland cultivation have now been noticed, and it now remains for me to present to the reader a general summary of the expenses, which may be shown in the following manner: — Ilcath Land. Bog- Land. Stony Surface. Clearing surface ... fencing 1 to Draining .V: to Preparatory tillage ...j 1 to Lime, clay, or marl ... I 2 to i'arui buildings : 1 to Total expenses per acre £G to £2G jiG to £18 £8 to £30 I now leave the subject of reclaiming waste land in the reader's hands, in the hope that the directions given have been sufficiently explicit to enable him to modify his course of procedure according to the circumstances of the tract of land he may bo dealing with, and trust that the information I have given may enable him to avoid errors, by which much capital has been sacrificed, and to seek a secure and profitable investment for his money. ROAD AISID RAILWAY CARCASE VANS The proper conveyance of dead meat to market is a subject that has of late assumed a national importance. That it should have done so sooner is doubtless a proposition whose soundness is equally unquestionable, the t rathe in live fat- stock luiving always been experienced an objectionable one — only tolerated by the force of habit, trade interests, and other obstacles ihat have stood in the way of progress. But the pioneering arm of steam and the general intersection of the country by railways have slowly but gradually and surely been removing all such out of the way, until the universal testi- mony of every town and province in the kingdom has been forced as it were to acknowledge at the bar of public opinion that, of the two plans of conveyance, that of dead meat is de- cidedly the more economical and in every respect the Ijest. Abstractly considered, therefore the cattle plague may not inaptly be compared to a messenger of mercy sent to enforce attention to the cause of progress, coupled with the impera- tive demands of this brancli of science, for the welfare of the public, more especially that of producers and consumers, liy putting an abrupt ^«r/& to that nefarious system of cruelty now experienced by fat-stock of every kind — a system whose barbarous craft routine baffles the English language to describe, and so antiquated as almost to be disowned by the present age ! Indeed, to find the epoch in the history of Old England to which the present cattle trade of the metropolis naturally belongs, is a problem which few of Her Majesty's liege subjects will undertake to solve. True, some poetical genius of the past has left it on record that "losses and crosses are blessings in disguise ;" and if the present losses of the agricidtural interest could only be abstracted from calcula- tion, then the country might well welcome the boviuc- pestileuce visitation as a Godsend to the future. In short, from beginning to end, the case is a clear one — in character some degrees worse than Paddy's gun, which required only a new stock, new lock, aiul new barrel ; for we want not only new carcase-vans for farmers, butchers, and railway companies, but also intelligent, go-a-head, enterprising people to use them in accordance with the exigencies of the occasion. " Necessity is the mother of invention," so runs the old adage — whose truthfulness is about to be practically verified on the present occasion relative to new carcase-vans, and people to work them. Scarcely anything can be more silly and short-sighted than the groundless fears and day-dreams entertained by some, that, if the railway traffic in live fat- stock were completely stopped, the metropolis, Manchester, Birmingham, and other large towns would lack their weekly supply of butcher-meat for a time, on the plea that foreign and Irish cattle coidd not be slaughtered at the disembarking ports, and country cattle at the places where they are fat- tened, and the whole of the dead meat forwarded to market ! That those who allow themselves to be haunted by such visionary apprehensions are devoid of the requisite practical information necessary to enable them to form a just conclusion on the subject, or even to justify them in arriving at any con- clusion whatever, is too self-evident to admit of proof ; for granting that John Bull himself were to " take the pet at his bread and butter " for the first time in his life, and along with all those now engaged in slaughtering for the capital, Man- chester, &c., to go to bed, closing their eyes to all they have at stake in the future, there would be no want of Dutch, German, and Irish slaughtermen in overflowing abundance to do all the work niauy times over if needed, with every degree of thank- fulness for the permanent and remunerating employment thus all'ordcd them. I'ractically speaking, however, we cannot for a moment en- tertain the fugitive idea that English slaughtermen and but- chers are so short-sighted and blind to their future interests as to "take the pet at their bread and butter" in the man- ner which the groundless apprehensions of suoh day-dreamers would lead a thoughtless public to conclude. In a word, the practical conclusion to which we wish to turn the reader's attention, deduced from the premises above, is this : — The c]iauge_ which is now being made from live-stock to dead-meat traffic is a permanent one ; consequently, slaughtermen and carcase vans are not only wanted for the occasion, but for all time coming. In other words, the owners of fat-stock are not just now getting up a temporary system for the occasion, with the view of returning, "like the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire," to the antiquated live-stock system which lias brought upon them the ruinous losses they are now experiencing, the moment rinderpest (the cause of those losses) is stamped out of the country ! Earmers as a body may he slow in their movements onwards in the march of improvement; but, when once they get in motion in t'lf; 292 THE FABMEE'S MAGAZINE. ri flit direction, all the day-dreams of iutevmetliate jobbers of every denomination of craft will not counteract their mo- mentum! Thus far our conclusion is worthy of a metro- politan cattle banker's credit. The reader will thus perceive tliat an improved carcase-van, wliether for country, town, or railway work, lias soraetliing in it of a permanent paying cliaracter. The farmer, for example, must be a gainer by its use, as compared with the present system of conveying live stock, and consequently a loser were he to lay it aside and return back to live-stock marketing. So must railway companies and butchers be gainers by the change. Consumers also must have " their finger in the pie," i. c, they must receive an increase in the quantity and quality of the meat they purchase, otherwise the improvements contemplated are not gcnuiue in point of fact. That improved carcase-vans can be made capable of realizing all the above results, is a proposition ahuost too self-evident to admit of proof. What producers and consumers have to guard against at the present time is, their allowing tlie matter to be bungled by interested parties with a view to effecting a failure in tlic proper conveyance and marketing of dead meat, so as to get a return to the present live-stock system. To tlie inter- mediate class of live-stock jobbers, including tJiose wlio pur- chase live-stock for tlie dead-meat market, such a result would be no ordinary triumph ; and therefore when the commercial character of this intermediate craft is closely kept in view, in aU its notorious reality, we are justified, from our past ex- perience, relative to the upliolding of Smithfield and sucli like, in again reminding producers at the one end and consmners at the otlicr, that their best interests call for the highest degree of circumspection at the present time, so as to have the im- provements now being made upon a solid and permanent foundation. Two propositions have been enunciated for the construction of railway carcase-vans — tlie first, to carry meat or carcases either suspended from tlie roof or sides of railway-vans, or from the top of vertical trays ; and the second, to carry ear- cases in tiers of horizontal trays, the one above, but separate from the other, in railway-vans. Each of these plans gives rise to preparatory steps in the cooling and packing ot meat, that requires to be attended to liy farmers, and also to conse- quent operations by butchers at the other extreme of the work. Experience has taught all persons who have anything to do with a carcase, or even with a joint of meat, that it keeps better when hung in a suspended form than when lying upon a table, tray, or any other thing horizontally. The practical reason of this is almost too familiar to admit of notice, as all must have observed that the part of the meat which rests on the table or tray is the first part that begins to taint or give way to the process of decomposition. And so susceptible is newly slaughtered meat to every influencing chemical change o f this kind, that, unless the atmosphere is equally pure and free on every side of the carcase or joint, when hung suspended from a hook or pin, it will sustain most harm on the side that is calculated in a greater degree to induce the putrefactive pro- cess, or it may be in the first place cryptogamic or other in- oculation, and so on, as the individual case or cases may be. Farther into the details of this view of our subject we need not go. The reason for constructing carcase-vans so as to carry meat in a suspended form is thus manifest. All, therefore, that re- mains for us to do is, briefly to discuss the two plans by which it is to be carried out, and the practical objections that arise to it, indicating the other — the second plan, carrying horizon- tally on trays — as being preferable. Passing over the plan of carrying carcases suspended from a small travelling-carriage working on two rails under the roof the carcase-van, for which plans were exhibited in the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, 1851, the more simple way is to fix rows of hooks in the roof of the carcase-vans, on transverse or longitudinal beams, and from these hooks to hang the carcases, two or three quarters in rows across, accord- ing to their size, and the nimiber of lows lengthways according to the length of the carcase-van. The second plan is to convey the meat suspended from the upper end or head of a strong hamper, the lower end or bottom of which rests upon the bottom of the carcase- van. The two sides and ends of the hamper are made of strong planking of sufficient strength to carry the weight of tho meat, isucli us the hind-qtiarter of a bullock : the bottom and lid of the hamper are of open basket-work. The meat is so packed and fixed in the hamper, with the fleshy side upper- most, that it may be carried either horizontally in tray carcase- vans, care being taken to keep the lid uppermost, or in vans constructed for carrying it suspended. In the latter example the hampers are carried on their ends in the vans, similar to cases of plate-glass and marble, &c., so that when thus placed vertically, and fixed in that position, the meat hangs sus- pended from the hook or hooks in the upper end of the hamper. Ill both these plans the carcase-van shoidd have a movable roof or other covering, so as to permit the carcases in the first plan, and the hampers in the second, being loaded and un- loaded, or put into and taken out of the van, vertically by means of a crane, so as to obviate the sausage-making objec- tionable processes which otherwise would be experienced, and likewise to permit of any individual carcase or hamper being removed or taken out of the carcase-van on its arriving at any station, or at its final destination. Eor a similar reason cross and longitudinal bars, straps, or ropes would be required, to prevent jolting from the oscillation of the carcase-van on the line,' aud also when stoppages take place at stations on the line, such cross-bars, &c., to act only on the bony side of the carcase, leaving the flesh untouched. According to the second plan, carcase-vans are constructed for carrying carcases in trays, on the same principle as the Aerated Bread Company carry their bread. Like those of the latter, the carcase or hamper trays should be made of open skeleton framework, to slide in and out like drawers ; and the tiers of trays should be sufliciently far hetween to prevent the bottom framing of the tray touching the carcase or hamper containing the carcase below, as the case may be. This is ne- cessary for the two-fold purpose of eifecting ventilation and of preventing injury to the meat or hamper from pressure and contact. In the aerated bread vans the brcad-trays are pi;tin and taken out at the back end of the van ; and horse-vaus for farmers and butchers may be constructed on the same principle. But for railways it would obviously be more advisable, because more convenient, to load and unload from the side of the van, so that the trays should slide out and in accordingly from the side. It is an easy matter to construct carcase-vans on the principle in question, aud therefore we need not go further into their mechanical details or into the modus operandi oiloaiLmg and unloading by machinery, as railway engineers in the management of this department will readily see the whole at sight from the above premises. It will therefore be sufficient if we say to the general reader that all direct handling of the meat should be avoided, and also jolting of the hampers which contain it, and that the lids of the hampers and fleshy side of the meat packed in cloth should be carefully kept uppermost in the trays and also during the loading aud unloading of the carcase-vans of farmers, railway companies, and butchers. In the construction of carcase-vans for farmers, or, more generally speaking, for country use, capable of carrying one or two tons of meat, packed in hampers, a few cross-bars will serve the purpose of trays, so that the expense of such a vehicle need not be much. A spring cart or waggon of the ordinary construction could be easily iitted-up for the conveyance of meat to a railway station. But carts and waggons without springs would be objectionable, as they jolt and shake the meat, tearing the flesh as it were from the bone, thereby doing an incalculable amount of harm. Meat sewed up in packsheet would require trays in the car- case-vans of both farmers and butchers. But who that knows anything practically about the injury which meat sustains and the reductions of price that follows when thus conveyed to a distant market, would contemplate the continuance of such a barbarous practice after the improvements under consideration are in general operation ? We need not revert to the old oft- told story that " It is useless to argue the matter with an empty pocket, for a farmer's purse minus money is also devoid of reason." All advances in farming involve an increased . amount of capital invested by the farmer, and the improve- ments now in progress of a general carcase trade will be found no exception to the common rule. Amplification or comment on this would be superfluous, " The low price for the poor man" has from time immemorial been a standing proverb in every branch of industry, and in none is it more true than in agriculture. THE FABMER'S MAG-tA^ZINE. 293 Cixrcase-vans, hauipci's, and packing-dotli should at uU times be subjected to tlie process of fumigatioa or disiufccta- tiou, not only at present, when rinderpest prevails, but also when live-stock are free from contagious disease. " Wise be- hind hand" or " Lock the door when the steed is stolen" bus never been and never can be viewed in a favourable ligiit, but the contrary, and the doctrine involved in these old familiar maxims comes homo with powerful cUect to the slaughtering of animals and conveying of their dead meat for human food ; for however cleanly everything connected therewith may be kept, it is impossible to prevent the growth and development of certain pestilence-breeding matter without having recourse to the free use of disinfecting agents to kill the numberless forms of parasitic life with which the microscope in modern times has become familiar. With regard to objections :. doubtless many will be raised, but we know of none that cannot be easily answered. The. objection raised to the conveyance of carcases suspended from the roof of a raihvay-vau, for example, that it would make vans " top-heavy," applies chieJly to badly-kept lines of railway, which give rise to much jolting and oscillaliou and to freciuent stoppages ; but in botii these cases tlio validity of the objection is founded on a istate of things which ought not to exist, for with through carcase-trains ami a minimum degree of oscilla- tion the objection would be nil, practically speaking. It may even Ijc quoted as a stimulus to induce railway companies to keep their lines in a proper state of repair, and to form through- trains for the conveyance of dead meat. The balance of the arginncnt is therefore in favour of the improvements advocated under both the kinds of carcase-vans — as the tray plan is also somewhat top-heavy. And with regard to the extra outlay of capital involved, that is more than counterbalanced by the extra advantage gained. And this extra investment only ap- plies to farmers, for had railway companies to start from the commencement, they would require a less investment of capi- tal to supply markets with dead meat than they now do to sup- ply them with live meat. True, they may grumble at the old plan, and what it has cost them, and, doubtless, so may farmers ; but for tlie future the joint interest of both, and, we may add, the joint interest of all parties is the establishment of a perma- nent carcase trade upon a solid foundation, all temporary makeshifts being carefully avoided. DUNGHILL AND DUNG MAKING. Dung is the farmer's magic wand — without it he can do nothing that is good ; as a carpenter is known by his chips, so is a farmer known by his dunghill. 'Wliat John Smithwick (of whose lixrm I will give some particulars) said to me : " Slake the dung ; the secret is to make it in abundance of quantity and good in quality, ready for every purpose at all times, and an old woman can do the rest." There has been earth drawn from the furrow to the headland before ploughing the iield : of this make a platform 15 feet wide and G or more inches thick ; near this drop the dung drawn from the houses every day, and spread it on the earth, ten iuches thick ; then cover this with G inches of earth, place the next day's dung on this, cover with earth as before, continue so doing until as high as the men can throw into the centre with shovels. Let no foot ever go on it — (a liquid manure tank on a large farm, or large tub on a small, to which channels from all the offices should be directed, and every slop and every liquid of the dwelling-house thrown into it, this diluted with equal quantity of water, and the plants in the garden watered with it, will greatly increase their size, and with it to dress the greeu crop and the root crop) — then extend the length, raise another layer in the same manner, and continue this practice at all times, winter and summer. The layers of earth imbibe the ammonia of the dung and absorb the moisture ; they prevent the too great heating of the dung, which would consume its quantity and diminish its quality ; the object of the fanner is to have quantity and quality as well. If peat is to be had it is much better than earth, as it is all vegetable decomposed, impregnated with gallic acid, the tanning principle, which prevents decom- position ; make it ferment ; this destroys the tanning principle, and it is then a heap of rotten vegetable. Where peat is to be had, double the quantity directed for earth may be put into the dung ; both peat and earth should be dry when put in, and made as fine as possible, when it is the state of turf bruss best. When the dunghill gets too hot — which can be known by in- serting a stick — if above blood-heat the heap should be turned, and a portion of peat or earth thrown over it. To make the original dung, the cattle houses should Ije Mell attended to ; behind the cows there should be a trench two feet or more wide, and one and a-half in depth ; put into this dry peat, bui'nt clay, or earth ; sweep into it all the droppings and all the urine. The cow-house door should be wide enough to admit the cart, which is to be loaded from the trench. To prevent any accident to the cows there should be a groove in the top stone of the trench, and an iron grating put on it. Horses, piggery, and sheep-houses should be bedded with sea sand, where it is to be had, or if not, with peat mould, turf bruss, very dry, and all wet cleaned out and put into the dunghill. A farmer who attends rigidly to these directious will always have abundance of dung, of good quality ready for every pur- pose. Wlien drawing out he should commence at that part of the dunghill tirst made. When drawing o\it dung for the root crops he should first mark lines with the plough all through the tield, the first line the breadth of six drills from the fence, two feet nine inches : multiply by six ; at that distance mark all the lines, on these lines drop all the dung requisite for this portion at regular intervals. When all out, commence opening the first drill ; as the plough returns on the drill the portion of dung is put into the drill. Men and women are placed in stations, and as the plough passes they put in dung ; when the plough is returning on the second drill they should be at their stations, and as it passes do as they did in the first drill. If the dung has been regularly put out, and the labourers give eacli drill its due portion, when the six drills are completed, all the dung has been used, and another row is to be begun in the same way. A drill once opened is never trampled on, and aU the field has been equally manured. When near the end of the day's work the dung is to be covered by reversing the course of the plough. Dung should not be in any case exposed to the air : where it is, aiiuuonia escapes ; and though the quantity is there, the quality is much deteriorated by the escape of the ammonia. Let me impress upon the farmer the all-important necessity of thus making the dung the mainstay of his farm — without it he cannot prosper ; to have the houses always clean, to draw what is saturated with urine to the heap every day, if it is but one wheelbarrow or one horse load. By making it in the headland of the field, where it wiU be required in spring, he avoids all hurry and press of work at that important time. I have had sixty loads drawn to scribed lines in one day by this plan ; whereas, had it not been so anticipated, twenty could not have been put out. This enables him to have his work done in time, without hurry, and have full time to do it well, — Prixe Essay of Rev, JF.Ii, Townseiul Rector of Ar/hadda, Cork, 294 -rHE FAllMER'S MAGAZINE. THE ISLAND OF JERSEY. [translated I'ROJI THE " JOURNAL. d'aGUICULTURE PRATIQUE."] For five years I luive passed a part of llie season for sea- batliing at the pretty village of Uinard, separated from tlie city and port of Saint Maloes by a small bay or roadstead, at the end of wliicli is the embouchure of the K,ance. I went thither every year with the intention of visiting the island of Jersey, but I did not wish to make this voyage alone, and ray travelling companions always disappointed me. At last I found what was requisite, and am glad that I did not sooner make this excursion, for I am far from having lost anything by the delay. My travelling companion, M. de Kergarion, of Lannuguy near Jlorlaix — a true gentleman-farmer, in \Ahom are united true artistic tastes with the good sense of a skilful agriculturist — suited me admirably for the journey, of whicli I preserve the most agreeable recollections. By favour of letters of introduction from a friend of my com])anion, M. General Le TW (who has left a character in the island that does him great honour), and thanks to the connec- tion between the families of M. de Kergarion and Mr. Schirer, an English admiral residing in Jersey, we were enabled to visit every place with profit, and to sec what is forbidden to the generality of tourists. Having similar tastes for agriculture, and assisting each other to understand what first might appear to us inexplicable, accompanied also by one of our o\^•n countrymen, JI. de Vale- rot, farmer in the parish of Granville, who put us in communi- cation with those farmers who spoke Trench better than the generality of our metayers of the West, we have Ijcen able to obtain as complete an idea of the rural usages and agricultural habits of the country. Before entering upon the subject, I ought to express our united thanks to M. de Valerot, who has indeed received us as old friends upon the recommendation of his companion in exile, General Le Tlo. Some of the subscribers of the " Journal of Practical Agri- culture" have reproached me for not having said enough of the picturesque views in the account of ray journey to Switzerland and the J ura, and for making it too exclusively agricultural. I shall this time comply with their desire, and begin with an historical and geographical notice of the islands and then give a short description of it ; but I would warn my readers that this part of my account will occupy much less space than that of agriculture, which is due to the design of the Journal in which this article will appear. Tiie Norman Isles of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark — named by the French the Islands of La Manehe, and which the English modestly call the Britisli Channel islands— formed formerly a part of the continent, like the kingdom of Great Britain. Geologists may reasonably declare that England was once attached to ancient Neustria, but that opinion is not supported by historical proofs ; for the period at wbirh the sea made it- self a passage across the continent, in order to form La Manehe, mounts up far beyond the Cliristian era. It is not thus, how- ever, with Jersey, that island having formerly been united to the coast of Normandy ; and in the eighth century of our era a person might cross on foot from Portbail, which is situated in Le Coteutin. The following passage is taken from a work entitled "The Archipelago of the Norman Isles" — " Lastly, and as a last proof which we derive from docu- ments already quoted, we will say a few words on a tradition generally admitted, and otherwise confirmed liy certain titles ; that before the inroad of the sea, in 1709, the Bishop or the Archdeacon of Coninwcefi passed on foot from France to Jersev. Other documents speak of the right of the BisJiop of Contaii- ces in regard to a plank or a bridge which he made use of in passing.* In fact, according to the researches of M. Ahier, this passage is found at the spot called " the Ox Leap, or the * Archives du Mont S. Michel, Tregan Vies des Ev^nues de jiayeux. '• Beuftius," a rock which appeared at low water, and which then formed the prolongation of the island towards the south-east.* There is another material proof borrowed from the same author, from the Beuedictiue annals of Mabillon, and from the ecclesiastical history of .Normandy — " Thus, in 1735, on the 'Jtli Jan., in consequence of a violent tempest, the sea retired so far, and cleared so completely the mud that covered the ancient village of Saint Stephen de Petucl, that they coidd distinguish the streets of that place, and even the ruts formerly traced by the carts. And, besides, we should vainly seek for the parishes of ilauny, la Feuillette, the little town of Porz-pican, the borough of St. Louis, and that of Bourg-neuf, the monastery of Saint-Moach, situated four leagues from Saint Maloes. All these towns and monasteries, which are spoken of in ecclesiastical history, have forever dis- appeared." The island of Jersey is separated from tlie coast of Nor- mandy by the strait of La Ddroutte, about two-and-a-half sea- leagues in width, as its names indicates ; the strait — which is strewn with granite rocks, covered at high water, and the currents of which are very violent — is exceedingly dangerous for navigation. They call it fifty kilometres (about thirty-sis miles) from Saint Maloes to Jersey. A good packet-boat conveys you thither in three hours : I went in two hours and fifty minutes ; but the return occupied three hours and forty minutes, in the same boat, " The Wonder." The captain, however, slackened the speed of the boat, because he was aware that the tide would not be high enough to enter the port of Saint Maloes. In my opinion it would have been better to have delayed the departure of the boat an hour, in order to shorten the time of the passage. Tiie sailors did not trouble themselves with the abominable sea-sickness of the passengers who were not accustomed to the sea ; hut they might have done all they could to shorten the duration of the voyage. On our return, on Saturday, the i36th October, the swell was strong, and the billows dashed over the linen band dis- posed along the boat, in order to screen the passengers from the wind. The wash-hand basins circulated disagreeably under our eyes ; but my fellow-traveller and I were happy enough not to follow the deplorable example set us by our neighbours. We were compelled to remain h.alf-an-hour in the roadstead, to the great disgust of the travellers, who are only too long delayed by the minute examination of the custom- house officials. Things are not so inauaged at Jersey. No one asks you anything ; and you may carry away your luggage wherever you like, without having to submit to a search which is always fatiguing and frequently annoying. Why cannot we do this here ? The sum-total of duties paid by tourists does not probably amount to one hundredth part of the salaries of the custom-house employes who visit the mail-boats. Neustria, and the islands of La Manehe, dependent upon it, were ceded to Hollo, the piratical chief from the north (from whence came the present name of the province), by the treaty of Saint Clair-sur-Epte (a. d. 912), under the reign of Cliarles the Simple. After the conquest of England by AVilliam, Duke of Normandy, the English monarch preserved this province with its islands, but with the title of vassals to the King of France. In 1303, Jolui Lackland, having assassinated the youthful Arthur, last Duke of Normandy, liis uepbew Philip Augustus declared tliat the province reverted to the cmwn, tlie murderer being escheated of his fiefs as guilty of felony. Three years after, the fortified places, the castles, and the principal towns * There is a house at St. Helier, the title-deeds of which state that the ancient proprietors wei-e under an obligation to repair the bridge. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 29? Were iu the powt-r of llie Kiug of France, after being governed by the Dukes of Xoriaiuuly during threi; hundred years. The two bailla;- governments ; but if the disease is indigenous or natural to Eastern Russia, and the other states adjoining in question, then we cannot see our way clearly, in accordance with any known laws of nature, how clever Ilussians, Prus- sians, kc, can either keep out the disease, or stamp it out where it has established itself in herds— a conclusion which is strongly fortified by the almost continuous presence of the disease ; for certain it is, that rinderpest has neither been effectually kept out nor stamped out of the locaUtics in ques- tion ; but that, on the contrary, it has recently been assuming a no ordinary degree of virulence and contagiousness ; and that,ji;e/- coii/ra, at the present time, the disease is being more effectually kept out of Ireland and some of the northern coun- ties of the United Kingdom than ever it has been in any place »u Russia, Prussia, &c'. The ftljove concksigu. in ]mU upou the geuerally conceded hypothesis that the cattle plague, or rather the proximate cause of cattle plague, is natural to Eastern Russia and several other parts, and that it can never, according to the ordinary course of nature, become naturalised to an English climate. It follows, according to this assumption, that the proximate cause is of some organised form of animal or vegetable life, or both, and that the contag-ions fomites of cattle plague are generated by some sort of nervo-chemical action, by the pre- sence and action of such parasitical parentage introduced into this country ; so that the British farmer has only to isolate his healthy stock for the purpose of keeping out this latter — the oft'spring, so to speak, of the former; whereas, in the steppes of Russia, the parents or disease-breeding stock are in all proba- bility more difficult to keep out of healthy herds than their more deadly and contagious offspring, because they are always pre- sent, and active at certain seasons of the year in the propaga- tion of their species ; while iu doing so they at the same time fix upon or are attracted towards cattle under certain condi- tions of bad health, thereby producing a more virulent species of disease when the predisposing cause, or, it may be, certain state of nervous action, is present in the system of the prostrate ox. Granting, for the sake of argument, therefore that such are the facts of the case, the reader cannot fail to jierceive how much they turn the balance in favour of the British farmer in keeping out rinderpest from his healthy herd, and how much encouragement they aft'ord to isolate. On the other hand, it may be argued, and indeed is an'gued, that from the intercourse between this country and the Black Sea, and the large amount of Russian produce annually im- ported, the progenitors of cattle plague must be introduced into this country, and that during certain seasons of the year, or during exceptional years like the past 1865, when thej find the predisposing cause present, or a favourable field for the propagation of their species — as in town dairy cows and form stock, under an abnormal dietary and management — they pro- duce not only their own species during such seasons, but also cattle plague itself, which soon multiplies its contagious fo- mites in a manner much more easily imagined tliau calculated. But although such pest-breeding parasites may prosper for a short time during exceptionary seasons and circumstances, there is something in our climate unfavourable to their exist- ence under ordinary seasons : hence the conclusion in support of the general practice of isolation advocated. We have here under consideration two theories, the one somewhat distinct from the other, thus involving a difl'erence that calls for special attention. According to the former, for example, the contagious fomites of cattle plague during the past summer were introduced into this countrv' either by infected live stock or infected produce, or by some conveying medium of this kind. "Whereas, according to the latter, they (the contagious fomites) were generated in this countrj- ; /. <•., the cattle plague was not imported from the continent of Europe, but bred and propagated in this country to tlie calamitous extent now experienced — first chiefly in the cowsheds of the capital, but partly in Hull, and some other places, and then spread throughout the provinces in a manner now too familiar to require a detailed description. It is possible that both these hypothetical examples may be true, I.e., that the cattle plague may have been introduced di- rectly and indirectly into this country, from infected districts of the continent to which it is indigenous ; but whether it was by one or by both, tlie balance of circumstances are greatly in fa\our of the farmers of this country, who are better able to grapple with the disease by isolation than the farmers of those countries to \vhich it is naturally peculiar. It foUo\^•s, there- fore, that the former (the English farmer) should ^^llolly discard from his mind the erroneous notion now too commonly enter- tauied, that he, as he is situated under a constitutional govern- ment, cannot effect what is done on the continent of Eui-ope under the iron rule of arbitrary governments ; the very reverse of what is embodied in this fallacious notion being the case, under our milder system o; political economy, where those in authQi'ity may rathei: be saitl to lead tUau ilrive the Sti\ta THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE, 817 horse to the watering place. In other words, if our Govern- ment have not aeted up to the emergency of the occasion in suppressing cattle markets and cattle tvaltic of e\ery kind, the agricultural public sliould hear in inind the animosity whicli they at tirst iiiauifestcd against the coutiuental pole-axe rule, or even any interference whatever to enforce the practice of isolation as a preventive measure. The isolation of cattle infected with rinderpest, so as to stamp out and prevent the spread of the contagion, will per- haps he experienced hy the English farmer more difficult to carry out successfully into practice when once tlie disease has established itself in the country, as is the case at present, than the previous proposition of isolating healthy stock. This will be found equally true, whiche\ cr of the jjreeediug hypotheses is the riglit one, relative to the nature of the disease and the way by which contagion is conveyed from infected to healtliy herds. So far as the isohition and continement of live stock on the ftirms on which tlie disease breaks out, and the imme- diate slaughtering of them, are concerned, such practices may be rendered compulsory by statute, on terms favourable to the owners of the herds. But before tlie carcases of such animals are buried, fresh seeds of contagion are sown in the district, and these may be carried into the adjoining healthy districts in so many ways, and even to distant provinces, as to render the combined eftbrts of farmers and the public abortive in many instances. That cleanliness in the highest degree should 1)6 attended to, alike as to cattlemen and feeding materials as to the cattle themselves, and that everjthiug, so far as practi- cable, siiould be disinfected, are propositions abuost too self- evident even to be formally enunciated ; but many things, such as the atmosphere of the infected place, railway trains (includ- ing all they convey) passing througli such infected districts, and also travellers of every kind, cannot he eft'ectually disinfected while wild animals, such as hares, rabbits, foxes, rats, and car- rion crows, are beyond the reach of the process of disinfection. Anotlier obstacle of no mean dimensions that lies across the jjatli of the farmer is the use of medicinal prophylactics. We advocate strongly tlie experimental investigation of tlie use of certain inedicimil substances, under a firm conviction that there is an antidote of this kind to rinderpest, as well as to any well known curable disease ; but that is no reason why a diseased animal should be allowed the shortest space of time to gene- rate and spread contagion, for when disease makes its appear- ance in herds to which supposed antidotes had lieen adminis- tered, it is proof practical that they are no antidotes at all, or that they have been too long m being given, and there- fore that animals should be slaughtered the moment they ap- pear atleeted. The ])raetieal rule, therefore, is, '■ Uy all means try antidotes ; but the moment they appear inelt'ectual, use tlie pole-axe and spade." This rule wOl l)e found all the more valuable should the preceding hypothesis turn out to be true, that the contagious matter of rinderpest is the product of nervo- cheinical action in the system of cattle predisposed to it in this country, and that tliis iiervo-cjiemieal action is produced by the presence and action of parasitical life, tlie poisonous seeds of which have been imported into this country with the pro- duce of Eastern Russia, and some parts of Asia, to which they are indigenous, and which spring into active life iu summers like that of ISGo, when our hot days and cold nights approxi- mate those of their native country, such seasons predisposing our cattle to be thus infested by parasites of this kind. A First-Peize-Stock Breeder. THE ORIGIN OF THE OUTBREAK. THE REVEL CARGO. Ou the 28th of May the cargo was landed at Hull, examined hy two inspectors, and passed as free from disease. At Hull 146 cattle were sold and sent to tlie Midland Counties ; the remaining 175 were taken to Loudou and sold on the ~nd of June, 20 being sent to Gosport, and the rest disposed of in London to various butchers for immediate slaughter. The first appearance of the disease seems to have been on the 24th of Jmie, on whicli day two cows, « liicli had been purchased at the Metropolitan Cattle-market on the I'Jth, began to sicken, and from that time tiie cases were increasingly frequent. Thus there is no evidence w liatever to connect the llevel cargo with tlie outbreak. At every step backwards the ease breaks down in a fresh place. How is the interval between the 2nd and the 24th of June to be accounted for, when, as Mr. Gamgee admits, " there is a large amount of evidence to show that an animal ma}- be regarded as absolutely free if it does not show signs of disorder within ten days after having been exposed to the contagion." Here the supposed source of the infection left the market on the 2nd, and the disease does not break out there till, at the earliest, tnenty days later. Then, again, we can trace the llevel cargo itself far enough back to make it highly probable that the disease would havesliown itself before the sale if it had ever been eommuuicated to them. From the 23rd of 3Iay to the 2nd of June comes very close upon the longest accredited period of incubation ; and even if the symp- toms had passed unnoticed at the sale to the butcher, it is strange tliat nothing should have lieeu observed, between that date and the time of slaughter, which would have been recol- lected as suspicious in the light of subsequent knowledge. But why should London Jiave been the only sulfercr by this much abused importation, when there are four otlirr places which were exposed to equal danger >• Of the 17 o wliicli came to Islington, 20 were sent to Gosport, while the 146 animals disposed of at Hxill were taken to Manchester, Leeds, and Derl)y. Xow, in Hampshire, the first appearance of disease was "about the 25th of July;" in Lancashire, "in the last week of August ;" in Yorkshire " in the beginning of Sep- tember ;" in Derbyshire, " on the 12th of September." Either, therefore, the period of incubation must be extended to more than three mouths, or we must suppose that of 321 beasts crowded together for nine days in the steamer, only about half are infected, and that tliis ill-starred moiety exactly coin- cides with the portion of the cargo which is sold and slaugh- tered in Loudon. And finally, the evidence to show that the 13 cattle brought from St. Petersburgh were infected with the disease is of the slightest possible description. The plague had Ijcen active in the neighbourhood of that city at the end of 1S64, " and probably later." Que of the beasts died at Revel, and three others were sold there because they w ere uot aljle to bear the vovage ; but as to the nature of the sickness, we have no trustworthy information. This, therefore, is the whole evidence from which, says Mr. Gamgee, "it will be gleaned that I adhere to an opinion expressed by me last autumn, that the cattle plague was imported into England from Russia, through the Baltic, at the end of May, 1865." It is a little surprising to fiud the Commissioners speaking of this theory as uot iuconsistent with the facts, though very far from being established by them. "We cannot but think that the absence of any link whatever, even in the way of suspicion or rumour, to connect the appearance of the disease mth any one beast of this cargo, either in London or any other of the four markets among which it was distributed, is practically conclusive against this yiev^". — T/tc Sd/iii-clc;/ JlecieK, z 2 318 THE FARMEirS MAGAZINE). THE DEBATES ON THE CATTLE PLAGUE. On February the 6th Her Most Gracious Majesty was pleased to iaform her faithful Lords and Commons that she had "observed with great concern the extensive prevalence during the last few months of a virulent distemper among cattle in Great Britain/' &e. There were parts of the kingdom not yet attacked, which, she said, " it is very satisfactory to know ;" and she trusted "that by the pre- cautions suggested by experience, and by the Divine blessing on the means which are now being employed, its further extension may be arrested." It was extremely doubtful whether "the Divine blessing" was likely to descend upon " the means" alluded to, which the whole country was vociferating against as misconceived and miserably insufficient; and the fact is, that it did not so descend, for the plague has continued to spread with frightful rapidity. For the " deep regret" and " sincere sympathy for the suiferers" put in Her ^Majesty's mouth by the Ministry, through whose incapacity and unconcern the calamity was enabled to assume its ter- rible proportions, we are exceedingly obliged : it is po- lite and reads well ; but a penitent confession of the help- lessness of her Government, and an assurance of the ut- most activity for the future, and (if possible) of restitu- tion to the afflicted classes of her people, would have more befitted the occasion. The Mai'quis of Normanby, in " moving the presenta- of a humble address, &c.," repeated her Majesty's deter- mination to lay before Parliament the series of ineffectual Orders of the Privy Council, of which the country was already sick enough ; and he contributed (he following to- wards a solution of the perplexities of our case : " By the blessing of Providence, I am happy to say that it has not affected my own immediate neighbourhood, and therefore I personally know nothing about the subject." The Earl of Morley informed his brother-peers that " already 120,000 animals have been attacked." Scarcely a month has pas.sed since the returns gave that total ; and now the number is one-half more — the victims have been multiplied by about 50 per cent, while the Parliament has been hurrying its "measures " into force. The Duke of Rutland gave his opinion that " if the money expended in issuing a number of Orders in Coun- cil had been laid out in taking effective measures to stop the disease and indemnifying sufferers from it, the cattle plague would have been a thing of the past. He had been told by the noble lord who seconded the address that all the Government could do was to institute an inquiry into the matter. He ventured, however, to question the correctness of that view. A committee had been ap- IJoiuted by the House of Commons, in 1857, to take into consideration a Bill which was then pending in the House for the cattle-disease prevention. Now, Professor Simonds on that occasion stated that the rinderpest was a disease well known ; moreover, the Professor described the steps taken in Russia and Bavaria as perfectly satisfactory in preventing the spread of the plague ; and with such evidence before the Government, how was it possible, he would ask, to contend that rinderpest was a thing with which we were unacquainted?" Then the Duke besought the Government for two stringent measures — what do we suppose they were, seven months after the disease had safely entrenched itself in the country, and when it was slaying its dozen thousand per week ? Why, he asked them " to stop all movement of cattle in England, and also all importation of cattle into England." It is hardly credible that any Government, however pusillanimous, should have left so long undone these most obvious measures introductory to the more searching ones of slaughtering and disinfecting. These simple things were " imjjossible," — " could not be thought of, in a country of great city populations, of great importations," and so on ; but only shove our statesmen up to their duty, and these things are done. We have stopped traffic and inland importation of live cattle ; only that the Ministry having been made to stop these things, instead of having stopped them themselves, as true states- men would have done, the measures are most likely too late to stay the plague, at any rate before it has ruined a large part of the agricultural interest. The Duke of Richmond thought that after the evidence of Professor Simonds before the Royal Commis- sion in 1857 the Government could not plead ignorance. " Professor Simonds was asked by the Commissioners what had been the effect of the first Order in Council issued on the subject. His answer — and he begged their lordships' attention to this — was, ' I think it has spread the disease rather more quickly than it would have been.' He knew a case in which the magistrates of a county as- sembled and put a stop to the markets in their petty- sessional division ; but the mayors of the boroughs within that division declined to do the same. The Secretary of State was appealed to, in a difficulty so manifest to every one. The Secretary of State wrote to the mayors of those boroughs, calling their at- tention to the matter — no doubt in a most polite letter ; and the result was that he got as polite a letter from those borough mayors, declining to adopt his suggestion." This is a pretty pass for a constitutional kingdom to be brought to, is'nt it ? An enemy comes upon us, of whom we have had experience before, of whom we possessed every information ; and yet when the time comes for striking the only known blows that can lay hold upon him, our rulers write polite letters and "recommend" so and so to be done. Months before, Belgium and France had already nipped the danger in the bud, and said Good bye to it. But our Government cannot go alone. It would not save Ireland from the pest, until it could no longer delay, for shame. Lord Feversham said : " When the Irish land- owners and farmers memorialized for a stoppage of cattle- importation, they were told that there were insuperable dirticulties in the way of granting this request ; but when a deputation came over, after well besieging the Lord' liieutenant in Dublin, these insuperable difficulties were overcome, the importation of cattle into Ireland was pro- hibited, and the country had in consequence enjoyed com- plete immunity from the ravages of the disease." The Earl of W' inchilsea charged the Government, not simply with having done little or nothing: "he would go further, and say that in the little they had done they had transgressed the Act of 1848. Instead of acting simply upon the powers given them by that Act, they had told inspectors to go upon private property, and kill such cattle as they considered were infected. The Govern; ment had sent an inspector to demand entrance upon private property, and had told him to say that, if he were denied admission, he would break the door down. That, he contended, was nothing more nor less than burglary, and contrary to the law of the land. Unless he were very much mistaken, an action at law would be against THK FAKMEH'S MAGAZINE. Bid the inspector of the Queeu iu every case where a beast had been killed contrary to the will of the proprietor." How innocent of the ^Ministry io snpposc that people would stand such a mode of r[nclliug the plague ! If they had power to kill a man's cattle, they must surely have hud power to pay for tlic damage done; and, if neither power existed, why did they not call Parliament together and obtain what was wanted? "The disease," said Earl Winchilsca, " was most certainly imported, jnst as much at if it had come in a bundle of old clothes from Mecca; and, when it was known that the disease was raging in the steppes of Russia, llie Government shotild "at once have issued an order forbidding the dis- embarkation of cattle in this country, except at certain ports." But British statesmen seem always a liltlc too late with their remedies ; and, iu the cattle-plague case, they have unmistakably shut (no, been made to shnt) the stable door after the horse has been " collared" — and driven a terrible dance, too, throngh the length and breadth of this unlucky country. " His noble friend the Secretary of State for the War Department had certainly shown a spirit of liberality : he had issued a remarkable document anuouucing that, in consequence of the sufferings of the Yeomanry Cavalry, the Government would not press for the tax on horses. This tax would amount to about £60,000, he understood. If the noble lord had said that the Government pro- posed to advise her Majesty to give that £60,000 in the way of insurance money in consequence of having allowed that abominable disease to enter the country, then he would have been entirely w ith the Government. He was sure that the disease might have been stopped Avhere it commenced, if the Government had acted in accordance with the powers legally conferred upon them." IMy Lord, we think as you do ; and we do not despair yet, of obtaining suitable redress for the scurvy manner iu which we have been treated. The gems of the debate will amply prove our claim, and perhaps point out how we may get " relief" — ^without applying to the workhouse. Logic is a smart weapon in tongue-fence, and Earl Granville opened his speech on the Address (Feb. 6th) with a dexterous use of it : " The accusations made by the noble Duke against the Government are not consistent, and one or the other of them must necessarily be un- founded. He charges her Majesty's Government with having done nothing, and with having done worse than nothing ; and one of these charges, if established, must disprove the other." Very good ; then one of the charges remains standing — so take your choice. Earl Granville. Either you did "nothing," which was a shameful neg- lect of duty ; or else you did " worse than nothing," which was adding ignorant or wilful injury to our distress. But in the very outset of his apology for the Ministry, the Earl lets slip the true reason why " it would have been perfectly impossible for the Government to put a stop to the importation of foreign cattle, and the move- ment of cattle in the United Kingdom, at the commence- ment of July last." This is the secret: "The noble earl (Essex) behind me confesses that measures, which would be welcomed now, would not have been regarded with favour six mouths since." That is the idea. The Ministry don't do what the urgencies of a case demand, but what will be likely to be " regarded with favour." Why, what can the public at large know beforehand about such an unwelcome stranger as the Steppe-murrain ? The favour or disfavour of the public is utterly beside the ques- tion, because the public have no opportunity of forming an opinion on the subject until the mischief has gi-own too large to be easily remedied. The Government, calling in the advice of professional authorities, knew the deadly power of the poisou that was upon us ; and to say that this poison must not be cut out until the whole body politic feels the death throbbing in its veins, is a piece of reprehensible folly that we lack words to brand as it de- serves. " Dr. Jvyon I'layfair, in his pamphlet," says the Earl, " throws considerable blame on the Govemuncnt ; but he distinctly says that up to the time of the Ucport of the Commission [end of October], the action of the Go- vernment was decidedly in advance of public opinion ; and I think that there cannot possibly be a doubt as to the truth of that statement." There it is again — " in ad- vance of public opinion !" What has that to do with it ? Nobody says that you were always behind public opinion, though you certainly were when we fairly pulled that Act of Parliament out of you in February. The cry against you is, that you had all the information in your hands, the right men at your back, the only adequate means of pro- tection urged upon you, nay, even put in most successful practice before your eyes by other governments, and yet you persisted in energetically " leaving undone those things which you ought to have done, and doing those things which you ought not to have done, and there was no health in you." " In advance of public opinion !" then why did you not stay there ? for you miserably lagged behind all the deputations and meetings in the couutry, excepting perhaps before the Commissioners' report was out. " In advance of public opinion !" yes, but you see the Belgian Government stopped the plague ; and you didn't. The cattle of Great Britain were in danger, and you failed to deliver them when you might : that's all. We don't much mind whether or not you possessed the feeble credit of having thought of one or two things before everybody perceived them ; for what glory is there in either iuitiating measures that were of no use, or con- ceiving admirable measures that you never put in force ? Earl Granville, however, sticks to his excuse ; further on in his speech he says : " The charge that we lagged behind public opinion subsequent to the publication of the report may be true to a certain extent. But when public opinion was so divided upon the nature of the cattle plague and the manner of dealing with it, either by way of prevention or cure, it is not any strong accusation against the Government that they did not immediately act upon what was suggested by a certain portion of the public." F'ancy a lire-brigade waiting with their engines outside a flaming house in the middle of a row, and raising no fire- escape, playing up no extinguishing ^fi! (Veau, until the varying opinions of all the inmates of the row of tenements had finally coincided as to what were the most necessary steps of deliverance and repression to be flown to first ! " The Commission," says the Earl, " was not unanimous. There were three or four reports, each of them not only dif- ferent, but written with marked ability. It was, therefore, impossible for the Government to take action until the evidence upon which those reports were framed had been printed." So if we wish to daze and confuse all the ideas of a Whig Ministry, w^e have only to state our views to them " with marked ability :" let more than one opinion be put strongly, and, on their own confession, they are at sea in a moment, masts overboard, decks clean swept over all, and rudder lost. But that dreadful " public opinion" peeps out again here : Government dai-e not stir, because the Commissioners disagreed ; but when the evidence got "printed," Government would hear which of the reports was most palatable to the couutry — that is, a country foi: the most part deplorably ignorant of the very simplest facts relating to the nature and history of rinderpest. " The noble Duke said it was disgraceful that we should have failed in encountering the disease, when Prussia and France have succeeded. It is impossible to carry out here the rule which is so successful abroad. The central power is so paramount in France that a man cannot cut 320 THE FARMER* S MAGAZINE. down a wood on liis own estate without lirst coinniuni- cating with the INIiiiistcr of the Interior. In the same way in Prussia : if you are going down a hill in a light carriage you are obliged to put down the drag in a certain place and to take it up at another. That system may he regarded in that country as a very perfect one, but it would not be endured here for a day." Very well, then ; if it must be so, it must. But we are very sorry that our magnificent herds are all to perish, that our hus- bandry is to submit to something near a death-blow, and that, at least, many hundreds, jicrhaps thousands, of the j^rescnt tenantry must l)c totally mined, in order to pre- serve intact the glorious peculiarities of our revered routine administration. We have a clear recollection, however, that the cattle plague was effectually quashed in Belgium a few months ago ; and that the Government there is now armed with every power of treading it ont, as often as its pestilent head may re-appear. And the telegrams have not told ns yet that anything very dreadful has liappcned to the t^elgian Parliamentary, constitu- tional system of rule, or even that the " Liberal Ministry" there has fallen under the heels of a despotic Imperialism or been supplanted by a Cabinet of the arbitrary " reac- tion." " That Ihe notion of sending the bntdicr to the ox wouJd be most injurious, and would be most likely to propagate the disease, and to enable the farmer and butcher to palm off bad meat upon the public," Earl Granville takes, on the authority of a West Kidiug mag- nate ; but once more proposes to settle Government policy on the point by waiting the ^//V/« of "public opinion." " I don't know how far public opinion goes in reference to this matter, but the debates in Parliament will be the best test of it." They were ; and very soon decided for perambulatory butchers, in place of travelling cattle. " It has been said that, from the beginning, the Government should have enforced uniform action" ; and, sure enough, we now plainly see and severely feci the ruin that is paramount because they did not. "But why did they not ? A\ liy, the Ministry, having no mind of their own, adopted this course : "A circular was sent to the chairmen of quarter-sessions, on the 12th of October, asking them to give suggestions for the consideration of the Government, and in only two instances — those of Northumberland and Bedfordshire — was a uniform course dennmdcd ; the general rc(jucst being that the local authorities should have power to stop the removal of infected beasts and of manure." Now, will some of the economizing M.P.s caU the Ministry to account, for wasting the national stationery P Wherever was the use of writing letters to the magisterial authorities, when the Ministry must have been certain beforehand wliat the answers would be ? Any child could have told them that a " local authority" would be in favour of rctainiug its own power. Northumber- land and Bedford alone had the great faith to believe that a Ministry which could not conceive in October what the emergency required — Avhcn the Trench had already made their successful arrangements more than a month before — would do better by taking resiJonsibility upon itself, than by sMfting it on to other people's shoulders. It was rather a humiliating announcement with which Earl Granville closed his wonld-be-exculpatory speech : '"Another report is already agreed to by the* Commis- sioners, which will contain most valuable information, •but which wiU not oft'er any further suggestions as to the coui-se which should be taken by Government — I suppose in consequence of our not having attended to their pre- vious recommendations." That was exactly the case; everybody was disgusted with the vacillation and im- becility of the Ministry, and now they were snubbed by their own Roydl Commissioners. The Earl of Carnarvon did not believe a word of the ^liuisterial excuse. " The Government had three distinct courses of action, any one of which they might have adopted : When they became aware of the critical state of the case, they might ha\'e called Parliament together, and taken its opinion on the matter. Failing Parliament being called together, they might have acted under those powers which it was thought were of suflicient force to meet the emergency. And if they were not disposed to exercise their own responsibility, they should, in justice and pity to the country, have enabled the local bodies, to whom they had transferred their responsibility, to act for them. In neither of these points have the Government done their duty." As to the nonsense about our not having the advantage of a centralized administration, the Earl asked, " Was it necessary to have an autocratic Govern- ment in order to close the ports of Ireland ? AVas it ne- cessary to have an autocracy in order to keep the county of Aberdeenfree from disease ?" TheGovermnent'searliest Orders in Council resulted in no good whatever: so what did the Government do ? They " vested the powers henceforth in the hands of Petty Sessions! But, as every child might know, this immediately widened the difference of action throughout the country ; ,ind such was the con- fusion introduced, that it became impossible to know un- der what law the country was governed. But the Go- vernment began to iind out their mistake ; and they passed another Order, in which they rushed from one ex- treme to another — from the Petty Sessions to Quarter Sessions. This Order in Council was dated the 3rd of •Tannary. The Quarter Sessions met without exception on the 1st or 2nd of January; and consequently, though they might discuss, they could not pass resolutions ; and gentlemen, after attending the Quarter Sessions from dif- ferent parts, were obliged to separate without doing any- thing with respect to these resolutions. Was there no lawyer in any department of the Privy Council, or was the Home Secretary really ignorant of the facts, or was he really indifferent to the whole matter V" Lord Car- narvon spoke feelingly as well as truthfully : the whole of the Governmental legislation on the subject has been enough to set one's hair on end. " I must tell the Government," he adds, " what the people in the coun- try say of them. Ilie people say that the ^Ministers feared the responsibility which attached to their offices ; they feared that if they acted properly, clamour might arise in the great towns, and they dreaded the resentment of the consumers more than they cared for the sacrifices of the producers. I do not wish to judge the Govern- ment harshly, but it is clear that they were exceedingly ignorant ; and I now entreat them to make up their minds, and to bring forward a measm*e commensurate with this evil." Earl Grey declared his opinion that, since the publica- tion of the Commissioners' Report, the conduct of the Government had not been " so decided as it ought to be, nor do they appear to me to have been sufficiently alive to the great importance of the crisis. The breeding of cattle has, since the repeal of the corn laws, been the great resource of the agricultural classes ; and the de- struction of their produce by such a scourge as the cattle plague might occasion a loss which it would take half a century to repair. Knowing this, and knowing, too, how every attempt to cure the disease had failed in other countries, and how successful had been measures of prevention, they were, I contend, bound to take steps of a more stringent character ; and that they properly dis- charged their duty in leaving matters to the local au- thorities, I, for one, utterly deny. A Government in a free country can, no doubt, only act with the support of public opinion ; but I say that public opinion requires to be led by those who are entitled to guide and direct it, and that direction should come from above, not from .be- THE FAEMBR'S MAGAZINE. 321 low. Euglishmcu, aud, iudcctl, all nations wlilch are lit for freedom, arc ever disposed to follow the liiiidauec of their authorized leaders, when they see them aet with vigour and sagaeitv : and it is wlieu these (jualities are wautinc; in its leaders that a country is dissntislicd.^ Nay more. I say that no (tovernment is more likely to lose the eoufidcnce and support of a people, tlum one wliieh seeks to evade or to sliift from itself responsihility. For mypart, I thiuk too highly of the Euglish nation not to helieve that they would be prepared to support tlieir Governmcut, if it exhibited promptitude and euergy in a great emergency." No doubt about it. If the imports of live cattle had been slopped at once, and fairs and mar- kets prolribited, and slaughter with eompeusatiou in- stantly put in force, there would liave been an outcry just at first; but the remedy would have accomplished its purpose in so brief a time, that nobody would have re- ceived much hnrt ; and, when the reason for all the in- convenience became generally known, the bells would have rung jocund peals iu every town and village for joy that our splendid herds were safe. " But," asks Earl Grey, " if ller Majesty's ministers were not willing to do that, how can they defend their not having called Parlia- ment together sooner? During the winter months the movement of cattle from one place to another might have been entirely suspended, without inflicting any permanent injury or heavy loss upon the country ; and I believe that if Parliament had been called together early in November, aud if the Government had explained to Parliament, aud through Parliament to the couutry, \vhat the urgent necessities of the ease demanded should be done, both Parliament and the country would have sup- ported them in adopting such stringent measures as by this time might have checked this fatal scourge." These are words of the soundest wisdom; and every one must be now aware that public opinion was slow in the matter, just Ibr want of such an authoritative explanation of the terrible realities of our danger. But fancy the Ministry coming forward with such infonnation for the country ! Earl Grey must be joking. The INIinistry were profoundly and culpably ignorant of the gi'avity of the situation ; and how could they be expected to en- lighten aud alarm Parliament and the nation? "We should have obtained from them no semblance of help if we had not persistently stirred them up to do something ; aud, of course, the winter has slipped away, the grazing season is all but here, and our cattle are not saved. But Earl Grey brings home to the Government the doubly disastrous consequences of their inaction. "By not summoning Parliament it is not that they have done nothing: they have done a great deal ; for they have de- prived tlie country of the means of enforcing those regu- latious which 1 believe in Northumberland — I cannot so well speak for other counties — almost every man was of opinion ought to have been adopted. Iu a county situated like Aberdeenshii'C, which is not very populous, voluntary action and association in this matter may be possible ; but none of your lordships who are acquainted with our English counties will believe that such a system would be practical in them. Certainly it woidd not be practical to the same extent ther& as in Aberdeenshire. For these reasons I must say I think Her 5Iajesty's Government are liable to most severe censure for the course they have pursued." It is true : Government undertook our defence ; the ruin of our cattle husbandry, now accomplishing, lies at their door. Put upon your defence, and knowing not only that you have grossly committed yourself, but that you have broken that fatal commandment, " Thou shalt not be found out," it is a grand thing to have a good stock of " cheek." His Grace of Argyll is blest in this way. " The main charge against the Government," he said, in the deljale on tlie Address, "is that they have not ado])ted a uniform treatment for the whole of the country. But I would urge upou noble lords who have supported the amendment that they ought at least to be at one among themselves respecting the course which the Govern- ment should Iiave adopted. As far as I can make out, each one advocates a different course of action." That is, the Government goes a wrong way to work in a dozen dilfereut directions ; a dozen objectors rise up, and expose each man his grievance ; whereupon, answers the Govern- ment, " Gentlemen, yon are not uniform in your com- plaints." But they are uniform in complaining ; aud that is the main point. The Duke of Argyll seems to keep his eye, as Earl Granville does, on the " public opinion" barometer. "With reference to killing instead of curing, it was the opinion of a majority of the people of this country, vmtil very recently, that the disease might be em'cd by vaccination. Still Government at a very early period gave power to inspectors to slaughter all infected animals, which was a vei-y near approach to uniformity of action. How was that measure received by the country ? Why, I have no hesitation in saying that it was received in many parts of Scotland and England with positive indignation. That was the way in which any approach to uniformity of action had been received. It was clear, therefore, that at that time the action of the Government was far ahead of the opinion of the public ; as the latter were not aware of the extreme danger to be apprehended from the disease." Is it credible that we were expected to stand an arbitrary destruction of our property at the will of any inspector, when we did not know that the disease was so deadly, when we did not know (as the Government did), that slaughter of units might probably secure hundreds and thousands ? If only full compensation had accompanied the swinging of the pole-axe or the firing of the gun, as it does iu countries where the slaughter system is effectual, where would have been the "positive indignation"? But how the Duke condemns him«elf and his govern- ment ! He owns that the 3Iinistry did know the extreme peril in which our herds were placed ; and yet, because of the indignation of a public not then equally informed of the danger, they desisted from the measure which they knew to l)e indispensable. Of course they ought to have persevered with thq slaughtering system, which has (pro- bably too late) now become legal, and should have made it palatable to the said indignant public by paying for all injui-y done. A majority of the Royal Commissiouers re- commended the entire prohibition of removal of cattle. Thereupon, says the Duke, " the Government deliberated very seriously upon this matter : a great many gentlemen from the country were examined, and the matter was care- fully discussed at the three or four meetings of the Council; and, all things considered, we came to the conclusion that the minority of the committee, who did not agree in this recommendation, were in the right that such a step at that time would not have been tolerated by piiblic opinion." Here it is again — this everlasting dread of doing somctluug unpopular. "Why the most popular thing in the kingdom would have been anything that stopped the spread of the contagion. Sometimes a hospital surgeon knows that amputation is necessary, though the patient as yet feels in no danger of his life ; bixt, ^f the man is to be saved, it will not do to waive the operation because in the opinion of the patient aud his friends the loss of a limb is decidedly unpopular. Go- vernment decided that even if stoppage of all cattle traffic were desirable, it "had not the machinery for carrying it out." But you had ; for now you actually are carrying it out. Only give you time, aud you will act in every way that is necessary ; though, unfortunately, it is 822 THE FAEMEE"S MAGAZINE. just this " time " that makes all the dilfcrence between maufiilly confronting and seizing the enemy, and uselessly running alter him when you can but view his murderous felling of his victims. Another revelation of tlie noble Duke is most damaging to the reputation of his Govcrn- }ncnt. Even that rccommeiulation of the majority of tlie Commissioners, which the Government were afraid of as too strong for the public to stand, stopped short of what was really required for the emergency. And the Ministry knew it, just as we all know it now. " A distinguished member of that majority informed the Government that, althougli he had concurred in the re- commendation of the uiajority, yet he was bound to warn the Government that the mere stopping of the traffic would not be clfcctual of itself; that a mere localization of the cattle would not stamp out the disease unless every homestead were visited, all inl'ectcQ cattle were destroyed, and every cattle-shed was carefully cleansed and ventilated ; as otherwise, when the farmers commenced to turn their cattle out a few months after, the plague would break out again with equal violence." The Duke of Argyll, like other mem- bers of the Government, seems inclined to let the plague have its swing rather than touch the meat trade and get a scolding from the big towns. " Noble lords can have little appreciation of the difficulties with which the Go- vernment have had to deal. It is no light matter for the Government to interfere with tlie feeding of millions of the people. It is a vast organic system. It is not the Government that feeds the people, but the people who feed themselves ; and you never know the etfect that may be produced by shutting one single avenue of trade. Ali-eady it is very much to be feared that considerable injury has been done to the tanning and leather trade." Yes, and a thousand times more injury will be done, if the disease only eontinu2 to make head. You were afraid to administer medicine, because the elfeets would have been unpleasant ; and if a weaker and more contemptible policy than this has ever disgraced men who had the pro- perty and well-being of a nation in trust, we are not at present aware of the historic circumstance. The Earl of Derby put the right words in the right place, when he declared that " there was a universal chorus of voices from both sides of the House, complain- ing tliat the course pursued by the Government with regard to the cattle plague was \acillating and unsatisfactory ; that they were from first to last insensible of the magni- tude of the evil; that they lagged behind tlic exigencies of the case ; that they were endeavouring to see, before acting, how far public opinion would go along with them ; and that they were throughout sliirking the responsibility which belongs to the executive Government, and seeking to throw it on the shoulders of other persons, thus producing no uniformity of proceeding, but, on the con- trary, every variety of system." In the House of Commons, Lord Y. Cavendish, in proposing the Address, dealt out a healing balm for the wounds of the afflicted agriculturists. " The sympathy of Her Majesty, which had been so well expressed in the Address [query ' speech?'], must prove a strong comfort to all who suffered severely from the disease." Thanks, we do feel it so. A yard full of pedigree shorthorn cows may melt away in a month ; wc shall not live to possess such another result of our life-long breeding ; but never mind, that blessed " Speech from the Throne" makes amends for all ! Eor plain speaking of practical truths, and a complete sitting of the Government chatf, commend us to the speech of Mr. Banks Stanhope, who modestly opened by saying that "he owed an apology to the House for taking up a position which his standing did not perfectly warrant. lu the earlier stages of the outbreak the Go- vernment had committed blunders that were most inex- cusable. In August, the tirst of the endless scries of Orders came out, and appointed inspectors for whose payment no provision whatever was made; and no power of any sort was given to magistrates to stop the passage of any infected animal from one part of the I'nited King- dom to another. About that time there happened to be a great cattle-fair in Lincolnshire ; and the bench of ma- gistrates with which he was connected consulted their law-advisers as to the best means of stopping infected beasts from coming in. He told them that neither ac- cording to law nor under the Orders of the Privy Council liad they any security in doing what they con- templated. So they determined to act contrary to law, and gave directions to the police to stop all animals hav- ing the appearance of infection, and to take them to a place provided for the purpose. In that ease, supposing the magistrate had chosen to obey the law rather than to disregard it, what would have been the consequence of allowing diseased animals to circulate freely ? In Sep- tember there was a great fair at Barnet. After it had been held, and after it had become obvious, in spite of the inspectors' reports, that from that fair the disease spread through the whole of England, what steps did the Government take ? They issued another Order, giving a pci'inissive power to those who wished to do so to stop fairs and markets. The system of permissive legislation seemed to him entirely erroneous. If a thing were right, encourage it ; if wrong, forbid it. But the Government had no right to bring magistrates into collision with their neighbours — to render a bench of magistrates wHeh did its duty unpopular, while another, which pandered to local prejudices aud foUies, was petted and praised. If fairs and markets were not sources of danger, no person ougiit to be allowed to disturb the trade of the country by stopping them : if, on the other hand, they were sources of danger, they were equally dangerous, in whatever part of the country; aud no magistrate or mayor should have power to allow them to be held, and spread destruction over the land. If he went to Northampton, and asked persons there how they got the disease among them, the answer was, ' Simply and solely because the Government, in spite of warnings, allowed beasts to leave the Metro- politan ^larket and travel to the country.' One county had imported it from the next ; and so the matter went on. The losses that had occurred in Lincolnshire were due to cattle imported from Yorkshire. Six beasts were brought into the county ; six persons were found foolish enongli to buy theni; and thousands of pounds had been lost through those cattle A great deal had been said throughout the country with respect to hides and town manure. As to town manure, if they allowed it to go to the South of England, the great probability was that, even should the disease be stamped out for the present, it would be spread over every part of England in the course of next summer. If the Government had forbidden hides and manure to be carried about in the month of January, he presumed it was in the belief that their being carried .about was dangerous in that month. If it was danger- ous in winter, why was it that it had not been thought dangerous in September and October?" Kight, Mr. Stanhope ; your logic is unanswerable, aud the Govern- ment have no shadow of an excuse in this matter, because they did know in September as much about the danger- ousness of hides in manure as they knew in January, when they at last issued an Order to regulate traffic in these vehicles of contagion. The only conclusion must be that the ^Ministry were either unconcerned as to what might happen, or else too lazy to do what they knew to be requisite. What they should have done, and what they knew they should have done, was this : " They ought to have issued compulsory instead of permissive THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. 323 orders. They ought to have stopped every market and fair ill the mouth of September." Of course, if Mr. Baaks Stauhope and his brother-justices could see the necessity for this step, the reasons must have beeu equally patent to the weli-iuformed members of the Uabiuet. " They ought to have stopped all railway tratiic in live cattle; and they ought to have slaughtered every imported auimal at the port of entry. Though he was not in a position which could give any unusual weight to his words, the House would, he hoped, allow him to state i what, ill his oiiiniou, ought to be done, and what, indeed, : must be doue." Mv. -Stanhope urged the immediate pro- j hibition of all traffic in live cattle, aii-d the seaport i butchering of foreign beast.s. " He would compare the conduct of Her Majesty's Goverument to that of a great j philosopher — Sir IsaacNewton he believed it was — who i made a large hole for the cat and a small one for the kitten. They had obstructed trade iu every county by j the regulations which had been laid down, while, at the j same time, they allowed the Great iNorthern, the Man- i Chester and Shettield, and other railways, to carry fi'om ] all parts cattle which might or might not be infected. — '■ Every person possessing cattle afflicted with the disease should have them slaughtered compulsorily; and any one ■ having healthy animals in close proximity to others which were diseased, should be compelled to sell the healthy ones, and receive the price they fetched, together with so much more as would amount to two-thirds their vakiB." The taunting hint thrown out that the spread of the plague might have been stopped if all counties had done as Aberdeen did, is met in this Avay : " Why not copy the example of Aberdeen ? Tor this reason : In most cases anything voluntary was simply spoliation ; and the more a willing man gave, the more he saved the pocket of his stingy neighbour." Mr. Banks Stanhope's speech, brieHy as it was cm-tailed in some of the newspapers, stands prominent in the debate for its sound sense, its entire comprehension of the greatness of the emergency, and its niaidy and eloquent appeal to the house. In v.-ords of solemn warning he said : "The longer they delayed their measures, the longer those measm'es must remain in operation. If they postponed those measures until April, they would not stop the plague this year ; and if they did not stamp cut the disease before July, they woidd not put a stop to it by 1869. In the light of the pest, the very idea of the future appalled him ; and, therefore, htmible as he was, he would not willingly sub- mit to the humiliation of a wilfully weak, vacillating, do- nothing policy." Mr. Dent " concurred in the belief that much of the -most valuable time had been lost, and that the disease had made such inroads that those brought into contact with it were perplexed to know how to stop it." He could not pardon the Government for not taking action upon the report of the Commissioners ; they might, at any rate, " have boldly carried out the recommendation of the minority of the Commission, especially when they were urged in December, by deputations representing the lloyal Agricultiu-al Society, the larmers' Club, and the Smith- held Club, and through them the bulk of agriculturists in the country, above all things to secure general action throughout the country, so that the matter should not be left to local authorities of different opinions." He ad- vocated slaughtering, with compensation supplied from a county rate. " What the farmers complained of was, that there was one Order in one district, and another in another, and that they were fairly pmzzled to know what to do. In the ' West-riding,' besides the Quarter Ses- sions, there were ten corporate towns ; and the Leeds Jlercuri/ contained an advertisement relating to Wakefield to the effect that every facility would be given for the re- jnoval of cattle and sheep." That the Ministry have been utterly without show of apology for their quietly letting-in the rinderpest to do its worst in a land of cattle like England, was shown by Lord Robert Montagu. " It should be ]-emembered that the attack of the disease was not so sudden as that the Home-ottice could have been so destitute of all knowledge of it as not to have seen the necc.-sity of taking measures of prevention. It should be recollected that it was generally known in this country that the cattle plague extended itself always from Russia iu the direction of those countries with which it had com- municatiou. It was soon known — assoon as trade was opened with Russia — that the disease was invited to the shores of Eugland." Profes-or Simonds was sent abroad to study the nature of the disease; and "the Govern- ment of that day (on the 7th of April, 1857), when Par- liament Avas not sitting, passed an Order in Council to prevent the intvoduction of the rinderpest to this country." He thus described the course taken by the present Go- vernment : " On the 10th of June, Professor Simonds went to the Home-office, and informed the Home Secretary of the danger to be aj^prehended from the disease, and urged and implored him to lose no time in taking mea- sures of precaution, as the danger was so imminent." Now we know what promptitude the Preneh Minister dis- played upon being appealed to by his official " Vet. ;" but what did our Home Secretary do V "He took a fort- night to consider ; and, after that fortnight had elapsed, he produced the Order in Council of the 24th of June." Y/as that Order to prohibit at once the traffic of live cattle, imported or otherwise? No. It "was confined to the area of the metropolis, but on the 11th of August was extended to the whole of Eugland, and afterwards to Scotland." The com-se the Government adopted was " to make it the interest of people to hide the fact of the disease, and not only that, but to sow the disease broad- cast over the whole land. That was the effect of the Order. Inspectors were appointed ; and these very in- spectors received a benefit when the beasts were killed, which the farmer did not. The consequence was that the farmers, instead of informing the inspector, sent their cattle away as soon as they could ; and, having brought them to where they obtained the full price, the Metro- politan Cattle Market became the focus of disease very rapidly. The Government sent the inspector to the farmyards where the disease was ; and the inspector, dab- bling with the diseased animals, brought the disease away with him. So that this Order in Council, and the ap- pointment of the inspectors, spread the evU." " The Home Secretary said that the people were not prepared for more stringent measm-es ; that they were not yet con- scious of their danger ; that there was no panic. But was that an argument ? Why, it was for the Govern- ment to inform the people, and to act in spite of them, if necessary." " A metropolitan committee went to the Home Secretary, and asked him to take some steps; and he said in reply, 'We are thinking of issuing a Commission, and we shall do so presently.' Well, a Commission was issued ; and when they reported, the Government did not pay any attention to the report ; they did not even pretend to act upon it. In November and December when the Deputations waited upon the Home Secretai-y ; and what was his answer ? It was, 'Wait and see whether rthe disease may become more general.' Eut the very thing that was complained of was this waiting, this hesitation, this dread of re- sponsibility. Why, 4,000 beasts were then dying per week !" " The loss now was nearly 12,000 per week. But per- haps honoui'able gentlemen could hardly picture to them- selves what that really meant. When coming down tg 324 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, the House he was iuforined by a Ijutcher, of whom he had inquired, that, after inakiug allowance for hide and offal, there would reuiaiu about 6401bs. of good meat in a beast of the average size ; and j\Ir. Lucas, who supplied the dinners for that House, told him that 6401bs. would make dinners for 800 gentlemen. "Well, nudtiply that bv 12,000, and the sum total was no less than 9,000,000 diuuers. Let it be remembered that all this loss was not occasioned by the l^ult of the farmer, and not even by the judgment of Heaven, but by the apathy and want of decision of the Home Office." "Then came the Order iu Council of December 16th. But that merely changed ' Petty Sessions' into ' Quarter Sessions,' and did not interfere with the railway traffic in cattle, with the landing of cattle on shore, nor with the jurisdiction of boroughs within counties. Boroughs might have cattle sent into them, and might lodge them, and thus spread the disease. And a man might drive his cattle tlu'ough a county, and there was no power to stop the cattle. All that could be done was to simimon the man ; but when the day for hearing the case came round, he might be sixty iniles away. Everything was done too late by the Home Office, and it was done ia such a man-- ner that it was certain to be inoperative." L A. C. CATTLE-PLAGUE LAW. The enforcement of the new law for " stamping out " tlie cattle plague is attended with many difficulties and great dissatisfaction — so much so, that resistance is openly offered to the local authorities and their officers. And truly it is a mortifying thing to find, Avhen your back is turned, that an inspector and valuer have- entered your yard, and, without your leave or licence, have proceeded to shoot down your cattle and order them immediate burial. It was only yesterday (^lareh 8) that 1 was sub- jected to this sunmiary dealing; and my neighbour under- went the same treatment this morning, winch so vexed and excited him, that he directed the inspector and valuer to quit his premises and leave the disposal of his infected cattle to himself. Of course, according to the new law, he is wr'ong. The inspector and valuer appointed by the local authority have full powers to do this. The only reservation (if such it is) is that the inspector may be compelled to state in writing on what ground he presumes to enter upon a farm, or a yard or held. AVhen once in, and the rattle plague is displayed before him, he is bound by the law, under the direction of the local authority, to cause the immediate destruction of every animal infected. The valuer under the local authority is also authorised and bound to do likewise, and also to sec that all are biu-ied according to law. In respect to the healthy animals, which may have associated with the infected ones, these officers, with the sanction of the local au- thority, or any two of them (one of whom must be a magistrate), may cause the slaughter of the Avhole herd, and their certificate of death Avill entitle the owner to three-fourths of their value in compensation. The owner may have the option of their disposal on his own account, or leave it to these officers, who are expected to make the best of them on behalf of the local authority, who have both the interests of owner and ratepayer to look to. The local authorities of every district have to arrange as they best can how most cftcctually to carry out the new law. In this district the whole bench of magistrates met. They proceeded to nominate more inspectors, and to appoint valuers of repute ; and to these officers they committed the Avorking out, under their superintendence, the various requirements of the new law. They also selected a small numl)er of ratepayers to assist them, who, together with themselves, form the local authority. They have made aiul adopted a series of rules for their local management, the* chief of which I have already alluded to. They have weekly meetings — oftener if re- quired ; have their own clerk, and their own officers. The valuers receive 10s. per day, and 'Ss. 6d. per head "and 9d. per mile out," as iWs. These valuers must sec to the interment of destroyed animals, and may em- ploy men for that purpose at 49. per grave. Indeed, I presume that there is no obligation on the part of the owner to bury (he animals thus destroyed. The 18th clause in the new Bill gives the local authority power to do it ; but 1 don't read that they can compel the owner to do it for them. Of com'se it is by far the best way for the owner to do it, as being upon the spot ; and it is also his best policy, as it may give him the benefit of any doul)t arising as to compensation, and any favoiu-able con- sideration of any error he may commit in carrying out the law ; for, as it is, few read it, or, if they do, they fail to understand it, either truly or wilfully. Besides, the owner ought to consider that the local authority have such ab- solute power intrusted to them as few authorities have ever possessed — inasmuch that they can order the de- struction of every healthy animal after it has becu in contact with an infected one, and direct the disin- fection of yards, sheds, stables, fields, &c., &c., to an unlimited extent. I have no fear that any local authority will overstep their strict line of duty, however obstinate and unmanageable any owner may be ; but I do say that every owner ought to aid the local authoidty, to the best of his ability, to stop the ravages, and, if possi- ble, " stamp oiTt" this awful disease, although it maybe iuimical to his present interests. The local authority de- legates its powers to the Government inspector, who asso- ciates with himself a duly appointed valuer. These two officials, acting under the orders of the local authority, have actually to carry out on their behalf the clauses 12, 13, and 14 of the Bill — /. it pfrtieularl.v 'he bHlbo or cloves, have a pungent offensive odour and an acrimonious biting taste, properties with which most people are familiar. These properties depend on volatile oil, which can be obtained separate by distillation." " Simple coction with wafer renders garlic mild and inert." " Tiie acrid principle is obtained also by expression ; and it is in a less degree extracted by water, by alcoiiol, and by acetic acid ; it is destroyed by decoction in water," /. e., garlic when boiled loses its pungent and active properties. The leek is found growing wild iu Switzerland. It is better known as a pot-lierb and salad than as an article of materia medira. Its medicinal properties, uses, and qualities are similar to those of garlic, only weaker and less powerful. But as salad food for cattle its cultivation has nevertheless many things to commend it to attention. Some large onions are not so pungent and strong as the smaller varieties commonly grown in this country ; so that, generally speaking, their medicinal power approaches that of garlic according to their pungency &c., properties which in practice are easily tested. Used as salads the above alliaceous bulbs " are considered useful stimulants for seasoning the food of phlegmatic people, or those whose circulation is languid and secretions are iiitere rupted," more especially food of a cold, insipid, and unwhole- some character ; " but witli those subject to inflammatory complaints, or where great irritation prevails, these roots in their acrid state may prove hurtful." Used as salads, Evelyn thus writes of them in his " Acetarle (we quote verbatim his peculiar style) : " Garlic, aUinni : Dry towards excess ; and though both by Spaniards and Italians : and the more southern people familiarly eaten with almost everything, and esteemed of such singular virtue to help concoction [digestion], and thought a charm against all infection and poison (by which it hns obtained the name of the Counirymans Theriacle), we yet think it more proper for our northern rustics, especially living in uliginous and moist places, or such as use the sea ; whilst we absolutely forbid it entrance into our sallading l)y reason of its intolerable rankness, and which made it so detested of old that the eating of it was (as we read) part of the punishment for such as had com- mitted the horridest crimes. To be sure, 'tis not fit for ladies' palates, nor those who court them, farther than to permit a light touch of the dish with a clove thereof, much better sup- plied by the gentler Rocoiubole" i. e.,the AUiiun scorodoprasma of Liunicus, whose cloves are used for pickles and high -seasoned dishes. Speaking of leeks and onions, Evelyn says they are " cognate" to garlic, and more largely used as salads by the labouring population of most countries in Europe and Asia. In Egypt, the onion was at one time deified; and entered so largely into the dietary of the work-people, that, according to Herodotus, nine tons o f gold were spent in supplying the work- men with onions while building the Pyramids. That they weie largely used and highly relished by the Israelites during their long period of slavery in brick-making, kc, is manifest from the complaint which they made in the wilderness ; or iu the language of Evelyn, " they were ready to return to slavery and brick-raaking for the love of them." The preceding ohservations have reference chiefly to the cultivated kinds of alliaceous plants now grown in this coun- try ; but besides them various wild species are to be found, which are only recognised by farmers as weeds. Thus we have ramsons, field garlic, crow garlic, and some other garlics, well known to most stock-owners for the manner they taint the milk of cows, as also for the strong alliaceous odour they emit when trampled upon in the pastures. We aver they are stronger and more powerful iu their medicinal properties than the cultivated kinds, and the fact that they are eaten by cattle in their natural grazings shows that no great diflicnlty will be experienced in any of this family of plants when properly mixed iu their artificial foods. How far the growth of these wild alliaceous plants may be profitably ex- tended, to meet the emersfency of the occasion, is a practical question) which gives? rise to other? of a kindred character) A A 332 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. and therefore we canuot enter upon its discussion at present. Our object iu turuinpr attention to this division of our subject as above, is chiefly to show that aUiaceous plants are eaten by cattle, and that herds unaccustomed to them, although they may refuse feeding materials when seasoned with them at first, will nevertheless be easily taught to eat such with a relish, as they do other sorts of savoury food, as chaff mixed with grain, oilcake, malt-dust, malt, &c. The practical reader who has been able to follow the drift of these extracts will perceive that to give garlic, leeks, and onions to his cattle when iu a state of health, to prevent con- tagion and disease, is one practice, and that to give them to his diseased stock is a different practice ; also, that in both cases they must be used fresh, or when newly bruised or pulped, in order to preserve the potency of their medicinal elements unimpaired, owing to their volatile and fermentative character. For healthy cattle, to ward off contagion, the more economical plan will be to bruise the newly-sliced or pulped roots in straw or hay, ground with meal or any otlier food when about to be given ; and if this is properly done, the per- centage of alliaceous roots, we aver, will not require to be great, so that the extra expense will not be much. In point of fact, experience may one day prove that by such seasoning of the food of cattle a considerable profit may be derived, as compared with the present system. On the other baud, for diseased cattle, to effect a cure, the newly-pulped roots will re- quire to be mixed in gruel or some kind of liquid food, as pro- posed by Mr. Worms ; the whole of the mixture to be used immediately, in order to avoid loss from the escape of volatile elements and from ch.cmical change, which rapidly takes place. We are apprehensive justice is not being done to Mr. Worms' cure in this respect ; but we are not in possession of all the facts of the case necessary to enable us to pronounce practically in the matter. We ourselves are rather partial to the flavour- ing stimulus of the onion, and those of our readers who are in the habit of utilising along with their cold meat or bread-and- butter the thinnings of their onion beds in the summer time, will experience little difficulty in conferring upon their cattle the dietetic advantages of the theory which they themselves thus practise. Ginger, the next article in Mr. Worms' Indian remedy is a powerful stimulant, carminative and sialogogue. Much de- pends upon its quality, which is very varied. When finely ground, it soon loses its active properties. Much of what is got from the shops is almost worthless in a medicinal sense ; and as the proportion used is large, it should be got fresh ground, and of good qiuility, iu order that its action along with the other articles in the recipe may l)e effective ; for it probably plays a very important part in the stomach and bowels as weU as in the general circulation, by arousing into action the whole of the excretory functions, thereby clearing the system of stagnant noxious matter. Along with the alliaceous roots, it also conjointly exercises antiseptic properties, &c. How far ginger may be supplanted by cayenne pepper is a question we shall not attempt to solve. Suffice it to say that, according to reports in the Times, the latter has been success- fully used in several cases of rinderpest. Dr. Adair found it useful iu cachexia Africana in man ; and Dr. Wright, in a species of cynanche maligna, and some lethargic affections, which are suggestive as to its potency in the case of cattle plague. Asafoetida is the next ingredient that calls for notice. It is a gum procured from a species of ferula grown in Persia, and is brought to this country packed iu cases, mats, and casks. The best quality is said to be clear, and of a pale red- dish colour, containing many white tears, and having the odour very strong. It is a drug that is very liable to lose its active properties from long keeping or mismanagement of any kind. Besides yielding gum, the plant is highly prized as food for both man and beast. PHny even complains that the far- mers of Persia value the plant so highly for their cattle that the gum it yields cannot be obtained in quantity to supply the demand for the drug in his time. He further adds, " We may know when cattle meet with young shoots of it by tlie sleep- ing of the sheep when they have eaten it, and the sneezing of the goats." "Its taste" (quoting Pereira) " is acrid and bitter, and its odour strong, alliaceous, and peculiar, to most persons being remarkably disagreeable, whence the Germans liave denomi- i'f\tedft«afo;tid.a,teufeh*ireckjor stmus aiabolaj i, e. in plaiu English ' derirs dmuj? However, this dislike to asafoetida is not universal, some of the Asiatics being exceedingly fond of it, taking it witli their food as a condiment, or using it to flavour their sauces, or even eating it alone. Hence among some of the old writers we find it denominated ' cihus deorunH (food of the gods). Captain M. Kinnier tells us that in Persia the leaves ot the plant (ferula asafoetida) are eaten like com- mon greens, as is the root when roasted ; and Lieutenant Burnes, speaking of asafoetida, says, ' In its fresh state it has the same abominable smell, yet our fellow-travellers greedily devour it.' But the fondness for this substance is not con- fined to the Asiatics, for I am assured by an experienced gas- tronome that the finest relish which a beef-steak can possess may be communicated by rubbing the gridiron on which it is to be cooked with asafoi'tida." The following is a chemical analysis of this gum by Brande : Resin 4.8.85 Gum, with traces of saline matter ... 19.40 Bassorin ... ... ... ... 6.40 Volatile oil 4.60 Extractive with saline matters ... 1.40 Sulphate and carbonate of lime ... 9.70 Oxide of iron and duraina ... ... 0.40 Sand and liguin 4.B0 Water 6.00 101.35 " Medical Trojieiiies and Uses. — This gum is an excitant, anti-spasmodic, expectorant, emmenagogue, and anthelmintic. It is more efficacious than any of the other foetid gums, pro- ducing its effects in a shorter space of time." " We are in- formed that in India it is a successful native specific for the Guinea worm" (Thomson). " It is most commonly employed in hysteria, hypochondriasis, some symptoms of dyspepsia, flatulent colics, and in most of those diseases termed nervous ; but its chief use is derived from its antispasmodic effects ; and it is thought to be the most powerful remedy we possess for those peculiar convulsive spasmodic aft'ections which often occur in the first of these diseases, both taken into the stomach and in the way of an enema" (Hooper's Medical Diction- ary). What medical virtue is there in rice-water? " The Indians eat stewed rice with good success against the bloody flux ; and in most inflammatory disorders they cure themselves with only a decoction of it" (ibid). Such is the analysis we proposed giving of Mr. Worms' Indian cure for rinderpest. Our object is rather to point out the direction which its use practically indicates, than to sub- scribe to it as a perfect specific for cattle plague. It will readily be seen that the materials of which it is compounded have much that is common in character, and that they are in- dividually powerful in tlieir action. It is also worthy of special observation that they are all used as food for both man and beast, not only of r health-preserving character, but also as antidotal to poisonous matter. In the language of Evelyn, they may all be ranked with garlic, as fomiing the " Country- man's Theriacle," and if they should prove equally efficacious when used by cattle, the conclusion in their favour is manifest, at least for curative purposes. As a preventive, the strong alailceous odour which they possess will no doubt Ije objected to, when given to fattening cattle and milch cows, as this rank odour is communicated to the meat of the former and the milk of the latter. This, however, is rather a ques- tion of taste than nourishment and health, for the meat and milk of cattle whose food is seasoned with alliaceous plants may be more nourishing and healthy than the meat and milk of those fed on oilcake and such like. It were difllcult, there- fore, to say how fi\r common-sense and the force of future habit by use may eventually toss to tlie winds the objection at issue. Certain it is that our fattening beeves and milch cows want something to make their meat and milk more wholesome than they now are : whetlier that something may be garlic, leeks, onions, and asafoetida or not. Time will eventually deduce his own conclusion from the premises at issue. Of the prophylactic potency andcurativepowersofcommonsalt, of hj'posulphite of soda,of sulphur,chloroform, and of chalybeate water, the remaining space at our command will not allow us to say much. Indeed, practically speaking, much does not re- quire to be said about the medicinal properties of ftny of them^ THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 332 as such must he familiar to most readers and owners of stock. Although the use of common salt is universally ackno\Yledged by farmers, the practice is nevertheless sadly neglected ; and even where attended to, it is carried out in the most barbarous and objectionable manner imaginable ! Because wild cattle, for example, go a hundred miles to salt-licks, is that tlie philosophy in\ olved which the poor brutes are thus rcduciug to practice ? and can the English farmer see no further before him tlmn tluis to tread blindfoldly in tlie footsteps of the brute creation ? If the food consimied by his cattle for instance is deficient of a certain percentage of common salt, ought not tliat percentage to be added by the farmer to the food thus deficient, in order to prevent disease ? To this an affirmative answer must unquestionably be given ; for the ox is only led to the sah-lick by instinct wlien his body gets into a state of disease, and such we fear is the case with the artificial salt-licks of tile tanner. And what we have tlius said of common salt is equally applicalile to the use of sulphur and iron as the means of preserving liealth ; and to preserve health is always the more important view of medicine of any kind to the far- mer; and in this sense sulphur and iron should always be given, if possible, in a combined and available vegetable form. If this cannot be done, snlphiuous and chalybeate waters in the form of drink to cattle, or their dry food, as luiy saturated with such, is perhaps the next best practice to pursue. But, wlien the animal is lal)Ouring under disease, more active medi- cine may be uecesssary, more especially if the system is found deficient of sulphur and iron ; so that the pathological state of the patient must indicate the nature of the prescription. And besides this view of the matter, common salt, sulphur, aud iron may be exliilnled for other purposes than to supply deficiencies of these elementary substances worked up in the economy of the system ; and such may be the curative func- tion they jjerform when exhibited in rinderpest. THE KENTISH AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS. By way of illustration let us put a home ease. Let us assume that the head of the family has of late had serious diffieulties to encounter, which no provision of his own would have enabled him to guard agaiust. Let us picture him as suft'ering heavy losses in all ways, his spirits depressed, his business paralyzed, aud the terrible demon of disease still hovering about his household. Surely at such a time, of all others, a man looks aud longs for the sympathy of those about him, whether these be his " bet- ters" or his retainers ; although from the latter more espe- cially will he expect consideration. There is something ])eculiarly grateful in the lldelity of an old servant, who identifies his owu interests with those of his employer, and who claims as a right to share the bitterness of the passing hour, and ease by his owa example and endeavouring the trials to which they are sub- jected. This is no imaginary sketch ; but if in the place of this we draw his people, at such a crisis, fairly turning upou the master, the very notion would forbid our filling - in the outline as unnatural aud repulsive. Aud yet so it is. At this very moment, when the farmers are suffering as they have not suffered for years ; when the price of corn is still unremunerative ; when the business of breeding and feeding stock is altogether upset, and there is little more to be done than to jjatiently await a turn in the tide, his own men are tm-ning against him I Their plea is his own — hard times ; and he must be prepared forthwith to pay higher wages, when the great problem he has so con- tinually to discuss with himself is how he is to go on at all, without some reduction, some allowance — some sym- pathy, in a word, from one side or the other. There is something harsh iu the mere sound of " a strike," a means to an end happily not often associated with the pursuits of agriculture, but the rather reflecting a phase in town-life — when the artisan, at the command of the professional grievance-monger, grimly submits himself and his little ones to the most fearful privations in order to enforce a principle, and drive his employer into sub- mission. The days, however, are well nigh forgotten when the labourer essayed to maintain his rights by smashing a thrashing-machine, or by sitting himself down bodily before the door of the overseer, with the determi- nation never to move imtil he got what he wanted. Since then he has become more methodical in his demands, and we now hear of organized gatherings where resolutions are duly proposed and put ; as of such a character was the Meeting held at Maidstone dm'ing only the past month. It is said that between four and five hundred Kentish labourers were present, and it was to such couclusion? ss these that they arriv ed :—" Considering the great rise in provisions aud other necessaries, together with the fact that nearly every branch of industry has received an increase of pay, this meeting is of opinion that the farmers be solicited to grant their labom-ers an advance of 6d. per day ; that there be a corresponding rise of 2d. in the shilling upon piece- work ; that 4d. per hour be the recognised charge for overtime; and that the men leave work at four o'clock upon Saturday afternoons." We will not stay here to consider so much the justice of these demands, as the singularly inappropriate time at which they are made. Let us suppose — and, from the " system" so apparent in the proceedings, we are warranted in doing so — that the thousand men of Kent who support this memorial are only offering an example to the other agricultural la- bourers of the kingdom. It cannot be about Maidstone only there has been a rise in provisions, or where other branches of industry have received an increase of pay ; so that, with so general an argument to go upou, there is no reason whatever why there should not be similar de- monstrations iu the North, the South, or where you will. Provisions are dearer, or, in other words, beef, mutton, and bacon are dearer because you have lost aU your stock by the cattle plague, or sold out when your beasts were not half -ripe. There is something not quite logical in such pressure under such circumstances ; but a yet graver question is. How far is the country or the employer prepared to comply with these conditions? We fear that he will be utterly unable to do so, as we believe that for the present he is comparatively in a far more trying position than the labomer. The former is, in fact, from every point of view the sufferer. Provisions may rise ; but wheat does not ? Good beef may be getting scarcer; but the feeder has not participated to the amount of a penny-piece in any profit that may have been pushed out of the rinderpest. It is with other classes rather than the producer that the great body of consumers must discuss this serious matter of the rise in provisions. The reaction, or the day of reckoning, has come sooner than was expected; but the butchers and salesmen must be made answerable here, and not the hapless tenant- farmers, who would thus have to pay a penalty on their own misfortunes. If country butchers are only half as rapacious as we know the metropolitan trade has been, then counter-meetings should be called by the middle- classes in these agricultural districts, with a view of ascertaining whether the rates at which the poor are sup- plied be fair and reasonable, and, if not, then to demise some jneaijij f^v briuging about a more equitable ad,)ust, A A 2 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. meiit. Jf we see a few families clubbiug together, so as to become independent of tlie fumily butcher, we may be sure there must be some good cause for this ; while it is well known that none are more put upon than the poor in the purchase of their daily food. Properly con- sidered, this Maidstone meeting is anything but a mere question between master and man. There are many other interests almost as directly concerned, as we cannot but think but that it must rest mainly with these other interests to say to what extent any relief ran be afforded. But let us for a moment confine the case still to that which, on the first blush, it may appear to be — simj)ly a difference between the employer and the employed. The latter no doubt considers that he is justified in pressing his claim ; and what then will be the result ? In so many words, the farmer is not iu a ))osition to meet it, and there will be only one course open to him. If, in his present strait, he has to pay more for labour, he will naturally employ less. He has really no other alter- native, as there may be many collateral causes for coming to such a determination. With his homestead half- stocked, his pastures half-fed, his roots ready for plough- ing in, and so forth, the agriculturist will, until he rights again, be actually able to do with far fewer men than usual, the more particularly if he is driven to do so. As we have said already, the agitation, as put in the shape it assumes, is singularly inopportune. Had the farmer been flourishing, had he any actual share in the ])rofits coming from the rise in the price of provisions, nothing would have been fairer than that his men should seek his aid towards improving their condition. The contrary, howevei-, is the fact. The great, the almost only sufferer, so far from any rise in the price of meat, is the producer. He has lost all, and gained nothing ; while, as for wheat, that has long remained almost sta- tionary, at a rate at which it is not worth any man's care to grow it. The ease of the labourer we allow is a hard one, but that of his employer harder still, as any further pressure may only complicate the difficulties already almost too gi-ievous to be borue. THE MEETING OF AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS AT MAIDSTONE. It is quite time that farmers and everybody connected with agriculture should look their present position full in tlie fiice. We are not about to croak over this new sign of the times, for it is just one of the events which we have anticipated, and iu a variety of ways endeavoured to avert. Neither are we alwut to heap blame on the men wlio poured into Jlaidstone from villages aromid ; nor do we intend to criticise and censure the Brightites in tlie background, who have been instrumental in organizing a meeting that was iu every way constitutionally convened and conducted. But what we are desirous of doing, is to take that meeting and its transactions just as they ap- peared, and to try aud find what will be the result to the agri- culture of this country, aud, through agriculture, to the mate- rial interests of the whole kingdom. This subject we t.ake up at once, as there is no fear now that to discuss it will be to throw out suggestions for ignorant or designing people to seize upon and practise. Indeed, we are assured that nothing that we could now say will stop this movement, and we are further assured that notliiug tliat we shall say will promote a cause which is so unfortunate in its tarings on the main interests of tliis country. Not that we think the movement in itself is unfortunate, for it was inevitable ; and if these agricultural labourers tliiuk they can better their condition by'agitating for higher wages, on the ground of " the great rise in provisions and other necessaries," they are at perfect liberty in this free country to adopt that course. The misfortune of the whole business consists iu the fact, aud the natural result, of British farmei-s having been exposed to competition with foreign nations for twenty years, and being left to the present day without a single readjustment of taxation that was any relief whatever, as regards agri- culture. It will probably be remembered that iu the autumn of ISGi there was an animated discussion on the subject of the " Im- proved System" (of education), and which was argued j«ro and con for some weeks in the 3Inrk Lane E.r/jress. It may be remembered also that we then shaved pretty closely the prin- ciples and feelings involved in the Maidstone meeting. At any rate, we intentionally intimated what would come to pass, without actually saying that agricultural laljourers would be dissatisfied with their position, that they would organise, aud that they would, in all probability, "strike." We readily confess, liowever, that this movement has begun before we ex- pected, and which is only another sign for teaching our Go- vernment the influence which the cattle plague will have on the future business of this country. The cattle plague a class question, forsooth ! The cattle plague has beeu an excuse for every class of '«hpnrc»» ,11 toNvn? to nK'Mat^ fr.r itiore pay. The prgcefdings of these meetings have been published in the penny p.apers, the reading of wliich has been persued or listened to, aud dis- cussed with an interest as lively as the village shopman, shoe- maker, or beerhouse-keeper could excite in poor Ilodge. This cattle plague is acting as a kick in the back to thousands of people in this country who were previously on tlie decline iu their own particular May. " The agriculture of this coun- try," it has often been said, " is of no importance whatever, compared to its manufactures, commerce, aud trade." It will soon be seen whether agriculture is several removes from the first interest of this country. Hodge has begun to help to solve that easy problem, and to precipitate the arrival of the difficulties which must sooner or later fasten themselves on nearly every class of British manufactures ; and who, under the pressure of high wages from dear provisions, through agriculture having lieen cri])pled by Act of Parliament, wil have to take up, not only their bed, but their machinery audi capital, aud walk or swim to the other side of tlie Atlantic ! Where will our future Chancellor of the Exchequer and hi s balance then be P In the meantime it may be as well to .say, if the leading members of the Maidstone meeting think they can produce an effect, which will cause the wages of agricultural labourers to be increased iu the aggregate, they will meet with the most signal disappointment. A few perhaps may receive a higher vvage ; but this would have happened without any agitation, as a small per-centage of skilled men — as shepherds, herdsmen, engineers, and so on — was never more wanted. But just in proportion to the increase of pay there may be in exceiitional cases, so will there be a decreased demand for the bulk of the present and rising peasantry, and more particularly for the characters who are inferior in intellectual gifts or physical strength. The British peasantry may now be very easily made discontented, and we have no doubt but the seed sown at Maidstone will rapidly grow aud spread ; but, if our financial policy remains tlie same, or similar to what it has been, they as a whole will get no more money. Indeed, they will have to put up with less. This may cause many of them to flee their native village, aud go farther to fare worse ; but so it will be. It is the greatest possible folly for meu to memorialize their employers to give them the money which they (their employers) have not received. This movement, too, will simply cause every farmer straight-away to determine to do what many of them ought to have done in self-defence long ago — viz., to re- duce his expenses in manual aud horse labour in every possible way, by keeping his land everywhere, where practicable, down to grass. The corn and hay thus saved, wliich would other- wise have been consumed as hor.se-keep, may be given to cattle snd ishecp j and the money thu.5! saved in horse-ft^eh rvkI THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 33^ mumuil wages can be expcuiled in animals that- will gi'ow worth more money instead of less, and in oilcake I'or giving- to them. And thus, the land will not be exhausted, as many farms have been, by being- ploughed and stimulated " to death" ; but it will have its fertility preserved or restored, while a greater profit on capital employed w ill be made, albeit the returns w ill be much less. As we have at hand a number of notes and facts whicli bear on this question and our position, we will give them in as brief a form as possible. The price of wheat under which farmers made their calculations and bargains, before free trade in corn was established, and before the taxation which bore on other interests, but not on agriculture, was reduced or re- pealed— the price of wheat then was, on an average, about 56s. per qr. In 1839 Sir Robert Peel said : " First, let ns consider what these condemned laws have done. In the nine years included, from the 30th of September, 1830, to the 30th of September, 1838, the average price of wheat was Jifiy- four shillings per quarter. Is that an unreasonably high price, compared with former periods ? — periods not of war, when the price of corn may have been raised by causes con- nected with the war, but periods of peace." In 181!), Mr. Disraeli said : " It appears, by a report of the Poor-Law Com- missioners, tliat the average price of wheat for the last 10 years is something under 60s. — in fact it is o9s. lO.Vd." Now, if we take 1819, when the potato famine in Ireland had worked its own remedy, and when the bad English crop of wheat in the wet year 1848 had passed, we find that wheat came down to an average of -H-s. 3d. per qr. ; the next three years it averaged respectively 40s. 3d., 38s. 6d., and 40s. 9d. In 1853 the Crimean War began, wlien the average was 53s. 3d., the ne.xt three years' averages being respectively 73s. 5d., 74s. 8d., and 79s. 3d., when the price suddenly fell in the last half of 1857, so that the average of that year was 56s. 6d. The average of the four years of the Crimean War, taking half 1853 and half 1857 was, in round numbers, 70s. per quarter. In 1858, the average again came down to the free-trade medium, viz. 44s., at about which price, or at an average of 4os., it has since ranged. Thus in the 17 years since 1849 the price of wheat has averaged for four years 76s., and for thirteen years 45s., or, in round numbers, in the latter years, 10s. below the average at which Sir 11. Peel said, in 1841 and 1843, wheat could be grown at a profit in this country — under the burdens of taxation, which pressed directly and indirectly on the agricultural interest. If now we further take the estimated quantity of corn grown in this country, we can soon see liow much money has been withheld from the agricultural interests, and thereby account for tlie reasons why the labourers have not been employed, and therefore wliy agricultural counties aud districts have de- creased in population, and, further, why the Maidstone asso- ciated agricultural labourers think they are not paid equal to " the price of provisions and other necessaries." Sir llobert Peel estimated the quantity of corn grown in Great Britain at an average of 53 million ((uarters. jMr. M'Culloch reckoned the annual growth at 50 million quarters. Some of this quantity would be used for seed and some for horses and other animals, while spring corn, altliough it might fall equally per cent, with wheat, it w^ould not so mucli per quarter ; but as the price of wheat was participated in by the selling prices of liay, straw, clover, roots, and all kinds of domestic animals — hence the axiom, " Down corn, down horn" — we may fairly base our calculations on the growth of corn to get at an ap- proximate estimate of the annual loss which the agriculturists of this country have sustained by having missed of gaining lOs. per quarter on the corn grown. Taking Mr. M'CuUoch's round number of 50 million quar- ters, and multiplying this by the 10s., it will give £35,000,000 for each of the 13 years above specified ; which, if again mul- tiplied by the 13 years, will be a sum of £335,000,000, whicli has been kept from agriculture, while not a single tax bearing on that interest has been repealed or reduced. What would not this sum have done in employing labour, and in producing beef, mutton, pork, butter, cheese, and beer, if it had been allowed to circulate and return through the hands of British farmers ? But this is not all. If this sum had not been withheld, but the agriculture of the whole kingdom had gone on prospering, we might calculate that the increased returns would have been by this time many mUlions a year. Putting this increase at one million the first year of the extra demand for agricultural ])roduce 30 years ago, it would have turned over and over till wc nuiy fairly calculate another 100 millions would have passed through the hands of farmers. Thus £435,000,000 have been withheld in this way alone — by the fall in the price of 10s. per quarter on corn — from the agricultural interest. Now let us see what taxes have been repealed. In 1844 there were upwards of 1,100 articles paying custom duties, now there are 43 on which this part of the revenue of the country is raised. Not one of these duties so repealed has had any sensible effect on the progress of agriculture. Whatever trifling relief may have been insensibly felt, it has l)een doubly or trebly covered l)y the direct taxation which has lieeu im- posed to make up the sum required for State expenses. We cannot of course give a list of these 1,050 odd articles, and the amount of duty each one paid, but the gross amount of revenue which has been conceded on these articles is £176,534,756 ; and with 10 per cent, added for probable increase, from iu- creased population, discovery of gold, &c., &c., we have a total of revenue, conceded or sacrificed, up to the end of 1864, of £194,188,331. Then, if we take a concession of £3,141, 139 on marine insurance, which certainly can have been no relief to ag- riculture, and the excise duties on glass, bricks, soap, and paper, with ten per cent, added, as before, we have another sacrifice of revenue, which has been worth but a trifle to agriculture, of £46,043,953. In addition to these sums, there were conces- sions of the window duty, " auction duties", on stage carriages, trade licences, and some minor articles, all of which, however, would have paid to the revenue by this time upwards of £33,000,000. If the above three main items be added together, it will be seen that ui)wards of £370,000,000 have been conceded to the British public, while agriculture — reckoning in the income-tax paid by farmers on fixed sums — has received no relief what- ever from these reductions. This result has occurred, too, while animals of all kinds, tallow, butter, cheese, hides, and so on, have been admitted duty free, or without contributing a penny to the revenue of the country. Farther, while these sacrifices took place for the encouragement of foreign produc- tions, our own farmers had their barley crop influenced by a siun of about £505,000,000 being charged on it in 30 years as malt-tax ! Let us now see liowthe above items will stand in a close form : Withdrawn or withheld from agriculture by the operation of free-trade in corn £435,000,000. Special reduction of taxation for the relief of British con- sumers, pure and simple, but from which agriculture derived no sensible benefit, £370,000,000. Paid on one agricultural crop during the same time, in the shape of malt-tax, £105,000,000. If these enormous sums be brought to their various bear- ings, as it is admitted on all hands taxation and relief from taxation do act, it will not be difficult to understand why Bi-itish farmers have not been able to retain the men they, under fair consideration, would have wanted to do their work ; nor, if our past fiscal policy be continued and extended, why the resolutions by agriculturallabourers proposed and seconded at Maidstone will not be responded to by the farmers to whom the supplemental memorial is to be addressed. The great sums above do not stand, however, quite as we have left them, in regard to their influence in the past on agri- culture. But the reduction we have to make will leave our position the stronger and more intelligible. It wUl be remem- bered, perhaps, we may again say, that last October we made a bare statement to this effect : If it had not been for the Crimean war the high prices of meat aud provisions generally, excepting corn, whicli begun in 1861-3, woidd have begun in 1856-7- We will now work out by figures that almost self- evident view. As we have said above, the average of wheat during the Crimean war period, four years, was 76s. per qr. ; this is 10s. above the free-trade price, and 30s above the aver- age at which Sir lloliert Peel and Mr. M'Culloch, and others, calculated wheat could lie profitably grown in this country under reduced customs duties and unadjusted taxation liearing on agriculture. During these four years, therefore, there was an unexpected increase of 30s. per qr. on the corn grown by the British farmer. If we recall now Mr. M'CuUoch's pro- duce of 50 million quarters of corn, and nndtiply the two to- gether, it will give an increased return of money per annum into the hands of farmers of £75,000,000, or in the four yeaw of the Russian war the great sum of £300,000,000. 536 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. This large stxm, on flic face of it, appears to be a consider- able set-olf against tlie £^35,000,000 above named ; but when it is considered tlie malt-tax was doubled, and the income-tax too — and some other heavy changes were made in a direction which fouclied the pockets of farmers — it must not be con- cluded that because this sum of £300,000,000 was unexpec- tedly put info their lumds it was a fair return for £300,000,000 out of the f 1'25,000,000 wliicli bad, and has been, kept out of their Jiands. Besides, tlie spirit begotten by the sudden out- break of a great war runs, but no one knows wliy, everything up in price, even if it be of the most remote character from a warlike necessity or auxiliary agent. Thus farmers would have to pay nearly double the price for labour, and for every- thing they and their dependants had to buy. Nevertheless, by this unexpectedly large increase in cash returns, there is no doubt but farmers were placed in a greatly improved pecuniary position. Not only were they able to stop the gaps that had begun to open in the wet year of 1848, and had grown wider and wider in '-ig, 50-1-3, and part of '53, but they were able to renew or increase their young stock, and hold on their yearhng sheep and two-year-old oxen, as well as their breeding animals, instead of forcing them into the market, as they necessarily would have done had it not been for the war prices in question, and the bonus, if we may so term it, of the balance out of the £300,000,000 above accounted for, after paying the extra war taxes -which they shared. It was on these grounds that \y^ said the scarcity of meat was checked by the Crimean war, and simply because the stocks of the country were being economized by being retained in the hands of the farmers, as they were placed in a position to meet their fixed expenses without selling their animals off as close as possible. Much as the horrors of war must be de- plored by every well-meaning man, we cannot but say, looking at this question from a financial point of view, that this uii- looked for flow of capital to farmers was for them a lucky windfall ; and to the deluded British consumers, who know nothing about meat except what the difference is between 7Jd. and 9d. a pound — to them, from the way their future animal food was economized, it was a perfect godsend. The price of meat during the last six months may be com- pared to a deceptive lull which precedes a storm. No gene- ralizing or detailed calculations can be based on the iigures produced by such a catastrophe as the cattle plague. We trust many consumers, who are now rejoicing at the current sup- plies, will not some day before long have to pull another sort of face. The leaders of the Maidstone organization may how- ever, on this ground alone, pacify themselves by the reflection that they are too late in the field. They may unsettle their clients, and induce them to pay their pence, and threaten to try their hands elsewhere, but they will not be able to get more money as wages out of the profits of figriculture under its present difliculties. Indeed, from our introductory remarks it may, we think, be fairly concluded that the sooner many of them leave their native village the better it will be for'the farmers they intend to memorialize for more money and less work. As to whether it will be better for themselves and the p\iblic that they should do so, this is for them and the public to consider ; but it is not a part of our province to discuss the probable issue on this occasion. A glance at the following table will show how the people of this country have, during the last fifteen years, migrated in search of a livelihood. Eetween ISil, it will be observed, there was a steady and desirable increase ; but between 1S51 and 1861 there was, in nearly every case, a decrease in the more exclusively agricultural districts. 15ut we will first give the statistics of the population of a few counties :— 184.1. 1851, Cambridgeshire 164,000 ... 185,000 Dorsetshire 175,000 ... 184,000 Devonshire 533,000 ... 567,000 ^^^ 345,000 ... 369,000 Gloucestershire 431,000 ... 459,000 Lincolnshire 363,000 ... 407 000 ^'orfolk 413,000 ... 443,000 Northamptonshire... 199,000 ... 212 000 Somersetshire 436,000 ... 444'000 S'^olk 315,000 ... 337,000 ™x ...; 300,000 ... 337,000 ^^'"s 256,000 ... 354,000 1861. .. 176,000 .. 188,000 .. 584,000 .. 405,000 .. 486,000 .. 413,000 .. 445,000 .. 228,000 .. 445,000 .. 337,000 .. 364,000 ., 359,000 Now, if the principal towns be taken from the above coun- ties, in almost every case a decrease of population in the last fifteen years is the result, that is of the agricultural population. Take the garrison from Colchester, for example, and the Lou- don families living around Stratford, Barking, Brentwood, Lougton, and so on, and Esses will have largely decreased. If Bristol and Clifton, again, be taken from Gloucestershire, we have the same result. Northamptonshire would be almost simi- larly reduced in arable districts Norfolk, it Mill be seen, has de- creased as a whole by 8,000 ; while Norwich alone has in- creased in the same time from 69,000 to 75,000. As a con- trast to this, if a few principal towns be taken, what do we find? In the ten years between 1851 and 1861 there was this increase : London, 441,000 ; Liverpool and Birkenhead, 186,000, Bristol, 17,000; Blackburn, 16,000 ; Manchester, 43,000 ; Oldham, 33,000 ; Salford, 17,000 ; Newcastle, 21,000 ; Nottingham, 15,000; Stoke-upou-Trent, 35,000; Wolver- hampton, 38,000; Birmingham, 63,000; Leeds, 35,000; Sheffield, 30,000 ; and a number of minor towns have in- creased at the same rate per cent. AU these results would naturally follow from the capital we have approximately estimated above being withheld from the agricultural interest by the operation of an Act of Parliament on the one hand, and the want of Acts of Parliament on the other hand, to readjust the taxation which previously bore on agri- culture. As the sums of money in question were annually withheld from agriculture, they were left on the market for other interests to hire, at a cheap rate at starting, for employ- ment elsewhere. For capital to be withdrawn from one main interest, to be employed in other interests, it would naturally follow that the people who live by working for wages would migrate from the interest which had been deprived of its legi- timate supply of capital, to the interest which had been sti- mulated temporarily by such a wholesale and one-sided Legis- lative iuterference. The further natural result is, a want of a corresponding supply of agricultural productions, a dearness of provisions of aU kinds, excepting corn, and, as we have seen, the beginning of an agitation among agricultural la- bourers for more pay in consequence. Thus, because agricul- ture has been unduly oppressed and crippled, and therefore unable to meet the growing and increased wants of the British public, the reduced number of labourers in agricultural dis- tricts think they are hardly treated by their employers, because they are not better paid. The labourers in towns first strike in consequence of the dearness of provisions, which has come upon us ti'om the past inability of farmers to pay for labour for producing an adequate amount of beef, mutton, cheese, and butter ; then they are imitated by peasants, for whose employment less and less money is being distributed. This is the real fact of the matter. Parmers are not to blame ; therefore they need not be ashamed of their position. The present state of things has been brought about, first by Act of Parliament, and secondly by every complaint made or explanation offered by practical farmers having since been treated with the utmost contempt and irri- tating ridicule which the Government of the day could use. Look at the treatment tlie British fanners have received under the pressure and discussion of the malt tax ; and, more recently, look at the way in which the cattle plague has been treated by the Government and a majority of the House of Commons, as a class question ! Let us take one more brief review of our position. The practical men who liave been the most enterprising, or some- thing else, in spending money, under the belief that in this rich country a turn must come for them to see it back again — these men have cither made the least profit or lost the most money. As examples : If £7 or £8 per acre have been em- ployed on a farm or in a parish or district, twelve or fifteen per cent, would probably have been made. But if £13 or £15 per acre were employed, under ordinary circumstances, no matter how good a man of business the investor may other- wise have been, the profit would necessarily, according to the unalterable laws of profit and loss, have been reduced to 1\ or 5 per cent. And wheu £30 has been expended per acre, and the produce of agricultural productions has been adliered to, the investor must have been a good judge in other respects, and a good bargain-driver, if he has not sufl'ered a large balance on the wrong side. Why have " gentlemen-fermers" re-let tlie occupations they took into their own hands ? or if not so, vvliy are they wishing they could do so decently, after the fuss THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 337 they have made ? Simply because they find it is a more ex- pensive amusement to " make two blades of grass grow where one s're\v berorc," than it is to take a little fox-buutiug, and hospitably entertain occasionally a fair sprinkling of neigh- bours and friends. Generally speaking', country gentlemen have not got so much to spare, after paying their family and other fair expenses, that they can alford to throw away a thou- sand or two year after year in the pursuit of agri- cidture for patriotic and benevolent purposes. If, therefore, they would continue to do their duty to their families, and to stand fairly before their friends and neighbours, they must ne- cessarily, wlicre they have not done so, give up the expensive luxury of scieutitic and " model farming," under the pressure of high taxation and a low price of corn, made cheap by Act of Parliament. There is a deal more to be said, but this article has already e-xtended to undue length. lu the meantim?, while the Kentish agricultural labourer may be advised to look beyond the interest of agriculture, under its present conditions, for the higher wages and less work they apparently hope to have, the farmers themselves may be recommended to closely calculate what will pay before they make their future investments, when we have no doubt it will be found better to decrease their labour at the present rate of wages, rather than to add to their labourers on the terms demanded. The greater profit that will thus accrue on a less return will merely be the result of practising the true " commercial" principle which farmers have Ijcen so much advised to observe. The result this practice will entail on the labourer and the public is a question for theiu and statesmen to consider, and not one for fanners, under their difliculties, to fret themselves about and try to avert. W. W. G. ERVUM ERVILIA — NEW FODDER. [translated fuoji the "journal u' agriculture pratique."] Note upon ilic K'rsa Allah or Errilia, and I'pon its return in grain. Sitmmari/ of what is known, of that ler/araijioits fodder. In the "Journal d' Agriculture" (No. for Aug. 20th, 18G5, p. 195) I mentioned how successfully I had cultivated the Ervum ervilia in the arid lands of my silk-worm nurseries, compared with the Imperial farm of Vincennes ; but I was unable at that time to give the yield in figures, my small crop not then being thrashed. Now that work is completed, I am able to measure my har- vest, and find I have obtained from 160 square metres of land more than 30 litres of grain (weighing 0.825 kylogrummes the litre), which constitutes a return of 18 hectolitres, '/te litres to the hectare (about 20 tons per Eng. acre). This yield, equal to that attributed by authors to the vetch, is remarkable, because it was obtained from land almost sterile, in which a sowing of oats yielded nothing the preceding year, and where it is certain the vetch would be equally unsuccessful. When I presented this plant to the Society of Agriculture, some of my learned brothers said it was a dangerous food for cattle, a kind of poison. M. Payeu having undertaken to analyse the seed, announced at the following meeting (Aug. 30th, 1865), that he could discover nothing poisonous. It is evident that an immoderate use of that grain will pro- duce in animals to which it is given too often or too long the same heat of blood as oats or vetches given in like manner. I told the Society of Agriculture, in replying to the objec- tions of some of my honourable colleagues, it does not appear that the heating of cattle is much dreaded in Algeria ; for if the ervuDi possessed suoh a property, to a degree ''as dangerous as it is supposed by the Society of Agriculture, the Arabs would not cultivate it so much, nor consider the grain superior to barley for feeding their horses and bullocks, and they would not call it a fodder sent by the Prophet. Having traced to their soiuxe the various unfavourable reports spread by authors upon tliis plant, I carefully studied all that has been written on the subject, and find there nothing positive or decisive. Nearly all copy one another successively, and the assertions without proof, the on dit of the first, have been propagated from book to book, and from article to arti- cle, up to the most recent papers. I shall not prolong this paper by copying all the authors whom I consulted on the subject ; but it may he as well to quote some of tlie principal, in order that cultivators may, like me, make themselves acquainted with the question. 1 shall not speak of Dalechamp, who mentions the Pisiim arvense under the name of Ervilia, nor of Theophrastus, who calls it Pisitm ochn/i, nor of Cjesalpin, who attril)utes that name to the great vetch (Lathyrus latifolitis), and I shall at present quote trom the celebrated Abbe Kozier, who, in 1 801 , in the Cours complete d" Agriculture, &c., said of that plant (vol. iv., p, 318), that it was called Ervum ervilia of Linnteus. " Properties — The grain is nourishing but windy ; necessity sometimes compelled its being manid^actured into bread, but it is bad for digestion. In countries where fodder is very scarce the ervum is sown, and sometimes cut when it is in full flower ; the seed nourishes pigeons, but chickens ar^d ducks do not care for it." Sometime after Rozier, in 1822, Loiseleur Deslongchanips, in the Bictionnaire des Sciences Naturelles (vol. xxv., p. iST), said : " As yet we know uothiug positively of the place this plant holds. It appears from some reports that its seed is injurious as food, and that it is not even safe to mi.% a certain quantity witli wheat, as it renders the bread unwholesome. The prin- cipal effect it has is, rendering the muscles weak to a very re- markable degree. We are also assured that eaten green that plant will kill pigs. On tlie other hand, the grains are, it is said, heating for pigeons, and the fodder also possesses that quality, so that we can use but a small quantity of either one or the other." AU these doubts of the conscientious author — these : it is not yet known— it appears — kc are assured, &e. — have been taken by the compilers for positive facts, and may be found afterwards in David Low 183'J, in Schwerz 181;0 and 181'3. In Boitard and Henry Lecoq, 1862, a kind of summary of the article by Deslougchamps, are tound these words — muscular dehility, healing to pigeons, &c., without any more precise indication. In the Bun Jardinicr, edition of 1865, p. 591?, Vibnorin has spoken of this plant in words as conscientious as precise. As that excellent book is in the bauds of all those who desire to be successful agriculturists, and as each can there study the article wlricli treats of the Ervum ervilia, it is unnecessary for me to quote from it here. In conclusion, it follows, from works that 1 have mentioned in this paper very rapidly, that scarcely anything is known of this fodder as yet, and that we must not judge of it from what is said by the greater part of the autliors, as they speak more or less vaguely. After having consulted the excellent article iu the Bon Jardinier, one is more than ever disposed to make some fair trials of it before denouncing it. These trials will be undertaken by the firm Vilmorin next year, who have engaged to sow the greater part of my seed, and by enterprising cultivators who have accepted the oft'er made them of specimens of seed proceeding from my experi- mental culture. As the demands are numerous, and as it is impossible for me to find time to send parcels to the persons who have done me the honour of writing to me on the subject, I must request them to obtain samples from ray house (Rue Bonaparte 30) when packets will be sent to their address by my partner. Gubiun Meneville, Member of the Imperial and Central Society of Agriculture of France. CD oo Iz; S o 1/1 M U in H < 5 pq 'A Xfl w pq < W •A H P3 O » P^ P O P5 pq W « D m o o ^ a H o H hH & H-1 a K^ o <1 z EH CO ^ O) *-i — CS sir fe • : 'tS op O • • • J3 m .d r ^ J= CO -2 ^ >. :s f44 p5 'P.'S. 'S'S.^. 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The sou of one of the most distinguished veteri- naries of Paris, he made his dcbiil, in a brilliant fashion, by publishing, in ISW, a work wliicli astonished the public by the justness of its appreciations and the clearness of its expo- sitions ; it was entitled " The General Causes of Glanders in our Cavalry Regiments." M. Bouley also published an excel- lent work on " Epizootic Peripneumonia in Cattle," in 1854, and he issued an able and precise " Treatise on the Organi- zation of tlie Foot of the Horse" a few years previously. M. Bouley has further publislied a considerable niuuber of reports, notices, kc, in which appear all tlie qualities of an eminent practitioner. A " Dictionnaire Pratique," which he commenced in 1855, with M. llaynal, is still incomplete. — As regards re- centFrench agricultural literature, we may note that M. Moriere has published a brochure on the cheese-making industry of the departement of the Calvados. The cheeses which are manufac- tured in this district are known as the Pont I'Eveque, the Livarot, the Caraembert, and the IMignot. The annual value of tlie production is calculated thus : Pont I'Eveque, £1,800 ; Livarot, £78,1'63 ; Camembert, £20,000 ; and Migiiot £1,000 ; total, £107,2()3. — The Count Conrad de Gourcy has pub- lislied a work, entitled " Agricultural Travels in France, Bel- gium, Holland, and on the shores of the Rhine, during the years 1863 and 1861." It would appear from his work that Count Conrad de Gourcy has visited an almost incredible number of farms and " workings" of all kinds, across which he diligently promenades his reader. The manners, habits, life, degree of instruction, and ability of landed proprietors and farmers in the various districts visited are faithfully depicted ; everywhere M. de Gourcy endeavours to render account of processes of cultivation, and he always sums them up ably. — M. Gobin has issued a " Practical Guide on the Cultivation of Forage Plants." M. Gobin's work is a very complete one. He studies, carefully, climate and soil in their relations to forage cultivation ; the different kinds of meadows, and the establishment, maintenance, and working which suit them. He also treats in the greatest detail the question of irrigation, and he does so as an agronoine who appreciates justly the importance of a process which almost always triples at least the crop of forage. — Upon the general question of irrigation in rrance,'tne recently-issued E.qwse of the situation of the French empire affords the following interesting details : " Irrigations which augment in such a high degree the productive force and value of the soil, and m Inch contribute in sucli a large propor- tion iio the development and well-being of the agricultural population, have received of late years a vigorous impulsion. Irrigation is practised either liy means of great canals which serve as distributors of waters — \\ hicli are the object of con- cessions accorded by decrees deliberated iu the Council of State — or by means of private jir/ses cFeaii vvliich are established by landed proprietors having property in the neighbourhood of rivers or rivulets, on certain controlling conditions, determined by decrees as regards navigable or floatable rivers, and by pre- fectoral decrees as regards watercourses neither navigable nor floatable. Among the great irrigation canals, figures the canal from St. Martory to Toulouse, and which, projected originally to serve both as a navigation and an irrigation canal, was brought down by a decree of May 4, 1864, to the i-Jle of a simple irrigation canal, intended to spread the waters of the Garonne over the vast plain which borders the left bank of that river. An attempted adjudication, made with the offer of a subvention of £120,000, having remained without result, the administration put itself in communication with a com- pany \yliich offers all the necessary conditions of capacity aud solvability, to undertake and bring to a termination, -nlth the subvention offered by the State, this important enterprise. Surveys, &c., are nearly completed, ami IsopcJi are entertained that the works will be commenced in 186G. Another work of a not less considerable order, undertaken by the State, by vir- tue of a law of May 31, 1846 — the deviation of the Ts'este, iu the Hautes-Pyren^es — is now nearly completed, although a few supplementary works and repairs still require to be carried out. Tliis deviation is intended to supjily the watercourses which take their rise in the plateau of Launemezan. It is proposed to apply to this purpose only the superabundant waters of the Neste ; Init a study is now being made of the plans of reservoirs proposed to be constructed in the upper part of the valley, in order to accumulate there the waters re- quired for supplying the canal during the season of drought. The expense of the canal of the Verdou conceded to the town of Aix, in the Bouches-du-Rhuue, by a decree of May 30, 1863, with a subvention of £60,000, is estimated at £320,000. It will water a surface of 12,000 acres. The works were ac- tively pushed forward in 1865, the expenditure made in that year having amounted to nearly £80,000. As regards the canal of the Torez, the concession of which was accorded to the de- partement of the Loire, with a subvention of £48,500 by a de- cree of May 20, 1863, the definitive plans have been pre- pared and approved, and the works have been in course of execution since July 1865. This canal, which is 78f miles in length, will irrigate 18,000 acres, and the plus-value which tliey will acquire is estimated at £800,000. A canal derived from tlie Drac, for the irrigation of the plain of Gap, consti- tutes the most important operation of the departement of the Hautes-Alpes. This canal was conceded by a decree of April 11, 1863, and the subvention was ilxed at £30,000; its length is 43 J miles, aud it will water 8,000 acres. The works were only commenced last season, aud the expenses of the year amount to £10,000. The estimated plus-value is set down at about £280,000. Besides the great irrigation canals, of which we have just spoken, 69 canals of less importance, but offering nevertheless characteristics of collective utility, are executed, or are in course of execution, iu 23 departements. Their total length is about 750 miles, and the estimated expense amounts to £320,000, of .which about £100,000 stiU re- mains to be expended. As regards canals still under survey, they are 159 in number, and interest 23 departements. Irriga- tions of purely private interest have given rise to a very small number of decrees. The irrigations are for the most part fed by water-courses neither navigable nor floatable, and the conditions of their execution are regulated by prefectorial decrees. In the course of 1865, 151 decrees were rendered, to regulate existing prises cVean, and 536 to authorize new ones. No fewer than 816 applica- tions with reference to irrigation remain under consideration. The collective extent of these private enterprises is 28,000 acres." It is stated that if French legislation did not accord so many privileges to the proprietors of works situated on watercourses, irrigations woidd acquire a further considerable development. Irrigations in France have especially forage production for their object ; with the exception of some parts of the south, they are applied only to prairies. Accordingly, when irrigations are developed, it is necessary to think also of increasing the number of consumers of hay — that is, horses and other kinds of stock. As regards horse stock, the French government, by the administration of the haras, ou the one hand, and by the purchases of the war department for the maintenance of their cavaliy, on the other hand, has given a decided impulse to the breeding of horses. The Government has also fostered horse-racing by every means in its power, in order to develope a taste for horse-breeding. Upon this sub- ject the Expose says : " In 1860 there were in France only 63 hippodromes, with a dotation of £34,480, exclusive of entries ; in this sum departements, societies, towns, railway, compa- nies, and private individuals figured for £19,228. Two years later — that is, in 1862 — the number of race-courses was 80, receiving together a sum of £47,231. In the following year this dotation amounted for 90 hippodromes to £63,700, of wliich £41,509 was applied to race-plates, £14,627 to steeple- tbases, ami £7,504 to t lotting matches, Following the same THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE. 545 progression, the budget of races aitained in 1805 the eoiisi- • derable sum of £74',403, while at the same time the number of hippodromes was carried to 110, or 47 more (ban in ISGO, wliile the increase iu aggregate pecuniary resources during the same period was nearly £1,000,000. In tlie above-mentioned sum of Jt;74',403, the share of the State, deducting works of art devoted to military races, and of a value of £289, was £30,4-73 ; the share of the Emperor and Empress, after making a similar deduction, was £4,120 ; and that of horse societies, depart ements, towns, railway companies, and private individuals was £49,811. This purely statistical table requires no comment : we are easily enabled to measure the road wliich has been traversed during the last live years. But however actively owners of horses may be stimulated by the number and importance of tlie prizes offered, this motive is not suffi- cient to explain the growing favour which races enjoy in France. A higher sentiment is involved — the sentiment of patriotism, stinudated by the brilliant successes obtained in England by French horses. It is Palestro which of late years opened the series of these triumphs, by winning in 1861 the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket ; after liim came in succes- Bion — to mention only the most distinguished — Cosmopolite, Hospodar, DoUar, L'Africain, Stradella, Fille de TAir, and the first of all, Gladiateur, which alone and in a single season re- turned its proprietor £19,774, won in six prizes, among which may be mentioned the Derby at Epsom, the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket, and the St. Leger at Doncaster." We have some items at hand witli reference to Italian agri- culture. Works have been commenced for drying up Lake Aguano. This lake, which is a continual source of malaria to the surrounding districts, is not less than six miles round. The waters will be carried to the sea by a canal, which will find its outlet on the flat shore of Pouzzoles. Tlie mass of water is not very abundant, and its depth is not more than 30 feet. The works now on hand are expected, however, to ex- tend over five years. Agriculture will thus acquire a large ex- tent of land, capable of yielding the ricliest products. The work has been undertaken, at his o^n risk, by Signor Mar- tuseelli, engineer, who hopes to find a just remuneration for his labour and sacrifices in the fertility of the lands which he expects to conquer from the waters. In accordance with orders from the Minister of Agricidture, Signor Kaffaele Pareto, engineer, has undertaken an investigation on the marshes and irrigations of Italy. Signor Pareto has already prepared a series of maps, representing the principal marshy districts of the Peninsula. It appears that the total superficies of the marshy localities of the kingdom of Italy is 1,527,922 acres, to which we must add 130,000 acres for the States of the Church, and 520,000 acres for the part of Italy possessed by Austria — making a total of 2,177,922 acres. This is a .startling total ; but Signor Pareto adds : " The marshy lands cover iu the kingdom of Italy alone a surface of 1,537,923 acres ; but their pernicious influence extends over a far greater area. I am not far from the truth in estimating tliat this surface is at least three times greater than that of the marshes themselves ; and thus we may calculate that the territory in- fected by malaiia in the kingdom of Italy is 4,583,706 acres, or nearly one-eleventh of the whole superficies of the kingdom." As regards irrigations, Signor Pareto ob- serves that great canals might be established in the valley of the Po, to the left of the river ; wliile some canals of ordinary importance might be derived from the streams of the Apen- nines ; but he does not think that Italy can ever be entirely irrigated like Lombardy, because the waters available are not sufficient for the purpose. It would, however, be possible to open springs at the foot of the different hiUs of the Apennines, and by that means to counteract the meagreness of the rivers during tlie summer season. Finally, Signor Pareto urges that the waters which are available ought to be turned to better account. We may observe that about one-fifth of the surface of Italy is occupied by forests. Unfortunately the Italians do not fully utilize all the wealth which they might derive from tins source : on the one hand, the forests are not efficaciously protected against the results of a van- dalism the efl'ects of which make themselves painfully evident ; and, on the other hand, the want of roads renders profitless a great number of forests which might otherwise be advan- tageously worked. The superficies of the Italian forests has been calculated as follows : Old provinces, 11,750,000 acres ; Lombardy, 4,380,400 acres j Emilia, 4,313,000 acres 3 Marches, 3,004,000 acres ; Umbria, 1,847,800 acres ; Tuscany, 4,414,200 acres ; Neapolitan provinces, 17,623,974 acres ; and Sicily, 5,310, too acres. An agricultural school is now in operation iu Italy (at Corte del I'alasio). The establishment is not a governiuental school, but it belongs to a company : at the same time, the programmes of study are in accordance, on essential points, with programmes published, in 1864, by the Minister of Agriculture ; aud, by virtue of a Royal decree, diplomas obtained in this school have the same legal value as those delivered in the schools of the government. What is especially striking at Corte del Palasio is the variety of in- struction which is given. The instruction of the school, pro- perly so called, lasts three years, and embraces Italian lite- rature, history, geography, the French language, physics, general chemistry and organic chemistry-, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, botany, zoology, the vetermary art, mechanics, rural economy, jurisprudence, statistics, topography, and machinery, rural constructions, Sec. While theoretical in- struction occupies a great place iu the Corte del Palasio, school practice is not neglected. In the thirty thousand acres sur- rounding the school aU kinds of cultures are met with — rice fields, vineyards, fruit trees, cereals, meadows, forests, &c. TJiere are flocks and herds, and a manufactory of Parmesan cheese. The pupils — especially those of the second and third year — apply themselves to frequent and regular practical exer- cises, under the direction of a professor. The majority of the pupils are boarders, for who'ii an annual charge of £28 16s. is made. _" Purses " and " half-purses " — in plainer English, scholarships and half-scholarships — liave also been founded in the school by the " deputations " of Milan, Cremona, Como, Sondrio, PLaisance, Ascoli-Piceno, and other bodies. Alarming reports were recently circulated as to the condition of cattle iu Upper Piedmont. Happily, however, ordinary maladies (more frequent perhaps, at present, in consequence of the bad management of cattle-sheds) were mistaken for an invasion of epidemics ; at least, so it is em- fidently affirmed. In the latter half of May there is to be a great industrial and agricultural exhibition at Pisa, opened by the Chamber of Commerce of that province, with the assist- ance of the Provincial Council and the Muuicipality of Pisa. The cultivation of " Brome de Schrader" is considered to be extending in Italy : tlie late autumn-sowing seems to haye been attended with better results than were attained in the spring. The GcKzeffa delle Campayne mentions, for example, a letter from a distinguished Plaisauce agriculturist, who de- clares that the experiments which he has made have suc- ceeded to such an extent as to prove that this forage is per- fectly adapted to the soil of the country, and that it promises to be abundant even at a time when other forages make de- fault, which is of course a very great advantage. Another writer states that during the obstinate drought of last summer, when everything was burnt up iu the country districts, the Brome de Schrader alone presented excellent results, giving mature and abundant seed, which the agricidturists of the neighbourhood eagerly sought after. The writer adds : " There is no doubt that this plant is destined to give a product much prized and desired in our country districts, which, not being irrigated, are almost always burnt up, and by consequence far from fruitful. The death is announced of two eminent Italians — Doctor C'ailo Vittadini aud Signor Esuperanzo Buelli. Dr. Vittadini had treated learnedly of the mono- grapliy of cryptogams. Disease of the vine and then disease among silkworms were the object of Ids learned and curious researches ; aud by his careful and learned observations it may be said that he rendered great services. Signor BueUi was a distinguished viticulturist, and by his skill in the production of wines obtained medals at various competitions. — At the last monthly dinner of agriculturists at Paris the " degustation" was brought to bear upon some Algerian potatoes and orange- ■ mandarins. The potatoes were the result of the special culti- vation carried on by M. Paid Fontaine during the last fifteen years in the arrondissement of Blidah : they procured him t^o honourable mentions and several silver and bronze medals awarded iu 1854, 1850, 1857, and 1859, by the Algerian So- ciety of Agriculturists, which considered his products superior to those obtained from all other sources. Of twenty varieties which M. Paul Fontaine possesses, he sent six of" the most liighly esteemed. These were cooked in a furnace, fried in butter, or cooked by steam : however tliey were sewed up, they were voted excelleut. The orange- 346 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. mandarins sent by the Blidah agricultural committee had a delicious flavour and perfume ; these orange mandarins are forwarded in great quantities to Paris and all parts of France, rinally, the " degustation" was extended to some Charentes brandies, oU'ered by M. Charles Bonnemaison, laureat of the prize of honour of the Chareute-Inferieure. Thus stimulated, the coudves entered upon the discussion of the question of octroi duties ; the general opinion was that they ought to be abolished in the rural districts, altliough they might be found useful in towns to meet expenses of paving, gas, &c. We said something just now about a departemeutal prize of honour, and the transition is easy — although it must be confessed tliat this column this week out-Herods Herod for its wide range of subjects — to the award made of the prize of honour for the departement of the Ardciche in 18G5. The jury, after a some- what arduous journey across the departement, found in the Colombier estate, near Joyeuse, the working which appeared tlie best adapted in all respects to the conditions of , the prize of honour. The hot and dry cliaracter of the climate call for cultural speculations, which are more, particularly of an arbus- tive nature. The memory of Olivier de Serres prevails only in this departement. He was born there, he cultivated there, he wrote there ; and the peasants whom he so long enriched by assuring them the culture of the mulberry-tree, still speak of him as the " Pere la Teuille." Landed revenues must be sought in this part of France from the mulberry-tree and the vine, and in the high points near the Cevennes from the ches- nut tree. The agricultural theory and practice developed on the Colombier working has almost essentially for its oljject these elements of production. The Colombier property com- prises 142 acres ; and M. Leonce Destreux inherited the estate in 1859, from the hands of metayers, who produced very poor crops. M. Destreux set himself to work to obtain first a pro- duction of 40 tons of hay ; to establish and maintain ~C acres of vines, so as to obtain at least 500 hectolitres of wine (in place of the 10 hectolitres formerly produced) ; to secure 500 quintals of sheets of mulberry leaves from the 13 acres devoted to the mulberry-tree ; and also to largely increase the pro- duction of chesnuts. It may be said that M. Destreux has realised his plan in its entirety. Ten acres of meadows have also been laboriously created at Colombier at an outlay of £617;. this sum may appear heavy, but the jury who awarded M. Destreux the prize of honour came to the conclusion that it represented scarcely half the landed value of the prairies formed. M. Destreux has also formed a vineyard of 22 acres, while he has modified and extended the farm buildings ; he has brought, in short, the whole concern into a state of high prosperity. THE SMITHFIELD CLUB. At a meeting of the Council held March 6th, 1866, present. His Grace the Duke of Richmond (President) in the chair. Lord Tredegar, V.P. ; Messrs. B. E. Bennett, J. Clayden, Josh. Druce, T. Duckham, W. Farthing, Brandreth Giljbs, J. Giblett, C. Howard, 11. Leeds, R. Overman, W. Rigden, R. Smitli, R. Stratton, J. Shuttleworth, W. Torr, and T. Twitchell, the minutes of the last Council meeting were read and confirmed. Messrs. Thos. Twitchell and Charles Howard were elected Stewards of Live Stock, in place of Messrs. Rigden and Kenry who retire by rotation. Messrs. O. Wallis and Robt. Overman were re-elected Stewards of Implements, &c. The Stewards reported to the Council in reference to the protests against certain animals at the late show, and it was directed that the prizes be now' paid in accordance with the judges' award. It was decided that, in consequence of the alteration of the date of the last show and the regulations that tlie Council fouud it necessary to enforce in reference to the cattle plague, the fines for non-exhibition of animals be remitted under the above special circumstances. The provisional prir.e-sheet for the present vear was arranged, •itid tbf following alterations m.adc i ' The division for Irish cattle to have added the words, '■^ and im'proi'ed Irish ." The class for one-year-old wethers of the Shropshire breed to be assimilated to the corresponding class for Southdowus, and the class for two-year-old Shropshire sheep to lie renewed as in 1804, viz., first prize, £15 ; second, £5. The condition disqualifying spayed heifers competing in the Shorthorn, Hereford, Devon, and Sussex classes, to be struck out. The butchers' cups to be discontinued. Yerbal alterations iu the rules w'cre agi'eed to. The Implement Committee was re-appointed. Mrs. Thomas Gibbs, of Down-street, Piccadilly, was elected a member of the Club. On the motion of Mr. Clayden, seconded by Mr. Torr, the best thanks of the meeting were voted to His Grace the Presi- dent for his able conduct in the chair. THE SMALLPOX IN SHEEP. For the first time during some months we vary the title of our first article, albeit we have reason to regret not to be able to suggest that in this case " variety is charming." By this time our readers are doubtless aware of the fact that " smallpox" has appeared among some sheep in Northamp- tonshire on a farm situated a few miles from Daventry. The facts of the cases are in many respects peculiar, and for that reason we think it desirable to record them without comment. On December 24th, 1865, the owner of the farm in ques- tion bought 76 foreign sheep in the Metropolitan Market ; the lot formed part of a large number consigned to the same sales- man, and appeared from their condition to have recently crossed the water; they were also, is was stated, the only sheep at the time in the market that looked unfit for the butcher. The sheep were taken by rail to Northamptonshire and placed on some pasture. Nothing of a very decided cha- racter appears to have been noticed up to the end of December, except that some of the animals did not look well. December 30tli the flock was moved by road to another part of the country a mile or two distant ; at this time one animal was noticed to be ill and unable to w alk : it was consequently taken in a cart and placed with the rest. The sheep, on ar- riving at their new location, were mixed with the ow^ler's flock of English sheep, or at least were separated from them only by means of hurdles. In a short time some of the foreign sheep became affected with " the blind," and in a fortnight after their arrival the sheep that was moved in a cart died. Between this and January 2Sth, three other sheep died and several were seen to be unwell. Accordingly, it seems to have occurred to the owner that further advice was necessary, and Mr. J. H. Reynolds, veterinary surgeon of Daventry, was called in. After makins; a post-mortem ex- amination of one sheep that died while lie was there, and in- specting the sick animals, he came to the conclusion that the disease was " variola." And it is very important to note that he found one animal that gave indications of having recovered from an attack, proving that the afl'ection had been existent among the flock for some time before his attention was called to them, and further showing how perfectly possible it is for a deadly and contagious malady to be steadily progressing without exciting any suspicion in the minds of non-professional persons. Soon after the newly purchased sheep were allowed to asso- ciate with the others on the farm, the disease appears to have extended to them, and up»to February 18th ten English and nine foreign sheep had died from its eftects. A report of the outbreak was received on February 17th, and immediately one of the officers from the veterinary depart- ment was instructed to proceed to the locality and report to the Government in order that the necessary steps might be taken to isolate the district in the event of the disease proving to be smaDpox. An inspection of the flock was made with all possible sjieed on the following day, and by the next evening an order in council was published iu the " Gazette," cf date 19tli February,— 77/^ Vd^rinnriai' f'>r Marcf^ THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 347 THE CATTLE -PLAGUE IN SOUTH AFRICA. TO THE EDITOlv OF THE M.VRK - L.\_XE EXrUESS. Sir, — As I consider it the duty of everyone to give to the world the beuelit of any experience he may have had, and any knowledge he may think he possesses — more especially in- formation likely to be the means of staying the fearful ravages of this cattle-phigue — I beg you will insert the following re- marks, which are the result of several years' experience iu South Africa, where I have seen hundreds of eases of (he diseases to which horses and cattle are subject in that part of the world. I am aware that Professor Simonds, and other scientific men, will not agree with me in thinking that the disease whidi carries off annually thousands of horses and cattle at the Cape of Good Hope is at all similar to the rinder- pest ; but I beg to differ \\ith them, having now seen several eases of rinderpest, and had iutereourse with some of the prin- cipal sufferers. My conviction is also strengthened by Mr. Worms' opinion that the disease at Ceylon is the rinderpest ; for there is no doubt tliat the diseases at Ceylon and the Cape are the same. During a conversation I had, a few days since, M'ith Professor Simonds on the subject, he informed me that he had been in correspondence with the Cape about the diseases there, and \^•as satisfied that there was no similarity iu the diseases. I think most people will agree with mo there may be some mistake in information obtained in this \^•ay, when I state that there is no one at the Cape who has seen the rinder- pest, or who is able to correspond with Professor Simonds on these subjects. As some proof of this, as I was alwut embarking for England, I was requested by the Government to assist at the examination of some sheep lauded from England under ((uarautiue regulations, the others on the Board being the Colonial Secretary and a medical man — and I do not pretend to much veterinary knowledge. I give this as a proof of the scarcity of the article out there, which I hope the Cape Go- vernment will, before long, remedy by voting the appointment of a Government veterinary surgeon of some experience. The Government of Natal have been at last driven to this course. The disease kuo\vii at the Cape amongst horses and mules, and commonly called " horse-sickness," more closely resembles the rinderpest than the cattle-disease there, which I think is gene- rally erroueousJy called "lung-sickness." These two names, as a rule, include the whole of the diseases which annually carry off thousands of head in South Africa. The following receipts, given to me some years ago in the Cape colony, I have used myself, and known others use with great success. No. 1 I have administered to large numljers of the horses and mules of the Go\ernment waggou-train under my command, and the reduction in the mortality during the last eight years was 75 to SO per cent. This treatment I con- sider was much aided by keepiug the animals under shelter of sheds at night, and not allowing them to remain in low situa- tions, or go out to graze until the dew was off' the grass. I have also used it successfully with cattle, both imported and colonial. A great poiut to be observed is the repetition of the doses as soon as observed to Ije the effect of the previous one is going off. No. 1. Half a drachm of tartar emetic, two oz. of liquid asafoetida, and half a handful of roots of garlic, ground up small, all mixed in water, and given three or four times a day. No. 2. For cattle and horses. Half a tumbler of vinegar, a tablespoonful of turpentine, and a handful of roots of garlic, ground up and mixed together. After giving it, walk the animal about. No. 3. — A receipt given to jue by a large cattle-breeder in the colony, who has, on several occasions, stopped the ravages of the disease by its prompt application. — Two tablespoonfuls of turpentine, two ditto of dissolved aloes, and two ditto of sulphur, mixed in a bottle of milk, and repeated on the third day, if the disease continues. I should have left this question in the hands of more scien- tific men than myself had I not been urged to publicity by several members of the Farmers' Club, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at their last discussion. Yours faithfully, Naval and MilHarij Club, March, 1866. Jas. ILvll BEER AS A VVIIOLESUxME DRINK, AND AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR MILK. Sill, — Some time siuce, in going through the wards of the Bury Hospital, I was struck with the general practice of pre- scribing malt liquor to the convalescent patients. I resolved to ascertain whctlier such was the case in other hospitals, when I found it was so. In reply to my inquiries as to the annual cost of malt liquors, I was answered as under : — 0 (5 U Guy's . . . £056 10 Bartholomew's . 795 16 St. Tliomas's . 1100 0 Bury Hospital . £109 13 0 Colchester . . 101- 0 0 London Orphan 177 0 0 London Eevcr . 361 0 0 It thus appears that in each of the three latter hospitals the consumption of nmlt licjuor costs £95(J per year. As tlie repeal of the malt-tax would diminish the cost of Ijeer one-third, the saving by it to these three excellent institutions woidd be up- wards of £300 a-year each, clearly proving that in asking for repeal the farmers are not asking for that which would benefit themselves only. When we remember that this great con- sumption takes place under the directions of some of the most gifted of the medical craft — men who have made the human frame the study of their lives — we cannot doubt it is rightly used. Viewing malt liquor as well-nigh a necessary in many cases of illness, I can but think that the malt-duty has better claims to ha entitled a " tax on health," than the paper-duty had to be termed " a tax on knowledge." By the diet scale at St. Bartholomew's, I observe that when the patients are only on half-diet a pint of beer is prescribad. Poverty presses with a double weight when it is visited with sickness. It is proved beer is good for the sick ; why, then, shotdd we so highly tax it, especially when the standard wines drunk by the rich are in comparison taxed only half as much. The rinderpest is seriously diminishing the mothers of milk ; what, then, is the best substitute ? In a letter I have from Mr. Steel, one of the talented doctors in connection with Guy's Hospital, and who appears, by a paper pul)lished in the Social Science Transactions of 1863, to have made diet his especial study, says : " Eroni the scarcity of milk in London malt liquor is being used more largely by the poor, and as it combines both the alcoholic with the nutritious ingredieut of food, it will always be strongly recommended by medical men." I remain, your obedient servant, Wm. BlUDIiLL. Hawslead-kall, nour Bnnj St. EdmancTs, Feb., 1866. MALT. — The quantity of malt charged v\ith duty in England and Wales last year was 44,168,639 bushels, as compared with 43,975,539 bushels in 1864, and 43,087,480 bushels in 1863, In Scotland the amount of malt charged with duty in 1865 was 3,362,908 bushels, against 3,017,244 bushels in 1864., and 1,947,415 bushels in 1863 ; and in Ireland 3,414,960 bushels, against 2,551,353 bushels iu 1864, and 3,234,947 bushels in 1863. The total quantity of malt charged with duty in the United Kingdom was thus 48,946,497 bushels last year, against 48,544,125 bushels in 1864, 46,369,842 bushels in 1863, 41,118,172 bushels in 1863, 44,141,423 bushels iu 1861, 38,953,513 bushels in 1860, 44,319,300 bushels in 1859, 41,605,665 bushels in 1858, 40,398,513 bushels in 1857, 37,980,041 busliels iu 1856, 33,887,334 bushels iu 1855, 36,819,360 bushels in 1854, 43,039,748 bushels in 1853, 41,073,486 bushels in 1853, 40,337,412 bushels in 1851, and 40,744,753 bushels in 1850. The quantity of malt made free of duty last year in England and Wales was 578,477 bushels, as compared with 586,798 bushels in 1864, and 601,867 bushels in 1863 ; this malt was made for distillation and export and for feeding cattle. The quantity of nmlt made free of duty in Scotland last year was 3,503,603 bushels, against 3,655,897 bushels in 1864, and 3,589,674 bushels in 1864 ; and in Ireland 634,528 bushels, against 594,742 bushels in 1865, and 488,288 bushels in 1864. The whole quantity of malt made free of duty in the United Kingdom last year was thus 4,716,608 bushels, against 4,837,743 bushels in 1864, 15 B 348 THE FARMER'S MAGAZmE. 4 679 829 busliels in 1863, 4,069,883 busliels in 1863, 3'793'rj3 ))usliels iu 1S61, 4,598,636 bushels iu 1860, 5'288'428 busliels in ]859, 5,049,321 bushels in 1858, 5'668,'948 bushels iu 1837, 4,913,147 bushels iu 1856, and 1^500',936 bushels in 1855 (from Aug. 14 only). Of the malt uiade free of duty last year 55,331 bushels ^ycre for cattle- feeding purposes. R E V I E AV S . WHERE SHALL WE GET MEAT ? The Eood Supplies of Western Europe, &c. To which is appended a paper on the production of food, &e. By Joseph Eishek. London : Longman, Green, and Co., 1866. The author of this little work has made an acknowledged hasty tour through the countries he visited, and we think he has drawn as hasty conclusions from what he has seen and heard. In proof of this, ^ve quote the following passage : " If the effect of the alteration of the corn laws has been to reduce the price of wheat (and I do not deny that it has done 50 to a slight extent), farmers have found an equivalent iu the price of meat. Cheap bread may mean dear meat. We are paying foreigners more than we used, both for corn and meat, as our own produce of both has lessened. Many of onr writers despise Erench agriculture, and disparage it in compa- rison with that of Great Britain ; yet the British supply of grain and )neat is lessening, while Erance is sending us large ijuantities of corn, meat, poultry, eggs, butter — thus provinr/ that her farminr/ is superior to otirs^\ Wc say uothing of the importation of the smaller articles enumerated here, because the " British fiirmer" has never made a point of raising them for market, and the great increase in the ina- portation is the consequence of the improved condition of the ujiddle and lower classes. But the inference drawn from the large quantities of corn imported from Erance is altogether fallacious. Since the corn trade has been thrown open, a reciprocal trade has been conducted with Erance, and the latter will either buy or seU with us when she can obtain a franc by the operation. But how is she enabled to do this ? She exports corn, not by the measure of her production, but by that of her imports, as tliis writer himself shows at pp. 180-1, at which he gives the following quantities of imports and exports of wheat at three different periods : Impoktatioxs por Home Consumption. 1844. 1854. 1863. Kilos. Kilos. Kilos. Wheat ... 14,518,864 103,387,493 144,789,988 Elour 7,750 3,751,230 26,030,463 14,526,614 106,138,733 170,830,401 Exports. Wiieat ... 2,014,738 33,840,636 3,791,448 Flour 1,160,736 4,495,705 1,951,401 3,175,474 38,336,341 6,743,849 These figures speak for themselves. TJie fact is, the Erench merchants, like aU others, wiU always c.rport when they can make a profit ; but in order to do so, they must imjwrt to the same extent in addition to what they want to make up their own consumption, which, on the average, is greater than tlie production. Their exports, therefore, are no proof of the increase of the latter, any more than our imports prove our production to have decreased, which in fact is lot correct ; the increased imports being the consequence of the improved condition of the working classes and the increase of the po- pulation. We cannot go further into this work, or we could point out other fallacies of the same nature. "^^Tr^^^t^^ FRANCE, BELGIQUE, HOLLANDE, ET So^^^ BORDS, DU RHIN, DURANT LES AN- NEES 1863 £T 1864. Par le Comte Conead de GOURCV. Paris: BoucJiard Ihixard,Z,Rae VEpiroit. 1865. _ This intelligent French agriculturist and traveller gives us, in the four hundred pages of this work, an interesting account ot the working of the sraaU farms of the countries through which he passed. It is not necessary for us to make an analysis of the work here ; but we lake a specimen or two of his descrip- tions, iu order to illustrate liis style : " On going, in May last, from Metz to La Grange-le-Mereier, with M. Carny, where I spent the day, I spoke to a young man about thirty years old, who v^as driving a tumbril, loaded \\ith town-manure. He told me that he went every morning of the three hundred and sixty-five days of the year to fetch this mud from the streets of Metz, for which he paid one franc (tenpence) per load. On questioning him about his farm, the following was his reply : His father, brother, and himself possessed two 'journces' oflaiul (a little more than thirty-three 'ares,' each ' journee,' or nearly nine acres). All these are married, and have establishments. Each also has a horse, like that which dre\v the tumbril, and which appeared to me good enough for a hussar iu strength and shape. Each cultivates about a hectare (1 a. 1 r. 35 p.), wliicli receives, every year, the three hundred and sixty-five loads of city mud, more or less fertilizing according to the seasons, to which they add the dung of the horse, a cow, and a pig, the whole being saturated with the drainings and fecal matters of the house and other buildings. This very strong manuring is necessary for the soil of these sandy plains, which, being light and burning, are naturally infertile, and require a cold manure. As soon as the harvest is over, they plough the ground, manure it, and sow it again. By this means, they obtain at least two crops per year, manuring for each crop." IIOAV TO MAKE MILKERS.— No matter what breed you have, something is necessary to reach the highest success in raising good milkers. It's a great thing to have good blood, whether it be Ayrshire, Jersey or Shorthorn grades. But apart from this important advantage, the course of treatment in raising a milker is somewhat different from that in raising a beef animal, or an animal for labour. The calf should be well fed and petted while young. Well fed, to induce a rapid growth, so as to enable the heifer to come in early ; petted, to make her gentle and fond of the presence of her keepers, Fondling helps to create a quiet disposition, so important in a dairy cow, and this education must begin when young. For a milker we would have the heifer come in at two years old, and if she has been well kept, so as to have attained a good size, she is then old enough to become a cow. She will give more milk for coming in early. It forms the habit of giving milk, and habit, you know, is a sort of second nature. An older bull is better. We use too many young bulls. A three or four year old is far better as a stock getter than a yearling, and many prefer a five or six year old to any other. After the heifer has come in, let her feed be regular. Clover is preferred to all others for the staU feed. A little oatmeal induces a large flow : Lidiau meal is ratli^r fattening. In had weather, give her a clean, airy stall. — Massachusetts Tlounhiuan. A NEW SYSTEM OF SHOEING HORSES.— The Paris correspondent of the Dailij Telegraph gives the following ac- count of a new system of shoeing liorses, the invention of a Paris blacksmith : Instead of the siioe being placed, frequently much too hot, on the hoof, and burning its own resting-place, the outside of the hoof is cut away round the foot to about the depth of half-an-inch ; this leaves a ledge into which the shoe fits, and is then flush with the frog, which just touches the ground ; and the whole foot rests on the ground, in- stead of being raised, as of old, liy the shoe. The visible advantages of this are, that the foot is little pared, and that, instead of a great heavy shoe, the animal is shod in what are little more than racing plates. The advantages claimed by the inventor are that the horse never slips, that the shoe allows the foot to expand naturally, and that it lasts as long and is as cheap as the old plan. We naturally objected that the foot was less protected, and consequently more liable to injury ; to which the inventor replied that horses in a state of nature have no shoes, that the frog hardens, and that he has been for months shoeing the Paris omnibus-horses, which pass over very rough streets, in his ucw fashion, and with great success. THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 349 CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE. Sowing of all grain crops must now be quickly finished — as oats, barley, lucerne, and flax. Sow grass seeds on wheat and barley tilths, with light harrows and a heavy roll. Sow vetches for a second succeeding crop. Top-dress young grain and grasses, and shut up grass and hay grounds. Plant potatoes in the end of the month, in drills 30 inches wide, on lands well wrought, dunged, and limed. Sow mangel wurzel on lands similarly prepared, with a large allowance of half-rotten farmyard dung : the two crops now mentioned require an ample allowance of good dung. Begin the burning of pared lands, done during winter, or very early now : lay the turfs in heaps, and burn gently, to avoid calcination. Horse and hand hoe all drilled crops — as wheat, barley, beans, peas, and lucerne, and carrots if ready. Burn for manure in ashes all peaty and refuse sub- stances, which may be applied by the drop drill. Fold the sheep, ewes, and lambs on early vetches, winter barley, rye, and watered meadows ; or cut the food and place it in racks ; confine the animals during the nights in a fold, and allow two square yards of space to each animal, and two nights in one place. Cutting the food may be the most economical method. The long days will now require more food to the animals on the farm. Feed cows with steamed food, roots and chafFs^ — bullocks with swedes, and best and young stock with ^ less quantity of the same articles. Give the oldest calves some of the earliest green food, to teach them to live without milk ; use also oilcake, and linseed bruised, with bean and barley meals. Lambing will be finished during this month. Put the oldest on clovers, as they get strong : cut turnips and beet into slices, and give them in troughs, mixed with oats and bruised oilcake. Spare no trouble or expense with young animals. Fat and aged cattle must now be all sold from the winter stalls. Bacon hogs must be cleared off, and the young litters must go on for summer stores and for early fattening next winter. The earliest lambs will now be for sale, as fat. Begin to plough turnip fallows, and also clays, at convenient times. Carry to the heaps all dung remaining about the homestead, and litter the yards afresh. CALENDAR OF GARDENING, Kitchen Garden. Sow peas — the " scimitar" as a profuse bearer — and broad beans, both as succession, at any period of the month ; in the third week, if the ground be warm and tolerably dry, the first crop of kidney beans, which frequently fails, or the leaves are eaten off by snails and slugs. Three seeds may be placed in a pot, and, when three or four inches high, transplanted into a shallow trench of good earth, a few inches apart, and must be frequently watered in dry weather ; the same may be said of runners, with guano water, one ounce to two gal- lons, and half-a-pint to three plants. This appli- cation conveys small and extremely diluted por- tions to the soil of salts of ammonia, potass, and some valuable animal matter, which act very fa- veurably on young beans. True guano, carefully applied, is an enricher of old and poor stable dung, horse droppings, and leafy composts. Sow seakale seed early in threes, two feet apart, over well-wrought deep soil : seaweed is a good manure. Cover the seeds with one to two inches of soil. Asparagus beds are now prepared, either by seed sowing in rows a foot apart, or by two years old plants. The ground cannot be too turfy or too clear of stones ; and the manure applied may equal in bulk the half of the ground. Sow also for main crops, cabbage, savoy, Scotch kale, winter and spring broccoli, beet, spinach, parsnip, carrot, onion, and potatoes. The main crop and the second early should soon be planted. All seed tubers should be rather immature, or not fully ripened, planted while the growth is stronger, though two-eyed tubers bear well. Transplant cabbage, celery, and celeriac from the seed-beds, to become stocky in intermediate beds. Fruit Department. Cucumbers should be thinned to a regular number of shoots, and stopped at a fruit, and not at the joint beyond it. Grafting is often done most successfully, but early in the month, and always towards evening, unless the weather be humid. Flower Garden. Sow annuals for the main stock and the succes- sion to those of March ; propagate herbaceous tribes, by slippings or rooted offsets. Weed, hoe, and rake, removing flower-stalks by scissors. Change of situation is essential to flowers as garden crops, and must have the ground re- newed, changed, and duly manured, removing old soils, and introducing as much as possible new loam, decayed turf, old dung of cattle, leaf mould, and turfy heath soil to each different class of plants> as far as the particular nature is known. B B 2 350 THE TARMER'S MAGAZINE. AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. generju. agricultueal report por march. The weather liaving heeii favourable, consideraUe progress has beeu made in out-door farm labours. In most counties plougliing and sowing liave progressed steadily, with the land in good condition for the reception of tlie seed. The young wheats are looking remarkably strong and healthy ; indeed, scarcely any complaints \\mc reached us of the plants being thin on the ground. The various markets have been but moderately supplied with wheat; but the samples have made their appear- ance in improved condition. The demand has fallen oif, and, i n some iu.stances, prices have given way Is. to 2s. per qr. It is stated that the stocks of wheat in tlie hands of our farmers are fully equal to last season. Hence it is presumed, especially as we are likely to have a large influx of flour from France during nearly the whole of the present year, that we shall have dragging markets for wheat for several mouths. It is necessary to observe, however, that the importations of produce from America are likely to be on a very limited scale, too small indeed to have any influence upon tlie quotations. There has beeu an active demand for malting barley, at enhanced rates ; but grinding and distilling sorts have sold slowly on former terms. An extensive business having been transacted in malt, the value of that article has been well supported. Tlie fluctua- tions in (he prices of oats, beans, peas, and flour have been trifling. No new feature has presented itself in the grain trade on the continent. "Wheat, both on the spot and for forward ship- ment, has been neglected ; nevertheless, the currency has been sieadily supported. Rather large quantities of barley and other spring corn have been purchased on English account, at full jirices. The value of produce in the American markets is far too high to admit of profitable shipment to any quarter. Notwithstanding that nearly 150,000 bales of Colonial wool M ill be brought forward in London during the May sales, wool still continues to advance in price. At the series just concluded, ami at which 85,280 bales changed hands, the biddings were luiiisually active, and tlie quotations improved Id. to 3d., in some instances -id., per lb. The quantity of wool held on the continent, particularly in France and Belgium, is very moderate. Foreign houses are, therefore, likely to liid liigl'i at the ap- proaching sales. The new clip of English is now coming forward, yet the supply is barely equal to tlie demand. Holders, therefore, are demanding higher rates for all cpialities. The woollen trade of the United Kingdom is in a highly prosperous state. Both for home use and export there is an extensive de- luand for goods, at enhanced values. Everything seems to indicate a strong market for wool. American houses are buying full average quantities in anticipation of higher duties on wool in the United States, and the proposed tax of live cents per lb. upon all cotton produced in America must have some influence upon the woollen trade. Large supplies of potatoes, in excellent condition, have been on sale during the month. The demand for them has been inactive, at from ■1.5s. to 100s. per ton. We are informed that immense quantities are still on hand in Scotland, Yorkshire, and the midland counties. The season, therefore, is likely to close with low currencies. The imports of foreign potatoes liave been trifling. The quantities of hay and straw brought forward have alien oil : the demand, however, has been fairly met. Meadow lay has sold at from £4 -Is. to £5 12s. ; clover, £5 5s. to £6 Los. ; and straw, £1 ISs. to £2 5s. per load. Considerable mroads have been made upon the supply of hay in the hands 01 the growers. There has been a fair demand for most kinds of hops, at piices equal to the previous month. Tlie quantities on sale have not increased. The best parcels have realised 190s. per •iltWl?*!! '"''^.'''"'^^ ^'"^ cakes have sold steadily at fuU prices, 'Utiiough the imports have continued on a full average scale. The Scotch markets have been fairly supplied with wheat, in wjiich only a moderate business has been passing, at late rates. Barley and oats have moved oft" freely, at high currencies. Otherwise the grain trade has beeu in a sluggish state. The shipments of produce to the south have been moderately ex- tensive. In Ireland no change of importance has taken place in the value of any kind of grain. For the most part, sales have progressed slowly. REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. The operation of the new Act prohibiting the movement of cattle per railway has thrown the trade in the metropolis com- pletely " out of gear." The great Metropolitan Market has been almost wholly supplied with beasts from abroad, which have fetched high prices. The quotations have fluctuated rapidly, and enormous quantities of dead meat have been for- warded to Newgate and Leadenhall from Scotland and various parts of England. The extension of the period for the non- conveyance of stock per railway, and the Order in Council prohibiting the import of beasts from Holland owing to the prevalence of the foot-and-mouth disease in that country, are calculated to have a marked influence upon price. It must be admitted that meat is dear enough already, even allowing for losses, and that the loss of say 1,500 head of beasts from the continent every week is calculated to enhance the quo- tations, unless indeed the arrivals of country meat should in- crease considerably. At one time really prime Scots and crosses were worth 5s. 6d. per 81bs. Their value, though firm, has beeu slightly reduced ; still the prospect is that 5s. 8d., and even 63. per 81bs. will be shortly realised. The supplies of sheep liave increased considerably, and most breeds have come to hand in good condition. In the early part of the month the demand for all breeds was inactive ; but since then the mutton trade has ruled brisk, and as much as 7s. per 8 lbs. has been paid for the best downs and half- breds in the wool. Tliere has been a good sale for lambs, and prices have ranged from Gs. 8d. to 9s. per 8 lbs. Calves liave rather given way in price. The supplies have been wholly composed of foreign. Prime small pigs have commanded full quotations ; but large hogs have been neglected. The imports of foreign stock into London for the month was as follows : Beasts ... ... 13,957 head Sheep ... 34,401 Lambs 110 Calves ... 1,33'J Pigs ... 1,363 Total ... 51,069 Total in March , 1865 ... 25,719 186* ... 18,104 1863 ... 15,644 1863 6,259 1861 ... 9,091 1860 ... 10,459 1859 ... 10,548 1858 ' ... ... 1,511 1857 ... 5,419 1856 ... 1,842 1855 ... 2,108 1854 ... 8,409 The supplies exhibited in the great Metropolitan Market, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 851 lucludiug the arrivals from our own ilistricis, as well as from Ireland aud Scotland, were as under : — Beasts 15,511 head. Cows ... ... ... ... CO Sheep 117,550 Calves 1,075 figs 2,205 Comparison of Supplies. March. Beasts. Cows. Sheep. Calves. Pigs. 1865 22,400 577 80,752 1,14.2 3,015 1864 21,500 512 91,890 1,218 2,690 1863 18,653 501 88,500 935 2,432 1862 18,200 500 83,040 881 2,810 1861 18,500 530 85,270 700 2,410 1860 18,160 495 93,409 853 2,042 1859 16,810 012 94,775 095 2,890 1858 17,821 470 74,410 704 1,915 1857 17,345 490 74,880 1,118 2,230 1856 22,023 470 100,700 797 2,140 From Norfolk the receipts were 618 Scots and crosses ; from Scotland, 1,017 do. ; and from Ireland, 030 oxen, cows, and heifers. Beef has sold at from 3s. 4d. to 5s. 8d. ; mutton, 4s. to 6s. 8d. ; veal, 5s. 8d. to 6s. 8d. ; pork, 4s. to 53. per 81bs., to sink the offal. Comparison of Pricf.s. March., 1802. March., 1803. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Beef from 3 2 to 4 6 3 4 to 5 0 Mutton 3 4to5 0 3 6 to 0 2 Veal 4 4to5 0 4 2 to 5 0 Pork 3 8 to 4 8 3 8 to 48 March., 1804. March., 1805. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Beef from 3 4 to 5 0 3 6 to 5 4 Mutton 3 8to0 0 4 6 to 6 8 Veal 4 0to5 4 4 0 to 5 8 Pork 3 6 to 4 6 3 0 to 4 10 The value of meat in Newgate and Leadenhall markets has ranged as follows : — Beef from 3s. to 4s. 8d. ; mutton, 3s. Od. to 5s. 4d. ; veal, 4s. 4d. to Gs. ; pork, 3s. lOd. to 5s. per 8 lbs., by the carcase. SOUTH LINCOLNSIIIIIE. We have had abundance of rain during tlie past two or three weeks, but it has not prevented the spring-sowing from being put in satisfactorily. The peas and beans have been got in earlier than usual aud in capital order. The turnip lands are now all clear, and oat-sowing is proceeding with favourable prospects. We are sowing more barley this year than cus- tomary, as it is not a barley district. In fact we do not know how to farm our arable lauds to a profit, so we first try one thing and then another, hoping that something wU turn out right. Wheat is about as unprofitaljle as other cropping, and therefore we grow rather less of it, and substitute potatoes, carrots, and turnips, and coleseeds for seed, as well as we oau, and we are also growing onions, cabbages, &c., for sale ; but, of course, these in a very limited degree, and these crops are generally again followed with wheat. Great preparations are making for our potato crop, which has become one of the leading features in the agriculture of the district. The breadth planted last season was very large. Much less is spoken of this year, still the breadth wiU be considerable. This crop has, in the main, turned out unprofitable, and a large stock is yet in hand. Prices very low — certainly from fifteen to twenty per cent, below autumn prices, which, taking the loss of weight into account, is a great sacrifice, and is severely felt. The cattle plague is stiU. our greatest trouble. With the ex- ception of Cheshire, tliere is no district which has suffered more seriously. The claims for compensation will probably require a rate of from two to three shillings in the pound to meet them, and decidedly so, if they are to lla^'e a retrospective effect. This, in strict justice, ought to be the case, as very many were destroyed by order of the inspectors, or under their sanction and direction after their powers were curtailed or withdrawn, except by consent of the owners. The outbreak commenced in the early part of November, so that we were in the midst of it during the issue of " Tlie Orders in Council." We never experienced anything so afflicting aud trying. Our beautifid herds sinking one by one, or occasionally by sixes and sevens, and that without remedy. Do «hat we could, or let them alone, it was all one : die they must, and die they did, so that nearly a moiety of our fold-yards are quite emptied. A somewhat singular feature is this, that in many yards a single soHtary animal is left : has escaped with the skin off its teeth ! The writer has one only left out of seventy-two. My adjoining neighbours have each one left. I could name some half-dozen others in just the same position. It is the same in another district in North Lincolnshire. The only saving feature in our business is the flock : sheep are doing very well, aud the lambing season is favourable. The ewes have a fair supply of milk, and the fall of lambs good — the casualties few. Prices are ruling enormously high. We have heard of a case or two of cattle plague amongst sheep in the district, but trust it will ultimately prove otherwise. At present the case is under careful supervision, but great fears are entertained respecting it. The farmer cleared his yards from cattle plague dung and deposits, and then bedded them afresh for his lamljing ewes — imprudent, to say the least ; and loss has been experienced, but not quite decisive as to the cause. We have large stocks of mangolds on hand, and our grass lands have long been laid in. Wool is dearer ; beef very scarce ; mutton more plentiful, but very dear ; pork scarce and dear ; wages good, and all labourers are employed, and no discontent. BEDFORDSHIRE. Since our last report, we have had what is termed the far- mer's dull season ; but tlie winter of 1805-6 has been more than ordinarily so, by the disastrous visitation of the cattle plague, which has doubtless brought the greatest distress and ruin upon many industrious families throughout the land. We have much to be thankful for in this coiuity, that its ravages have been only of a slight character ; and we trust, with the restrictive measures now in force, that we shall soon be rid of it : we have not heard of a single case during the last fortnight. Our local authorities have very properly aud judiciously consvdted the views and feelings of the farmers upon their line of action. Very little trouble has been ex- perienced in the removal of store or the disposal of fat stock : at the same time, every precaution has been taken against the introduction of tlie disease. The compensation clause of the Act has been adopted, and some few animals have been despatched by that much-abused instrument the poleaxe— the only remedy, we still contend, at present known for the eradication of this dreadful scourge. We are now high busy in tillage operations. Beans and peas have been planted generally under favourable circumstances, the few frosts and winds of the early part of the month having done wonders for the land, which has not had such a thorough soaking for some vears past. Barlev-sowiug is now being rapidly proceeded with, and will shortly be completed up to the sheep-pens. Turnips and mangolds hold out well— indeed, some difliculty may be experienced by getting rid of them, as sheei) arc scarce, many farmers, from prudential reasons, not haviug a single bullock upon their farms. In consequence of the very wet season, sheep have only done moderately at turnips ; but, upon the whole, we believe they have been healthy ; we have not heard of any great losses. Like the rest of the country, we have had a very large fall of lambs. Although cold, the weather is dry ; and, with the abundance of keep, they will have a favourable start. The wheat plant generally is looking well, particularly so upon the light soil. Upon some of the defectively-drained clays the plant has been thinned, .and perished by the wet season. A dusting of guano might im- prove it, but would never make it a good crop.— March 23. NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND. Although in our brief report of the rural aspect retro- spectively, since the advent of the new year we can note little to cheer the hope of the enterprising agriculturist in his arduous labour. We might, if need were, enumerate many strictures and enactments, Parliamentary and parochial, crip- pling his energies, and keeping the mind ever on the stretch to understand the new orders and byelaws — numerous, or numberless, as to say, " AVhich will you choose ?" No doubt the land is threatened and visited by a direful scourge, and in this district we may at least be thankful that no plague has assailed our cattle or sheep ; nor do we grudge trouble or most 352 THE FAEMEE.'S MAGAZINE. strenuous precautions as preventives— only, like all other " Orders in Council," it becomes a run for place and emolu- ment to the few, and of a very expensive " plant " to keep by the many. Weather with us up to the last week of February was open — generally fresh, with squalls of wnd and rain ; land seldom dry enough for plough or harrows ; hence very little spring wheat has been planted ; and for the past three weeks very stormy days have been the rule. Great falls of snow, sleet, and hail, with thunder on the 4th instant. Ex- cept on the margins of the sea-coast, snow lies at considerable depth, and on the Cheviot mountains masses of snow enwrap all vegetable life. In cultivated districts (as reported Decem- ber 29) farm labour to begin the year was in a very forward state. Very much time has since been lost, or worse than lost, where parties, anxious to push on the necessary routine, have made a poach of the soil. No spring seeding can possibly be followed up, until ve have a change of weather. Frost every morning. More snow (fields and roads in a puddle) from two to sis p,m. A scarcity of sheep and cattle feed seems general in every locality. Straw, which is often superabundant, is nearly worked up, the rick-yard showing less store than for many years past. Hay also seems to be disappearing ; and turnips on many large farms are only " what were " — not a very favourable prospect for the lambmg sea- son. Corn, cake, bran, and all other attainable feeding stuffs are liberally used; yet, unless we are favoured with fresh spring weather shortly, the loss among the fleece-flocks must fall serious. AVe read with surprise the favourable aspects re- ported from southern counties of the gay appearance of the young wheat-plant. Here we can form no opinion. Alj has been either a sludge of snow, covered with wet, cold, sleety rain, hurricanes of wind, or hard frost, which has never lasted more than twenty-four hours at a time. A few hours of bright sunshine, and again overcast ; snow, and more snow. The fall during the last four weeks has been very great. Near the sea-shore and inland for a few miles it melts daily ; while on liigh lauds all lies a complete cover. Seed-sowing for all spring cereals must now be very late, and beans quite beyond the usual seeding-time. What may be the result of the loss in the bovine tribe to the grazier, time must tell the tale ; but against all speculative opinion formed at Christmas, fat beasts of all sorts have paid nothing for keep. Markets continue to be overstocked \\'ith beef and mutton (alive and in carcase), selling at prices which will not leave the feeder a cent, all our great marts being swamped with foreign meat. The grazing pastures on the Borders are now being let by auction, and so far seem to come nearly up to late rents, and principally taken by the lull-farmers as a nursery for the lambing season. Our labour market has been on advance for agricultural servants, and good workmen readily engaged. This niorniug (after a clear moon early last evening) is again stormy — wind S.E., and snow drifting. Alas ! for the new-dropped lambs bleating in all directions, with no green feed — nothing but from hand to mouth. What may be the final result, no living man can foresee. All is in the hand of a gracious Providence, and we hope for the best. For fat beef and mutton we have never realised here more than 7d. for the former, and lOd. in the wool for the latter, per pound. — March 33. AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c. ARBROATH CATTLE SALE.— There was a short sup- ply at this sale, and, in consequence, prices were higher. Best fed bullocks sold at from £16 10s. to £17 7s. Cd. ; secondary animals, from £9 to £13 10s. Heifers from £15 to £17 10s. • second quality, £10 to £13 10s. Fatcows£lland upwards, bheep 30s. and upwards. AYLESBURY FAIR.— The demand for strong cart-horses was very brisk, as also for weU-seasoned saddle and harness ditto. Several dealers for strong machiners or dray-horses gave high prices. Best from 4-5 to 50 guineas each, others at trom (30 to 40 guineas each. Good four-year-old sixteen- hands colts made from ¥) to 55 guineas each older ditto from ou to 6b guineas each. heS^.?P^^^? ^S¥ MARKET.-Though the weather has M^nlfl' "? '^' ^""'V'^' ''''^ ^^^ "^°™ii^S was a most favour- L Leatlv n 'f^'k.^t' trade was rather duU. This, no doubt, enf reJpX"^ "^ the enormous prices that have been cur- lent recently, and to curers having their stocks now well made-up. There was a large number of carcases brought to the town, and local buyers had no difficulty in getting as many as they \^'anted. Business commenced slowly, and was con- ducted nearer the town than it has been of late. Only one or two buyers went out of the roads. There were few purchasers present, and sales on the whole moved slowly. Carcases were very numerous. Best lots did not fetch the high rates of this day week, but were domi fully 2d per stone on the average. A few carcases were sold at 8s. 6d. per imperial stone, but these were the exception. The prices most generally current for top sorts •were 8s. 4d. and 8s. 5d. ; secondary would range from 7s. 9d. to 8s. 2d. Coarse heavy carcases were conspicuous by their absence, none of that kind being shown. GRANTHAM FAIR. — As was generally expected, the an- nual show of stock was exceedingly small. About 1,000 to 1,100 hoggs were penned, and about 400 clipped fat sheep. The latter sold at 7id. to 8d. per lb. ; the former fetched very high prices ; one lot, the prLmest in the fair, belonging to Mr. Briudley, corn merchant, Grantham, realized 77s. per head. The poorest specimens sold at 55s., such as at last Midlent fair would not have made 40s. There were plenty of buyers. HORNCASTLE FAIR.— The show of sheep was smaD. Business was slow at the beginning of the day, owing to very high prices asked ; however, most of the hoggs exchanged hands before noon. Mr. Walter, of Edlington, sold 72 hoggs at 81s. each, and Mr. Strawson, of Scrivelsby, realised 74s. The prize cup was awarded to Mr. Wm. Neave, of Greetham, who exhibited 60 hoggs along with 30 cuUs, which were sold at 77s. per head. The horse fair was small and inferior. ILSLEY BIARKET was re-opened on Wednesday, the re- strictions against sheep having been removed. There was a good offer. Down tegs made 45s. to 58s,, and half-breds 50s. to 63s. KELSO THIRD FAIR.— There was a good attendance of fanners and dealers. The display of horses, which was almost entirely confined to draught animals, was a fair average one ; but those shown were generally of an inferior description. For those of a better class there was a spirited demand. Seve- ral good draughts were picked-up at prices ranging from £30 to £45. A large number of others changed hands, at from £15 to £25; while many went at even lower figures. The market on the whole was a good one. LINCOLN FAT SHEEP MARKET.— A smaU show, and sheep very dear, wethers making 8d. out of the wool, and lid. and is. per lb. MALTON GREAT HORSE SHOW.— The attendance of dealers was larger than for some time past, but the number of horses shown was below the average considerably. Several of the chief home dealers left without having made a single purchase. The foreign dealers did the most trade, more parti- cularly among half-bred brown mares, which were most eagerly bought-up for exportation — for Hamburg particularly. For all high-bred horses the market was remarkably brisk, and harness and ride horses, roadsters, sold also remarkably well. Chargers were in demand, and heavy artillery horses and all good agricultural and dray horses were readily bought-up, at high figures. The only class of horses not absolutely brisk were "cabbers." These, however, are well sold. In fact, very few horses remained in the town at noon. Most of the hunters and coach-horses of good pedigree and promise were picked-up privately, and never entered the show at all, a good deal of rivalry for their purchase being shov^ii. Altogether, the show was the briskest of some years — for export particu- larly. NEWARK FAIR was all but a blank: only a small num. her of horses ; and very Httle business transacted. 59 sheep were offered for sale, 50 being brought by one farmer, and 9 by another. The 9 were not sold. SHEFFIELD FAT STOCK MARKET.— Few beasts shown, and they were of inferior quality. On account of sheep being not allowed to leave, according to rule, the trade was at a stand. Best shearlings, in wool, lOd. to lid. per lb. No clipped ones shown. WOBURN FAIR.— There was a considerable quantity of second-rate and inferior horses, some selling at good prices. Aged and poor ditto not in request. Prices for all good horses, cart kinds particularly, were £10 per horse dearer than at this time last year, as were best warranted colts for harness or the saddle. YORK HORSE FAIR.— The attendance of both buvers THE FABMEE'S MAGAZINE. 353 and dealers was large, and the display of liorses of a very fair character. The animals consisted principally of iiseful road- sters, agricultural and draught horses, and ponies. The sales were transacted actively, and most of those exhibited changed hands. A few wcll-linihed, active, young cart-horses realized about £30 each, and useful seasoned horses, for agricultural purposes, £16 to £30 each. Two-year-old cart-horses were wortli from £13 to £15 each, and yearling cart-horses £10 to £15 each. IRISH FAIRS.— Naas : Above 2,000 head of cattle were oft'ered, but buyers were not numerous, and store Beasts \ver(^ sold at a decline. There was a great collection of small pigs, which brought comparatively large prices. Bouhams ranged from 15s. to 37s. Very few sheep were to be seen ; what were at the t.tir sold at liigh prices. There was a large show of horses, citiefly adapted for farming purposes. In this depart- partment inquiry was very slack. Notwithstanding the fair being held on St. Patrick's Day, there was uot a drunken man to be seen. All seemed to be intent on minding their business, and nothing else. — Delvin : Stock was in good supply. Beef inditferent at from 54s. to 60s. per cwt., milch and springer cows £1;} to £20 per head, strippers £10 10s. to £15, stores (in bad demand) £12 10s. to £15 for three years old, £9 5s. to £10 15s. for two years old, and £7 to £8 10s. for yearlings off. Sheep scarce ; wether mutton 8d. to S^d. per lb., ewe 7id. to 8d. Lambs 25s. to 28s, each ; lioggets 40s. to 43s. Pigs numerous, 48s. to 51s. per cwt. being the ruling prices ; stores 40s. to 60s., and slips 16s. to 21s. each. — Urlingford : Tliere was nothing done in liorned stock. Mutton in good supply ;it about 72d. per lb ; hoggets from £2 5s. to £2 18s. — Ai'iiiOiNE did not c\hiljit an average amount as to quantity ; and, notwithstanding that it fell something short of general ex- pectation, several lots iu lioth departments, sheep and cattle, were driven home unsold, from a paucity of buyers, especially ia the cattle, arising from the rinderpest so generally prevailing in England and Scotland, and an apprehension that it will reach this country. All the great Leinster buyers from Meath, Louth, and Smitltfield were absent from us on tliis occasion, not being able to export the extensive lots they laid in at the great annual October fair of BaUinasloe. The general tone of the market may be quoted thus : Three-year-old heifers sold at from £10 to £14 10s., two-year-olds from £9 to £9 10s., year- lings from £6 to £7. Two-year-old wedders from 00s. to 70s., hoggets from 50s. to 55s. The pig fair was most abundantly supplied, and aU the principal dealers in the kingdom were in attendance, and purchased up nearly the entire before three o'clock. Heavy pigsbrought from 58s. to 60s., and light ones from 55s. to 57s. The horse fair was confined to very inferior animals, prices varying from £5 to £12 : a few were sold at from £14 to £17. REVIEW OE THE CORN TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. The month of March has been anything but true to itself. It had a cold and stormy opening, and some of its days have blown hard enough to rain plenty of dust ; but there have been frequent showers, with some hail and sleet, much to the hindrance of labours in the field, and to make pro- gress in seeding the land has been difficult and partial work. Still much has been done where the soil was light; but the heavy and lowlands remain backward, and the artificial grasses have been sadly delayed. Another unfavourable item against the month has been its failure to improve newly- thrashed samples, and so we have had a dragging trade in wheat all through, with a slight deprecia- tion at the close of the month — say, to the extent of about Is. per qr. The young wheat, being for the most part got in well, has stood the change with httle damage, those suffering most being where the sowing was late, and plants consequently small and weak; but the early-sown fields were looking too vigorous till checked by the late frosts, and, on the whole, the plants look well. The wheat trade has now reached a curious phase, all spring corn being relatively dearer ; indeed, malting barley has been sold at the average price of wheat — say, 45s. 6d., and fine old beans are worth about 52s., so that the food of man is cheaper relatively than that of cattle, after a crop which proves short of an average. This, too, is in the face of a murrain which has swept off 160,000 head of our cattle, and has begun to attack our sheep, while foreign coun- tries over and over again prove their inability to send their usual supplies of corn. Unless, there- fore, the crop of 1864 has been greatly under- stated, it seems improbable that we can hold out till next harvest. Some, indeed, affirm that our stores of old wheat are greater than for some time past, and that this will place m m a state of com- parative independence of foreign aid; but will farmers, unless compelled, force their samples of wheat upon markets, after a failure as respects spring corn and such tremendous losses in stock ? No one expected such an extraordinary rise in barley, at a time when wheat was depressed ; and why should there not be an equal improvement in wheat ? The following quotations are noted as recent at the places named : Wheat at Paris ranged from 39s. to 44s., at Bordeaux the best was worth 45s., red wheat at Antwerp 46s., and Louvain 45s., fine white Polish at Amsterdam 55s., the finest red at Hamburgh 47s., at Cologne 43s., at Stettin 43s., at Rostock 44s., fine high-mixed at Dantzic 54s. Prices at Odessa ranged from 30s. to 35^. ; spring wheat at Kingston, Canada, 40s. per 480 lbs. ; at Chicago, in the United States, 39s. 6d. New York quotations for the best spring wheat were 43s. per 480lbs., for the best white Canadian 62s. per 480lbs. The first Monday in Mark-lane opened on mode- rate supplies of wheat, both English and foreign. The show of samples in the course of the morning was limited, and the condition but very slightly improved. Every parcel that was dry and fine sold readily at fully the previous rates ; but those that were damp or rough were almost wholly neglected. The foreign trade was very limited ; but there was no giving way in prices. Without any fresh arri- vals off the coast, those remaining on hand were held at former values. The weather through the week varying from frost to rain, there was little chance of improvement in newly-thrashed sam- ples ; and the markets generally presented the same features as London, all well-conditioned lots finding a steady demand at the previous currency ; but inferior were only partially cleared at varying rates, according to values. No change of prices was noted either at Edinburgh or Glasgow; and it 354 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. was much the same with regard to Dublin and the other Irish markets. The second Monday's returns showed a rather better supply of English wheat, with scarcely more than half the quantity of foreign. The morning only brought a moderate show of samples from the near counties, unimproved as respects condition. Business was therefore exceedingly slow, and the report of the day little better than a repetition of that of the previous week, millers only picking out lots suitable for their purposes at unaltered rates. The foreign trade was also on the same retail scale ; but holders were indisposed to tempt buyers by making lower offers. There still being no fresh arrivals on the coast, the few remaining cargoes being mostly inferior sold slowly, without change of value. With the weather still variable, there was again an almost universal agreement in the country markets, where, notwithstanding the in- feriority of condition, scarcely any change of prices was noted, and then concessions were only made on the score of inferiority; but Manchester noted a slight decline, without regard to quahty. In Scotland, the state of things was much the same : neither Edinburgh nor Glasgow noted any reduc- tion, but both places were dull, Dublin was with- out alteration, either in home produce or foreign qualities. On the third Monday, the supplies were rather larger, both in English and foreign sorts, making altogether a better show. Essex and Kent sent up moderate supplies by sample during the morning ; but only a few of these were in saleable order. The weather having changed to mild and growing, seemed to influence millers, and there was more aversion to make free purchases, the best qualities being shghtly affected in value ; and all secondary sorts would have been gladly cleared at a decline of Is. per qr., but they mostly hung on hand. Tlie business done in foreign was almost limited to Russian sorts, for the purpose of mixing with those of home-growth, prices remaining much as previously, but with more downward tendency than of late. Some cargoes having arrived off the coast, holders insisted on fully former rates, but we did not hear of sales. \Yith the condition still generally bad, though some little improvement was noted in certain localities, the trade in the country had a heavier aspect, the ex- treme prices of the previous week being with diffi- culty maintained; and Is. per qr. decline was noted at Norwich, Aylesburj', Huntingdon, Derby, (^helmsford, Dunstable, Doncaster, Stockton, and Gainsborough ; while Liverpool gave way some- what in wheat and liour. Edinburgh was dull, and Glasgow about Is. per qr. cheaper; and Dublin yielded to about the same extent. On the fourth Monday the English arrivals were only moderate, and foreign far from heavy, though ample for the demand. The number of samples sent up from Kent and Essex during the morning was about an average, the condition being very little improved. Business was therefore almost linaited to fine samples, at about former rates ; in- ferior sorts being neglected. The foreign trade was strictly retail, and to have sold freely Is. per qv. less must have been taken, but holders were indisposed to press sales. Floating cargoes main< tained their value. The imports into London for four weeks were 30,780 qrs. Enghsh wheat, 31,922 qrs. foreign ; against 26,774 qrs. English, 2,094 qrs. foreign, for the same time last year. The London exports this month were 477 qrs. wheat, 87 cwts. flour. The imports for the kingdom for the four weeks ending 17th March were 1,646,095 cwts. wheat, 498,338 cwts. flour. The general averages commenced at 45s. 5d., and closed at 45s. Gd. ; those of London began at 4Ss. 2d., and finished at 47s. Id. The flour trade has been excessively heavy all through the month, but prices have continued nominally the same. The supplies from the country have continued very liberal, though sales have not taken place with the same freedom. Indeed, stocks are now accumulating in warehouse, and some danger is run on the score of condition as spring advances. Norfolks have been nominally 31s. to 33s,, French to 36s., and this price is made with difficulty in consequence of the free imports. Barrels have not given way ; but the demand has only been retail for really good sorts. There being much flour at Paris, more may yet be sent on, if holders there find the French market declining ; but the rates for first qualities in New York being beyond our own, it is not reasonable to look for supplies from this quarter. The imports into London for the four weeks were 81,158 sacks of country sorts, 7,877 sacks 3,075 barrels foreign; against 82,468 sacks country, 2,181 sacks 1,000 barrels in 1865. The value of barley has increased 2s. to 3s. per qr. during the month in consequence of the short- ness of foreign supplies, and the apparent exhaus- tion of the English crop. Indeed, this grain, since the commencement of the rise, has gained in value 6s. to Ss. per qr., more especially in the lower sorts, which have now become much dearer than maize, and really at a dangerous height. Malting sorts have been sold on tlie London market at 45s. 6d. per qr., and grinding at 31s. per qr. and above, weighing only 50lbs. per bush; while fine maize, weighing 561bs. per bush., has only brought 32s. This latter article has therefore been in extensive demand, both for horse-feed and distillation, and will, doubtless, supply the place of Egyptian wheat for the latter purpose. The imports of barley into London for the month were 16,926 qrs. British, 23,810 qrs. foreign; against 15,364 qrs. British, 41,889 qrs. foreign in 1865, by which it appears that the scarcity on the London market has mostly arisen from the falling oflF in foreign arrivals. This grain being relatively so dear, we do not think present prices can be depended on, though it will doubtless be dear through the season. The malt trade has been Is. to 2s. per qr. dearer, in consequence of the rise in barley ; but since the advance brewers have been very careless buyers, though, as stocks must be short, there is not much prospect of a reduction in prices. The oat trade, with only moderate arrivals, ex- cepting the first week, has been steady : the large supply that then was noted lowered prices 6d. per qr. ; and, though since then only average quanti- ties have come to hand, there has been no rally in THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 005 prices. The fact is, the market for some time has been kept supplied from granary by Russian sorts, which have rather been improving ; while those ex ship have been somewhat cheaper. A great clear- ance of these granary stores has now been made ; and, unless heavy arrivals from the Baltic come early, we may see an improvement in this grain, notwithstanding its comparative dearness, the English crop being the worst known for a long period. 38lbs. Russians have been worth 23s. 6d. per qr., Scotch feed to '29s. The imports for the month into London were 6,248 qrs. English, 812 qrs. Scotch, 4,800 qrs. from Ireland, and 147,296 qrs. from abroad, against 3,819 qrs. English, 24,838 qrs. Scotch, 9,060 qrs, Irish, and 47,010 qrs. foreign in I860. The increase therefore of the foreign imports, as compared with these and the stocks in granary, has prevented any advance. Beans, notwithstanding their high prices, have risen about Is. per qr. during the month, and must be dear up to next harvest. Ticks and mazagans for splitting have become worth 43s., which is nearly 8s. above the average of former years. The failure of supplies from Egypt has been the principal cause; and till cotton- growing becomes less profitable than corn, we can expect but moderate foreign imports. The imports into London during the month were 3,876 qi's. English, 780 qrs. foreign, against 4,885 qrs. Eng- Hsh, 1,425 qrs. foreign in 1865. White peas have been gradually recovering from the depression they experienced during the free Canadian imports, so as to have regained Is. to 2s. per qr. value ; but those for hog feed have been dull, without quotable change. White of fine quality may be worth 39s. to 42s., maple to 40s., and grey 37s. per qr. We think white Peas have a further chance of improvement, as substitutes for beans. The imports for the month were 1,626 qrs. English, 610 qrs. foreign, against 1,555 qrs. English exclusively last year. The scarcity of linseed has enhanced its value 2s. to 33. per qr. during the month ; and cakes have found such a demand, that they also have become scarce, and risen 5s. to 10s. per ton. The backwardness of the season has been woefully against the seed trade. Very little oppor- tunity has yet been found for sowing red clover- seed, and holders have therefore become nervous as to prices, and to sell in quantity under such circumstances would ensure a heavy decline ; but, on the other hand, as stocks are not heavy, and the arrivals expected from America not excessive, when the real demand sets in, we may see Utile left on hand. Trefoil has been cheaper, but white clover seed was firmer. Tares extremely dull, and prices very irregular. Canary also has been a very slow sale ; but, with present quotations, there seems no room for a decline. AVE RAGE S For the last Six Weeks : Feb. 10, 1866 1 45 Feb. 17, 1866 Feb. 21, 1866 March 3, 1866 March 10, 1866 March 17, 1866 Aggregate Average .... Averages last year Wh eat. Barley, Oats. s. d. s. d. s. d. 15 0 33 6 23 6 45 9 33 9 23 0 45 5 34 8 23 10 45 7 34 11 23 5 45 4 35 7 23 11 45 6 35 10 23 10 45 6 34 9 23 7 38 3 as 10 31 4 Irish, feed, white 20 Ditto, black 19 BEANS, Mazagau ...40 HaxTow 41 PEAS, white, boilers.. 36 CURRENT TRICES OF BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR IN MARK LANE. ■nrTiTi . rr, -r, , ■,, . SliiUiiigs per Quarter. WHEAT, Essex and Kent, white new... 40to50 .. >> „ red „ ... 38 45 Norfolk, Lincoln, and Yorkshire, red 40 46 BARLEY 31 to 37 Chevalier, new 38 44 Grinding 30 33 Distilling 34 MALT, E.ssex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, now 58 Kingston, Ware, and town-made, new 58 Bro>7n . 52 RYE •;..;..•. ;;;26 OATS, English, feed 21 to 26 Potato 25 Scotch, feed 21 26 Potato 25 22 Fine 24 22 Potato 24 43 Ticks 40 46 Pigeon 47 T^Tr^TTn ■ , . , 4'0Maple39to42Grey,new36 FLOUR, per sack of 2801bs., Tomi, Households 42 Country, on .shore 33 to 35 37 Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore 32 FOREIGN GRAIN. WHEAT, Dantzic, mixed 51 to 54 .'^oldrixtraS59 Konigsberg 48 52 extra 53 Rostock 48 51 fine. 53 Silesian, red 45 47 white.. '48 Pomera., Meckberg., and Uckermrk red old 45 Russian, hard, 42 to 41.... St. Petersburg and Riga 44 Danish and Holstein, red 4^ French, none Rhine and Belgiuni! .'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 4>6 American, red winter 46 to 49, spring 45 to 47, white 50 BARLEY, grinding 29 to 31 distilling and malting 34 OATS, Dutch, brewing and Rolands 22 to 26 feed 21 Danish and Swedish, feed 22 to 25 Stralsund... 22 Russian, Riga 22 to 24....Ai'ch. 21 to 24....P'sburg 23 TARES, Spring, per qr small 40 46... large ..50 BEANS, Friesland and Holstein 36 Konigsberg 38 to 43...Egyptianr'none — PEAS, feeding and maple. ..35 37... fine boilers 36 40 INDIAN CORN, white 31 34.. .yellow 31 33 FLOUR, per sack, French.. .33 36... Spanish, p. sack 33 36 American, per brl 23 25...extra and d'ble. 26 29 37 66 66 67 28 30 30 27 27 43 51 37 46 39 33 COMPARATIVE AVERAGES WHEAT Years. Qrs. 1 1862... 59,. 506 j 1863... 48,233| 1864... 77,432J 1865... 70,6881 1866... 72,146i d. 59 0 BARLEY. Qrs. .39,4741 39,830i 45,177J 41,6791 40,180| d. 35 10 36 7 31 5 28 10 35 10 OATS. Qrs. 13,557?r 12,587t 13,2974 7,614| 8,372 s. d. ..21 11 ..21 4 .. 19 8 ..21 4 ,. 23 10 PRICES OF SEEDS. BRITISH SEEDS. Mustard, per bush., white lOs tolls Canary, per qr gog. 56s.' Cloveksised, red ggg. 70s. COBIANDEB, per CWt '..., g| g| Tares, winter, new, per bushel 6s. Od. 6s 6d' Thefoil 22s. W. Kyegkass, per qr 25s. 36s Linseed, per qr., sowing 74s. to 76s., crushing 54s'. 68s* Rapeseed, per qr gOs. 8Js' Linseed Cakes^ per ton £9 lOs. to £10 10s Rape Cake, per ton £5 los. to £6 Os. FOREIGN SEEDS. CoRiANDEB, per CWt 20s.to22s Carraway ,, _3 "^ ' Cloverseed, red 45s. to 56s., white""..".".'.' 60s' 80s* 'J^KE^o" .'. 21s.' 24s'. Ryegrass, per qr 25s. 26s Uempseed, small— s. per qr., Dutch — g 48s Linseed, per qr., Baltic 68s. to 60s.Bombay ! 68s* — s* Linseed Cakes, p.^rton £9 lOs. to £11 Os' Rapeseed, Dutch j, ,. Rape Cake, per ton .'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.".■.'■.£5 Os. to '£6 Os*. HOP MARKET. JVIid and East Kents... 100s., 147s., 190s. Fanihams & Country. 100s., 126s., 160s.' Weald of Kents ... 80s., llSs.j 130s! Sussex 70s., 100s., 112s. Yearlings 95s., I20s., 13Ss. Bavarians 140s., 100s., 180s ENGLISH BUTTER MARKET. Dorset, fine new 133s. to 134s. per cwt Ditto, middling 100s. to 110s. ^^resh l~s. to 15s. per dozen lbs. 356 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. POTATO MARKETS. SOUTHWARK WATERSIDE. LONDON, Monday, March 26. — During the past week the arrivals coastwise have again been limited, hut the supplies by railway continue large, and are quite equal to the demand at the following quotations. Yorksliirc Flukes per ton SOs. to 100s. „ Regents 60s. to 70s. „ Rocks 45s. to 5os. Dunbar and East Lothian Regents... 60s. to 70s. Perth, Eorfar, and Fife Regents ... 4'Os. to 55s. Do. Do. Rocks 40s. to 50s. French Whites SOs. BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS. BOROUGH, Monday, March 26.— The supplies of po- tatoes on sale are moderate, and consist almost entirely of home-grown produce. The trade is quiet at about stationary prices. Kent and Essex Regents 50s. to 90s. per ton. Yorkshire Regents 60s. to 90s. „ Yorkshire Flukes SOs. to 110s. „ Yorkshire Rocks 40s. to 60s. „ Scotch Regents 40s. to SOs. „ Scotch Rocks 40s.to 60s. „ COUNTRY POTATO MARKET.— York (Saturday last) : Round potatoes, 5s. to 5s. 6d. per 2861bs., and 5d. per peck retail ; chats, 4s. to 5s. ; iukes, 7s. to 8s., and 6d. to 7d. per peck retail; and ash tops, 4s. to 4s. 6d. per bushel. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL POULTRY SIAR- KETS.— Turkeys 4s. 6d. to 10s. 6d., Turkey Poults 4s. 6d. to 10s., Geese 6s. to 9s., Ducks 2s. 6d. to 4s., Rabbits Is. to Is. 6d., Pigeons 6d. to Is. each. Surrey Fowls 9s. to 12s., ditto Chickens 6s. to 9s., Barndoor Fowls 5s. to 7s., Guinea Fowls 6s. to 8s. per couple. English Eggs 9s. to lis., French 6s. 6d. to 9s. per 120. Fresh Butter Is. 2d. to Is. 6d. per lb. WOOL MARKETS. ENGLISH WOOL MARICET. CuERENT Prices of English Wool. s. cl. s. cl. Fleeces— Southdown hoggets perlb. 1 9itol 10 HaU'-brecl ditto „ 1 llj 2 0 Kent fleeces ,, 1 11^ 2 0 Sovithdowu ewes and wethers ,, 18 18 Leicester ditto „ 1 lOJ 2 0 SOETS-Clothing „ 16 1 11 Combing ,, 15 2 0 LEEDS (English and Foreign) WOOL SLIRKETS, (Friday last.) — There is no change of importance in the de- mand for English Wool, and prices are unaltered. The con- sumption is well maintained. Colonial Wool is in fair re- quest, and prices keep up, and are likely to be sustained for s^me time. The supplies from the Aiistrahau colonies will not be in excess this year, unless the consumption should materially be reduced. BRADFORD WOOL MARKET, (Thursday last.)— The market has not greatly changed since last week. The improved demand which was tlien established continued up to IMonday, aad with perhaps little diminution till now* but the news of political difficulties in Germany, followed by the fall in the Liverjiool cotton market, operates in some degree as a check to iiUsiness. Some staplers liave liad a good inquiry, but as a rule there is more hesitancy on the part of Ijuyers. Staplers liold out for the full advance recently established in price. — Brad- ford Observer. WOOL. — FsANCE. — The supplies of wool received at Mar- seOles and Havre have not been very extensive, and quotations have remained firm. At Havre, Buenos Ayrcs \vool has made Is. 5id. to Is. lOd. per kilogramme (the fiftieth part of an English cwt.) ; and Montevidean, in a dirty state, Is. 5Jd. to Is. lOd. At Havre, La Plata has brought Is. Id. I» Is. 2d. ; and at Marseilles Georgian has made Is. 7id- to Is. 8d. per kilogramme. THE AUSTRALIAN WOOL MARKET.— Melbourne, Victoria, Jan. 25.— At the auction sales lield during the month 12,760 bales have been catalogued, of which about 8,000 bales have found Ijuyers. These figures show a con- siderable diminution when compared with those of tlie pre- ceding month ; and it is evident that the season is approaching to a termination. The quotations of our last summary have been steadily supported to the present date,no perceptible altera- tion in prices being apparent, Clips in good to superior order liave, as usual, secured the greatest share of compevhion, and more especially western wools, which have been eagerly sought after. Ordinary to average lots also are easy to place at satis- factory rates, whilst inferior command more attention, although prices for the last-named sort continue below the expectation of growers. The wools now coming forward are chiefly from tlie more northern districts, and, as might have been expected from the dry season, are in most instances faulty, being heavy, also short and tender in the staple. Buyers are shy of pur- chasing such sorts, unless at correspondingly low prices ; and rather tlian accept the rates offered, several of the owners are having their clips scoured, although it is doubtful whether this will prove the more remunerative course, the loss in weight being considerable. It is probable that next season many of these lots will be carefully washed on the stations, if water is available, as the saving in cost of carriage is an important item. Sliipmcnts during the next two or three months are ex- pected to somevi'lmt exceed those of tlie corresponding period of lastyeai, as there are considerable quantities to come in from Darling and other districts in the north, whilst it is an- ticipated that the low rates of freight ruling liere wiU attract consignments from New Zealand, wliere the clip is fuUy two months later than in tliis colony. Shippers from tliere can now export wool to London, rid Mel1)ourne, at about tlie same rates as those charged for direct shipment from their own ports, with the great advantage of being able to realise in this mar- ket. Prices current : Greasy, inferior to ordinary, 7d. to 9d. ; ordinary to average, 9d. to lOd. ; good to superior lid. to Is. IJd., cross-bred Is. Id. to Is. 2d. Fleece, inferior to ordinary. Is. 3d. to Is. 5d. ; ordinary to average, Is. 5d. to Is. 8d. ; good to superior. Is. 9d. to 2s. Ojd. Scoured, ordinary. Is. 4d. to Is. 7d. ; good, Is. 8d. to Is. lOd. ; superior, Is. lOd. to 2s. Id. Totarshipments from 25th to date 103,210.— Goldsbhougii's Circular. MANURES. PRICE CURRENT OF GUAKO, &c. Peruvian Guano, dii'ect from the importers' stores, or ex ehip (30 tons) ;ei2 5s. to £12 10s. per ton. Bones, £6 10s. per ton. Animal Charcoal (70 per cent. Phosphate) £5 peu ton. Coprolite, Cambridge, whole £2 5s. to £2 8s., ground £2 I5s. to £3 Suffolk, whole £1 18s. to £2, g-round£2 10s. to £2 12s. per ton. Muriate of Potash, £1S to £14 per ton. Nitrate of Soda, £15 to £15 10s. per ton. Sulphate of Aramoni,a, £14 to £15 per ton. G}T3Suni, SOs. per ton. Supei-phosphate of Lime, £5 to £6 5s. per ton. Sulphuric Acid, concentrated 1'845 Id. per lb., bi-own 1'712 0?^d. Blood Manure £6 5s. to £7 10s. per ton. Dissolved Bones, £G 15s. p. ton. Linseed Cakes, best American barrel, £11 5s., ditto bag £10 10s. p. ton; English, £11 to £11 10s. Eape Cake, £5 15s. to £6 per ton. E. PuKSEE, Loudon Manu.re Company, 116, Fenchurch Street, E.G. LIVERPOOL SEED AND GUANO, &c., MARKET, March 21. — Guano ; Import 620 tons from Maldon Island. Sales, 50 tons Ichaboe, at £9 2s. 6d. per ton. — Nitrate of Soda : There is a slight decline in prices ; the sales are 670 tons, at lis. 9d. to 12s. 3d. per cwt. — Saltpetre in better de- mand ; sales, 770 bags of Calcutta, at 23s. 3d. to 23s. 6d. per cwt. for 4'GO to 2^ per cent, refraction. — Bone Ash : 125 tons sold, at £4 lis. 3d. to £4 15s. per ton on 70 base. — Linseed Oil Cakes : The sales are 60 tons thick Western, at £8 5s, to £8 10s. ; 194 bags and brls., at £10 2s. 6d. ; and 50 tons Bombay, to arrive, at £7 10s. per ton. — Cloverseed : 646 bags and brls. of American red, at 42s. to 4Ss. per cwt., according to quality. — Linseed : Tlierc is very little offering, and the supplies continue small. The sales are 850 Ijags Bombay, at 74s. to 76s. ; and 250 bags Patua, at 74s. per qr. — Rapeseed : Owing to the smaUness of supplies there are no sales to report. — Tallow : The market is slightly loner. There is a steady consumptive demand. This week's report of the rinderpest is very gloomy. Guano, Ponivian £12 7Gto£0 0 0 Linseed Cake, per ton- Do. Upper do. 6 0 0 7 0 0 Americ.,thin,bgs.£10 0 Oto£12 2 6 Maiden Island 0 0 0 6 10 0' Do. in brls 0 0 0 0 00 BoneAsh 0 00 0 0 0, English , 11 50 0 00 Brimstone, 2d&3rd 0 0 0 0 0 o'Cotsd.Cake,deoort. 0 0 0 0 00 Saltpetre, BengJll, lLinsd.Bomby,p.qr. 3 16 0 0 00 2 per cent 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rapeseed, Guzer.at 3 13 0 3 16 0 Nitr. of Soda, p. ct. 0 11 9 0 12C'Nigei- 2 12 0 2 13 0 Cloverseed, N.Am. 1 Tallow, Ist r.y.C. 2 10 G 2 11 0 red,newpcr cwt. 2 0 0 2 10 0 „ super. Norths 2 9 0 2 10 0 SAMUEL DOWNES Aim CO., General Brokers, Exchange Court, Liverpool. Agricultural Chemical Works, Stowmarket, Suffolk. Prentice's Cereal Manure for Corn Crops per ton £8 10 6 Mangold Manure ,, 8 0 0 Prentice's Tui-nip Manui-e > 6 10 0 Prentice's Superphosphate of Lime U 0 0 Printed by Rogerson and Tuxford, 246, Strand, London, W.C, THE LONDON AND SUBURBAN LAND AND BUILDING COMPANY (LIMITED). Incorporated under " The Companies' Act, 1862," by which the liability of each Shareholder is strictly limited to tlic amount of his Shares. OEilCES— 70, rENCHURCH STREET, CITY, E.G. CJL'PXTA.IL, ^15©,< (With power to increase), IN 15,000 SHARES OF £10 EACH. (Of which number, 0,005 hare been subscribed for.) (The Original Capital was £50,000, in 5,000 Shares, which were all issued ; but by a Special Resolution passed on February 1st, 186(), the nominal Capital was increased by £100,000. Of the New Shares 5,995 remain to be offered to the Public.) OF WHICH £1 IS TO BE PAID ON APPLICATION, AND £1 ON ALLOTMENT. No call to exceed 10s. per Share, nor to be made at less intervals than two months between each, until the sum of £o per Share is paid, beyond which no further Call is contemplated. Directors M. COLEMAN, ESQ., M.D., Chairman. J. WILLIS, ESQ., Deputy Chairman. T. J. BARNES, Esq. I E. J. HARRIS, Esq. I W. MARTINDALE, Esq. i G. MILLS, Esq. J. DUTTON, Esq. | E. LLOYD, Esq. | G. S. MASTERS, Esq. j W. RICKET, Esq. Bankers— LONDON and county bank, 21, Lombard Street. Standing Counsel- G. jessel, Esq., q.c. Solicitor— THOMAS W. RODGERS, Esq., 70, Fenchurch Street, City. Brokers— Messrs. CAWTHORN and SCOTT, 75, Old Broad Street. Architects and Surveyors— Messrs. HAMMACK and LAMBERT, 59, Bishopsgate street Within. Auditors— W. smith, Esq. H. L. WHEATLEY, Esq. Secretary— JONATHAN Taylor, Esq. PROSPECTUS. The Company was Registered under "The Companies' Act, 1862," on May 1st, 1863, having succeeded to the business of the London and Suburban Freehold Land Society, which had previously been in active and prosperous operation upwards of eleven years. The expenses of forming and establishing the Company have all been discharged, and valuable Estates have been purchased ; considerable portions of Land have been sold by Public Auction at very remunerative prices so that, out of the profits realized by re-sales since the formation of the Company, Five Dividends have been paid as follows : — March, 1864 — at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum. August, 1864 ,, „ March, 1865 ,, „ • August, 1865 „ „ with the Addition of a Bonus of 2^ per cent., Feb., 1866 „ „ with a Bonus of 5 per cent. After payment of the last Dividend and Bonus, MCarly tWO-tlBircls of tlie Wet **rolifc reiusftlned iaaacliviile«l. The Estate last contracted to be purchased consists of nearly lOO acres of Freehold Land, well situated for Building purposes, within fifteen minutes of the Broad Street Terminus ; by a judicious plan of laying it out, a return of double the amount of its cost will in all probability be realized. By a Resolution of an Extraordinary Meeting of the Company, held on February 1st, 1866, the Directors were authorized to issue 10,010 New Shares, of which number the present Shareholders have subscribed for 4005 — leaving 5995 Shares, which number the Directors now ofFer to the public at a Premium of £l per Share. Payment to be made as follows — The premium and £1 per Share on application, and £l per Share on allotment. Any Shareholder who may be desirous of providing for future Calls may place on deposit with the Company a sum sufBcient for that purpose, and receive interest thereon half-yearly at the rate of Five Pounds per cent, per annum. The amount of each Call may be transferred from Deposit account to the Capital account at one day's notice. By the Articles of Association, no Call can exceed 10s. per Share, nor be made at less intervals than two mouths between each. The applications to be made through the Company's Bankers—THE London and County Bank, 21, Lombard Street, or any of its branches, and the Brokers, Messrs. Cawthorn & Scott, 75, Old Broad Street. In the event of no allotment being made, the amount any applicant may have paid to the Bankers' will be i-eturned in full. No applications for less than Five Shares will be entertained. DEDUCTION IN THE PKICE OF AStlBY & JEFEERY^S HAYMAKERS. THE NEW l^ALMEKSTON HAYMAKER (No. G). SINCE the Ph-mouth Sho\v ASHBY AND JEFFERY liave brought out ;i New SOLID-AXLE HAY- MAKER, on a veiy simple IK-iiiciple, with Double-action ami Reverse-motion. It is a strong, full-sized, well-con- structed Machine, and ca- pable of throwing out the heaviest crops ^vithout clog- ging. Pkice £U lis. A. and J. have also .iust introduced another New DOVBLE-ACTIOX ILlTlIAKER (No. 7), with both Forivard and Reverse-motion, exactly sLniilar to the above No. 6, but sLs inches nai-rower. Price £13 13s. A. and J. have reduced the jirice of then- famous Little Haymaker, No. 5, with both Forward and Back-action, specially adapted for a Ught horse. It is remarkably simple in its construction, and in its principle very similar to their original Patent Machine. Price £10 10s. [This is in place of the £11 lis. Machine.] A. and J. begto announce also that they have reduced the ])rice of theii' celebrated New Patent extra strong Douljle- action Haymaker to £1(3. Patent Wire Screen, 15s. extra. N.B. — All the above Haymakers have been well tested, and evcij- one sent out v>"ill be warranted. SEVENTY-THREE FIRST-CLASS PRIZES have been given to A. and Co.'s Haj-maker. ASHBY AND JEFFEEY'S PATENT DOUBLE-LEVER HOESE EAKE. These are well known as the easiest- working Rakes of anj- in the trade. They rake exceedingly clean and well on hilly and vuieven land. The Judges of the Royal Society gave the following Report at Salisbury :^" Ashby and Co.'s is a Light Rake, and works well; it draws up heavy grass better than any other, and it clean-raked aclmii'ably." Price, No. 1, with Twenty-six Teeth, £7 10s. ; No. 2, with Twenty-six Steel Teeth, £S. For ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES, and further particulars, apply to ASHBY AND JEFFERY, RUTLAND TERRACE IRON WORKS, STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE. PICKSLEY, SIMS, AND CO. (LIMITED), BEDPOR-D FOUNDRY, LEIGH, LANCASHIRE, MANUFACTUEEES of CHAFF CUTTEES, COEN GEINDING and CEUSHING MILLS, TURNIP CUTTERS, PULPERS, CAKE BREAKERS, etc., etc. In addition to the ordinary sizes of Chaff Cutters, P. S. & Co. have introduced a new Machine, specially adapted for the London market, fitted with a large Fly Wheel and wide Mouthpiece, at a low cost. P. S. and Co. also make a new Combined Machine for Slicing Tm^lips and for Pulping and Cuttmg Ftngej- Pieces for Sheep. This machine is entirely new, of treble action, and refiuires little iwwer to work it. P. S. and Co., manufactm-ers of STEA3I ENGINES, BONE GRINDING and RASPING MILLS, REAPING and MOWING MACHINES, HYDRAULIC and SCREW PRESSES and PUMPS of every description, COTTON GINS, etc., etc ILLUSTR.\.TED CATALOGUES FREE TER TOST 01* APPLICATION. PRIZE MEDAL AWARDED. Highly Important to Dairymen and all who keep Cows. »ARI.A]«I>'S IPATJEMT lIi:i:.KI]^^€^ APPAIIATUS, by means of which lOO Cows lua^' Milk tliesuselves in One Hour. It is recom- mended by several well-known land stewards of the United Kingdom for its Cleanliness, quick- ness and economy. Farmers need only to give it a trial to see its advantages over all other inventions. "We have received from so tl'nst l«'Ol'tliy a source so good an account of the Pocket Milking Apparatus that wc feel ourselves jUStitieil in calling the attention of our readers to it." — Bell's Messenger, Jan. 4, 1864. Price 10s,, the Set Complete, post free.— Circulars sent on demand. — A liberal discount to orders for dozens of sets. 1 r^^?V:J^!^^^ ^^'^^'^^ ^^ ^^ made payable to THOMAS BARIAND, 16, NORFOLK-STREET, STRAND, J-.UNl)ON. THE ROYAL FARMERS' INSURANCE COMPANY, 3, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. Persons insured by this Company have the security of an extensive and wealthy proprietary, as well as of an ample capital, always applicable to the payment of claims. FIRE ]>EPART]!nE:WT. First class r* Not Hazardous Is. Gd. per ceut. Second class...! ....•• Hazardous 23. 6d. ,, Thirdclass Doubly Hazardous. 4s. 6d. „ BUIIiDIlVO AIVD MKRCAWTIIiE PROPERTIT of every description in Public or Piivate Warehouses— Distillers, Steam Engines, Goods in Boats or Canals, Ships in Port or Harbour, &c., &c., are insured in this Office at moderate rates. SPECIjLIj RISKSIt — At such rates as may be considered reasonable. PAR]fII]!¥Cr STOCK..— 6s. per cent.; and Portable Steam Thrashing Machines allowed to be used, without extra charge. Nearly five millions insured in this Office on this description of property alone ItOSSES paid immediately after the amounts have been ascertained. lilPJS. — Life Insurances on moderate terms, by Policies payable to the registered holders. ROW US, — Insurers of the participating class are entitled to four-fifths of the profits. At the last declaration of Bonus in May, 1864, £6 5s. was added to every jglOO insured by Policies of five years' standing, being at the rate of £1 5^ per cent, per annum, and proportionate amounts to all other insurances on which two or more annual payments had been made, being in some cases about 6Q per cent, on the premiums received. Additional Agents wanted. Applica^on to JOHN REDDISH, Esq., Secretary and Actuary. IMPORTANT TO FLOCKMASTERS. THOMAS BIGG, Agricultural and Veterinary Chsmist, by Appointment to His late Royal Highness The Prince Consort, K.Q., Leicester House, Great DoTer-street, Borough, London, begs to call the attention of Farmers and Gratiers to his valuable SHEEP and LAMB DIPPING COM- POSITION, which requires no Boiling, and may be used with Warm or Cold Water, for effectually destroying the Tick, Lice, and all other insects injurious to the Flock, preventing the alarming attacks of Fly and Shab, and cleansing and purifying the Skin, thereby greatly improving the Wool, both in quantity and quality, and highly contributing to the general health of the animal. Prepared only by Thomas Bigg, Chemist, &c., at his Manufac- tory as above, and sold as follows, although any other quantity may be had, if required : — 4 lb. for 20 sheep, price, jar includ«d £0 2 0 61b. 30 „ „ „ 0 3 0 8 lb. 40 „ „ „ 0 4 0 10 1b. 50 „ „ „ 0 5 '^'' 30 lb. 100 „ ,, (cask and measure 0 10 0 SO lb. 150 „ „ included) 0 15 0 40 1b. S0« „ „ „ 10 0 601b. 250 „ „ „ 13 6 60 1b. 300 „ „ „ 17 6 80 1b. 400 „ „ „ 1 17 6 1001b. 500 „ „ „ 2 5 0 Should any Flockmaster prefer boiling the Composition, it will be equally effective. MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE. From Mb. Hbrapath, tke celebrated A.nalj/tical Chemitt : — Bristol Laboratory, Old Park, Jauuary 18th, 1861. Sir,— I have submitted your Sheep-Dipping Composition to analysis, and find that the ingredients are well blended, and the mizt>ir« neutral. If it is used according to the directions given, I feel satisfied, that while it effectually destroys vermin, it wiU not injure the hair roots (or " yolk ") in the skin, the fleece, or the carcase. I think it deserves the numerous testimonials pub Uthed; I am, Sir, yours respectfully, William Hekapath, Sen., P.C.8., &c., kc, To Mr. Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry. Leicester House, Qreat DoTor'ttreet, Borough, London. He would also especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, or LOTION, for the SCAB, or SHAB. which will be found a certain remedy for eradicating that loathsome and ruinous disorder in Sheep, and which may be safrly used in all climates, and at all seasons of the year, and to all descriptions of sheep, even ewes in lamb. Price FIVE SHILLINGS per gallon— sufficient on an average for thirty Sheep (according to the virulence of the disease); also in wine quart bottles. Is. 3d. each. IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL. "Scoulton, near Hingham, Norfolk, April 16th, 1855. " Dear Sir, — In answer to yours of the 4th inst, which would have been replied to before this had I been at home, I have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the eflicacy of your in- valuable 'Specific for the cure of Scab in Sheep.' The 600 sheep were all dressed in August last with S4 gallons of the ' Non- Poiionous Specific,' that was so highly recommended at the Lincoln Show, and by their own dresser, the best attention being paid to the flock by my shepherd after dressing according to instructions left; but notwithstanding the Scab continued getting worse. Being determined to have the Scab cured If possible, I wrote to you for a supply of your Specific, which I received the following day; and although the weather was most severe in February during the dressing, your Specific proved itself an invaluable remedy, for in three weeks the Sheep were quite cured ; and I am happy to say the young lambs are doing remarkably well at present. In conclusion, I believe it to be the safest and best remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir, your obedient servant, " For JOHN TINGEV, Esq., " To Mr. Thomas Bigg." " R. RENNEY. |^~ Flockmasters would do well to beware of such prepara- tions as " Non-poisonous Compositions :" it is only necessary to appeal to their good common sense and judgment to be tho- roughly convinced, that no " Non-poisonous" article can poison or destroy insect vermin, particularly such as the Tick, Lice, and Scab Parasites — creatures so ten tcious of life. Such advertised preparations must be wholly luoless, or they are not what they are represented to be. Dipping Apparatus,,,..., ...,£14, £5, £4,& ;63. The exuberance of the feelings amid scenes of gaiety induces the fair and youthful to shine to advantage under the gaze of many friends, and therefore to devote increased attention to the duties of the Toilet. It is at this gay season that ROWLANDS' AUXILIARIES OF HEALTH AND BEAUTY are more than usually essential for preserving the Hair in its decorative charm, the Skin and Complexion transparent and blooming, and the Teeth in their pearl-like lustre. The august Patronage conceded by our Gracious Queen, the several Sovereigns of Europe, and the Beauties who adorn the Circles of Regal Magnificence, confirms by experience the infallible efficacy of these renovating Specifics, and gives them a celebrity unparalleled. They have proved the theme of the poet ; they are cele- brated in the periodical literature of the whole civilized world ; the lays of Byron, and the voice of the press, have proclaimed the incomparable virtues of the " Oil Macassar," and of its accompanying preparations. ROWLANDS' MACASSAR OIL js a delightfully fragrant and transparent preparation for the Hair ; and A§ i^m Dli^^O©@[^^Tr@l^ ^MB [Bd^yTTQIFQlK lUlVOO^© ALL IFlSlieilDIiO^T. It bestows a permanent gloss, with a silky softness, and a strong tendency to curl, and is the only specific capable of effectually sustaining the Hair in decorative attractiveness, during the exercise of dancing, or the relaxing effects of crowded rooms. Price 3s. 6d., 78. Family Bottles (equal to four small), 10s. 6d. ; and double that size, 2l8. ROWLANDS' KALYDOR, FOn WHX: SKIN A^TSIt COfEPI^EX^IOIV. A balmy, odoriferous, creamy Liquid, as equally celebrated for safety in application as UNEQUALLED FOR ITS RARE AND INESTIMABLE QUALITIES. The radiant bloom it imparts to the cheek, the softness and delicacy which it induces of the hands and arms, its capability of soothing irritation, aud removing cutaneous defects, discolorations, and all unsightly appearances, render it XSTBISFEZirSABLE TO EVERV TOIZ.BT. Price 48. 6d. and 8s. 6d. per bottle. ROWLANDS' ODONTO, OR PEARL DENTIFRI CE, A White Powder, compounded of the choicest and most recherche ingredients of the ORIENTAL HERBAL, and of inestimable value in PRE^XJIlVIlVGi^ A]¥]> BEAUTIFYI]¥€^ THE T£GTH, IMPARTING A PEARL-LIKE WHITENESS, a:wi> in oiTisrc} a ssiiIcatk fjkaoraivcc: to th£ breath. Price 2s. 9d. per Box. TO PREVENT These are small Articles as they their IMPOSITION. copies of the appear io Wrappers. Sold by A. ROWLAND A, SONS, 20, Hatton Garden, London, and by Chemists and Perfumers. *** Ask for .♦• JaOfri.A:Wl>li> »» Articles. No. 5, Vol. XXIX.] MAY, 1866. [Third Series, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE AND MONTHLY JOURNAL OP THE AGEICULTURAL INTEREST. TO THE FARMERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. LONDON : PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 246, STRAND. PRICE TWO SHILLINGS. ROGERSON AND TUXFORD,] [PRINTERS. 246, STRAND. Ij H O W A BD S' AMPION PLOUGHS WON in 1865 and TWO PREVIOUS YEARS the Unprecedented Number of SIXTY. EIGHT ALL ENGLAND PRIZES, AND UPWARDS OF EIGHT HUNDRED LOCAL PRIZES, BY FAR THE LARGEST KPMBER EVER GAINED BY ANY MAKER. HOWARDS' CHAMPION PLOUGH Gained at the LAST TRIALS of the Royal Agricultural Society op England, at Newcastle, The FIRST and ONLY PRIZE for the BEST WHEEL PLOUGH FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. This is the most important Prize for Plouffhs oflFered by the Society, it being for the Plough best adapted for both light and heavy land, as well as for the best work at various depths. For the LAST TEif YEARS J. & F. HOWARD have been the Winners of this Prize. HAS RECEIVED FIFTEEN FIRST PRIZES FROM THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND, Beiag the Largest Number of Prizes awarded to any kind of Plough ever exhibited. MORE THAN SIXTY JHOUSAND ARE IN USE. The fiillowing Prizes have b. en awarded to J. & F. Howard by the Royal Agricultural Society of England : FORTY-FOUR FIRST PRIZES FOR THE BEST PLOUGHS FOR LIGHT LAND, BEST PLOUGHS FOR HEAVY LAND, BEST PLOUGHS FOR GENERAL PURPOSES. BEST RIDGING PLOUGHS, BEST SUBSOIL PLOUGHS, B2ST HA.iROWS, BEST HORSE RAKES, BEST HAYMAKERS, AND BEST HORSE HOES; ALSO THE GOLD MEDAL, AND OTHER PRIZES, FOR STEAM-CULTIVATING MACHINERY. Pt;i.L PARTICULARS MAT BE HAD OP THEIR AGENTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, OR WILL BE SBITT FRKE ON APPLICATION TO JAMES AND FREDERICK HOWARD, BAITANNIA IRON WORKS, BEDFORD, ENGLAND. LONDON OFFICE: 4, Cheapside-Three Doors from St. Paul's. THE EARMER'S MAGAZINE. MAY, 1866. CONTENTS. Plate I.— E M P R E S S : a Devon Cow. Plate II.— KING J 0 HN: a Thorough-bked Stallion. N Agri- Descriptions of the Plates . . . . . Barley and Malt.— By Cuthbert W. Johnson, F.R.S. . Suggestions for Summer-grazing without Cattle The Cattle Plague in Cheshire .... Royal Agricultural Society of England: Monthly Council ..... Agricultural Experiments in the Field The New Farm . . . The Tallow Trade of Russia ..... Central Farmers' Club ; Agricultural Shows and their Influence cultural Progress ..... The Winter Evenings of the Labouring Classes: Framlingham Farmers' Club The Management of Cattle . ... . . Poultry Rearing ...... Utilization of Town Sewage ..... Rats, Mice, Rabbits, and other Farm Pests . . . Rounds with a " Vet." . . . . . Carcase-trade Triumphs and Drawbacks . . . "The Medicinal Properties of Food for Stock The Feeding of Stock: Cirencester Farmers' Club The Prize System ...... The Use of Chloroform in the Cattle Plague Wholesale and Retail Butcher Companies The Catile Plague and its influence on Cheshire Farming . Pleuro-Pneumonia ...... Medicinal Plants . . . Cultivation and Economical Way of Consuming Green Crops. — By Mr Substitutes for Milk in Rearing Calves and Lambs . The "American Woollen Trade . . . . The Destruction of British Birds . . . . The Charter of the Royal Agricultural Society Agriculture in Australia ..... Brome-de-Schrader . . . . . The Rating of Game . The Lessons of the Leaves ..... Council Meeting of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society The Cattle Plague and New Orders The Disease amongst Sheep ..... Reviews ....... The Debates on the Cattle Plague .... The Malt-tax . . . . . . The Debate on the Malt-tax .... Correspondence between Mr. Sewell Read and the Chancellor ExcHEauER ON Malting by Weight Foreign Agricultural Gossip . . . . . Calendar of Agriculture , . . . • Calendar of Gardening ..... General Agricultural Report for April . . . Review of the Cattle Trade for April Agricultural Intelligence, Fairs, &c. Review of the Corn Trade during the past Month . Market Currencies, &c. , , , . , Page. . 357 . 358 . 362 , 363 364 364 370 373 Mechi 374 382 386 388 389 390 392 394 396 398 403 404 405 406 410 411 412 . 416 . 418 . 419 . 420 . 421 . 423 . 423 . 423 . 423 424, 425 . 425 . 425 . 426 . 427 . 428 THE . 434 . 435 . 437 . 438 . 438 . 439 . 440 . 442 . 444 0 THE GRAPHOTYPING COMPANY (LIMITED). INCOUPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES* ACT, 1862, WITH LIMITED LIABILITY. CAPITAIi, JglOOjOOO, iM 10,000 Sliares of £10 cacb. £1 to be paid on Application, and £1 10s. on Allotment. Directors. GEO. R. D. NORTON, Esq., Chairman, Park-street, Windsor, and Conservative and Junior Cailton Clubs. *HENRY NOEL'HUMPHREYS, Esq., 7, Westbourne-equare, W. T. PEARCE, Esq., 8, Leamington-road Villas, Wcstbourne Park. W. ROBINSON SMITH, Esq., Mertbyr Tydvil, and 101, Cheapside, E.C. Lieiit.-Col. J. A. TODD, 37, Springfield-road, St. John's Wood, and Army and Navy Club. HENRY FITZ-COOK, Esq., Member of the Society of Arts, 95, Hereford-road, Westbourne Park, Managing Director. JBankers. LONDON JOINT-STOCK BANK, Princes-street, E.C. Broker. G. N. STRAWBRIDGE, Esq., 12a, Copthall-court and Stock Exchange. Solicitor. FREDERICK BRADLEY, Esq., 127, Fenchurch- street, E.C. General Manager (with a seat at the Board). EDWARD ROPER, Esq. Secretary pro tern. CHARLES LA COSTE COCKBURN, Esq. Auditors. P. LE NEVE FOSTER, Esq., M.A., and Messrs. KENNEDY AND ABBOTT, 13, Moorgate-street, E.C. Offices {temporary). 13, MOORGATE-STREET, E.C. ■ PROSPECTUS. This Company has been formed for the purpose of purchasing the patent rights for the United Kingdom of a newly-invented process, called Graphotype, and for working the same ; the object of the pi-ocess being the pro- duction of book and other Illustrations in a manner which is at once less costly and more expeditious than is pos- sible by the methods at present so extensively employed, and which ensures a more faithful translation of the* artist's work. Of the many advantages which the Graphotyping process, as a means of illustration, offers over that of wood engraving (which it is believed it will almost entirely, if not altogether, supersede) the Directors have every con- fidence in naming the following : 1st, that it accomplishes, with absolute certainty, all that is claimed for it, its success not being dependent upon any but the very tiimplest conditions ; 2nd, that by it the artist's work is re- produced with the utmost nicety of exactness, the printed picture beinsr in every particular, down to the minutest detail, the precise fac-simile of the artist's drawing; 3rd, that it effects a very considerable saving in time, a drawing which would occupy a skilled engraver a fortnight to engrave on wood being, by the Graphotype pi-o- cess, made ready. for printing within five or six hours from the time of leaving the artist's hands; and 4tb, that the cost of production is reduced to at least one-twentieth of that by wood engraving. At a meeting of the Society of Arts, held on the 6lh December last, the process was thoroughly exemplified and explained before a large number of scientific gentlemen practically acquainted with the subject, amongst whom were several connected with the Engraving, Printing, and Publishing Trades, and it was received with almost unanimous approval. A detailed Report of the Meeting may be seen in the Report of the proceedings published by the Society of Arts, and the same, with Prospectuses and other papers, may be had at the Offices of the Company. The Directors have no statistics at hand to enable them to arrive at the amount annually expended upon il- lustrations for many books, periodicals, paper.'^, &e., which are constantly being issued from the press, but they are assured that this sum must certainly reach to several hundreds of thousands of pounds. When it is remem- bered that by this new proee.'is a very great saving of time and cost are effected, it may fairly be assumed that by far the larger proportion of this work muit find its way to the Company ; and as it is proposed to charge at the average rate oi' one- half the present price of wood engraving, while the actual cost is not more than one- * The Gkaphotvping Company (Limited) beg to direct attention to tlie following letter from Mr. W. Holjian Hunt, which explains tlie reason of his name having Ijeen withdrawn from the list of Dii'ectors ; Mr. Holman Hunt, however, still continues his interest as a Shareholder in the Company. Heney Noel Humphbeys, Esq., of 7, Westboui-ne-square, has qualified himself, and accepted the seat at the Board, vacated by Mi-. Holman Hunt : (COPY.) , . , - " Torr Villa, Campden Hill, W., March mh, 1866. My Dear Sir, — By yom- card of invitation to the exhibition of specimens of the Graphotyping process, I see you are now prepared to start the Company publicly. This will, I doubt not, be attended with all the good results you anticipate. I trust that the pm-port of this note will not be taken as an indication of any feeling on my part biTt one of the gi-eatest anxiety and hope for the success of the enterprise. The invention is so very excellent in the simplicity of the means used and the perfection of the examples produced as book illustrations for printing with type, that I can have no doubt that it will entirely super.sede wood engravmg, and be used for many purposes for which other kinds of engraving have hitherto been employed. It ought, there- lore, to pay an enormous interest on the capital engaged in the business. With my plans, however, for leaving England for a lengthened i)eriod, I cannot escape the conviction that it would be altogether vrrong in me to retain the place you have done me Uie nonoui- to give me among the Directors . After consenting to this two mouths since, it is certainly now veiy unbusiness-like i?.ft-®w-f^^\^*^ "^^^^^ ^,^° \^'^''^- . I n^iist trust, therefore, to your kindness to pardon me for aU the trouble I have given you from ments o?the Com an '^ "'^''^'■™'"'^'^'°" earlier, and ask you now to remove my name from all future prospectuses and announce- tioentieth, it will be seen at once that a very large margin of profit is reserved for division amongst the Share- holders; and this, too, without calculating the other sources of profit, which the working of the process is certain to yield, in its application to Cotton Printing, some branches of Lithography, Type-founders' material, and many decorative processes, for which the Company intend to ^rant licences under their patents. The terms for the transfer of the Patent, together with the goodwill and business of Messrs. Roper and Co, (and which includes a number of orders now on hand), are a cash payment of ^12,500, and ^£12,500 in fully paid-up shares of the Company, with a further cash bonus of one-tenth of the profits whenever the nett earnings of the Company shall in any one year exceed 50 per cent, on the paid-up capital. In acceding to these terms, the Directors believe that they have made an arrangement extremely conducive to the Conipany's interests. Messrs. Roper and Co. have expended much time and considerable capital in thoroughly testing and brino-in"' the invention to complete working order; Mr. Edward Roper has entered into an agreement for a term of years to devote his whole time to the superintending of the mechanical department, on terms mainly dependent on the success of the business, thereby securing to the Company the advantages which his experience afi"ords, and retain- ing a substantial interest in the welfare of the undertaking. Mr. Henry Fitz-Cook, an artist well-known in the i)rofession (who has been for many months engaged in working the process, and who was for many years connected with the Illustrated London News), has been se- cured as Managing Director, and the Company being guided by gentlemen who are well-known to' the public as practically expeiienced in their several branches, the Directors have every confidence in the success of their under- taking. Power is reserved in the Articles of Association, for printing: and publishing, for sucii purposes as may be necessary, and an illustrated daily paper is projected in connection with, but not by this Company, which without the aid this process affords, would be an almost impossible achievement. ' ' Applications for Shares can be made in tlie accompanying form to the Bankers, Broker, Solicitor or Secre- tary of the Company, and must be accompanied by a deposit of £1 per share on the number of Shares applied for and if no allotment is made will be returned in full. Wo further call can be made until six months after allot- ment, and succeeding calls with an interval of three months. No call to exceed £2 lOs. per share, MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION. 1. The name of the Company is "The Grapiiotyping Company, Limited." 2. The Registered Office of the Company is to be in England. 3. The objects for which the Company is established are — 1. To purchase the Grapiiotyping and Engraving business, together with the goodwill, fixtures plant and orders of Messrs. Edward Roper and Company, of No, 16, Southampton Street, Strand, in tjie Countv of Middlesex, and to work the same. 2. To acquire and purchase certain letters patent granted by Her Majestv to Benjamin Day, of Hobokon in the County of Hudson and State of New Jersey, in the United States of America, for the invention of "an improved method of producing relief plates and rollers for printing, stereotyping, or elcctrotvnine " and dated March 15th, 1864. •" *' 3. To work the said invention in all or any of its branches; to grant licences to use the said invention or any portion of it; to re-sell the said letters patent if thought desirable, or any portion thereof, and to print, publish, and do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects. 4. The liability of the Members is limited. 5. The nominal Capital of the Company is £100,000, divided into £10,000 shares of £10 each. FORM OF APPLICATION FOR SHARES, (To be retained by the Bankers). To the Directors of the graphotyplng company, limited. Gentlemen, Having paid to your bankers the sum of £ , being the deposit of One Pound per Share on Shares in the above Association, I hereby request that you will allot me that number, and I agree to become a Member of the Association in respect of such Shares, or in respect of any less number you may allot me, and to execute the Articles of Association when required, and I request that my name be placed on the Register of Members for the Shares so allotted. Dated this day of 1866. Name i Residence Profession or Business • THE GRAPHOTYPING COMPANY, LIMITED. , Receipt for Deposit : Received this „,^^y of , 1866, of the sura of being a deposit of One Pound per Share on Shares in the Graphotyping Company, Limited. """ For the London Joint-Stock Bank, Cashier. EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS ; AND OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. From the Rhv. Charles Kingslby, M.A., F.S.A. Rector of Eversley ; Regius Professor of Afodem History in the Vniversitij of Cambridge; Chaplain to the Qtieeit and H.R.H. Prince of Wales; Author of " The Heroes," "Greek Fairy Tales" (Hlustrated by the Author) " Westward Ho !" ^c, ^w " It seems likely to be a very great success— such as old Bewick would have welcomed (as he did all im- provements) with his whole heart. " For myself, I wish it had been invented ten years ago : I then gave up drawing on wood, and indeed draw- ing at all, from experience of the very difficulties which your process seems calculated to surmount." From B. B. Woodward, Esq., F.S.A., Libranm. in ordimnj to the Queen, and Keeper of Friiiis a,id Bnm'uKjs, Witidwr Castle. " 1 cannot imao'ine anything more in|,'enioiis in tlieory, or more simple and satisfactory in practice, than this process is, even in its infancy. It bears to wood-cut engraving ahnost exactly the relation which etching bears to copperplate engraving. In the former, you have the artist's own work, in the latter, an interpretation or trans- lation of it." From Geo-rge Wallis, Esq., Curator of the South Kensington 3fHseiii>i ; British Comitiissioner to the JJtiited, States, 1853 ; formerly Head Master of the Government Schools of Design, Spitalfields ; Manchester and Birmingham Superintendent of British Tex- tile Division ; and Deputg Commissioner of Juries in the Great Exhibition of 1851, and the International Exhi- bition, 1862. •' I have no hesitation whatever in expressing my conviction that the Graphotype process will be of great value not only in illustrative, but in decorative art. The impressions under which I spoke in the discussion at the Society of Arts, after the reading of your paper on 6th December last, are more ihan confirmed already. Like all new processes requiring, in ever so small a degree, now methods of manipulation, the Graphotype process must have time, if I may use a familiar term, ' to feci its feet.' I am quite satislied that even if little or no fur- ther improvements are made in its details, which it would be absurd to assert as at all probable, there is enough in it, and that enough can be done by it, to ensure it a place amongst the practical graphic arts of the future." From J. Noel Paton, Esq., R.S A., &c., &c. "PAofo-Zi^Aogfrff/)% has not, I think, fulfilled its promise. Moreover, it must always lie under the disad- vantage of unfitness for printing along with letter-press. Your new process seems to fulfill all promised by Photo- lithography, and more." From W. Cave Thomas, Esq. " If in the Graphotype process it be as easy to convert the designs into engravings as it is to the skilful, firm- handed draughtsman to draw them on the prepared pliite^, it will indeed bo a most valuable acquisition to artist, author, and publisher." Extract from the "Spectator," of December 'ind, 18G5. " We have good news for the pre-RafFaelites. There is some chance of their being able to establish an illus- trated or^an, a daily paper if they please, which shall popularise tlnir views by reproducing whatever sketches they may contribute to it, not only with perfect accuracy, but with greater ease in proportion to the minute finish and detail of the drawing. It has long been a complaint against wood engraving tint an artist could never be sure that he would not find the most telling strokes of his pencil simply omitted in the print; movcover, our artists have been constantly hampered by the necefsity for simplifying their drawings, in order to facilitate the process of engraving." The "Saturday Review." "Graphotype. — An account of a new method of producing pictures, accompanied by specimens of its re- sults, was laid before the Society of Arts towanis the close of lust ^ ear by Mr. H. Fitzcook, while seems, although in its immature stage, already to rival all the ordinary results of wood engraving, while it is asserted to be from one-fourth to one-half cheaper than wood-cuts, and to afford even a greater saving as regards time. Its greatest advantage is, however, that it involves from first to last but one act of draughtmanship. The artist himself draws his own work on the prepared chalk surface, which we will presently more fully describe ; from this it is trans- ferred to a metallic surface by an ordinary and purely mechanical process, either of clectrotyping or ofstcreo'- typing, and is then perfectly ready to be printed off". The process of wood-engraving, on the contrary, passes through another mind, eye, and hand, when the artist has done his work, in order to produce the block from which the actual impressions are struck. One consequence of this is, that the artist is constantly fettered by having to consider the conditions under which his work can be reproduced by the cn';;raver working on a surface of different susceptibility ; and, practically, he has to draw on paper down to the level of the capacity of the wood to produce a facsimile. Thus he sometimes finds that his most forcible lines are sacrificed to the exigency of that secondary labour. No doubt the capacity of the chalk surface will likewise, at any rate in the present in- cipient stage of the art, be limited by similar conditions. But they will throughout be present to the eye and hand of the artist himself. He wilMeel at every stroke what his material admits of, and where, if anywhere, it is necessary to hold liis hand or to graduate his touch. Thus he will address the public at first-hand, instead of requiring to be translated by the engraver." The "Oxford Times." " It is also proposed to apply the new process to the decorative art for furniture, gold and silversmith's work, &c. ; and it is believed that it will make a great revolution in the Manchester cotton-printing, as by its means pat- terns can be executed which could not be attempted at all by the methods now in use. It is also beginning to be used fir colour-printing, and there seems no reason to doubt that it will prove a great saving as well as improve- ment in this branch of art. There are also two or three methods of photographing on the plates proposed, with some chances of success, in case of which it would be impossible to foresee the end of its application." The "Standard." "Wo have seen some Graphotypes which rival in beauty and delicacy the best engravings, and the special merit of which is, that the artist addresses himself directly to the eye, so that we have his work, and not the pro- duction of a dilTerent hand. We believe that the cost of the Graphotypes is something like one-tenth the cost of woodblocks, to which they are fully equal, and there can be no doubt that as soon as its great merits are known, Graphotype Engraving will come into very g.neral if not universal use for periodicals and illustrated books. It is so simple that any artist may use it : it is so cheap that it can hardly fail to attract the attention of the trade : it is 80 excellent that it satisfies the most critical eye. In a word, ' Graplmtype Engraving' will in a ievi years be the rule, and the old toilsome process the exception." BURGESS & KEY'S NEW PATENT MOWING IMACHINE. The points of excellence in this New Mower are :— POWER, STRENGTH, VERY LIGHT DRAUGHT, Great DURABILITY, CONVENIENCE OF MANAGEMENT, & LOW PRICE. These results have been obtained by adopting an entirely neio principle of cons !ruct Ion : — The frame which carries the sear work is placed outside the travelling wheels, and traverses the clear track between the cut grass and the standing crop. This system admits of the cutter bar projecting nearly in a line with the axle, thus following the undulations of the ground perfectly. The connecting rod toorks in an exact leoel loith the eye of the Knife; angular tlirust (the great cause of friction) is entirely got rid of, draught and wear and tear are greatly reduced in consequence, and there is no liability to break the knives. The power and strength of the machine are retained, at the same time its compact form admits of a considerable redue(ii)n in price. This Mower, in an experimental stage, was exhibited at the Royal Agricultural Society's Meeting at Ply- mouth ; the principle of its construction was approved of by both Judges and Engineers. The draught to the horses was found by them to he less than Wood's — although the weight was H cwt. more. Thus we have a strong substantial Mower with suffieie'it weight to cut tlie heaviest crops, 7vi(h less draught than the lightest made machine. Since that meeting little matters of detail there found wrong have been put right, several of the Machines have been placed in the hands of practical farmers, and the following are two of the many reports received : — Messrs Burgess & Key, South Weald, Essex, 18ih September, 1865. Gentlemen,— I have great pleasure in giving my opinion of your New Mowing Machine. I have used iVIowing Maeiiines for the last three years, and have cut each year nearly 300 acres of clover and old meadow. This year I have used one of your New Mowers, and I must say it is far superior in many points to any other Mower I liave seen ; the great case of draught to the horse is at once apparent, and one horse has not to pull harder than the other. Two horses worked it easily, and cut from six to seven ac-es without change, and averaged one acre per hour, I like the crank and connecting rod bein^ straight with the knife, as I think it is that which makes the draught so light; and the slide and neck of the knife do not appear to wear. The work done has been so satisfactory that I liave been besieged by my neighbours to cut for them, and in consequence it was in constant work from early till late. Yours, &c., J. PARLBY. Barnct Common, Sept. 27th, 1865. Gentlemen, — Having used your New Mower for some time this year, and cut about 180 acres ot meadow grass with it, I feel gi'eat pleasure ia otfering my testimony to its working qualities. I find it cuts about one acre p^r hour, and does its work remarkably well. The draught is much lighter thin any I have hitherto seen, and two horses will do eight a^res each day without any difficulty ; in fact", the same two have worked the Machine day after day, and l»ave cut the whole quantity. I wish you to supply me with two Machines next season, not later than May. Yours obediently, Messrs. Burgess & Key. BENJ. CLAYTON. l¥itli Two KnIveA and iiecessftr.r Exfa*as, rteliveretl to any flailn'ay !§ tat ion in lilng-lnml. PRICE £20. FURTHER PARTICULARS AS TO REAPING MACHINES AND COMBINED REAPERS AND MOWERS MAY BE OBTAINED ON APPLICATION TO 95, NEWGATE STREEf^. LONDON. REDUCTION IN THE PRICE OF ASHBY & JEFFERY^S HAYMAKERS. THE NEAV PALMERSTON HAYMAKER (No. 6). SINCE the Plymouth Show ASHBY AND JEFFERY have brought out a New SOLID-AXLE HAY- MAKER, on a very simple principle, with Double-action and Reverse-motion. It is a strong, full-sized, well-con- Btructed Machine, and ca- pable of throwing out the heaviest crops without clog- ging. Pbice £1-1 14s. A. and J. have also just introduced another New Double-action Haymaker (No. 7), with both Forward and Reverse-motion, exactly similar to the above No. 6, but six inches narrower. Peice £13 133. A. and J. have reduced the price of their famous Little Haymaker, No. 5, with both Forward and Back-action, specially adapted for a light horse. It is remarkably simple in its construction, and in its principle very similar to their original Patent Machine. Price £10 lOs. [This is in place of the £11 lis. Machine.] A. and J. beg to announce also that they have reduced the price of their celebrated New Patent extra strong Double- action Haymaker to £16. Patent Wire Screen, 15s. extra. N.B. — All the above Haymakers have been well tested, and every one sent out will be warranted. SEVENTY-THREE FIEST-CLASS PRIZES have been given to A. and Co.'s Haymaker. ASHBY AND JEFFERY'S PATENT DOUBLE-LEVER HORSE RAKE. These are weU known as the easiest-working Rakes of any in the trade. They rake exceedingly clean and well on hilly and uneven land. The Judges of the Royal Society gave the following Report at Salisbury :— " Ashljy s,nd Co.'s is a Ught Rake, and works well; it draws up heavy grass better than any other, and it clean-raked adxairably." Pbiob, No. 1, with Twenty-six Teeth, £7 10s. ; No. 2, with Twenty-six Steel Teeth, £8. For ILLUSTRATED UATALOGUES, and further particulars, apply to ASHBY AND JEFFERY, RUTLAND TERRACE IRON WORKS, STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE. PICKSLEY, SIMS, AND CO. (LIMITED), BEDFORD FOUNDRY, LEIGH, LANCASHIRE, MANUFACTURERS of CHAFF CUTTERS, CORN GRINDING and CRUSHING MILLS* TURNIP CUTTERS, PULPERS, CAKE BREAKERS, etc., etc. In addition to the ordinai-y sizes of Chaff Cutters, P. S. & Co. have introduced a new Machine, specially adapted for the London market, fitted with a large Ply Wheel and wide Mouthpiece, at a low coat. P. S. and Co. also make a new Combined Machine for SUcing Turnips and for Pulping and Cutting Finger Pieces for Sheep. This machine is entirely new, of treble action, and requires little power to work it. P. S. and Co., manufacturers of STEAM ENGINES, BONE GRINDING and RASPING MILLS, REAPING and MOWING MACHINES, HYDRAULIC and SCREW PRESSES and PUMPS of evei-y description, COTTON GINS, etc., etc. ILLUSTRATID CATALOGUES FKEE PER POST ON APPLICATION. BENJAMIN EDGINGTON'S RICK CLOTHS. l^ewand Second Hand. Benjamin edqington's marquees and tents. BENJAMIN EDGINGTON'S FLAGS and BANNERS of all NATIONS. BENJAMIN EDGINGTON'S ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE sent free by post. BENJAMIN EDGINGTON'S only Establishment, 2, Duke Street, London Bridge, S.E. nno HOP-GROWERS, FARMERS, AND OTHERS.— REFUSE ANIMAL MATTER -*- (not prohibited from removal), particularly suitable for Manuring the Hop Plant. About 30O tons to be sold in one or several lots, at low prices for cash. Particulars to be had of Mr. Nickerson, 4, Copthall Buildings, Bank, Londoa, E.C. COlVSUMPTIOl^, COtJC^HS, €OXi]>^, ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS, NEURALGIA, RHEUMATISM, SPASMS, &c. CAUTION.— "IN CHANCERY." — Vice-CLancellor Wood stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was! undoubtedly the Inventor of Chlorodyne. Eminent Hospital Physicians of London stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was the discoverer of Clilorodync ; that they prescribe it largely, and mean no other than Dr. Browne's— See Times, July 13fh, 18C4, The Public, therefore, are cautioned against using any other than Dr. COLLIS BROWNE'S CHLORODYNE. This INVALUABLE REMEDY produces quiet refreshing sleep — relieves pain, calms the system, restores the deranged functions, and stimulates healthy action of the secretions of the body. From J. M'Grigor Croft, M.D., M.R.C, Physician, London, late Staff-Surgeon to H.M.F. "After prescribing Dr. J. Collis Browne's Chlorodyne for the last three years in severe cases of Neuralgia, and Tic Doloroux, I feel that I am in a position to testify to its valuable effects. Really in some cases it acted as a charm, when all other means had failed. Without being asked for this report, I must come forward and state my candid opinion that it is a most valuable medicine." No home should be without it. Sold in bottles, Is. 1 Jd., 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and lis., by J. T. DAVENPORT, 33, Great Russell Street, London, W.C, sole manufacturer. Observe particularly, none genuine without the words " Dr. J. Collis Browne's Chlorodyne on the Government Stamp. Earl Russell has graciously favoured J. T. Davenport with the following : — " Extract of a despatch from Mr. Webb, H. B. M.'s Consul at Manilla, dated Sept. 17, 18G4 : — ' The remedy most efficacious in its effects (in Epidemic Cholera), has been found to be Chlorodyne, and with a small quantity given to me by Dr. Burke I have saved several lives.' " The increased demand enables the Proprietors to reduce the price; it is pow sold at Is. l^d., 2s.9J., 4s. 6d., and lis. PRIZE MEDAL AWARDED. Highly Important to Dairymen and all who keep Cows. BAKIiAlsl>'S :PATE]¥T MII^MIlfCJ- A1»:PA»ATUS, by means of vfhich lOO Cows lua^ Milli tlieniselves in One Hour. It is recom- mended by several well-known land stewards of the United Kingdom for its CleaillinCSS, quicl£-i ness and econoiliy* Farmers need only to give it a trial to see its advantages over all other nventions. "We have rece'ved from so tl'isstfs^ortliy a source so good an account of the Pocket Milking Apparatus that wj feel ourselves Justified in calling the attention of our readers to it." — BelVa Messenger, Jan. 4, 1864. Price lOs,, the Set Complete, post free. — Circulars sent on demand.— A liberal discount to orders for dozens of sets. Post Office Orders to be made payable to THOMAS BARLAND, 16, NORFOLK-STREET, STRAND, LONDON. NEW WORK BY THE AUTHOR OF "MANHOOD." Just out, 18mo Pocket Edition, Post Free, 12 stamps; Sealed Ends, 20. DR. CURTIS'S MEDICAL GUIDE TO MARRIAGE : a Pkactical Treatise on its Physical and PEasoNAi. Obligations. With instructions to the Married and Unmarried of both Sexes, for removing the special disqualifications and impediments which destroy the happiness of wedded life.— By Da. J. L. Curtis, 15, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. This work contains plain directions by which forfeited privileges can be restored, and essential functions strengthened and preserved. Also, by the same Author, a New and Revised Edition of MANHOOD : A MEDICAL ESSAY on the Causes and Cure o^ Premature Decline in Man ; the Treatment of Nervous Debility, Spermatorrhoea, Impotence, and those peculiar infirmities which result from youthful abuses, adult excesses, tropical climates and other causes; with Instructions for the Cure of Infection without Mercury, and its Prevention by the Author's Prescription (his infallible Lotion). — By Dr. J. L. CURTIS, 15, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. REVIEWS OF THE WORK. " Manhood. — This is truly a valuable work, and should be in the hands of young and old." — Sunday Times, 23rd March, 1858. "We feel no hesitation in saying that there is no member of society by whom the book will not be found use- ful, whether such person hold the relation of a Parent, Preceptor, or Clergyman" — A THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. MAY, 1866. PLATE I. EMPRESS; A Devon Cow. THE PROPERTY OF MR. J. DAVY, OF FLITTON BARTON, NORTH MOLTON. Empress, or more properly Empress 2nd (1947), bred by Mr. James Davy, was calved in June, ISCO. Her sire, also bred by Mr. Davy, and sent to Australia, was a son of Napoleon 3rd (464), and her dam Empress (1307) was by Eclipse, out of Pretty (356) by Nelson (83), great grandam a cow in the Flitton herd. Napoleon 3rd by Earl of Exeter, out of Curly (97) took a first prize at the Salisbury Show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and a prize at the Newton Show of the Bath and West of England Society. As we wrote at the lime of our visit : " With the exception only of the Royal Meeting at Exeter, the Plymouth was the largest entry of Devons ever brought together," while five of the eight classes proper were generally commended. Of course, amongst these were the cows, a wonderful lot, and " Mr. Davy's first almost as perfect as it is possible to make an animal, what with her sweet deer-like head, her light neck, her rounded frame and small bone." Empress beat a capital class here, but had herself never previously been exhi- bited. Mr. Davy took a number of other prizes at Plymouth, including the first for yearling heifers with Symmetry ; but the name has always been formidable on the show-ground, and at the great Battersea Meeting this same Mr, Davy carried everything before him. PLATE II. KING JOHN; A Thorough-bred Stallion. THE property OF MR. W. BLENKIRON. King John, bred by Mr. Blenkiron, and foaled at Middle Park in 1861, is by Kingston, out of Dinah by Clarion, her dam Rebekah by Sir Her- cules, dam by Sam — Rebecca by Soothsayer — Prudence by Waxy. Kingston, bred by General Peel in 1849, was by Venison, out of Queen Anne by Slane, out of Garcia by Octavian, her dam by Shuttle — Katherine by Delpini — Paymaster — Le Sang. Kingston, like most of the Venisons, was a won- derfully neat nag ; and we have still a keen recol- lection of his being about the handsomest horse we ever saw, as he went up for the Derby. He went to the stud in 1855, Mr. Blenkiron hiring him at so much a season, from Mr. Morris, with the option of purchasing the horse if he wished, as he even- tually determined upon doing. Kingston's stock consequently came out as two-year-olds in 1858, when he numbered five winners, including Lady Kingston, King-at-Arms, and Eltham Beauty. In due succession came Gladiolus, Danae, Philomela, Old Sr.RiES.] and a few other fair runners. But Kingston's fame is chiefly posthumous, as he died at Middle Park in February, 1861, the year previous to Caractacus winning the Derby, as his daughter Queen Bertha won the Oaks in the fol- lowini{ season, and the yet more renowned Ely the Ascot and Goodwood Cups so recently as last year. Kingston is also the sire, amongst many other winners, of Thaleslris, Earl of Surrey, Old Orange Girl, Bedouin, Paste, Caliban, Surbiton Hill, Man- at-Arms, Real Jam, and that good-looUing gay deceiver, Blue Mantle. Nearly all the Kingstons have, in fact, the recommendation of personal appearance, although some of them have turned out rather tender-hearted — a weak place they could scarcely inherit from either sire or grandsire; for, if performances have any proof, both Kingston and Venison were as game-horses as ever were saddled. Dinah, bred by Mr. Minor in 1844, reached to no higher repute than plating during the two or " C C [yoL. J.IX,— No. ^. 358 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. three seasons she was ia training. She went into Mr. Barnard's stud in 1849, and threw her first foal in 1850— Corybantes (afterwards little Tom, and then Tease), a wonderfully-wearirg geld- ing, who was running at Newmarket and all about the country until he was eight or nine years old. She had next a filly to Siiikol in 1852; Sirocco (sent to Austria in 1856), by the same horse, in 1853 ; Commotion, by Alarm, in 1354; Yaller Gal (afterwards Topsy, and then Queen Lily), by Sirikol, in 1855 ; and Emotion by Alarm, in 1856. Dinah then passed into Mr. Blenkiron's possession, throwing Earl of Surrey, by Kingston, in 1859 ; Topsy, by Kingston, in I860 ; and King John, by Kingston, in 1861. Contraband, by Marsj'as, followed in 1862; in 1863 and 1864 she shpped her foals to Dundee, threw a filly to him in 1865, missed that season and is now put to Saunterer. Dinah is a low, lengthy mare, not very stylish in her appearance, but wearing well ; and when we saw the old chesnut the other day, she was still promising to do the stud some service. King John himself is a rich dappled bay horse, with a star on his face and a white hind leg, stand- ing an honest sixteen hands high. He has a neat kindly head, tapering off very fine towards the muzzle, with short pricked ears, and a good open expressive eye. His neck is strong, without being in any way loaded ; while he has too good ends, with a capital deep middle, a short strong back, and fine loins. His arms and thighs are lengthy, large, and muscular; his joints first-rate, with flat tendonous legs, and well-formed feet. When brought out he is a nice light mover, with plenty of liberty in his walk, and a quiet self-possession in his carriage, that augurs well for his temper, which we hear is excellent. King John, however, at five years old is not even yet the horse he will be when he has put on more muscle, and lost some- thing of his colt-like character. On the whole he reminds one forcibly of Caractacus, though on a much grander scale, and with a deal more length and reach than the Derby winner. We will not say how far the engraving carries out all this pro- mise ; but good judges, who saw the picture while in progress at Eltham, pronounced it to be as true a portrait as ever was taken. At the Middle Park sale, in 1862, King John was far away the lion of the lot, showing out as one of the most powerful, lengthy, and altogether most forward yearlings ever offered. He was put in at 300 gs., Mr. Morris and Mr. George Gates running him on to 1,200 gs. when he fell to the latter's bid, and at once went into his stable, being understood to be bought for a party or joint con- cern, who thus secured the highest priced one of his year. He never ran as a two-year-old, having unfortunately met with an accident, as it is said, from his shoe or plate flying off in a gallop, and the mark of which he still bears on his leg. They brought him out, however, at Ascot in the following yenr, where he struck us having grown into a won- derfully fine-topped horse, but otherwise looking anything but fit, and when, if we remember right, he ran in boots. He never appeared again ; and there being an understanding that Mr. Blenkiron should have the colt back when the firm had done with him, he has now returned to his native place, where he will serve fifteen mares besides those of his owner, at 20 gs. each. It is diflScult to divine, so far, how the public may take him ; but if not the best son of Kingston at the stud, we certainly consider King John to be the best looking, as the most powerful, and best shaped. BARLEY AND MALT. BY CUTHBEET W. JOHNSOIT, F.K.S. We can hardly rate at too liigli a value researches upon ■ the comparative value of food for live stock. Apai-t from all other considerations, the reader will gladly welcome experiments like those which have recently been made by Mr. J. B. Lawes, at Rotliamsted and at Rugby, on the feeding qualities of baiiey and malt. These have been elaborately described by him in a paper just printed by order of the House of Commons, in a Blue Book of eighty-two folio pages. The report is full of valuable details relating to the use of barley aud malt in feediug cows, oxen, sheep, and pigs. It is now about ten years since a somewhat similar set of experiments were carried on by Dr. T. and Dr. R. D. Thomson, these being instituted, like those of Mr. Lawes, at the request of the Board of Trade. It will tend to the better understanding of this im- portant question, if we examine, 1st, the chemical compo- sition of barley ; and, gndly, that of the malt produced from it. This has Ijeeu iloae fuv us by the Drs, Thomson, and also by Mr. Lawes. The Doctors tell us (Farh paper, 1846, p. 87) that the eifectof the pi'ocessis as follows : — Equal measures of barley and malt were proved to weigh •424 and 325 lbs. A busliel of barley of 55 lbs. becomes when malted from 43 to 45 lbs. The mean of several experiments indicates a loss in malting of 19 per cent., or nearly l-5th. The whole of this loss, however, is not solid matter; for barley, when not crushed, contains 13 "1 per cent, of water, and malt in the same condition 7'06 per cent., only C per cent, therefore is solid loss. The decrease iu weight of 19 per cent, sustaiued by barley iu malting may be stated as follows : Water Saline matter Organic matter C-00 0-48 13-52 Previous to the trial of the effects produced upon the butter and milk of two heifers intended to be fed with barley, malt, and rye-grass (Lolium perenne), these sub- stanceg were analyzed by the Drs. Thomson : they found ju 100 parts of each, dried iu a temperature of Sl^'' — THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. m Carbon ., Hydrogen Aiote Oxvgeu Asii Grass. Barley. 45-41. 46-11 5-93 6-65 1-84. 1-91 39-21 42- 2-1. 7-61 S-09 Malt. 43-93 7-00 1-50 46-30 1-27 100 parts of the ashes of the malt were composed of— 3-82 9-82 11-70 ... ■ ... 5-99 , p. 10) that in two 3-11 7-23 66-24 41-75 3-86 2-99 8-09 6-19 2-06 1-40 82-36 59-56 17-64 40-44 Barley. Malted .. 2-56 12-14 .. 80-43 70-09 .. 4-69 503 .. 9-83 10-39 .. 2-50 2-35 Silica 28-74 Lime Phosphoric acid ... 38-34 Magnesia Chlorine ... ... a trace Potash Peroxide of iron ... 159 Soda... Mr. Lawes fomid CFarl. paper, 1866 trials 100 parts of harley prod«ced by weight and by measure of malt as follows : — By measure. By weight. Trial No. 1 103-6 789 „ No. 2 101-4 74-6 The composition of a specimen of barley before steeping, and after being 14^ days on the floor, was found in the llothamsted examinations to be as follows : — Sugar Starch (and dextrine) 'Woody libre Alljumiuous (or flesh-forming) matters . . Mineral matter (ash) Total solid matter Moisture 100 100 When examined exclusive of moisture, then the result obtained was as follows : — Sugar Starch Woody fibre Albuminous matters Mineral matters 100 100 Nitrogen 1-56 1-58 From these chemical examinations Mr. Lawes derives the following six practical conclusions, viz., — 1. The weight of the malt, together with the malt- dust, produced ft-om a given quantity of barley malted in the usual way, is little more than four-fifths that of the uumalted grain ; about two-thirds of the loss being water and one-third solid substance or food material. 2. The loss of solid substance consists chiefly of non^ nitrogenous matters, but includes also a small amount of nitrogenous or "flesh-forming" and mineral matters. 3. A portion of the starch of the grain is converted into dextrine,* and a portion of this is further converted into sugar, the amount of which is thus raised from 2 or 3 per cent, in the raw barley to about 10 or 12 per cent, in the finished malt ; and there is besides, an actual loss of a portion of the changed starch by further decomposi- tion as the growth proceeds. 4. The per-centage of nitrogenous or " flesh-forming" substances is higher in the diminished weight of the malted products, though the actual amount of them is less than in the raw grain fron; which the malt has been produced. 5. A portion of the nitrogenous substance of the grain undergoes changes by malting, by virtue of which, when * Dextrine is tlie gmniuy, or sgluble substaHce iiitg Miuch starch is convertible, the malt is digested with water, not only the previously unchanged starch of the malt itself, but the starch of a considerable amouut of uumalted grain or other starchy substances mixed with it, may become converted into the more soluble forms of dextrine and sugar ; the conversion taking place but slowly if cold water be employed, and the most rapidly at a temperature of about 170*^ ¥. G. If grain were largely malted for feeding, it is pro- bable that the growth would not bo carried so far as in malting for brewing purposes, aud in that case the loss of food material would be less. The Drs. Thomson made many valuable inquiries while their experiments were proceediug. Thus they found (Pari, paper, 1846, p. 4) that a little malt is often given in Scotland to horses, for the purpose of giving them a smooth skin, but that this must not be kiln-dried, for it then proves injurious to the animal. Dr. Lyon Playfair remarked that " a given weight of barley is of greater nutritious value, both as regards the production of muscle and fat, than the same weight converted into malt" Cif>id, p. 6). Dr. Graham added : " In Germany, where the manufacture and use of malt are subject to no restric- tions, it is not employed for fattening cattle, as I have been assured by Professor Liebig" (ibid, p. 7)- These chemists also made several valuable observations on the food aud egesta of a cow. They found that, during fourteen days, her Average food per day was (grass) 31.3Slb. Average milk per day was 3.15 7 j^]^ soib. Average dung per day was 8.74) Excess of food above egesta 19.481b3. Her apparent increase in weight was 18|lh. They fur. ther remarked that the daily urine of a cow was about, 18 or 191b. The amount of cream was 5.34 per cent, of the bulk of the milk ; the butter, about 0.7351b. per day (ibid, p. 21). They found the amount, in lbs., of carbon, &c., in the food and dung of two cows, during fourteen days, to be (ibid, p. 65) -. Brown Cow. White Cow. Carbon . . Hydrogen Nitrogen . . Oxygen . . Ash Water Grass. Duug. Grass. 161f 67 161f 21 8 21 6i 2 7-10 c^ 148 54i 148 18| ^^ m l,070i 902i l,070f Dung, 64 71 2^ 52 13f 1,426J I 1,049 1,420J 1,000 From this table we learn that the brown cow con- sumed daily 6|lb. of carbon, or very nearly 1 oz. of carbon for every 9ilb. of live weight (the cow weighing 8 cwt. 711b.) : the white cow consumed daily nearly 71b. of carbon, or 1 oz. of carbon to 8Jlb. of live weight. The daily consumption, or mean, of both cowi was ; Carbon 6.871b. Hydrogen 0.931b, Nitrogen 0.281b, Oxygen 6.761b, Ash 0.381b. Water 13.501b. e8.671b. That 80 much matter should be rejected by (vniroals is accottftted for by Pr, Thgrason, by the largeness of the 360 THE FAEMBR'S MAGAZINE stomach of the cow (capable of holding six gallons), re- quiring to be filled for a perfect digestion, in order that a mechanical excitement may be communicated to their surrounding coats. "Hence it is," he adds, "that graiu and all farinaceous food is iusutEcient for cattle : they re- quire a quantity of hay or straw in addition, for the purpose, in common language, of ' filling up the animal,' but, iu reality, to excite the coats of the stomach to the action of secretion" (ibid, p. GO). The ultimate composition per cent, of the grass consumed and the dung produced by two cows f/i«V/, p. G5) is, it appears : Carbon .. Hydrogen Nitrogen . . Ojcygen .. Ash Water Gk vs.s. Dujs Fresh. Dried at Tresh. 11.35 45.4.1 6.40 1.48 5.93 0.78 0.40 1.84 0.25 10.39 41.54 5.20 1.33 5.28 1.37 75.00 — 8G.00 Dried at 212". 45.74 5.64 1.81 37.03 9.78 Some valuable experiments by Dr. Thomson, upon the comparative value of various foods iu the production of milk and butter, were made with two young Ayrshire cows. They had calved about six weeks. The brown cow weighed 69 stones ; the white cow, 71 stones. The experiments began on the 1st of June, aud were conti- nued till the 16th of September : bar- Fed daily with as much Grass or Hay as they could eat, aud Barley, 4.331b Malt, 5.061b Barley, 91b Barley, 91b Molasses, 31b. ; ley, 90). Malt, 10.701b... Barley, 11.31b 121b. Barley, 91b. ; aud lin seed, 81b. Barley, 7Ib. ; aud lin- seed, 5.51b. Bean-meal, 121b Grass (alone) Brown Cow. "White Cow. and Milk, lbs. 20.420 19.341 22.616 23.187 20.558 19.710 19.396 20.280 20.814 19.590 26.604 Butter, lbs. 0.7075 0.6332 0.791 0.730 0.683 0.675 0.734 0.687 0.755 0.735 Milk, lbs. 20.108 20.417 23.000 31.763 23.703 21.585 30.088 20.244 20.814 19.583 21.806 Butter, lbs. 0.555 0.6749 0.790 0.678 0.654 0.591 0.565 0.741 0.683 0.755 0.510 "These experiments," concludes Dr. Thomson (p. 29), " leave no doubt that barley is more nourishing to cows than malt, at least as far as the production of milk aud butter is concerned : they confirm the conclusions which we drew from the chemical analysis of both. Barley, when malted, loses almost one-fifth of its weight. The proportion of azote (which is necessary both for the sup- port of the animal and the production of milk) is much less in malt than iu barley." The result of the trials of malt and barley by the Drs. Thomson, in feeding bullocks, was also iu favour of the more profitable use of barley. The experiments at Rothamsted were made in 1863- 64, upon the following animals, and for the subjoined number of weeks : 20 cows, iu a lots of 10 each, for 10 weeks. 20 oxen, iu 2 lots of 10 each, for 20 weeks. 60 shesp, iu 5 lots of 12 each, for 20 weeks, 48 pigs, iu 6 lota of " ' tables. The general and highly interesting results are condensed by Mr. Lawes in the following summary : The Loss and Chemical Changes "which the Grain undergoes by Malting. 1. Iu malting barley of fair malting quality, in the usual way, there was a loss of nearly 19 per cent, of its weight, about 12 of which were water, the remaining 7 being solid matter or food material. 2. In malting barley of good feeding but inferior malt- ing quality, there was a loss of about 22 per cent, of its weight, of which 15 were water, and 7 solid matter or food material. 3. The loss of solid matter consisted chiefly of starch, or non-nitrogeuous substances, but comprised also a small amount of nitrogenous or " flesh-forming," aud mineral matters. 4. The most characteristic change which the grain undergoes by malting is the conversion of a portion of its starch into dextrine^ and the fuj-ther conversion of a por- tion of the latter, amounting to from 8 to 10 per cent, of the grain, into sugar. 5. By malting, the graiu acquires properties, by virtue of which, when the malt is digested with water, much of its own remaining starch gradually changes into dextrine aud sugar ; and if the digestion be aided by heat, not only the whole of the remaining starch of the malt itself, but the starch of a considerable quantity of unmalted grain or other starchy substances mixed with it, may be- come so converted. 6. Owing to the great loss of moisture and non- nitrogenous substances— iu fact, of total weight — which grain undergoes by malting, a given weight of the malted graiu contains a larger quantity of nitrogenous or " flesh- forming " substances than an equal weight of the un- malted grain ; but, as there is an actual loss of those sub- stances by malting, a given weight of malt will, of course, contain less of them than the amount of barley from which it was produced. Malting, and the Use of Malt for Feeding. 7. It is probable that if grain were malted extensively for feeding purposes, the growth would not be cairied so far as in the manufacture of malt for brewing, and the loss of solid matter or food material would, of course, be less accordingly. 8. As the "malt dust" contains a considerable amount of food material, abstracted from the grain during growth, when malt is used for feeding, the " dust " should either not be separated, or, if separated, should be given to the animals along with the screened malt. 9. Owing to the loss of weight which grain undergoes by malting, equal weights of malted and unmalted grain should not be employed in comparative feeding experi- ments, but only so much malt (with the dust) as would be produced from the amount of raw grain given, or to be substituted, in the parallel experiment. 10. Malt given as food to animals may be supposed to act simply by supplying more or less of the starch of the grain from which it was produced in the more soluble and, perhaps, therefore more easily digestible conditions . _ . 8 each, for 10 weeks. The progress of these laborious researches are described in the Parliamentary blue book in many closely -printed of de:(trine and sugar^ or aJso by aiding the conversiogi T^fiB FARMER'S MAGAZIND. 361 into dextrine and sugar of the starch of other foods given with it. The Experiments with Milking Cows. 11. A comparative experiment was made in which, he- sides other appropriate food, 10 cows received, for a period of 10 weeks, 31bs. of fair malting barlej per head per day, and other 10 received the amount of malt (with its dust) produced from 31bs. of barley from the same stock. 12. In the experiment in which the malt was given, it contributed about 7i per cent, of the solid matter of the total food. 13. The result was, that almost exactly the same amount of milk was yielded for a given amount of food with the nnmalted and with the malted barley, but that the milk from the cows having the nnmalted barley con- tained the higher proportion of cream. The Experiments with Fattening Oxen. 14. A comparative feeding experiment was made for a period of 20 weeks, in which, with other appropriate food, 10 oxeu received 41bs. of good feeding barley per head per day, and other 10 the amount of malt (with its dust) produced from 41bs. of barley from the same stock. 15. In the experiment with malt it contributed about 13i per cent, of the dry or solid substance of the food. 16. Both lots of oxen gave more than an average amount of increase, whether reckoned in proportion to a given live-weight within a given time, or to a given amount of food consumed; but the 10 having the nn- malted barley gave rather more than those having the malted. 17. The barley-fed oxen also gave rather the higher proportion of dead-weight to live, and, although neither lot was fully ripe, the barley-fed animals were more even in condition and quality than the others ; but the beef of some of the malt-fed ones was decidedly superior in point of ripeness and quality, and that of others decidedly in- ferior to that of any of the barley-fed oxen. 18. It would seem therefore that the effect of the malt as food was more dependent on the constitution and con- dition of the individual animals than was that of the bar- ley ; and it should be remarked that the oxen which fat- tened the best upon the malt were not the most backward or weakly auimals, but those which were the heaviest and in the best condition at the commencement. The Experiments with Fattening Sheep. 19. Comparative experiments were made for a period of 20 weeks with five lots of sheep of twelve each. Be- sides other Jippropriate food given equally to all, the al- lowance pcr-hcad per day was ; To Lot 1 from ^ to lib. of fair malting barley ; to Lot 2 the malt (with its dust) from an equal amount of the same barley ; to Lot 3 from i to lib. of good feeding barley ; to Lot 4 the malt (with its dust) from an equal amount of the same barley ; and to Lot 5 an equal amount of the same barley, two- thirds nnmalted and one-third malted. 20. In experiments 2 and 4, the malt contributed about 22^ per cent., and in experiment 5 about 7i per cent., of the dry or solid substance of the food. 21. All five lots of sheep gave about an average amount of increase. There was very little diiference in the result obtained with the nnmalted and the malted grain ; but such as it was it was rather in favour of the unmalted. 22. The mutton of all five lots was "of very good quality ; there was no appreciable difference between the lots in this respect, but the barley-fed animals gave slightly the higher proportion of dead-weight to live- weight. The Experiments avith Fattening Pigs. 23. The appropriate food of the fattening pig contains a larger proportion of starch than does that of either cows, oxen, or sheep. If therefore the starch of food be rendered more digestible and assimilable by its artificial conversion into the more soluble forms of dextrine and sugar, it might be supposed that it would be peculiarly advantageous to malt a part, or the whole, of the charac- teristically starchy food of the fattening pig. 24. Experiments were made for a period of 1 0 weeks with six lots of pigs of eight each. Besides lib. of pea- meal per head per day given to all — Lot 1 had crushed malting barley ; Lot 2, the crushed malt (with its dusl) from the same barley ; and Lot 3, the unmalted and the malted barley, each separately, ad libitum ; Lot 4 had crushed feeding barley ; Lot 5, the crushed malt (with its dust) from the same barley ; Lot G, the same barley, four- fifths unmalted and one-fifth malted, ad libitum. 25. In experiment 2 the malt contributed 87^, in ex- periment 3 about 13, in experiment 5 about 89, and in experiment 6 about 16^ per cent, of the dry or solid sub- stance of the food. 26. The pigs having pea-meal and entirely unmalted barley (Lots 1 and 4) gave a fuU average amount of in- crease, both in relation to a given live-weight within a given time, and to a given amount of food consumed ; those having only a small proportion of malted barley (Lots 3 and 6) increased in both respects nearly, but not quite, as well ; but those having the pea-meal and en- tirely malted barley (Lots 2 and 6, more especially Lot 2) gave less increase in relation, to a given live-weight within a given time, and required the expenditure of con- siderably more barley to produce a given amount of in- crease. 27. The pigs having the unmalted barley (Lots 1 and 4) also gave the best average proportion of dead-weight to live-weight, and their pork was of very good quality ; and, with the exception of Lot 2 having (besides the pea- meal) entirely malted barley No. 1., the pork of the other lots was also of very good quality, but the more evenly so where only a small proportion of malt was given (Lots 3 and 6). General Conclusions. 28. The general conclusion from the results of the direct experiments with cows, oxen, sheep, and pigs is, that a given weight of barley is more productive, both of the milk of cows, and of the increase in live-weight of fattening animals, than the amount of malt and malt-dust that would be produced from it. 29. The results of these new experiments, as here stated, arc consistent with those obtained in the official inquiry conducted in 1845-6 by the Drs. Thomas and Robert Duudas Thomson with cows and with oxen. They S62 THE FAUMI^R'S MAGAZINE. are consistent with the results of experiments made at Rothamsted in 1848 and 1849 with sheep ; and also with those of others made in 1854 with pigs, in ohich some were fed on sugar. 30. AVherevcr weights have been taken as a measure of the effects produced, experience hitherto has failed to show any advantage in malt over the amount of barley from which it would be produced, as a staple food for healthy milking cows or fattening animals ; and, if no advantage, there must, in point of economy, be a loss, on account of the cost of the malting process. 31. Irrespectively of economy, malt is undoubtedly a very good food for stock ; and common experience seems to sTiow that a certain amount of it is beneficial when given in admixtm-e and in change with other food to young or weakly animals, or in " making up " or " finish- ing " for exhibition or sale — that is, when the object is to produce a particular result, irrespective of the economy required in ordinary feeding. Equal qtiantitiea of the water employed in steeping the bai-ley, before and after steeping, were found to contain : — Before. After. Organic matter 3.79 265.03* Mineral matter 2G.30 155.75 30.09 430.80 The mean percentage of cream obtained from the cows fed with malted and unmalted barley was — malted. Hi ; unmalted, 12j. These researches, then, tend to the conclusion that bar- ley is not rendered by malting more nutritious ; but, on the other hand, Professor Voelcker is of opinion that malt has mueh greater nutritious power than is indicated by its. analyses, and that it may act beneficially in the animal's stomach by promoting the digestion of other food. Upon the whole, however, chemistry and the trials of the Drs. Thomson and jNIr. Lawcs appear to imite in their evidence against the profitable employment of malt as food for live stock. But we must not forget that many great agriculturists, with Mr. John Hudson, of Castle Acre, at their head, are decided in their approval of malt- ing the barley before it is given to stock. It would be a valuable fact, indeed, if we could show by other as care- fully conducted experiments that those made at Edin- burgh, and at Rugby, and at Rothamsted were erroneous ; but, even in the absence of such evidence, there is no reason to doubt but that the repeal of the malt-tax would, by leading to a largely increased consumption, tend to promote the prosperity of the great barley -growers of our Island. SUGGESTIONS FOR SUMMER-GRAZmG WITHOUT CATTLE. The destruction of cattle by that fatal disease the rinderpest has in many districts been so ixnparalleled as scarcely to leave any cattle for the summer's grazing, and the apprehensions of further fatalities altogether prevent graziers from purchasing others, where they may yet be found. It would, in fact, be the height of folly to do so till such infected districts are pronounced to be free, and all sanitary measures and precautious are well looked after ; and even then it is extremely hazardous to intro- duce fresh and healthy cattle upon farms which have already been denuded of their usual stock of cattle by this awful pest. It is well known that the infection abides a long time upon premises where it has taken deep hold, notwithstanding every ordinary precaution is taken to purify and disinfect both farms and farmsteads. It is almost impossible to thoroughly remove eveiy danger by disinfectants. The more prudent course for every grazier who has unfortunately suffered from cattle-plague is to refrain from purchasing cattle for at least one season, and graze his lauds as best he can without them. This, I am aware, in many cases cannot profitably be done. Our rich " bullock lands" cannot be made to graze sheep wcU, at all events, iu one, and that the first, season. They may, by dint of crowding sheep upon them, prepare the herbage in some measm-e for future sheep-grazing ; but generally there is so much old grass and tussacs left upon these strong-growing pastures, that sheep will not eat; and it .is only a winter's severe grazing upon them by store sheep that will eradicate the tufts, and prepare them for * Containing nitrogen 8,63— nitrogenous substances, 54.31. future service. Land devoted to sheep-grazing must have all the grass eaten close tip, before the spring puts in. If this is not done, a rough summer pasture is sure to follow, and unprofitable grazijig is the consequence. Every blade of grass should be eaten up once at least in every year, to ensure good sheep -grazing. - To commence summer-grazing with sheep alone, it is highly necessary that the lands be stocked early, and rather heavily, particularly all lands which have usually been grazed with cattle ; the object in this early stocking being to prevent the grass from becoming coarse by too- rapid growth. Every grazier knows that when his pas- tures are becoming strong — growing too fast — he has to turn in store cattle to keep them down or even, so that nothing is wasted. If this course is neglected, the herbage iu some parts of the field " runs away," so that no stock will eat it ; and the remaining is " grazed " so bare that the stock " do badly" upon it. Early and heavy stocking will be the main preventive against these difficulties, and difficulties they will be, and hard to overcome without their regulators, the usual number of store cattle. The chief assimilation to joint cattle-and-sheep grazing will consist in judiciously mi.xing the sheep stock. The stock- ing should be a mingling of ewes and lambs, shearlings, and hoggets ; and not only this of any one kind, but of different breeds. A judicious intermingling of South- downs, half-breds, and longwools or Leicesters would be more likely to graze the pastures evenly than if left to the grazing of any one breed, whose habits are so much alike. The herbage in every field differs, in some degree, according to the soil or subsoil upon which it grows, and THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 363 its texture and taste vary in like manner ; hence a variety of tastes or variety of stock is of advantage ; besides, ewes when sucking are generally liungry feeders, aud not over-particular ia their choice of grasses. Lambs, too, delight to rove and pick a blade here and there, all tending to keep the pasture even aud fruitftil. But, not- withstanding every precaution to keep the pastures right, many plots in every field will get away, and cause a rough pasture. One means of preventing this would be to make free use of the scythe. It is remarkable, but it is very gratifying, to find that nearly every kind of stock delights to browse upon newly-mown grass, or upon the clear and clean-growing after-math. In this way, many strong and wiry grasses are kept down ; many pastures of uneven growth are kept smooth and even, which in sheep-grazing is of very considerable importance. The prominent consideration and advantage in this order of grazing would be in a knowledge of pasture grasses, or in knowing the habits of our various pasture grasses. A study of this kind is of great value in adjust- ing the stock to the pasture. The early grasses are not generally very lasting or very prolific ; but on good pasture- lands they are soon followed by the best pastm'e-grasses. The sweet-scented vernal grass and poa grasses come early. The former is short-lived, and soon begins to flower : the latter are more continuous, and supply a good early feed. Presently, the meadow foxtail, meadow catstail, cocksfoot, crested dogstail, fiorin and twitch grasses soon become prominent; and then come in the oat grasses, barley grasses, brome grasses, cow grasses, white clovers, and trefoils, besides the accompanying bulbous and herbage grasses, succulent plants and wild herbage, which all go to make up a full pasture throughout the summer. Now, a close observance of the habits of these grasses, and the knowledge of the principal varieties of them which go to make up every identical pasti^re, would enable the grazier so to regulate his stock, that he might keep up a profitable pasture throughout every season. All this is well worthy of close attention ia the present critical times. Rinder- pest must be avoided at all hazards if possible, therefore no cattle must be brought upon farms where it has taken deadly eft'ect. Sheep grazing only must be adopted, to be carried out as liberally and practically as circum- stances will permit. No doubt the usual accessories of cake and corn will pay unusually well at the present high prices of meat and wool. There are many collateral additions to sheep-grazing. Horses wiU graze exceedingly well, and take up many plots of grass on footways and horseways, where the grass grows more acrid than is altogether palatable to the flock. Hungry horses fre- quently prefer the roughest spots in the field, and often aid much in keeping the pastures good aud profitable to graze. Tlocks of geese conduce eminently to keep pastures right. They bill-up and eat the roots of many bulbous plants, as also the seed of such plants — buttercups, goose-grass, sorrell, yarrow, dandelion, sowthistles ; and occasionally they will attack the common thistle. Li this way the pastures are rendered more healthy for sheep. It is w^ell-known that many of our best pasture- lands have been surprisingly improved by permitting geese to graze upou them. It may be said that geese cannot be had in suflficient numbers to make any head in the grazing department. This is a mistake. The writer of this paper purposes grazing 300 birds this very season. The great hindrance to goose- grazing is the difticulty of providing land and ponds for them. That they are profitable graziers there cannot be a doubt. They yield fronx two to three fleeces ("pullings") in the season, aud each gosling put to graze is never worth less than 5s. at Michaelmas, often more ; besides the feathers, which will average Is. each bird. Gosherds are very pleased to find geese, and divide the flock equally at Michaelmas, besides pulling them " when ripe." THE CATTLE PLAGUE IN CHESHmE.— (From a Correspondent). — We believe the Mark Lane Express was the first public journal which called attention to the frightful dimensions at'tained by the cattle-plague in Chesliire. At the commenceiueut of Eebruary no fewer than 21,135 animals had been attacked with rinderpest in that unfortunate county, and since tlien the weekly course of the disease has been as follows : WEEK CUERENT BACK „„„ , TOT AX. EKDINCJ CASES. CASES. Feb. 3 ... 3,005 ... 159 ... S.ie^t 10 ... 4,671 ... 2,279 ... 6,950 17 ... 4,378 ,.. 3,281 ... 7,659 24 ... 3,671 ... 324 ... 3,995 March 3 ... 1,273 ... 780 ... 2,053 10 ... 1,827 ... 1,143 ... 2,970 17 ... 1,380 ... 1,297 ... 2,677 24 ... 1,271 ... 226 ... 1,497 31 ... 765 ... 282 ... 1,047 April 7 ... 808 .,. 163 ... 971 The ravages of the disease thus attained their maximum in Chesliire iu the week cmling Feb. 17; since then tliey have been greatly curtailed, cither owing to the fact that the bovine race has been to a great extent annihilated in Cheshire, or because tlie Coiitagious Diseases Prevention Act, 1866, lias been carried out with success. Probably both influences have contributed to the happy result which our figures disclose. It will be remembered that in a former paragraph we showed the great unwilHngness which the proprietors of stock in Cheshire had displayed to slaughter their diseased animals. Since then the pole-axe has been brought into vigorous use, the number killed in the ten weeks under re- view liaving been as foUows \— WEEK ENDI>'(J ATTACKS. KILLED. Feb. 3 ... 3,164 ... 10 10 ... 6,950 ... 14 17 ... 7,659 ... 11 24 ... 3,995 ... 452 March 3 ... 2,053 ... 883 10 ... 2,970 ... 1,814 17 ... 2,677 ... 2,585 24 ... 1,497 ... 1,199 31 ... 1,047 ... 1,015 AprU 7 ... 971 ... 820 Even with the dreadful experience which tlicy had acquired at tlie close of iVbruarj-, great difficulty appears to have been experienced in enforcing tlie provisions of the Contagious Diseases Prevention Act among the stock-owners of Cheshire, 1,170 beasts aifected witli the disease having been permitted to linger on in the first week of March, and 1,156 beasts simi- larly circmnstanced having been allowed to exist in the second week of March. It was not until the middle of March tkit the Act can reaUy be said to have been put in force in Cheshire ; and the result has since been that in three weeks the number of weekly attacks was reduced from 2,697 to 971. No fewer than 50,954 aniiu.^ls had been .attacked with rinderpest in Cheshire, April 7, and of these 31,813 had died. If a system of slaughter had been inaugurated in No- vember, instead of the middle of March, probably the number of victims woirld have been nearer 3,000 than 30,000, 364 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. Monthly Council : Wednesday, April 4, 1866. — Prcseut — Lord Tredegar, President, in the chair; the Earl of Shrewsbury, the Hon. A. II. Vernon, Mr. Amos, 3Ir. Bowly, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Claydcn, Mr. Brand- reth Gibbs, Mr. Ilainoiid, Mr. Holland,' M.P., Mr. Wren Hoskyns, Mr. Jonas, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Pope, Mr. llan- dell, Mr. Torr, Professor Wilson, Mr. Jacob Wilson, Mr. Frcre, and Dr. Voelcker. His Highness the Maharajah Duleep Singh was elected a life governor of the Society. The following new members were elected : — Bolum, Rol)t. Geo., Wcstwooil Hull, Wooler, Nortlmmberland. Boulton, R. C, Lower Ballingham, lloss, Herefordshire. Bourne, John, Bugsell, Salehurst, lliirstgreeu. Cole, Robert, Benniworth, Wragby, Lincolnshire. Houlder, Edwin S., Eernwood, Sutton, Surrey. Kcnnard, Adam S., Dawpool, Birkcnliead. Oliphant, Ferguson G. H. II. E., Broadfield House, Carlisle. Purton, Chas. C, Tlie Woodliouse, Cleobury Mortimer, Salop. FiNWCES. — Mr. Torr presented the Report, from which it appeared that the secretary's receipts during the past month had been examined by the committee, and by Messrs. Quilter, Ball, and Co., the Society's accountants, and were found correct. The balance in the hands of the bankers on March 31st was £956 8s. The balance-sheet for tlio quarter ended 31st March, 18G6, and the state- ment of subscriptions and arrears, were laid on the table, the amount of arrears then due being £781. Mr. Wren Hoskyns presented the report of the Journal Committee; and the Hon. A. H. Vernon having moved that the Council should take into consideration the pro- priety of making a grant for the purpose of carrying out a complete investigation into the practic.il working of steam cultivation, the report was adopted, as follows : — In compliance with instructions given by the Council of tlie Royal Agricultural Society of England, at their meeting held on the 7lh of Marcli, 1800, the Journal Committee having taken into consideration tlie proposal made to tiie Council tliat an inquiry sliould be instituted into tlie practical working of steam ploughs and other steam implements for the ctdtivation of land in different parts of the kingdom, beg to report : — That inasmuch as the investigations into steam-cultivation conducted at the Society's shows have necessarily been at- tended witli disadvantages, from the limited tinie and area nvailahle, from diflieulties as to soil and season, and the pre- sence of a crowd of anxious spectators, who interfered with the delicate tests applied by the Judges and the Society's En- gineer, the Jouru.ii Committee consider that the time has now arrived when the Society may fairly institute such an inquiry as will decide how far the conclusions hitherto arrived at are borne out by practical experience. They suggest that the inquiry should be made on a certain number of selected farms, and should comprise soils of diiferent texture and under different circumstances, and that each system of applying steam to the cultivation of the soil should be equally and impartially tested. The inquiry should be specially directed to the following points : 1. The cost per acre, the depth and nature, including the various items of expenditure for each kind of work. 3. A special investigation into the age of the machine and the amount paid annually for repairs, stating the nature of breakages, and their causes. ^- H"^' fi*'' the adoption of steam-cultivation has assisted the drainage of strong lauds, how far the cropping of the farm has been cliangcd by the adoption of steam-cultivation— more especially to what extent autumn cultivation has increased the growth of green crops, and how far the productiveness of the ~soil has been increased by steam-cultivation. 4. The number of working days on which the engine power has been used for the purpose of steara-eultivatiou on or off the farm. 5. The number of days in which it has been used for other purposes on or off the farm, stating the nature of the work done, daily cost and amount charged when let on hire. G. The number of days lost by breakage and other causes. 7. In the case of steam-ploughs, &e., let out for hire, to ascertain what loss of wages occur from the non-eraploy- ment of the men, this being an item of expense against the apparatus. 8. The consideration of the economical supply of water for steam-cultivation. 9. The economical mode of arranging and forming roads and headlands for steam-cultivation. To conduct such inquiries, the Journal Committee suggest — That a Central Committee representing each of the So- ciety's districts be appointed, consisting of the following members : Earl Cathcart, Eiirl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, Viscount Hill, Lord Berners, Major-Gen. Hon. A. N. Hood, Hon. A. H. Vernon, Sir E. C. Kerrison, Bart., M.P., Sir Massey Lopes, Bart., ]M.I'., Sir A. K. Macdouald, Bart., Sir M. W. Ridley, Bart., M.P., Mr. Acland, M.P., Mr. Amos, Mr. Barthropp, Mr. Bowly, Mr. Clavden, Mr. Clive, M.P., Mr. Dent, M.P., Mr. Druce, Mr. Holland, M.P., Mr. Hoskyns, Mr. Jonas, Mr. Lawes, Mr. Milward, Mr. Pope, Mr. Randell, Mr. Rigden, Mr. Sanday, Mr. Torr, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Owen Wallis, Mr. Wells, Mr. Jacob Wilson. It will be the duty of the Committee to communicate with the owners of implements for steam cultiv.ation, with a view to making a selection of farms to be inspected and reported on. Eor purposes of inspection, an " Inspection Committee" shall be nominated by the Central Committee. The Lispec- tion Committee (for which any member of the Society shall be eligible) shall visit the farms that may be selected by the Central Committee. AVith each Inspection Committee there shall be associated a paid Secretary, whose duty it will be to attend them in their investigations, and assist them in drawing up their report. That a sum of £500 be placed at the disposal of the Com- mittee, to carry out this inquiry. Cattle Pl.igije. — The Council, having discussed the effects of the recent Order in Council on the foreigu cattle trade, resolved to convey to the Lords of the Privy Council their sense of the extreme importance of esta- blishing permanent means for, and compelling, the slaughter of all foreign fat stock at the place of disem- barkation ; and also by an efficient system of quarantine applied to store animals, and by stringent restrictions upon the purchasers of stock after they arc liberated from such quarantine, to protect the public as far as possible from the risk of infection caused by the importation of foreigu cattle; and further, that no exception be made as regards the iSIetropolitau Market. The Secretary was directed to convey these resolutions at once to the Lord President of the Council. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS IN THE FIELD. At the weekly meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society, in Hanover-square, on Wednesday last, Lord Berners in the chair, a lecture was delivered by Dr. Voelcker " On the Con- ditions to be observedin carrying out Agricultural Experiments in the Field." After the preliminary business had been disposed of, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 36^ Profefsor Voelcker said: My lovd ami gcntk'inrn, to poi- forra a really instructive experiment ill (lie field in a rational manner, is a far more diflicult matter than many people seem to be aware of. Indeed, if \vc review the pnblislicd accounts of many experiments, we must be struck with the fact that most of them have been undertaken without there being any dcliuite object. They have been performed by men not quali- fied for the task ; the conditions necessary to be observed as influencing the final result have been altogether overlooked, and tlie whole experimental trial in the field seems to have been made at random, and, as I have said, without any definite object. It is for this reason that I have, in accordance with the recommendation of the Chemical Committee, considered it desirable to put together a few thoughts with respect to some of the conditions which it is expedient that all wlio are in- clined to try their hands at performing field experiments should observe. Field experiments are usually undertaken with a two-fold object : either they are what are called purely prac- tical experiments, or they relate more especially to the theory of agriculture, to some point in dispute, or some theoretical question which has not a direct practical beariug on the pro- fits of the farmer. The object of instituting practical experi- ments in the field, or what arc commonly called practical ex- periments, is to ascertain in a more or less direct manner what system of cultui-e or what kind of fertilizers produces the most economical results on a farm. The avowed object of the ex- periment is simply to ascertain how the largest crop of wheat or barley, or roots, or hay, can be grown with the least outlay of money. Theoretical questions, although they have a close connection with profitable farming, do not much concern the experimenter who makes a trial in the field for the avowed purpose of simply ascertaining what system of culture will pay best in the peculiar circumstances in which he is placed. Experiments which are made solely for the purpose of ascer- taining which kind of fertilizers will give the most economical result are not without their value. They have a certain, though it must be confessed but a low, value ; moreover, tlieir value is confined to the individual experimenter, wlio can only derive benefit from his own experience, if he have sufficient intelligence rightly to interpret or understand results. Prac- tical experiments of that kind seldom benefit anybody else but the person who performs them, for the simple reason that no account is taken of the numerous modifying conditions which so much affect the final issue of experimeuts. Of these modi- fying conditions I shall have to speak presently more in detail. The agricultural public at large cannot gain much benefit from isolated field experiments, in the account of which no reference is made to the conditions under which the experi- ments proved a failure or a success. Indeed, most field expe- riments, tried by individuals with the sole object of ascertain- ing liow to make most of the land, seldom have any interest or real value for others ; and, indeed, if the individual expe- rience of the experimenting agriculturists of the new school is relied 4ipon as a guide to successful farming, practical mistakes must neeessarilyfollow,aud bad farming will be perpetuated quite as much by such proceedings as if the rule of thumb of a bygone generation were regarded as the means of success in agriculture. Empirical knowledge in agriculture is by no means to be despised ; but such knowledge, thougli of value to tjie in- dividual, is of no value to those who are differently situated. On the other hand, scientific, or, as they are sometimes called, theoretical experiments in tlie field, have for tlieir object to establish agricultural truths, or principles which may guide the practical man in his operations on the farm. In all scientific experiments it is necessary to take full account of the conditions on which depends success or failure. The ultimate object of all theoretical field experiments is to promote the progress of agriculture as a practical science. The scientific experimenter is not necessarily interested in the purely econo- mical result of a field trial. Indeed, scientific experiments, or systematic experiments, as they are sometimes called, should not be made solely with the view of ascertaining what appli- cation gives the most profitable res\ilt ; their aim should rather be, as I before remarked, to establish general principles which may be applied by the practical farmer. If is for the farmer to keep these general principles in view, and to determine by his own individual experience what practical bearing such principles have in the cultivation of his crops in a particular locality or on a particular soil. You will observe, then, that in iliscussiug the conditions under whicli experinunits in the field should be undertaken, I have drawn attention to the distinction between purely practical field experiments and systematic or theoretical experimeuts. Tiie latter appear to me the most important. Although they may not have such a direct bearing as the other kind of experiments ou the profits of the farmer, yet they arc of more real practical importance in relation to successful farming. It is therefore to the lattei kiiul of expe- riments— systematic experiments— that my future remarks will especially ap))ly. The chief object which I have in view in bringing this matter before you to-day is to throw out some hints as to the best manner in which experiments that arc in- tended to have some permanent value may be performed by those who engage in them. The first question which forces itself on our attention is, Should experiments in the field be performed on a large scale, or on a limited area ? A good deal may be said in favour of experiments on a large scale ; but, if I am not mistaken, many arguments may also he advanced in favour of confining field trials to a limited area. On the whole, I am inclined to think it is not necessary to set aside a great many acres for purely experimental purposes, and that many of the most instructive and valuable field experiments may be performed within a narrow space. The extent of the area devoted to field trials must be determined, in a great measure, by the nature of the crop. Thus crops, which we can plant in drills, and which may be kept under better control than others, may lie confined to a smaller area than grass crops, for which it is desiraljle to have a large area under experiment. In the case of roots, I think the twentieth part of an acre is a useful size for an experimental crop. For corn crops I would recom- mend a quarter of an acre, and I would have the same quan- tity reserved for experiments ou grasses, both artificial grasses and permanent pastures. If we make experimental plots too large, there is very great difiicnlty in performing agricultural operations under precisely the same circumstances. All who are acquainted with practical farming must know what a difference of results often arises from a difierence of one or two days in time. I have seen a difierence of more than six tons of turnips, which could be attributed to no other cause than the fact that between the sowing of one plot and of another in the same field, manured precisely alike and under the same mechanical conditions, two days elapsed. Nothing else could he assigned to account for this difference of results. Now we know perfectly well that when seed has a chance of springing up and passing successfully through the first stages, we obtain, other circumstances being equal, a better crop than when the ground, or rather the seed-bed, becomes dry, and the turnip-seed has no chance of spring- ing up rapidly, when three weeks perhaps intervene before the plant has a fair chance of making a start. In a crop which, like our root crops, have such a short time to remain in the ground, it is of very great importance that such a difference as tliree weeks in startiiig the crop should not occur. But as it is impossible to cultivate a whole field precisely alike, to secure the same conditions throughout a large area, it is, I believe, on the whole, much the best to confine field trials to plots amounting to the twentieth part of an acre. Now, the next circumstance which greatly influences the success of field trials is the kind of soil that is selected for experimental purposes. The field itself should, if possible, be level ; it should be uniform in quality, and not too sjiallow ; it should be perfectly drained, and in good physical condition. For general experimental purposes, perhaps it is best to have a soil which is neither very light nor very iieavy ; it oaglit to be soil in which a great preponderance of clay, or a great pre- ponderance of organic matter, such as peaty matter, or a great preponderance of sand, does not occur. Experiments for particular soils constitute in themselves a particular class of trials ; but if wc M'ish to ascertain what is the general effect of certain manuring constituents, such as ammonia, or phosphate of lime, or potash, it is not desirable to have a soil in which one or other of the chief constituents greatly pre- ponderates. Under r.ll circumstances, the physical condition of the soil, the nature of the subsoil and its depth, as well as the depth of the surface soil, should be carefully recorded, and the chemical condition of both should also be ascertained. Everybody knows what great influence the composition of the soil has upon the final result of an experimental trial, and iherefore I need uot dwell upon this subject in detail. But, 366 THE FARMER*S MAGAZINE. iu speaking of the soil, I would remark that the agricidtiiral condition of the experimental field should be perfectly well known. The neglect of this point produces a great deal of confusion, and renders the account of many of the recorded field experiments altogether unintelligible. AVe should ascer- tain how the field has been cultivated in previous years, when it was last manured, what was the weight of corn, or roots, or hay which it yielded during the whole of the last rotation, also what is the average yield in good seasons as well as in bad ones. Further, we should know whether natural manure, such as farmyard manure, lime, and compost manure, or whe- ther artificial manures, such as guano, superphosphate, or bone-dust, have produced a particularly marked eflFect. Infor- mation on all these points often throws much light on the agricultural, as well as on the chemical, condition of the land, and afi'ords useful indications as to the mode in which field trials should be arranged by the intelligent experimentalist. In order to illustrate how the neglect of these agricultural conditions in field trials often entirely spoils the experiments and tends to waste of time, and waste of money in the pur- chase of artificial or natural manures, I shall mention some experiments which I had tried in 1864 on some clover laud. The experimental field was divided into six portions. Two parts were left unmanured. The four others were manured as follows : — The first plot received nitrate of soda alone at the rate of 3 cwt. per acre ; the second received 1| cwt. of nitrate of soda, and 4 cwt. of superphosphate of lime, of known com- position ; the third was manured at the rate of G cwt. of salt per acre ; and the fourth at the rate of 3 cwt. Now, the two unmamired plots yielded the following per acre : — The first, 2 tons 10 cwt. SOlbs. ; the second, 2 tons 11 cwt. 81bs. The plot manured with nitrate of soda alone, at the rate of 3 cwt. per acre, yielded 2 tons 14 cwt. 321bs. ; the next plot, manured with nitrate of soda and superphosphate, yielded almost pre- cisely the same (juantity, the exact amount being 2 tons 14 cwt. 721bs. If you compare the result of these two trials with the result of the plots which received nothing, you will find that the produce was almost the same. The application of 6 cwt. of salt per acre slightly reduced the yield of clover hay, the actual production being 2 tons 8 cwt. 241bs. ; and where 3 cwt. of salt per acre was applied, the amount was 2 tons 10 cwt., being a little less than the quantity on the plots which received no manure at all. The manure was applied in the month of February, and the crop was weighed on the 20th of June, just when it was about ready for stack- ing. Now, it is evident from the result of these field experiments that the laud in that case was in such high condition that no further application of manure produced, or probably could produce, any result. The agricultural condition of the soil was at the highest pitch of excellence. We know that if we ourselves have filled our stomachs, no amount of additional food will do us any good ; and so it is with fields. This is only one instance showing how necessary it is to take account of the agricultural condition of experi- mental fields. Let me give you another illustration showing how the character of the soil will influence the final result. Some years ago T published in our Journal the result of some field-trials of salt upon mangolds. The effect of salt on man- golds grown on clay soil was by no means beneficial. Indeed, the heavier dressings of salt reduced the crop, if I recollect rightly, by several tons. In the following year similar experi- ments were tried ou light soils ; and by the application of salt I obtained an increase varying from two to nearly six tons of mangolds per acre, the larger quantity of salt producing the greater increase. The result of the trials on the light soil was in fact diametrically opposed to the result of the trials on the heavy clay land ; this being another proof how necessary it is to take into account the character of the land under trial. Again, we know by experience how different the eifcct of nitrate of soda is on dill'ereut soils. On some land nitrate of soda shoidd, I believe, never be used, simply because such land is too poor in the mineral constituents which we must take it as an established truth are essential to the very existence of every kind of agricultural produce. If these minerals are very sparingly distributed iu the soil, by applying nitrate of soda we exhaust the soil too much ; aud though the result may not appear unsatisfactory in the wheat and barley crops, yet in the succeeding crops the injury of such an application will at once become apparent. Let me further illustrate the modifying in- fluence of the soil by the effect of bone as applied to land. There are soils in which bone produces no effect, for the sim- ple reason that phosphatic constituents are disseminated so widely through the soil that no further importation of phos- phate of lime can possibly produce any benefit. In the next place, regard should be had to the time .and mode of applying manure, or manuring mixtures for experimental purposes. Some field trials ought to be commenced in autumn ; others ought to be reserved for the spring months. The experiments on grass-land should, if I am not mistaken, be begun in au- tumn ; for on grass-land it is desirable to try the effects of manures that are permanent in their action, that become soluble in the soil gradually, and are not rendered available as soon as other manures. If we can get the soil to perform this oftice, we shall save what we have to pay the manufacturer who prepares manures, which should produce an immediate effect, but which, in the case of grass-land, do not require to be ap- l)lied in so soluble a condition as manures which are intended to benefit root crops, mangolds, swedes, in turnips. Manures which are used as top-dressings may be used on wheat- land in autumn with quite as much benefit as in sjiring, provided the land is sufficiently retentive to absorb ammonia, potash, or other valuable fertilizing constituents ; for nitrates, it is of considerable practical importance to ob- serve, are not absorbed by the soil. They pass, as we know from experiments which were performed by Professor Way, whom I am happy to sec present on this occasion, into the drainage water ; and hence it is that we obtain contradictory results with the same manuring matters when they have been used at different periods of the year. Then, with respect to the mode of applying manures, we should be very careful to secure a uniform distribution, especially in regard to concen- trated manures, such as guano or superphosphate of lime. This can only be done by mixing concentrated manure with some indifferent substance, such as dry soil, or sharp sand, or common burnt clay ; or, in the absence of these, sifted coal ashes. For experimental purposes all concentrated manures should be mixed with three times their bulk of some diluent or other. On grass land I would recommend, on the strength of my own experience, broadcast distribution, which may be applied with great advantage in manuring for corn crops. Ey mcaus of broadcast distribution manures are far more uniformly distributed on land than can possibly be the case where the distribution is done by hand. On the other hand, for root crops I cannot recommend sowing of manuring mix- tures by hand. Perhaps it may be desirable in most instances to ridge up the land, then to split the drill, apply the manure by hand, and then split the drill again, so as to cover up the manure which has been sown by hand. A third condition which it is essential to take into account is the composition of fertilizers. The composition of maiuires used in field trials should be perfectly well known, and their application to the land should be made by careful weight. In the next place I would observe that the experiment should be arranged in as simple a manner as possible. The great fault of most field trials is that too much is attempted. The trials are too com- plicated. There are so many disturbing elements iu compli- cated field trials, that in [most instances it is impossible to say what fertilizer produces the beneficial effect, or to what cause the failure has to be referred. We should endeavour as much as possible to eliminate disturbing elements. AVitli this object in view, I suggested in the last number of the Journal a series of field experiments which may perhaps appear to some practical agriculturists to be too simple. Allow me to refer briefly to some of them. In the case of one series of ex- perimeuts which I suggest to the farmer I am anxious to as- certain the elfect which the artificial supply of potash is capable of producing. Now, in order to apply potash in an economical form, we must necessarily take with it some other fertilizing matter. Perhaps the cheapest form iu which potash can be applied to the laud is that of the recently-discovered salts of potash, which are now imported in considerable quan- tities from Germany ; not, however, so much for agricultural purposes as for the jjurpose of converting nitrate of soda into common salt, potash, or nitrate of potash. In these potash salts we obtain a great deal of salt together with the potash. In order, therefore, to understand the effect of the potash it is necessary to eliminate the effect of the common salt, and if we neglect to do this we shall be led into mistakes which may be very serious in practice. I cannot better Ulustrate this than by referring to the results which I obtained last year in some THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 367 field experiments with salts of potash, which were fortunately tried in conjunction with common salt. The experiments to wliich I allude were tried on mangolds. "No raauurc" produced 13 tons per acre of clean roots : potash salts, at the rate of 1 cwt. per acre, produced 15 tons. It would appear that the potash here produced an increase of 2 tons. But side by side with that I tried also conunou salt. 'Z cwt. of common salt produced nearly 17 tons ; so that it would appear that common salt alone produced a better effect than potash. I wiU give you another result. Potash applied at the rate of 4 cwt. per acre produced 31 tons of mangolds : common salt at the rate of 8 cwt. per acre produced almost the same quantity. Now this leaves the result altogether doubtful. We no not know whether the increase was due to the effect of the potash. I may observe that during the last four years 1 have tried on no less than six different farms experiments with crude potash salts ; and if you asked me plainly the question — "Does potash produce any beneficial effect on farm produce ?" I should be at a loss to answer either in the affirmative or the negative. I cannot say I have as yet obtained a decided result. Each year there has been brought to light some unforeseen or accidental circumstance which had been overlooked. Indeed we have to learn how to perform field experiments. Experiments should be as simple as possible. We should confine our trials at first to one or two fertilising matters ; for example, to potasli in conjunction with soda. When experiments are too compli- cated we cannot do anything with them ; and I am anxious to express this strongly upon the agricultural public, because great mistakes are constantly made in |this matter. In the next place I would observe that not only shoidd the experi- ments be simple, but care should be taken to reserve two or three plots on which no manure is to be applied. This is ne- cessary in order to ascertain the limits of the natural variations in the productive powers of different parts of the same field. Tliese limits are in some fields sufficiently wide to spoil alto- gether the final result of an experiment ; and, indeed, it would be well to ascertain, by a previous trial, what the natural limits of variation are, in order that we may except certain fields altogether from our experimental trials. In the next place, in all field experiments, regard shoi\ld be had to the physical requirements of particular crops. It is vain to try experiments on plants which, on account of their acclimatolo- gical condition will never succeed in a temperate climate, like that of England. It is vain, for example, to try experiments on Indian corn in Scotland, or to try experiments on mangolds in the colder parts of the world generally. Again, we are to regard the physical requirement of newly- introduced crops, such as lupines. I believe that lupines are a most useful crop, provided the physical requirements of the crop are taken into account. It has l)een said that lupines will not grow on land which contains Ume ; but I believe this is not the true reason why lupines do not grow weU on many soils that contain much lime. Indeed, I know as a positive fact that lupines grow well on land which contains lime, jiro- vided the physical condition of the land is such that the tap- root, which goes far or deep into the soil, can develope itself, and provided the soil itself is sufficiently warm to meet the requirements of the plant in this respect. The lupine, in short, is a plant which can only grow well in a warm soil. This is the reason why it succeeds so well on even the poor sands ; and the reason why lupines do not grow well on many chalk soils is, that many such soils rest upon very impervious cold chalk marls. We have to take into account the climatological influences, which sometimes altogether spoil field trials. Again I may remark that, perhaps, the failures of field trials pur- posely instituted with the view of recognizing the cause of the failures of clover, or the clover disease, have quite as much to do with the physical as with the chemical conditions of the soil. In the next place notice must be taken of the kind of season in which the experiments are tried — when the season is wet or dry, when it is an early or a late season, and when it is cold or wann. I raiglit easily show, if it required any practi- cal proof, that in dry seasons many of the most valuable ferti- lizing matters remain inactive ; and, indeed, that in dry seasons the best fertilizers have sometimes rather an injurious than a beneficial effect. Thus it is well known that guano in a dry season frequently does more harm than good ; whereas inferior kinds of artificials in dry seasons produce a better result than the more intrinsically valuable fertilizers, And the condition which we should never lose sight of in performing field trials is to note the progress of the experiments. During the growth of our experimental plants, frequent ol)servations in the fields as to the appearance of tiie crop should be taken, and anything peculiar in tiie appearance of the crop should be at once noted down on paper, and not committed to memory. The appear- ance of the leaves, the colour of the leaves, the greater deve- lopment of the leafy or bulky portion of our root crops, the healthy or diseased condition of our corn crops, and many other similar conditions, should be carefully observed during the progress of the experiments in the field. Moreover, in systematic experiments the effect of certain applications should be noticed, not only on one crop, but in some cases for at least two crops, and in most instances throughout the whole rota- tion for four or five years. It is well known to practical far- mers that superphosphate of lime, which produces a good effect on our root crops, also produces in many cases a most decidedly beneficial effect upon the succeeding barley, producing a finer sample of barley — good malting barley ; whereas, land which has not previously received such a dressing of super- phospliate produces a bad sample of barley, or bad malting bar- ley. The effect of bones, likewise, as everybody knows, must be observed for a number of years ; for bones only come into action in the second year, and the action continues for a number of years, extending sometimes over eight or ten years^ according to the character of the soil and the rapidity with which they decompose in different soils. Another circum- stance requires briefly to be alluded to. All field experiments should be made with a definite object in view. We should always have some clear purpose for which the experiment is instituted, be that purpose to clear up some disputed point, or to put to practical test some theoretical notion, be that theory a right one, or a probable or improbable one. What- ever may be the field experiment, we should have some definite object in view. Eurther, it is essential to observe that much care and attention, as well as much self-denial, are primary requisites on the part of the experimenter who engages in field trials, for this simple reason — that, notwithstanding all the care that can be bestowed upon experiments in the field, un- foreseen circumstances might spoil altogether the result. Much self-denial and conscientiousness on the part of the experi- mentor is therefore necessary. The field expcrimentor, in- deed, must be a man who does not hesitate, if necessary, to throw the result of three or four years' labour into the waste- paper basket, before he appears with it in public ; and I am sure that the neglect of this primary requisite on the part of many who engage in field experiments has done much practical mischief, for we have always to bear in mind that an in- cautiously-performed experiment in the field, or an experiment which is wrongly interpreted, is calculated to do quite as much mischief as good ; and it is for this reason that I strongly im- press upon aU who engage in field experiments that they should, as I said just now, have a definite object in view, and at the same time have their minds perfectly unbiassed. They should bring to bear upon their trials in the field a perfectly unbiassed and intelligent mind ; and they sliould have the pluck to throw overboard all the experiments of wliich nothing can be made, such as the experiments of which we sometimes read accounts in some of our agricultural publications. Lastly, in order to be truly valuable, field trials should Ije continued for a succession of years, and, if possible, on a variety of soils, so that from a great number of experiments we may eliminate the disturbing influences which the variations in soils neces- sarily produce on the general result. Now, I have mentioned some of the conditions, and I might, had time permitted, have named a good many more which it appears to me to be most essential to keep in view, in performing trials in the field ; and I would conclude by inviting the co-operation of the practical farmer, for it is impossible that the scientific agriculturist or the chemist can himself perform trials in the field without the co-operation of the farmer. If the farmer should take up this matter of field trials in a right spirit, I have no doubt that much useful information might, in the course of time, result from the united labours of tlie practical farmer and the scien- tific agriculturist. We do not want, at the present time, what is called purely practical field experiments — experiments which, as I have already remarked, have only an individual value, at the best. It is systematic experiments that are calculated to establish those general scientific truths which require afterwards to be introduced under all the modifying influences that are 368 TSI2 FAEMEB'S magazine. kuown only to individual farmers who are differently situated in ditfereut parts of the country ; it is experiments which establish general principles that we require much more uro-ently than what are commonly called practical experiments which have for their avowed object simply the high profits of the farmer. Mr. IIoll.IlJND, M.P., thought the learned Professor had hardly explained how an ordinary farmer might adopt expen- sive and practical experiments, seeing that he could not, as a rule, aft'drd to give up a quantity of land, which though snudl for the purpose of experiment, was nevertheless a considerable part of his farm. If, however, the farmer were to ascertain the nature of the field in the first instance, and then, in sowing his crop, were to allow a broad band, for the sake of experi- ment, through the middle of the crop, he presumed that if he attended to all the instructions which had been given, that would be pretty inucli the same as if he were to set apart a piece of land expressly for experimental purposes. Perhaps one end of the lield might vary from the other end of the tield, so that the experiment might have its variations. Still, with a little care, and with the opportunity of communication with scientific men, a great deal of good might he elfected, and yet little expense be incurred, as far as laying down land for the purpose by the common farmer was concerned. Was there any objection to an arrangement of that kind ? for he fancied that that was the only way in which the Society could get the common fariner to work with them. Professor Voelcker : No doubt there were certain experi- ments which might be carried out usefully by the ordinary or common farmer ; but there were a great many others which could not be carried out by him. Indeed, it was almost neces- sary that some jdan should be arranged similar to that which had been adopted on Mr. Lawes' experimental farm. We stood at present very much in need of what in Germany were called experiniental stations, or experimental farms ; farms, that was to say, not in the sense of experimental farms as liiey were known in this country. We required very much to perform systematic experiments on farms which extended over a few acres of ground, perhaps not more than ten acres. He should be quite content to have ten acres for purely experi- mental purposes ; and in conjunction with those experimental acres there should be a laboratory : so that the manures might be analyzed and the produce examined there ; and even the collecting of the crops should be performed by assistants who were accustomed to the performance of precise experiments, to carefully measuring and weighing, and thoroughly trained in carrying out experiments in a more accurate manner than could reasonably be expected front the ordinary farmer. Mr. HoLL.VND happened to belong to a club consisting of persons connected with agriculture, and the president of whicii was a scientific man. They met once a year, and at that meeting the members reported to that scientific gentleman all that they had done under his directions in the course of the year. The president then set out a fresh task for the fol- lowing year. Their operations were widely scattered, inas- much as the members lived in different parts of the country ; and he believed that the reports of that club were of great value to practical science. One reason for that, however, was that the members always reported to the same individual. The club to which he referred was the Club of the Agricul- tural College at Cirencester, and the president was his friend Dr. Voelcker (loud cheers). Colonel LeCouteur (Jersey) observed that Professor Voelcker had stated that in order to obtain a good result with potash, a certain process was necessary. The learned Pro- fessor had not quite cleared up that point. He mentioned the result of the application of salt, but the result of potash and salt and the result of potash were so nearly alike as scarcely to be called a, result. What did the learned Professor recommend should be mixed with potash in order to obtain a better result? Dr. Voelcker said that in the particular experiment he had referred to, salt alone produced as great an effect on the mangold crop as potash combined with salt. In reality, therefore, no practical result was obtained. Colonel LeCouteur : You have no other ingredient to mix with the potash to produce the result you hoped for ? Professor Voelcker answered in the negative. Mr. Holland : Could lupines be grown in heavy clay, well drained and steam-ploughed ? Professor Voelcker was afraid not. Mr. Preee (Editor of the Journal) remarked tliat it was the opinion of his friend the late Professor Henslow, of Cam- bridge, that it would be a most desirable thing to establish the systematic conduct of experiments in agriculture, through the agency of the lloyal Agricultur;il Society ; and it would be a great satisfaction to himself if this meeting could lay the foundation for accomplishing that object. Turning then to the subject more immediately under consideration, Mr. Prere said that he was not inclined to differ from Dr. Voelcker with regard to the area for field-experiments, but thought, with him, that, on the whole, they should be small plots. At all events, there should not be more than a day's work included in the experiment ; and that would often extend to an area of six or eight acres. Therefore, so far as the process of sowing was concerned, that might be done in one day. Purther, the process of ploughing ought also to be effected in one day, or at one and the same time ; for, during a recent dry season, he found a most marked difference in a field of mangold, a part of which had been ploughed on one day, and the remainder on the following day. It was drilled just before the period of drought arrived. Again, with regard to experiments in roots, it was necessary to guard against irregular planting and the effects of insects ; and he thought it would be a great object to try experiments as far as possible on those particular plants which would bear transplanting well, such as cabbage and kohl-rabi ; for as many experiments might be made with them as with the white turnip. The number of plants might be determined ; and if any were destroyed by accident, pro- vided they began in good time, the gaps could be filled up, and the full- number maintained. Then, as to the soil, the Professor had advocated a medium one; and certainly, for general purposes, they must have a medium soil, if the expe- riments were to be of general application : but he did not be- lieve in the general applicability of any experiments, or any principles, or any line of action, in agriculture, at all. With respect to potash, on clay soils there would probably be a superabundance of potash locked up, and perhaps in medium soils an adequate amount. If they wanted to see whether potash would produce such an effect as to encourage the farmer generally, it must be tried on the soil that was de- cidedly deficient in potash — that was, on sand ; and he might mention that, in the experiments with potash which he was about to try this year, he was most hopeful of seeing a de- cidedly good result upon a burning sand, on which he meant to sow kohl-rabi early. Until the present time nothing had been able to resist the drought on that soil ; and the only green crop which he could successfully grow on it would be coleseed and rape, the sowing of which he must postpone until the middle of July, otherwise even that plant would not stand the heats of July. White turnips it would be altogether in vain to sow. But he fan- cied that kohl-rabi might stand the drought and heat even there ; and he thought it was more probable that he should get a satisfactory result from the use of jiotash on that soil than from the other experiments in which he was going to try potash on the more medium soils. The Professor had stated that they might mix with sand, and also ashes. He would remind the Professor that if the ashes were off a good clay they themselves were of a manurial nature, and not mere make-weight or bulk, as sand would be. In the excellent paper which Professor Voelcker had published in the recent number of the Journal, he had suggested the use of potash, in addition to farmyard manure. But what farmers with poor land wanted was a manure that would do iustead of farmyard dung ; for they could not make a manure-heap all over their land, 874 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. prize appears to exist in Russia which has led, notwith- standing the system of artificial protection, to very satisfactory results. The development of new sources of supply is beneficial to commerce, and in the case of cotton, tallow, paper materials, and wool, we are now far less exclusively de- pendent on a few sources. The competition thus pro- moted has enlarged our supplies, reduced prices, and highly benefited our manufacturers. In an article like tallow, for which there is so enormous a demand, it is well that we should be liberated from the hands of speculators and monopolists. Last year we received an increased demand of a quarter of a million tons ; South America and Australia having both doubled their sup- plies. The non-expansiveness and partial decay of the trade between Great Britain and Russia can be attributed to no other cause than the commercial policy pursued in Russia since the year 1823. It may, however, be argued, with apparent plausibility, that the decrease in the traffic under consideration is mainly due to a diminution of the demand for raw products, which Russia once solely sup- plied. Indian jute now takes the place of Russian hemp to the extent of £2,000,000 annually, and the supply of Russian tallow, as we have seen, has fallen to almost half the quantity exported to Great Britain before the Crimean war ; the shipments of tallow from other countries having become equal to those from Russia, and an increased use of mineral and other oils for manufactm-ing and house- hold purposes has likewise had considerable influence in reducing the demand for the famed Russian P. Y. C. But, ia the aggregate, the demand on the part of Great Britain for Russian produce is far fi'ora being on the decrease in the items of corn, flax, linseed, wool, and several other articles. These, as well as hemp and tal- low, are products that must always meet with a growing demand as population and industry increase ; but they will ever be purchased in the cheapest and most attractive markets. It has, unfortunately, been assmned in Russia that foreign countries were dependant upon Russian supplies of those important raw materials ; and that, on the other hand, it was quite possible to arrive at absolute independence of foreigners by fostering home industry — in other words, the commercial policy which Russia has so long pursued, aims at making the empire a solely exporting country. The result has proved fatal to its own interest. CENTRAL FARMERS' CLUB. AGRICULTURAL SHOWS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS. The monthly meeting of the Club took place on Monday evening, April 2nd, at the Club Rooms, Salisbury Square, Mr. Smythies, chairman for the present year, presiding. The subject, as specified above, was introduced by Mr. A. Crosskill, of Beverley. After a few opening remarks from the CilAiRMAJf , Mr. Crosskill proceeded as follows: That the subject chosen for this evening's discussion is not altogether without practical importance wiU be admitted by every one wlio takes into consideration the time, trouble, and cost necessary to maintain an agricultural society in successful operation ; while to establish one, even on the comparatively limited scale of a county or district association, is a labour which only those who have actually undertaken can adequately realize. In addition to the indispensable condition of obtaining the requisite pecu- niary support, to bring the annual show to a prosperous issue, and to sustain the public interest in the continuance of the institution, requires an amount of perseverance, enthusiasm, zeal, and self-devotion worthy of being rewarded by the con- sciousness that the cause of agricultural progress is substan- tially benefited by the sacrifice. Wliether or not this is usually the case appears weU worth the attention of a practical body of men, such as the members of the London Central Farmers' Club. In considering the general condition, effects, and uses of agricultural shows it will be convenient to divide the subject into their past results, their present state, and their future prospects, and to treat successively each of these divisions. Some introductory allusion must also be made to the various descriptions or classes of shows held by a number of societies differing greatly in magnitude and importance ; but this paper will not be unduly extended, or the time of the Club unneces- sarily occupied by a recapitulation of all the statistics con- nected with their various ages, sizes, and objects. The three National or Royal Societies of England, Scotland, and Ireland naturally claim the first notice : their general influence on agricultural progress may be said to date from about the years 1839 or 1840, and the distinctive feature of their annual shows or exhibitions is, that they are not restricted to any part of their respective countries, but visit in rotation each agricul- tural division or large county. Closely following on these in importance, and indeed in many respects successfully rivalling their exhibitions, are the great shows of the York- shire Society in the North of England and the Bath and West of England in the South-west, while the North Lincolnsliire and other societies of smaller counties, being confined to more limited fields of operation, do not attract so large an amount of general notice. A very numerous class of local and district shows next claims attention, consisting generally of an exhibition lasting for one day only, the distinctive characteristics of which vary greatly in difl^erent localities. In the small market towns of North and East Yorkshire, and to some extent in Suffolk, where the breeding and rearing of horses is largely carried on, the horse show forms an important as well as attractive feature of the meetings, some of which almost deserve the name of horse fairs from the gradual increase in the amount of business annually transacted in this department. In many of the Southern and Midland districts varieties of the human species in the shape of cottagers, servants, labourers, and even their wives and families, share the honours of the prize-sheet with fat beasts and improved ploughs, and a common conclusion to nearly all these gatherings is a dinner, attended by the local celebrities and Members of Parliament, at which speeches on agricidtural, and frequently general poUtics, form the staple entertainment. Lastly, many of the autumnal ploughing matches in the midland counties are extending their fields of operation so as to include, at least partially, the objects of agricultural shows, and must not be altogether omitted from this enumeration. In noticing the results which these various shows, meetings, and exhibitions have in past times produced on agricultural progress, it may be broadly stated, without the slightest fear of contradiction, that their influence has been highly beneficial, Tliis was especially the case in England for THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 375 some time after the establishmeut of the Royal Agricultural Society, about twenty-five years ago, when the circuinstauces of the country were very different from those prevailing at the present time, particularly in two most important matters — namely, the facility of intercommunication ami the diffusion of knowledge. It is very difficult for us who live surrounded by railways, telegraphs, and abundance of newspapers to realize the state of ignorance and stagnation of mind existing at that time in most country districts. The enterprising agricul- turist who practised an improved system of cultivation, or by observation and care discovered important facts connected with the breed and management of stock, had almost as mucli chance of communicating the result of his experience to Americans or West Indians as to the generality of his brother- farmers, excepting to the few who resided in his own immediate neighbourhood. Owing to the comparative difficulty and rarity of travelling, and to the very smaU circulation of newspapers or other similar periodical publications, knowledge travelled then very slowly, and when communicated made little impres- sion on the general apathy and incredulity. Under such cir- cumstances, it was almost impossible to overestimate the value of an agricultural show as a means of spreading useful informa- tion. All the reports, official or general, of the early meetings of the Royal and other agricultural societies testify strongly to the great advance that immediately followed in any neigh- bourhood where the shows had been held, and no doubt can exist that the fact was so. Landowiiers, occupiers, and even labourers had their minds and faculties opened, improved, and stimulated by visiting a show-yard, where the best specimens of animals and the most modern implements and machines were brought prominently and forcibly to their notice. Not only the Royal Agricultural Society, whose visits, though dis- tinguished, were in any particular locality necessarily few and far between, and the district associations, which came at less distant intervals, but also the local institutions, the frequency of whose shows in part compensated for their less pretentious character, are fairly entitled to the credit of extending useful knowledge to many who without them would have long re- mained in ignorance, and deserve recognition as having mate- rially contributed to the cause of agricultural improvement. The value of the shows as stimulants in promoting improve- ments in the breed of animals and in the construction of machinery must also be noticed. It would of course be erro- neous to attribute to this cause the exertions of those celebrated agriculturists who in the early part of the present century, while regenerating, and in fact almost creating the new breeds of Shorthorn bullocks and Leicester sheep, did not neglect the improvements of older established races ; but there can be no doubt that the renown to be gained by taking prizes as well as the profit resulting from the possession of a herd, whose repu- tation was established and maintained by success at agricultural exhibitions, have been powerful incentives to the efforts of many of their successors. The pleasure of winning prizes and the opportunity afforded by the shows of exhibiting their beautiful and well-formed animals to an admiring public has doubtless also been in many cases instrumental in inducing titled or wealthy landowners, including many of the principal members of o)ir aristocracy, to pursue the rearing, breeding, and management of stock ; and so far as their lavish and abundant outlay has benefited the practical farmer by directing attention to maintaining and improving varieties and specimens of animals, which would not otherwise have received such care, the service thus conferred on agricultural progress is, to a great extent, due to the shows. With reference to agricultu- ral implements, there is abundant evidence that the money prizes offered for novelties and improyemeuts, as weU as the opportunities which the meetings afforded for their exliibition and trial, did for some time after their estaljlishinent produce beneficial results ; and the collection together of a large body of customers naturally caused the makers of implements to flock to these gatherings with their goods in such yearly in- creasing numbers, that hasty thinkers have, in many cases, attributed to the shows alone the rapid advance and improve- ment of agricultural machinery, overlooking the (act that in every other branch of mechanical art, especially in manufac- turing machinery of all kinds, of which there are no annual shows or exhibitions, the progressive increase has been equally striking. Perhaps one of the most prominent instances of the great value of an agricultural show as a means of making generally known discoveries of the utmost practical import- ance, occurred at the first Newcastle Meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1846, where the lecture delivered on deep drainage by the consulting engineer, Mr. Josiah Parkes, gave an extraordinary impetus to the adoption of that valuable improvement, not only on account of the able manner in which the subject was treated by the lecturer, but also because of the large number of influential landowners and others, whose attention was forcibly drawn to it through the agency of the Society. It would not be difficult to bring forward other cases in which the speedy adoption of important re- forms in agricultural practice can be directly traced to their introduction and advocacy at shows, or to adduce numerous instances in which the meetings have been of the greatest public service ; but the fact of their general utility and value in past times, need scarcely further be dwelt upon, and is not now likely to be disputed, even by the most ardent worshipper of the supposed wisdom of our forefathers. Proceeding ft'om the first division of the subject to the influence exercised by the shows at the present time on agricultural progress, we find that a marked change has taken place in the circumstances which existed when they were originally founded. The great increase in all facilities of intercommunication throughout the length and breadth of the land, extending frequently to the most remote country districts, accompanied as it has been by an enormous development in the spread of knowledge by means of the cheap newspaper press, has greatly diminished the value of agricultural meetings as diffusers of information. Improvements, or even the crudest suggestions about the breeding and treatment of stock, the course of husbandry, or the adaptation of machinery, are now reported with the greatest avidity, and attain immediate celebrity, not always very well deserved ; but, under such circumstances, there is obviously no longer the same scope which formerly existed for the utility of the shows, in extending and communicating ao-ricultural knowledge. While therefore it must be admitted that their advantages have been to some extent in this respect diminished ; they have, on the other hand, gained in many ways, by increased facilities of travel. The difference between holding large meetings in towns possessing railways, and going to places without such convenience, was forcibly felt by visitors to the Royal Show at Shrewsbury in 1845, where the trouble, delays, and losses caused by a partial return to the old system of coaching and post-horses dwelt long in the memories of those upon whom they were inflicted. Perhaps a latent desire to give the present generation a slight specimen of what their predecessors endured, may have been among the motives which caused the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society to fix the next country meeting at Bury St. Edmunds— a little town, possessing only a single line on a branch railway notoriously inadequate to the exigencies of such a traffic as the Royal Meeting invariably causes. It is, however, to be hoped that the respite of twelve months, caused by the D D 2 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. lamentaUe disease now (levnstafing oiiv herds, will Ije taken advantage of by all coucerucd iu providing the requisite ac- commodatiou ; so that those members of Council and their friends, who, amid a storm of adverse criticism, have steadily maintained that the decision was a right one, may have their opinions justified by the result. In alluding further to the great advantages which the agricultural shows have derived from the railway system, it is not necessary to dwell at length ou the obvious increase iu the number of people who attend them ; but it has also been remarked with satisfaction by many of the regular frequenters of the great country meetings, that during the last few years there has been a perceptible im- provement in the quality as well as the quantity of the visitors to them. In place of the large proportion of ignorant won- derers, who formed some years ago the bulk of the poorer classes, the stands are to a great extent thronged with intelli- gent critics and appreciative observers, showing that even the agricultural labourer has not been left behind in that general improvement which has taken place at all events simultaneous with, if not altogether in consequence of, the spread of agri- cultural shows in every part of the country. The great meet- ings of the Royal and principal district societies possess also considerable value in furnishing occasion for the annual col- lecting together of everj-one connected with agriculture. If tlie amount of actual business done has no tendency to in- crease, the opportunity of spending a few days in the same town, and coufeiring personally ou the numerous topics in which all take a common interest, is not without considerable value to the agricultural community. Perhaps the last two meetings of the Koyal Society were not very favourable speci- mens of this kind of utility, Plymouth and Newcastle being iu comparatively inaccessible localities, but the extreme cor- ners of the land cannot engross everlasting attention, and we may reasonably look forward during the next few years for places of meeting more convenient to the great bulk of the agricultural public. The description of service just referred to is not confined exclusively to the Koyal and larger shows, in their own sphere many of the local and district meetings are equally useful ; while some of them are effecting a con- siderable public advantage in becoming annual places of resort for the poorer classes, instead of the so-called summer pleasure fairs. The substitution of an agricultural show on however limited a scale for a fair, at which dissipa- tion of the very worst sort was the habitual attrac- tion, is an object worthy of the philantlixopist as well as the agriculturist; and where this change has to any extent taken place, the show is entitled to a credit, not perhaps contemplated by its original promoters, but not on that account less valuable in a social and moral, as well as from an agricultural point of view. In promoting, ex- tending, and stimulating the breed of cattle, sheep, and stock of every description, the original utility of the meetings appears to be fully maintained ; the number of wealthy and titled gentle- men who continue to pursue that object indicates no signs of diminution, and, as it is scarcely to be presumed that with many of them profit is the attracting motive, the pleasure of exhibit- ing at shows and the prospect of winning prizes there, may fairly be added to the other inducements furnished by a sincere desire to aid the practical farmer by maintaining purity of breed and symmetry of form in agricultural stock. The sliows continue also to afford a good opportunity for the agricultural implement maker to display his productions and meet his cus- tomers—especiaUy if he is in the fortunate position of being ahle to attract a little extra attention by parading a list of prizes recently awarded to his machines ; but the notion that these im- plement prizes are of any service to the practical agriculturist, is one of the strangest fallacies that has ever been impressed upon the public mind. The arguments chiefly relied on to justify their retention for the supposed benefit of the agricultural community are, first, that the ofl'er of prizes is the chief cause of the improvements of implements and machinery, and, secondly, that it is for the advantage of the public, and especially of in- tending purchasers, that official indications should be given of which are the best machines ; but it is not difficult to show that both these reasons rest on no substantial foundation. Those who attribute the improvement of implements solely, or even chiefly, to the prize system, overlook entirely the effect of com- petition in every branch of industrial occupation : a maker of machinery of any kind cannot remain stationary without being speedily distanced by his rivals ; and no one acquainted with the trade in implements wUl dispute that competition in it is at least as severe as in any other branch of business. The real improvements required in agricultural machinery are discovered by actual work on the farm, and everyone desirous of acquiring a permanent trade in implements finds it necessary to supply them of the best and most approved construction, and needs no competitive trials to stimulate hira iu adapting them to tlie re- quirements of practical agriculture by uging his utmost skill and ingenuity to improve theit efficiency and durability. The statement contained in the second reason, that the prizes are useful in showing the public which are the best implements, would only be true if the official indications of agricultural societies about macliinery were generally correct and sucli as purchasers could implicitly rely upon. Now it is perfectly notorious that the awards of judges at shows are, owing to cir- cumstances commonly and necessarily beyond their own control, exceedingly liable to error, and after every important series of trials, the columns of the agricultural journals are, for many weeks in succession, filled with remonstrances from spectators as well as competitors, all uniting in con- demning the utter inadequacy of the tribunal. If con- secutive trials of the same implements take place at dif- ferent meetings the results are frequently in direct contradic- tion to each other, proving the truth of the oft-repeated state- ment that management and favourable circumstances are the principal requisites for winning a prize, and that to determine the capability of a machine or implement for practical work on the farm, a short competitive trial, partaking more or less of the nature of a race, is absolutely worthless. The know- ledge that this really is the case has, during the last few years, gained ground rapidly with observant agriculturists, especially among those who have allowed official decisions to influence their purchases of implements instead of obtaining trustworthy information as to which machines work best in actual prac- tice; and as agricultural societies have no means of arriving at decisions wliich deserve, or are likely to obtain public con- fidence, the system of trials and prizes cannot he defended on the ground that the public derive benefit from it. This is not the place for discussing the questions whether the prizes are better or worse for makers of implements, the alleged differences of opinion between old esta- blished and new makers, and other kindred topics wliich have been imported into the controversy ; the retention or abolition of the system must stand or fall on the question of what is best in the interest of the agricultural public, and aU the arguments brought forward for its maintenance seem to fail in that important condition. Before an audience of prac- tical farmers, the class from which the implement judges are generally selected, a few words may appropriately be said about the trouble and inconvenience apparently inseparable from that office. The difficulties of a judge anxiously endea- vouring ^to do his duty amid the pressure and hustling of THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 377 A Crowd of engrr spectiitofs should lie seen or felt to be fully appreciated; iind the unpleasant nature of the work, together with the consciousness of tlie small practical result arising from its faithful performance, continually increase the reluct- ance of the best and most practical farmers to act as judges, especially after they have had a little experience in that capacity. Only last summer one of the most active agricul- turists in tlie north of England, who, with three other gentle- men, had spent a great deal of time and trouble in judging a large number of thrashing machines, said, in my presence ; " Of course, we gave the prize to tliat which did the work best here ; but it is not the one that any of us would buy for our own practical use." It was, therefore, evident that the judges had either been entirely wasting their time by arriving at a conclusion which was of no consequence, and would be disregarded by the agricultural public, or that if any one was so inexperienced as to believe theirdecision trustworthy, and to buy a prize machine in consequence, its practical working would probably make him a convert to the desirability of doing away with a system at once so useless and fallacious. A reason that has prevented this conclusion from being reached long ago is, that all the machines sent for trial at our great shows contain an amount of excellence which makes it scarcely possible for a prize to fall to an actually l)ad speci- men of its kind, and purchasers who follow tlie prize-sheet are frequently content with the good machines they get, without knowing that still better ones have, in many cases, liecn passed over without any sort of recognition or notice. Many gentle- men present to night wiU, doubtless, recollect the paper read oh this subject in the autumn of 1S60, by our esteemed mem- ber Mr. Fisher Hobbs, whose recent prolonged absence, owing to indisposition, from the meetings and discussion of this Club, has been a source of great regret to all who take an interest in our proceedings. At that time the question of the utility or otherwise of the implement prizes was comparatively novel, the Royal Society had shortly before made an important change from annual to triennial competitions, the subject excited interest, drew together a large audience, and gave rise to an animated discussion. It was admitted, both by Mr. Hobbs and the principal speakers who followed him, that the dissatisfaction then universally existing with respect to the implement trials at the Royal, as well as at other shows, was not without substantial foundation, and the suggestion for their amendment, which met with general concurrence at the meeting was, that they should be adjourned from the show- yards to some farm affording convenience for a thorough trial of machinery, where it could be submitted to prolonged ex- amination and thorouglily reliable tests. During the five years that have elapsed since this proposal was made, it does not seem to have met with much favour ; the principal at- tempt to carry out such experiments on an extensive scale took place after the Leeds meeting in 1861, owing mainly to the large pecuniary resources at the disposal of the local com- mittee of that town, and partly also to the liberality and cn- tcrprize of the late lamented Mr. John Fowler, whose recent premature death has been deeply felt, not only by every one personally acquainted with his kind and genial disposition but also by the stiU wider circle of those who appreciated the zeal, assiduity, and skill he brought to bear in adapting steam power to the cultivation of the soil. The results of tlic Leeds adjourned trials, as of those previously held at Boxted Lodge in 1856, seemed to prove that the loss of time, trouble, and expense to which they subject the competitors, judges, and authorities, are not attended witli any corresponding advan- tages to the agricultural community, and justify the repetition here of the opinion I ventured to express at the discussion of Mr. Hobbs' paper — that adjourned trials are just as futile, and quite aa inelFectual in gaining public confidence as those hitherto conducted in or near the various show-yards. The fact is, that the farmers of England arc now as capable as any other body of business men of forming a correct opinion as to wl\at is wanted for their own purposes, and do not require a number of engineers or mechanical amateurs at shows to be judges of what implements are best suited to their practical work at home ; and when this truth is recognized by the managers of our principal agricultural societies, their meetings will be relieved from a scries of prolonged and costly opera- tions, troublesome and unsatisfactory to nearly every one con- nected with them, and of no advantage whatever to the general public. The recent experience of this Club may also be quoted as an illustration of the difficulties inseparable from the work- ing of a prize system. At the first meeting this year our chairman had to announce that ovring to the invidious nature of the duties it imposed upon the committee, no more cups should be given for papers read at the monthly meetings ; but the committee did not express any apprehension that for want of such a stimulus the number or merit of subsequent commu- nications was on that account in danger of being diminished, and no one who heard or read last month the excellent paper of our secretary (himself one of the strongest supporters of the implement prizes) is likely to infer that he did not exert all his ability in its preparation because he was not competing for a prize, or that the offer of a cup or reward of any kind would have made liim produce a better essay than he actually did after the prize system was abolished. Before leaving the consideration of the present condition of the agricultural shows, some notice is due to the practice prevailing at many of the smaller meetings, of supplementing the offer of prizes for implements and animals, by rewards to hedgers, ditchers, thrashers, cottagers, servants, and dairymaids. The expedi- ency, policy, and propriety of this system have been widely commented on by the newspaper press, and the discussion has even extended within the walls of Tarliament, where it has elicited conflicting opinions from the highest authorities, Mr. Disraeli and some of the so-called farmers' friends having de- clared in favour of it, while other Members who make less pretentious claim to the title (though not perhaps on that ac- count less deserving of it) have denounced the practice in very strong terms. AVhatever may be the value of the serious arguments adduced on either side, the employment of the lighter weapons of controversy is altogether in favour of the opponents of the system, it being particularly open to the at- tacks of ridicule and sarcasm. The spectacle of a local mag- nate or Member of Parliament bestowing two sovereigns and a pair of breeches upon a labourer for bringing up a large family, or for twenty years of faithful service, while the same gentle- man would think nothing of presenting a ko note to the gamekeeper of a friend with whom he had been enjoying a few days' shooting, or a still larger sum to a youthful jockey who had successfully ridden in a half-mile race, is one that will always furnisli abundant matter for satirical remark ; aud the general disproportions at most of these rural shows between the sums of money offered as prizes for quadrupeds and those bestowed upon bipeds, seems to indicate that in the opinion of the managers the former oc- cupy by far the most important place in the scale of creation. As this system of rewarding labourers and servants has not extended into Yorkshire or to the north of England, I shall not presume in this paper to offer any opinion on it, leaving the discussion to those gentlemen from the southern and mid- land districts who are practically acqvuiintcd with its working aud efl'ects ; but I may observe that there is one direction in r. 378 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, wliich its farther extension has not been successful. While the producer of the largest family is still able to carry off a prize for his successful exertions, various efforts that have been made to award premiums to his young stock have proved more or less abortive, and the periodical holding of baby shows — an American importation with which this country was at one time threatened — has suffered a natural and well-merited extinc- tion. Previous to entering on the last division of this subject —the future prospects of agricultural shows — it may not be out of place to say a few words on the extraordinary phenome- non of a Society about to let a year pass over without holding a show at all. If this were the decision of some small and ob- scure corporation little known or possessing but a local inllu- eace, it would only meet Mdtli the same kind of contemptuous notice usually bestowed upon the well-worn example of the play of " Hamlet" performed with the part of Jlamlef omitted ; but, being the determination of the privileged and chartered governors of our greatest national agricultural institution, the general curiosity is naturally excited as to how the Council proposes to occupy itself during the next twelve mouths in carrying out the objects for which the Society was incorpo- rated. In the absence of any authoritative indication as to what the course of action is likely to be, it may not be pre- siunptuous to point to the 8th subject set forth in the cele- brated and frequently-quoted Charter, which is : " To take measures for improving the veterinary art as applied to cattle, sheep, and pigs ;" and if any pressure that the Council can bring to bear will induce tlie veterinary professors to make some progress in discovering a better remedy than the pole- axe for diseased cattle, the agricultural community would no doubt thankfully accept such a service as a not altogether in- adequate compensation for the ordinary benefits and pleasures to be derived from the holding of one of the great annual meetings. In concluding these remarks with a brief re- ference to the future prospects of the shows, it seems impos- sible to predict for them such an important influence on agri- cultural progress as they have in past times exercised, owing mainly to the great difference in the circumstances under which they are held, to which allusion has been made at length in the previous division of the subject, and partly also to the undouTited fact that the rapid advance of agricultural improve- ment during the last twenty years has not left the same scope which form'erly existed for important and beneficial reforms. Notwithstanding this diminution of their utility, the pros- perity of the meetings seems in no danger of falling off, nor is their popularity likely to be lessened. Few persons con- nected with agriculture, either as stock-owners, cultivators, or implement-makers, willingly omit their annual journeys either to the gatherings of the great Royal and district societies or to the smaller shows held in their own localities. The increasing wealth of the country, and the growing interest taken in agricultural pursuits by all classes of the community, ensure a steadily in- creasing number of visitors to the shows, as weU as of sub- scribers to the various societies, and will doubtless continue to do so as long as a well-cultivated farm, a carefuUy-bred animal, or an ingenious implement furnish attraction to the general public as weU as to special observers, to the reflective student as well as to the practical agriculturist. Mr E. Edmunbs (Rugby) thought not only the Farmers' Llub, but England altogether was very much indebted to Mr. Crosskill for the admirable paper which he had read (cheers). 1 here was one point in that paper wliicli was very remarkable ■ Air Crosskill had acknowledged that the agriculturists had got beyond their A B C-that farmers knew that if they ploughed 3 inches deep they had got 3 inches of ciUtivatiou. Now, the question was, were the Royal Agricultural Society and other societies of the same kind established simply for the purpose of holding shows ? Mr. Crosskill thought that they were instituted for more important objects than that, and he (Mr. Edmunds) agreed with him, Wlien the show system was first established there were no great agricultural implement makers, and almost all implements were in a rude state ; the magnificent Shorthorns, Devons, and Herefords, and the dif- ferent crosses of sheep had not then penetrated to all parts of the kingdom as they had done through the influence of the shows ; but excellence had since been carried home as it were to every quarter of England, and it had been shown even in remote districts what could be produced. He agreed with Mr. Crosskill that agricultural shows had produced a great in- fluence up to a certain point ; but then came the question, if the farmers had got beyond their A B C, if they had reaUy got the article they wanted, if they had got as good an animal and as good an implement as could be produced, what was the use of constantly offering prizes for the same thing produced over and over again (Hear, hear). Were agriculturists less intelligent than any other portion of the nation ? Did they not know a good thing when they saw it ; and was it necessary to continue showing them what they saw and approved fifteen or twenty years ago ? He would give a practical illustration of what he meant. At the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society he asked the Council whether they thought a plough had been produced which for all prac- tical purposes was better than that which was exhibited at their Southampton show ? (Hear, hear). He knew that ploughs exhibited on that occasion by Ransomes, Howards, and others would plough a piece of land as well as any plough that had been produced since. Yet how many hundreds, he might almost say thousands, of pounds had been spent in the inter- val in prizes for the best plough ! Had they got an article which did all they wanted in a plough ! (" No.") If they had, what was the use of offering money to have it repro- duced ? (Hear, hear) . For instance, the Royal Agricultural Society offered an enormous prize for a steam-plough ; and they discovered, after all, that it was not a steam-plough that they wanted, but a steam-cultivator (Hear, hear). Again, he should like to know how many prizes Gardner's turnip-cutter had taken. It had never been befrfen, and yet year after year a prize was offered for it. The case of the winnowing-machine was similar. The great mistake lay in continuing to give prizes for the same article. When a good thing had been produced let it be stamped with a fifty pound or even a hundred pound prize, but it was useless to go on stamping it with prizes year after year. There was one important point which Mr. CrosskUl did not touch upon. As an implement maker he might have told them that the article sent out to the farmer was not precisely the thing that was sent out for com- petition. Mr. Crosskill said he doubted that. Mr. EdmujVDS continued: Again, at the Warwick meeting he saw prizes offered for ploughs, when the ground upon which they were to be tried was in such a state that they might as well have tried to plough up Fleet-street. Was a plough which was strong enough in all its parts to do that, the land of plough which was required for the general purposes of agriculture ? (Hear, hear.) There must be a fitness in all such things (Hear, hear). As Mr. Crosskill remarked, if they wanted to try a thing they should try it in tlie position in which it would be wanted. Any one could tell them that if they had a plough that required 10 or 13 horses, they might as well be in bed as using such an implement. Now, there were a few unfortunate individuals whom Mr. Crosskill completely ignored in his remarks. It was not often that he (Mr. Edmunds) talked shop ; but one was obliged to do so sometimes, and when nobody else would blow your trumpet you must do it yourself. The agricultural im- plement makers had talked as if they were the people who were going to supply the whole country with implements, and they never thought of the agents ; but they had now found out THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. 379 that such people were really necessary. Persons like himself told their customers and those around them what was the best thing to get (laughter). The reason was they were more honest, comparatively speaking, than the manufacturers (renewed laughter). As a father believed his own bautling to be the finest in the world, so an implement maker believed his own implement to be the best ever invented ^Hear). It was quite right that the manufacturers should think that : he did not blame them for it ; but the middle-man would say to his friend and his neighbour, " So-and-so makes a very good implement," and he would tell the implement makers that, whether they ignored the ageuts or not, people would be guided by their opinion. Mr. Crosskill spoke rather slightingly of a class of ])ersons who were encouraged at the shows. One great diffi- culty of farmers was that, if they wanted a good hedge-cutter, or a good man to thatch a rick or to drain, they would find only about one in a parish. Sufficient care was not taken to have persons trained for such work ; and he contended that by offering prizes for good hedge-cutting, thatching, or draining, they were stimulating iniprovemeut, and benefiting agriculture. Mr. Crosskill said that as the Royal Agricultural Society was not going to hold a show this year, it ought to endeavour to stimulate the veterinary art. Now he (Mr. Edmunds) preferred dropping the quadrupeds and turning to the bipeds. The Royal Agricultural Society had education included in its charter, and he thought it might do something better than offering prizes like those which he had alluded to. It was de- sirable to infuse some new blood in Hanover-square, and to get rid of some of the red tape. The council ought to be a little more liberal, and when they had a great society receiving five or six thousand a year, they should not be stopped with the objection that this or that subject was poUtical ; but the council should be prepared to deal with every subject con- nected with agriculture (Hear, hear). lu the great crisis which had been recently passed through, there was hardly any society that had done less for agriciilturists than the Royal Agricultiiral Society of England (Hear, hear) ; and he must say that out of its large income that society ought to find the means of paying for professorships, and securing cheap agri- cultural education, and for this purpose he asked for some of the £5,000 whicu would not be expended this year. Mr. H. Corbet said he thought the Agricultural Hotel had been opened at a very significant era, for it seemed that at that point agricultural progress stopped. Having followed Mr. Crosskill's paper very carefully, he gave that gentleman full credit for much good matter ; but he felt all the while that he was building up a wonderful pile only to pull it down again (laughter). He (Mr. Corbet) spoke with a sort of authority on that question, having attended nearly all the great agricultural shows held in England, Ireland, and Scotland during the last fourteen or fifteen years. Eor the last ten years more especially he had heard complaints constantly made against the prize system, but always by one class of men, and almost by them aloue : he meant, of course, the great agricul- tural implement makers. It was a very extraordinary thing that up to a certain time agricultural shows should have done an immense amount of good, and that they should then have ceased to be at all beneficial (Hear, hear). Twenty years ago, Mr. Edmunds would teU them, there were no great agricultural implement makers, and everything was at a dead level ; and then there came a period during which improvement went on, and agriculturists learnt how to lay out their money on unple- ments. That was a very fine hypothesis, but in his (Mr. Corbet's) opinion agricultural prizes were as useful now as they were twenty years ago (Hear, hear). Mr. Crosskill said the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society had gone from annual to biennial or triennial exhibitions of implements. Of course they had done so. It was gradually found impossible to try all the implements exhibited every year, and the Council with much good sense yielded to the representation of the great implement makers in favour of the cliange referred to. Mr. Crosskill alluded to the qualifications of the judges. Why, among the judges of the Royal Agricultural Society there were not only some of the best men in England, but some of the most practical men in that Club ; and some, at least, of the judges at those out-of-the-way places, Newcastle or Ply- mouth, were men whose opinions when expressed in their own counties of Norfolk, or Northampton, or elsewhere, were always treated with respect. He maintained that the judges did their duty on the whole admirably, considering the difficulties under which they laboured. Every judge, in- deed, performed his duties under difficulties, whether he were a judge sitting at Westminster or one watching a trial in a field at Newcastle or Plymouth. When Mr. Crosskill proposed to do away with the prizes for ploughs- and other implements, he shoidd like to know whether they were going to sweep the whole deck. Were they going to do away with the prizes for Shorthorns, Herefords, and Devons ? or, to bring the question home to some who were present, with the prizes for horses ? Let them look at this question in relation to horses. Let them consider how improvement had gone on for the last ten or twelve years in connection with the great shows ; and he would put it to them whether the advance as regarded ploughs, harrows, or anything else, had not made similar strides during the same period, and whether it ought now to stop (Hear, hear). Twenty years ago there were no great agricultural implement makers : now there were many of them. At the Leeds meeting they said they would never exhibit again ; but they did so in the very next year (laughter). Then, they said to the Bath and West of England Society, "If you do away with prizes we will support you." But how was that promise ful- filled ? Why, for the last two or three years some of them never went near those shows. The case reminded liim of one that occurred last Christmas, about the time when a London Dog Show took place. A man had a pointer that never got any sort of prize. -A.t last he said, " I'll have a show without prizes at my own place, where aU who like can come and show their dogs, and then it wUl be seen what wonderful animls they all are" (laughter) . Of course it was the flattest thing in the world ; and so also were the recent exhibitions of implements to which he alluded at the shows of the Bath and West of England Society. He quite agreed with Mr. Cross- kill that agricultural shows twenty years ago did a great deal of good ; but he also maintained that they did a great deal of good still (Hear, hear) : and if they visited different parts of England where these shows had been held, they might witness the improvement thus effected, and hear persons constantly telling each other how different makers triumphed in the various trials. Trials of that kind were a great stimulus to improvement, and tended to secure the greatest amount of efficiency ; and he believed that the kind of education which depended on the prize system was proceeding as usefully, now as it did twenty years ago (cheers). Mr. J. Wilson (Manor House, Woodhoru, Morpeth) said: Some allusions having been made to the department of the Royal Agricultural Society in which he had for some years been interested, he hoped he should be pardoned for making a few remarks with reference to it. Now, he could not un- derstand why Mr. Crosskill drew a distinction between imple- ments and cattle or stock, as regarded prizes. They were all striving after excellence, whether in stock-producing or in cultivation ; and the same general principles were applicable to both. No doubt, Mr. Bates, Mr. Bootli, and other short- horn breeders had produced good animals at the shows in former days as they would ever do again ; but it did not follow that they were to stop there; neither should there be any stopping with regard to implements. It might be said that they had already got the best plough or the best cultivator that could be produced ; but he did not believe the farmers of England were of that opinion. After the Leeds meeting, many implement-makers attempted to secede from the competitive trials ; but at Canterbury their ageuts placed prize-placards over their implements : and tliat showed that they were proud of having obtained a prize from the Society. Having acted as a judge, he would observe that it was an appalling fact that at Plymouth, last year, they had fifteen one-horse carts exhibited in one class. A cart was a very peculiar thing ; and there could not very well be a trial of such an article as that. One great advantage connected ^vith prizes of the Royal Agricultural Society was this : The Society moved into a new district every year. Thousands of farmers and farm labourers came to the showyard, and saw there some five or sis thousand implements ; but he should like to know what they learnt by that ? They looked here and there ; but their attention could not be turned to any peculiar qualification in an implement for their operations ; and without something to guide them, they would go home very little wiser than they came. On the other hand, if there were a prize, they naturally assumed that there must have been a trial, and that there must be some reason why a prize-placard was placed above par- 380 THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. ticular implements ; and if there were even a weak point, they had an opportunity of noticing it in a way that they would never have done under other circumstances. He certainly agreed with Mr. Corbet, that the implement trials were of as much value in the' present day as they ever were ; but he had always advo- cated—and, as a member of the Council of the Royal Agricul- tural Socielv, he should continue to advocate — an extension of tlic trials, and their taking place at the proper time of the year. 'I'liere was one allusion made by Mr. Edmunds whicli seemed to him to require correction. Mr. Edmunds said the Eoyal Agricultural Society originally offered a prize for a steam plough, but afterwards discovered that what was wanted was not a steam plough, but a steam culti- vator. Now, that was a mistake. The fact was that when steam was first talked of, in connection witli the culti- vation of the soil, the Council, naturally directing its at- tention to the plough, offered a prize of £500 for the best steam plough. The otfer was continued for some years, until at last, at the Chester meeting, the prize was awarded to Mr. Powler, for the best steam plough. Mr. Smith, of Woolston, was not at all satisfied witli that decision, his argument being that steam was out of place as applied to the plough. As a great many agriculturists appeared to concur in that opinion, the Council offered a prize for the best application of steam to the cultivation of the soil. Although Mr. Fowler's culti- vator beat Mr. Smith's, that did not prove that it was uni- versally the best kind of implement ; and he (Mr. Wilson) was of opinion that the plough or digger was the best at one time of the year, and the cultivator at another (Hear, hear). He fully agreed with Mr. Edmunds that sufficient attention had not been paid hitherto by the Council of the Eoyal Agricultural Society to tlie improvement of education ; and, in conclusion, lie would remark that he hoped the absence of an open show this year at Eury St. Edmunds would be compensated in some other way, which would further tend to develope the agricul- ture of this country. I'rofessor Colem.vn (Escrick.York) believed Mr. Crosskill's paper would stand out prominently in the future as a remark- ably useful contribution to that club, and not merely to that club but to the agricultural community generally. His sketch of the past history of shows was masterly ; and if he had taken up the line of argument that implement trials were com- paratively useless, because they were hurried over and not thorough and exhaustive, he would have carried the feeling of tlie great majority of the Club and of the farming interest with him. Having, himself, acted in the capacity of a judge at two exhibitions, he had certainly experienced the difficulties to which Mr. Crosskill alluded in what he said about want of completeness, crowding, and so on. These were matters of de- tail upon which a pressure should be put upon the Council ; and he thought it worthy of consideration whether the giving of prizes, where the means of testing were not adequate, whether as regarded time or machinery, were not mischievous rather than useful. IMr. Crosskill made capital out of the re- mark of a judge at Doncaster last year. That gentleman would have told them if he had been present that tlie difficulty of awarding the prize arose from the absence of all proper tests, and that if the trial had been made under the superin- tendence of a competent engineer, with proper machinery for testing, the result would have unquestionably been satisfactory. It appeared to him that the Bath and West of England Society, considering the limited means of testing at its dis- posal, had acted wisely in leaving that question in the hands of the Eoyal Agricultural Society (Hear, hear). Now, Mr. Crosskill, who was a great traveller, must really have shut his eyes to what was going on if he had come to the conclusion that agriculture was as yet in anything like the position that it ought to be as regarded improvements (Hear, hear). He (Professor Coleman) thought it was the exception rather than the rule to find laud farmed in the best manner : at all events, if good farming was the rule, there were a great many excep- tions (Hear, hear). Most of them, he believed, felt that wherever the Eoyal Agricultural Society went there was a very marked intluence arising from its exhibitions ; and therefore he thought the argument for doing away with the prize system, wlietlier for implements or for stock, was a rather weak one. Moreover, he would venture to hint whether implement makers themselves miglit nut learn something from the trials. He iiaa lieavit iinplenient makers honestly confess that they had never thought of this or that until it was suggested to them in the show-yard. Therefore he thought the arguments of Mr. Crosskill, so far as they had reference to future shows, would not be endorsed by that Club. Mr. Wilson wished to correct Professor Coleman on one point relating to the Doncaster meeting. He was one of the judges on that occasion ; and if there were any inaccuracy or shortcoming in connection with the prizes, it was simply for want of time and of extension. He would add that, if agri- culturists generally were dissatisfied with the judges, they had themselves to blame ; for he knew the Council would esteem it a very great favour if farmers would send up the names of persons whom they could strongly recommend for the office of judges (Hear, hear). Mr. W. Bauford (Peterboro') said he represented the viither large section of small and rising implement-ina'kers — persons who had not reached to the top of the tree ; and he must say that, in his opinion, if the present system of awarding prizes at the country shows were abolished, there would at once come a sort of calm which would be as near as possible to finality. The abolition of the prize system would be a great injustice to the smaller houses, for this reason : The larger houses having attained the position they had done by the prize system, by means of the very large capital invested in their business, and by means of liberal agencies, the smaller implement-makers would, in the absence of the prize system, be lost sight of and remain in oblivion. Eor years his firm made a certain article before it had a competitive trial, and although it was the best article of its kind, they could make no general impression ; but as soon as a prize was offered by the Eoyal Society, and they gained it, it took a leading place, and they had since done a larger trade in that particular article than any three other houses in England. Last year he at- tended the show of the Bath and West of England Society at Hereford, and also that of the Eoyal Agricultural Society at Plymouth. At Hereford he watched the trial of the mowing machines, and it was a most stupid affair with the absence of competition. There was a sort of amateur trial on green rye ; and, altogether, he never saw anything more hollow or unin- teresting. A fortnight after, lie went to I'lymouth. He watched the trials of the mowing machines there also ; and he saw about two thousand implement -makers, farmers, and their labourers, who were all benefited by what they witnessed. Again, as regarded the fullness of the trials, he could go back for at least seven years, and he could testify that at Newcastle and other places he had seen the judges labouring with the greatest diligence during the whole day. He thought that if tlie Council went on extending the trials as they had done the last few years, no implement-maker could be dissatisfied with the result ; and he believed that, on the whole, the pre- sent prize system worked satisfiictorily both for the purchaser and the producer of implements. Mr. W. Woodward (Nortliway, Tewkesbury) would suggest for consideration whether the Eoyal Agricultural Society should not offer a prize for an implement that would move the soil better than the plough ; and also whether it would not be well for the judges to give their reasons for the best implements along with the awards. In his opinion, it would be well for the Eoyal Agricultural Society to spend a portion of its funds in establishing new farmers' clubs, by appoiutiHg chairmen, and paying a lecturer occasionally. Mr. Greig (Messrs. Fowler and Co.) agreed with Mr. Crosskill that the prize .system, as at present carried on, was entirely fallacious. He was, indeed, connected with a firm which might well be the last to complain of that system, as it had gained every prize for which it had competed (laughter). StiU he must say that the time occupied by the trials was so short that it was often almost impossible to arrive at a sound conclusion. If a steam-plough had to be tried, it ought to be started in August, and to lie continued under trial till August in the following year. Mr. Barford said the suppression of the prize system would put down the small men ; but when he said that, he in effect added, " I had a machine which was better than any made by the big machine-makers for a number of years, and I could never succeed." Well, if there had been no prize system in operation in the period, he at all events would have had the glory of the day, for lie would not have had the judges' opinion counteracting the favourable opinion of the public (laughter). He should be the last man THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. 361 in the world lo say a word ogaiiist. our small implcmeut- makers, for lie never wont to an ay;rieultural meeting without copying a lot of their designs (langhtcr). If a small man were placed in competition with a big one for a long-contiuned trial, the latter was snre to sncceed ; but the reverse was the case if the trial were a short one. He considered the prize sj'stcni, as at present condneted, absnrd. AVhat was wanted was a continuous trial, and not a dilly-dallying one ; and if that could not be obtained, the system should be altogether abolished, and the public left to judge for itself. There was no sort of solidity or value in the present method of proceed- ing. It would be Ijctter to have one great trial in each year, and let the whole of England compete. Mr. S. Sidney (London) said : It was a remarkable thing that they should have come there to be informed that the far- mers themselves were not capable of forming an opinion of the value of the implements which they had to use. If that were so, their business ditfered from all others in that respect (Hear, hear). What was wanted was an opportunity of test- ing the different implements that were produced under various circumstances, and this the judges dierdeenshire have wielded the poleaxe, we would nevertheless presume to ask, on prac- tical and scientific grounds. Have they been attributing more of their success in warding-off rinderpest to isolation and the poleaxe than what is legitimately due to such means, and less to the medicinal properties of the dietary of their cattle than what they merit ? And here we may observe that Mr. Bar- clay's hj-pothesis of the contagious fomites of rinderpest being wafted by the winds from " The How-o-the-Meams " all the way to " Buchan," to infect one or two solitary herds of cattle, is irriyoncilahle with the physical laws of cause and effect, as involved in the matter, unless under exceptional circumstances — viz., a normal dietary on the part of those herds pas*.ed over by the contagion, but an abnonnal dietarv" on the pnrt of THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 597 the solitary exceptions that were infected by it. Is si'ch (he ciue .' lu other words, Was there anything abnormal in the food and treatraeut of the Aberdeenshire herds infected with cattle-plague, that predisposed them to catch contagion ? Overcrowding in dirty byres, dirty food, irregularity of meals, and mismiinagement of a similar kind, might so lower the standard of health as to predispose animals thus treated to catch contagion, although the feeding materials themselves are naturally of the best description. ^Ul such data must there- fore be determined ou the spot, in order to account satis- factorily for the examples of exceptional infection in question. It will no doubt be said, in reply to the above, that had the stamping-out process been as vigorously carried into effect in Middlesex and the southern counties as in Aberdeenshire, it would have been equally efficacious in the former as in the latter ; so that the medicinal question of food has nothing to do in the prevention of disease. But to tlus set-off we may safely subscribe, without in the slightest degree weakening the force of the argument at issue relative to our improved breeds suffering the most, as a general rule, in the southern coimties infected ; and likewise to some animals in the midst of disease escaping contagion. Our own experience personally extends to the successful management in rearing and fattening most of our improved and native breeds of neat cattle ; and it is worse than wasting time and words to tell us that quality of feeding materials has nothing to do with the health aud growtii of animals, and their pre-disposition to catch con- tagious diseases, and that the quality of such feeding materials does not depend upon the presence or absence of certain medi- cinal properties — the facts of the case invariably proving the contrary'. Prom the severe manner the adjoining counties of Torfar and Kincardine have suffered from rinderpest, and from the daily intercourse between those two counties and Aber- deenshire, by railway rolling stock, by railway travellers, commercial, by attendance at the Aberdeen markets of farmers from both the clean and infected farms, from dogs, foxes, and game, from crows, and also from the distribution of manuf;\ctures capable of carrying contagious matter, it is all but manifest that the seeds or fomites of cattle-plague must have been extensively sown throughout the whole length and breadth of Aberdeenshire ; and yet the centres of actual in- fection, where such fomites have found a nidus, and taken root in that county, are few in nuniber, aud those few apparently of an exceptional character. In short, the former part of the objection — which, in point of fact, is no objection at all — relative to " stamping out the disease in time," may contain much truth ; but the latter part, which contains the pith of the objection relative to quality of food and management, falls to the ground as Utopian, or as a specimen of that credu- lous prejudice too common in the old school of plodding practice, that continues to stand in tlie way of the wheel of progress. AVhat are the medicinal properties of the natural food of neat cattle — alin^, what do farmers mean by the '' goodin" of their hay aud fodder ? What is the function they perform in the animal economy ? Aud what is their value to the farmer r We have at length stumbled, accidentally as it were, upon the three cardinal questions of our subject ; but how to answer them we ourselves shall not attempt to divine, and tlierefore their practical solution we leave iu the hands of the reader ; or, as is common on like occasions, accompanied with a line- spuu quaint apology, the saddle may be put upon the back of the pharmaceutical alembic of the future. To those who have not got beyond the age of '' spells and magic," who look upon food as one thing and physic another and a totally different thing — the former only belonging to the material world — and who consequently solve aU physical questions, chemical, mechanical, and physiological, connected with farming, by the momentum of opinion, so to speak, the three questions at issue may in reality turn out to be a ver\' formidable stumbling- block in the way of progress. But cattle-plague and the pole- axe are beginning to malce even the oldest of the old school " hear on the deaf side of the head ;" so that it were difficult to say what marvellous changes passing events may speedily give birth to, aud therefore from direct answers to the above question* we proceed to an indirect solution of them. The quality of the daily produce \ ielded by milch cows when fed ou natural food rich iu natural medicmal properties, and the quality of the beef yielded by fat bullocks similarly fed, may be taken as an indirect solution of the alwve three questions. And as it is a solution with which both producers and con- sumers are beginning to make themselves practically familiar, food rich in natural medicinal properties being greatly to the advantage of all parties, it follows that fanners should jast now willingly adopt this indirect method of solution, as the collective force of circumstances will compel them to do so eventually. In illustration of the above, we shall again proceed north to Aberdeenshire, as yielding about the finest quality of beef con- sumed in the metropolis. Since the introduction of Short- horns and oilcake the quality has not improved ; nevertheless the meat is still first-rate — greatly exceeding in value the pro- duce of richer land, more especially where the feeding materials are wholly of an artificial character, as in the lower part of Forfarshire and Kincardineshire, and in most of those of our Euglish counties, where the land is chiefly under aration. In other words, beef the produce of arable husbandry in Aberdeenshire is of a richer and liner quality tlian beef the produce of arable husbandry in Kincardineshire, i'orfarshire, and the beef of arable husbandry- in the majority- of counties southwards. Something, no doubt, may be due to a difference of age iu favour of the 5^orth as compared with some of our English counties ; but tlus difference of age is not sufficient to account for the difference in the quality of the meat. More- over, the three northern counties quoted, viz., Aberdeensliire, Kincardineshire, and Forfarshire, stand upon a footing of equality as to the age of stock when slaughtered. We have argued the question in practical detail in favour of some of the English coimties with Aberdeen fanners themselves and with the cattle-salesmen and butchers of the metropolis ; but on appeal to the quality of tlie meat upon the stall of the latter the butcher turned the scales in favour of the Z^onh in the vast majority of cases, and we could only account for the difference by the medicinal properties of the food consumed in the rearing and fatteniug. The ricluiess of the qualitj" of the beef is the consumer's key to the solution of the above questions ; and now that we are to have a dead-meat trade, it ought to be the producer's key likemse. Everj- experienced cook knows the higher dietetic nattire of ricii meat, and that it is much less liable to go wrong at the bone, to putrefy, and set the whole contents of the larder in a bLaze, so to speak, than the inferior quality of meat, which is often beginning to smell by the time it is cold. Such being the facts of the case as regards dead meat, they obviously furuish sufficient evidence to warrant the conclusion that the inferior quality-, when in a hve state, will be more pre- disposed to catch contagion, and to undergo those rapid changes which we see exemplified in cattle whose system has beeu inoculated by the contagious and poisonous matter of rinderpest, than the system of those whose fluids and tissue contain antiseptic 'and other properties less or more repulsive to the action of such poisonous matter. It wiU thus be seen that the indirect solution thus furnished accords with the es- tablished laws of physical science. To improve the dietary of our cattle is tlierefore to supply by art certiiin substances or plants containing such properties naturally relished by cattle, of which their present diet is defi- cient. Of these every county, we presume, is able to grow its own supply. The nature and extent of the supply will of course depend upon the nature and extent of the normal defi- ciency. And as scarcely two farms are alike in this latter respect, it follows that no general ride can be laid down as to the former, with the solitary exception, perhaps, of the use of common salt. In short, improvement iu this great work is like all other improvements in farming — a work of degrees by experiment, one that cannot be too soon entered upon by the whole body of farmers. A FlRST-rKIZi SlOCX-BREIDEK. 398 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE FEEDING OF STOCK, CIRENCESTER EARMERS' CLUB. Tlie March meeting of the above Chib was held at the Assembly Rooms, Kiug's Head Hotel, Mr. Edward Bowl Y in the chair. There was a good attendance of members- Mr. Edmonus said : The subject which I have the honour of introducing to your notice this evening is the feeding of stock. It is one of very great interest, and to no one is the quaUty of the stock bred of more importance than to the grazier, hardly excepting the breeder himself. I do not in- tend to enter into any statistical comparative value of the different kinds of artificials, such as corn, cake, &c., or of their analyses, because I consider that the very valuable opinions of our scieutilic friends upon tliese very subjects can be best considered by quietly studying their works, and consultiug them as we require tlieir assistance ; and I would wish to Ijcar my testimony to the amount of instruction and of advantage that I have gained from the lectures and works of these gen- tlemen, and from none more than from those of our respected friend, Dr. Voelcker. Theoretic views must always in prac- tice be adopted with caution, but theory has given us many wrinkles ; and it must make experiment surer than it was when farmers had to work without it, and certainly were ob- liged to feel their way in the dark, as it were, more than we are now. I have considered that, as a farmer, I shall be ex- pected to make a practical lecture ; and if tlie few renuirks which I shall have to make fall short of the expectation formed from the importance of the subject, I must throw myself upon your lenity, and plead that it is my first effort. In speaking of this s^ubject, we have, I think, to consider principally the sort of stock most profitaljle to Imy for feed- ing ; the food on which to feed tliem ; and their management during feeding. First, then, what should guide our choice in the purchase of stock bouglit for feeding ? I would first say, never buy culls — it is the worst thing a grazier can do ; for, althougli they may appear cheap, they really are not so, for they are either ill-proofed, and consequently will not do justice to the food they eat, or (especially in the case of sheep) they have received a cheek, and as soon as they begin to thrive, so surely do they begin to die. As an instance that I am not alone in this idea, I may mention the case of an eminent grazier — I believe it was the late Mr. Trinder, of Wantage — who always after purchasing his different lots of grazers, the best he could find, looked over them, and picked out all he considered as not likely to fatten well and quickly, and sold them to a dealer at the best price he could get. It nuiy be asked who is to fatten the ill-bred and cull animals ? I will answer that the more they are at a discount, the more carefid will breeders and dairymen be to improve their stock, and so avoid keeping that kind which graziers dislike to buy. I believe myself that one of the best points to guide a grazier in the purchase of his stock is that of a well-formed head, with a fidl yet mild eye. AVe generally find in all animals that if we can get that, we are tolerably sure to liave with it a well-made frame and an aptitude to fatten. And wliy ? Because it is a proof that such animals are well-bred, and hence their good qualities. Of course there may be excep- tions— for instance we may meet with thin-fleshed ones, or wliat are called " shelly " ones, and they should be at once rejected; indeed, we cannot do better than study Mr. Riiam's description of a weU-made frame, &c. He says, speaking ot cattle : " Tliere are certain forms and appearances wliicli are anatomically connected with a perfect conformation of the body, and especially of the organs of respiration and digestion. Of this kind are a wide chest, well-formed barrel, strong and straight spine, hip-bones well separated, and length ot quarter— all which can be proved to be essential to the perfect functions of the body. Small short bones in the legs give hrmness without unnecessary weight. A thick skin well covered witli hair ensures warmth, and its soft loose feel indi- cates a good coat of cellular substance underneath, which will readily be filled with deposited fat. AJl these are indispensable points m an ox which is to be profitably fatted ; and whatever the breed, they will always indicate superiority.'" With re- gard to sheep, we have Mr. EUman's opinion of the necessary shape and quality of the Southdown, and Mr. CuUey's opinion of tlie points necessary to be observed in the purchase of Long-wools. Mr. EUman, after describing the shape of the head (beautiful and living specimens of which are to be seen in the sheep which so often browse in Lord Batliurst's park), goes ou to say : " The neck should be of medium length, thin towards the head, but enlarging towards the shoulders, where it should be broad and high, and straight in its whole course above and below ; the chest wide, deep, and projecting be- tween the fore-legs, indicating a good constitution and a dis- position to thrive ; the shoulders on a level with the back, and not too wide above, but bowing outward from the top to the breast, leaving room for the springing rib behind. The ribs coming out horizontally from tlie spine, extending far back- wards, and the last rib projecting more than the others ; the back flat from the shoulders to the setting on of the tail ; the loiu broad and flat, the rump long aud broad, the hips wide ; the space between them and the last rib on either side as nar- row as possible, and the ribs presenting a circular form like a barrel." Eurther on he says : " The meeting of the thighs should be particularly full and the bones fine, but having no appearance of weakness." Mr. Culley's description of the proper form and character of a long-wool sheep is very similar. He says the head should be long, small, tapering towards the muzzle, the eyes prominent, but with a quiet expression. The ears thin, rather long, and directed backwards ; the neck full and broad at its base, gradually tapering towards the end, the neck seeming to project straight fi'om the chest, so that there is, with the slightest possible deviation, one continued hori- zontal line from the rump to the poll ; the breast broad and full, and he says there should be no uneven formation where the shoulders join either the neck or the back, particu- larly no rising of the withers or hollow behind the situation of those bones. Then he speaks of the chest, barrel, and quarters, in the same strain as Mr. EUman, especially mentioning that the thighs should be wide and fidl. In the same way with store pigs, regard must be had to their general good quality, and hence to their breed, if we wish to make pig-feeding pay; and although we may not be able to find grazing stock generally to bear out in all points the descriptions I have quoted as given by Mr. llliam and others, yet I would suggest that in buying to graze of any breed and of any description of animals, buy good ones of the sort. One thing I think we should never lose sight of, and that is that the public, and as a consequence the butchers, want plenty of lean meat with the fat ; therefore we should always do well to select those animals which carry, or are likely to carry, plenty of natural flesh, as weU as have an aptitude to fatten. It does not, in my opinon, come within the province of tliis lecture even to suggest the particular breed wliicli is most to be recommended, as we all hold our different opinions, and indeed each breed has, I suppose, its particular merits. Possibly, particular soils and difference of climate may cause this or that breed, even of cattle and pigs, to suit best tliis or that particular county, and most certainly does this happen with regard to sheep. For instance, long- wools, the pride of the Cotteswold country, will degenerate, and in point of fact are profitless, in parts of Wiltshire, in Sussex, and, as it may be said, in the Southdown counties. I can men- tion an instance : My late father, as a young man farming in this neighbourhood, left it for Wiltshire. He had a partiality for the Cotteswolds, and took them with him ; but he was obhged to change in a very little time, as they lost their size, and the fleeces were abnost all cotted. We now come to the feeding of animals ; let us begin with cattle. It is hardly ne- cesssary to say anything of summer or grass feeding, except- ing that I think that where our grazers are in forward condi- tion at lattermath, a little money is well laid out in providing oilcake to be given them from some part of the last fortnight in August, according to abundance of keep and the state of the THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 39!) weatlier, uulil tlicy come to stall, wliidi they ought to do at some time during tlie middle fortnight of September, I am speaknigiiow of Christmas cattle. Of course others which are to be kept until the spring may, with advantage, be out another fortniglit, or possibly three weeks — but in no case longer than they are seen to be improving in condition, because from the momeut they cease to thrive out of doors, until they come to tlie stiill, the grass they arc eating is all wasted — grass which would be very useful and valuable for still later cattle or for sheep before coming to turnips. Now, I apprehend that the problem we want to solve with regard to stall-feeding is, what food, or what proportions of different kinds of food, shall be given to our fatting cattle iu order to make the greatest weight of meat at tlie least cost. I have heard of graziers who have given to large heavy oxeu as much as fourteen pounds of oilcake a-day, with hay ad Ubition, but most of us would be inclined to say that such feeding was extravagant. We know that it is useless to give an animal more stimulating or nutritious food thari it can assmiilate, for if we do the excess is voided by the animal, and although we may have a very rich manure, we have a very expensive one. I will give my idea of the best method of proceeding. It is one of those points upon which it is desirable that a discussion should arise, and I think that iu a farmers' club the greatest good, as far as practical agriculture is concerned, will arise from a discussion on the principal points of the sul)ject spoken of, and from adverse criticism, wherever a weak point is found in it (Hear, hear). I must confess I am an advocate for steamed food, as I have tried it on rather a large scale this year, and found it to answer admirably. For fatting cattle I should recommend two-parts hay and one-part straw, or in forward animals tiirce-parts hay and one-part straw cut in chaff. Those of average size will eat somewhere about 5 bushels per day, with 4 to olbs. oilcake, and half a peck of mixed meal, barley and peas or beans, and, if cheap, a proportion of wheat also, to be increased to one peck per day iu a month or six weeks after they have come to stall, the oilcake and meal to be boiled in water for half an hour or three-quarters, and thrown in the form of rich soup over the chaff, and well mixed, to which add a little salt. The perfume arising from such chaff is that of uewly-madc hay, and the animals eat it with avidity. The mixture with the chaff should never be made more than 12 to 1-i hours before it is used ; 7 or S hours are still better, or it becomes a little sour, and they do not like it so well. A do\ible quantity can be boiled on Saturday to be kept in tubs, and mixed as required. There is no waste, every particle of food is eaten, and I main- tain that in this way the food is rendered more digestible, the animals have less to do to assimilate it, and that therefore the greatest amount of nourishment which can be derived from it is obtained (Hear, hear). My Christmas cattle were fed in this way, with the addition of a peck of roots, and the six best were sent to London, and made £39 each into pocket. They handled remarkably firm, and the price shows that they were not only heavy, but also well fed beasts, for the market was, as all may recollect, by no means a brisk one. In support of my own view of cooked food, I may mention that the late much- respected Mr. W. Bowly cautiously commenced the system, gradually adopted it for all his cattle, and spoke highly of it. The following is a recefjit I had from this man. A furnace of 70 gallons is sufficient for 15 cows. Fill the furnace with water and boil, then put in lOlbs. flour per cow, stirring and boil gently for an hour ; put some chaff, 3 bushels per cow, into a long trough (a cow will eat in the day G bushels), then mix half the boUed meal, and give the cows in aliout half an hour ; the other remains to be mixed in the afternoon. Again, Mr. Duckham in his lecture at the Central Farmers' Club in De- cember last says, speaking of the year before, that " In consequence of a short supply of hay and a failing- crop of roots, Avith the prospect of a high price for beef, and a low price for corn, I was induced to substitute straw cliaff for hay chaff, and in the absence of roots to make linseed tea, which was applied boiling hot upon the chaff, with a little salt, and the meal added thereto. This, with a little hay in the rack at night, constituted their feed. I prefer applying the linseed tea boiling hot, as it softens the straw and renders it more digestiljle. I never saw my steers and cows feed faster than they did under that system." By adopting this plan we are rendered more independent of roots for our feeding cattle ; still, wherever they can be had, I have no doubt that a peck or even half-a-bushei a-day would be an economical and also a valuable addition to their other food, more especially where dry food would other- wise be given. They should by all means be pulped and mixed with the chart" one day before the other, and I have no hesi- tation in saying that the introduction of the pulper, by enabling us to do this, has been a most valuable assistance, as I know by experience liow much faster cattle thrive with such food than with the same quantity of dry chaff and sliced roots. To return for one moment to nutritive food, I would just say that whether they are given in a dry state, or steamed, it seems to me to be desiraljle to give smaller quantities of different kinds, rather than a large quantity of one kind ; and with regard to hay, I hold that although on grass farms it might be perfectly right to give it to feeding cattle unmixed with straw, yet to do so on our arable farms, where every ton of hay is of great consequence to us, is to be condemned as extravagant and wasteful (Hear, hear). By this I must not be understood to mean that hay is not essential in feeding ; all J contend for is, that in econo- mising our hay by the intermixture of straw we are enabled, with the help of a moderate quantity of our nutritive foods, rich as they are iu flesh-forming material and in heat-giving and fattening matters, to feed profitably one-quarter or one- third more than we otherwise could. On the other hand, I much doubt whether feeding — that is fattening cattle — could be profitably carried on without some hay ; because straw, being so very deficient in flesh-forming material, would require so large a quantity of artificial food for so long a time to make up that deficiency. We now come to condiments. I remember once having a young ox which did not thrive ; in fact it looked altogether out of health. Medicine seemed of no avail, so we gave it cake, &c., to try. as a last resource, whether high living would move it, but to no purpose. However just at the time Mr. Lane asked us to try his cattle food, and we had a bag. It was then a high price — about 30s. per cwt., I think. After giving some to the ox, according to the directions, for about a fortnight, the old man who looked after it, and who was a dis- believer in any good being effected, told us that certainly the ox was better, the skin was looser, and it appeared likely to thrive. And so it did, and it went on well from that time, en- tirely, we all believed, from the efl'ect of the condiment, and was sold iu due course for £30. The lung was found to be unsound. Now, had we given double the price for the condiment in that instance it would have an- swered, and I am inclined to think that such stimulants, which can now be made for from £13 to £15 per ton, are very usefully given the last six weeks or two months of feeding, as they stimulate the appetite and assist digestion (Hear, hear) . Another food there is that I have not mentioned, which would, I believe, be largely and bene- ficially used as a condiment, were it not that at the present time the law practically disallows its use, by raising its price, through vexatious restrictions, beyond its value as a cattle- food. I mean our own barley, which, having been sprouted, and dried again, takes the name of malt (cheers). A few words with regard to the best kind of stalls for feeding cattle. I incline very much to the opinion that covered ones are most desirable, provided they are so arranged as to be comfortable, having plenty of ventilation, and not too liigli. The best T have seen for the comfort of cattle arc in Baden, at a farm be- longing to my friend Jlr. Ruck. It may be, and I think it likely, that cattle require less food under well-arranged covered sheds than in open ones ; but by far the greatest benefit to be derived from them, in my opinion, is the lietter quality of the manure so obtained. I have thought more of this subject since Mr. Gilbert's lecture here in December, when he explained to us the value of liquid manure ; and if the difference iu the value of liquid and solid excreta is the same in animals as in those of the human frame, many of us, I fear, from many causes are losing a great portion of our most valuable manure (Hear, hear). Mr. IMoscrop, in his essay on covered yards, which may be found in the second series Royal Jyrki(lliiral Journal, vol. i., part 1, says that in an experimental trial animals with something under one-eighth less food gamed as much weight as others fed with the same description of food, but kept in the common form of court or shed. He then goes on to give some startling facts with reference to the supenority of the manm-e. Mr. Thompson, too, speaks strongly on that point. However, we are for the most part so situated that we must endeavour to do the best with what we have, and I would susigest that at all events we should spout our build- 400 THE FAEMER-S MAGAZIIS'E. iugs keep straw under our cattle, Hiiil if tlie dung Ije wheeled to a'lieap day by day, salt the heap from time to time, and farther so arrange" matters that wherever our cattle are, draun-hts should be excluded. We now come to the arrangc- ment°of cattle during feeding. I remember, in a lecture given by Mr. Beasley of Northampton, at Paringdon, some iive or six j'ears ago, he said, addressing himself to the young gen- tlemen who were present, " If you were to ask me to give you a motto for your guide in business, I would give you these three words— Attention to details. You may coRstruct a very clever and powerful machine, perfect in all its design and mechanism, but by omitting one little cog-wheel probably it would not go, and you would be as unsuccessful as if you had forgotten the chief moving-power" (Hear, hear). So in this case it is quite certain that we may buy the most perfect grazers, give the best food and the proper tpiantity, and yet the condition of our cattle will disappoint us, if the feeder does not understand his business, or is a careless one. As soou as a feeder has attended to a certain number of cattle for three or four days he can tell to a uicety their probable appetite, aud will give a little less or more to the one or the other, as the case may require. Small quantities should he given at a time. Of the steamed food a peck is quite sufKcieut ; and during the intervals of feeding the cowman should always clean out the pens, or the inside part of the stalls, if he has but a few to attend to, or, if many, a boy should he employed for the purpose, so that as soon as the animals have finished eating, which will take them about an hour aud a half, they may go at once to their clean stalls, and lie down. Tbat is the plan we adopt. Our feeding-times are morning and even- ing ; but they have a small quantity as a sort of lunch in the middle of the day. Our great point in feeding (and the re- mark applies to all kinds of animals) is to give as much food as is required, and no more. If, as a rule, we find empty feeding-places at nine or ten o'clock in the evening, ami our cattle lying down, either ruminating or asleep, and we hear from time to time that particular grunt which indicates a full stomach, I think we may be pretty sure they are being looked after well, and that our food is not being wasted. It will sometimes happen that one or two have not cleaned out their manger, aud it is a warning that a little fasting is re- quired. A short meal or two will generally restore the waning appetite : if not, a pint of linseed-oil or a pound of Epsom salts may witji advantage be given. If, on the con- trary, we nearly always find food left in the manger, depend upon it we have a careless or stupid feeder. Either the leav- ings are cleaned out, and given to other cattle which ought to be eating less expensive food, or fresh food is thrown ou that left in the manger, to the detriment of our feeding cattle ; and all I would say is, let him give up his place to a better man as soon as possible. I wiU uow say a word or two as to the feeding of sheep. I am more and more convinced that sheep intended for the butcher should be liberally fed from lambs ; aud as, round this neighbourhood, we almost all of us breed as well as feed our sheep, I do not think I shall be wandering from my subject if I commence my idea of their management from the time they are weaned. AVe must bear in mind that if, by care and good living, we can, humanly speaking, make ten or eleven stone weight each of our young sheep some time in January — that is, at from ten to eleven mouths old — sheep full of flesh and good quality — we can keep a heavier breeding flock, aud by that means make more mnttou and also more wool than we could if, by less liberal living, we were unable to dispose of them before March or April, or, as is the case in many instances, even later. Now, how are we to attain so desirable an end ? I believe only in this way — by not only preventing our lambs from losing flesh, but by doing our utmost to make them gaiu flesh from the very moment they leave their mothers. There is ordinarily not much danger of their losing condition before, because nature sup- plies the food most suitable to their wants. Still, even for two or three weeks before they are weaned, I would recommend a small quantity of pea-meal or oilcake dust to be given, just to use them to it; then, as soon as they are weaned, which with me is generally done while folding on seeds, I would recommend them to have 2 oz. of cake or sjilit peas caeli (I prefer oilcake) from that time until August, their other food consisting of grass, vetches, and laltermal'b clover- two kinds of fof)d ;ne i)est; then rape and vetches, or rape, until tlie time comes lor them to be put ou lo turnips. Towards the latter end of August, or even before, unless the weather is very hot, I would add to the other food a quarter of a pound of cracked beans each, and as the season advanced increase by degrees the oilcake until it reached three-quarters of a pound each, if straw chaff be given ; but if a fair proportion of good hay, I think half a pound would be ample. By such living, sheep, I am quite satisfied, may be brought to good weights, fat, yet with plenty of flesh, at II if not at lU months old, without forcing so as to produce disease, and without extrava- gant living. 1 wish to speak of what may be commonly done. The total cost of the artificial food for the whole time would be lis. Gd. to I2s. per head. As an instance, I can mention a lot of half-bred tegs (120) sold by weight this year. Taking the average time, all were killed by tlie 3rd or -itli of Pehruary, aud they weighed 78f lbs. each, or nearly 10 stone. These sheep had had artificial food as I have described — turnips and swedes, and straw chaff, with a very small admixture of trifo- liuni hay. My opinion is, that for young animals tlesh-forming food should he given as far as practicable, hut we must be cautious that it does not interfere with their health. Eor in- stance, beans, I believe, contain more flesh-forming matter than oilcake does, yet jiractically we find the latter more suit- able iu dry hot weather than the former, because beans arc more heating. Another advantage we obtain by thus liberally supplying from the first and gradually increasing those sup- plies of food to our lambs is, that we run less danger of losing them in the autumn, at which time there is often a great mor- tality, more especially if, as it is said, they are begun to be forced. Should we find this, or indeed in any case, I think it is desirable — and certainly it is necessary if we buy sheep to feed — to give them a little alterative medicine. I gave all mine some last autumn, aud I firmly believe with great advan- tage. I had the medicine from Mr. S. Matthews, of Lechlade, who has made the veterinary art his study, and has succeeded in producing a really valuable mixture. Of the certainty of our losing sheep out of those which have received a check or have been badly done, even with the greatest caution, I have spoken before ; but with all kinds of sheep care is necessary wheu we begin to give them swede-. They should be given at first in very small quantities, with plenty of chaff, and doubtless the plan recommended inthatexcellentpamphlet by Mr. Wood, viz., of carting a few common turnips to mix for the first few days, would be attended with beneficial results. Just the same caution is again required in the spring if we give our sheep mangold wurzel, and cliaft" should be liberally supplied. I believe, however, that for sheep one of the most valuable times for giving that root is with vetches iu hot \^eatller. My shepherd has often said it does them more good than corn ; and if we can spare it for the purpose we. generally store some near our vetch land, so convinced are we of the benefit arising from its u.se at that time. As regards vetches for fatting, I would prefer to cut them unless quite young, and there again the little and often feeding is so neces- sary ; and if dry, hot weather, in case of no mangold, water should be plentifully supplied, as sheep will not thrive at such times without some moisture, and we should be losing the whole value of this expensive crop. With regard to the fat- ting of lambs, it is on the one hand argued that to fat lamb is very wasteful, and should he discoutinued ; while, on the other hand, many people argue that as by it a proportionately greater weight is made in a shorter time, it is advantageous to the producer and consiuner alike. I think we should bear in miud that if weight is made, it is not of so useful or so wholesome a quality, neither does it go so far, weight by weight, as mutton : therefore, it is a matter for serious con- sideration, in these times especially, whether, as a rule, fatting lambs should not be discontinued. One word I will say on fatting them, and, indeed, all I can say, for I have never, since I left Wiltshire, seen any fatted or taken much interest in the matter. One spring, when there were no turnips, the shep- herd we had with us advised my late father to fat 100 lambs from ewes which I believe he had bought. He was asked how he would fat them? Nothing green, and the ewes on swedes. " Give me a little pea-flour and I can do it," the man said, and so he did. The mother's milk, with quite a small quantity of pea-flour given in covered troughs, made those lambs quite fat in May (the latter part), and they went out at a good price. In this ueighbouriiood, onrrule is to fatten sheep on the land, not in yards: hut as it is a practice nut very far distant to kfi*? sheep in yards through tlie winter, I THE FAE]\rER'S MAGAZINE. 401 think it light to Ijring it into iiotiuc; ami wouhl siig-yest, for the I'onsiilciMtioii of tliosc who uri- or iimy he dbliycil to kvc\) sheej) iu yards, the adoption of pulping- roul.s to mix with their chatt', or if cake or corn or both be given, to boil them and throw the soup over it, instead of giving dry food. I am (juite coulideut that had I done so last year, when from neces- sity I was obliged to keep sheep in yards, I should have been a great gainer by it. I tried a small quantity of pulped man- gold witli the chart' in the spring, and found that the sheep ate their food with greater avidity ; and I believe if we could conveniently manage to mix a little pulped roots with chaif for all our sheep in the fields, it would be of great advantage. I cannot, however, see my way clear to do that ; it would be at- tended with considerable trouble and inconvenience, to say nothing of having to overcome prejudices in the attendant's mind. I may say that salt is a thing we generally use for our stock. AVe have for many years thought it conducive to their health, and we prefer sprinkling a little over their chaft', as it makes them eat it better. Of our nutritive foods, then, for sheep, we have not, in my opinion, much choice. Barley is indigestible, malt too dear, too many beans tend to spoil the quality of the mutton, as in bacon, by making it hard, and there remains only linseedcake and peas, for I cannot say I like either cotton or rapecake. Speaking of malt, I would just refer yon to a letter of j\[r. Williams, of Baydon, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in which he states that a Mr. "Wentworth, of Enham, near Andover, sold at Weyhill Fair on the 10th of September last, 300 lambs, only nine months, at 09s. per head. About a mouth before the fair, these lambs fell ill with the foot-and- mouth disease, and to endeavour to prevent their losing the high condition to which they had been brought, he gave them one bushel of malt per day, or one-fifth of a pound each. The consequence was that they immediately recovered their appetites, and made the price named, G9s. This fact speaks for itself. Again, Mr. Hudson, of Castleacre, has stated that one peck of malt per day would lay on more ilesh than 141bs. of oilcake, or one-and-a-half pecks of barley, when given to cattle of 100 or 110 stone weight, other food being alike ; and Dr. Voelcker's analyses of different samples of malt prove that a less dried and, as far as I can recollect, a less sprouted malt than is usually made, would he more suitable and \\hoIesome as food for cattle than that at present made. The price of malt is, however, a denial to its use. Take Mr. Hudson's idea. He appears to consider the value of one-and-a-half-pecks of barley equal to one peck of malt — the barley would cost at the most Is. Od., while the malt would be :2s., or 25 per cent. more. I am inclined to think, however, that tiie time is not far distant when we shall be able to use malt, unfettered by any restric- tions, in the feeding of our general stock. A few words as to the feeding of pigs. With them, as with our other feeding animals, it is necessary that we should endeavour as much as possible to secure those which, while having an aptitude to fatten, are well furnished with lean meat. I remember sending some beautiful little porkers, as I thought, to Loudon ; and in re turn the salesman wrote, " Your pigs did not make the best price; they were nothing but dabs of fat!" I may be ex- pected to announce the mode I would suggest as the right one for fatting pigs from the time that the stores are worth about 40s. each. In my opinion it is a mistake and a waste of food to give them at that time no other kind than corn. 1 believe that pigs always do better with some green food or roots until the last eight or ten weeks before being fit for the butcher. For stores worth the price I have named, I believe that the cheapest food at the present time is mangold wurzel, with one jjint of beans or peas daily, and a little barley-meal, made very thin. I would then by degrees, as the pigs progressed, lessen the beans, introduce some pea-meal with the barley, and in- stead of raw mangold, boil it and mix with the meal ; then, as they approach the fat state, withhold the mangold, and, if bar- ley is plentiful, the peas also, for nothing will make such good bacon as barley-meal. In the summer-time vetches, Incern, or any green food given to our stores which are about to be fatted saves a part of the corn which must otherwise be given, and is more healthy for them. In any ease, I am fully convinced that a part of the food for fatting pigs, until just at last, should consist of vegetable food other than corn, and boiled, if roots. Potatoes are best, if not too expensive ; but if they are, swedes, mangold, or cabbage wiU answer. In the winter, and especi- cially in a frost, their food should be slightly warm, and this rcmiuds me of I lie jireat ucccbtsily there ib for the feeder to judge accurately the (piantity of food tlicy will cat at a meal. 1 am happy to say that, at the present time, my men all know the importance of proper feeding, and act up to their knowledge ; but I have many times, with some old men especially, had to complain of too much food having been given at a time, and, as a consequence, some was left in the troughs. At the nexi meal an addition was made, and so on again and again. Of course it could not have been so palatable to the pigs ; they were never really hungry, and never seemed to enjoy their food. I have often asked the men this question : How would you enjoy your food, if, after having previously had more given you on your plate than you could eat, yon were to see some fresh food placed on the same plate with your former leavings, and offered you again at your next meal ? Would you not rather have a clean plate P So would pigs (Hear, hear). However, they would not or could not see it ; and it was only by having intelligent men who can understand such matters, and take an interest in their work, that I have been able to get my own way. I have said nothing as to the right time to sell stock, as of course every- one must use his o\^■n judgment in such a matter. He may be influenced by many things to sell sooner, or, on the contrary, to hold longer than would be profitable, if we speak only of the state of the animals. As a rule, I believe that the proper time to sell is when they are fit to sell — that is, when they are in that state in which they are said to die well, or, in other words, to have plenty of loose fat, Sec. If they are killed be- fore or after that time, the butcher cannot afford so high a price per lb. ; because in one case, the offal being light, he has not so much profit there ; and in the other he is, in order to satisfy his customers, obliged to pare off the over-abundance of fat, and sell it at tallow price. In conclusion, may I be allowed to say that we have for some years now been told to look to our stock for profit, and think less of corn. Late events have shown us that that also is a precarious soxrrce of profit. The dreadful disease which has destroyed so many herds, and brought poverty, disappointment, and sorrow to so many of our brother-farmers ; the no less fearful smallpox in the sheep, which has lately shown itself in Northamptonshire ; and the scourge among pigs, which last year was so prevalent — all should convince us that, although we may have been for years past labouring to bring our stock to perfection, and en- deavouring to carry out the most useful suggestions of modern science in our management of them, all our hopes may in a short time be dashed away, and we may be left with nothing to show for our labour. Our duty, however, is plain. Let us take every precaution to keep our stock healthy (Hear, hear). Strengthen the hands of the local authorities who are called upon to carry out the Acts of Parliament regulating the move- ments of cattle, by willingly suffering necessary inconvenience, and persuading others to do so (Hear, hear), LTge upon our rulers the importance — the absolute necessity^of strict qua- rantine and watchful vigilance with regard to the importation of foreign stock, for our country is now suffering deeply from the neglect of that vigilance, for doubtless from abroad have come all these diseases (Hear, hear, and cheers). Let us remember also that we are in the hands of an all-wise Euler — let US endeavour to lay a loose hold on the things of this world, and to feel that our property is only a talent lent to us, so that if the loss of herds and flocks should overtake us, we may stiU be enabled with cheerfulness to bless the hand that may have taken away that which it alone had given. The CnAiRJiAN said he was sure they all felt deeply in- debted to Mr. Edmonds for his admirable paper, and he was convinced that it would be read with very great interest by every agriculturist in this and adjoining counties. He must say that he was particularly interested himself in the remarks on the steaming of food, and he would like to hear some discus- sion on that and other points adverted to by Mr. Edmonds. There was one thing which had not been stated, and that was the cost of coal for steaming food. Mr. Edmonds -. The expense would be very trifling — about 7s. a-week. About one cwt. of coal per day would be quite sufticient to steam food for 40 lieasts. Mr. Lawre>-ce remarked that at one time he thought Mr. Edmonds was going to omit mentioning a very important item in the feeding of stock, and that was salt. The use of salt as a sort of specific seemed to be a comparatively new discovery in the treatment of cattle, but he believed it to be a most useful 402 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. and health-produciug element. For many years past he had always insisted upon a liunp of rock-salt being placed ni every cattle manger, and also in galvanized iron pans, for the use of sheep, and he took care to place these in every field where slieep were turned out. A large quantity was thus consumed. Ani- mals were very good judges of wlnit suited them best, and he always found that those which were supplied with salt were maintained in perfect health. During a period of 19 years he had fed 23 bullocks annually, always adopting the system to whicli he had referred, and during tlie flhole of that time he experienced but little sickness, and never lost a single animal. AVith regard to another point mentioned by his friend — regularity in feeding stock — he had always insisted upon yiis as a most important matter to be atteded to. Curiously enough, although animals had no watch to refer to, there seemed to be something within, which accurately told them of the lapse of time ; and when the hour came round at W'hich they ought to be fed they became very uneasy, and took care to remind the feeder of the fact by calling to him in a very distinct manner. He also agreed \rith Mr. Edmonds, that any food that was left ought always to be removed. There was one point in feeding that had not been much attended to, al- though it had been nnide the subject of some experiments — he alluded to the proportion iu wliich flesh-forming and fatten- ing or breath-sustaining elements ought to be used. As far as experiments had hitherto gone, he believed that one-fourth of flesh-forming food to that which fattened or contributed to the breathing powers of the animal had been found to be a fair proportion. He tliought it was of tlic utmost importance that experiments in this direction ouglit to be carefully fol- lowed up, in order that it might be definitely and distinctly as- certained what proportion of these two elements was likely to be most conducive to the health and fattening of animals. Mr. WraGiiTSOA' said he did not rise to dispute Mr. Edmonds' statement as to the quantity of oilcake, which ought to be given to an animal day after day ; but he was strongly of opinion that the greater the mixtiire of food given — provided, of course, that it was of the right description — the better it would be, especially if a proper proportion of the two elements referred to by previous speakers was determined upon and strictly adliered to (Hear, hear). Some years since, when looking over some first-class farms iu Norfolk, he learned that about Irtlbs. of oilcake were given to the bullocks daily, and in a subsequent conversation with Mr. Hudson he found that tliat amount had been rather increased than diminished. Now, it was easy to show from chemical researcli that this was not the wisest arrangement with regard to food (Hear, hear) ; but, nevertheless it was a striking fact that a man like Jlr. Hudson still persevered in using such a large quantity of cake. Mr. Edmonds had also touched upon the quantity of roots which he gave to his cattle daily. Nothing was more striking to a north countryman in coming south than to see the care tliat was here taken iu pulping and cutting roots, and in limiting the cattle to a certain proportion. In the north it had been the custom to see from 12 to 14; stone of turnips given to cat- tle, oat straw and two or three pounds of oilcake being pro- vided in addition, and it was diflicult to persuade farmers to relinquish this method of feeding. Cattle here were doing well upon a reduced quantity of roots, and he instanced an ex- periment to show that the same remark applied to sheep. He thought the system of lessening the quantity of roots with sheep as well as cattle was to be commended, and he hoped that in such a club as that experiments would be made and statistics brought forward in support of this view (Hear, hear). _Mr. Smith, after reminding Mr. Lawrence tliat they, alike with cattle, had no need of a watch to tell them when feeding- time came round, as something within was certain to remind them of the fact, asked the last speaker what the cattle he re- ferred to were living upon beside the l-ilbs. of oilcake which he said were given to them daily ? Mr. WiUGiiTSOjf : I am not aware that they were getting any other extra food, except turnips. Mr. Smith questioned wliether a man like Mr. Hudson would give liis cattle 14 lbs. of oilcake every day. Mr Wrigiitson said he was not in a position to state what was the complete dietary at the time to which he referred, but the tact disputed by Mr. Smith was one which could be sub- M Q '^^ ^'^^' g'^itleman who knew Mr. Hudson (Hear). T\T Iv , "" ^*"^ ^^ ^'^^ ^^ * meeting some years ago, when Mr Mechi stated that he had seen a number of remarkably-fine loolung Devon beasts iu Mr, Hudson's yard, and on asking how they were fed, he was told that they went out to grass in tlie month of July, and when they came into the yard they liad 20 lbs. of oilcake each. Now, he thought this was very absurd, and he believed that Mr. Hudson was too much of a man of business to adopt such a system of feeding as that. Indeed, he did not think that cattle were in a position to eat such a quantity of oilcake, if they had nothing else besides straw (a laugh). They might eat more than 81bs.,but could not digest it. Mr. Wkightson said it would appear from the last speaker's remarks that he (Mr. Wrightson) had advocated tlie system of giving such a large quantity of oilcake, but such was not the case. He had merely stated what was done on Mr, Hudson's farm at the time he visited it (Hear, hear). Mr. SiiiTii : With respect to that I can only say that I feel confident Mr. Hudson is too much of a man of business to adopt such a system (laughter). Mr. WniGiiTSor^ : That is simply your impression. The CiiAiiiMAis^ observed that it was quite impossible to force animals on beyond what was natural. If they had a poor animal, and gave it a large quantity of food in the hope of fatteuing it, they were simply throwing that extra food away (Hear, hear). He was determined to try this, and having this year two animals that were not in very good condition, he gave one a peck of meal with straw and the other a quarter of a peck, but he was unable to see the least difi'erence iu tliem. Mr. Edmonds, in reply, remarked that he had always an idea that salt was good for cattle, and he had generally given them a little with chaff'. He was not sure that it was not the better plan to give them rock salt. He had read accoimts of different places abroad — and he had also seen similar instances at home — where cattle and sheep had had opportunities of going to rock-salt, which they had eaten as long as they seemed to want it, and then they ceased to use it ; so that it was a question whether salt was always necessary, or only at parti- cular times. With regard to the 14 lbs. of oilcake per day, he knew there were eminent graziers who gave that quantity ; and with respect to sheep, there was one important difi'erence be- tween them and cattle, M'hich ought always to be considered. Cattle had larger stomachs than sheep, and he was of opinion that the latter required their food to be of a more nutritious quality. A beast would take a large quantity of poor food, so long as it got some of a more nutritious character afterwards ; but it was not so with sheep, and less was it so with pigs. Sheep required more oilcake, more swedes or turnips, in pro- portion, than cattle. It should also be remembered that with cattle they \\'ould have to draw the swedes home and the manure out, but the sheep were already on the land and the manure also, which was another reason for giving them this kind of food in greater proportion than cattle. With respect to store cattle, he recommended that a little hay be given after a time, as he had tried it with great advantage. TJiey might depend upon it that ever so little hay was a very great help. In straw there was but little heat or llesli-forming matter, and if they gave it to young stock they could not expect them to grow into fat beasts. It was the same with sheep. Last year he was obliged to give his sheep straw chair, with cake, &c., and they did not do so well ; in fact, he could only just keep them growing, and hardly that ; whereas tliis year, with a little hay and plenty of swedes, he had got them fat and sent them away (Hear, hear). Jlr. Lawrence proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Edmonds for his most excellent and valuable paper (cheers) . It had been his lot to hear a great many papers on subjects of this kind, hut he never recollected to have heard one so full of really useful and sensible matter as that wliich Mr. Edmonds liad favoured them \A'ith that day (cheers). It was evidently the result of constant observation and careful experience, and lie believed its ])ublication would be a great benefit to this county (Hear). The proposition having been carried by acclamation. The Chairman said it was their custom before separating to adopt some resolution bearing on the subject which had been discussed, and he therefore begged to submit the following : " That the pouring of boiling water over hay and straw chaff for feeding purposes is of great advantage, and that the addi- tion of a little salt is also advantageous ; and further, that the amount and kind of artificial food mixed with the chaff must be regulated by the price and quality ; but it is agreed that no- thing is more economical, healthfid, and convenient than the admixture of malt for feeding purposes, if the price would admit of it." The resolution was unanimously adopted, and the proceedi ings then terminated, THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 403 THE PRIZE SYSTEM. " The landed proprietors and farmers of Compiegue and its neighbourhood have subscribed a sum of £4,000, to be paid to the inventor of machinery for cultivating laud on a more economical plan than that practised at jiresent. The prize is to be awarded at the close of the year 1868 — that is, a year after the Great Exhibition in the Champ de Mars. The Agricultural Society of Com- piegue has patronised the subscription, and it is expected that the prize will amount, not to £4,000, but to £40,000." We take the above startling paragi-aph from a recent letter of the French correspondent of The Tunes, and we call attention to it here ^^^th the view of having so mon- strous a mistake corrected as early as possible. Surely there can be no necessity for having the laud better cul- tivated than it is at present ! Or, of all the means to such an end none can be more idle than an offer of a pre- mium for the purpose 1 How has the system of giving prizes answered here in England ? And the experience of our great implement-makers will at once go to assure us that the principle has tm-ned out a most lamentable failure. By such an agency we have within the last five- and-twenty years multiplied the manufacturers as we have multiplied their individual orders. \Vc have scattered better tools broadcast through the land, with a still- increasing demand for such mechanism, and few of our English firms will ever dream of going into competition at Compiegue — beyond those Avho have already deter- mined to do so. But still there is a line to be drawn. If the foreigner' will admit that the farmer is ignorant, the implement rude, and the Art undeveloped, then you may possibly with some advantage administer a stimulus. Here, ou the contrary, wc have aiTived at perfection, and it would be folly to attempt to go further. Our agricul- tiu'ists are now all thoroughly educated up to their busi- ness, and as there are none but the most efficient inven- tions for them to select from, it must be almost impos- sible to get wrong. The Millennium is already upon us. We live in another Golden Age ; that is, if we only care to realize our blissful condition. Let us, then, have no more of this fierce striving and struggling to surpass each other, but sit down iu peace, with our pastoral pipes in our mouths and our flocks at our feet, well satislied to take things as they are. Can there be any nearer approach to Arcadian simplicity than the sight of a good man who is making ten thousand a-year by his trade^ and whose only ambition is to be left alone ! To the uninitiated such a theme as Agricultukal Shows and thetr Influence on Agricultural Pro- gress would seem to supply the material for a most de- lightful essay. There are few other such gatherings dur- ing the year of so w^holesome a tendency, or of so thoroughly enjoyable and useful a character. It is not necessary foi- a man to be directly interested as an exhi- bitor, or even as a farmer, to enter thoroughly into the spirit of such a scene. The to\vnsman, the scholar, even our wives and daughters can share these pleasures with us, while there is no such celebration but that must be conducive to some general good. Still there are few pursuits, as there are few people, without their failings ; and if the intellectual feast aflorded by the Drama be associated with certain immoralities of "the stage, if the excitemeut of a Horse-race be ^ualiaecl iu all proper minds by the business of betting, so is the eftect of the Agricul- tural Show weakened by the influence of the prize system. This is the gambling of the Derby, the licence of the Green-room, leading to all sorts of tricks and contrivances, and keeping the unhappy competitors in the most feverish state from one year's end' to the other, while they arc in training, or rehearsing their parts for the eventful day when they come out in public. Let us take all this for granted — that the implements are as good as they need be— that the preparation for these trials tends to a deal of expense and anxiety — and that the farmers by this time may be trusted to tell a good tool when they see one. In fact, after all that has been urged, let us at least try the experiment of abolishing prizes for implements at the great agricnltm-al shows. The experiment Jias alreach/ been, tried, as wc shall proceed to show. By far the most effective speech at the Earmers' Club the other night was that of Mr. Barford, of Peterborough — mainly, perhaps, from his being a new man breaking up fresh ground. Mr. Crosskill, with much ability and some tact, gave expression to the same views oflered now for many years past by " the Society of Agricultural Engineers" and their advocates ; while he was met as usual from the other side — that is, by farmers, judges, and others not identified with the great implement Houses. Mr. Barford, however, represented another class — the smaller, the younger, or, more properly, the rising body of manufacturers who did not start into existence contemporary with the Royal Agricultural Society, but who have for the last teu or twelve years been fighting their way to the front. And from Mr. Barford's graphic pencil will we take the two companion-pictures of agri- cultural shows with and without prizes for implements : "Last year he attended the show of the Bath and West of England Society at Hereford, and also that of the Royal Agricultural Society at Plymouth. At Hereford he watched the trial of the mowing machines, and it was a most stupid aft'air wath the absence of competition. There was a sort of amateur trial on green rye ; and, al- together, he never saw anything more hollow and unin- teresting. A fortnight after, he went to Plymouth. He watched the trials of the mowing machines there also ; and he saw about two thousand implement-makers, farmers, and their labourers, who were all benefited by what they witnessed." Of course they were; but nobody now ever thinks of witnessing'the trials of the Bath and West of England Society ; and at Bristol, in the year previous, we never met with anyone who could tell exactly where the trial fields were to be found ! Some of the leading firms now never care to exhibit in the West, so slack has the implement section of the show become, entirely through the withdrawal of the prizes. And so would it be with the Royal Shows, were ouce the same concession made. A farmer may be able to choose for himself; but how will he have the opportunity of making a choice over such sham, utterly indift'erent trials as those that now take place under the auspices of the Bath Society ? But we must trace this terrible expense and endless anxiety a little farther, and, in doing so, again let Mr. Barford speak for himself: " The abolition of the prize system would be a great injustice to the smaller houses, for this reason : The larger houses having attained the position they had done by the prize system, by means of the very large capital invested in their business, and by means of liberal agencies, the smaller iiuplemeut-makers would, iu the 404 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. absence of (he prize system, be lost sight of and remam in obliviou Tor years his firm made a certain article before it had a competitive trial, and although it was the best article of its kind, they could make no general impression ; but as soon as a prize was offered by the Royal Society, and they gained it, it took a leading place, and they had since done a larger trade in that particular article than any three other Louses in England." These are the words, be it remembered, of one in the Trade, who honestly traces his large business back, as nine men in ten must, to a prize taken at a Royal Show, and to whose statement we need not add anything in comment. When we abolish the prize system, we shall be doing a great hijnsiice to the smaller houses. As we announced a month or so since, the Royal Agricultm-al Society has determined upon making an in- vestigation into the practical working of steam-cultivation, as some substitute for tlie annual show. The interest here will depend mainly upon the ability with which the comparative Reports are drawn up, and the force with which the Commissioners can push home their inquiries. The duty is rather a delicate one to discharge, and we question whether the result will be conducive to more general satisfaction even amongst the manufacturers them- selves than the much-maligned prize system. However, the Royal Agricultural Society is going to spend five huQdred, and the Agricultural Society of Compiegne five thousand, with the view of producing some better imple- ment ; so that we can scarcely have yet reached to that finality the Agricultural engineers would have us admit. THE USE OF CHLOROFORM IN THE CATTLE PLAGUE. Siu^ — The cattle plague or rinderpest, as I suppose, ap- peared amongst my fat cattle on the 3rd of Marcli : it had been making havoc during the preceding fortnight on three farms in my immediate neigbbourliood, the nearest only one mile distant. The first animal attacked on my premises was imme- diafely slaughtered. There were unmistakeable symptoms of the disease both externally and internally, but he was taken iu time. My other cattle were all attacked so rapidly, yard after yard, that, between the 3rd and the 11th, 88 beasts were slaughtered oft" the farms. I lost, however, only one, which was condemned and buried on the 10th — a Devon working ox, wliich I had thought was safe. I had from the first used carbolic acid and chloride of lime as disinfectants. My yards, sheds, and ontliouses were sprinkled or watered with solutions of both the above twice a-day, hoping thereby to save my cows, calves, and workers. On tlie 11th I had only six cows and their calves left. On the 10th my cows showed the early symptoms, and I determined at once to try chloroform, of which I had just heard from Mr. llamond that lie could recommend it as a remedy. We began that afternoon, but we were ignorant and awkward in the ap- plication, and it took us three days to learn how to administer the chloroform properly. At last we succeeded. The symptoms of disease, as manifested iu my cows, ap- peared nearly in this order : — 1st. A rubbing of the head against posts, and shaking it. 2nd. DiiU listless eyes, with weeping and drooping eyelids. 3rd. Loss of appetite. 4-th. Dry nose, nostril husky outside, swelling inside, and of dull, copper-like colour. 5th. Staring coat, erected main, tight skin, with shaking or shivering. 6tli. lufiammation of eyes, mouth, and nostrils ; drooping eyelids ; breath bad. Tlie papill.T of the cheek very red ; some slightly ulcerated. Urine smelling very strong. 7tli. A constant low moaning. The chloroform was administered every time the fever re- turned, as it did at irregular intervals of from 13 to 24 by 48 hours ; and iu this way one cow had six doses, two cows had seven each, one had eight, one had twelve, and one bad thirteen doses. The first cure was effected in ten days, with six doses ; the one longest on baud had thirteen doses in six- teen days. The immediate effects of a successful dose were — 1st. The inflammation of the eye, eyelids, and mouth gradually disap- peared, and the moaning ceased during the trance. 2nd. The cow, although she perhaps refused to eat anything for several liours previously, ate greedily of turnips, or drank freely of gruel, the moment slie recovered consciousness, and often liefore she could walk steadily. The cows had no medicine of any kind, but they were fed, by the advice of our veterinary surgeon, with oatmeal gruel and linseed tea mixed, bran, oil- cake, cut hay, long bay, and a/fw carrots and turnips. When they would neither eat nor drink, gruel was given to them by the horn. They were kept warm and drv, under cover, and with cloths upon them, in well-ventilated sheds or low houses, ntul were well nibbed down every day. Tlicy never scoured ; they fell oft" alwut one-third of their quantity of milk, and they all lost flesh. Two of them were very much reduced. The chloroform was administered by first casting the cow in a straw-yard, and then placing a leather nosebag over the muzzle, and fastening it to the back of the head, loose enough to admit the hand of the operator.* A handkerchief doubled to about six inches square, upon which we poured half a liquid ounce of chloroform, was then placed directly before the nostril (a little bay is necessary at the end of the bag, and up under the jaws of the animal, to keep the handkerchief in its place) ; in about three minutes from the first application we gave the se- cond half-ounce in the same way : iu five minutes the animal would be asleep, breathing easily, and she would be so for eight or ten minutes. If it happened that the breathing was laboured, the bag was loosened, and the handkerchief re-adjusted, or the cow might bo suffocated. The hopples were loosened whilst the cow was ill tl\p tr:nice, and then as she recovered she could get up without trouble. I know that professional men do not believe iu the eflicacy of chloroform. They tell me we were mistaken as to the disease ; it was not rinderpest. I cannot argue with profes- sional men ; but I state what I saw and what I know, and my statement mustgofor what it is worth. They say it was some other fever ; if so, three inspectors who saw the cows were mis- taken, as well as myself; but even if it was some other fever, chlo- roform cured it ; and if it can cure one fever, why not another ? They " eaiinot see how ehtoroform can operate as a remedij" Perhaps not ; yet they use chlorides for killing fever poisons iu the air — why not in the blood ? My cows bad all the early symptoms which marked the at- tack in my neighbours' cattle aud my own. Many of' the former and one of my own were killed and buried whole. I slaughtered all my otbersby the advice of one inspector, and he was right in giving that advice. I acted on my own responsi- bility as to my cows, and they are now all aUve and well . Sussex Farm, April Uth, 1866. H. E. Blyth. P.S. Since writing the above, I have learned that chloroform has been applied by some farmers, in a very imperfect manner, to diseased cows, and that there has been no benefit. Parties must bear in mind that unless the animal can be made to inhale the chloroform in a quiet way, little good can be done, and that unless perfect sleej) is produced, very little benefit can be ex- pected ; and that if the disease is ir/-y/ar advanced before this treatment is begun, there is little chance of recovery. These imperfect applications only tend to throw discredit upon the use of chloroform. * The handkerchief should be stitched round the edges, to prevent the corners getting up the nostrils, as they did two or three times. We tried lint and sponges, but the handkerchief was best to handle ; for by the rapid evaporation througli the sponge half the chloroform was lost, and ice forrae'tite) of tlie inferior quality of the neat, its low pecuuipry value, the difliculty of getting it disposed of to consumers who shun butchers' stalls where such extra fat meat is exhi- bited for sale, and the heavy loss arising from the immense weight of parings and loose fat, that are only fit for the tallow- chandler at a low ligure. For many years past the agri- cultural press has laboured assiduously to convince farmers and graziers of the impropriety of breeding from obese stock and of producing extra fat of the quality in question ; but without efl'ect iu the vast majority of cases. True, the forcing system of feeding and management has of late years lost much of the popularity which it at one time possessed, but the practice is still common. It is equally true that the present visitation of rinderpest has given the abnormal obese system another knock ou the head ; still to produce fat is more easy than to produce lean, so that it remains for an ex- clusive carcase trade to put au end to this highly objectionable system of fattening. Hence the practical conclusion ; for so long as the producers of such extra fat can dispose of their stock in a live-market, they will, we fear, continue to stop their ears as they have hitherto done, to any lesson the carcase trade or butcher-companies may read them, for a long time to come. But just so much the better for those fanners who produce the finest quality of meat, and the higher the price they will receive from JMetropolitan and other butcher-companies, and the worse for butchers of the old school, who continue to rely upon live-stock markets and dead-meat markets for their daily supplies. At present, good quality of stock is too often mixed with the bad in such a manner as to make the latter sell at the expense of the former. But were the good drafted out in the stalls and grazings of the producer at their full value by the country agents of butcher companies, the latter should then find their true level in the live market, while butchers who purchased such inferior quality could not keep up their heads in competition with butcher-companies, who only re- tail the fiuest quality of meat at prices below those which the patrons of the corporation markets could alTord to do. In other words, the proposed butcher-companies could afford to buy from the producer at a higher price and sell to the con- sumer at a lower price than butchers could do under the pre- sent autiquated expensive system, and yet have a greater balance remaining as profit to themselves. So long as railway companies convey live-stock for less money than they charge for the carcases of such live-stock this absurd and unreasonable practice will be against slaughtering in the pure air of the country and the successful working generally of such butcher-companies, and in favour of the present expensive objectionable system of live-stock and dead- meat marketing, vrith all their sickening consequences. In some cases the charge for the carcase of an ox, although little more than half the live weight, is more than thrice that of the live ox himself. It is impossible to reconcile such a difference with any just commercial law, and therefore it is highly de- sirable that the scale of charges for dead meat be reduced to the standard of fair-play by railways, for the present un- reasonable scale is manifestly as much against railway com- panies themselves as against farmers and the general public. It follows, therefore, that the sooner shareholders take the directors of such companies to task on the subject, the more promising for the future of their dividends, for such differences afford ample means of raising opposition in more resjiects than one, while a reduction of the charges on dead meat would increase their receipts and reduce their expenditure — conditions which the financial circumstances of not a few companies stand much in need of at the present time. Amongst shareholders, questions of economy and retrench- ment are always popular ones ; and just now, when so many rail- way dividends are in a state of galloping consumption, or some- thing of the kind, the economy and retrenchment of the one at issue, relative to the conveyance of live and dead animal food for our increasing millions, demand a closer investigation at our hands, in order to show the mutual advantages that would be gained 'bv the tlircr principal parties interested, viz , thn V T 406 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. first by railway compauies, as conveyors; the second by farmers, as tbe producers ; and the third by the general pubUc, as the consumers of animal food. . „ ■ i- 1 The expense to railway companies ot conveying live- stock by railway is greater per ton than the conveyance of dead meat, inasmuch as the former requires a greater weight of rolling-stock in the form of cattle-trucks, than does the latter in the form of carcase-vans ; while the loaded cattle- trucks, from being top-heavy by the cattle standing on their feet, subject the line to a greater amount of tear-and-wear than do the loaded carcase-vans, the weights being equal. 2. Were all the cattle that are now slaughtered in the me- tropolis and our other large towns to be for the future slaughtered at the homestead of the farms on which they are fattened, or in the adjoining villages and towns of the country, a very large proportion of tbe offal would be utilized into various purposes of art, and in this form find their way to our large towns by railway, at the higher charges of manufactured goods ; whereas very little of the offal of stock slaughtered in our large towns ever finds its way back to the country, in any form whatever, by railway. Into the details of the utilization of the offal of slaughtered cattle in our provinces we cannot go ; that forms a comprehensive subject for discussion by itself. Suffice it to say for tbe present that, under this head, the balance of trade under the changes contemplated would be greatly in favour of railway companies, as compared with the present system of marketing. 3. In order to get fat stock forwarded to the Metropolitan and other large cattle markets at a minimum expense for con- veyance by railways and steamboats, there is still a vast amount of droving in the kingdom from farms to markets, and from one market to another, and so on, much of which would be obvi- ated were railway companies to give suitable encouragement to the farmers, and the butcher-companies in question to slaughter at the homestead where fat stock are fattened, and to forward their carcases by railway to consumers, at tbe lowest remunerating price to railway companies. Tlie gain to railway companies under this head would be far greater than many of their directors are perhaps prepared at first sight to admit. The fact that a large proportion of the live stock in the Metropolitan Cattle Market are slaughtered to supply Newgate and LeadenhaU markets, must be acknowledged as tangible evidence of the short-sighted economy of railways at the present time, and the rottenness of the whole live-and- dead-meat trade generally. 4. The present unjust and short-sighted selfish scale of charges for dead meat is giving rise to the organization of cheaper and better methods of conveyance in river barges and sea-going craft, especially built for the purpose, than are now in use. Such being the case, it may well be asked, ought not railway companies to have afforded no cause for organiza- tions of this kind rising into opposition ? but which they cannot now keep down by any other means than a lower scale of charges, with an improved method of conveying dead meat by railway. And here we may observe, that the former con- cession will be inadequate without the latter improvement in the mode of conveyance. 5. There is a growing determination on the part of the more respectable portion of the inhabitants of the metropolis, and also of most of our other large towns, to encourage the establishment of an exclusive carcase trade, by patronising the most improved means for the carrying of such into effect. In other words, such butcher-companies will be supported in the metropolis and our other large towns by the wealth and influ- ence of the inhabitants, if they conduct their business in ac- cordance with the terms of the proposition they enunciate, which are those of economy and retrenchment, i. e. by selling a better article at a lower price. Such is a very cursory exposition of the case of railway companies relative to tlieir present injudicious charges for dead meat, and the reader cannot fail to perceive how much they would gain by an enlightened and liberal modification of them. Of the advantages that would be gained by producers and consumers, comparatively nothing requires to be said, as it has already been shown that farmers who produce the finest quality of meat would get a higher price than they now do, and that consumers would get a much superior quality of article on somewhat easier terms. In practice it may not be easy to convince either the one or the other as to what they should actually gain by the contemplated change; but the truth of the general question of gain is manifest, and as for the working out of the details, they invariably regulate them- selves in all similar cases, so that there is no reason to suppose that the details in question will form an exception. The com- petition between home and foreign meat is now so great, and the supply and demand in both cases so regulated, as to ex- clude not only monopoly of every kind, but speculation and high prices, there being a natural tendency to uniformity of price for a given quality of article. The working out of the proposition would also stimulate greatly the production of a finer quality of meat, and hence an increasing supply of the same, whilst it vf oixiA per contra discourage the production of tlie extra fat obese meat that now gluts the market- to overflowing. In both these cases producers and consumers would gain a mutual advantage. The proposition would likewise greatly reduce the means of spreading contagious diseases, such as rinderpest and those now prevailing amongst all kinds of live stock. In this re- st ect producers would be great gainers. Again, the metro- polis and other large towns would gain largely from a sanitary point of view by the removal of slaughtering and offal to the country, such having from increase become so great a nuisance as to be no longer tolerable. Farmers would also gain on the offal, for our large towns are the worst markets in the world for much of it, as no allowance for such is ever made in the purchase price of the live ox or sheep, so that they would be gainers where they to turn all such to the dung-hill. In the country, however, the whole of it can be utihzed to advantage. THE CATTLE PLAGUE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON CHESHIRE FARMING. At the first monthly meeting of the Over Agricultural Society this year, for discussion, there was a large attendance of members and neighbouring farmers. Mr. Button, of Stan- thorne Hall, was appointed chairman, and called upon Mr. Rigby (secretary to the society) to read his paper on " The Cattle Plague, and its influence on Cheshire Farming." After remarking upon the magnitude of the calamity, Mr. IliGBY said : The question we are all now most anxiously considering is that which I have placed before you for dis- cussion— " What is the best course of fanning to pursue now, to provide our rents and sustain our families ?" Very little can be said of the origin or character of the cattle plague that we do not all know. By some it is supposed to have been introduced into England by diseased cattle imported from Russia, and to be very infectious in nature. By others its origin is attributed to the peculiarities of the late seasons, and Us outbreak is regarded as spontaneous. Be this as it may, we know that it has come without respect of persons, and with similar fatality in all places — in the best managed herds and in the worst — where the utmost protective and preventive mea- sures have been adopted, and where no change whatever has been made in practice or treatment; and no perceptible difference of success has been noticed in the use of various medicines, or where none at all have been administered. Not more than 1,245 have recovered in Cheshire up to last Tuesday, out of 23,233 attacked with the disease, which is not quite one for every twenty, while a very large number have been killed and sold as beef, in fear of the attack of the disease. And the saddest part of these facts, which have been obligingly given me by Captain Smith, is that there has been a regular increase of numbers attacked week by week, which increase, I regret to say, is still going on. Throughout the country the returns, as given by the Mar/c Luiie Repress up to the 13th Jan., are as follows ; — ■ THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 407 Week- No. of Week No. of ending attacks. ending attacks. Oct. 14 ... ... 1,054 Dec. 3 ... ... 3,828 „ 31 ... ... 1,739 „ 9 ... ... 5,350 „ 28 ... ... 1,873 „ IG ... ... 6,054 Nov. 4 ... ... 1,705 „ 23 ... ... 0,250 » 11 ... ... 3,580 „ 30 ... ... 7,093 „ 18 ... ... 2,669 Jan. 6 ... ... 9,120 „ 23 ... ... 3,610 „ 13 ... ... 9,243 The weekly increase latterly has heen in the rate of about one- fifth. " Supposing," says the editor, " that this rate of progress continues, what will he tlie number of attacks in half a year's time ? Adding one-fifth at every week, we get some forty thousand attacks for the first week in March, ninety-seven thousand for the first week in April, two hundred thousand for the first week in May, five hundred thousand for the first week in June, over a million for the first week in July, by which time the total of cases would amount to no less than six millions. Half the head of cattle in the kingdom would, at this rate, be attacked by the first week in June. If anybody chooses to take it for granted that the totals will presently be hound to fall oft", and the disease gradually grow weaker in its murderous course, we are equally at liberty to expect that the mortality will increase ; for let us bear in mind that one-fifth is not the highest rate of increase observable : it is the general average for the whole kingdom." When it first came amongst us we hoped its progress would soon have been cheeked by veterinary skiU ; but our leading veterinarians promptly declared their inability to suppress it, and declared that they knew of nothing better than to use the pole-axe at once, and adopt the stamping-out process wherever the disease made its first appearance. Against this our feelings and interests recoiled, however, and methods of prevention and cure in abundance have been highly recommended and largely tried, but to tlie present time each and aU have proved almost futile. We have heen lioping lately that an effectual check would be given to the disease by vaccination, but the evidence is very conflicting at present as to its virtue. There is no doubt that cattle have been attacked and have died of the disease after having been successfully vaccinated; but there is some hope fi'om other facts that if they had been vaccinated earlier, or per- haps more perfectly, it might have been a shield to ward off the attack, or at least have dispossessed the disease of some portion of its fatal power. But on tliis point we may have the opinion of some of our doctors now present. Its natural producing cause is still as great a mystery to us as it has ever been, and whole shippons have been cleared by it in many places. It would be only prudent to adopt the utmost precaution, where the disease has been, against its return, by thoroughly cleansing and disinfect- ing at once all places wherein diseased stock has been kept. And as to the future it may even be necessary, and it would be well for a time at least, to demand a letter of health, or a warranty of freedom from disease, with all purchased cattle ; and if vaccination should be successfid in assuring us of its power to avert or moderate the attack of the disease, we may add this to other precautions, and be more assured thereby. And as the season of spring calving is now drawing near, and it is most desirable to rear as many calves as possible, it would be well, a friend suggested to me yesterday, to vaccinate all " rearing " as soon as possible, as there is considerable hope that if the operation is properly performed it may be more effectual than we could reasonably expect it to be in our late trials. To many farmers, however, the means of purchasing fresh cattle will be most diflicult of attainment. One-third of them at least have lost their all by this calamity, and another third nearly so, whether they were insured or not, for the various mutual cattle insurance societies which have been originated cau do little more than return the premiums which have been paid in. Had the mortality been only about 10 or 20 per cent., these societies would have done good ser- vice ; but when it reaches 70 or 80 per cent, of tlie stock insured, as it may do before May-day next, they can do little more than equalise the losses of each ; but I trust that those who may be spared this calamity will honourably pay the calls made upon them, as their loss can in no case be equal to that of their brethren who are afflicted by it. Naturally, per- haps, as tenants, we are looking to our landlords to share with us the losses we are sustaining, either in the sliape of au allo>vanee of a fixed sum for every auiiual ^Ye lose, or iu reduc- tion of rent, for a tiuie at least, and in giving us some further grace or credit in its payment. The former is most considerate and generous on their part ; and it is pleasing to know that many landowners have already comforted their tenants by liberal promises of tliis kind, and I doubt not their generosity will be well reciprocated in the future ; but in some instances it may be out of the power of the landlord to do so, however much he may l)c disposed, and wc must not be too expecting, as the calamity will fall almost as heavily upon the landlord as on the tenant, and our position wiU resolve itself into a mere business matter. Our present rents liave been arranged under circumstances which are now totally changed. We expected, and have hitherto been able, to feed cattle, or to keep them for dairy purposes, and have been farming our lands with these objects principally in view. Our soil and climate are peculiarly adapted to cheese-making, and long practice has endorsed the idea that this is the most profitable practice we can pursue. We may turn to some other course of farming, and must do so for the present, hut iu no other "course can we hope for such profitable results. Our strong soils and heavy clays will not bear to be heavily and whoUy stocked with sheep, nor can we grow as good or as much corn per acre as can be done in other counties on more friable soils and in a drier atmosphere. But we must be prepared to make some sacrifices as tenants, and endure our adversity with fortitude, and I trust our landlords will be as considerate as the circumstances of the case require. We have no wish to dictate to them what they should do, but I have been frequently told they desire to know the opinions of farmers on the point. And with the view of bringing these out in the discussion, I will remark that I think they would be most helped by a postponement of the next rent-day for six months longer, for the whole or half of the rent at least, and by making such reduction in its amount for the future as the justice of the case demands. Most farmers wiU have the value of their Lady Day rents by them in cheese or in cash ; but if they have to pay it at the usual time the majority of them will be stripped of means to purchase other stock, supposing it is safe to do so, or to purchase seeds or manures for an increase of tillage ; but with rents in hand they would put forth their best eflForts to retrieve their losses, and, I am sure, would work with more hope to repay the obligation. Obtaining some compen- sation from Government for cattle that have died appears to be hopeless, and, indeed, I have never seen any good reason assigned for the expectation. We are only one class of traders or manufacturers among many in the community, and cannot expect, in strict justice, to be more favourably dealt with in our hour of adversity than we would ffUow other classes of traders or manufacturers to be assisted from the public purse in their times of distress. But from manufacturers or tradesmen, and fronl persons of independent means, those who are nearly ruined by the calamity may expect to receive some assistance (not as an alms or in charity), but as a duty. I have a strong feeling against farmers being treated as paupers ; and although it may appear like taking a high stand to ask for such help in this strain, yet I think it may be justified on the ground of mutual reciprocity. If the agricultural interests of the country be not pursued with energy and enterprise, the former of these classes must suffer in business, and the latter in comfort, more perhaps than they would have to do by the depression of any other trade. Under no circumstances cau we expect there will be the same outlay in permanent improvements as hitherto, or the same expenditure iu social life. In all things the most rigid economy will have to be practised under our altered cir- cumstances, but the larger the means of farmers the better for all classes of tradesmen ; and as cheese-factors, millers, imple- ment makers, seed and manure merchants, fox hunters, and tradesmen of all classes have benefited by the farmer in the past, and are hoping to benefit by him in the future, 1 tliink tliey will see it to be their duty and their interest to help those who are really needy, by subscribing to a general fund for this purpose. Our loss is not an ordinary one. It lias not been occasioned by speculation, by overtrading, by neglect, or by extravagance. We have been intently pursuing the best principles of breeding and feeding as far as we have known them for years ; and when the alarm was sounded of our coming enemy, we took immediate warning, and did oui- best to ward off his attack, and to cope with him in the struggle, but all to little purpose. The hand of God (we say it reverently) has been against us, and we ask for the sympathy and liberal aid ot the friends we have mentioaed, on these accounts. The mode of iOB THE FAE^^FE'R'S i\[AriAZTNE. folk'ctiiit; iinil riglitl.y disljurJiiy hHchcontnljiiUons would have to l)C ncUTluUy digested and urriuiged, \)\d Unit which was pur- sued iu raising and distributing tlic I'alriutic Fund is not an unsuitable pattern to follow. As union areas have been so generally formed into Cattle Assurance Societies, let the ■■•uardiaiis be appointed collectors in tlieir several townships, and w lien tliey have tlioronglily canvassed their districts, let them send the amount of their collection to the treasurers of a central committee, consisting say of the magistrates, the chairman, two members, and the secretary of every union in the county, and let these gentlemen distribute a portion of the funds which may be jilaced at tlieir disposal — say about the end of ilarch — among the sufferers according to their discre- tion, reserving a residue to be distributed at a future time, say on the 1st May. It miglit have been easier to make grants to every well-conducted assurance society, in proportion to its losses ; but this course would leave a large number unaided, w ho, from no inditference to the question, but from sheer fear of tlie responsibility, neglected to join such associations until the entries wci'e closed. Tlie labour of sucli committee may appear great at the first flush, but many hands would lighten it in its collection, and tlie facts which have been gathered by tlie police under the chief constables direction will much facilitate their work. It is important, I think, tliat the whole county should move at once in some such scheme, and, better still, in unison with Lancashire, if that county would combine with Cheshire ; and when such a man as Lord Grosvenor tells us he has authority for saying that many wealtliy men are prepared to subscribe liberally to such fund, it is time, I tliink, to promote united action in this direction. A Government loan might supplement these helps (and all will be neces- sary) in many cases ; but the proposition, so far as I understand it, appears to offer no lietter assistance of this kind than could he got from private sources. And above all, let us beware of looking too much to land- lords, to Government, to subscriptions, or to loans, for all tiie assistance we may need, and of yielding too much to depression and despondency as many are doing. Our trial is not an ordinary one, I know. I can feel deeply for those who had ten, twenty, or upwards of one hundred head of stock, most of which they jiad reared, perliaps, and each of whicli was known to its owner for some particular feature of charac- ter, and loved indeed by him almost next to wife or children, but now w ho have only empty shippons, " no herd in the stalls," and " no calves in the fold," and long row s of mounds over newly-made graves, reminding tlicm of tlieir troubles. Yet I would we should cherjsli a hopeful and unrepining spi- rit, and resolve to do our duty in the best way possible still. Self-help and self-reliance have enabled us, with the blessing of God, to extricate ourselves individually from the great.dif- ticulties in the past ; and we shall do well to look to ourselves first and chiefly, and to hope for the best results from personal forethought, and from personal effort. An important question may be raised here as to whether all has been done to prevent the spread of the disease which can be done ? We have been sutjjeeted to various conipnlsory orders, anil now arc enduring one that gives certain grave iuconveuienccs to many farmers, but whicli is endured without mucli complaint in the hope of arresting its destructive progress ; yet we arc compelled fo acknowledge that no perceptible benefit lias risen out of them yet. Tiie jjlaguc still goes from farm to farm, mysteriously and noiselessly, and in a most erratic manner — now simply moving to the next farm, and again hopping over two, three, or half a dozen, and carrying dismay into a circle hitherto exempt. To-day we know a whole township w liieh is free : to-morrow it may be every cattle owner therein is in fear and tren\bliug — and no medicine or nursing in any ease seems to avail. Are we doing all that can be done to check its course ? I begin to think that if the hopes we have formed of vaccination are doomed to be blasted, we had better submit to have every ani- mal knocked in the head the moment it is attacked, and its body buried at once according to the prescribed directions. Ihis plan would at least save much trouble and anxiety, and would certainly prevent the increase of that poisonous effluvia which is constantly given off by every cow labouring under disease, and which on being carried by the wind or currents of air mav be a chief source of its increase. This plan has been pursued in Aberdeenshire, and has been attended with the most complete success. Wlien the disease visited this cotmtry in 1, 11. It eontrnupU its ravaKPs w.itil I7\5 ; and when it again aiipcHrcd in 1715 it remained until IToi'i, and oU,UOO cows are said to have died in Cheshire alone — a juuch larger proportion, no doubt, than has yet occurred. " The number of beasts that were actually destroyed by it," says Youatt, " could not be ascer- tained ; but in the third year of the plague, when the Govern- ment had so seriously taken up the matter as to order that every beast which exhibited the slightest marks of infection should be destroyed (a remuueration being made to the owner) no fewer than 80,000 cattle were .slaughtered, and double that number died of the disease, according to one of tlie commis- sioners. In tiie fourth year of the plague they were destroyed at the rate of 7,000 per month, until from the numerous impo- sitions that were practised this portion of the preventive regu- lations was suspended. During one or two summers in the twelve years that it raged it seemed to have altogether disap- peared, fuit at the approach of winter it broke out afresh, sometimes in districts the cattle of w'hich it had previou.sly thinned ; at other times in places that had hitherto escaped its fury, and very distant from those in which it liad seemed gra- dually to die away. It prevailed most generally, and was most fatal, towards the latter part of the winter. There was also a strange caprice about if. It would carry off half the cattle in e\ery dairy round a certain farm and not touch a single beast there, but six months afterwards it would return and pounce upon this privileged spot, and not leave one animal alive." These extracts shows us the character of the enemy we have to deal with, and should lead men of grave thought to consider the effect of such an enemy in all its bearings, and be prepared to act with decision. The veterinary science of the present day, notwithstanding the progress it claims to have made, is just as inadequate to deal with it as it was then. I am not sure that our country would consent to a rate being levied, as in Aberdeenshire, to provide compensation for slaughtered ani- mals in the event of the same course being followed here ; but our County Treasurer informs me that a rate of Id. in the pound would yield £9,505 17s., exclusive of the boroughs, and as it would only be a temporary tax, I hope our manufacturers and tradesmen would uot object. Of course it could only be done by mutual conscut under the present state of the law, and this might be difficult to get. But if the new Parliament would give power to counties or to hundreds to tax themselves for this purpose, by a consent of the majority, it might be done. And let no one say it is too late. It would have been better done at first I grant ; but the question still is, should we save more cattle by it on the average than we are now doing ? Ke- memljer we are only saving about one in every twenty that are attacked in Cheshire at present, and are increasing the con- tagious matter in doing so fearfully. I commend the sugges- tion to your consideration in the discussion which is to follow, and proceed to notice the influence which the plague will have ujioii our farming practice for the present and the future. Some considerable change in our course is clearly certain. Anotlier kind of grazing stock must be sought for our pastures, and our horses and ploughs must be yoked more closely to their work. Eut, in making these changes, we shall reqxiire to exercise a wise discretion. Stiff clay land, as I have said, must uot be stocked thickly and wholly with sheep alone. It will bear a fair quantity of such stock when drained, if wisely selected and put on at the right season. For the present I would not purchase sheep for farms which have been cleared of cattle by the plague. It is not quite cer- tain yet that they w ill uot take the disease. They are the same class of ruminating animal as the cow, and have a similar organic construction, and we can scarcely conceive of their breathing the same air, and pasturing in the same fields in which the cattle have lived and died recently, without being in danger of contracting the same fatal contagion. It is en- couraging to know that the several experiments which have been made to test this point have been satisfactory in the main, but they have only been experiments. Had fifty sheep instead of five been placed in the sanatorium at Edinburgh, the result might have been different, and it would be wise to let some months elapse, which will be no great loss at this season, before purchasing sheep, to graze on lands containing the recently- made graves of murrain-stricken cattle. And when purchasing, it would be best, I think, to buy young healthy wethers or hoggets, such as would make good mutton in the course of summer, rather than breeding ewes, or even ewes and lambs. There may come some cold, wet, bleak, and stormy weather he'wePn thir. tijue anci the fjurainpr, ?nfi on such farms ynniij? THE FARMER'S MAGAZl^'E. •409 laml),s \vi)ul(l 1)0 iiiufli more likely to stiirvc and die, or get so stockcu ill tiicir growth as not to recover the ell'ccts for some lime. My favourite sheep, as you know, is the Shropsliire- duvvn, but I fear they will not be got iu sullicieut number at a remunerative price, fur no breed bears running thickly better. The next best, I think, is tlie Cheviot and Leicesrcr cross, and as large numbers of these, and chiefly yearlings, come south every spring, they may be got more satisfactorily ; and I would suggest, as the Ijest course of purchasing, that farmers resident in certain districts should co-operate together, and send two of their number to the north to purchase what they all want, and siiare the expenses and advantages equally. On no account would I stock thickly with poor Irisli or black- faced horned sheep. The lower price at which they may be got nuiy be a temptation; but, as a rule, they are hard feeders, and not much weiglit when fed, and will not do as well, as sole occupants of our pastures, as they may have done in small numbers. The Irish Leicester is a good sheep, as are the larger ^^'elsh sorts ; the C'lun and the Woodlands also have some good points for our purpose. On good-soily farms, which have been drained and boned, the Lincoln and Leicester, the Cots- wold, or the Ross slieep would do well, and on the clovered lands of such farms nothing more profitable can be put than ewes and lambs. Much, however, will depend upon their numagement. Should the latter take to scouring, a change to old pasture must be at once given, and varied occasionally or regularly as good judgment dictates. Dipping the lambs at the time of shearing their dams, to prevent the attacks of iiy, and the ewes aud the old sheep a month afterwards, must on no account be neglected, foot rot must not be allowed to get ahead, or ic will be difficult to eradicate ; nor should any infectious disease have the least chance of obtaining a footing in tlie Hock. Sheep management will be a new pursuit in Cheshire farmers, but I hope a not unprofitable one ; and having had some considerable experience, I may just say that with care and good judgment, it is generally successful. But 1 am trespassing both upon your time aud the subject itself, on w hich I hope to obtain a paper from one of the most successful breeders iu Shropshire, at any one of our coming monthly meetings. I approach the question of corn-growing, our chief resource, with diffidence, as I can see it will require great judgment and discriminatiou in pressing the plough further into work. If it would be safe to replace the stocks we have lost, by cattle purchased from Ireland, from Holland, from Spain, or from any other country where the rinderpest has not prevailed, then I would not that we should plough one acre more this spring than we should have ploughed had our cattle been alive ; or if, through vaccination or inoculation, or any other preventive, we could confer an immunity from plague upon cattle so purchased, it would be belter to keep our land with its grass side uppermost. But this is scarcely to be expected, and we must do the best we can with the plough, not from choice, but through necessity. In no ease should undrained stiff clay lands be ploughed ; the first crop may lie tfderably satisfactory, but the expense of tillage afterwards, and the uncertainties of the seasons, will add so much to the cost of production tiiat there will be little left as profit. As a rule I should advocate the allotment of none hut good land for arable cultivation, but no more of it than could be well managed : a little well done will be more profitable than douljle the extent only half farmed. In all cases the consent of the landlord should be obtained before breaking up any particular field, and if the selection be judicious, it is probable the request will be gratified, aud where it is not it is as likely (if the land- lord or his agent are practical men) that it will be for the tenant's advantage to have some other field substituted, or his ovvn too extensive notions corrected. There are two sides to every question. The tenant may be incompetent to manage much tillage, or may be too desirous to obtain present ])rofit without regard to the future ; aud there is no injustice in the landlord seeking to protect his own interests. But if he in- sists upon the preservation of old rest pastures, and determines to confine the plough to one continuous round in the same fields season after season, he must be contented with less rent ; for it is oljvious that the tenant cannot get so good crops on old tilled land, and without the aid of liis manure heap which he has hitherto had, as lie may rair.e on fresh sod thoroughly beaten up and well worked into the soil. It may lie considered a bold opinion, Ijut I think it will lie for the interesf of botJi laudlord and tenant, with rare exceptions, that the best aud most conveniently situated fields on the farm be subjected to the plough. If we look into this statement it may not be so injudicious as it first seems. The best fields on most farms (and I am speaking of the average class of laud in Cheshire, not of tlie very light or sandy portion) are those which were boned many years ago, when never less than from one to two tons per acre were applied, most of which was in lumps of tlic size of your thumb. These bones, it will be found on plough- ing, have sunk nine or ten inches deep into the soil, and are lying there in a half-decomposed state ; but by ploughing you replace them near the surface, where the action of the air and repeated tillage reduces them to powder, and lays them under a renewed contribution as fertilizers. There are hundreds of fields also whose grasses are run out, to use a common phrase, and which, by growing iu a weak and spiral form and by matting together as they grow longer, seem to appeal to the eje of the practical man and asked to be ploughed ; and it is almost certain these fields can be returned to permanent pas- ture again by good management in even a better state than when first broken up. Then, again, the expenses of ploughing, sowing, reaping, and harvesting good land are all less than they are in poor unsuitable soil, and less still in fields that are conveniently near the homestead, which will be better for the tenant and no worse for the landlord. There may be exceptional cases as I have said, and these must be decided on their oviu merits. But we are entering into competition with other counties in work, which experience has proved our county has less natural adaptation for, and we shall require to be placed in the best possible position, to make it profitalile and maintain our ground — hence I infer the soundness of the opinion I have expressed. It may be contrary to the views of many, and I am prepared to have it sharply criticised ; but we are here for the purpose of stimulating or correcting one another, and I am content if this be accomplished. There is another adjunct to our farm- ing in which the cattle plague will make serious alterations. I allude to pig-feeding. Pigs are almost an integral part of dairy operations as consumers of buttermilk and whey, and in most farm yards there are now more breeding sows than have been there for years, and what it will be best to do with the litters when they come is a question which must give some concern to their owners. Will it be best to sell them as suckers, or retain them to run in the straw yards and feed for the butcher? The latter course I think is most desirable. There wiU be abundance of straw to be made into manure, and manure will be more wanted for our new course of tanning than it was in the old, while more difficult to obtain. The necessarily high price of other animal food such as mutton and beef must also enhance the value of fat pigs ; and as our prize pig breeders will tell you there is plenty of profit to be made iu feeding pigs of a good breed, and our millers be ready to supply you with feeding stuffs, it would be well to pay even closer attention to this branch than formerly, aud to strive by regular and judi- cious feeding to redeem some portion of the loss attendant upon the plague. Another question which suggests itself is, whether it is possible to grow any other cum crop to advantage than we have been growing P Oats are invariably the first crop put upon leys. They are generally a remunerating crop, and there is a proverb which tells us to " Let well alone." But we fear there may be i20,OliO or 30,000 consumers of oats less in our county next winter aud spring, and there may be as many more acres of the crop grown, conseipieiitly their price must recede aud tlieir net profit decline unless some other counteractive cause arise. Perhaps beans may be substituted w ith advantage to a partial extent. The Egyptians, who used to send us large quautities, have been cultivating cotton largely during the American war, and their Government have had to prohibit ex- portation of this cereal so that its price stands relatively higher than other feeding stuff. Then beans are a capital forerunner of wheat in a course of cropping : their hard-pointed taproots go straight down into the stillest soil, causing it to pulverize quickly under the harrow when ploughed, and rendering it easier work for the wheat roots to grasp aud feed upon. They wiU wait for the sickle until you have harvested your white crops, and as a rule will yield as many measures of coin per acre as oats, though not quite so much value of straw. It would not be unwise, therefore, fo sow a few acres on all strong soil farms, eitlier on leys or in ground which would have been sow n with li\ini|is : luuriiere again we shall feel the elVeets .of the plasi-iic in depriving us of our caf^lle, for they being gone 410 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. we shall refiuire no green crops for their consumption, and consequently must cither have bare fallows occasionally, or cultivate beans in drills in the same way. The last time we met in this room we had an animated discussion on flax-grow- iug ; and as its growth is largely increasing in Ireland and meeting with considerable success, and our climate being very simOar to that of the sister-isle, we may improve upon the liint thus offered us for our own advantage. But as I hope our friends Mr. llothwell and Mr. I'alk will discourse to us on these subjects in the course of the spring, aud [ liegin to fear seriously for your patieuce, I will conclude by suggesting, in adtlition, that those of us who possess suitable soil may redeem a portion of the loss we are suffering by the growth of a better class of edible vegetables, such as early potatoes, green peas, cauliflowers, celery, and perhaps some kinds of garden fruits. It would require some time to go even superficially into their cultivation, but we are near to good markets by rail, which would take all we could grow, and the three last-named vege- tables would attain in fresh broken land to even a finer size than in old tilled gardens. Try a row of peas as an experiment, of the Prizef aker or Champion of England, or other prolific kind, in the field among your potato-drills, and running north and south if you can, aud you wiU be surprised at the quantity they will bear. So also of cauliflowers, cultivate and manure the land as for ox cabbages, plant thinly, say 7,000 plants per acre, for the larger you can grow them the better they wiU sell, and they will go to a bad market if they don't make Is. per dozen, and yield £~ 6 as a gross return. Carrots aud garden turnips I incline to think may also be profitably grown by many far- mers if their cultivation be studied and pursued with perseve- rance. Mr. Rigby concluded liis paper with some judicious remarks on the spirit in which the sufferings caused by the plague were to be met. The Chairman said he was sure they were all very much obliged to Mr. Rigby for the able paper he had given them. It was a subject of extreme importance just now, and as it was desirable to have as fuU a discussion as possible upon it he would suggest they should take up the several points of tlie lecture seriatim. First, as to the remedial steps, next as to vaccination, then the best means of arresting the progress of the disease, and the other matters, in their order, all of which were very important, and if gentlemen would rise and speak to these points briefly he should be glad. Would any gentleman who had been at all successful in treating such cattle tell them how he had proceeded ? . Mr. Heatley said he had cured 11 out of 13, and his plan had been to back-rake the cows witli his hand eveiy day for some time. By this means he ascertained earlier than by any other the state of body they were in, and as they became hotter, and a slimy and stinking matter came away with the liand, he concluded they were going to have the disease, and lie forthwith administered to them as per annexed recipe, which he read and handed in. He continued to back-rake the cows three or four times a day to let out bad air and wind, which gave the beasts great ease. Remedy for the Cattle Plci(/ttc. — The fii-st stage of the disease give the following dose : — ^Ib. of flour sulphur, lib. of treacle, 1 J oz. of saltpetre : mix all together, and give it to the beast in about two quarts of bran tea ; if feverish, repeat daily for two or three days. Be sure to keep the aninial warm, aud give it two or three quarts of bran tea every half hour, and a little hay. When improving, give a few boiled turnips, with a little bran for a mash. Should scouring take place, give in a mash a little wheat flour instead of bran. If milking, di-aw the milk three or four times a day. "\Alien the cow improves, the milk will come to its natural colour. The animal must be attended to night aud day, and care taken to be kept warm. Mr. MoRETON, of Marton Hall, said he had treated his cattle in the same way, aud he had eight recovering out of 10 which had been attacked. Mr. Moreton, of Swanlow, had been using a very expensive remedy, and, under the direction of a Scotchman at liis farm at WrinchiU, had administered one quart of ale and two glasses of whisky in it eveiy three hours, and he had 10 recovered out of -iS attacked. He had had only 15 vaccinated, eiglit of which were now living and had not been attacked. The Chairman asked if Mr. Buckley, of Croxton, was in the room, and, finding he was not, said they all heard how very successful that gentleman had been, and in a conversation he had Imd with him last Monday, he told him that he had nearly 30 recovering, and his treatment was this : as soon as he per- ceived the slightest sign of a beast being attacked, he adminis- tered some opening medicine, aud then gave fib. Epsom salts, 4 oz. sulphur, and applied mustard down the back and along tlie spine, and spirits of turpentine to the throat. Mr. George Willis said he was very much of opinion that stock had it in different degrees of intensity. He had had the disease in a very malignant form, and liad tried all systems of treatment without any success. His stock had been vaccinated very successfully, but it had proved no check to the disease. Mr. Slater advocated the preparation of cattle for the disease by opening medicine. He had lost 3:2, and none had recovered, although he had tried all the treatments he could hear of — this plan on two cows here, and that plan on two others. Everything depended upon early treatment, and a practical eye could detect it much earlier than an inexperienced person could. He was now trying Mr. Heatley's plan, and he had some hopes of it. His cows had aU been vaccinated, but he did not think it had been of the slightest benefit to them. Mr. T. S. Br.vdbl'uy had received two bottles of medicine from a friend of his in Manchester, a very clever chemist, which he had concocted, and he should be glad to' hand them over to any gentleman in the room to try them, and his friend would only be too glad if they were at all successful. Mr. Okell, surgeon, said his father had 8 recovered out of 30. His opinion was that some cows had it much lighter than others. He should he very dubious about trying Mr. Heatley's plan of back raking, and thought it would be much better to give them an injection. Dr. Leak and Mr. Moreton, surgeon, of Northwich, next followed, both speaking decidedly against vaccination as a remedy, or the cliseasc being at aU like small pox ; and other gentlemen adopted the same view. Indeed it seemed to be the general impression that so far it had quite failed in the neigh- bourhood. The discussion was then adjourned. PLEUEO-PNEUMONIA. Pleuro-pneuinonia has unquestionably been occasionally mis- taken for rinderpest, and the animals affected slaughtered in consequence. A writer of much practical experience as a grazier has given the following statement relative to the mode of treatment which has been followed for some years with much success : " I find an article on pleuro-pneumonia in the Times of Sep- tember 26, in which is the following extraordinary advice : ' Destroy all cattle undoubtedly diseased.' The Tunes is looked up to as high authority, and this advice may do much mischief, as I have reason to believe that there is no diiftcidty in curing pleuro-pneumonia. Some years ago I lost a great many ; but as the course of treatment wliich 1 now pursue seems perfectly to succeed in every case, as I never now lose a beast, you may think it worth while to insert it. " 1st. It is of the utmost importance to observe the early stage : even 34 hours gives the disease so much start of the remedies. " 2nd. The symptoms are very varied. I have had bad cases without cough, without any grunt ; the beast lias fed ; the coat did not stare ; but I never had a case without the beast showing a dull, heavy look about the eyes (which a person ac- customed to it would at once notice), and an increased pulse. " I therefore class the symptoms : Always increased pulse, heavy look, hot feel in skin. Usi/alty, hut not always, dull, not feeding well, some cough, grunt (often none), draw in lung on putting your ear to side of beast, staring coat, sometimes not chc\iing cud (not always). Strange to say, some which have turned out the most difficult cases to cure had the fewest symptoms. I have had light cases with every symptom com- bined. *^ Remedies.— 'ka. aperient dose, viz.: Epsom salts, lib.; THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE. ■ill raw linseed oil, 1 pint ; powdered ginger, i oz. (let tliis be fresh ground) ; cream ol" tartar, 1 oz. ; nitre, 1 oz., iu a pint or two of thin gruel. If gruel is not to be liad, the same quan- tity of water, as warm as milk from the cow. Take care to give dose before bleeding, or you may open the cut again. " Bleed to faintuess. I do not say how much blood. Some will give more, some less, but I bleed to faintuess ; and bear in mind that it is the rapid flow, quite as much as the quantity taken, wliich relieves the lungs. You nuiy dribble off the blood from a small cut, and weaken the beast without relieving it. " Put beast in a cool, dry, airy house ; Utter dry, but so dirty that it will not be tempted to eat it. This is of importance, for there should be absoltde starvation. (Dry bog mould is the best litter you can use, if you have it.) A pail of clean, fresh water left in corner of stable, and renewed as wanted. " Two drachms of tartar emetic, four drachms of nitre — mix for a dose ; to be given morning and evening until pulse is lowered, and is calm, soft, and even. I cannot say how many doses will elfect this. Sometimes two doses will be sufficient : I have had to give iu some cases as many as six or eight doses — i.e., for three or four days — but very seldom. " A drench three times a day, of liuseed meal gruel or tea — i.e.., the linseed meal in hike warm water. The beast, after the first, generally drinks this ; if not, drench it ; but posi- tively nothing to eat of any sort or kind — hay, roots, grass, anything. This is a sine qua Hon, The linseed gruel keeps the bowels regular. " When the fever is quite gone comes the time of danger from imprudence. When the fever is gone the animal becomes very hungry ; the man is delighted to see it eat ; it does eat : he gives it plenty ; the fever returns ; the beast has not the strength to bear the remedies as at first, and it dies through carelessness. " When the fever is quite gone, and the beast appears cheerful and hungry, give (if in winter) a few, very few, clean slices of turnips or nmngold wurtzel three or four times a day (continuing the Hnsecd gruel). The second day a little more turnips and two or three pounds of sweet hay, gradually in- creasing food ; fecHng the pulse two or three times a day, to see that food has not raised it. If all goes right, the fifth or sixth day the beast may liave its food. In summer, substitute mown grass iu lieu of the roots, but observing the same care. " When the beast begins to recover, it may be turned out for an hour or two iu the fine part of the day ; but not where it can eat. Avoid cold or wet or very hot sun. Care must lie taken when the animal first goes out, as I have seen it stagger with weakness when it first went out. " I continually meet with fresh cases iu cattle bought in ; but I never lose one, and they thrive well alter being cured, and are as healthy and well as any of the herd. " Whitewash house, buckets, &e., and burn litter. " The above treatment supposes a beast of average size, say 5 cwt. to 6 cwt." MEDICINAL PLANTS. SiK, — As all the remedies tried have hitherto proved in- eifeetual in curing the cattle plague, I beg to suggest what appears to me would be one great preventive against the disease. The last two summers have been unusually hot and dry, particularly during the spring of the year ; and, as a con- sequence, the early spring plants which grow in the fields and liedge-rows were burnt up, so that tlie cattle could not procure that food which Nature intended them to resort to against the various ills to which they are subject, and to which the very instinct of the animal directs them, when suffering from either inflammation or any febrile excitement. Owing to the high farming which has been adopted so gene- rally during the last few years, the plants which were to be found iu the fields and hedgerows are becoming nearly extinct, either owing to the artificial manures which are in general use, or some other cause, such as eleariug the hedges of all these medicinal weeds and grass. What I advise would be, to sow the seeds of all these little plants on grazing land and on lianks and corners of the fields, so that the cattle can procure them when their instinctive feelings so direct them. There are some twenty plants supplied by Nature evidently for the use of cattle, and which are not to be found on the grass lands in the same quantities as formerly ; and it is im- portant that there should be a rough field, undisturbed by the plough, where these plants can flourish in a state of nature, and where cattle from time to time sliould be allowed to browse. As this is the season of the year when these seeds should be sown, I have taken the liberty of directing the attention of agriculturists to the 3ul)ject, feeling convinced that the absence of these plants has been In some measure a cause of the dete- rioration in the condition of the animals generally. In December last I expressed my conviction that the cattle plague was small-pox in a suppressed form, and I have had my opinion confirmed by farmers in Cheshire and elsewhere, who have still faith iu vaccination when properly carried out, and the animals vaccinated with pure cow-pox matter ; but I have reason to suppose such has not been the case in thousands of instances. There are many cases of animals being vaccinated from a bottle containing half a pint of what was said to be pure vaccine. It is needless for me to say how difticult it is to pro- cure virus in drops, much more in half-pints ; and this has, no doubt, been the chief cause of failure in the cure of cattle plague by vaccination. And so far am I convinced of the disease being small-pox, that I would recommend every farmer to vaccinate the lambs at six weeks or two months old, and also calves about the same period. The disease, like all epidemics, will run its course and then subside, to break out again at no dis- tant period, if means are not employed to keep the animals iu good condition by measures which Nature provides for them in the way of various herbs and medicinal plants, one of which may prove a specific against the disease, if it were iu the power of man to discover the identical herb which would prove the antidote, as Nature never gives diseases to animals without a remedy. The plants and seeds can be procured of any re- spectable seedsman. Apologizing for this long letter, and hoping it may call the attention of agriculturists to the subject, I have the honour to remain, sir, your obedient servant, 10, Grafton-strcet, FiccadiUy. S. Pakso'S, M.D. THE FAEMER\S MAGAZINE. THE CULTIVATION UE GKEEN CKOPS, AND THE MOST ECONOMICAL WAY OF CONSUMING THEM. A Paper Read by Mr. Alderjia:^ Mecui, at the Wenlock Farmers' Club, on Momuy, 9tu Ai-ril. I accept cheerfully the task you liave assigned to me, and I first ask — Why is au extension of root and green crop cultiva- tion necessary and profitable ? In a new country where Na- ture has reigned supreme, and where, for ages, vegetation has grown and decayed, unremoved by the hand of man, and \vhcre the action of the elements and seasons (called the " hand of time") has rendered soluble and available the mineral tood of plants, we might remove year after year the most exhaustive crops, witliout for a long time returning to the soil any manure. The cultivation of root and green crops under such circum- stances is not required. Now, however, we have quite a different state of circumstances to deal with. A vast extent of pasturage and wood land has Ijeen broken up and worked out. AVide reutless wastes no longer afford a cheap means of raising our store stock ; our GO millions of acres that seventy years ago had only to feed some 10 millions of people, are now- called upon to answer the hungry demands of a population of nearly 30 millions. This necessitates a different and more artificial and intensified system of agriculture, both as regards landlord and tenant. High aud increasing rents must be met by maximum crops. Animals must no longer wander over large areas in search of a scanty supply of food, but we should force from the soil, by high feeding of stock, by rich manuring of the soil, by deeper cultivation and drainage where required, heavy crops of roots and green food, and having produced these great aud costly crops they should be administered to our live stock on the most improved modern principles. All this cannot be done without tlie coucurrent action of the land- owner, who shall provide suitable buildings for the proper accommodation of the much larger uumber of animals which it becomes now necessary to keep. My experience of ~'i years as a farmer has taught me that it \\ ill not pay to look entirely or mainly to the barn-doors for my returns, but that I must look to meat quite as much as to corn, and, in fact, the more meat you make the greater crops of corn you will grow, for the man wlio produces three times as much meat as his neigh- bour must of necessity produce three times as much manure. It often pays much better to sell your crops to your stock rather than to the miller or factor.' "We do sell our root and green croi)s to our stock, why not sell them a corn crop ? I always sell all m.y beans, peas, oats, and much of my barley to my live stock, so that these crops ultimately go to market on four legs, and 9-lOths of their elements are thus returned to the land. ]My Mve stock (on 170 acres) consume about £700 of cake aud corn annually. After paying fidl market price for these, they, as an average, leave me from £6 to £7 per acre for my root aud green crops. This, yon will admit, is not au unsuccessful « ay of obtaiuing plenty of manure to fertilize your soil. It is, in fact, the key to my farming profit. Let us now consider " "What sorts of root and green crops we should grow." That question depends upon soil and climate. In our southern and eastern counties, with very few hills, con- sequently with a small rainfall (under 20 inches annually), a dty atmosphere and high temperature, winter tares aud winter beans may be safely grown. It is not so, I believe, in the colder north. A crop of caljbage, rape, or kohl rabi also stands our winter well. Italian rye-grass makes very early aud good food ; it is a thirsty, rapid growing plant ; m our dry climate there is no growth of in the warm months without irrigation. Sainfoin and lucerne do well on calcareous soils. Mine is non-calcareous. I often use part of my bean crop as green food, passed through tlie chalF- cutter, in July or August, and I consider it pays me as well or better than when harvested. It is first-rate food for stock and liorses, and comes at a handy time— after the cutting of tlie clovers. Cabbage at harvest time is essentially necessary, and very good, too, for working horses. My most dependable and productive loot-cvop is mangel wnrzel. Its deep powerful loots penetrate and search our bard tenacious clays; its sliin- iiig expansive leaves rejoice in hot bright sunshine ; it never does better than when the leaves fiag from heat, and are crisp in the early morning with dew. Swedes, on the contrary, sel- dom do so well in our stiff clays. They often mildew, and if sown early are dried up by the first of September. They are rarely sown hare until Jlidsummer Day. They require more rain and a moister atmosphere than sun. "We also prefer win- ter tares to those sown in spring. Mangel are a great crop in our country this past season. I have nearly or (juite -iO tons per acre. Swedes are comparatively a failure. "White turnips sown in July answer better with us than swedes. Swedes thrive best in a moist or vaporous atmosphere, aud a friable soil. I have often been struck with the contrast, passing from Essex to Cumberland in a hot July or August day ; our swedes being barely visible aud fly-eaten, while at Kendal and among tlie hills the blades are green, fresh, and knee high. Those hills attract and arrest the masses of steam called " clouds," and thus plants flourish, although the moisture may not have descended as rain. As to the " Preparation of the Soil," wc may for all hard-bottomed or stiff soils lay down as an axiom, that deep cultivation is profitable. I don't mean that the bad unaired soil should be brought to the surface, but that it should be broken-up liy subsoil or trench ploughing before winter, and thus exposed to the action of frost, whicli beats all the har- rows and ploughs, scarifiers aud rollers, for pulverising our heavy soils — 1 speak, of course, of drained heavy soils. I consider undrained heavy lauds quite unfit for profitable farm- ing. I very much prefer putting on my manure before I plough and subsoil , because it then falls in and intermixes Mith the soil and subsoil, which is most important, and the winter rains distribute the soluble and valuable portions of the manure among the granules of the soil, where it becomes fixed for the use of plants, and caunot be washed out or washed away in the drains (see Liebig). On the subject of tillage details I would refer you to a paper recently read by me before the Lon- don Farmers' Club, a copy of which I beg to present to you. I find that if my land has been amply manured and deeply cultivated before winter, it is in the spring like an ash-heap, only requiring scarifying, harrowing, and drilling. To plough up our heavy land in the spring would lie to make it dry, blocky, aud unfit to receive the seed ; and this is why many people fail in their mangel plants. I need hardly say that I consider it indispensable to scarify or broadshare all the stub- bles immediately after harvest, thus preventing the growth of old weeds, and permitting the vegetation of any seeds of weeds. "We also fork-out carefuUy any patches of twitch or couch- grass, shake the earth from them, and carry them off" the land. All rubbish is harrowed or raked together and burned, or carbonised. I have said very little about tlie preparation of loose or friable soils for root crops. As a rule they are easily dealt with, at almost any period. A very able root grower and large successful fanner tells me that he ploughs and rolls seve- ral times both before and after manuring, aud does uot con- sider the land fit for turnips until it is fine enough to go through a sieve. His soil is more mellow than mine. Cultivation of Growing Crops. — Among the growing crops of roots, after being thiuned, we use Garrett's horsehoe between the rows, and the handhoes between the plants, our mangel standing about 12 to 15 inches apart, and about 28 inches from row to row. I never permit weeds to grow in my crops ; it is like permitting a hungry, unwelcome intruder to devour part of your dinner. Nothing pays better than keep- ing down weeds. I lay down as au agricultural axiom, " never employ a man where you can use a horse, and never a horse where you can work a steam-engine." The reasons are obvious. A man costs as much daily as a horse, while the latter has six times the power ; a steam-engine beats the horse in a like projiortion ; therefore, with Gairetl's horselioe, which takes a width of 7 to n feet, a pair of horses and one man THE FAKMEiiS MAGAZliXE. will clean cultivate from 8 to H acres a day. With two pair of horses my mau has occasionally elean-liorschoed from 20 to 22 acres of wheat or beans in a long day. Our beans are harrowed well \> ith iron harrows when they are one inch out of tiie ground, and receive in addition two or three horschoe- iugs and two handhoeings. Our tares are sometimes horse- lioed, and our clovers are invariably hoed in the spring if there arc any weeds to remove. A truss of clover will pay the cost of hoeing an acre. Manukk. — Science and practice have proved that the very best manure is that made by fattening animals with rich food, such as linseed or rapccake, beans and peas, or other sub- stances rich in phosphates, nitrogen, and potass ; but then re- member that that manure must be made under cover, un- washed, and iiot like too much open-yard manure, which, after this wet winter, I would compare to tea-leaves when all the strong tea solutions have left them. Agriculturists do not, T am afraid, appreciate that it is not bulk of manure that pro- duces result, but ([nality. The soluble portions of the manure are the only portions available, the mass consisting of some 75 per cent, of water, and a quantity of woody fibre and in- soluble matter. The mere peppering with guano, which sur- passes tlie massive dung heaps, has taught us a lesson, and, on its first use, created much doubt and disbelief. I rarely make a dung heap, but usually cart my manure at once from under the animals to the field. This spares much useless labour and waste of manure. The sheepfold does well without any mix- ing or turning over. By steam-power I cut my straw into short lengths for litter, and it is always ready for carting and spreading. The time is approacliing when an open farmyard and a dung-heap will be " the light of other days." The bottoms of all covered sheds and farmyards should be paved with hard bricks set in cement. In a general way mncli of the best part of the manure soaks deeply into the soil, and is lost to the land. There is no reason why farmyard manure should not equal the sheepfold were it properly economised. I will now tell you how much manure I jiut on for a mangel or root crop — 20 or 25 cartloads of shed manure, -i cwt. of best I'eruvian guano, and 2 cv t. of common salt. I lay down, as a rule, thtit we must " go in " for a maximum crop ; it costs no more for ploughing, harrowing, rolling, sowing, drilling, hoeing, rent, rates, tythes, and horse labour, than a half or three-quarter crop. Then, why " spoil the sheep for a half- pennyworth of tar ?" It is the minimum crop that keeps the farmer poor ; too much land, and conse(iuently loo little capital. Better have one-half the space thoroughly manured, than spread it thinly over a double area. We cannot over- manure or too deeply cultivate for a root crop. Superphos- phate alone never shows upon my farm. I presume I have already sufficient in my land by my rich cake and corn manure. How TO CONVERT YOUR RoOT AND GrEEN CrOPS INTO Mr.AT TO THE REST ADVANTAGE. — This is, in my opinion, one of the most important of agricultural questions, and one of very difficult solutioii. It is dependent on so many consi- derations— such as the breed and quality of your stock ; whe- ther you should breed or buy F tlie liealth and comfort of the stock, as regards sheltei', temperature, and, above all, purity of air by ventilation ; and then, again, the admixture of various sorts of food, and their state of preparation by comminution ; and when all these matters are in proper order, there is still one of importance — that is, a stock-keeper with keen percep- tion and due regard for his master's interest, or, better still, the farmer's own eye, if a correct one. If we are wrong on stock-management, adieu to profit ; for it is the sheet-anchor of farming. And here allow me to express my deep symjiathy and sorrow for those unfortunate yeomen whose capital has been diminished or swept away by the dire cattle plague. Surely this wiU move the hearts of the well-disposed to contribute largely to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Allow me to say, on this subject of the cattle plague, that it is very de- sirable to call in a second or third veterinary, before you carry out the inspector's directions to slaughter. I know of several instances where inspectors have mistaken the complaint, and thus wasted unicli valuable property. Salt is very important for animals, as for ourselves. Large blocks of rock-salt are always put into the mangers and feeding-troughs. One-half the ash of animal blood consists of salt : without it, the blood cannot be in n natural or healthy stale. Some think that 1 mvo to salt tlie exemption of my animals fnim cattle plague. 1 presume ventihilion and non-contact have much to do with it. I find salt unmistakably useful on drained soils. AVe shall never agree as to " how much meat a ton of turnips will ])ro- ducc," until our modes of administering them are more uni- form. Tlie money estimate of value now varies from 2s. Gd. jjcr ton in the open field, to 7s. if i)ulped and mixed with other food, in warm and dry quarters. My live-stock account shows, on an average of years, that, after paying full market-price for £700 worth of corn and cake, £200 is left for 30 acres of green and root crops, which, if taken as equal to 20 tons of roots per acre, would be (iOO Ions of roots, at Gs. 8d. per ton. I could not produce such a result, except by comminuting the food, mixed with a large quantity of very fine cut straw, and administered to tlie animals in warm, dry quarters. My irri- gation also aids to produce so favourable a result. In Suffolk the estimate is that a ton of roots will juake 141b. of meat (net), and in Essex a bushel of 5Clb. of roots is valued, for consumption, at 2d., or Gs. 8d. per ton. In order to test what return we get in meat for one ton of roots, I take the admis- sion by many practical men that it requires 150 tons to pro- duce one ton of meat, net butchers' weight. A ton of meitt (2,2i01b.), at the present price of 7^d. per lb., comes to £74 5s. : 150 tons of roots, at 10s. per ton, would be £75. 1 doubt whether we get near so much as 10s. per ton for our roots. At 5s. per ton, which is a much more probable esti- mate, it would require 300 tons of roots to produce one ton of meat, or, which is the same thing, 3001b. of ro«ts to make one pound of meat. If, therefore, ^ve grow, on an average, 20 tons of roots (which is, in my opinion, very far above the average), the return in meat w^ould be £5 per acre. Crops of turnips are sometimes " given away" to feed on the ground, but generally are sold for from 40s. to £5 per acre — very rarely the latter price in our county. You are, no doubt, aware that 150 tons of turnips contain 135 tons of water, and only 15 tons of dry substance. Hence the necessity for adding dry food to correct the excessive and injurious disproportion of water. A pound ofrumpsteak contains three-quarters of a pound of water. Our own bodies have 7G per cent, of water. Good dry hay only contains about 15 per cent, of water. Wc make a great mistake when we feed on fresh-drawn turnips alone. I am very anxious to receive from my brother-farmers some carefully-conducted experiments, to show how much meat a ton of turnips aud mangel would make under the most fa- vourable and successful management. Can you enlighten me on this point? Mr. Lawes's valuable experiments, recorded in the Royal Agricultural Society's Juiinud, show that no price was left for turnips after paying fur cake aud hay. This oc- curred with several lots of 40 sheep of different breeds fattened for six mouths. One lot absolutely lost £3 13s. Gd., besides leaving nothing for turnips. It is true that meat was cheaper then than now, but so were cake and hay. My system of lilenty of fine-cut wheat and beau straw and mixed food gives me much better results than those of Mr. Lawes. Mr. J. C. Morton's experience with 4,000 tons of roots left only 3s. 4d. per ton after paying for the cake and hay. At this rate it would require the enormous quantity of 450 tons of roots to make one ton of meat. In Mr. Lawes's case it must have been very much worse than Mr. ^lorton's, and w ould make it appear that feeding with cake aud hay was a very losing opera- tion, leaving out of view the quality of the manure. I was very much amused by a farming friend telling me that it did not pay to feed with cake, but it did with home-grown hay. " Well," I said, " do you charge the animals marlcet price for your hay?" "Oh no!" he replied, "we only charge half market price, that is ' feeding price.'" I said, with a smile, " Charge ' feeding price,' that is ' half market price" for your cake, and then you will find that it pays you well." The same remark applies to pigs ; pigs lose less money than any other stock; but then you must charge them "feeding price""for the barley they consume, the same as you do your bullocks with hay. It may appear strange, that while 71b of barley, or beau- meal, or oil-cake, will make lib. of meat, net butcher's weight, it takes 150 to 2001bs. of turnips to produce a similar result. In one case we must give water as well as meal; in the other wc give 90 per ceut. of water in the turnips — or equal to 13j gallons of water to every 71bs. of meal. It appears absurd to propose to do this, and it proves that turnips alone are not projier aud profitable food for anim.als. I think .about t wo gallons of water would be more proper than \Z\ to mix with flic meal. Beware of too succulent ami uuripe food, es- pecially for young and breeding animals before parturition. 414 THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. Young washy tares, young rank growmg grass, and roots, es- iiecially mangel, foi'ced to a rapid growth by high farming, are all likely to produce scouring or iuflainmatiun of stomach. So aremihiewed turnips and rape. The second growth of red clover after the first growth has Ijeen folded with sheep, hin-lily fed, is very dangerous and destructive to lambs, and even to older sheep. Had we statistics, as we ought to have, au amazing amount of loss would be recorded under the above heading It is singular that mangel and roots, whicli are so destructive to sheep before parturition, may be given safely a few days after parturition, especially if mixed with some cabbage; and this remark appUes in degree to other animals. Male sheep, especially rams, sutfer much in the urinary organs from the salt and alkalies in mangel wurzel, especially if confined : when permitted to range tlie fields, there is much less danger. The ash of globe mangel roots contains 24^h per cent, of salt — their leaves, SSJ per cent. Long-red contain Mj per cent, in the roots, and ~9f per cent, in the leaves. Swedes and carrots only contain abaut 6 per cent, of salt in their bulbs. AU these roots con- tain in their ashes a very large quantity of potash and soda : more than 50 per cent, of the ash of mangel is so composed. The acrid substance in fresh mangel disappears, in a great measure, in the storing of this root ; so that in the spring there is less danger with them. Swedes and carrots, from their smaU quantity of salt, may be given earlier, and in larger quantities. It is not to be wondered at that such enor- mous losses occur among flocks, and especially breeding flocks, when fed on the fi.elds with cold and succulent turnips un- corrected by dry food. Roots are, in my opinion, very dan- gerous for breeding animals before partui'ition. lloots, especially mangel, are first-rate food for horses, if given mode- rately, vidth dry corn, hay, and chatf. But for breeding ani- mals before parturition, and generally for young animals, cab- bage may be very safely given, passed through the pulper and mixed with chafl'. If we ask why, the analysis of the ashes i\t once explains it. In lieu of the 50 per cent, of soda and potass, and the 30 per cent, of salt, cabbage has less than 5 per cent, of salt and 30 per cent, of potass and soda ; but it has (which is very material) 20 per cent, of lime and 5 per cent, of magnesia (glol)e mangel has only 3 per cent, of lime and magnesia). Cabbage has 13 per cent, of phosphoric acid ; mangel only 4| per cent. It is thus easy to understand why cabbage, abounding in flesh-forming substance, is so innocuous and so suitable for animals in breeding condition. A certain proportion of cabbage given with mangel might mitigate the evil efi'ects of the latter. Kohl rabi has so much of the nature of cabbage as to be much more sap in tlie early season than mangel. It only contains 10 per cent, of salt, and, like cab- bage, stands a hot, dry climate better than swedes. The words " extreme succulency " are of great agricultural signi- ficance and import. Experience of a very unprofitable nature has taught me the danger of allowing animals tb have free access to food in such a condition. If by sewage irrigation, by guano, or other forcing manures, aided by suitable at- mospheric condition, grfeen or root crops grow with ex- treme rapidity, animals often sutfer illness, or even death ; and yet if that same food be brought home, cut into short lengths, and lie for some liours mixed with drier food, it may be given with perfect safety. I once lost thirteen fine four-months'-old calves by allowing them to help them- selves in a field of fine rapidly-growing young Italian rye- grass, which my practical neighbours pronounced to be just the tiling for them ; and yet they were receiving other and dry food. Previous to the turning in, those very animals were doing well, fed on the same grass when cut up into short lengths, and allowed partially to dry, and given to tliem in sheds. There is evidently some satisfactory chemical change that takes place in the process of drying. In fact, we know that the heaps of cut food soon ferment, and, unless spread out thinly, pass into the sour and unpalatable condition. ^Bven ordinary grass, turnips, and tares and clover have, from extreme succulency, proved dangerous, unless allowed to dry partially or wither. I dare not sewage-irrigate the Italian rye grass intended for my yomig lambs in the spring — ex- perience having taught me that the extreme succulence kills them. They thrive acbnirably upon it when not so manured. it can never be too rank or too rich for mowing .and making into hay. K properly got up with a green colour it surpasses any other hay in mitritive properties. Our hard-working horses give evidence of this fact when fed upon it. One cause why succulent food is injurious is, decidedly the quantity of water it contains. Tresh -drawn roots contain 00 per cent, of water. The remedy for this evil is clearly to allow the food to lose much of its water by drying. I have so many proofs of this from various practical fanners that there can be no doubt about it. In one case the mangels were pulled in hot September, and allowed to remain two days on the ground to wither. Sheep then folded on them went on admirably. In another case the mangel roots, early in the autiunu, were pulled and allowed to shrink and shrivel in the shed — this was acci- dental, but as soon as the cattle were changed to fresh-drawn roots they went wrong. In another case of 500 breeding ewes on white turnips in full growth the ewes suffered and were re- moved to grass and recovered, then again put on turnips and suffered loss. Ultimately the turnips were picked up and allowed to remain three to four days before consumption, and then the ewes were healthy. All this proves that the diminu- tion of water by evaporation is an advantage gained ; possibly some chemical change may take place in the juices of the roots. It does seem unreasonable that a bullock eating 150 lbs. of roots daily shoidd be thus compelled to take 13^ gallons of water with only 15 lb. of dry matter. The same remark ajiplies to sheep. A neighbour tells lue that his male fatten- ing sheep are doing well on mangel and linseed-cake, although they were not healthy on mangel and cotton-cake. Koots, and especially mangel, when pulped lose much of their water and juice by drainage. By mixing them with plenty of very fine cut dry chaff the juices are absorbed, and the proportion of dry substance to water is advantageously increased. But while I warn you against over-succulent food, bevi-are of the other extreme. When tares and clover are far advanced in growth and maturity they become dry and tough ; it is then essential to have tJiem passed through the chaff-cutter, and when so finely divided they are more accessible to the gastric juices, and less likely to produce wdndy swelling and inflammation. I know some very large fanners who, as a source of profit, have their horse-work chaff-cutter in the field, and pass all their sheep-food, even grass, through it, for their large flocks of sheep ; they find it profitable. I cut up and comminute and intermix every kind of food, and grind the corn especially for horses. Al- though I had at first great doubts, I have convinced my- self unmistakeably that a small quantity of condimental food hastens tlie fattening of cattle, especially young ones, which are generally more difficult to fatten. I sell my young Shorthorns sufliciently fat at twenty-one months at about £20 to £32 each. I consider my success in the mangement of stock, and my getting a good return for my root and green crops, attributable to my cutting the green food into short lengths, and mixing it with plenty of very fine cut-straw chaff, some meal, some cake, and a small portion of malt-combs and bran. In winter this food is administered in a warm state, the waste- steam from the engine giving us heat and hot M'.ater without cost. The roots are pulped, and the whole mass mixed up together in the great coppers, or rather cheap cast-iron tubs. The difference between warm and cold food in winter is soon seen in the condition of the animals. Let me advise you to look upon straw as a profitable feeding stuff, especially wheat and bean- straw; the latter, when passed through the chafl"- cutter and then moistened with hot-water, becomes soft and mucilaginous, and is worth two-thir-ds the price of hay. Bean- straw as long and as hard as walking-sticks Ijccomes, by hot- water moistening, soft, and is eaten greedily by our animals ; it is better than any other straw : all mine is eaten. T\Tieat- straw stands next in value to bean-straw, but then you mu^t cut it very fine, say one-eighth of an inch. I presume you all use steam-power. Not to do so on a farm of 200, or even 150 acres, is a great commercial mistake. I wiU not now go on to explain all its advantages. I recommend you to use a Cornish boiler for a fixed engine. Without my engine, which I have had for eighteen years, I should be, agriculturally, " nowhere," It grinds, pulps, breaks cake, thrashes, cuts roots, raises sacks, and pumps and irrigates. We really must intensify our fann- ing in these progressive times. Some of my bullocks are on sparred floors, otliers on cut-straw and paved floors, all under cover and properly sheltered. Although there has been " plague" all around me, I am thankful that at present mine have escaped. Let me particularly call your attention to Proper Vejitilation. — The want of this is the fruitful source of disease. It is annoying to me to see new buildings THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 415 erected without any opening above the aiiiiiuils. lu my case, imiuetliiitely under the vvall-plato, at intervals of about 6 feet, some bricks are left out, giving openings of about 9 inches by 6 on each side of tlie building, and at least 7 to 9 feet from tlie groimd, so as to let the ventilation be some distance (about 3 to 5 feet) above the animals. In the roof there should be louvre boards or openings with a vertical divisional pendent board, 3 feet deep, dividing the openings, and causing circula- tion. In the case of milch cows the opening should extend far along the roof, as they require more air than fattening animals. To give you an idea of the utility of tiiis, and of the openings under the wall-plate, you may smell the impure odours coming through them at many yards distance, showing how injurious it must be to keep those poisonous gases in con- stant contact with the animals where there is no escape for them. The manure is only removed from under my bullocks about once a month or six weeks, according to weather ; in cold weather it may remain a long time. It would never do to keep animals on long straw, or to over-litter them, because then air would be admitted, and you would have fermentation, which would destroy your animals. By cutting straw into short lengths, and littering sparingly and evenly (on a paved floor of course), the whole mixes up into a hodge-podge or paste, no heating takes place, the animal is kept clean, and the manure is at once ready to take direct to the field for immediate use. You cau keep animals much cleaner on short cut straw than on long straw, because the former absorbs at once all moisture. The long straw, with its glassy outside, cannot do so until broken up. PRoriT or SiiELTEK,. — Shelter is so important as a source of profit, and can be so cheaply extemporised where it is not convenient to put up permanent buQdings, that I must say a word about it. A few rough poles and some straw and hushes will, with a few shillings' worth of labour, give you a thatched sited and yard for 100 sheep for less than 9d. a sheep, and will last four or five years, or about 2d. per sheep per annum. My plan is to let them run out in the daytime in winter on a pasture, and to shut them up at night. Just imagine the comfort of lying on a dry bed under cover for some fourteen or fifteen hours, instead of on cold, wet grass, or clay, with wet fleeces from pelting rain or sleet, white fi"osts, &c. It is an immense and unprofitable mistake to allow such things. I cannot afford to do so ; and, although certain people may laugh at my farming, I managed to make this past year, at low prices, 11 per cent, on my farming capital, after paying myself the high improved rent of 40$. per acre. I don't expect everybody to believe this, but rather the contrary ; but at all events facts are stubborn things, and a clear conscience is a sufficient support. Much of the poveity of farming is caused by the want of care and comfort of live stock. Animals are, like ourselves, keenly sensitive to atmospheric influences. In a cold evening they will at once get under the shed ; when warmer they choose the open yard. I have now a number of very old ewes that have produced equal to one lamb and a half each — fine lambs. By sheltering the old folks with their lambs at night, and immediately after parturition, we have not lost a single lamb ; and by good ceding shall, as we did last year, get probably over 40s. for them before summer is out. Should we Breed or Should we Buy our Stock ? — I am decidedly of opinion that we should breed, at any rate, a portion of our stock, especially sheep. By the enclosure of common waste, and breaking up of grass lands, we are annually diminishing our rough breeding ground. Many breeders now fatten their own stock, and tlius prices for lean stock are so high as to trench upon the feeder's profit. Animals reared at home, and well fed from their birth, are altogether more hardy and more profitable, because less risky, than those we buy in. I find no difficulty in breeding on an arable farm — a few acres of pasture, some extemporised sheds, and covered yards at the homestead. In every way I consider it more profitable tlian buying in. I need hardly comment upon the necessity for a good male parent especially, as well as well-bred mothers. I like cross-breeds for sale, but not for breeding. There are, in my opinion, some points in cattle feeding which, I think, have hitherto escaped observation, and that is the " cause of the increase of lung complaint or pleuro- pneumonia." Although it may occasionally arise from cold, my view is that it is often caused by another very obvious means. "We purchase lean animals, often mere skin and bone especially Irish, which have been from their birth but poorly fed ; consequently, their blood is thin, \\ atery, and pale, and the blood-vessels small and cout»ftctcd. In our attempts to fatten them quickly, we administer good, rich food; the blood thickens and increases in volume, and demands more space for circulation. In passing through the millions of fine vessels in the lungs obstruction takes place, producing irritation, short cough, inflammation, and ultimately suppuration and deatli. The importance of a free circulation of the blood may be estimated by the fact that in the human frame from 31,000 to 3S,0(l01bs. of blood pass through the heart and capillaries every ^i hours— although tlie actual weight of blood in the body may be only 31 to 3Slbs. In a full-grown bullock, nine or ten times the weight of a man, tlie quantity of blood passing through the heart and capillaries daily must be 300,000lbs. or 13-1' tons daily. I am led to make these re- marks from observing that when very lean animals are brought on to poor badly-farmed lands and scanty herbage they gener- ally keep healthy, although their improvemait is very gradual. Indeed, on the poor heath close to me I have constant evidence that mere ragged skeletons of animals, picked up as odd unsaleable lots at a cheap rate at the tail of a market, wander about the heath and roads for a considerable time, aiud ultimately they very slowly pick up a little condition and grow and improve sufliciently to become useful. One very seldom hears of lung complaint among them, although exposed to the cold blasts of winter and tormenting flies of summer. They are brought home to a yard at night. It seems as if you could not kill them, however much you may pity them. How careful then should we be in graduating the supply of food to animals in such a condition ! Should we not so deal as with a human being almost skeletonized by starvation — certainly by very slow and cautious supplies of suitable food ? The rule holds equally good for cattle, sheep, and farm animals generally. How different the circumstances of an animal well fed from the day of its birth ! Such an animal will " stand" any amount of good food, and wiU be larger and weigh more at two years old than the other at three years. It is thus easy to understand why good high feeders, who desire rich manure and a quick return, pur- chase well-kept and high-fed animals half or tliree-quarters fat. They " go in" for finisliing up, and as my friend Hudson and other good Norfolk men say, " we begin then with 5 lbs. of oilcake daily, and get them on to 10, 15, aiid ultimately 20 lbs. per day, with all the roots they like to eat, and in addi- tion meal and hay ;" in fact, all they can eat, to make them " ripe." Fat beasts make fat crops, iind lean beasts make lean crops. In certain poorly-farmed districts the natives may well be astonished that our Norfolk friends do this as a source of profit, but so it unmistakeably is ; therefore I say, " Go and do likewise." It is important not to over-feed animals in a state of confinement without exercise ; they are then in an unna- tural condition. If, therefore, there is any indication of loathing food, immediately stop the supplies, taking care, how- ever, that they have free access to water. Empty mangers are as essentially necessary as fuU ones. A well-cleared plate in- dicates a good appetite and a not more than sufiicient supply of food, i am often made angry by my ploughmen, who wiU per- sist in feeding their horses even more abundantly when, from weather or other causes, they are Uot at work. Nothing will endanger a horse's health or our own more than absence of exercise and rich feeding. A sagacious old friend of mine, who only uses his pony occasionally, takes care to put him on short commons when not at work, and keeps lum thus in good health. A dose of salts or cold shower-bath in hot weather will stimulate the appetite. When I fattened many hogs in hot weather on sparred floors, an occasional shower-bath fi-om the irrigating jet would cauae a clearing of the bowels, a cooling of the system, and a cleansing of the skin, that prevented fever and gave them good appetites, although then very fat. These remarks would apply forcibly to many obese human beings. I need not apologize for thus en- larging on the feeding question, because it is essential to the turning to good account our root and green crops. I object to undue confinement for breeding animals, male or (more par- ticularly) females. For 18 years one of my sheds, having sparred floors, has been used by various lots of bullocks, and we have been struck by their usual and uniform sanitary con- dition. The secret is, those spars give much exercise to the tendons and sinews of the whole system by hoofs opening or expanding. It largely devclopesthe bone and muscle, and, m 1-16 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. fact, if pigs arc put on wlieu large, it gives them capped hocks. Sheep ou sparred floors do well, Ibi they, too, thus get exercise. When very cuneeutrated rich food is given aloue to animals in confineraeut, tliey can only endure it for a short period. Poul- try fed ou rich barley-meal or suet become fat iu about a fort- night, but don't go ou after that. The necessity for mixing liay or straw with our cattle food is obviously necessary as well as advantageous. We must deal difl'erently with adult or growing animals, giving to the latter bone and muscle-malcmg substance. I know some very keen farmers who in October pay 40s. to 50s. each for lambs at the great sheep fairs to carry on. Many of these are fit for the butcher, but they find it ultimately cheaper and more suited for their high feeding than 1 ean half-starved animals at a low price. I would say in con- clusion, especially to those who farm poor lands and are young beginners, cultivate deeply, keep down weeds, manure abund- antly, and produce that manure as much as possible at home by a larger cousumption of the crops you grow, aided by oleaginous cakes. To make the most of your roots and greeu crojjs it is essential that the bulk of your straw should be finely comminuted, aud consumed \^'itll those roots and greeu crops. Keep your animals warm and dry iu winter, aud cool in summer. When agriculture increases in intelligence aud scientific knowledge farmers will use coal instead of food for the production of animal heat, and will consider ventilating shafts or openings in the roofs of their cattle sheds aud stables an essential item in farm profits ; washed manure will then be an exception, aud not, as now, a rule. Wherever the sewage of towns can be brought on to the land, green crops and grasses thrive abundantly, especially the rapidly-growing Italian rye- grass, and various strong-growing grasses. A great many towns are now pouring their sewage over grass-lands, instead of wasting it by poisoning our rivers. Our legislature vnU, no doubt, in due time, make it penal to pollute our riv(!rs : this will compel town corporations to act upon the reasonable con- clusion that the only true aud remunerative deodoriser is the soil. SUBSTITUTES FOR MILK IN REARING CALVES AND LAMBS. From time immemorial farmers have been in the practice of using various infusions, decoctions, gruels, and mixtures, as sub- stitutes for milk, partly or wholly, in nursing calves and lambs. Most of our improved breeds do not give a very plentiful sup- ply of milk ; and this is also true of some of our old ones, the quantity falling short of what is necessary to rear the annual crop, which the farmer finds he can briug to market at a cer- tain age, as two-year-olds or three-year-olds, &c. Something may be done to stini'.date the secretion of a greater flow of milk in the feeding of the cows and ewes, but this often proves to be inadequate to meet the increasing demands ; for as the calves and lambs get older and bigger, tliey require more and more milk, while their daius frequently give less and less : hence the deficieucy, and rationale of the artificial supply, and also of the manner both calves and lambs arc taught to eat and drink this or that, until such time as they can shift for themselves in the pastures. Then, there are particular occa- sions aud seasons that demand artificial supplies of this kind, such as a scarcity of proper feeiling materials for cows and ewes ; or a bad season, attended with sickness and mortality iu herds and flocks ; or the propriety and even necessity of nurs- ing a greater number than usual of both calves and lambs ; or a special demand for milk to supply a deficiency in towns may arise, such as to induce farmers to sell as nuich of their cows' milk as they can, by using substitutes for nursing their young calves. Of this latter demand tlie current season furnishes inniunerable examples, owing to the niortality in town dairy- stock from rinderpest The extra demand of th^ Metropolis iu this respect upon country milk is something considerable at tlie period we write ; and the case of most of our large towns is similar, although not perhaps proportionally equal in extent. The subject thus becomes an appropriate one for discussion at the present time. Of the substitutes used, the following may be enumerated lor a special aud separate consideration — viz. : Infusions of (1) clover; (2) meadow-hay; (3) malt ; (-i) carob-bean ; (5) liquorice ; (G) molasses ; (7) sugar-cane ; (8) gruels and pud- dings of various meals or flour, as of the oat, barley, peas, and beans, Indian corn, carob-beans, linseed, either given along with a small quantity of milk, or with the above infusions, or with both ; (9) boiled carrots, parsuips, turnips, or potatoes, either mixed with the milk, or with the above infusions, or with both, either with or without gruels or pudding. 1. Clocer-tea. — Well-harvested red clover yields a rich in- fusion, which calves, when nursed by hand, very soon learn to drink, if it is properly mixed iu their milk at the commence- ment. No trustworthy rule can be laid dovvn as to the strength and quantity to be given at a meal or daily, as both these con- ditions depend very much in practice upon the quality of the clover, the size and constitution of the calf, &c. Like most other questions iu farming, liook-rules are often worse than useless, as the praelioe can only lie acquired by .serving an ap- prenticeship at tlu- woi'k. But from many years' experience in the successful use of this Ijoviue beverii'.;c iu the nursing of calves, we may add that the clover should be allowed to mace- rate in the water somewhat under the boiling point, until its soluble properties are extracted, and that when drawn-off it is not unlike double stout or a cup of good congo ; and further, if the clover has been free from mustiness, the beverage is by no means unpalatable, when mixed half-and-half or two-thirds milk. If only one-third milk is used, molasses, or gruel, or pudding of some kind, or both should be added. It is common to begin with a very small quantity of clover tea at first, some animals requiring less than others, and, as the calf takes to thriving on it, to increase the measure, reducing at the same time the allowance of milk, adding gruel, &c., as the circum- stauccs of the case require. The "gruel," "porridge," "pudding," or " stirabout," should be well boiled and rather thicker in consistency than molasses, so as to avoid unnatura^ bulkiuess in the stomach — a very important practical criteriou in the use of all such substitutes, whether given to calves or lambs, the successful rule being to imitate nature as closely as possible, both as to quantity and quality. For some animals the meal of the oats, beans, or Indian corn is rather heating : indeed, this is perhaps generally experienced, but it is easily corrected by adding a little linseed meal, boiled turnips, or carrot. All the articles thus mixed should be thoroughly in- corporated together ; and in order to effect this it may be ne- cessary, iu the case of delicate weakly calves, to keep stirring it while they are drinking. Healthy ones will greedily lick, or rather, suck-up the last morsel of porridge or turnip that re- mains in the bottom of their pails or troughs, shaking their tails all the while, iu token of satisfaction. The clover, after the infusion has been withdrawn from the boiler or mashing-tub, may, like brewer's grains, be given to milch cows or store cattle. 3. Meadow-Juii/ Tea. — Well-made meadow hay, if it has been properly heated in the stacking, yields a rich infusion highly palatable to calves, generally speaking, and which lambs also will very soon learn to relish. An infusion of green hay is, on the contrary, of very little value as a sub- stitute for milk in hand-nursing. From the writings of PUny, Columella, Varro, &c , we learn that the Iloman farmers, iu their times, were familiar with the practice of heating the haystack, for the purpose of sweetening the hay, and making it more palatable to cattle ; and Ellis, a practical farmer who wrote in the early part of the last century, states in his work, " The Modern Ilusljaudman," vol. for June, page 99, that " in Alisbury Yale and other parts they always strive to inn it a little under-made, or dampish, that it may mow-burn, and become reddish, in order to give the hay a sweeter taste and smell, for inviting cattle to eat a great deal and drink much ; which they reckon will breed the most milk or make a beast fat the sooner" ; and to this day the exi)erie,nce of the past eonlinues to be verified. " l\row-l)urning," .ns it was enlled in F.llis's lime, adds, however, much more than sweetness or saccharine matter to the infusion for nursing calves ; .nnd as some of these are of a volatile character, the hot water should TTTl^ FyVRMER'R MAGAZINE. 41' lie ki'()l ratlici- luuU'i llii' lioiliiiL; |Kiiiil, in the; CKlraftiuu of tlu' iiiniT 'julublc pvoin'rlic's ol' llic li.iy. W'c oui'sclvos luive not nmcli t'xpcricucc in tlic usi; ol' hay-lea of (his kind in uursinj^- either calves or lambs, but the i)ractii'e generally eloseiy re- sembles thatof elover-tea, with this prai-tieiil set -< ill', that there is perhaps a greater diiferenee in the quality of nieadow-hay tea than of clover-hay tea, which must be attended to in tlie adding of the other substances, so as to supply the requisite amount of wholesome nourishment in proper quantity and quality, according to tiie requirements of the stomach. 0-7. Infusions of malt, molasses, carob-beau or sweet-pod, liquorice, and sugar-cane have a common sweetness or saccha- rine property, which distingaisli them as feeding-stuti's of the kind in question. They have all propeities peculiar to each, that prominently distinguisli them from those of the others ; but they all possess a very large per-centage of saccharine matter, which gives them a common nutritive and medicinal characteristic. In the nursing of children, " sugar-sops" enter more and more largely, perhaps, into the daily regimen of tlie nursery than is altogether compatible with normal liealtli and a robust constitution in after-life ; and a similar practice appears to be gaining ground in the nursing of calves and lamljs. We cannot say we approve of it, as the sugar-sop practice has a manifest tendency to encourage obesity and otlier maladies, when a large quantity of saccharine matter is consumed by animals. Given in moderation, and properly blended with other articles, so as to counteract an excess of fatty matter or water in the system, we can readily com- prehend the propriety of its use, and this is obviously the more economical way of using infusions of malt, molasses, sweet- pod, &.C. Malt. — We have given infusions of malt to calves, lambs, and foals ; but rather as an exception than the rule, so that our experience is worth little in the latter sense. There are many weighty objections to giving it alone, or in the place of clover-tea as above, alike in a nutritive, medicinal, and economical sense, and for seasoning or sweetening clover or hay tea, gruel, kc, the other saccharine infusions are vastly preferable, more especially of earob-bean and liquorice. At the same time, a few haudfuls of good malt mixed with clover- hay greatly improves the infusion, and therefore, if the price is sutiiciently low, it may be so used to advantage ; but we have always looked upon an infusion of malt as the natural and legitimate beverage of our hard-working-classes, who, if allowed its free untaxed use, in the form of wholesome beer, would do more than consume our barley at a price much above wliat it can Ije profitably given to cattle in any form, with the exception of the inferior sorts unfit for malting-purposes, which may therefore l)e given to calves and other stock, in the form of gruel or meal. Caroh-hean. — The sweet pods oicernturia si/iqiia, Alias, carob- bean, alias locust-bean, yield a rich infusion for mixing with milk, either for man or beast. In those countries where it grows, as in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Turkey, the pulp of the sweet-pod is highly relished, both as food and medicine. In this latter sense it greatly improves the voice, and it not only gives strength and tone to the organs of speech, but to those of the whole circulation. Looking, therefore, at the present state of the health of our cattle, more especially at the in- creasing mortality from the degeneracy of the organs of circu- lation and their impaired function, and the need there is for cultivating a higher degree of health in these organs, an infu- sion of carob-bean to season the milk and dietary of young calves and lambs has many things to commend the practice to tlie attention of farmers at the present time, as the fresh dried pods contain almost all the nutritive and medicinal properties of the newly-ripened pulp. The dried pods imported into this country as feeding materials for cattle may be broken, so as to macerate more freely, by passing them under a runner or through an oilcake macliine ; or they may be bought broken and ready for use at a few shillings extra per ton. But as it is advisable to use, the pods immediately they are broken, ma- chines might profitably be made at a small cost for doing the work daily at home, the same as in breaking oilcake or in grinding coffee. Like clover-hay, they require to macerate for some time, and the broken pods and seeds, when the infu- sion is drawn off, may, when cold, be profitably given to store cattle or pigs, or mixed with meal ; they may be eaten by the calves tliemselves as dry food. iVr several years past the eftrob-be;iii lias bceu Kround into fme floui' ov meal, wmt'h li-as been successfully mixed bolh with new and skimmed milk in rearing calves. But so far as our experience goes, the infusion as above mixes better with the milk, while it has also cheap- ness in its favour, carob-bean Hour being greatly more expen- sive. On the other liand, for mixing with dry food, the carob- bean flour is preferable, as subsetiuently recommended. Liqitoricn Sa-cel-roiit (GlijcyrrhiM (jlahra), alias Liqiiorice- rool. — Much of what has above been said of earolj-bean ap- plies to the root of this plant, which although a native of Southern Europe is largely grown in some parts of England. We have no experience in tlie use of infusions of it mixed with milk in nursing calves, or yet of the bruised root for sea- soning dry food; but we believe liotb have been tried with suf- ficient success to commend them to attention. 3Iolasses. — In some districts with which we are acquainted, treacle is largely used in the nursing of calves, as a suljstitnte in part for milk — not alone, but accompanied by oatmeal jior- ridge or gruel of some other meal. Small quantities are also used for seasoning clover-hay tea and milk, &c. General rules for using it are jilentifuUy laid down at the fireside — rules somewhat similar in many respects to those given by writers on cookery lor sweetening tea, coffee, &e. ; but in practice the former are about as strictly attended to as the latter — the quantity used being invariably regulated by the quality of the article which it seasons, and the taste and temperament of those who use it. The health of many fine calves has been sacrificed by iinskilful hands giving regularly, at every meal, a certain uniform measure of molasses. Few practices require more skill than the sweetening of food for cattle ; for al- though some animals will learn to use a large quantity of mo- lasses, others require a short allowauce, and great watchful- ness in the giving of it, otherwise their bowels and stomachs get deranged. It is, upon the whole, better adapted for the cookery of work people, and of certain peculiar things, than to be used as a substitute for milk in the rearing of young stock. Smjar-cane. — In countries where the sugar-cane grows, in- fusions and decoctions of it have been given to cattle, and it has also been proposed to import sugar-cane and other plants of the kind rich in sugar, as feeding materials for cattle. The sugar-cane itself is, we aver, too valuable for yielding sugar, to be used for feeding cattle; but there are, no doubt, plants which might profitably be imported, and even grown in this country, for such purposes — plants that would yield other substances more valuable for calves' food than sugar-plants ; not used as food for man, generally speaking, but for cattle in those countries to which they are indigenous. 8. Oats, barley, peas, beans, Indian corn, and linseed are ground into meal, and used in the feeding of calves in two ways — either made into giuel or porridge, or mixed with chaff and used as dry food. Of the various kinds of porridge and puddings made, much might be said. Milk is the natural food of calves, and, if rich, they will thrive upon it apace ; but none of the above infusions can supply its place in these respects. Some odorous and sapid properties they may possess, which may enhance the nutritive value of milk, more especially when cows are fed upon inferior food ; but young calves require something more substantial, and this something is what these meals are in- tended to supply. Boiling in water, with a little salt, greatly assists both their digestion and exhibition : stirrting the dry meal into the milk without boiling does not answer well, as it falls to the bottom of the calves' dish ; and when hurriedly taken into tlie stomach in this state it greatly retards digestion, often deranging both the stomach and bowels, thereby setting the whole system on fire, as it were. A mixture of these meals is generally found to answer better than any one of them given alone , and the only safe rule that can be given for thus using them is the skill and experience of the farmer and his cow- herd. If the cattle-man finds he has got so many gallons of milk at the morning milking, so many gallons at the evening milking, with a slight variation up and down from day to day, and that he lias this to divide amongst a given number ot calves, some of whom require less or more to-day than they had yesterday, and that the whole falls greatly sliort, and, as the calves grow, it daily falls shorter, he must necessarily add his substitutes, not according to book-rule, but according to the peculiar exigencies of the case, and such requires all the skill which the most talented and experienced have attheiv commaud ; and, wc may add, without this skul and expersence, 418 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. , success is a hopeless imdertakiug. In other words, the farmer who begins on liis own skill and experience for the first time must bear in mind the old maxim of paying an apprentice-fee. 9. Carrots, parsnips, yellow turnips, swedes, mangolds, and potatoes have all been boiled, mashed-down, and mixed with the milk, or with the milk and the other etceteras, to make them divide amongst the calves, so as to give to each a suffi- ciency. They are not unfrequently required to correct the heating tendency of the preceding, and of the dry food given as noticed under the next and last paragraph ; and, as pre- viously stated, the skill of the farmer must determine how they are to be given to individuals of his young herd or flock, more especially at the commencement. As calves grow up, they require to he taught to eat some nourishing dry food, prior to weaning ; and the earlier they are so taught the better : lience, the use of com and cake, &c. But it is preferable to grind all sorts of corn into fine meal, than to give it roughly bruised and kibbled ; and to mix this fine meal with hay-cliaff, damped. Pulped roots or green food of any kind do not require damping. In Ijoth cases, a small quantity of salt should be used ; and it is better to mix the several kinds of meal at 'command, than to give any one of them individually. At the first, the quantity given should be small, and increased as the calves are found to thrive upou it. And there is nothing that more enhances the value of such dry food tliau a seasoning of finely-ground carob-bean, or liquorice to sweeten it. For lambs, there is seldom much ewes' or cows' milk to spare, for mixing with infusion ; but a very small quantity of either of the former greatly improves the latter at the first. But lambs we have always found to do best on largely-seasoned dry mixtures of meal, &c., along with greeu food of some kind. THE AMERICAN WOOLLEN TRADE. Our American brethren, with all their desire to stimu- late wool production and extend their home manufactures, find themselves in a fix for an adequate supply of the raw material. In 1864, before the present tariff came into operation, they imported seventy million pounds of wool ; while last year we only sent them about seven and a-half million pounds, of which the bulk was foreign and colonial, and only three huudi-ed and fifty-two thousand pounds British. But they want long wools sadly, and are loath to be so dependent upon the British manufactm'er for worsted and woollens. Last year they had to pay us nearly £5,000,000 for woollens, as the following figures will show : — Declared Value of Exports of Wools, Woollens, AND Worsteds to the United States in 1865. Wool £31,410 Cloths 573,114 Carpets 385,841 Shawls,&c 36,195 Worsted stufts 3,784,301 £4,810,861 In a recent article in a New York paper, the attention of the farmers is drawn to the vast importance of pro- ducing combing wool and raising mutton, the two being inseparably connected ; the good quality of oue always ensuring the superiority of the other. Here are the ob- servations of our Transatlantic contemporary : " This question assmnes an importance at the present time which it has never before attained. The great bulk of this class of wool which is consumed in the United States is produced in Canada, and has been admitted duty free ; hut the treaty with that province expires next March, and it is more than probable that the next c!ip wiU have to pay a duty. Should the pre- sent teriff remain unaltered, that duty would be 12 cents per pound, and 10 per cent, ad valorem. The best of Canada wool sells in England for 24d. ; hut if we take the average of the wool sold in the province, we should find it about 45 cents, to which if Ave add duty, we have CU cents per pound. This is a nmch better price than the finest and lightest wool raised in the United States sells for. The sheep producing the finest wool yields about two pounds per fleece, which would be about 1 dol. 70 c. per head. The large Canada sheep yield about six pounds of wool per head, which would be about 5 dols. currency -. one sheep of this class would produce about as much wool as three of the former, and about the same nro- portioaate amount of mutton. If, then we admit that the large sheep eats three times as much as the smaller oue, is it not easier to take care of three than one ? la this con- uection we have left lambs out of the question. It will be seen from the price that we pay the Canadian, and the price that good Canadian wool sells for in this market, that the duty is anticipated by the dealers. But, tai'iflf or no tariff, combing wool will and must sell high, since it is only raised to perfection upon the highly cultivated lands of England, which bear a high rent. In its production, our farmers would have to compete with wool thus raised, and which sells for 56 cents in England, or about 78 cents currency ; while raising the fine wools, they have to com- pete with countries which cau sell their wools at 12 and 16 ceuts per pouud at the sea-board. But there is another question of vast importance involved in this. Can our manufacturers pay such a very high price for wool, and with their present protection compete with the English manufactm-er ? For should the reciprocity treaty wdth Canada terminate without any alteration being made in the present tariff, then the highest rate of duty of the present tarift' would be levied upon the coarse Canada wool, and not, as was anticipated by the framers of the Tariff Bill, upon the finest wool; and it would be the coarse wool upon which this high duty would be levied for the first time, for we cannot ascertain that this high duty has been levied upon a single pound of any fine wool which has yet been imported. Om* worsted manufac- tures, being in their infancy, wiU require a protective tarift" to enable oui' manufacturers successfully to compete with the cheap capital, the experienced operative, and the cheap and better wool, of England; for our farmers having failed to supply the wants of our manufacturers, notwithstand- ing the urgent appeals that have been made, we must obtain our supply from Canada and pay this heavy duty ; and without a tariff sufficient to balance the heavy one that has to be paid on wool, they may have to abandon the enter- prise. If so, then we lose one of the most lucrative branches of business in the world, and a source of wealth not only to the farmers who furnish the wool, and to the operatives engaged in the factories, the manufactm-ei-, and the merchant, but to' the whole nation. Manufacturers cannot run their mills without stock at such a price as will induce capitalists to venture upon new enterprises, and operatives cannot consume the products of the farm unless their labour is so remunerative as to induce them to leave their native land and seek employment in om- factories." Since the commencement of the civil war, a large amount of machinery has been imported into the United States, and several factories commenced the production of worsted ; but the amount manufactured as compared with that imported is very trivial. But they are so far short of producing or obtaining an amount of long wool THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 419 adequate to tlieir wants, that there is great danger that their worsted factories will have to 1)e closed for want of raw material. The American journals arc theixforc pressing upon the notice of tlicir farmers the necessity of keeping more sheep ; and where their farms are of such a nature as to render it not tlie most prolitahle to keep large flocks, they suggest the advantage of keeping a small number of the long-wools. In Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and some other states, long-woolled sheep are on the increase. It is a weU-known fact that the sheep which produce the coarser wools give fleeces that shrink much less in cleansing than the finer wools. For manufacturing it is necessary to take out all the animal oU, in order that the wool may take colour in drying ; while a Cotswold fleece will lose in scouring but 18 or 20 per cent., some Merinos will shrink 70 per cent. The fleece of the Merino is so compact that the grease or yolk eaunot escape, but is condensed in the wool, and produces a gum which is im- pervious to moisture ; and while it protects the carcase from rain, its compactness produces all the more per- spiration, which is produced at the expense of the food consumed. The fleece of the long-wools being more open does not produce that amount of perspiration, con- sequently the food named is appropriated to the produc- tion of carcase. As there is here no duty paid on foreign wools, we im- port largely of the washed wools, to the neglect of the umvashed. The English manufacturer does not care to pay for the transportation of dirt and grease from Aus- tralia, the Cape of Good Hope, and South America. There is a reason, however, why the American manufac- turer should prefer paying for the transportation of grease rather than import clean wool. Men generally like doing that wliich is most to their interest, and it Avill be found that under the existing tarifl" the interest of the American manufacturer is to pay for the transportation of gi'ease and dirt. Although in connection with wool they buy and sell so much dirt, yet the duty they pay is really upon the scoured wool made ready for the cards. The tariff does not increase the value of the dirt one par- ticle, but it does increase the value of the wool, and it seeks to enhance the value of the American wool just in proportion to the amount of duty paid. The duties on wool are 3, 6, 12c., and 10 per cent, ad valorem, per pound. These two latter and higher figures wei'e imposed for the pm'pose of protecting the American farmer in the produc- tion of fine wool ; but these higher figures are rendered entirely inoperative by the manner in which the wool is imported. The lower duties of 3 and 6c. per poimd were imposed to protect the farmer in the production of coarse and medium wool. But the great bulk of the wool im- ported pays but 6c. per pound — a great portion of it the finest wool produced in the world. The finest avooIs pro- duced at the Cape of Good Hope, in Australia, and South Amei'ica, are all imported under the 6c. duty,because of their bad condition. They are aU unwashed, and some are so dirty that they only pay 3c. per pouud duty. Now, in order to understand how this operates, we must consider the amount which this dirty wool slu'inks, and also what the clean washed wool shrinks, and see what the duty wiU be upon the scoured pound when ready for the cards. The great bulk of the wool which pays a duty of 6c. per pouud will shrink in scouring from GO to 70 per cent., say, average about two-thirds. This would give for every 3 pounds in the grease, as imported, 1 pound of scoured wool, the duty on which woiJd be ISc. per pound. But 3 pounds of the washed wool, such as the English manu- facturer so largely imports, would shriuk in scouring about 33 per cent., or 3 pounds as imported would yield 2 pounds ready for the cards. If wool is not scoured clean, it works badly ; 8u4 any gae will uuderstaud that the dirtier the wool the worse it will be to cleau, and if not properly cleansed, the colours will not be so bright nor the finish so good. One great cause why the English and German woollen manufacturers beat the Americans in the brightness of colour and beauty of finish is, because they used more washed wool and less of the greasy wool. The importance of an increased supply of long avooI is shown in the great extension of our osvu exports of worsteds in the last four years. In 1862, the quantity of worsted stufls of all kinds exported, whether of wool only or mixed, was but 118,800,000 yards; last year it was over 232,000,000 yards, or nearly 100 per cent, in- crease, and this is quite exclusive of hosiery and other small articles. "But it is not only in the manufactiu'e of worsted that this wool is such a source of profit to England. The short wool from these fleeces, that which grows upon the belly and is not adapted to combing, and the noils, the short wool in the bottom of the staple which is taken out in combing, are manufactured into blankets." This wool, says the New York journalist, " makes coarse blankets, which, on account of the profit made upon the best part of the wool, can be aftbrded cheap ; and, as the wool is very good, it makes a blanket superior to those we can make here from foreign w-ool, and greatly depresses the price of our common domestic wool; for, unless our manufacturers can get this stock at a very low figure, the English manufacturers will undersell om-s, and that, too, with a better article. In Canada, where, on account of their inferior pastures they have a large amount of cotted fleeces, many of them from old ewes, which ought to be killed, these cotted and tender fleeces are unfit for comb- ing ; but on account of the high price which they receive for the good wool, these they sell cheap to their own manufacturers, who mix these fleeces with coarse foreign wools which they import through this country free of duty, and manufacture into Scotch Tweeds, which they sell in New York at a profit, after paying a duty of 50 to 60 per cent." THE DESTEUOTION OF BRITISH BIRDS. SiK, — As the spring advances, I wish you would urge upon your readers the policy of protecting asfar as practicable theuests of our soug-birds. It is indeed painful to observe how very mwch our birds have decreased in numbers of late years, and not the song-birds only, but with these some rare and always interest- ing specimens. The gun alone has done fearfid havoc ; the net of the birdcatcher, the use of poisoned grain, and, as the last, if least enemy, the schoolboy, have aU done much in this way. Are we to sit sUeut until our isle has lost one of its sweetest charms ? How strangely does this neglect to preserve our song-birds contrast itself with our countrymen in our antipodes, where the Englishman in the land of his adoption loves to watch the increase of Enghsh birds, and feels a kind of enchantment whilst he listens to their melody ! It is with feelings of pity and regret that we witness day by day in our game shops long strings of larks and other small birds for sale. Surely the appetite of even the epicure will turn from these tiuy morsels when he reflects that he himself is accountable for the destruction of one of the sweetest of England's warblers. I have often read flith disgust how such and such a lover of the trigger has shot some rara avis, as it is truly melancholy to fiud any man of mind who can rejoice at having destroyed one of the few specimens of some beautiful bird ; and, I ask, have we as Englishmen any just right to go on to the end annihilating eveiy known specimen ? I feel it will be said by veiy many, more particularly those wlij are game preservers, that they must treat many of these birds as vermin ; but let us pause for a moment, and ask ourselves if it is not barbarous to go on killing such illustrations of the great Creator's handi- work ? as, are we not the rather bound to hand them down as His heirlooms to future generations ? I remain, Sir yours truly, /1.-20 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE CHARTER OE THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. It is now just six-and-tweiity years since Her Majesty, in granting " this our Royal Charter" to the Royal Agri- cultural Society of England, extended such protection under the following, amongst divers other conditions: "The total exclusion of all questions at its meetings, or in its proceedings, of a political tendency, or having refer- ence to measures pending, or to he brought forward, in either of our Houses of Parliament, which no resolution, bye-law, or other enactment of the said body politic and corporate, shMl on any account or pretence whatever be at any time allowed to infringe." With the civil war then threatening between the Free-traders and Protec- tionists the introduction of such a clause was no doubt sufficiently judicious, althougli now under our altered cir- cumstances the action of this proviso is become altogether intolerable. The best uses of the Society are debarred us, and the Council has created a IMephislophiles where- with to work its own downfall. Everybody, from either within or without, is beginning to feel as much. One man says that after-ages will never credit so sorry a joke as a National Society not being permitted to refer to anything bearing upon its object that may happen to be before Parliament. Another asks, in the very house of the Society, Of what use are the ample means subscribed, if these be not properly employed ? While a third, himself a member of Council, when speaking to the most vital question with which the agriculturists have had to deal since the formation of the Society, talked of the lion in his path iu the shape of the Charter, which would not let him go as straight to the point as he otherwise might have done. For years the terrible Charter has been a drag upon the influence of what should be one of the most important Associations in the universe, as for years certain members of the Council have continued to cherish this evil spirit into life and warmth, as the poor fool of the fable did the viper in his bosom. An eftbrt, however, is at length to be made to get so monstrous a mistake amended, and at the next Jlonthly CounciDIeeting, in May, Mr. Holland will move—" That the present Charter, al- though well adapted to the wants of the Society during its first years of existence, contains provisions inapplicable to the present progressive state of agriculture ; such pro- visions having a tendency to limit the usefulness of the Society, and generally to impair its efficiency. Re- solved, therefore, that a2)plication be made to Her Majesty in Council for an amended Charter." Our contemporary, The Gardeners' ClironicJe, while main- taining the necessity of enlarged powers being conferred, still does not think it "likely that this resolution will be adopted by the present Council." And why not? Is there an institution of anything like equal calibre in this coimtry that has not had from time to time to amend its laws, and to extend the field of its operations ? Is the Royal Agriculturfil Society, specially intended to promote pro- gress, to acknowledge no principle of progress in its own constitution or action? Whenever any important proposi- tion has been brought forward at any General Meeting of the subscribers, it is pretty certain to be shelved by some jealous old member of Council, who, with an air of charitable complacency, kindly explains that really this kind of thing cannot be entertained, as it is quite contrary to the spirit of the Charter to do so ! Then, pray let us, as Mr. Holland proposes, ask her Majesty to give us an amended Charter, more in accordance with the age in which we live. Our own suggestion, as made a few months back, was, that the Council should march out in ])roccssion, and formally set light to their < 'haHcr iy the centre of jlniiover-sqvtave ; biit,"of the two, Mr. Holland's plan is to be preferred, as the more digni- fied ; and we have only to urge on that gentleman the policy of carryiug his motion to a division. Within the last few months, circumstances have brought the matter to a crisis ; and the curious apathy, or more lamentable inability, of the Royal Agricultural Society to encounter the cattle-plague must make some reform in the corporate body a necessity. The National Society has not done more — has taken no stronger lead — here than other asso- ciations with not a tithe of its income or any of the machinery just at present absolutely rusting in Hanover- square. The very specifications of the Charter, as it stands, have not been respected ; for the eighth, as it runs, is to take measures for improving the Veterinary Art as applied to cattle, sheep, and pigs. And what measures have been taken of late, when wc found the Veterinary Art so sorely required improvement? What experiments did the So- ciety set about ? What inquiries were made, or informa- tion collected, through its agency ? If the Show could not be held in consequence of the cattle plague, then the whole energy of the Society should have been concentrated in conquering the cattle plague — and then it was that Pro- fessor Simonds crossed his hands before him, and reminded the meeting that the Charter would not permit of his referring to anything before Parliament ! It is to be hoped, from all we hear, that the disease is gradually dying out ; as in the course of a week or two we shall probably have out the new number of the Society's Journal, duly armed with a list of signs and symptoms, full di- rections as to treatment, and an elaborate history of the rise and progress of the Plague for the last two or three centuries. And this is what the Royal Agricidtural Society of England will have done for the agriculturists of England in their hour of need! But we will be set aside no longer by so pitiful an excuse as this turnip-headed Charter ; and iu so many words, if the Council will not amend the Charter the country must amend the Council. Does any outside member con- sider that the Society has done what it should have done 0 ver such a difliculty as the cattle-plague ? Or, rather do we not all feel that the responsibility has been shifted by something very likea subterfuge? This is no time for trifling; and if, as our contemporary has it, ^Members of the Council who have grown grey under the working of the Charter refuse to go further, they must fall out and give place to better men. There must, however, be something baneful in the very atmosphere of that same Council-chamber, where prejudice, apathy, and intolerance seem to flourish, like noxious weeds, to the detriment of more wholesome and fructifying plants. Taken individually, there are many good names on the Council of the Roj'al Agricul- tural Society ; but collectively, these would appear to be too often led away by the most obstructive, unsound, and incapable of their fellows. If there be reason in roasting eggs, jNIr. Holland's re- solution should be carried unanimously, and an amended Chai'ter at once prepared, more in accordance with the re- quirements of the age and the Art of which he is so staunch a friend. If not-^if the Council will still continue to offer their blind devotion to an idol whose rule is main- tained by sloth and inactivity, then the day of reckoning should come at the next General Meeting. There is said to be a race of men who worship the Devil ; and surely that must be an Evil Spirit whose influence stays any body of men from doing all the good in their power ! " llim tlnis intent Ithuriel with his spear Touched liglitly"— — ■ THH FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 421 AGRICULTURE IN AUSTRALIA. The colonists of Victoria are taking a leaf from our own book, when they publish in a tabular form the results of the late harvest, which was reaped in January last, their seasons of course falling due exactly at the opposite periods of the year from ours. It is interesting to read the accoimts of the ditl'crent crops, and their appropriation in ditfereat parts of the colony. Thus barley, in many districts, is only sown for fodder for the cattle, wliilst in others there is a yield of 23 and 30 bushels per acre. Both oats and wheat also appear to be grown for hay, especially the for- mer, yielding from 5 cwt. to 3 tons per acre. Where grown for a crop of grain, wheat brings from 10 to 45 bushels per acre, but the general return is from 20 to 30 bushels. Oats, where grown for a crop, give from 20 to 60 bushels, the former being under average. In one parish we notice that 2,800 acres of this grain were sown last year, which ripened " from Christmas forward" ; in another parish 2,000 acres, and in a third 1,000, and so on. Of clover, lucerne, and grass or pasture hay, not much is grown ; and, owing to the dryness of the season, the crop where grown was almost destroyed, with but few exceptions. In one of these exceptional cases, 30 cwt. of gi'ass and 2A^ tons of clover-hay — the first that had been grown — from the first and second crop was obtained. Pota- toes are very generally grown, but up to the time when the report was issued the general crop had not been raised. The plant had suffered much from the drought, but rain had fallen, and the tubers had taken a second growth. Some of the early-planted had been taken up, and yielded 2^ tons to 8 tons per acre, the average being estimated at 5 tons. The quality is very good. In one parish as much as 800 acres of potatoes wei-e grown last season. Man- golds were in many cases a failure, or near it ; in others a fair crop, considering the unfavourable season, yielding from 10 to 35 tons per acre, the latter return being exceptionally large. Carrots are but little grown, and turnips are not even named in the returns. Maize is cultivated, but only as fodder, in which application we should think it very use- ful. From 2 to 10 tons of green food are thus produced, but the cultivation of this is not much extended. Tobacco is not much grown, and in most cases was a failure. In one case, however, 3^ tons per acre were yielded. Grapes are produced rather largely in some districts. Thus, in one parish, Evelyn, without stating the entire acreage, the report says 50 acres more than last year ; and in another report from the same parish, " very good, 2 to 3 tons — area three times greater." This crop is much encouraged by the Agricultural Society, premiimis being given for the best quality of wine. Peas appear to be a profitable crop, yielding from 20 to 50 bushels per acre, the usual average being 25 bushels. Kye from 20 to 35 bushels per acre. "Wheat, however, is the principal crop, occupying the largest extent of land — in one parish 3,000, in another 1,950 acres, and so on. The quality of the Australian wheat is weU known here ; and its extraordinary weight of 70 and 711b. per bushel would give it favour in the eyes of our millers, but that it works rather steely, which they have not generally learned how to correct. The following tabular view of the retmms is taken from a Victoria paper, of the 23rd Feb. ; Much ■ Slightly Slightly Much under ] under Average. over over Average. j Average. Average. Average. Wheat ... 15 1 5 16 14 23 Oats 3(i 1 1* 9 •i 5 Barley ... 12 ' 4 VI 5 — Oaten ha\ 3(J 10 IS 5 5 Potatoes... 35 1. 10 3 6 According to the rcpoit, the cultivation of barley is universally decreasing, although in some districts the &ct\.ia.\j!ail-i/iehl is good — say from thirty to forty bushels per acre. On the other hand, the demand for this grain is increasing in the colony. It is very probable that the newly-broken-up land will not grow barley of a good qua- lity, or in an amount sufficient to give it the preference to other crops. The Agricultural Society of Victoria is doing an im- mensity of good to the landed interest of the colony by the spirited manner in which it enters into the scientific part of the subject, and thus disseminates a knowledge of the jjriiiciples of that department of industry. The sixth annual rejiort presented by the Council to the board is a good bit of composition, and contains a body of infor- mation respecting the physical character and capabilities of the soil that cannot fail to stimulate the farmers of the colony to greater activity and enterprise. A craving for knowledge is being excited amongst them, and it is in contemplation to establish agricultural schools or colleges. Such an institution in Victoria, with the addition of agricultural libraries in all the large towns, will have a most beneficial influence on the next genera- tion of agricultm-ists. The greatest drawbacks upon agriculture in the Austra- lian colonies are the liability of the wheat plant to take the red-rust, and the periodical drought. A paper on this latter subject is inserted in The Age, which we reproduce : " I fell in with the following extract, which may be new to some of your readers : ' But the great peculiarity of the climate (Australian) is the alternation of wet and dry years in the period of about twelve or thirteen years. About every twelfth or thirteenth year is a period of drought, in which little or no rain falls. Halfway be- tween is a year in which the rain is almost unceasing. The intermediate years have a more equable distribution, but no two alike. Each year is increasing, as compared with its predecessor, in drought or moisture.' Now, if the hypothesis has any foundation, and if I interpret it aright— and taking the present, or rather the past, year, as the twelfth or thirteenth year of the cycle— it follows that during the next six years there will be a gradual in- crease of rainfall till we reach the year 1872 or 1873. Thus we may expect a very wet season, gradually m- creasing as we approach the cycle terminating in 1878, or thereabout, when a dry or rainless year may again be looked for." We have heard before of the weather in Australia moving in cycles ; while it is generally understood, even in Europe — and in England in particular — that the cyclical influence prevails, modified undoubtedly by the progress of culti- vation. In uncultivated Australia, the cycle has its full range ; and the agriciJturists of that country would do well to watch the seasons, and mark how far the above theory is borne out by the result. In the meanwhile, the present state of that department of industry is honom*- ab'e alike to the Government, the Board of Agriculture, and to its pi'actitioners, 0 Q 422 THE FAEMEH'S MAGAZINE. BEOME-DE-SC HEADER. In the spring of last year one of our best agricultural seedsmen forwarded to me a small packet of the seeds of the new and ])opular French grass, brome-de-schrader, with a request that I would give it a small space some- where, to test its applicability for general service as an " artificial or forage grass." I'he packet was a small one; so with the view of making the most of it, I drilled a few rather short rows, and dropped seeds singly in the drills, about four or five inches apart, covering them sL'ghtly over with finely-pulverized mould. The spot chosen was in the midst of a field of rich loam, and in high culti- vation, " as fine as an onion-bed" ; indeed, it formed the division between two large plots of onions grown as a field-crop. Of course it came up very thinly, and for some time I entertained poor anticipations of its success- ful progress. Moreover it became slightly infected with chickweed, witli which our rich loams too greatly abound. However, by degrees, the grassy spikes began to show strength, and as that increased, the growth became re- markably rapid, for no sooner had each plant got firm hold of the ground than it put forth tillers ; these tillers emanating from the original stocks, and not from si)read- ing roots or runners, as in the white-clover plant. Each plant in the course of a fevt' weeks became a little tussac, and before the summer was ended the whole plot was fiUed up with these tussacs — for such they were, rather than a bed or plot of thick grass. As the plant grew in strength and bidk, they began to put forth an unusual number of seed-producing stems. This tendency rather disappointed me, and I felt inclined to think disparagingly of it; but recollecting the peculiarity of its culture, and the frequent iiocings it underwent in tlie earlier stages, I decided that this was accidental, rather than its habitude; but whether it be so or not, I have so far no means of proving. The quantity of seed the little plot produced astonished me. The plants were continuously throwing out seed-stalks, and also ripening the seed on the older ones, so that to gather the seed properly it was requisite to cut off the ripe heads once a week, and store them away to dry. I say to dry ; and this was necessary, be- cause if the seed was left too long, much of it would blow down or shake off before fully ripe ; indeed, what few seeds did escape me sufficed to seed a surrounding screed twice the size of the original plot ; and these seedlings were so tenacious of life as almost to defy the hoe's powers to eradicate them. The grass itself is a " brome grass :" the seed-heads are heavy and full of seed, which soon shake, even when in a state of greenness. The blade is a broad grass-blade, of considerable length and fullness — nearly as broad as a wheat-blade, broader than rye-blades ; at the same time evidently succiUent, very eatable, and highly nutritious. There does not appear any hardness or wiry nature about the blades of grass, but the seed-stalks are tough and stringy, and certainly when left to grow, like the eultivatcd plot, the seed-stalks form the major part of the plant. Of course, taken as an artificial grass for forage or the icythe, it would be altogether a different application of its uses and value. Prom my observation of its growth and habits, I am of opinion that it wUl prove a very jaluable addition to the stock of our artificial grasses, an'd lor early mowing, or early grazing, will take a very high position. At this very time I have a large plot of lucerne ni the same field : I have watched the growth and pro- ^res? of both plots. Tho bvome-de-schrader in the month of March was considerably a-head of the lucerne, and apparently will be first ready for the scythe, and, owing to its thickness on the ground and length of grass blade, will probably yield as large a cutting as the lucerne, al- though the latter itself is a very fine plot. The great advantage in this plant is its capability of standing our wintry climate, and growing so rapidly in the early spring. It is this peculiarity that has so favourably im- pressed me as to its value for cultivation as a forage grass for early mowing. For grazing purposes it does not ap- pear to me to be so advantageous. It is a coarse grass, and therefore most likely to cause scouring in common grazing ; but used as early spring feeding, after a slow process of growth through the cold mouths of winter, it would prove very valuable. For ewes and lambs in the early- lambing season it would be invaluable. It grows faster than rye, and is less likely to cause injurious ailments than rye — the one being the growth of a few months, the other being a permanent grass. I have this day (April 13th) sown a large plot of brome-de-schrader, for the very purpose of mowing for my horses, rather than tm-n them into the field for summer grazing. In this way a small plot comparatively will keep a horse, because of the thickness of the herbage or grass and the rapidity of its growth. It has been my usual practice to cultivate lucerne and tares for this pm-pose ; and I now aim to make the same use of this new plant, believing that it will prove a satisfactory application. I think it will have this preference. All artificial grasses r-equire a periodical renewal, tares annually, lucerne from four to ten years, sainfoin two to five years, chicory every second or third year, &c., &c. ; but the brome-de-schrader will, I be- lieve, prove a permanent grass, and wiU only require fre- quent manuring and to be kept clean. I believe it will take the place of rye and other cereals usually sown for early spring feed. It is presumptuous for me to speak so highly of it, from the little expei-ience I have had of its culture and uses. I hope, however, that many of our agri- cultm-ists will obtain small packets of seed, and try as an experiment its relative values with other grasses. It is only in this way that it can be fully tested. The expe- perience of competent men in various parts of the king- dom, and tried upon various soils, will soon prove its capabilities and utility. THE MOLE. — ^DuU and sombre as the mole appears to be, it is by far tlie fiercest and most active mammal within the British Isles. Indeed, so remarkable is it for both these qualities, tliat I doubt whether the great ferae of tropical climates can equal it either in ferocity, activity, or voracity. We need not pity the mole for the dull life which we suppose it to lead below the ground. There the mole is happy, and there only can it develop its various capabilities. We must not judge other beings by ourselves. We are apt to envy the swallow for its sunny tiight througli the air in cliase of iiies, and to pity the mole for its darkling passage through the eartli in chase of worms. Yet, there is no doubt but that both beings receive equal pleasure in carrying out the object of their existence, and that the mole feels no less gratification in the capture of a worm than the swallow in the capture of a fly. Such, at aU events, is the inference whicli is to be drawn from the manner in which the mole acts when it has seized a worm ; for no one can witness the active eagerness with which it flings itself upon its prey, and the evident enjoyment with which it consumes its hapless victim, without perceiving that the creature is exultantly happv. — Howes vHhout Hands. By the Rev. J. G. Wood. THE FARMER'S MAGAZmE. 423 THE RATING OF GAME. Dear Sir, — Mr. Twynam having written to you on the above subject, and expressed, as I consider, an erroneous opinion on the law of rating, you would greatly oblige by al- lowing me tlirough the medium of your paper to allude to a few of his observations. " Is'ow in this part of tlie country we do not tax the occu- pier with the full value of what the laud would realise, barring the game ; and it was precisely of this wan/ ofpou-cr to charge some party, of which I spoke, &c." I repudiate the idea of any irrin/ of power to charge the oc- cupier (for rating purposes), upon tlie gross value of his farm ; the damage by game (excepting of course where landlord and tenant liavc no control over the same) not being allowed to interfere between tlie gross and rateable value. I use the term of " occupier" as generally accepted, viz., the person who occupies a farm for agricultural purposes ; the law not acknowledging the landlord as an occupier, who merely re- serves to himself the right of sporting. The law holds that tlie game belongs to such occupier, and it is only by expi'css agree- ment that it can be made otherwise ; and when this is done, the tenant signs away a part of the gross value of his occupation in proportion to the damage doue by the game ; he may also sign other and unusual covenants unfavourable to himself, until the value left for agricultural purposes, and consequently the rent, be reduced to a mere shadow. With these matters assess- ment committees iuive nothing whatever to do, it beiug their duty to assess property " at what it might reasonably be ex- pected to let at from year to year," including game and other tenant riglits (excepting 'those which are specially reserved or by custom belougiug to the landlord) ; not what the property does actually let at, although the rent actually paid may be assumed to represent the gross value iit the ahsence of better eddeiice to the coiiiranj. Mr. Twynam further says, " My views are fully confirraod by the following resolution, &c. : — ^' " Tliat game being a marketable article and commonly sold by game preservers, the land on wliich it is reared should be assessed at its fidl value for agricultural purposes, the laud- lord paying rates and taxes ou the amount of value absorbed by the game." It should certainly be assessed at its fiiU value, the land- lord and tenant paying, in some form or other, their several and fair proportions to the rates. But it matters not whether the landlord pays it directly or indirectly : it can be legally charged, and should be paid wholly by the tenant iu the first place, leaving it from this poiut a matter of private arrangement between himself and his landlord. Income and expenditure ought to iuilueuce the amount of rent more than it does. If a tenant pays, in the shape of rates, what in equity ought to be paid by his landlord, of course he cannot afford to pay so much iu the shape of rent. For instance, if the gross annual value of a farm be £4^44 (which amount we must sup- pose to represent the rent under ordinary circumstauces), the rateable value, allowing 10 per cent, for repairs and other out- gomgs, would be within a trifle of £400. But the landlord re- serves by covenant to the extent of one-fourth, on which the tenant pays rates, as well as on his own. In consideration of such reservation the rent is reduced to £312 Is. 6d., the account standing thus : One-foiu'th of gross value reserved by the laud- lord £111 0 0 Rates on £1 00, beiug the rateable value of the £111, say at 4s. in the £ 20 0 0 Tenant's income-tax, 4d. in the £ ou half of £111 0 18 0 £131 18 6 £444, less £131 ISs. Gd.=£312 Is. 6d. I say, iu this case the tenant ought and can be rated at £444, not on the reduce^ rent of £312 Is, 6d. j vnd m^w this principle is acted upon, the tenant who holds vnder no suck reservation is unfairly dealt with. " If I, a valuer, were to estimate a farm at what might appear to me its natural value when not exposed to game depreda- tions, say at 20s. per acre, while the tenants on this and neighbouriug farms were only giving 15s. in consequence of these depredations, it is quite clear to me that assessment at 20s. would be quashed before any Ijcncli of magistrates, Src." Upon appeal the 15s. assessment would be quashed, not the 20s. If Mr. Twynam assessed the value at 20s., I have no doubt but this \j-ould fairly represent the real value, and I re- spectfully recommend ili. Twynam, luidersuch circumstauces, to stand by his figures, whether before Assessment Committee or Quarter Sessions : be may with safety stake his reputation upon the result. Mr. Twynam further says : " I would refer to the multitude of cases of every-day occurrence to valuers, where they meet witli farms belonging to one man surrounded by preserves be- longing to another, and where very frequently tlie crops are altogether destroyed. Perhaps these lauds might be worth 30s, per acre if out of the range of the game : situated as they are, not 10s. It is impossible that we can assess them at their natural value, &c." In this case there is a great grievance, the gross value being afl'ected to the extent of 20s. per acre, and consequently this amount is lost for rating purposes, neither landlord nor tenant luaving any control over their neighbour's property. Believa me to remain yours very truly, Henry Poole, Ashampstead, Berh, Ajiril llth. THE LESSONS OF THE LEAVES, How do the leaves grow In Spring upon their stem ? 0 the sap swells up with a drop for all, And that is life to them. What do the leaves do Through the long summer hours ? 0 they make a home for the wandering birds, And shelter the wild flowers. How do the leaves fade Beneath the autunm blast P 0 fairer they grow before they die — Their brightest is their last. We are like leaves, too, 0 children, weak and small : God knows each leaf of the forest shade, He knows you, each and all. Never a leaf falls Until its part is done ; God gives us grace, like sap, and theu Some work to every one. You must grow old, too, Beneath the autumn sky ; But lovelier and brighter your lives may grow, Like leaves before they die- Brighter with kind deeds. With love to others given ; Till the leaf falls oif from the autumn tree, And the spirit is in heaven. 9 9 2 424 THE TAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND SOCIETY. A monthly meeting of the Council of this Society was held at Douch's Railway Hotel, Taunton, on Tuesday, March 27, under the presidency of Sir J. T. B. Duckworth, Bart. Tliere were also present Messrs. H. G. Andrews, Ji. G. Badcock, R. Brent, M.D., C. Bush, R. H. Bush, J. 11. Cotterell, T. Danger, J. T. Davy, R. R. M. Daw (Hon. Sec. Arts Depart- ment), E. S. Drewe, M. Farraut, H. Fookes, J. Fry, Johu aud Jonathan Gray, J. Hole, J. Lush, H. St. John Maule (Hon. Sec), H. G. Moysey, J. W. Sillifant, J. C. M. Stevens, H. Spackman (Official Superintendent), and J. Goodwin (Secre- tary and Editor). The Contracts Committee reported tlie acceptance of the tender of Mr. Horatio Ward, confectioner, of Salisbury, for the supply of tirst aud second-class refreshments, at the Salis- bury meeting, in June, 1866. South Kensington Loan Museum. — Om the motion of Mr. Drewe, Chairman of the Arts Department, tlie Presi- dent was requested to communicate with Earl Granville, President of the Council on Education, requesting permission for the loan collection from South Kensington Museum to be exhibited at the Salisbury meeting. Prizes Offered by the Salisbury Local Committee. — The following prizes, offered by the Local Committee, were sanctioned by the Council : — Ponies. — For the best pony bred in the New Forest, under 14 hands, of any age, £5 ; second ditto, £3 ; for the best mare aud foal, £5 ; second ditto, £3 ; for the best pair of ponies, £5. WiUshire Cheese. — Prizes amounting to £18. Wheat and Barley. — For the best sack of wheat grown in Wiltshire, or within 20 miles of Salisbury, in 1865, by the exhibitor, £5 ; for the best sack of barley ditto, £5. Dog Show. — At the February meeting of Council it was resolved " that, under the exceptional circumstances of the year, the Council are willing to make arrangements for the admis- sion into the show-yard at Salisbury of an exhibition of dogs, provided the expenses attending it are guaranteed by the Salisbury Local Committee." The Salisbury Committee, at a meeting since held, have resolved to offer £100 in prizes for dogs, and the Council to-day accepted aud approved the prize slieet, which was ordered to be printed and issued without delay, as the time for entry is necessarily very limited. The show will be under the direction of the stewards, Messrs. T. Pain, S. Pitman, and J. Hole ; secretary, Mr. J. Goodwin. New Member of Council. — Major Ralph Shuttleworth Allen, of Bathampton, was unanimously elected a member of Council to supply the vacancy caused by the lamented decease of Dr. Gillett. The Cornwall Meeting. — The following letter from the town clerk of Penzance was read, and ordered to be entered on the minutes : — Town Clerk's Office, Penzance, 1st March, 18G6. Dear Sir, — Your letter of the 14th inst. to the hon. secre- taries of tlie committee for promoting the holding of the pro- posed Cornwall Exhiliition of the Bath and West of England Society at Penzance has been laid by them before a joint meeting of that committee and the committee of the Town Council appointed with the same object aud reported by them to the Town Council ; and I am instructed, while expressing the regret of all parties that Penzance has failed in its endea- vour to obtain the meeting, to assure you of their wish that the meeting at Falmouth may be a very successful one, and largely promote the best interests of the society. I am, dear sir, yours very truly, (Signed) E. H. Rodd, Josiah Goodwin, Esq. Town Clerk. New Members.— Lieutenant-Colonel Wickham Freeman, i, Johnstone-street, Bath ; Mr. R. E. Peach, Bridge-street, Bath ; Mr 11. Stokes, mayor of Salisbury ; Messrs. Brown w-r 'n, ''"'■y;^'^'"- William Beach, Salisbury; Mr. Wilham Taunton, RecUynch, Downton ; Mr. E. L. Barrett ieraora House, King's County, Ireland. Members Increasing their Subscription.— Mes^irs. Larson and Toone, Warminster. THE CATTLE PLAGUE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir, — You some time since inserted a letter from Mr.Batho, of English Frankton, near Ellesmere, the inventor of a plan for placing cattle in detached underground stalls, in which he described the manner of forming the cells, aud the success which had hitherto attended the experiment. Although the system has been adopted in several parts of the district with most satisfactory results, it does not appear to be generally known to the public, and as some of the Cheshire farmers whose stocks have been swept away express a regret that they were not made aware of it in time, I am in- duced to ask you to give it publicity iu The Times. The original plan has been somewhat improved. Where the subsoil is porous, or a fall of 6 ft. can be obtained for a drain, there is no difficulty whatever. A hole is made 15 ft. in length, 10 ft. wide, gradually decreasing towards the bottom to prevent the falling in of the soil, and 5 ft. in depth. A light rail or two stretched across the top support branches or brushwood placed in a conical shape and surmounted by thatch. The en- trance is by an inclined pathway at the lower end or corner of one of the sides ; a hurdle laced with straw forms the door, for which a south aspect should be chosen ; a manger or trough, with upright poles for tying two cows, completes the stall. The average expense for labour is 43. 6d., or 2s. 3d. per head, for digging and thatching. In the village of Lineal, near Ellesmere, Mr. Jarvis has had his cattle for nearly three months underground ; there has been no difficulty as to the calving, aud his farm is the only one in or near the village which has escaped the disease. At Mr. Batho's own farm a large stock underground are doing very well, although under most disadvantageous circumstances, as they have been surrounded by tlie dying and the dead cattle of his adjoining neighbour, an extensive stock-owner, and yet only one animal has been attacked, and that in a mild form. At Bartlemy, near Crewe, on a large farm, the result has been most gratifying. In the parish of Newtown the owner of a valuable stock has so skilfully arranged his plans that he finds no difficulty whatever in the cows being milked, or sup- plied with food and water, although the stalls are far apart and at a distance from the house. In fact, from every quarter where the experiment is being tried most satisfactory reports are received. For their construction and perfect ventilation the stalls pre- serve an even temperature, whether in cold or warm weatlier, and the animals are, therefore, free from the evil effects of sud- den atmospheric changes. As the summer approaclies no insurmountable difficulty need be apprehended, as, although it will involve some slight ex- pense to have the fodder cut and brought to the stock, an acre of grass will go further than when grazed, aud much valuable manure will be secured. It is true that in looking forward to breeding for next year some little doubt may be expressed, but I believe that the ac- customed attendants will in most instances be able to form a correct idea as to the usual indications. There is sufficient length in the stalls for the newly-born calves to be comfortably aud securely confined in the lower corner. To detach is a sine qua non, aud the first step to be insisted upon, for wherever large stocks are crowded together the disease created fearful havoc. In a Cheshire parisli near Malpas every farm has been attacked, the losses iu some instances being 75 per cent., while the cottagers with only one or two cows have escaped. Mr. Bathe desires tliat the public should have an opportunity of testing the vahie of an experiment in which he and all who have tried it have the utmost confidence, and he will give every facility for the inspection of the stalls, or answer any written inquiry. The plan involves no risk whatever, and but a trifling ex- pense, while it appears to be the only preventive suggested which has not failed. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, ■^pril 7. A North Shropshire Vicaii, THE PARMER'S MAGAZINE. 425 THE NEW CATTLE-PLAGUE ORDERS. The following is a synopsis of the new Order in Council ; On and after the 16th of April, IStiG, sheep, pigs, and goats may be removed at any hour and anywhere in England and Wales, without licence. Cattle (that is, animals of the ox species) intended for im- mediate slaughter may he moved in or from the county of -, under the order of a justice tliereof, or of the super- intendent of police of the division (being first marked with the letter X). Store cattle can be moved only under the order of a justice. One and tlie same licence will suffice to remove to any part of England or Wales ; but no cattle (out of London or a Muni- cipal borough) are to be moved on any highway between sun- set and sunrise. A borough magistrate has the same power as a county magistrate as to store cattle to be removed from the borough ; and fat-stock licences are to be granted by the cor- poration, or by the committee of persons appointed by them for the purpose. Fat cattle are not to be removed from any " infected place," nor from within one mile of premises where the plague exists, nor unless they have been for 38 days on the premises whence they are to be removed. Store cattle : To obtain the licence to remove them, the owner or his agent must declare before the justice that they are free from the plague, and that for the previous two months the plague has not existed on his premises, or within two miles : that they have been there for 28 days, and have not been in contact \^ith any newly-purchased animals. If the cattle are to be removed beyond the county, two occupiers of upwards of 100 acres of laud, living, if possible, within two miles (or occupiers of over 50 acres, if the cattle are not going out of the county), must also certify tliat they have viewed the animals, tliat they appear free from the plague, and that they believe in the correctness of the owner's declaration. Eat stock licences may remain in force for one, two, or three days. Store stock licences remain in force six days ; but the cattle must not be driven through any " infected place," or within one mile thereof. Farmers may, without licence, remove their cattle from one part of the county to another, not exceeding 500 yards, or by licence heretofore granted or hereafter to be granted by the Petty Sessions (subject to revocation), to any distance not ex- ceeding three miles from their liomesteads, or to or from the nearest public watering-place, if they cannot obtain water enough on their farms. For Breeding Purposes : A magistrate, officiating clergyman, churchwarden, guardian, or police-constable may license the removal of any cow to and from within two miles. Out of infected places (so declared by the Sessions) no animal is on any account to be removed, nor any liide or part of any animal, nor any dung, litter, hay, straw, &c., except under stringent regulations. Markets for sheep and swine will be open as usual, but not for cattle before the 1st of June. The Privy Council may, however, license the liolding of markets for fat stock ; but all animals brought are at once to be marked for slaughter, and killed within four days (sold or not), without being removed from the market beyond such limits as the Privy Council shall prescribe. If sheep, swine, &.C., are brought into such a cattle market, they must be marked and slauglitered in the same manner. THE DISEASE AMONGST SHEEP. Sir, — The publication of Mr. Marshall's letter, of North Lynn, describing the disease with which his sheep were affected, and the way tliey were cured, has been of so much advantage to myself that I feel it is my duty to give the par- ticulars (if you will kindly allow me) of a terrible disease that attacked my flock of ewes, and the way they have been treated, and the result. I have not hitherto been a believer in sheep being subject to rinderpest, but it is right that I should state that from February 5th to March 4th I lost 20 head of cattle from plague, and they were buried in a meadow close by a yard in whicli the sheep were placed at night, and as the ewes lambed they were turned into this meadow. My flock comprised 125 two and three-year-old ewes, and they were considered by my friends and neighbours to lie as fine sheep and in as good condition as any person could desire. I prided myself on my ewes. About the 27th of February the ewes showed appearance of disease, and the symptoms were drooping of the ears, grinding of tlie teeth, arched backs, violent purging, and the smell of the dung was very offensive. When those that died were opened, the liver and kidneys appeared very much inflamed, and the inside of the fourtli stomach was covered with purple- like spots, and the smell from the sheep was so bad that one man said he would never open anotlier like them. From the 1st of March to the 5th of April I lost 40 ewes and from 70 to 80 lambs, and there was every appearance of tlie whole flock dying, when my landlord (Mr. Micklefield, of Stoke Ferry) advised me to consult Mr. Woods, of Merton, and see if anything could be done for the sheep ; and I did so on Thursday, the 5th inst. On Friday, the Gth, Lord Walsingliam's shepherd was sent, with sufficient medicine to dose the remaining 85 sheep. When he saw them lie found three so bad that he said they were too far gone to recover, and put a mark on them. Every ewe had a soda-water bottle fuU of the medicine, and on Saturday and Sunday it acted freely on the bowels, and the ewes appeared ratlier worse than tliey had been before. The dung was a mass of slime, streaked with blood. On Tuesday, the 10th, the sheep began to improve, and have continued to improve ever since. Only 10 ewes required a second dose of medicine, and this (half a soda-water bottle full) was given on Wednesday, the 11th. The 3 sheep marked by the shepherd died. The remaining 82 are now pronounced to be quite well in health, and are evidently regaining their condition. Since the ewes improved in health the lambs have ceased dying, and are novr doing well. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Wrelton, near Sioke Ferry, William Cartek. 20//i April, 1866. [These letters read so like advertisements that it would be desirable to ascertain whether Mr. Woods intends to give the country the benefit of his recipe, or merely means to sell the mixture. — Editor.] REVIEWS. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF JERSEY, 186G. This Report speaks in deprecation of the high breeding and feeding of milch cows, by which their breeding and milk- ing properties are considerably reduced, and in some cases whoUy lost. There is, we believe, a law in force in the Island of Jersey against the introduction of any bulls or cows from France, under a determination to keep their own \y;iit\pure. The Alderney race, which is thus kept pure, is everywhere esteemed ; and so far the Jerseyites are right to keep them from crosses with other stock, which might injure or lessen their value as dairy-stock. THE MANAGEBIENT OF FARSI STOCK IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. By a Scottish Tenant-Farmer. Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh. 1866. To have possessed a dairy of cows for fifteen years, with the loss of only three cows and cattle out of 300 and up- wards, entitles the author of this pamphlet to some at-^ tention. Moreover, of tlicse three, two died from accidents,* and the third after calving, which was thus the only one the owner lost in the natural way. This work describes the structure of the byres, the winter and summer feeding of cows, attendance upon them, management in disease and ill- ness of sheep and horses, with an appendix containing a his- torical sketch of the rinderpest. The pamphlet contains much valuable information. NEWCOMBE'S FARM ACCOUNT BOOK. Stamford. 1866. Besides a Diary and Cash Account, this book contains what is much wanted on a farm — a ready reckoner, showing the value of a sheep at from 4eice8ter House, Great Dorer-street, Boroueh, London, b«gs to caU the attention of Farmers and Graziers to his valuable SHEEP and LAMB DIPPING COM- POSITION, which requires no Boiling, and may be used with Warm or Cold Water, for effectually destroying the Tick, Lice, and all other insects injurious to the Flock, preventing the alarming attacks of Fly and Shab, and cleansing and purifying the Skin, thereby greatly Improving the Wool, both in quantity and quality, and highly contributing to the general health of the animal. Prepared only by Thomas Bigg, Chemist, Ice., at his Manufac- tory as above, and sold as follows, although any other quantity may be had, if required :— 4 lb. for SO sheep, price, Jar included £0 2 0 6 1b. SO „ „ „ 0 3 0 8 lb. 40 „ „ „ 0 4 0 10 lb. SO „ „ „ 0 5 0 SO lb. 100 „ „ (cask and measure 0 10 0 SO lb. 150 „ ,. included) 0 15 0 40 lb. 200 „ „ „ 10 0 50 lb. S50 „ „ „ 19 6 60 lb. 800 „ „ „ 17 8 80 1b. 400 „ „ „ 1 17 6 1001b. 600 „ „ „ 2 6 0 Should any Flockmaster prefer boiling the Composition, it will b« equally effective. MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE. From Mb. Hbrapath, tke celebrated Analytical ChemUt : — Bristol Laboratory, Old Park, Jauuary 18th, 1861. Sir, — I have submitted your Sheep-Dipping Composition to analysis, and find that the ingredients are well blended, and the miztira neutral. If it Is used according to the directions given, 1 feel satisfied, that while it effectually destroys vermin, it will not Injure the hair roots (or " yolk ") in the skin, the fleece, or the carcase. I think It deserves the numerout testimonials pub- lished. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, William HssArATH, Sen., F.C.8., &c., Jcc, To Mr. Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry, Leicester Home, Gre»t Doref'Btreet, Borough, London, He would also especially call attention to bis SPECIFIC, 6 LOTION, for the SCAB, or SHAB, which will be found a certala remedy for eradicating that loathsome and ruinous disorder in Sheep, and which may be safiUy used in all climates, and at all seasons of the year, and to all descriptions of sheep, even ewes in lamb. Price FIVE SHILLINGS per gallon— sufficient on an average for thirty Sheep (according to the virulenca of the disease); also in wine quart bottles, Is. 3d. each. IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL. "Scoulton, near Hingham, Norfolk, April leth, 1895. " Dear Sir, — In answer to yours of the 4th inst, which would have been replied to before this had I been at home, I hav« much pleasure in bearing testimony to the efficacy of your in- valuable' Specific for the cure of Scab in Sheep.' The 600 sheep were all dressed in August last with 84 gallons ol the ' Non- Poizonous Specific,' that was so highly recommended at tha Lincoln Show, and by their own dresser, the best attention being paid to the flock by my shepherd afterdressing according to instructions left; but notwithstanding the Scab continued getting worse. Being determined to have the Scab cured if possible, I wrote to you for a supply of your Specific, which I received the following day; and although the weather waa most severe In February during the dressing, your Specific proved itself an invaluable remtdy, forin three weeks the Sheep were quite cured ; and I am happy to say the young lambs are doing remarkably well at present. In conclusion, I believe it to be the safest and beet remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir, your obedient servant, " For JOHN TINGEY, Esq., " To M»;-Thoma8 Bigg." " R. RENNET. 8^" Flockmasters would do well to beware of such prepara- tions as " Non-poisonous Compositions :" it is only necessary to appeal to their good common sense and judgment to be tho- roughly convinced, that no •' Non-poisonous" article can poison or destroy insect vermin, particularly such as the Tick, Lice, and Scab Parasites— creatures so temicious of life. Sach adrertised preparations must be wholly uiolest, or they ue not what they are represented to be. Dipping Apparstui c>.,.JeU, £6, X4,& «S. THE SUnmAN PHOSPHATE GOHPANT. This Company has been established for the purpose of working and developing the new PHOSPHATIC DEPOSITS recently discovered by Mr. Hope Jones, in the Lower Silurian formation, at Cwmgwnen, in North Wales, and described by Dr. Voelcker in a Paper read by him before the British Association at Birmingham. Pending the explorations which are now being carried on at the low level of the mine, a provisional arrangement has been made with the PHOSPHO- GUANO COMPANY to manufacture two classes of Super-Phosphates from these new deposits, at their extensive Works at Seacombe, near Birkenhead ; while Messrs. W. Dixon and Co. will conduct the general business of the Company at the Temporary Offices, North Western Bank Buildings, Liverpool. The supply of the Phosphates from the present workings being limited, the quantity ' which can be manufactured for the ensuing season will not exceed b,000 tons. A provisional Contract has also been entered into with Messrs. Peter Lawson and Son, of Edinbm-gh and London, for the sale of the Silurian Super-Phosphates in 'i$ :pate]¥T Mii^ff^mc^ ai»:paiiatijs, by means of which lOO Cows lUAy Milk tUeiU.»ielve)* in Olie Hour. It is recom- mended by se veral well-known land stewards of the United Kingdom for its ClennlineiSS, <|llick- lieSlS and economy. Farmers need only to give it a trial to see its advantages over all other inventions. "We have received from so trust ^'Ol'tliy a source so good an account of the Pocket Milking Apparatus that wo feel ourselves JllStifiecl in calling the attention of our readers to it." — Bell's Messenger, Jan. 4, 1864. Price 10s,, the Set Complete, pr>st free. -Circulars sent on demand.— A liberal discount to orders for dozens of sets. Post Office Orders to be made payable to THOMAS BARLAND, 16, NORFOLK-STREET, STRAND, LONDON. P£IO£ EACH. NEATLY PRINTED IN FOOLSCAP OCTAVO, EACH VOLUME CONTAINING from 130 to 190 PAGES OP LETTERPEESS EICHAKDSOfS RURAL HASD- BOOKS, NEW EDITIONS, REVISED AND ENLARGED. HEAT : ITS HISTORY" AND CUL- TIVATION.—By The Old Norfolk Fakmek. FLAX : ITS CULTIVATION AND PRE- PAEATION, AND BEST MODE OF CON- VERSION.—By Jamks Ward, Author of " The World and its Workshops," &c. URAL ARCHITECTURE: a Series OF DESIGNS FOR RURAL AND OTHER DWELLINGS. The Ground Plans, Elevations, and Specifications by James Sanderson, Borough Engi- neer's Oflice, Liverpool. THE AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTOR j OR, YOUNG FARMER'S GLASS BOOK.— By Edmund Muriiiy, A.B. DOMESTIC FOWL: THEIR NATURAL HISTORY, BREEDING, AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT. THE FLOWER GARDEN.— By George Glenny, F. L. S., Author of " Properties of Flowers," &c. ORSES; THEIRVARIETIES, BREED- ING, AND MANAGEMENT. — Edited by M. M. MiLBURN. OGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. IGS : THEIR ORIGIN AND VARIE- TIES. r^OWS AND DAIRY HUSBANDRY.— Vy Bv M. M. MiLBURN, Author of " The Sheep,' &c. — (The Dairy Department revised by T. Horseall). SHEEP AND SHEPHERDING. — Em- bracing the HISTORY, VARIETIES, REAR- ING, FEEDING, and GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP ; Avith TREATISES on AUSTRALIAN SHEEP FARMING, the SPANISH and SAXON MERINOS, &c.— By M. M. Milburn, Author of "The Cow," and of various Agricultural Prize Essays. THE HIVE AND THE HONEY BEE. PESTS OF THE FARM.— A New Edition. — By M. M. Milburn, Author of " The Sheep," &c, LAND DRAINAGE, EMBANKMENT, AI^D IRRIGATION. — By James Donald, Civil Engineer, Derby. SOILS AND MANURES, with INSTRUC- TIONS FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT.— By John Donaldson, Government Land Drainage Sur- veyor. In tf)e Irrss, in continuation of tf)e smnt ^eties^ T HE IMPLEMENTS OF THE FARM. —By R. Scott Burn, C.E. THE POTATO: ITS HISTORY, CUL- TURE, AND NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.— By S. Copland. London: Hoxilston & "Wright, 65, Paternoster-row ; Kogerson & Tuxford, 246, Strand. Dublin : J. McGlashan, Upper Sackville-street. And all Booksellers. ^ ^ % I ^' ^ THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. JUNE, 1860. PLATE T. A SHORT-HORN STEER. THE PROPERTY OF MR. ROWLAND WOOD, OF CLAPTON, THRAPSTON, NORTHAMPTON. This Steer, bred and fed by Mr. "Wood, and calved on January 8th, 18G2, was by Henry 5th (19944) out of Joan, by Diamond (5918); her dam Julietta 4th by 2nd Duke of Northumberland (364G)— Julietta, by Young Seagull (5100)— Young Juliet, by Boucher (795) — Juliet, by Sultan (1485)— Ewar's Charlotta, by Charles (6852)— by Yarborough (705). The following is a summary of this famous steer's doings in the show-yard: 1864. — Sept. 30, First prize at the Huntingdon Show, of £3, and extra prize at the same meeting for the best steer in any of the classes of £5 ; Oct. 5, second prize at the Peterborough Show, open to all England, when two years and nine months old — the first prize being awarded to a Scot four years and six months old, that aftei-wards took first prize of £30 in London— £5, 1865. — July 5, first prize at the Northampton Show, open to all England, £15; Sept. 27, first prize at the Huntingdon Show, as the best steer in the yard, of any breed or age, £5 ; and at the same meeting a silver cup, as the best steer in any of the Short- horn classes, bred by the exhibitor, value £21 : Dec. 2, at Birmingham, for Shorthorns in Class 5, open to all England, first prize of £15, and the following extra prizes : Silver medal to the breeder, value £2 ; a silver cup, value 25 gs., offered by the President, the Earl of Harrowby, as an extra prize for the best ox or steer of any breed or age, bred and fed by the exhibitor ; the Earl of Ayles- ford's prize for the best Shorthorn, bred and fed by the exhibitor, £15 ; the gold medal for the best steer or ox of any breed or age, in all the classes, value £20 ; the hotel and innkeepers' plate, value Old Sbkies.] 25 gs., as the best animal in any of the cattle classes ; Mr. Ottley's silver medal, as an extra prize for the best animal, value 3 gs. ; an extra prize awarded by the Society for the best Short- horn, £25 ; and Mr. Beach's cup for the best Shorthorn, fed on his cattle-food, value 7 gs. — Total, £194. We thus wrote of Mr. Wood's ox, on seeing him in Bingley Hall : " Despite the otherwise general tameness of the exhibition, there was one good class and this was the older lot of Shorthorn oxen in the Hall, the whole of which were commended, and where the honours of the day gradually accumu- lated ; though still, with Mr. Rowland Wood's steer it was Eclipse first, and the rest nowhere. A grander beast forward has rarely been seen : with a good kindly head, beautifully covered about his shoulders, with a rare back and great depth, light of bone and full of good meat, this ox is only a little faulty about his quarter to keep him from ab- solute perfection." Mr. Wood had entered his steer for the Smith- field Club Show, where he would have been as successful ; but, in consequence of the cattle plague then raging, the beast became ineligible for Islington, and his owner made arrangements for his being exhibited at the Crystal Palace during the Smith field week. The Company then pur- chased the steer, which was exhibited in the Palace up to the first week in March, and then sold to Mr. W. S. Covell, the butcher, of Syden- ham, and killed on the 9lb of that month. His weight was 240 stone, with 26 stone and 4lb. of loose fat. His girth was 9 feet 9 inches, and his age when slaughtered, 4 years 2 months and 1 day. II L fVoi- LIX,— No. G. k 446 THE FAEMER'S MAOAZINE. PLATE II. SHAMROCK. THE PROPERTY OF MR. W. A. SEWELL, OF PRINCES-ROW, PIMLICO. The Messrs. Sewell, the well-known horse- dealers, have had the dun cob at work as a buggy- horse for the last ten years, so that he is pretty familiar to the denizens of the West-end, as well as with most of the yards in London. Shamrock, indeed, would be rather an object of note any- where, as he is not only a very clever-shaped one, but one of the handsomest and truest goers that ever had a collar put over his head, and we always treat ourselves to another look at him when we meet in our travels about Pimlico or Buckingham Gate. Shamrock was brought over from Ireland by Mr. Colton, of Edge Hall, from whom he passed into the possession of Mr. Stephen Cox, of Stamford-street, who in turn transferred the cob to Mr. Sewell, where he has been a very faithful servant. Of late, though, work began to tell on him ; and during last autumn he was under the hands of Messrs. Mavor, when the irons were passed over his fetlock joints, and it was feared when he came up again in the spring, that his grand action was gone. Shamrock, however, very emphatically corrected any such an impression only a few weeks since^ as, when about to be saddled to take home a new purchase, he walked into the Ride without a bridle on, and gave a show-out quite equal to former days. With his head up, his ears pricked, his tail nearly over his back, and picking up his legs as if hung upon wires, he paraded himself for about ten minutes ! And then pulling up with a look of inquiry as much as to say, " There, have you got anything to beat that ?" gave a snort of triumph, and walked deliberately back into his box. Shamrock stands about four- teen hands two inches high, with a deal of length on a short leg, great power, and, as we hfuve already intimated, particularly good action, showy enough for anything, and true enough for work. He is, in fact, something of a model in his way, and we offer his portrait here as a bit of a study for those who are in want of anything of the sort, as who is not ? A cob with looks, strength, and ^o, would always make his price, but more espe- cially about the best parts of Town ; though the Messrs. Sewell have had the good sense to know when they were " suited." OUR ILL-USED RIVERS. BY CUTHBEET W. JOHNSON, F.R.S. It is by only very slow degrees that our public nuisances become seriously regarded. It has been indeed calculated that it requires about a quarter-of-a-century to excite a general attention to any injury to the health or the well-being of oui- community. We have a meliiucholy example of this truth in the long-continued abuse of our rivers. Our ancestors viewed these arterial drains as chiefly useful for their fish, or the meadows on their banks, or the mills to which these dammed-up streams gave their power. They neither regarded the diseases which their floods diffused, nor the fouling of their waters. The floods were allowed to rest undisturbed for months on the lowlands near the stream. Commissioners were encouraged to direct into it their sewage. The pro- gress of improved land-drainage, while it shortened the time which intervenes between considerable downfalls of rain and the outpouring of the floods, rather aggravated the evil ; for, while the down-pouring of the rain-water into the valleys has been generally accelerated, the outfalls of the thus enlarged flood-waters have commonly remained unimproved. It is now more than twelve yeai-s since Mr. J. A. Clai-ke, of Long Sutton, ably and energetically addressed himself to this neglected state of our trunk drainage. As he remarked in Ms Prize Essay fJour. Hoy. J(/ri. Soc, vol. XV., p. 1), "He had not to combat that mibusiness- like style of husbandry so frequently found— to neglect the internal ditches of a farm, allowing them to remain choked : our business is with the natural or anciently ex- cavated water-courses, over which indi\'idual occupiers and landowners have only a limited conti'ol, including the minor drains and rivulets into which our farm-ditches dis- charge, together with mill streams and rivers of all degrees of magnitude. The direction of the hill and mountain chains naturally influences both the lines of the rivers and the quantity and force of the water discharged. The Cumbrian, Welsh, and other western mountains occa- sion a fall of rain in the western counties 50 per cent, greater than in the midland and eastern districts ; some impervious rocks also shed off the rains and melting snows in torrents ; while fissured strata, cleaved slate, and absorbent chalk or sandstone imbibe a lai'ge portion of the downfall, throwing much of it out again upon the clay valleys. The great sui-plus of water not lost by evapora- tion, escaping from the westei'u or central watershed, runs towards the sea in generally an easterly direction, the largest English rivers, except the Severn, emptying upon the low east coast. As regards farming, however, it is not generally the rivers' months, but their inland courses, which are so defective. Our drainage arteries, large and small, might possibly have fulfilled their office had they been left to follow their native levels, or, at any rate, if their cui'reut had been prudently assisted. But a glance at the map will tell how they have been used for other purposes, dammed into reservoirs, intercepted for canals, especially in the central, northern, and western counties ; and the number of brooks and streamlets thus held back as feeders for deep-water navigations, or lifted to gain a water-power for many mills, often appropriating the whole descent of the stream, it is diflficult to compute ; THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 447 neither can we but widely conjecture tlio relative extent of the ground injured by the consequent floodiugs, in com- parison Avith the magnitude of the interests dependent upon a continuation of the mischief." Living in the neighbourhood of the river Nenc, its mis- management naturally attracted Mr. Clarke's attention. He remarked of it {ibid, p. 48), " The thus injured land of the l^pper Neue consists of about 16,000 acres, lying low and flat, accompauying the river in its sinuous course from a few miles above Northampton down to Peter- borough : during a flood the water covers from 80 to 200 acres ia each parish, in many places spreading for one or two miles in breadth. In autumn and winter the floods always prevail, and indeed at any period of the year after a few hours' rain ; while summer inundations, which prove most destructive, occur at intervals of a very few years, sometimes more than one in a season. The npland farmers are delivering their draiu-water in much larger quantities, and more immediately after the downfall than foiTuerly, swelling to a depth of three to six feet over the 20,000 acres of open ground, which thus form one vast reservoir for it above and below Peterborough. The Neue used to overflow its banks to the extreme height about the third day after rain ; the floods now reach the same height in about half that time. The land being wholly in meadow suffers very heavily from the destruc- tion of its hay ; so sudden are the inundations that it frequently happens that hay made in the day, has in the night been swept away by the flood. If not thus borne off, the hay is so much silted as to be utterly spoiled. The farmers sometimes thrash it, to beat the dust out ; but it is still a most unwholesome fodder. In 1853 almost all the hay was destroyed along the whole course of the Neue. The damage in that year was estimated to be equal to £20,000. Such are the results, so well depicted by Mr. ClaAe, of the losses of the farmers of the Valley of the Nene. Other persons had about this time endeavoured to excite the public attention to nature's great drains — the streams and rivers, their natvu'al facilities for carrying off the super- fluous water of all districts, the obstructions caused by the eftects of time, and the short-sighted works of man. Thus IMr. W. Bryan Wood {Hid, \ol. xiii., p. 368) gave a summary of these obstructions. They chiefly consist of abrupt turns and windings of the course; shallows, islands, trees, and bushes growing into the stream ; bridges which appear to hare been built only with regard to the passage over, having low and narrow arches, and uselessly- large piers ; and lastly, though not the least cause of damage on many streams, are the mills. In many in- stances, as he observed, a mill affects the drainage of much land, sometimes hundreds of acres above it ; and does yearly more daijiage to such lands by pounding the water than its annual rent bears any comparison to. Mr. Wood instances the Thames Valley, and those of Glouces- tershire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire, and the Wiltshire Avon Valley. " There are fields in my neighbourhood," added j\Ir. Pusey {ibid, 370), " which have been covered with water for months ; and in a former year, a lai'ge meadow of my own was not seen fi'om the end of July until the following March." On the same most nationally- important subject there was also a valuable paper by j\Ir. John Henderson {ibid, vol. xiv., p. 129), on the drainage of the valleys of the Rye and Derwent. It is an excellent account of a state of affairs, and their remedy, which may be studied with advantage by the land-owners of many portions of our islands ; for, as he remarked, how many extensive and fertile valleys are thei'c, the drainage of which is confined entii'ely to sluggish, meandering streams, upon which, at every few feet of fall, there stands a corn-mill of perhaps only a few horses' power, the total value of which in fee simple is not worth as much as the amount of the damage which is occasionally done by a single flood, letting alone the permanent injmy which is occasioned by the damming-up of the outfall, in prevent- the drainage of the surrounding land ! In the case of the Rye and Uerwent valleys, the water-mills which ob- structed the drainage were removed, or changed to steam- mills, at a cost equal to £289 5s. 8d. per horse-power, the entire cost being — Cost of steam-eugines £3,500 0 0 The fee-simple of maintaining them 13,382 5 0 Compensation for damage done to miUs, &e 3,367 15 0 £20,250 0 0 Such are the improvements to be achieved by the follow- ing nature's suggestions, and removing artificial impedi- ments to her movements. At length, after an interval of many years. Her Majesty, on the ISth of May, 1865, issued her royal commission, directed to Messrs. Robert Rawlinson, J. T, Harrison, and J. T. Way, " for the purpose of inquiriug how far the present use of rivers or running waters in England for the purpose of carrying oft" the sewage of towns and populous places, and the refuse arising from industrial processes and manufactures, can be prevented, without risk to the public health, or serious injury to such processes and manufactures ; and how far such sewage and refuse can be utilized or got rid of, other\nse than by discharge into rivers or running waters, or rendered harmless be- fore reaching them ; and also for the purpose of inquiring into the effect on the drainage of lands and inhabited places, of obstructions to the natiu-al flow of rivers or streams, caused by mills, weirs, locks, and other navi- gation works ; and into the best means of remedying any evils thence arising." The Commissioners thus appointed, after a very ex- tended and careful examination of the River Thames (upon which they were instructed by Sir George Grey to commence their labours), made on the 29th of March of the present year a very valuable report. They describe old Pather Thames as rising on the Cotswold HiUs, in what is usually called the Bath oolite and lias series, the Thames-head spring being 340 feet above the Ordnance datum. The river in its descent towards the sea passes over many beds of strata, among which are Oxford clay, chalk, and London clay. These fonnations, and the in- termediate strata connected with them, are in many parts covered with alluvium, and through and over the several rocks the waters of the main river and its several tributai'ies descend. The dry-weather or perennial flow of the Thames is spring water. There are no lakes or large marshes in its course, to store up the flood-waters from excessive rains, to be gradually liberated to equalize the flow of the ordinary stream. The Thames from its source to London flows for the most part through meadows very little elevated above the river, the strata fonning nearly vertical or steeply. sloping banks, within which the dry-wxather or ordinary flow of the water is confined. Some portions of the bed and banks are muddy ; but by far the greater length of the river's banks and bed is gravel, rock-clay, or marl. The carbonate of lime and traces of iron found in the oolites^ coral rag, and chalk give hardness to the water of about 13 to 18 degrees, according to Dr. Clarke's test. The special conditions in the geology and surface-con- figuration of the Thames basin render the water sin- gularly pm'c for so large a river. The water as it flows gently down has also the power of becoming oxidized and purified to a considerable degree. I I 2 us THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. The Thames in its course passes through or by the counties ©f Wilts, C41oucester, Oxford, Berks, Bucks, Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, and Essex. Its greatest length from its source in Trewsbury Mead to the estuary is 201 miles. The Thames basin extends in its greatest length west and east, from about five miles west of Cirencester in Gloucestershire, to Shoeburyness in Essex, and in its greatest breadth north and south from Priors Marston iu Warwickshire, to Fernhurst in Sussex. The area of the entire basin, as taken from the Ordnance map, is about 5,162 square miles, or about 3,303,680 statute 'acres. The population and number of mills in the basin of tfie Thames, including its tributary streams, adore the 2mmprii (J -station of the metropolitan water siipjiti/ at Hampton, are as follows : Population, 888,088 ; number of mills, 360. The condition of the " Queen of Kivers," in its upper portions, is that which is common to most of our island's streams. This is thus graphically described in the Com- missioners' report : " Many of the weirs and locks are old and in a ruinous condition from decay and neglect. The rude and anti- quated mode of working the navigation by ' flashes' still jirevails, and is highly injurious. Some of the weirs retain a head of water so as to prevent land-drainage, and permanently to water-log large areas of agricultural land on both margins of the river. At Oxford, the suburbs, and even certain portions of the city, are at times seriously, and, as regards the health of the inhabitants, dangerously flooded by reason of the impediments offered to a free flow of the flood-water by Sandford and other weirs. Other towns and villages, and large tracts of agri- cultural land, are injuriously inundated by flood-waters from similar causes, and because there are no retaining embankments, or systematic main and tributary outlet drains provided to keep the river within defmed limits. Injury is caused to the river by irregular practices iu drawing water from certain reaches, ponds, and weirs for fishing. Tlie growth of weeds is not checked ; and if weeds are cut by any riparian proprietor or miUci', or by any other person, there is no rule or supervision to cause such weeds to be removed from the stream ; but they are floated onwards from mill to mill, and allowed to accu- mulate in shallows, or on aits or islands, to form banks, and to do other mischief. The banks of the river are not systematically maintained, but the water is sulfercd to waste land, and make land uncontrolled, as flashes or floods may eftect. This general neglect constitutes a common loss — to the navigation, by impediments to trade ; to millers, by excessive floods ; and also to riparian pro- prietors, and the communities dwelling on the banks of the river. And, as the Commissioners have the task of adding, " throughout the whole course of the river, from Crick- lade to the point where the jNIetropolitan sewage com- mences, fouling of the water by sewage from cities, towns, villages, and single houses, generally prevails. The refuse from paper mills, tanneries, &c., passes into the stream. There is no form of scavenging practised for the surface water of the Thames ; but carcases of animals float down the stream until wasted by corruption. The river water receives unchecked the whole of the pollution, solid and fluid, of the district ; and this same water, after it has been so polluted, is abstracted, sand-filtered, and pumped into the metropolis for domestic uses." With regard to the purification of river waters, we have recently, in a previous mmiber of this Magazine (see ante, p. 268), endeavoured to show that this can only be accomplished on a large scale by the application of sewage and other impure waters to grass-land before it is allowed to enter the stream. Other Commissioners, ap- pointed to " inquire into the best mode of distributing the sewage of towns, and applying it to beneficial and profitable uses," in their third and final repoi't, delivered in March, 1865, expressed as the conclusion to which they had unanimously arrived, after an investigation ex- tending over eight years, that " the right way to dispose of town sewage is to apply it continuously to laud, and that it is only by such application that the polution of I'ivers can be avoided." In commenting on, and concur- ring in this most important conclusion, the " Rivers" Commissioners remark, " All expedients for disposal of town-sewage, otherwise than by its application to land, seem to us on one ground or another objectionable. Cess- pits in towns corrupt the air and corrupt the well-water ; they are incompatible with public health, and should be abolished. Sewerage has therefore become a necessity for any large community. The difficulty is to deal with the volume of sewage thus concentrated, so as not to cause a nuisaucc either in the atmosphere or in rivers. Disin- fectants and filtration have been tried in many forms, but without success. As applied to sewage — disinfectants do not disinfect, and filter beds do not filter. Both attempts have been costly failures. The Local Board of Health at Croydon at one time were spending large sums annually on chemical and mechanical experiments to no purpose, but to expose themselves to law suits ; they then com- menced the process of irrigation." The Commissioners, therefore, amongst other impor- tant recommendations, which they in their valuable re- port submitted to Her Majesty, advise (p. 32), " That after the lapse of a period to be allowed for the alteration of existing arrangements, it be made unlawful for any sewage, unless the same has been passed over land, so as to become purified, or for any injurious refuse from paper mills, tanneries, or other works, to be cast into the Thames between Cricklade and the commencement of the metro- politan sewerage system, and that any person oifending in this respect be made liable to penalties to be recovered summarily." They further advise, " That, subject to proper safeguards to prevent abuse, powers be given to local authorities to take land compulsorily for the pur- pose of sewage irrigation to an extent not exceeding one acre for every fifty persons whose sewage is to be ap- plied." To these they add other valuable recommendations for the conservation of the fisheries, the navigation, and the land on the banks of the river. These researches, and the alterations in the law to which they will pretty certainly give rise, are of far greater importance than at first sight may appear. These results will not only tend, by the improvement of the water consumed in populous places, to the considerable advantage of the public health, but they will, by return- ing to the soil the fertilising matters now poured through the sewers into our rivers, largely increase the produc- tiveness of our land. Take only the instance of London, with its three millions of inhabitants ; mark the impure water they consume — a water that the water-companies are compelled to pass through a bed of sand before it is rendered endurable, even in appearance ; then note their huge mass of sewage, worse than wasted in the river, and then let the reader reflect upon the amount of or- ganic matters thus lost to the soil ! Upon the whole, then, we may well conclude that the good results of the Royal Commission upon the state of our rivers will lead to some most important public improvements in trunk drainage. Mr. E. Corbet has received commissions to paint the famous stud-horses Sauntcrer and Marsyas for Mr. Bleukiron, of Middle Park. THE FAKMEK'S MxiGAZiNE. 440 THE HERDS OF GREAT BRITAIN. Chaptek L. MESSRS. liOSKEN'S AND MR. ANSTEY'S. The day was just breaking wheu we left Grampouud road once more, aud passed through the very heart of the milling districts. "Its lodes," "adits," "divining rods," "letting a sett," and " granting a licence to enter and sink," arc mysteries we wot uot of, except from the pleasant pages of Thorubury's " Greatheart;" but wc do hear that few Cornish mining di'eams pass through the happy Horn Gate. A wheel once chanced to come off the carriage in which an arch adventmxr was leading some friends of ours to view his land of promise, and the chance expression of the driver, that the axle was " as rotten as a Cornish mine" was an omen which, luckily for them- selves, the party dare not reject. We know no more of that great system in which such thousands of for- tunes have been made or marred, save that the whole ground seemed black with ore, and bristling with shafts in that dreary country round Camborne and Red- ruth. It was a laud of common half reclauued, with furze fences, walls, five-feet banks faced with stone, and small gullies very troublesome for the foxhunter. We saw miners' houses enow, wherein the philosophy of the larder has changed strangely during the last few years. Once they had only barley bread and fat nxuttoa : now they have white bread and lean flesh. Potatoes are going out of fashion with them, aud in fact the disease has been so bad for 12 or U years, that Scotland, Ireland, York- shire, aud the eastern counties have all been laid under contribution to make up a portion of the missing three- fourths. Pigs are difficult to keep in consequence, and those potato tui"n-overs, to which fat mutton was such an essential, have gone out with them. It is not a great couuty for pigs, aud what are kept are of Mr. Fisher Hobbs's sort, with a sprinkling of Berkshire. Uuhke Devonshire, there are few valleys in Cornwall ; but rather dingles on the clay, with a brook and a copse in each of them. The principal wheat-growing districts in the north are Cubert, Crantock, Newlyn, Lower and Higher St. Colomb ; and this white crop also flourishes at Padstow, Wade Bridge, and Vendellion. Rape, that fruitful mother of lambs, is becoming a very favourite ureen crop, and is taken after wheat or oats. It is sown in May or June, and the sheep are gcne- rallv on it for nearly thi-ee months. Much of it is fed down, two or three times, and comes again without any hoeing. For turnips the county can compare with Norfolk, and it was the Cornishmcn's boast last year that they " bea( ihem by odds." Skirving's swedes had once the run, but now the Sutton's are the favourite. Long red mangels are quite out of fashion, aud the orange globe is in a majority of 100 to 1. The cabbage crop is also very good ; the seed is sown in August, and they are planted out in May and June ; but Iblding on them or turnips is almost unknown, as the wet weather keeps tha sheep for ever in the mire. There was a Cornwall Agricultural Society in exist- ence, simply for cattle, about sixty years ago, in the neigh- bourhood of Bodmin. Gradually it sank to nothing, and rose again at Truro ; aud, as years went on, it took the name of " The Royal Cornwall." The new society lin- gered loug at Truro, where the Bath and West of Eng- land has only once journeyed; but since 1857 it has lengthened its cords and strengthened its stakes, and meets alternately in the Eastern aud Western divisions, at any town of sntlicient size and spirit to furnish the £150 guarantee. Mr. J. J. Rogers, M.P., of Penrose, is tiic President for 1865-66, and Mr. Henry Tresawna, of Probus, the Secretary ; aud eight Vice-presidents, with a council of 40 (half of whom retire annually), make up the governing body. It otters about £400 a- year, including special prizes, and has a banker's balance of nearly £000 at present. Shorthorns, Devons, and Here- fords have all classes of their own, and so have crossbreds, or Shoi'thorns crossed with either Devon, Hereford, or Jersey. The Leicestershire classes till best among the sheep, as the Devon do amoug cattle ; Lincoln and Cots- wolds comprise the " long wools," amoug which the Dartmoors (who used to come more into Cornwall than they do now) have no place ; and a few dainty Downs from the gentlemen's parks keep the shortwools in re- membrance. Devonshire sends Leicesters and Devons ; and "Lady Pigot's lot," with Empress of Hindostan among them, have won in the Shorthorn classes. Pigs and implements take a good place, and a white one among the former is quite a rarity. A county with a Coldi-enick and a Tregothnan in it is certain not to be behind-hand in horses, and the division of prizes in '64 was eleven for the saddle against seven for the collar. Lord Falmouih gave two special, one for hack or hunter brood mares ; aud old Ratan, who broke the heart of Crockford just two-and-twenty years ago, was able to defeat his junior, Lascelles. Camelford fair, in Jidy, is a large one for ewe and wether lambs, and some of them go on at once for the Plymouth market. There are four fairs at Probus, two at St. Lawrence in August and October, and oue at Bodmin on the Wednesday before Whit Sunday. Lower St. Colomb has one for oxen and steers on June 9th, but its glories have departed. Once it was full of lean Devons, which were driven from it to Peterboro', Blackwater, and the eastern counties fairs ; but now these beasts are mostly fattened at home. Launceston has also a great steer fair, .and Menheniot a more general one. The leading Plymouth contractors are fouud in full array at Liskeard ; but as a general thing, since the rail came into operation, the fairs along the line have fallen away. Liskeard (whose corn market docs uot begin till four o'clock p.m.) does a great deal in the sheep-carcase way, aud sends them oif to Newgate and elsewhere, hanging up in covered trucks. When a large cargo starts, the bell- man goes round to say that those who want heads and plucks can have them cheap on apjilication. The Dartmoor sheep are hardly known below Liskeard and Lostwithiel. The latter town also does a large trade with Newgate, and 500 carcases of sheep jjcr week are sometimes for- warded, besides carcases of beef. A few Exmoors come, but the farmers do not care for them, as they require rather too high a fence ; and Leicesters, or Leicesters crossed with Lincoln or Cotswold, form the great staple of Cornish mutton, of which the miners are such immense consumers. Colonel Cory ton, of Pentiilie, which is just over the border, crosses his Southdowus principally with Cotswolds aud Leicesters, and produces those " grey steers" so well known on the banks of the Taniar by putting llic Shorthorn to the Devon. Cornwall is not a very sporting county. Its inhabit- ants are a tpiict earnest ca-*tc of men, and stem minders 450 THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. of business without stepping aside for naeny days be- yond a little Inmtiug and the steeple-cliase at St. • Colomb. In Weatherby's llacing Calendar the county "runs a dead letter;" but so do Rutlandshire' Westmoreland, Gloucestershire, and Eucks. The miners are mostly Wesleyans, and fond of studying minerals. They have' a bout of wrestling occasionally, and are prone to emigrate when they can. The courtesy aud absence of bad language among the humbler classes is something re- markable, not only to one who is merely "pricking a cockney ear," but who can compare county with county. You may sec the elderly labourer shake hands with a mere lad when they met at work in the morning, and say, " How be ye ?" and as for oaths they seem to be totally forsworn. The horses are generally useful and bare-legged — in short nice steppers, that will either ride or drive, hunt or plough. Ponies are few — at least, above ground ; and nearly all of them are bought on Dartmoor. Dulcimer, Giovanni, and Hazard were brought into the north of the county by Mr. Trelawny, of Coldrenick, whose por- trait on the speckled-grey Grimaldi is among the Penates of many a parlour in North Devon, whither he comes for a week or two's hunting in the spring. INIv. Lemon has the poiiion where the Kit Hill Hunt (in their red frock-coats, with white velvet collars and cuffs, their K.H. buttons, and their whips bound with silver braid) once held sway. The East Cornwall Hamers give a fox a turn occasionally, and there are harriers round Camel - ford and Tintagel ; but the largest range of country be- longs to the Western Hounds, with Mr. Bolitho as their Master. Of all grand old county sportsmen, the one we heard most about was the late Sir William Trelawny.''' A better one never threw leg over horse, and none loved old times and old fashions more. When he rode to Quarter Sessions on a dirty day, he disdained leggings, but would tie some straw rojies round his legs. He would walk twelve miles to a meet, leading his horse, with both his scarlet -coat pockets stuffed full of hay, and feeding and talking to it as he went. His stable arrange- ments were peculiar ; and when some one observed there were a great many cobwebs about, he replied that he liked them — " They catch flies, so the flies can't tease the horses," and shut up his objector on the spot. He liked to let them have their run in a paddock on the days when the hounds did not meet ; and it was his practice to let them drink their fill at the last fountain on the way home from hunting, aud never have them disturbed for groom- ing tiU the next morning. When his own hour came, and bran mashes were in vain, his grave was not dug, but he was buried off the road — miner's level. But we are forgetting our herds altogether, and we must once more fancy ourselves on the way to Hayle. Truro, which lies in a sort of wooded-valley basin, was quite a relief to the eye, and at last the smoke of the steamer in the offing over St. Ives told that we had come from the treasures of the earth to those of the deep-sea fishings. Pilchards, of which fifty thousand hogsheads have been exported in very successful seasons as helps to the Mediterranean Lent, make up the seafaring wealth of St. Ives. " Old Fuller" knew them well, and held that " with oil and a lemon they are meat for the mightiest Don in Spain." Hayle, whick lies on the other side of the bay, left an indefinite impression on oiu* mind of boundless sand and lemons. Prom the latter we gather that the inhabitants are not averse to punch, and the former is assiduously gathered in, and makes up much of the dung-heap. The inhabitants turn l)oth to rare good account, and if they are merry within doors they * The meaning of the three Cornish prefixes is. (town), Pol (head), and Pen (top). ■ Tre are energetic without. Drumhead cabbage spoke for itself in the front field beyond INIessrs. Hoskens' Loggan mill ; and, as we got further up the hill, we passed over land which now grows nearly 60 bushels of barley where 9 grew before. There was no hazel or oak to be seen ; but the Cornish elms — those best of land valuers — showed how the land had enjoyed the good farming of " the jolly miller" and his sou. They waved triumphantly over a field whose seven acres three-and-twenty years ago only returned £12 5s. in barley, oats, aud straw, and just kept a pig aud two bullocks to boot. A patch of the old groundwork is still kei)t as a sample, and the quartz and spar glitter defiantly among the gorse. Loggan MiU is not exactly in Hayle, but rather in Phillack, on the river Hayle, which forms a tidal harbour. On the opposite side of the harbour is Unylelant, of which we saw nothing save a church with three chancels, and heard nothing save dark hints of cattle-plague. Iron-foundries grow and flourish here, and can boast, among other feats, of being the producers of the Hungerford Iron Bridge, which eventually came back to Bristol. They are also especially noted for tlie manufacture of the single-acting pumping engine, which is almost exclusively used for draining the Cornish mines, and, in fact, mines all over the world. The water pumped for the supply of London daily amounts to 115,000,000 gallons, of which about 80,000,000 gallons are pumped by single-acting engines, nearly all of which have been constructed by Messrs. Harvey & Co., of Hayle, who first introduced them to the metropolis. Some years since they constructed what were probably the most powerful engines ever erected for pumping (the cylinders being 144 inches in diameter), with a view to draining the Haarlem Lake in Hol- land, the bed of which, instead of being overflowar with water, is now covered with crops. This firm has within the last year or two sent large engines on the same prin- ciple to Egypt for the piu'pose of piunping water from the Nile for irrigating the land. They also manufacture marine engines, and build vessels both of wood and iron, and have at this moment four in course of construction on the stocks. The villas are at the opposite end of the town to Loggan Mill, which has 300 acres attached to it, all reclaimed common land, of which fully two-thirds has had the plough put through it. Permanent grass there is none, and it suits root-crops well, and grew 48 to 50 tons of man- gels last year. The flock does not exceed 70 Leicester ewes, and Mr. Sanday 's and recently Mr. Turner's rams have been used. Berkshire upon Essex is their favourite pig cross, and twice or thrice Mr. Baily of Swindon's store has been drawn upon for boars. The herd only dates back to '56, when young Mr. Hosken visited the Paris Exhibition and went back to England with a fixed determination to go in for pedigrees. He bent his steps first to Babraham, and did not leave it till he had bought Agues %id of the Dodona, Miss Fisher of the Lady Godolphin tribe, and Lord Dacre by Marquis of Bute. Both the heifers were hits. Agnes bred all bulls save one ; but they showed well, and Favourite, the second prize old bull at the Royal Ply- mouth was from her ; while Miss Fisher's line, which was almost entirely a heifer one, numbered Carnation, a highly commended one at the same show. Priuce Frederick by Gloster's Grand Duke, a yearling purchase from Mr. Langstou in 1860, succeeded Lord Dacre, and drew first blood that year in the Bath aud West of England at Truro, whither an old Sarsden acquaintance, INIr. Game's red bull, followed him for a sort of wager of battle. Lily of the Valley of the Meretrix tribe came with him, but " all bulls" was her lot, and the next purchase w^as of another Oxfordshire couplet from Mr. T. Game. They were Garibaldi (17925) by General Pelissier (14605), and Stately of the late Mr. Champion's sort, which had won a second prize as calf at Glos'ter, and taken a higher THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 451 degree iu Corawall. Princess Helen, another of Mr. Champiou's sort, aud in-calf with Lord Milton by Gondo- mar (a Knowleuiere combination of Booth aud Bates) and Jocund of the J sort both came from Mr. George Game, and jMr. Lane's sale contributed Kitchen Maid by Sir Richard (15298), iu calf of Royal Oak by Majesty, Maid of Athens a doubtful breeder, and Maid of Promise who has so far only redeemed lier promise with one heifer. Such are the nine leading tribes of Haylc, which have certainly not been prolific of heifers. Statesman, by Priucc Frederick from Stately, and Royal Oak are both used ; and Thorudalc Mason, from Lady Spencer 2nd, has brought iu the Duke of Thorndale and Usurer cross. Princess Helena, who has most certainly " never had a day's holiday," seeing that she was only calved in 'Sixty, and has borne three bulls, and a rich-haired, useful heifer. Miss Game, were the first we came across in the Upper Meadow. There, too^ were Lily of the Valley and Primrose, which had smiled on a fence -breaking knight errant at ten months, and pulled down her size in conse- quence. The Lower Meadow could boast of a very sub- stantial half-sister to JMoss Rose, the commended cow at Plymouth (whose daughter went to Ireland with another at a stiff price), and Miss Nightingale, a thick one of the fancy tribe. Then we stumbled on the well-haired Jocund, not a prize cow, but every inch of her a Short- horn; Kitchen Maid, with her nice breast and milk tokens; and Maid of Promise, another of the good- haired ones, but, like Lily of the Valley, rather large in the hips. By this time we had worked round to the outer yard ; aud then the business of the day began iu earnest. Prince Frederick led off; but age has told on that fine lengthy prizefighter since he was at Battersea, and if he had not been half India-rubber, half steel, he could not have borne forcing and reducing for shows, and still look the fine bit of frame-work he does. Once in the day he was 25 cwt. — the weight at which Garibaldi yielded his fore- head to the poleaxe. "When he was gone, heifers aud calves, single and iu pairs, were poured out one after an- other like liquors — red, white, aud roan — outofa conjuror's bottle. We cannot remember half of them ; but we can safely aver of all of them that they were well-haired and had lived well. There was a roan, whose dam was a first cross of a Shorthorn and Hereford, and not a trace of the " white face" left. We saw the first branch of Royal Oak iu a calf with a well-packed quarter, but bad in colour ; and opened accounts with Statesman through a thick, red Ruby of Miss Fisher's line. In fact, go where we might, we could not get free of Miss Fisher ; and one of her own-daughters by Statesman was there in the shape of the rich-roan Lucy. She had her share, in the largest of two pairs of whites, which took in Fairy Queen, by Garibaldi, and Kate 2nd. Rosette was a posthumous daughter of Lord Milton, and was a fine, straight, robust calf, with a coat just suited to weather the western coast. Countess was a good Jocuud, but, like some more of the Prince Fredericks, a little inclined to droop on the rump ; and Carnation, the H.C. of Plymouth, had deep flesh which has carried her through many a county contest. Pi'incess Alice, the produce of Prince Frederick and Stately, was rare behind the elbow ; and Beauty, from Lucy, was a rery thick cue, but not an especial favourite of ours. It was " a moral" to sift the boxes of the inner yard, where the bulls aud crack [[cows and heifers reside. There were old Agnes, who has nothing in female tail but Lydia, and Snowdrop, a thick useful cow, and the eldest of all the Miss Fishers. We soon parted with Maid of Athens, as she was all to pieces, with her back up ; and as for Stately, she had expanded to that extent, that she could hardly get out of her door. Prince Frederick must have been thinking of Lord of the llarem and his old Sarsden days, when he begat Miss Rose, as she is the image of that bull iu colour. The heifers seemed legion. Duchess, Countess, Strawberry, Rosebud, aud Matchless anoug the roaus ; Miss Clara, Kathleen, Lydia, and Fairy Queen among the whites; nearly all of them by Prince Frederick, and as full of bail', substance, and condition as th^ well could be. There was still a trio of bulls: Thorndale Mason, a Bates, aud no mistake, but with still a good deal to do before he assumes those goodly proportions which are so much liked at Hayle. The Stately tribe furnished its Statesman, not just like the white we remember in Mr. WetheraU's hands of yore, though a long and useful fellow ; but the pet of our fancy was Royal Oak, with a back as straight as a gnu-barrel, and inheriting majestij enough from his su-e. In fact, we could hardly believe that he was only just over 22 months, but he was born and has lived in a land of plenty. Good keep was the key-note of the day. The twenty-five pigs which were ready to be shipped for Bristol all told the same tale in their sty under the mill, and hardly cared to rise for the whip; and geese, ducks, white dorkings, and spangles, in that little orchard with the streamlet, seemed to have a land of Goshen as well. By way of restoring the balance, we looked in at Mr. Anstey's, of Meuabilly, as we returned home. The ghosts of Bracelet, Necklace, Towneley's AHce, and Beauty's Butterfly, aud the whole of them filing before him, could not shake him one whit in his love of Devons. Nothing, he maintains, is so active and suited to a hilly farm like his own. The Quartly blood is the symbol of his faith, nnd above his chimney-piece hangs that true Devon por- trait of the late Mr. Quartly, with his hand on Cherry, from Longhorn Curly, and the calf Playful, afterwards a Windsor "prize yearling, at her side. Uncle Tom aud Albert, by Earl of Exeter (the sire of Napoleon), aud Nelson by Napoleon, have been his leading Quartly bulls, and Albert was the sire of his Earl Derby. The Earl's own sister was one of the herd, and won at St. Austell, and iMilkmaid, the dam of Admii'al by Lord Nelson, had also risen to picture dignity. Monarch by Lord Nel- son, from a picture (942) pm-chased at John Quartly 's sale, is the bidl at present in use. The steers generally go to be sold by the cwt. at Plymouth at three years old, and while they were working at their hay and turnips and oats iu-doors, the young wethers were clustering round the corn and cut-turnip -troughs on the hill. Mr. Anstey lambs about 285 ewes, which are prin- cipally crosses between the Shi-op, the Leicester, and Ex- moor, and his tups are either pure-bred Shrops, South- downs, or half Leicester and Exmoor. The farm runs down to the sea, and in a quiet bay between Dodman Point and Rame Head, there were several carts busy loading with oar-weed. Labour gives a title to this deep-sea manure, whose oily stems are invaluable for dressing grass land, and are also used by gardeners to protect the asparagus and cm'rant bushes. Just above the creek was a grotta built by one man's hand. The whole mineral treasures of the county are combined in it. The Cornish diamond and amethyst have to outshine, if they, can the lead, copper, coal, iron, asbestos, and granite, as well as por- phyry, which looks like a first-cousin to granite, aud lime- stone, which has been polished into an Italian marble surface. There was a wreck, too, on the beach not far away; but all childhood's stories of the parson and " Come ! Start fair !" had to be set aside. A prosaic police flag was flying over the remains: a booth had been erected, and men with regular maltster's shovels were making what salvage they could out of the linseed and Indian corn with which the beach was strewn. Such wag the last sight we saw in Cornwall, H H © 462 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. The Ilalf-rearly Meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday, May 22, at noon, in Hanover Square. The chair was taken by the President, Lord Tredegar ; and among those present were — Lords Cathcart, AValsiughani and Feversham, General the Hon. A. N. Hood, Sir J. H. Maxwell, Sir Walter Stirling, Colonel Challoner, Mr. Arkell, Mr. Astbnry, and a very few other members. The first business was the election of jNIcrabers of the Council, which resulted in tlie adojjtiou of the House List. The Secretary (Jlr. Hall Dare) theu read the following llErOllT or THE COUNCIL. Tlie Council hive to report that since last December the Society has lost by deatlis and resignations 1 Governor and 308 Members ; while 1 Life Governor and 57 Members have during the same i)eriod been enrolled on its List, wliich is now constituted as follows : — 79 Life Governors. 84 Annual Governors. 1395 Life Members. 4049 Annual Members. 15 Honorary Members, making a total of 5(ii22. The Half-yearly Statement of Accounts to llie olst Decem- ber, 1865, has been examined and approved l)y the Auditors and Accountants of the Society and, togetlier ^^ ith the ]5alance- sheet for tlie whole year 1805 and a statement of the Country Meeting Account for I'lymontb, has been puljlisbed in the last number of tlie Journal. The fuiulcd capital stands at £19,0:27 19s. (id. in tlic New Tlirec per Cents., and the cash balance in the haiuls of tlie bankers on the 1st iiist. was £1,4^4 Is. 9d. Since the last General Meeting, the Council, impressed with tlie necessity of continuing their exertions in jtromoting mea- sures calculated to arrest the progress of tlie Cattle I'lague, resolved itself into a standing committee, and on the 12th of February had an interview with Earl llussell, and submitted to liiiii the following resolutions, which had been agreed to by the Council : — Resolved, that the Cattle Plague has increased and is in- creasing to an alarming extent. That the measures hitherto adopted have been wholly inefTcctual to prevent its progress. That no metliod of dealing with the Cattle Plague at the present time will be of any avail unless it provides for — 1st. The immediate slaughter and burial at least six feet deep of all cattle suffering from tlie disease; making compen- sation to the owners in such mode and to such extent as shall be considered advisable. 2ud. The rigid surveillance of all infected farms and the inimediate slaugliter of all animals which from time to time shall show the sliglitest symptoms of disease. 3rd. Tlie tliorough disinfection of all infected premises, and a proliibition to remove therefrom all manure, litter, hay, or straw for a period to be fixed, and tlicn only suljject to certain specific regulations. 4th. That tlie Government be rcciuested to bring before Parhament a Bill to direct and empower the Justices in Quarter or Special Sessions to assemble immediately to carry out the above llesolutions, and in such Bill to make in-ovision tor charging the necessary expenses on the County Rate, and also for assimilating the action of Counties and Boroughs. oth. That simultaneously with the destruction of diseased Cattle, the transit of all animals, ^^•lletller by road or rail, be entirely prohibited, with such exceptions only as may be ab- solutely necessary. 6tli That during the existence of the Cattle Plague all im- ported Cattle, Sheep, or Swine shall be slaiiglitered forthwith '^l , i-P?''*^ where tliey are lauded ; and their hides, skins, and otlal diBuifected there. The Council, as such Committee, have since np to the pre- sent time held several meetings for considering this subject, and have forwarded communications to the Privy Council with the following recommendations, pointing out the extreme im- portance of establishing permanenl means for and compelling the slaughter of all foreign fat stock at tlie place of disem- barkation ; and also, by an efficient system of quarantine applied to store animals and by stringent restrictions upon the pur- chasers of stock after they are liberated from such quarantine, to protect the public as far as possible from the risk of infec- tion caused by the importation of foreign Cattle ; and further, that no exception be made as regards the Metropolitan Market. The Council have since recommended — 1. " That in the opinion of ihe Council it is higldy desirable that the provisions of the Cattle Diseases Prevention Act, authorizing the compulsory slaughter of animals suffering from the Rinderpest and the awarding of compensation to their owners, should be extended for a jieriod of at least six mouths." 2. " That the attention of the Government be called to the complaints that are made that the orders in Council are in some districts very inefficiently carried out." To which the following reply was received: — " Copy of an order in Council, dated 9th instant, continuing until the 30th proximo the provisions of the Act 29th Vic, cap. 2, wliich relates to the slaughter of diseased animals: — " At the Court at Windsor, tlie 9th day of May, 1866 ; pre- sent, the Queen's Most Excellent IMajesly in Council. " Whereas by an Act passed in the present session of Parlia- ment, intituled ' An Act to amend the law relating to con- tagious or infectious diseases in cattle and other animals,' it is, amongst other things, enacted, that it shall be lawful for Her Jlajesty, Ijy Order in Council, from time to time to continue, or to renew if e.xpired, all or any of the provisions in the tirst j)art of that Act contained, for such time as shall be specified in such Order ; "And whereas it is provided in tlie eleventh section of tlie said Act, which section is in the first part thereof, that part 1 of the said Act sliall continue in force until the fifteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and no longer, unless continued or renewed by Order of Her Majesty iu Council ; " And whereas it is provided in tlie twelfth, thirteenth, four- teenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth sections of the first part of the said Act as follows : — "' SLAUGHTER OF DISEASED .VXIM.VLS. " ' 12. Every Local Authority shall cause all animals affected with the Catile Plague within its district to be slaughtered, and shall, by way of compensation for every animal so slaughtered, pay to the owner thereof such sum not exceeding twenty pounds, and not exceeding one-half of the value of the animal imme- diately before it was affected with the Cattle Plagae, as to such Local Autliority may seem fit ; "' 13. Every Local Authority sliall cause every animal that has died of Cattle Plague, orhas been slaughtered in consequence of being affected witli Cattle Plague within its district, to be buried as soon as possible in its skin in some proper place, and to be covered with a sufficient (juantity of quicklime or other disinfectant, and with no less than six feet of earth ; " ' 14. Every Local Authority sliall, witliiu its district, cause tlieyard,shed,stable,field, or other premises in which any animal affected with Cattle Plague has been kept while affected by the disease, or has died or been slaughtered, to be thorouglily cleansed and disinfected, and all hay, straw, litter, dung, or other articles that have been used in or about any such animal to be burnt or otherwise destroyed ; and no fresh animal shall lie admitted into any yard, shed, stable, field, or other premises in whicliany animal affected with Cattle Plague has been kept while affected by the disease, or has died or been slaughtered, until the expiration of thirty days after the cleansing and disin- fecting of such premises in pursuance of this Act ; and every Local Authority shall direct the disinfecting the clothes of, and THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 453 the use of due precautions by Inspeclors, Cattle Overseers, and others in contact with animals afl'ccted by the Cattle Plague, w itli a view to prevent the spreading of contagion ; "'15. A Local Authority may, if lie thinks fit, cause to be slauglitered any animal that has been in the same shed or stable, or in the same herd or lloek, or in contact with any animal atTected with Cattle I'lague within its district ; and the owner of any auiuuil so slaughtered may either dispose of the carcase on his own account, with a licence from some olficer appointed in that behalf by a Local Authority, or may require the Local Authority to dispose of the same, in which case such Local Authority shall pay to the owner thereof, by way of compensation, such sum, not exceeding twenly-five pounds, as may etpial three-fourths of the value of the animal slaughtered : i'rovided always, that the Lords of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, or any two or more of them, may reserve animals (ordered to be slaughtered as aforesaid) for the purpose of experimental treatmeut ; "'1(5. The Local Authority may require tlie value of any animal slaughtered under this Act, to be ascertained by Officers of the Local Authority or by arbitration, and generally may im- pose conditions as to evidence of the slaughter and value of the animals slaughtered : Provided that no compensation shall in any case be paid in respect of any animal found atTected with Cattle I'lague in a market or on a highway, or in respect of any animal which has been moved or otherwise dealt with in con- t ravcntion of tliis Act, or any Order of a Local Authority made in pursuance thereof;' " And whereas by an Order of Her Majesty in Council, bear- ing date the ninth day of April, one tliousand eight hundred and sixty-six, the provisions of the above recited sections of the iirst part of the said Act were continued in force beyond the said tifteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty- six, and until the tenth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six ; and whereas it is considered expedient that the same be further continued ; " Now, therefore. Her Majesty, in exercise of the power vested in her by the said Act, and by and with the advice of lier l^rivy Council, is pleased to order, and it is hereby ordered, that the said recited provisions contained in the twelfth, thir- teenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth sections of the first part of the said Act sliall continue in force on and after the said tenth day of May, one tliousand eight hundred and sixty- six, until the 30th day of June, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six. " Arthur Helps." The application of steam to the cultivation of the soil has received the careful consideration of the Council, and they con- sider that the time has now arrived when an attempt should be made to arrive at the results wliich have been obtained by its use on dilierent soils and in different localities. AVith this object they have appointed a Central Committee composed of members of the Council from every district in England to conduct a complete inquiry. Inspection Committees will visit such farms as the Central Committee may select for inspection. To assist them in their investigations, paid Secretaries will be attached to each Inspection Committee. A sum of £500 has been voted for the purpose of carrying out this investigation. Tlie proceedings of the Education Committee with regard to the prizes offered in connection with the last Cambridge Local Examination are detailed at full length in the last number of the Journal ; and the Committee are following out similar plans to those therein detailed with regard to the ensuing (Oxford Local Examinations. The Council have also authorized the Education Committee to offer prizes in connection with the Cambridge Local Examinations for 1866. The Country Meeting at Bury St. Edmunds having been postponed to 1867 in consequence of the prevalence of the Cattle Plague, a meeting wiU be held in the neighbourhood of London, merely ^;;'o/6/i'wa, iu accordance with the provisions of the Royal Charter, and will be duly advertised. Papers have been read at the weekly meetings of the So- ciety by the llight Honourable Earl Cathcart and by Professor Simonds on the Cattle Plague, and ljy Dr. Voelcker on Agri- cultural Experiments in the Field. The Council have been favoured with various communica- tions from Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and these have from time to time been published in the agri- cultural papers reporting the proceedings of the Council. By order of the Council, H. Hall Pake, Secretary. Earl Catucaut observed that there was a trifling error in the report so far as he was himself concerned. It was stated that he " read" a lecture, the truth being that he had not time to prepare, and therefore only referred to a few notes. Sir J. II. Maxwell moved the adoption of the report. He was sorry to see that 308 members had Ijeen lost by resigna- tion or otherwise, and tliat there were only 57 new members ; and he hoped to see a better report in that respect next year. As regarded the funds, he was curious to see wliat effect would be produced by the fact of the Society's not holding its coun- try meeting this year. It was matter of deep congratulation tliat the cause of that, namely, the cattle plague with which this country had been visited, was passing away ; and it was to the patriotism and unselfishness of almost every one in fol- lowing out the rcgidations adopted by the Government that, under God's blessing, they might attribute the almost total cessation of this pestilence. Witli respect to Scotland, he might observe that iu Dumfriesshire, wliieh a few weeks ago seemed to have been entirely freed from the disease, it had lately shown itself not far from his own estate, and 25 or 30 head of cattle had licen ordered to be destroyed. He had not heard of any further spread of the disease. There were only one or two parts of the country, these being in Forfarshire and Kincardineshire, where it was prevalent. Mr. BoTLEY, in seconding the motion, also expressed a hope that the cattle plague would very soon cease. The decrease in the number of members was, he thought, to be accounted for by the fact tliat there was to be no country meeting this year (Hear, hear). In the locality where lie lived there was a very large increase within six months before a meeting of that So- ciety, in anticipation of that meeting. It must not, therefore, be inferred from this diminution of numbers that the Society had become unpopular (Hear, hear). The decrease was, he believed, owing to the stoppage of the country meeting. Mr. AuKELL wisiiedthe Council would ask themselves whe- ther the Society was keeping pace with the times. A diminution of 308 members, combined with the fact that only 57 members had joined, appeared to him a plain proof that the Society was going back, and had not the confidence of the farmers of the country. He did not know how far the Council was to blame in this matter ; but when a society was £8 years old they had a right to look for fruits, and he had once or twice before expressed his opinion that the Council were not keeping pace witli the times. The charter stated that nothing was to be interfered with that was brought before Parliament ; whether any revi- sion of the Charter in that respect was contemplated he did not know. He wished to draw attention to the course wliicli had been pursued in relation to the cattle plague. He perceived from the report, that the 12th of February was about the time when the Council began to bestir themselves. The plague liroke out in August, and an association was then foraied in his county for the protection of the farmers. Various opinions were expressed at the meeting of that association, as to what ought to done ; and, while he (Mr. Arkell) said at the first or second meeting that he thought the cattle traffic ought to be stopped, others laughed at that notion as absurd. The Koyal Agricultural Society might fairly be expected to take the lead in anything aifccting agriculture ; and if it did not, the local societies must be all abroad, not being sufficiently influential to bring the matter prominently before the public. He con- tended that if this Society had bestirred itself, the subject of the cattle iilague might have been brought before Parliament much earlier than it was. What could be more absurd than for a number of gentlemen to meet and debate a question like that, and then say, " We must not interfere with anything that is brought before Parliament" (Hear, hear) ? He could only account for this state of things by the fact that the Society was formed iu old Protection times, when farmers and others were gagged, and not allowed to express their opinions lest protec- tion should be lost. As regarded the cattle plague their posi- tion was one which ought at once to have been brought under the attention of the Government. "What occurred a few days ago in the City of Loudon illustrated the difference between their own position and that of the commercial classes. When the great panic occurred the week before last, what did the commercial classes do ? They sent their representatives at once to Mr. Gladstone, and an Order in Council was passed to stay the operation of an Act of Parliament. The cattle plague, on the other liand, went on for months before an Act of Parliament was passed to stop it, or any etfectual steps were 464 THE FARMER'S MAQAZINE. takeu, and in the mean time the farmers might all have heen ruined. He thought, therefore, the Council had not done their duty iu this case either to the members of that Society or to the agricultural class generally. Ruin had been staring farmers in tlie face in various parts of the country, and espe- cially in Cheshire. He came from Wiltshire, where there had only been a slight touch of the disease ; but nevertheless he felt strongly that that Society, instead of being at the head, was almost at the tail of agricultural progress at the present time. He could not understand why the Council waited till the 12th of February to go before Earl llussell, and ask him to do something to arrest the evil. Sir Walter Stirling said he thought the Council moved in December. Mr. Arkell did not mean to say that nothing was done. What he said was, that Parliament was not appealed to before February. Lord Walsingiiam observed that Parliament was not sitting before then. Mr. Ar]vi;ll : But it might have been called together. Lord Walsingham : The Council had no power to call Par- liament together. Mr. Akkell continued : If the Council had represented the necessity of the case, the thing might, lie Ijelieved, have been done. The truth was, they were all asleep, the Government as well as the Council. Tiiey did not seem to have been aware of the urgency of the case. He did not wish to move an amend- ment ; but he could not attend that meeting without raising his voice to try and stir the Council into greater activity, and at the same time to suggest that the Charter should be revised, so as to make it more in harmony with the interests of the Society. Mr. BoTLEY begged permission to observe, in reference to what had just been said about a recent visit to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the argument cut both ways, agricultu- rists having sulfered from previous panics as much as almost any other interest. Mr. Arkell said he did not mean to say that the Chancellor of the Exchequer acted wrongly. Sir Walter Stirling said he was not going to complain of Mr. Arkell's remarks respecting the cattle-plague. Similar thoughts must Iiave occurred to many persons when that awful calamity was hanging over them. But it was obvious that no public body, and least of all the agricultural one, could act in defiance of public opinion (Hear, hear). Nor could the Govern- ment itself act in defiance of public opinion or get a law passed without the concurrence of the community generally. In illus- tration of what he meant, he might allude to tlie Ijackwardness of tenant-farmers themselves, or those of them who belonged to that Society. In such an emergency he should have ex- pected to see that room filled when the subject was discussed, and members rusliing forvi^ard to urge on the Council and drive away their supposed sluggishness. Why were they not there ? Why did they not attend in greater numbers on this occasion ? The Government of the country almost left the matter to the management of the agricultural interest, and he considered it a great compliment to that interest that tliere shoidd have been entrusted to it a question of such imperial concern as one ali'ecting tlie supply of food for the people. It would liave been much better to strengthen the hands of the Council in the manner that he suggested, than to come forward now and abuse them ; and he did not thiuk the Council ought to be blamed by agriculturists for their own backwardness. Mr. Edmunds (of Uugby) hoped the meeting would bear with him while lie made a few observations. The gentleman who spoke last asked why tenant-farmers did not come there. Echo said. Why don't they ? and he too said, Why don't tliey ? Meeting them as he did continually, he had frequently heard dissatisfaction expressed by them with the lloyal Agricultural Society, and more especially as regards its proceedings in reference to the cattle-plague. He came there that day expecting to see the room filled, as the question of the cattle-plague still created a deep interest among farmers ; but, as had been well said, there was no one scarcely to in- form the_ Council what were the wishes of agriculturists on that suliject. As regarded the decrease in the number of members, he believed there must be some cause beyond the tact that no show was to be held this year. Tlie question had indeed been discussed whether the Society miglit not pursue some nobler oliject than holding a show once a-yeiir. He (Mr. Edmunds) would be the last person to say a word against a society which had produced such good results in this king- dom. Wiieu tliey considered what was the state of agriculture iu this country at the period when the Society was established, and when they remembered what improvements had taken place in stock and implements, they must all feel that a great advance had been made ; and it was to that great Society that the agriculturists were mainly indebted for the improvements wliich had taken place iu stock, in the cultivation of the soil, and in the implements and machinery used in various depart- ments of farming. But then came tlie question whether, after the show had been held in almost every part of the kingdom, and the improved implements had been seen everywhere, there could be any utility in continuing to offer prizes, year after year, for the same thing. As he remarked last year, they wanted a better plough, a better winnowing-machine, and a better turnip-cutter ; but he said then, and he repeated now, that it was useless to continue offering prizes when there could be no improvement. If a new implement were exhibited, and it was likely to be of good service to the country, let it be stamped as good, and an ample prize be attached to it ; but to pay prize after prize for the same article, without any im- provement, had for a long time appeared to him a mere waste of money. There was another question to which he wished to allude. Very many persons in his waUv of life felt very strongly that they wanted something somewhere — whether it was to be the Royal Agricultural Society, or some new body, he did not know — which might stand fortli as the representative of the great agricultural interest. Trade had its chambers of com- merce to represent it in almost every large town, and the weight and influence of these chambers was brought to bear on the governing-classes of the country. That Society had its hands tied behind its back, by the charter ; and he believed no falser step could be taken than to make it a political Society, for it would tlien probably be broken up by divisions (Hear, hear) ; )>ut at the same time, there were questions which were not political that required to be considered from time to time. To consider what would be the effect of the Reform Bill on agriculture would be out of place; but there were burdens on land, there were things turning up every now and then which might lie called i7«rt.yi-political, and if agriculturists had no opportunity of expressing their opin- ions, how was Parliament or the Government to know what they had to say about them ? (Hear, hear). He believed that that Society was founded iu wisdom, but he thought it must eome into more direct contact witli the agricultural body if it was to retain its position. Its members ought to be doubled, and he believed they would be doubled if that Society were really felt to represent the interests of farmers (Hear, hear). Again, the great question of the present day was the educa- tion question. Tiie Council could not think that the mere offering of prizes to a few l)oys was what was intended when they were asked to take up the question of agricultural educa- tion. The establishment of schools was, lie admitted, no part of tlie business of that society, the onus of providing education for children resting on their parents ; but he main- tained that if the Council was instrumental in giving boys an insight into important and special things bearing on agricul- ture of which they might otherwise know nothing, that would be a great advantage. He would ask the Council, instead of dribbling away money in small amounts, to begin by establish- ing an education fund, and when it realised £10,000 something effectual might be done. In almost every other class of life young men could gain distinctions — a man could get a stamp, as it were, for what he was ; but the agriculturist had no such chance. Great middle-class schools had been established iu Surrey, Suffolk, and other counties, and in those schools there were beginning to be taught the elements of chemistry, botany, mechanics, and so on, which must prove very useful to far- mers' sons in after-life. What lie considered to be needed was an examination for boys in such subjects, and a further ex- amination for persDus of from 20 to 25 years of age, the effect of which would be to stamp those wlio were successful with a high character. If only half-a-score such persons as had passed well-conducted examinations were placed in each county, in jiositions where they could work scientifically and skilfully in farming, they would be like a little leaven leavening the wiiole lump, and great benefit would thus be conferred on agriculture. Dr, Crisi' was surprised that the mover and seconder of the THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 455 luotiou should liave come to so stniuge a conclusion as tlial the cattle plague was dyiuy out. It was true they liad niuety-live cases less last week than the week before in England, Scotland, and Wales ; but what was tlie state of Ireland ? Who could say that the disease niiglit not be as deadly tliere as it had been in this country? The suggestion tluit because they had a few hundred cases a week less than they liad a short time ago, the disease was dying out, \\as not warranted by what they knew of its history. On the contrary, he believed that unless more stringent measures were adopted, and the Act of Parliament was tlioroughly and efficiently carried out, they might not get rid of the cattle plague for many a year. He regretted that the report made no mention of the state of the veterinary pro- fession, which might well have been done, seeing that the Veterinary College of this country was most intimately con- nected with this Society, which had paid towards its objects £'2(X). It was a mere college, having nothing national about it. Scotland had its Highland Society securing the services of professional men, as the English college did ; but now tliat tlie cattle plague had Ijrokcn out in Ireland, where were tlie veterinary surgeons to come from ? There was no college in Ireland for the treatment of tlie diseases of cattle. The whole present system was inimical to the progress of science ; yet the Governors of this Society had not hesitated to say, in one of their Ixeports, " if anything could make the system more perfect, we recommend so and so." It was the most monstrous system that was ever adopted, and until tlie matter was taken up by tlie Government estal3lishing a proper veterinary college tliey would never liave proper veterinary assistance. He was sure the state of the profession had liad much influence in the spread of tlie disease. It surprised him that the heads of the veterinary profession should submit to be governed by men who had no knowledge whatever of veterinary medicine. Until they had a national veterinary college for the three kingdoms tliey would never have proper treatment of cattle. With regard to tlie subject of education, to which he had paid a good deal of attention, he entirely disagreed with Sir. Edmunds as to the reservation of a fund for the purpose. They had six of these large schools, Ijut tliey were utterly useless for the purpose of agricultural education. He had a boy himself at Hurstpier- point, and there nineteen out of every twenty of the pupils were not intended for the pursuit of agriculture. Agriculture was as scientific a vocation as medicine, and there was no reason why a college should not be established in this country, at which certain agricultural degrees should be conferred. M. Boillc, the head of veterinary science in France, said, and he was ashamed that such a remark could justly be made, " You liave such a system that the cattle plague must spread." There were in this country very few men connected with the veterinary college, and they had sis. months' study in eacli of two years, making twelve months altogether ; whereas in France, Germany, and Belgium, a young man must attend nimierous curricula, extending over at least four years, before he had the privilege of calling himself a veterinary surgeon. In Ireland there might be one or two professors of veterinary surgery ; hut there was no association to look to for aid in the present calamity. The Council of this Institution had been very negligent in not bringing the matter of the cattle plague before agriculturists and the Government long before they (lid. At the last meeting he had stated that the measures they were adopting were utterly useless, and subsequent experience had proved the correctness of what he said. Those raeasurt s were brought forward early in February, and vi'ere obliged to be altered immediately afterwards. The course which the Council ought to have taken was at once to ask that Parliament might 1)6 called together. They should have said, " We are in great difficulty. Here is a disease which has destroyed cattle in all countries. We know its history well. Call Parliament together and let something be done at once to check its progress." The Government had in his opinion been infinitely more negligent than the Society, but both had been to blame, and lie could not join the mover and seconder of the report in praising either. Mr. MoRTO?f had private business with Mr. Helps at the time the disease broke out in June, and could state that all tlirough July and August the Privy Council were fuUy aware of the extent and danger of the disease, with reference to which they were receiving at tliat time communications from aU parts of England. The Govermnent issued orders that the annual fair at Croydon sliould not be held last year, but the farmers determined to hold it in spite of the warning, and hired a private field for the purpose, upon which Mr. Helps said to liim, "What can we do if the farmers will not help themselves"? He was aware tliat the farmers there did not Ijclieve the disease was of so serious a nature as it afterwards proved to be ; but he could bear testimony to the fact that the Government were ready from the first to recommend any measures, however strhigcnt, if they could only have had the support of public opinion. Sir J. II. Maxwell understood from the secretary that a great proportion of the number by which the list of members of the society was reduced were Plymouth men who joined for the year, and if the meeting had been held this year at Bury the number would in all probability have been made up. He wished to put a question to Dr. Crisp, the answer to which might tend to lessen the alarm which that gentleman's remarks might create throughout the country. He (Sir J. Maxwell) had stated that he thought it matter of congratulation that the disease, though far from having disappeared from the country, was very greatly reduced, and he knew that that was the case in Scotland. He knew that it had broken out in Ireland, but trusted that it would not spread there to any serious extent. He understood Dr. Crisp to say that the reduction in England had been very small, only perhaps a few hundred cases ; but he would ask him whether the number of cases was not some thousands less than it was some weeks ago. It was of the utmost importance that i:hc report should not go forth from that meeting that the disease was not reducing at all in the country. He beheved that in Cheshire, and indeed in every part of the country, there was a very large reduction indeed. Dr. Crisp had mentioned that last week the uumljcr of cases was 95 less than the week before ; but he believed great harm would result if a feeling of security were to arise from the fact that the disease was diminishing. He could not ima- gine anything more injurious than that a report shoiild go forth from the society that the cattle plague was quickly being got rid of. He was well acquainted with all the statistics, and did not think that that was the case. The disease was greatly diminished, but the coiuitry was not yet secure. Mr. DucKHAM also thought it woiild have an injurious effect if the public were informed that, in the opinion of this great national society, the cattle plague was fast leaving the country. He had watched the progress and diminution of the disease, and had had forwarded to hun weekly the official returns from the Privy Council, and he regretted to find in those returns the statement every week of a certain number of recoveries. He could not himself understand how the Government could sup- pose the 12th section of the orders of the Privy Council was carried out when they themselves in their official report pub- lished a coliunn of recoveries. A hundred to a hundred and fifty recoveries weekly was a paltry number as compared with the thousands of animals that were dying before the stringent measures were adopted. He believed that if the law had been properly carried out, instead of having 2,000 cases a-week with 150 recoveries, the country would be now very nearly if not quite free from the disease. Up to the 17th of February there were upwards of 13,000 attacks, and though the iutroduction of slaughtering diminished the number to 3,000, it had not de- creased in a satisfactoiy manner since that time. He did not know whether the committee had urged upon the Privy Council the desirability of continuing the supeusion of fairs and mar- kets, but unless that were done he looked with a great amount of dread to coming events. Sir J. Maxwell had spoken strongly of the diminution of the disease in Scotland, but only three posts past he (Jlr. Duckham) received a letter which stated that it had again broken out in Forfarshire in a most virulent manner, but they had repeatedly urged upon the Government the necessity of carrying out the slaughtering section of the Act, but that that had not been done, and they were in great distress in that part of the country from the negligent manner in which the law was lieing administered by the local authorities. Instead of lulling the puhUc with false reports they ought to make known the real position of the kingdom, that tlie disease was not stamped out in Scotland or in England, and that it had broken out in Ireland. The President must in some degree contradict those who had lilamed the Council for apathy in this matter. He had been up with four diff^erent deputations to the Government, urging the necessity for the most stringent measures. The first occasion was as early as October, when I'arliament was not sitting. It was not ia the power of the Council to eaU Parlia^ 456 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. raent together, but they urged as strongly us they could upon the Privy Council the necessity of the most stringent measures to ])reventthe spread of the disease. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Sir W. Stirli>'G proposed as president for the ensuing year a gentleman possessing not merely theoretical acquirements, but a practical knowledge of the details of farming— Mr. Harry Stephen Thompson, of Kirby Hall, York. As to the attack which had been made upon the Council, he wanted to know what more that body could have done unless they had been backed by the tenant-farmers? The Council. had acted with considerable prudence and discretion in a most delicate and difficult emergency, and in his opinion deserved the confi- dence of the society. Their hands had been tied, and the same tiling might be said of the Government. It re(piired the opera- tion of time and the experience of many months to bring the peoiile to understand the matter they had to deal with, and to induce them to make the sacrifices to which they had been un- fortunately exposed. Mr. BoTLEY seconded the motion, which was carried. Tlie Trustees having been re-elected, Lord l''£\F.KSiiAM returned thanks on their behalf, and in doing so, attributed the falling-off in the number of members of the Society in some measure to tlie great number of kindred local institutions which had been established throughout the country. The Council undertook the question of the cattle plague at the earliest moment, and it was no fault of theirs that the Government would not attend to the representations they made. Still, he believed it was owing to the representa- tions of the Society that after the meeting of rarliament no time was lost in bringing forward a measure upon the subject. Whatever differences of opinion might exist upon this or other subjects, he trusted they would always pursue the course best calculated to uphold and promote the prosperity of their great national institution, which, in spite of the obloquy which had been cast upon its proceedings, had hitherto followed a most successful course, and enjoyed a high position. The Vice-Presidents were then re-elected. Lord WALSI^■G^AM, in responding, expressed his conviction that all the ofHcers of the Society had been anxious to do everything in their power to check the progress of the cattle plague. They had an interview with Earl Granville in Decem- ber, and with the Prime Minister in Pebruary, and submitted a list of recommendations. But those who had watched the proceedings in Parliament would be aware liow very dilficult the question was, because neither the House of Commons nor the House of Lords were able to agree upon bills to carry out the views of those who thought they understood the subject ; and at last it was thrown back upon the Government, to act by Order in Council, as they had acted before. It could not, therefore, be charged against the Council of the Society that they had neglected their duty, or that they had done less than might have been expected from them. Mr. Orebar, in moving a vote of thanks to the auditors, suggested that instead of keeping so large a sum as they did in hand, it might be well to spread it over the country ; thus etfecting a stiU greater amount of good than they were now doing, and making the Society more popular. Colonel Hood seconded the motion, and expressed his regret that there was tii be no show this year. They might have had an excellent exhibition of implements, horses, and poultry. The motion having been carried was acknowledged by Mr. Astbury, On the motion ot Col. Challoner, seconded by Mr. Botley, a rote of thanks was passed to the President, and the proceed- ings terniinat-ed. THE ROYAL AaElCULTURAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. The anniversary of this institution was celebrated by a public dinner at the London Tavern, on Wednesday, May 33. In the unavoidable absence of Sir Edward Kerrisou, Bart., M.P., the chair was taken by the Right Hon. Earl Cowper, E.G. Tiie company was not large, and, as usual, the Chairman was the only Peer in the room. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been proposed and duly honoured, The noble Chairman, in giving the toast of the evening, said lie had been rather taken aback at finding himself in a ]iosition which on previous occasions had been filled by much more eminent )nen. He felt the ditTiculty of that position the more strongly when he reflected that he was occupying the place of Sir Edward Kerrison, who was unavoidably absent. He had tlie pleasure of being well acquainted with that gentleman ; and he was sure that every one present regretted his inability to be amongst them (Hear, hear). The part which Sir Edward took in the affairs of his own county, the admirable manner in which he would have presided, and the serious cause of his absence must be felt by all present (Hear, hear). The object of their gathering was not merely to make common cause together and make merry together, but to act as a kind of advertisement, and endeavour to spread abroad the objects of the institution, and increase its annual revenue (cheers). It had often been said, and very unjustly too, that the farmers of England were rather a grumbling race (a laugh) ; but he believed that that remark was only made by tho.se who envied the happy life that farmers led. Perhaps, however, it might be somewhat justified by the rather injudi- cious way in which some of the spokesmen of that great class occasionally brought their grievances before the minds of the public, on occasions when people were not willing to hear them, and considered them rather too pertinacious (Hear, hear). But he must say that it always appeared to him that the farmers were a remarkably amiable, good-humoured set of men. They naturally liad their own opinions, and maintained them as they ought to do, like other classes ; but, if they were warm opponents, they were generous ones, and warm and faithful friends. He considered that anything which was cal- culated to benefit such a class of men was well deserving the attention of the public. The only wonder was, looking at the objects with which this institution was founded, that it was not started years before ; for every other class had a similar institution. A farmer's profession, although a pleasant one, was not, perhaps, the most hicrative. Earms were every day rising in value. He never had a farm to let, for which he did not find a great number of applicants from whom lie could obtain large rents. There was gieat competi- tion for farms. Almost every one who was brought up a far- mer— and farmers were rather prolific (a laugh)— wished to continue in the pursuit. It was a pleasant life, much more lively than sitting amongst the 000 acres of buildings in the city. But he did not think that the facts of farms rising in value every day was a proof of their paying ; and as long as there was competition, of course rents would continue to in- crease. There were some very rich and benevolent men, who thought it not desirable to ask the highest rent that could be obtained — who felt that they could get their farms best culti- vated if they did not exact a very high rent. But the great bulk of proprietors were those who lived on their landed in- comes. They often succeeded to incumbered estates, and were accustomed to lead an expensive life. The generality of far- mers were not able to put by veiy much. They lived, to a cer- tain degree, " from hand to mouth." After paying their ex- penses they might reserve just enough to go on with from year to year, and the consequence was that a great number of men, from no fault of their own, after living a respectable youthful life, found themselves in their old age in destitute cir- cumstances. He had been in the habit of subscribing a few pounds towards the support of other institutions, and should be happy to increase his subscriptions (cheers). All he would now say was, that every year he received an extraordinary num- ber of applications for assistance, and that that circumstance proved the existence of a great number of distressing cases. He was not a particularly good hand at making a tender ap- peal to the feelings, and describing cases of heart-rending dis- tress. He could not talk of starving wives and children. But he would say, that it was most distressing to find a man, who in early life had occupied a high position, who had farmed a considerable number of acres, who had been looked up to asj THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 457 an authority in his parish, wlio had employed a great amouut of labour, and who had lived a highly honourable life, reduced to comparative poverty (Hear, hear). Tliose persons would not accept private relief; but a society could otfer the necessary relief without wounding their feelings ; and, therefore, such a society as the present ought to he most liberally supported (cheers). He would not detain them longer, but propose " Prosperity to the Royal Agricultural Eenevoleut Institution" (The toast was received with loud and continued cheering) . Mr. C. S11.VW, the Secretary, then read the list of subscrip- tions and donations, amounting to £3,503. Amongst the names were those of Her Majesty for £25, and the Chairman for a similar amount. Mr. Alderman Mf.chi said it was now his pleasing duty to propose the health of the noble Chairman (cheers). They had heard a great deal about volunteers ; and when a man of great estate and responsibihty was suddenly called upon to imder- take a duty, and accepted it cheerfully and readily, they owed him a deep debt of gratitude. It was a great privilege on these occasions to be honoured with the presence of a Peer of the rcahn, who possessed large estates, whose name was closely and naturally identified with agriculture, and who was esteemed by everyone (cheers). He was sure that all present would agree \yith him when he said that the aristocracy of the coun- try were a source of great respect and admiration, and that they were deserving of that respect from the manner in which they preserved the dignity of their position, at a great expense, for the honour of the couutry, by fuUilliug in their respective counties duties of a very important character, and identifying themselves with the best interests of the public (cheers). lie thought they might well congratulate themselves on the fact that his lordship had become a practical farmer with regard to this charity (cheers). He had made a speech which was purely agricultural. He agreed with his lordship that farming was a very pleasant business, and sometimes regretted the necessity of coming to town. When he reached town there were always the same great blocks of houses to look at, never changing ; but on going into the couutry, every moment pro- duced a eliange of scene. He never was able to see that variety in Loudon stones and bricks which some people ad- mired, and therefore preferred the country (cheers). It was a delightful thing to have the proceedings of the Institution dignified by the presence of such a scientiiic man as the noble chairman. He believed that the charity would become one of the greatest charities in the kingdom, and could state his reason for entertaining that opinion. The agricultural was the great- est interest in tjie kingdom. He would take into account the 00,000,000 of available acres, and throw in the water as nothing. He thought he was not far wrong in estimating the value of the land-property at £25 per acre. Taking it at that sum, the capital representing land would be £1,500,000,000. Taking the tenants-rights at only £i an acre, the total value would be £240,000,000. Now 'putt' "g tl^ese two sums to- gether, he would asic where could any other interest be found representing such an amount in value as the agricultural and landed-interest ? (Loud cheers.) They ought, then, to re- joice in such an institution as this, the object of which was to relieve from sorrow and poverty such a class of men as the yeomen of England (cheers). He rejoiced to find that his lordship was a member of this great institution. Perhaps he might live long enough to carry grey hairs, like many of those now present. They would all be happy to see him over and over again, and instead of the income of the society being limited to £4,000 or £5,000 a-year, he trusted that his lordship would live to see it exceed £00,000 (loud cheers) . So long as it was sup- ported by our noble aristocracy, its prospects would improve. At the same time, it was necessary to endeavour to obtain tlie support of the rich merchants and brokers and other import- ant classes of the community (cheers). He was happy to see many gentlemen present \n1io had risen from the plough, and was sure they would respond to the claims of the institution. And as the great cities liecame more acquainted with the claims aud difficulties of the agriculturists, he was sure they would respond to those claims and add largely to the revenue of the institution (cheers). Those who knew their noble Chairman were aware of the fact that he was a capital man of business in his own county. He was the chairman of an in- stitution which no doubt would be largely imitated. There was a good middle-class educational institution in Suftblk, and their noble chairman presided over a similar institution in Bedfordshire (cheers). Without further preface, he now begged to propose the health of "the Right Hon. the Earl Cowper, our chairman." The toast was drunk with three times three. The noble Chairman, in responding, expressed his thanks for the kind manner in which the toast had been received by those amongst wliom he was almost an entire stranger : for, with the exception of Mr. James Howard, there was scarcely a single face which he had seen until about a week ago. Mr. Meclii had expressed a very good opinion of the aristocracy of this country. He (Earl Cowper) felt that the people were ready to make every allowance and give every encouragement to the higher classes, and it was then their fault if they did not ap- preciate that kindness (cheers). Should the aristocracy of England ever come to share the fate of the aristocracy of France, and be reduced to nothing, and be unable to engage in business, it would be entirely their own fault (cheers). In proposing the next toast, " Lord Spencer and the Execu- tive Council," the noble Chairman observed that hi should have been happy to couple with it the name of Mr. Shaw, but that gentleman had so many important matters to attend to, that it would scarcely be fair to call upon him to speak, and he should therefore content himself with mentioning Mr. Shaw's name. He was not well acquainted with the work of the institution ; but he believed that it worked exceedingly well. He regretted the absence of Earl Spencer, who took a kind of hereditary interest in farming, and to whom the institution was so much indebted (cheers). He begged to couple with the toast the name of Mr. Shackell (cheers). Mr. SiiACKEi.L, in acknowledgment of the toast, said the Council always felt the greatest pleasure in supporting the institution, for a more valuable one did not exist. Never was there a time when such an institution was more needed ; and although its progress had been rather slow, he trusted that it would eventually become one of the largest in the kingdom. They were fortunate in having tlie assistance of such a valu- able secretary, to whom the society was greatly indebted for its success (cheers). Mr. Jones briefly thanked the stewards for the manner in which they had discharged their duties. Mr. Baldwin replied, and gave the Secretary. Mr. SiiAAV, in responding, said he always highly appreciated the good opinion of those with whom he was brought in con- tact. Having had the honour of being present at the birth of the society, he felt that he was something more than a mere paid secretary, aud should always be ready to do his utmost to promote its interests (cheers). Mr. J. Clayden proposed the health of the ladies, with which he coupled the name of Mr. H. Corbet, who briefly re- sponded, and the company then separated. IRELAND. AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. Dublin, May 21. — The agricultural statistics for the year 1865 have been printed. In the preliminary remarks ad- dressed to the Lord-Lieutenant, Mr. Donnelly, the Registrar- General, states that when the returns were sent in to the office by the constabulary, they were copied by electoral divisions, and forwarded to the chairman of tlie Board of Guardians for revision, and they have been revised accordingly for 3,652 out of 3,438 electoral divisions : " The acreage under crops in 1805, as compared with 1864, shows that wheat decreased by 9,494 acres, oats 09,058 acres, turuips 3,143 acres, and flax 50,200 acres. Barley increased by 4,4(J2 acres, here and rye 1,197 acres, potatoes 20,536 acres, 458 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. mangold wiuzel 316 acres, cabbage 1,801 acres, aud liay 68,924 acres ; the total net decrease in the area of these crops being 29,379 acres. ,. ^ , " The crops which sliow a diminution m the estimated acre- able produce in 1865, compared with 1864, were — wheat, which decreased 0.3 cwt. ; barley, 1.0 cwt. ; here, 1.6 cwt. ; potatoes, 0.5 ton per acre; turnips, 0.4 ton; and flax, 9.0 stones per acre. Tiie crops which show an increase are — oats, 0.2 cwt. ; rye, 1.9 cwt. ; mangold wurzel, 3.8 tons ; cabbage, 1.1 ton ; and hay, 0.2 of a ton per acre. " In cereals there was a total decrease of 246,667 quarters ; of which 48,999 were wheat, 166,605 oats, 29,892 barley, and 1,171 here. Rye increased by 5,684 quarters. Potatoes, notwithstanding an increased acreage in 1865, gave a total produce less by 446,398 tons, caused by a decrease in the average yield per acre; turnips decreased by 165,976 tons, owing to a smaller acreage, and also to a reduction in the acreable yield ; flax also shows a decrease of 24,945 tons, from the same causes. Mangold wurzel gives an increase of 44,653 tons, cabbage of 52,877 tons, and hay 461,554 tons, owing to a larger area and produce per acre in 1865, compared wdtli 1864. " The acreage under the principal crops in 1864 and 1865, and the increase or decrease in the latter year, are given in Table 1. ; the estimated average produce per acre and the total yield are shown in Tables II. and III. ; and a com- parison of the average produce of the crops per acre in each county and province in 1864 aud 1865 is given in Table IV. ; and in Table V. the acreage under the principal crops, the es- timated yield per acre, and the total produce, are exhibited for the series of years from 1851 to 1865, inclusive. " The number of emigrants leaving the ports of Ireland in 1865 was 103,096, of whom 56,206 were males, and 46,890 females. The total number who emigrated in 1864 was 114,903 ; there was thus a decrease in 1865 of 11,807. "As regards the ages of the emigrants, 64.7 in every 100 were between 15 and 35 years old, 9.1 per cent, were be- tween 5 and 15 years old, and 6.4 per cent, were under 5, and the remaining 11.4 per cent, were above 35 years. The ages of 8,702 emigrants (8.4 per cent.) were not ascer- tained. " In eonsequeuce of the great importance attached to the extended cultivation of flax in Ireland, Mr. Donnelly has given a detailed table, showing, by provinces and counties, the barony, parish, and townland in which each scutching miU is situated, the number of stocks and handles in each mill, aud the number of weeks during which the mill was at work from the 1st of June, 1864, to the 31st of May, 1865. These mills, it is satisfactory to observe, have increased in number with the larger area under flax in all the provinces, as will be seen from the suljjoined statement, the particulars of which were obtained by the enumerators, in each year from 1861 to 1865, inclusive : "Number of Scutching-mills in Ieeiand, by Peoyinces, m 1861, '2, '3, '■!, and '5. Increase Provinces. 1861, 1862, 1863. 1864. 1865. between 1861 and 1865. 1. Ulster 1,013. ..1,037.. .1,055. ..1,115. ..1,314... 301 2. Leinster ... 13... 13... 12... 16 .. 41... 31 3. Miuister ... 7... 7... 10... 13... 42... 35 4. Connaught 4... 3... 3... 4... 26... 22 Ireland ..,,1,037 l,i 1,080 1,148 1,426 389 THE CATTLE-PLAGUE. Dublin, May 24. — The question of whether the rinderpest has or has not made its appearance in this country naturally agitates the agricultural community to a very great extent. On the one hand, we have professional assurances that the eases of cattle-disease which have occurred in the county of Down were of the true type of rinderpest ; and, on the other, practical farmers deny that a single case of that dreaded distemper has appeared in the country. It is not easy to reconcile these various views; but it may be stated that those interested in the breeding and cultivation of cattle declare that the result of the panic which has taken place in consequence of the asserted pre- sence of rinderpest is a depreciation in the value of stock held in the country to the extent of six millions sterling. Upon what data this calculation is based I have not been able to learn ; but I have been referred to instances occurring at recent markets, w^here from four to six pounds below the ordinary selling value have been gladly accepted for beasts whose owners were anxious to get rid of them even at such a sacrifice. It might be thought that these instances were isolated, but I am told that they are very general and frequent. In the present state of the public mind the Cattle-plague Committee appointed during the past year resumed its sittings yesterday afternoon a the Mansion-house, and proceeded to consider the best mean to be adopted " to counteract the great excitement that ha taken hold of the public mind in consequence of the numerous cases of reported rinderpest, and the undue control and inter- ference" exercised in certain cases which have been mentioned, and which the committee considered well deserving of tlieir most serious attention. It was resolved that a general meeting should be called for Saturday next, at one o'clock, to consider the subject, aud which meeting should be open to the public. In order that no precautions should be neglected, and that vigilance of even an extreme character should be exercised to prevent the slightest chance of contagion. Professor Ferguson has drawn up a code of rules, the stringency of which cannot be uuderr.ated, and has had them sanctioned in a proclamation published in a supplement to the DhIUh Gazette, by order of the Lord Lieutenant in Council. May 25. — A great number of alleged cases of cattle-plague have been reported from diff'erent parts of the coimtry, but the symptoms descrjbed have no resemblance to that disease. Mr. King, of Belfast, examined one of them, and found the disease to be fever, as the result of parturition. Professor Perguson has received the report of a meeting held by the authorities of Glasgow, the Lord Provost in the chair. Professor M'Caul, Governjuent inspector, was present, and gave an account of his visit to the north of Ireland. In consequence of tliis the com- mittee directed that notice be at once given tliat no cattle from Ireland shall be admitted into Scotland by the port of Glasgow, unless accompanied by certificates granted by duly-qualified veterinary inspectors ; that intimation of this resolution be forwarded to the Irish Privy CouncU, also to the Mayors of Belfast and Londonderry, and sent to such other ports and places in Ireland as Professor M'Caul may deem proper. A proclamation to tliis effect has been posted in Glasgow, headed "Cattle-plague," and addressed to cattle-de.alers, dairj^men, and others. Mr. John Moir was deputed by Professor Ferguson to wait on the local authority in Glasgow, and ascertain what means might be devised for mutual protection. He was assured that the local authority would readily sanction any measure for that purpose that Professors Perguson and M'Caul might con- sider expedient under the circumstances. THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (IRISH) BILL. CORK FARMERS' CLUB. The members of this Club held their usual weekly meeting on Saturday May 19th, at their new room, Queen-street, the chief topic for consideration being the " Landlord aud Ten- ant Bill," brought into the House of Commons by Mr. C. Fortescue, M.P., Chief Secretary for Ireland. At two o'clock the chair was taken by the president of the Club, Mr. T. DORGAN. , ..■^'- Jones laid before the meeting a printed copy of the biU, which he had obtained from Mr, Maguire, M.P. Mr. Mackey entered at length into a detail of the pro- visions of the bill, to show they were wholly defective, and by no means of a character to meet the urgent requirements of the ease it was intended to remedy. The contrast between the English and the Irish tenant-fiirmer was such as fully to prove how much was fairly required to do justice to the latter, and on a careful perusal of the provisions of this bill, he was wholly unable to find they formed a bill calculated to do them justice, or to deserve their approbation, The Sat/irdfi/ Be- THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 459 view, an English paper, referring; to the Irish teuaut-farraer ill a recent issne of that journal, thus writes : " At various epochs of history, there have been nations and tribes of people who have burst their own boundaries and over-run neighbour- ing countries. Sometimes it has been the Gauls, sometimes the Iluns, sometimes the Visigoths. It is now the Irish. There must bo some reason for it — some natural law, of which we have not yet mastered all the conditions. In the case of Ireland, the most obvious explanation is the admitted fecundity of the Irisli race, the pressure of population on the means of subsistence, and easy access to a country like the United States of America, which could admit tvrice the average immigration from Ireland continued for the next fifty years. This is not all. If America were only a vast country teeming \Aith virgin or half-cultivated soil, it would indeed answer the purpose of the Irishman. He might repeat, in Ohio or Indiana or Iowa, the process on which he had starved in Tipperary. He might squander, by improvident culture, tlie resources of a soil other- wise only too grateful for thrifty husbandry, and then betake himself to another, with the same extravagance and the same results." Now, was not that too bad (Hear, hear) ? That was not the fact (Hear, hear). It went on to say in the same article : " If the vacuum caused by the present wholesale emi- gration were filled with an adequate number of English and Scotch tenants, it is reasonable to suppose that three great ob- jects would be simultaueously attained — a better system of husbandry, a more neat and tidy agricultural population, and a strong bulwark of defence against the seditious movenaents of semi-Americanized Irishmen." So long as they were subjects of Her Majesty, Irishmen would deiencl their homes and tlieir altars, and notwithstanding what vituperation might be cast upon them, they felt they had a right to demand, and an equal right to obtain, fair and just legislation (Hear, hear). In England they had landlords alive to the welfare of their ten- antry, they have men who expend money for the benefit of themselves and their tenants, and here he (Mr. M.) woul^ beg the attention of tlie meeting to the following letter on this subject, appearing in the Marlc-Lane Express, which they would see explained what even in that country was required by the landed interest. It was from an English farmer, and to the following effect : Sir,— The present condition and future prospects of the English fanner are questions of such vast importauce, not only to the large class to whicb. lie belongs, but to the whole comitiy, that I venture to address a few remarks to you, in the hope that they may tend to produce a cleai'er comprehen- sion of the bearings of what has been and may be said in connection with them. But we are told, if the price is Ukely to range unremuneratively low, we ought to abandon its cultivation and change our system. Su', it is easy to talk of a change of system, but jiraetical men know how much easier it is to talk than to accomplish. A change of system must be the work of years, and it is as useless as it is rash and in- judicious to talk of converting England into a vast pasture gi'ound. Even grass will not fat stock in the winter; and turnips, swedes, and wurzel imply rotations, and rotations imply the growth of com. But even if it wore possible — if the advice wore to a great extent followed, and. if then we were involved in war, which even now is far from impossible, and which then would be, indeed, far more probable, what would be the consequence ? Why, that famine-prices would be the rule, distress general, and the voices ef starving thou- sands would ring in our ears, and Internal riots lie added to the hoiTors of external war. Instead, then, of endeavouring to bring about a change of system so radical and so suicidal, it should lie om- aim, and the aim of the Legislature, to de- velope to the utmost the capabilities of our land in the growth of coi'n, as well as the produce of meat. And to this end let us consider, fli-st, the point to whick the agi-icultiu-e of England is tending, and, secondly, the condition of the present generation of farmers. And now, sir, let us turn for a moment to the condition of the present race of fanners. The smaU farmer has long been doomed, and is almost an- nihilated— he is failing or losing j the moderate fanner is struggling hard, with the water up to his lips ; and the large farmer is dipping into his capital, to supply the cravings of his insatiable acres. And is it to such men you would turn and tell them in mockery to farm better — to change their sys- tem and double their capital ? The condition of the present race of farmers is no light matter for the country to face ; but it is one the country is bound to and must face. That an individual should be willing to sacrifice himself for the wel- fare of a community is possible and praisworthy, but that one of the largest classes in the country should sacrifice itself for the temporary aggrandisement of the rest is as absurd as it is dangerous. The landlords must first do their parts by giving long audjust leases : then the tenants would lie more uiclincd to do theirs. It is saitl that farmers need the spur of poverty to stir them to exertion. A superfluity of the good thuigs of this life may induce laziness and check im- provement, but I think you will agree with me that the lack of necessaries does not generally tend to esliilarato or to ex- cite tho spirit of enterprise. I have trespassed too long I fear on your kindness and youi- readers' patience, but yovu' columns are ever the impartial defenders of the fanners' cause, and it is time that farmers, as a body, thought well over matters of such vital importance to them. Numerically w^e are strong, but I believe there is no class of any magni- tude in the kingdom so weak collectively, so incapalile, as a liody, of exprcsshig and enforcing their opinions ; and this arises from our isolation — our want of combination. We possess tho elements of strengh : let us remember this, and make use of them. W. Balsihode. Irish farmers should bestir themselves in this matter. Every county in Ireland should do as the county of Cork had done — the farmers should organise a club in each county, and by its means put themselves in a position to be able to dictate to the Government what legislation they should pursue to give them justice, and not any longer be craving from them what they were entitled to as a riglit (Hear, hear) . The farmers of Ire- land should be duly represented in the House of Commons, in order to enable them to obtain that justice. In tlie Commons the landlord interest, the mercantile interest, the learned pro- fessions, and others were represented ; but the farmers had not in that House any representation, and, consequently, they were unable to obtain that justice to which they were entitled. This bill, as a remedial measure, was a most abortive attempt, and was the residt of the action of the Select Committee ap- pointed on this matter, at the instance of certain Lilieral members of Parliament. Did they ever hear of a Parlia- mentary Committee, or of a corporate body appointed to in- quire into the wants and requirements of a certain class in the community, declining to examine any one of that par- ticular class, who might reasoualjly be supposed to know most about its condition, and be most competent to explain its wants ? That was exactly what this committee did ; no man who paid rent was called before them to be examined on this subject. Were they to be driven to go to America (No, no) ? He (Mr. M.) had known men to go away from this country to America, and lie had received letters from many of them, ask- ing him to follow. They would have to do so if they got no better bill than the one now before the meeting (Hear, hear). He felt bound to say that he for one repudiated the leadership of Jlr. Maguire in the House of Commons. In many mat- ters, no doubt, Cork owed him a great deal — Mr. Keller : And so does the country at large. Mr. M.vcKEY denied that such w'as the fact. He asserted that Mr. Maguire had compromised the rights of the people (No, no, from Mr. Keller). Englishmen cried out to them, and asked Irishmen why they did not get on as well as they did, adding that they did not want legislative interference at all — that they did not want exceptional legislation at all. Neither did the farmers of Ireland require exceptional legisla- tion. The fact was they were the victims of exceptional legislation ; they only required a fair measure of justice. Mr. Mackey pointed out that the bill was wholly silent as to compensation for improvements already made by the Irish tenant-farmers on their holdings, and then suggested that they ought to have a Protective Society as well as a Farmers' Club to protect their rights, as well as to seek for justice. Let them subscribe one penny on Griffith's valuation on their lands, and that would give them £10,000 — an amount of funds ample enough to carry out the obtaining of what they required. Let every county in Ireland do the same, and soon they would have the English Government ready to grant them justice (Hear, hear). They had a number of members of Parliament, but what were they doing for them ? ]Mr. Bright was the man. He (Mr. M.) honoured Mr. Bright ; he was a man who, through good repute and ill, kept to his party, and for doing so he deserved all praise (Hear, hear). They had such men as John Arthur Roebuck amongst them, but who had of the entire number done any good for the farmer, or really understood his just demands or his pressing wants? They had none ; and the farmer, if true to himself, should en- deavour to obtain a fair representation for himself in Parlia- ment. Glancing at the statutes which peculiarly pressed on the Irish tenant-farmer, the chief among them being the Grand Jury Act, Mr, Mackey expressed his strong con- 460 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. ilemuation of the bill, as defective in every particular, a pro- mineut defect being no provision being made for retrospective compensation for improvement, and concluded by moving that they disapprove of the bill, and that they ask the Govern- ment if they wish to compensate the people to give tliein the substance and not the shadow of justice (Hear, hear). Mr. Keller expressed his concurrence in the remarks which had fallen from Mr. Mackey in reference to this bill, but dis- sented from hira in what he liad said regarding the conduct in Parliament of the former member for Dungarvan, and now for Cork, Mr. ]Mn;^;v.ire (Hear, hear). If they liad a few other such members in the House as Mr. Maguire, the condition of the farmer would very soon be improved (Hear, hear). They could not liave a better member of Parliament than Mr. ]Ma- guire. He never knew a man more ready to take advantage of any opportunity arising by which he could benefit the coun- try, or more ready to give his attention to anything wliich would benefit the position of the Irish tenant farmer (applause). He was sorry for sucli remarks ; lie regretted to hear the in- troduction of any private difference into a public meeting, and he did feel that they should give due credit to a good public servant (applause). As to the many others who took on themselves to legislate for Ireland, such as Mr. John Arthur Roebuck and Mr. Lowe, he concurred in the reference made to tliem. They knew just as much about legislating for Ire- land as if they lived on the coast of Africa (Hear, hear, and laughter). Mr. Roebuck had spoken of the Irish priests and the people ; but he (Mr. Kay) would ask, could any country in the world produce so admirable a body as the Irish priest- hojd? (applause). Tliey knew nothing whatever of the man- ner in which they should legislate for the Irish farmer, a body of men who only wanted simple justice. That he did not see wliy they shoidd not oljtain ; and whatever injury those Eng- lishmen did the farmer, they did the same to the landlord (Hear, hear). He was convinced tliey liad as good representa- tives as any country could desire ; and if any one amongst them did his duty, that man was John Francis Maguire (ap- plause). Mr. M.VCKEY : How ? Mr. Kelleii said if Mr. IMackey was to go into that ques- tion, which he did not feel they were called upon to discuss, lie would be prepared to show Mr. Mackey had made mistakes, of course undesignedly. ]Mr. M.VCKEY : If you mean by excluding those having an interest in this question from examination, then he did his duty. Mr. Casey said he had known Mr. Maguire for very many years, and he always found hira most anxious to promote the interests of the country. When tliey had the Tenant League Society here, Mr. Maguire was its chief supporter, in which he was aided by the priests ; and but for his aid and that of his paper to the movement, it would not have gone on (Hear, liear). "With regard to what he did lately, he (Mr. C.) was not aware that Mr. Mackey had shown that Mr. Maguire was not deserving of every praise, for he was the only man who stood up in Parliament for the Irish tenant (Hear, hear.) Anything said against Mr. jMaguire will not do liere ; but if anything can be said of Mr. Maguire to show that he did neglect his duty to the tenantry of Ireland, he would be pre- pared to give up the point at once. Mr. Mackey said he knew the value of the services Mr. Maguire had rendered to the cause of the country ; but he did not bring before liis committee the evidence which would have been most important to the farmer — that of the farmer himself. Mr. Dili. : No one can tell his own story better than the man himself ; and that was the man — the farmer — who should have been examined before the committee. Mr. Keller: I must say, in justice to Mr. Maguire, that he brought the Bishop of Cloyne and Mr. M'Carthy Downing before the committee ; and he could not have had two gentle- men more conversant with the subject. Mr. Dill : They were not tenant-farmers. Mr. Keller ; There are none of us infallible. ^ Mr. Dill said there was no doubt that the Bishop of Cloyne was a most excellent and able man ; but lie was not the most suitable witness on the subject. The farmer was the man. Mr. Macicey : The result of the imperfect management of the committee is the bill now before us. Mr. Parrell said he was sorry they were not subjects of ■ the Emperor of Russia (laughter). It was admitted by the Lord-Lieutenant that they wanted exceptional legislation. He was in dread of the landlords of Ireland to bring in an honest biU ; but if they were in Russia, they would have a liberal law- over them ; if in India even, tliey would have the same ; but, because they were Irish subjects, they had eight thousand landlords of the country preferred beiore them (Hear, hear). Why was that so ? He could not say ; but history, as it had done before, would repeat itself, aud the time would come when they would know the reason. When at Jena, the Russians could not find a man to oppose Napoleon, because the people had no interest in their land ; but before twelve months were over, Russia had a tenant-right law, which was a model to all Europe. Why could not Napoleon keep Spain ? Because the people there had an interest in the land, and the guerillas beat him out of tlie country ; and that may turn out yet to be the case in Ireland. Giving the Government credit for showing a desire to do good for the country, Mr. Farrell said the farmers did not wish to deprive the landlords of any- thing : they wanted to pay an honest rent, and to get justice in return (Hear, hear) . They wanted the fruits of their in- dustry, and no more. He would second Mr. Mackey's mo- tion, if it was added that they send out a person to America to bring them back an account of the capabilities of the country, in view of their being obliged all to go there, which they would have to do if they did not obtain a fair tenant- right bill. He saw no other prospect before the Irish farmer, if he did not obtain fair-play from the Government. Mr. Keller : O keep to the old country, at all events. The CiiAlRMAiv' complained of the tyrannical effect on the farmer of the present land-law system, and, as an instance of it, stated that at one time he had a farm wliicli he wanted the landlord to take from him, and frequently asked him to do so, but he refused to take it. He afterwards served him with a formal notice to quit. Mr. Baggott condemned the bill, aud said the farmer had full title to justice from the Government, which the present bill by no means proposed to give them (Ileaj-, hear). Mr. PoRREST mentioned other cases bearing out what the chairman had stated as to the operation of the present law of landlord and tenant. Mr. Dill desired it should be fully understood that the farmers meant no attack wliatever on the landlord (Hear, hear). Mr. Keller said if the present emigration went on tlie coun- try would right itself. Something should be done to stop it . Mr. Mackey said the tenant-farmers of Ireland would never get justice so long as tliey were solely represented by landlords, by owners of land, or by newspaper proprietors. The farmers sliould be represented by men of their own class — by men who, from experience at public boards, were well qualified to sit with Lord Bandoii or with any other nobleman in the land (Hear, hear). The Chairman observed that the farmer was now obliged to submit to an increased tax, the great advance in the price of labour, and he would like to know how the farmer \vas to be reimbursed that outlay ? Mr. RiORDA^j said, whilst looking on the Bill as incomplete, he still thought they ought to take it as an instalment of justice. Once it was in working order, they could see to obtaining a further concession, and he would be for taking the Bill in that way. He certainly would be for demanding retrospective com- pensation (Hear, hear). A short discussion ensued on this suggestion, and thereupon Mr. Riordan drew up a resolution embodying his views, which was moved hy Mv. Mackey, seconded by himself, and was as follows : " Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting that the Tenant-Right Bill proposed by Mr. Portescue is worthless, unless containing a clause giving the tenant 50 per cent, retrospective compensation, to be based on the improved letting value of the land." The meeting then adjourned. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 461 INQUIRY INTO THE PRACTICE AND PROGRESS OF STEAM-CULTIYATION. BY A PRACTICAL FARMER. It is now twelve years since the iramcditite atten- tion more particularly of the agricultural public was called to the subject of cultivation by steam-power. That inde- fatigable mau, the late Mr. John Fowler, exhibited at the Koyal Agricultural Society's meeting at Lincoln his draining machiue, in work by steam-power. One of Clay- ton and Shuttleworth's six-horse steam-engines was placed upon the side of a gently sloping hill : in a valley of tenacious clay worked the " steam draining-plough," drawn by the iron horse, by means of a long wire-rope made of many sti'ands. The plough — mole-plough — deposited drain-pipes from a rope upon which they were strung, at a depth of 4 feet ; the big coulter to which the mole-plough was iixed, npou passing, moving the earth on either side to the extent of from 4 to 5 feet. The power exerted by the engine by means of the gearing, and the precision with which the whole was worked, astonished and deeply interested every one. From this display of the adaptability of steam-power we date the modern im- provements in steam-cultivation. Mr. W. Smith, of Woolston, soon brought out a steam-cultivator -. Mr. John Fowler an actual steam-plough of formidable power. These two applications of steam-power to cultivation were for some time the popular competitors for public favour. Other inventors and imitators soon followed, and to such a degree that the farming interest became truly bewildered, and the more intelligent of this class were induced to await the result of those many and varied attempts to subjugate " old mother earth" to their control. It is quite true that many enthusiastic farmers, and not a few landowners patronized these various applications of power and ingenuity as manifested from time to time in the engines, in the implements of culture, and in the economy of draught. To these pioneers we owe much ; it was their enthusiasm and position that secured the con- tinued progress of improvements ; and this would appear to be the very time for the Royal Agricultural Society to step out of its ordinary course, and endeavour to ascer- tain the true value and decided advantages which have arisen, and which are to be ultimately derived from the cultivation of the soil by steam-machinery. It is high time the public should know what has been achieved, or if in any sense the experiment has failed, " the why and the wherefore." I fully approve the movement, and trust the inquiry will be conducted by men of high agri- cultural standing, and free from prejudice. It has often fallen to my lot to be the adjudicator of prizes for steam- cultivating implements and machinery : it would give me great pleasure if in this short paper I could suggest any useful hint or definite course in the conduct of such an important commission. There are so many considerations to be taken into account in the progress of this investigation, that I am by no means sanguine that much good will ai-ise from a col- lection of " bills of cost ;" although these statements are supposed to be all-important : they are all de- sirable ; but if they prove " never so economical," or the very reverse, it matters little. It is the system itself, applied to soils specially adapted, and the correct judgment with which it is carried out, that gives it its real test. The soil in course of cultivation, the implements of culture, the mode and time of applica- tion, the general management, and crops taken, are for consideration in comparison with former courses of cul- ture, crops, and management. Many failures have occurred from the selection of steam-cultivating imple- ments which were not well-adapted to the precise soil in- tended to be worked by them : grubbers or scarifiers have been applied where only a powerful plough could be effective, and vice versa. Then the time of the operations and the peculiarity of seasons is very important. Every one knows that to work laud improperly is woefully wrong. To plough land when in a wet state is exceedingly detrimental to future progress. Steam-cultivation applied judiciously to lauds subject to excessive moistm-e would almost ensure their salvation from such injury, as so much can be effected in a comparatively short period that the cultivator may choose his own time for working it. Heavy tenacious lands must be worked by powerful implements. Few imple- ments for this purpose can equal the turn-over plough when drawn by a powerful steam-tug. The after-culture can readily be accomplished. One of the main questions to be decided is the econo- mical adoption of steam-culture to light lands. There cannot, already, remain a doubt as to its beneficial adapta- bility to heavy lands. It effects a complete revolution in their order of culture and course of cropping. It achieves perfect pulverization at the will of the cultivator, a desi- deratum never known heretofore. But upoi light lands, i. (?., lands capable of good pair-horse ploughing, it yet remains an opeu question. I know of three sets of steam- apparatus for cultivating light lands, all within five miles from whence I write, which are generally standing still. Indeed, I don't think either of the sets did a stroke of work during the past year. The lands are mild loams of easy culture ; the fields large, square, and well laid-out for such operations ; but steam has in these cases, for the most part, given way to horse-power. For purposes of autumn-culture, or breaking up light lands immediately after harvest, steam-horses, which never tire, are exceed- ingly valuable, and in this way will effect immense benefit ; but the subsequent working will be the cheapest and best done by horse-power, taking into consideration that horses must be kept upon every farm, for cartage and other pur- poses, and profitable employment must be sought for them. I deem the idea Utopian, that we are ultimately to do without " those hungry cormorant cart-horses." At all events that wondrous time has not yet arrived, and we must deal with things as we have them. A few sets of good steam-apparatus, in light-land districts, for letting-out to hire, would prove very advantageous ; but I much doubt if it would be to the interest of individual occupiers to burden themselves with a set. I trust these Committees of Investigation will set that question at rest. In a certain sense their labours will be of a delicate and inquisitorial character. It is not every farmer who would subject his management, and costs, to the searching investigations of a committee appointed for public purposes. It is no enviable position for even a spirited manager to have all his proceedings brought before a criticising public, and his failures (for ftvilures vcill be found) attributed to errors in judgment, want of skill, excessive expenditure, and a thousand other things. It may be all very well for amateur cultivators, or noblemen and gentlemen, whose bailitfs take all the responsibilities ; but many ordinary occupiers would shrink from the investigation. In K ^ 462 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. this way much interest and the great value of the investi- gation would be lost ; for be it as it may, I am sure the general body of farmers will not be satisfied, nor will they'rely upon statistics taken from amateur sources. They will look for information to be derived from visits of in- vestigation to the farms of regular in-actical farmers like themselves, and who have to undergo and put up with all the drawbacks and inconveniences connected with the actual management of an ordinary farm. It is not so with the amateur or gentleman's farms: certain things must be accomplished at cerlain periods, and no effort or expense is spared to achieve it. The practical man has to weigh every department of his business, and conduct all alike with judicious care and economy — not to neglect one thing to carry out anotlier ; all must go on so as to make the best of everything, without prejudice to any one de- partment. I have no fault to find with the Royal Agricultural So- ciety's object. It is quite right to institute this investi- gation, and the mode of procedure promises fairly enough. It is proposed to select a certain number of farms upon soils of different characters, upon which various systems of steam culture have been fairly tested, and to ascertain the nature, depth, and cost of each kind of work ; the implement itself, the cost of repairs, its age, nature of breakages and causes ; how far steam cultivation has be- nefited the farm in drainage, courses of cropping, autumn cultivatiou, growth of green crops, and general produc- tiveness; the varions uses of the engine, and number of days in work in cultivation, or other purposes ; if let out for hire, the price charged ; the loss of time to engine and men by breakages ; the sujiply of water, and conve- niences for profitable working. These are the chief objects, and a Central Committee has been appointed to conduct the inquiry. This Committee will appoint in turn " In- spection Committees," with whom are to be associated paid secretaries, whose duty it will be to attend the in- vestigations, and assist in drawing up the reports. The Society have apportioned the sum of £500 to carry out the object. I think, to make the inquiry more definite and satisfactory, these committees should select on their rounds those varieties or speciemens of steam cultivating implements which appear to have done the most effective service upon soils for which they are peculiarly adapted, and institute a scries of trials under their especial direc- tion, and upon soils suitable, and at seasons when proper work may be accomplished, so that a fair test may be given to the public of the relative value of such imple- ments of culture. I think, without this final test the in- vestigation will not be so complete as the farming com- munity would expect. Let the selected implements be held in readiness, and, having selected a farm upon which they shall be tested, let the examiners await the season in which all can be done well, and with business-like faci- lity. Of course judges must attend, and I thiuk it would suffice if medals or diplomas of merit were awarded. FOREIGN- GROWN HOPS. Although our imports of foreign-grown hops are much less than they were a few years ago, j''et the foreign hop culture and production are subjects of very general interest. In 1862 we imported 133,791 cwts. of foreign hops, and in 1864 the imports rose to 147,281 cwts., but in 1864 the imports dropped to 98,656 cwts., and last year declined to 82,489 cwts. As the beer and ale con- sumed here and shipped is larger than ever, as evidenced by the duty paid on malt and the beer exported, the de- mand for hops must still be extensive, and our home- growth has evidently been productive. The malt on which duty was paid in the United Kingdom shows an increase of about 2,750,000 bushe's in the last two years over 1863, and 8,000,000 bushels over 1862; so' with the beer and ale shipped, these have risen from 464,827 barrels in 1862 to 561,366 barrels in 1865. Hops are more largely cultivated in Bavaria than in any other country in Europe, excepting England. The average annual produce, which thirty years back did not exceed 74,000 cwt., may now be' estimated at 180,000 cwt., and the district of Nurnberg has acquired, especially of late years, the highest repute in this branch of calculation, owing to the favourable nature of its soil, and the care and intelligence devoted to this peculiar pro- duce. The value of the annual sale of hops in the Nurn- berg country alone during the few market months attains an average of from 9,000,000 to 12,000,000 fiorins. But not only knowledge, much good luck is also requijite in the lotter of the hop-trade, the produce being of so delicate and perishable a nature ; and while some fortu- nate speculators may soon enrich themselves, many lose lu It their whole possessions. This result, then, of a few critical months or weeks is a life-question in hop-growing districts. The hop-harvest of last year was, on the whole, a favourable one in Bavaria, especially as regards quality ttie long-continued heat having allowed of a thorong'h di-ymg and ripening of the flowers. England b eing a continued and considerable purchaser of Bavarian hops — at times, even of the infmor qualities — it may be useful here to state the prices realized for the produce of the last harvest in the country — namely, according to the various qualities, from 90 florins (£7 10s.) to 180 florins (.£15). The speculations, however, Avhich the holders of hops lent themselves to, last year in particular, counting on higher prices than customary, on account of the finer qua- lity of the harvest, were improvident, created a disturb- ance in the trade, and caused large quantities of hops to remain on hand ; and in the highest-reputed districts — of Spalt, for instance — seven-eighths of the whole produce of 1865 was unsold as late as the commencement of No- vember. The cultivation of hops, notwithstanding the expenses attending it, owing to the high price of hop-poles, has been coutinnally on the increase in Wurtemburg for some years. In 1864 there were 7,882 morgen (two-thirds of an acre) under hops. The average produce per morgen, in the two years ending 1853, was 3i centners, or cwt. ; and in 1863 and 1864, rather more than 4 centners. The principal district is Kottenburg, where there are at present about 1,230 morgen under cultivation. Pur- chasers appear at harvest-time from all parts of Germany, France, Italy, and England, the quality of Rottenburg hops being equal to the hest produce of Bavaria and Bohemia. In 1864 a Nurnberg house established a branch-business, with warehouses, kilns for drying, and presses, v.hich is as yet the only establishment of the kind in "Wurtemburg. The successes achieved by the Rottenburg hop growers have acted as a stimulus to hop-growing throughout the country. The prices for Rottenburg hops in 1864 ranged from 60 to 100 florins. The total produce in that year of 30,668 centners, at 70 florins, would give a value of 2,146,760 florins. A specimen of hops grown at Pome- rania was awarded a medal at the Dublin Exhibition. It THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 463 appears tliat this plaut is largely cullivatcd in Pomcraiiia and Prussian Poland, and tliat tlie growers arc anxious to do an export trade. Hops arc oceasioiially a scarce crop iu England, and their consequent high price seriously diniiuishcs the profits of the l)rewer. Should Poseu and Pomeranian hops ever find their way into the British market, they would, by competition with the Bavarian and other foreign hops, check the tendency to high prices to which the British-grown articl(j is liable. Holland imported iu 1864 1C,453 cwts. of hops, and ex- ported 10,970 cwts., of which 7,010 ewt. went to Great Britain. But while these statistics give us some insight into the production of hops on the continent, the official figures recently published respecting beer and breweries ■will serve to show that there is a large demand for hops in all the principal European states, and that there arc other beer-drinkers besides the Germans. In Austria there are about 3,300 breweries, and the qu:intity of beer brewed annually is returned at nearly 14 million eimers or kilderkins. In Belgium the quan- tity of beer made is nearly 7 million hectolitres. Foreign beer is extending considerably in use, especially that of Germany and England, 18,268 hectolitres being imported iu 1864 ; adding this to the home production, it gives an average production of 1.38 hectolitres per head. In France, in 1864, 3,000,000 hectolitres of barley and 4,328,000 kilogrammes of hops were used for making 5,257,350 hectolitres of strong beer and 1,821,879 hec- tolitres of small beer. In the Netherlands 790,000 hectolitres of beer were made in 1864. There are five small breweries in Lisbon, which supply botli the capital and the provinces with a beer which, though of a very inferior sort, has nevertheless a certain and speedy sale, and is much cheaper to the Portuguese consumers than the cheapest and most inferior beer imported from Eng- land, which is subject to an import duty of Is. 2d. per gallon. The consumption of beer has recently much in- creased in Prussia, and it is especially the brewing of the Bavarian beer which has much increased. There are about 7,400 breweries, which use up annually 2,500,000 cwt. of malt. The numl)cr of brewers who paid excise on more than 2,000 cwt. of malt was, in 1863, 191. The brewer is accustomed to sell the barrel of common Bava- rian beer, containing 100 quarts, ft 6 to 7 thalers. Be- sides the public brewers, about 12,000 to 13,000 permits are annually granted for brewing in private families. The manufactuie and consumption of beer in Bavaria have nearly doubled in the course of the last fifteen years. Taking the returns of the summer cousimiption of 1864-65 for the capital above, we find that 31 breweries employed no less than 208,804 schclfels of malt, and produced 769 eimers of beer ; yet this ocean of liquid did not suffice to meet the Munich demand during four short months, and the wiuter stores had to be atitacked before that time. The Munich breweries are now cai'ried on upon a veiy large scale, and the trade has accumulated in the hands pf a few considerable capitalists. Fifteen years ago Munich counted 32 breweries, but they pi'oduced not half the quantity of beer now annually consumed. The great ex- cellence and wide reputation of the beer of Bavaria are owing to a peculiar manipulation in the process of brewing. Both what is termed the "concentration" of the wort, and the temperature of the fermentation, are kept much lower by the Bavarian than by British brewers ; but, on the other hand, the Bavarian beer, as it is usually made, will not bear keeping or exporting : it must be drunk within the half-year, and on the spot. The exceedingly-small quantity made for export must be differently and specially prepared. In Wurtemberg the quantity of beer made in 1864 was 863,257 eimers or kilderkins. In Baden the quantity made iu the same year was 41,774 fuder of 400 gallons. The manufiieture of malt is there subject to no special tax or supervision. THE DEBATE AND DIVISION ON THE MALT-TAX. Tlie landlords and farmers of Great Britain may now come to a final decision in regard to the estimation in wliieh tliey are at present held by a large majority of the supposed representatives of tlie nation. What this decision will be we need not discuss, but the action which will be taken upon it is worthy of a few moments' consideration. In respect to landlords, or the "country interest," it may be said, as many of them either voted against the resolution or did not vote iu favour of the repeal of tlie malt tax — if these gentle- men think tlicy are on the winning side, we beg leave to in- form them tliat they were never more mistaken in their lives. Their property is safe, it is true, for it will remain where it is when our coal has become exliausted, and the bulk of Man- Chester and Birmingham manufacturers aiul South Staiford- shire miners have skedaddled to the " New World." On this compound question we have an extract from a speech delivered last autumn. This was made at Huntingdon ; and among the many and long "extra-parliamentary utterances" delivered last year, it appeared to be the only note worth taking, as a true index to the proliable position of tliis nation in the then — and now more than ever — threatening future : " Mr. T. Baring, wlio was loudly cheered, said : However ignorant I may be of agricultural proceedings, I have always great satisfaction iu attending meetings like the present, be- cause I feel that the lasting prosperity of every country de- pends upon the prosperity of its agricultural population (cheers). There have been, in old times, and throughout the history of the world, societies, towns, and populations which have risen to prosperity iu commerce, and luavc fallen aud be- come iusignilleant peoples. There have becu, no doubt, many circumstances which n):iy have allected the iudustrv of manu- factures and the prosperity of commerce ; but recollect tliat commerce aud manufactures are regulated by various changes iu the system aud conduct of the world — tliat the manufacturer may, for cheaper labour, transport his machinery aud liis capital and his industry to other countries — that the merchant may transport his capital to any other country where he thinks he may derive a greater benefit from its employment. The money may tly to any part of the world on the \vings of a bill of exchange ; but where can the agricultural population ily ? Can the owners of laud put their acres in their pockets, and walk away ? (Hear, hear.) llely upon it that every country owes its stability to the prosperity of the agricultural popula- tion (cheers). I liave not a word to say against commerce, be- cause I have laboured iu it during my life, and from it 1 have achieved the position which I now occupy (cheers) . Com- merce and manufactures are no doubt great handmaids of pros- perity to every country ; but combine the three — agriculture, commerce, and manufactures — and with them and the enter- prize of British labour and British industry, the coimtry has become what it is (cheers) ." If, however, proprietors of land think that during this transition tliey will receive rents adequate to the rise in the prices they will have to give for the articles they want, and to the direct taxation they wiU have to pay, if our present financial policy be continued, then wc must say they have more practical knowledge to learn than our belief in their business- intelligence led us to expect. Under the present and coming condition of labour and high taxation,, and free competition with cheap land and cheap labour on the continent, it will bo impossible for the ijaglish and Irish farmers to grow corn and produce meat by tl^tit expensive process of cultivation which K K 2 m THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE. makes tlie first prolific and the latter more alnmdaut tliau it can be when land is Inid down to permanent grasses. Eoreign nations have long beaten this country in the growth of corn. The continent will now have to be largely depended upon for the supply of meat. This is just as essentially a landlord's question as it is a tenant's. To say, also, it is equally a consumer's and a manu- facturer's question, is merely to say that the former are too iU- informed on political economy to know anything beyond hand- to-mouth prices ; and the latter are too selfish to see anything beyond their interest, as it may present itself to-day, and pro- mise for to-morrow. It will not be long, however, before all sides, landlords, manufacturers, miners, and consumers, purely and simply, will be brought to a full sense of the importance of tliat interest — the agricultural — which they now treat, as tlie case may be, with so mucli coldness, indifference, or con- tempt. In regard to tenant-farmers it may be said their only chance of keeping together the capital they have left, and which has been reduced from no fault of theirs, Imt from the effect of Acts of Parliament operating through several years — ■ tlie only chance they have left for making the best of tlie stock and capital they now possess, is to cut down their ex- penses in every possible way. This is a grave and sorrowful conclusion to come to ; but it is one which the commonest cal- culations will affirm. We have recently shown the import- ance of reducing manual and horse-labour as much as possible by putting land down to grass. The correctness of this adviee is now more than ever clear. Some landlords have objected to this practice, on the ground that labourers would be thrown out of employment. Eut as we have also before intimated, if farmers now make this a consideration, they will be acting with the greatest folly, not only to themselves, but toward the best interests of the nation also. Porif they do not economise their capital in the only way left open to them, \^■hen the amount they now possess has been further decreased, by "throw- ing good money after bad," the consuming public wiU be more and more dependent on foreign nations for the necessaries of life ; and, cousc(iuently, at the same time that the gold of tlie country will have to be more largely paid awav, the interest on our National Debt of £800,000,000, and our annual Go- vernment expenses, will have to be paid out of the lesser means which this transferred industry to foreign nations wiU leave at the disposal of each tax-payer. It is a very fine one-string theory for amateurs to harp upon — that of making up in quan- tity by high-farming what the Legislature has taken away in price. This theory is very seductive too, as many a proprie- tor who has taken a farm into his own hands knows to his cost. And many a tenant-farmer, whose honest pride and energy were worthy of a better cause than the pursuit of British farming under free-trade in corn and no re-adjustment of taxa- tion, now knows to his regret what has been the result of high- farming during the last twenty years. In regard to the crop immediately in question, it has been clearly shown over and over again, that if two quarters per acre more barley be the result of our expenditure of 30s. per acre in extra labour and fertilizers, the duty of -iSs. 8d. paid as malt-duty on the in- crease will cause a direct loss, on the average, of from 10s. to 15s. per acre. The same calculations apply to wheat, only as wheat may be grown on the cheap lands of the Continent and America, the difference in rents and labour must be taken instead of the high tax on barley. This will be more and more the case as the rise in wages and other direct expenses con- tinues, as it most assuredly will do, to increase. The old bugbear of the malt tax being a landlord's and not a tenant's question has been again freely used l)y the newspaper writers since the debate. Unfortunately, however, for the re- putation of these scribes, and for the iuterest of the public, they have but a faint smattering of the elementary matters of the subject. It is not a question at all as regards the public of more or less rent ; this is a private question between proprie- tors who have land to let, and men who have capital to employ in farming. Laud is worth more near London, or any large town, than it is twenty or thirty miles across country ; but the productions of the near-at-hand and the distant farmers are both on a, level, as regards value, when they get to a corn or cattle markel. The real question now is— and this is the point in winch the public is concerned— can the land of this country be kept m a high state of arable cultivation under an importa- lioB ot wheat, oats, beans, and other grain, at p, duty which contributes only a nominal sum to the expenses of the state, and under a tax on barley which amounts to £5 an acre on ordinary farming, and £7 an acre on high cultivation and fer- tilization ? We have the most confident assurance that it can- not. The result, then, to the public will be, not only less corn, but less meat. The latter is just one of the points which the public seem to have no notion of. In their present mood, it would be a waste of space to minutely argue this point, for they would not be instructed and convinced, and practical men need not to have the information recalled. All we will there- fore do is to make thai bare statement that arable land pro- perly cultivated and cropped nnder a four-course system will produce more animal food by one-third than when it is do\^'n to perennial or permanent grasses. This is not a new view, for the " father of free-trade" freal free-trade) wrote similar views in another shape a century ago. It cannot be said therefore that the men who have pretended to carry into practice the philosophy of the father of free-trade, and the modern experience of his sons and grandsons, are without texts to guide them. Mc'Culloch, Eicardo, and Malthas have similar words of wisdom : — " The use of the artificial grasses, of turnips, carrots, cab- bages, and the other expedients which have been fallen upon to make an equal quantity of laud feed a greater number of cattle than when in natural grass, should somewhat reduce, it might be expected, the superiority which, in an improved country, the price of butcher's meat naturally has over that of bread. It seems accordingly to have done so ; and there is some reason for believing tliat , at least in the London market, the price of butcher's meat in proportion to the price of bread is a good deal lowar in the present times than it was in the beginning of the last century." — Smith's Wealth of Nations, p. G9. What wiU be the natural result to the public from British farmers being forced to go back as far as possible to a system of grass farming ? And what would have been the result to the public had capital been allowed to flow so fairly into the hands of British farmers that they would have been in a posi- tion to have bought more foreign cake, Egyptian beans, and Indian corn for feeding purposes ? Here is another text from Dr. Adam Smith, that says every- thing against the system, or rather jumble, of finance which has been practised in this country during the last quarter of a century. How can increased capital be applied to the land, as herein set forth, ^^hen the Legislature passes an Act of Par- liament specially to cheapen produce, and thereby to deprive the farmers of that capital by which this father of political economy says the produce of cattle may be increased, and thereby cheapened ? " The produce of land is obtained under circumstances pre- cisely analogous to those now supposed. The supply of corn or cattle may be indefinitely increased by the employment of additional capital and labour; but it cannot always be increased in the same proportion to the outlay. A double capital em- ployed in the manufacture of cottons, woollens, and silks generally produces a double quantity of these articles ; but a double capital employed in agriculture seldom yields a double quantity of corn. In the earlier stages of cultivation the quan- tity of produce may, perhaps, be doubled, or more, by doubling the outlay. But land does not admit of being indefinitely forced with an equal return. And notwithstanding the frequent occurrence of improvements, it is invariably found in the long run that their influence is over-balanced by the decreasing productiveness of the land ; and that, speaking generally, ad- ditional supplies of food can only be obtained by a greater proportional sacrifice of capital and labour." — Smith, p. MS. The further result of tliis will be — as less labour is em- ployed in agriculture, and less food in corn and animals is produced, the British public will be operated against in two ways : first, in the less number of substantial taxpayers there will be in agricultural districts ; and, secondly, in their having to buy their meat, cheese, and butter at a greatly enhanced price of foreign nations, who have been invited by Act of Parliament to send us all they can on cash terms, and witli the fullest assurance that we will not ask them to contribute a single penny as commission towards our heavy National ex- penses ! We have no doubt whatever but that the public will be brought to their senses by degrees, through the high prices and increased taxation they will have to pay. We are assured that the transition, which is the natural consequence of the i:HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 465 past financial policy of our late Goveraments, lias only begun to show its alarming character. Money has been 2 per cent, lower in I'Vancc tlian it has in England for months past. The money, in point of fact, which has been abstracted from JJritisli agriculture to the tunc of about £C5,0U0,000 per annum for thirteen years out of the last twenty, has. been ex- pended in transferring British industries to Continental States, and in the schemes of the rotten Joint-Stock Companies, which are now smashing up in every direction, till no couli- fience exists anywhere. When these failures have been developed to the end, and British farmers have beeu further crippled, future Chancellors of the Exchequer will probably be asked by the British public to consider the errors of pre- sent and past popular financiers. In the meantime, if British farmers cannot disguise their irritation at the treatment which is designedly imposed on them, it will be highly advisable for them to govern their purse, by cutting down their expenses. So far as the result of the division on Sir Fitzroy Kelly's motion goes, we are quite content with it. This may appear at first sight to be a novel and singular view. But, according to our experience and observation, the very worst thing that could have happened for the agricultural interest, and there- fore for the whole country, would have been a pledge on the part of the House of Commons, as it is at present constituted, for a reduction of half the malt-tax and its entire repeal by a certain time. The time is not far distant when the past re- volutionary financial policy will have to be again almost en- tirely re-adjusted. Tlie difficulties which will make this im- perative are close at hand. And if the malt-tax were to be repealed, the present popular financiers would turn round and say, with the " persuasive eloquence " they can command, " Tiiese difficulties are all owing to the repeal of tlie malt- tax !" Farmers have long beeu stigmatized — we need not say how unjustly — as a set of grumblers, because they have in a variety of ways pointed out their inability to make the best of their farms under the present taxation and relation to foreign producers. It will not be very long, however, before the public will be sending down into the country for bodies of farmers to come up and grumble for them, and this because they (the public) will be ashamed to publicly eat their own words. Ail we need say in conclusion is — Farmers, cut down your expenses, and give the public rope ! An old bed-ridden man, experienced in canal cutting, was consulted by his sons relative to a difliculty they had come across. " We've done all we can, but leak it will 1" Ihey finally said. " It wants more puddling, I tell ye," was the final reply. On this the sons acted with little or no better result, when they again sought paternal advice. After further description, the ques- tion was again put, " AVliat is iioiv to be done ?" Said the father, " Puddle it affi/i .'" We have often said for some time past, " Give 'eiu rope !" If we were asked for our candid opinion now, we should certainly say, " Give 'em more rope !" Any way, the public won't be persuaded till they have bought further experience. This they will soon obtain. Under these conditions, the challenge to show a fair substi- tute will keep till another day. To do this nothing can be more easy. But where there is no " will," what is tlie use of pointing to the " way ?" W. AV. G. THE GROWTH AND USE OF FURZE. Two years ago I was induced (sore against my will) to try a patch of furze, gorse, or whins, as it is variously termed. As tliis month is the Ijest for sowing, I propose giving my expe- rience as to its growth, feeding qualities, and manipulation, previous to being placed before the animals. Anyone, there- fore, who may be induced by the following remarks to try a small portion will have ample time to sow it for the present season, as it is time enough up to the middle of May to do so. I may premise that I give my own experience without the slightest addition of what I have seen elsewhere, or the most distant allusion to the articles that have from time to time appeared in the columns of the Mar/c Lane Express. By some writers furze has been recommended as an excellent food not only for horses, cows, and young cattle, but even pi^s were included in the category. As far as the latter class of animals are concerned, such a statement must, one would naturally think, be received with a considerable amount of qualification, a bucket of cut whins appearing to be rather an iudifi'ereut substitute for barley-meal and milk, or potatoes and bran. My attention was first drawn to the subject of furze as an article of cultivation by observing the blooming condition and glossy coat of a horse belonging to a small farmer. On asking him how he managed to keep his horse in such splendid con- dition, he replied that furze was the leading article of food used by him for his two horses ; and, moreover, that they pre- ferred it to every other article of food that it was in his power to give them. Mr. Tovvnsend's pamplilet falling into my hands almost immediately after, which gives such an extremely flattering account of the economical uses of this plant, I thereupon determined ou sowing two acres with it, giving it a fair trial, and judging for myself. The ground chosen for sowing down with furze was by no means the poorest portion of the farm, as is generally thought expedient, but the very best and richest couple of acres to be found on an extent of several hundred. Neither was it sown in a remote out-of-the-way corner as if it was a thing to be ashamed of, but in a corner near the farmyard, that for years had been used as a convenient recess or paddock for calves, young pigs, calving cows, &c. — in fact, just such a bye-corner as is to be found in the vicinity of nearly every farmyard in the kingdom. This corner, by a series of alterations, had come at last to form the extreme corner of a somewhat extensive field, and after going through the usual rotation, was about to be again laid down to permanent pasture, after being highly manured the previous year for potatoes. Barley is our usual laying-out crop, but I preferred sowing this particular portion with oats, imagining that if the season proved a wet one, the oats might stand better than the barley, and so give the young furze plants a better chance. On tlie 5th April, 18G4', the land having the previous day been seeded with oats, the furze seed was sown. After the usual harrow- ings necessary to cover the corn, the grass-harrows were passed over it, then the roller, reuderiug the surface of that portion of the field as fine as meal. Previous to sowing, I had the ground marked off into stetehes of about 11 feet wide; these again crossed by others of the same width. 201bs. of seed to the statute acre was sown in one direction, and 201bs. in the other ; so that unless by the grossest carelessness, it could not be otherwise than re- gularly placed upon the laud. After being sown, the grass-harrow was passed over it once j then a heavy iron roller ; all being then left to Nature — as clean, as fine, and as regularly sown as it was possible for the hands of man, aided by the best implements, to do it. The seed, I may mention, was of the best French variety, as recommended by the venerable and philanthropic originator of the economic uses of furze as food for cattle on an extensive scale. It \^•as procured by the advice of a iiarticular friend, who himself had gone into the growth of this plant a year or two before, from an eminent and well-known house in Edin- burgh. K by ignorance or mistake the wrong variety is sown, the labour has been in vain, the time lost, and the whole business to do over again. Such an unpleasant occurrence taking place at a first attempt, would probably prevent most people from renewing it (at least for a long time) ; so it is of the utmost importance that if the thing is done at all " it were done well." The result in the month of August was, first, a heavy crop of corn ; second, on the corn being cut in tbat month, the most beautiful covering of furze-plants that could possibly be ima- gined or desired — the pride and admiration not only of the sower, but of every one employed on the field, such a crop as furze beiug new in the immediate district. Every seed seemed THE FARMER'S MAGAZIHIJ. to have tfcminatecl and talicu I'oot, so strictly were tiie_ yomig plauts set togetiier ; anil before tlio winter months set in, the entire field had beeome quite green. During the succeeding summer nothing was required in the way of attention aud cultivation save and except the pulling out of a few weeds, which from time to time showed their heads above the young plants. Being just on the edge of the road leading to the yard, it was a marked object of attention to neighbours and visitors about this time. Its being an unusual thing was, of course, one reason of its causing so much attention ; but probably its peculiar appearance, rich dark-green colour, aud extraordiuary thickness, every plant seeming to grudge its neighbour the ne- cessary room, interested the passers-by, and drew their atten- tion as much as anything else. About this time many were the prophetic warnings given by privileged friends and neighbours about the future of the experiment ; lew, if any of them, I am bound to say, being in its favour, but nearly all shadowing forth a speedy and in- glorious end. Two years v/as about the longest term of existence permitted to the furze by these prophetic warnings ; an ignomhiious end by inversion with tlie plough being al- ways the concluding portion of the predictions. Nor was the uses to \vliich the furze coidd be put treated witli much more consideration. " Your horses and cattle won't eat it ; if tliey do, the horses will get worms, and when the spring-work comes hard on them they wiU be like skeletons." " The fact of the matter is simply this, another would say : " furze is a very useful plant, and at certain seasons of the year highly ornamental ; but its usefulness consists solely in making a remarkably good fence, and in spring there are few more beautiful objects to be met with, in Great Britain, when such a fence is in full blossom." Such a style of argument was neither complimentary nor con- solatory ; but there was now nothing for it but to persevere, and ward off the sarcastic remarks of the neighbours in as gentle a manner as possible. The problem was soon to be solved ; the cutting season vsas now near at hand ; and I would know by actual experience whether my " spec" was likely to prove profitable or otherwise. As to the crop itself, everyone spoke of it with the most uiujualified praise. Nothing certainly could be more beautiful; never were two acres of furze a more decided success ; one could no more think of forcing liis way through it than he would think of squeezing himself through a hedge of black thorn : it he attempted it the covering of his lower extremities would have re^juired immediate renewal. The first of November came at last. A man went out, scythe in hand, and cut about half-a-load, wliich did not take him long, the ground being so thickly covered, and the exer- tion required to cut it being not so much more than that re- quired for an ordiiuxry crop of hay — certainly not more than for a heavy crop of meadow hay when badly lodged. Ou being cleared off, the ground had exactly the appearance of a field from whicli hay had been removed, the furze beiug cut quite close to the grouud by the action of the scythe. The first load being now landed safely in the yard, I must describe the pre- parations there made for its reception. Having no idea that the cutting for one year would have bulked so immensely, 1 supposed that two men would, by de- voting a few hours daily to this work, cut sufficient for each day's supply. The machine 1 had for it'was a first-class one, originally got for chatfing hay, still used for that purpose — was a large sized one, costing ten guineas, and was at the time in first- class repair. The men went at their work with right good-will ; a woman, whose hands were protected by strong leather gloves, feeding the furze to the machine. This went on for a fortnight, when I fouud that I was pushing the men rather hard, and that a more humane, as well as more economical method of preparation was absolutely necessary. Steam or water being for the time impracticable, the only other available method of doing it was, of course, by horse-power. This was accordingly got from an engineer, and fitted up, strong enougli for two horses if occasion required, but intended only for one. Instead of attaching the horse-gear directly to the cutter, it was connected to an intermediate motion by a universal joint, a belt connecting this intermediate motion with the cutter it- self; a safe plan, and great preventer of accidents, the belt being so easily sUpped oif if a man's clothes or hand got caught. If necessary also, by such an arrangement several machines caii be drivea at the same time, which in sometimes a COttsi-' deration, One horse made tlie knives spin with such velocity, that in one hour a large load of furzej heaped up like hay on a waggon, was reduced to a mass of pulp. The hands em- j)loyed were a boy to drive the horse, which, by tlie way, trotted the whole hour ; a man to feed ; and another (or smart boy) to lay it up on the feeding-board for him, and clear away the piJp from tlie machine. Considering the immense heap cut in this short period, the expense of preparation becomes almost too trifling to be taken into serious consideration. This season being the first, and the growth consequently double what it will be any other year, the thorns were much harder than they will be at any future period, and I have nO doubt that the presence of these thorns this season hindered the animals in some instances from using it as freely as they might otherwise have done. IMachines have been made for pulping as well as cutting ; but with the prospect of avoiding this evil for the future, by the furze being younger, and the spines consequently more tender, I was contented with the im- plement already mentioned. When first presented to the horses, they took to it kindly, eating two large stable-buckets fuU each, without leaving the smallest particle after them. I cannot boast in being quite so successful with the cattle, as when presented to them they sniffed in the most unmistakably dissatitied manner at tlieir unwonted food ; some of them started back from it as far as the chains Mould permit them, and no coaxing what- soever could make them so much as touch it; others turned it over with tlieir nose, probably to see what might be under it ; but I am compelled to say, although with regret, that it is my firm conviction, not one particle of the furze went down the throat of a single beast that night. I felt annoyed, and was most disagreeably reminded of a remark made to me by a dealer when telling him about the furze-growing experiment. He said, " he thought it very wholesome food, and there was no cow he would sooner buy than the furze-fed cow, providing she was not too far gone ; under ordinary circumstances there was an immense amount of improvement in her, aud being generally got cheap, there was scarcely any chance of losing by her." This was so very like the well known theory, that when things are at their worst, they generally begin to mend, that the remembrance of it at that time was anything but grati- fying. On the whole, I must confess with being decidedly unsuc- cessful in using it as a cattle food during the first season, aud having plenty of mangolds, probably did not exercise so much patience as might otherwise have been the case had necessity urged ; next year they may, on account of its greater softness and succulence, take more kindly to it. From the first of November until the fifth of March the horses ate it remarkably well, never during that period haviug got a particle of hay, the mangers being filled with fresh cut aud chopped furze every night. Wltat they did not eat was carefully spread under them after the manure being removed in the morning, and a Uttle straw being spread over it, formed an excellent bed. On account of its heating nature, however, care had to be taken not to have too great a thickness under them. Thus, to a certain extent, not a particle was wasted ; all being put to some sort of use. What was given to the cattle is not worth alluding to ; but the two acres fed eight large farm horses as above described I'or a little over four months, the additional food for each horse being 1-ilbs. of oats and Sllbs. of carrots daily. Ou this food they worked well, kept in good condition, and were re- markably healthy. I have thus given a tyro's experience in furze growing; it is not ovcr-flattering,but probably aboutwhat everyone may expect during his first season. There are difficulties in the way of a successful issue ; even the men will offer numerous objections, remarking in your hearing, perhaps, that no one will be so glad to see tiiis brake sown down as the master of the hounds, and no one will derive so much advantage from it as he. I offer no decided opinion, my experience being so short; but I certainly think tliat any farmer sowing as much furze as will give his horses at least, and his milk com s if possible, one feed in the day, will have no reason to regret his doing so. TXKO. ^HB FABMEB^S MAGAZINB. 46? AGRICULTURAL AND MIDDLE-CLASS EDUCATION. At the Mectiug of the Council of tlie Royal Agricultural Society on "Wednesday, May 3, it was decided by nineteen to thirteen to continue the educational i)rizcs in connection with the Cambridge local examinations, in the face of an amendment moved by Mr. E. Holland, the chairman of the Education Committee, that no further grant of this kind sliould be made. The majority, whatever good may yet have come of the experiment, is at any rate in conso- nance with the tone latterly exhibited by the Direction, where education has been forced forward as the most pro- minent feature of the proceedings. The new number of the Journal fairly overflows with the subject, there being no less than three essays to lead off, supported further on by a si'issors-and-paste summary of all that has been said or sung over the movement. It is certainly something of an argument against the prize system to admit that the prize essay is about the vvorst of the three in any way distinguished by the judges. It is a long, rambling, al- most pointless paper, mainly upholding Scotland as an example, although the writer apjiears to have little or no actual knowledge of academical life on the other side of the Border. The fact is, that a Scotchman who goes up to even Edinburgh or Aberdeen to complete his studies will live a deal harder than a youth out of any respectable English family would ever consent to. We say this in no disparagement, but rather perhaps as a compliment to the self-denial of our northern neighbours, though at the same time this continual claim for the superiority of Scotch men and Scotch habits is idle if not more directly objectionable. Mr. Valentine talks of educiating the farmers of England by means of the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England ; and in so doing, refers complacently to the Highland Society, but comparatively few of the mem- bers of which, wc believe, ever saw their Journal until it was included in the subscription ; so that, so far, the ad- vantage, whatever this be worth, is in our favour. Taking the three contributions in an inverse order to that in which they are ])laced by the editor, we are inclined to consider Mr. Holt Beever's paper as a long way the most useful and practical of the three essays ; as this is perhaps only natural enough. "With a thorough love for agricultural pm'suits, in which he is now engaged, Mr. Beever had for some years the head- mastership of a grammar school, and he comes, con- sequently, armed at all points with hints and suggestions that he himself has carried out. He not only tells you what should be taught, but why ; as, for instance, when he has courage enough to advocate the introduction of a little Greek, he says forcibly, " Those only who are acquainted with the language can appreciate its value at once as an instrument to train the mental faculties, and to throw light on the inmost shades of meaning in many a subtle word that flgures daily in the leader of their morning paper." In this way, Mr. Beever may read with a profit ; but to actually set a good middle-class school going, we must throw over the Royal essayists, and, with them, the dull, dreary work of their honorary secretary, and run down to Bedford, a town in some measure "made," as it were, by the educational advantages it already enjoys. Bedfordshire, however, is striking out beyond the influence of the Harper Charities ; and on Saturday week a public meeting was called in the Shire Hall, for the pur])0sc of " considering the desirability of establishing a public school iu the county, for the education of the sons of farmers and other middle-class inhabitants." It was of course, proposed to carry out the principle — as every- thing is done now-a-days — by means of a company ; and the iVamliagham College being already open, the architect of that building was consulted. jMr. Feck's answer is certainly encouraging ; for, at the end of the first eight months' working, he is enabled to report a profit at the rate of 9 per cent, per annum ; while from what he has seen of the management, he is disposed to think a con- siderable saving in the expenditure may be effected. This was quite sufiicient for the meeting to go on ; and it was duly moved, seconded, and carried, that the establishment of such a school was desirable ; that the funds be raised by a limited-liability company, and that the capital be £18,000, in shares of £25 each. From a variety of eir- cumstances the meeting was not a large one, but close upon sixteen thousand pounds was subscribed in the room ; and the applications for shares now reach to twenty-three thousand pounds. It will be remembered that when the Framlingham College was launched. Lord Stradbroke, Sir Edward Kerrison, j\lr. Richard Garrett, and the other gentle- men of the county came forward with great spirit; but the Bedfordshire list reads stronger than anything we have ever yet heard of, in this way. The Duke of Bedford takes .£10,000 worth of shares ; Mr. "W, H. Whitbread, £2,000 ; Colonel Higgins, £1,000 ; Mr. Magniac, £1,000 ; Mr. James Howard, £300 ; Mr. Everitt, £500 ; and others of the middle-class like Mr. Charles Howard, Mr. Trethewy, Mr. Cranfield, Mr. Horrell, ]Mr. Barnard, Mr. Tucker, and IMr. James, their three, two, or one hundred each. The scheme, in fact, was floated in a day, mainly, no doubt, through the ready aid ottered by the Duke of Bedford, but bound to take root on it's own merits, if we only reflect on its object, backed by the assurance of a dividend. A man may thus not only provide a good education for his child, but at the same time put by something to start him in life with after- wards. There would, indeed, seem to be only one ob- jection to the Bedfordshire Middle-class movement, so far as this is as yet developed. A speaker at the meeting talked of Bedford being the site, of all others, for such a school, as the junction of railways from north, east, south, and west, and so forth. To us, however, it appears that building another school in the town of Bedford would be something very like sending coals to Newcastle. For the townsmen or the farmers adjacent there is ample educa- tion provided already, and certainly on the most advanta- geous terms, either at the Grammar or Commercial School. Even as a speculation the company could scarcely encounter such opposition as the now munificent charities would bring to bear ; while it would un- doubtedly be more convenient for the county to have the new building erected where these facilities are not at pre- sent to be commanded. But this is mere matter of de- tail, that may be left in competent hands to deal with ; our purpose here is the rather to show how middle-class education may be really promoted. Little or no good, as we fear, can come of the mere plaything which the Coun- cil of the Royal Agricultural Society has made of the matter, as no one, we suppose, is wild enough to imagine that the germs of general education will be sown by the Cambridge examinations. It may be perhaps better, after all, that any movement in this way should be left to oiu- own parents and guardians, and that noblemen, pro- fessional men, and agriculturists, acting together as they do in Suffolk and Bedfordshire, identify their own in* 468 THE FAEMEE'S MAaAZINE. terests with the undertaking. As Sir Charles Coldstream says in the comedy : " In England, if there is anything particular in view, we call a meeting, form a company, and the thing is done;" and, really, Education Com- panies, according to IMr. Peck, would promise to pay hetter than many other companies in which men embark with much less laudable designs. MIDDLE-CLASS EDUCATION ilEETLS'G AT BEDFORD. On Saturday, April 28, a meeting of landowners and other gentlemen was held at the Shire Hall, Bedford, for the purpose of cousidering the desirability of establishing a public school in the county, for the educatioa of sons of farmers and other middle-class inhabitants. Mr. W. H. TVhitbread took the cliair. The CuAJRMAX said that they might calculate on a fair return for the outlay. It appeared, that witli a capital of £18,000 they would be able to erect a building sutiicient to accommodate 300 boys. The subject had been brought to the attention of the Duke of Bedford, who had shown a most liberal spirit ; and although he joined in the commercial view of the matter, of course his object was to promote the middle-class education of this county. His Grace had signified his intention to take shares to tlie amount of £10,000. He was sure they would feel, with liim, that this was beyoud their expectations. He (the chairman), foUowiug in his footsteps at an hiunble distance, he should take shares to the extent of £2,W0 (applause), making £12,000, or two-thirds of the money required. He could hardly doubt, from what lie knew of their cliaracter, that many farmers tliemselves woidd take shares ; and as it was proposed to form a Limited Liabihty Company, and having a prospect of realizing a fair per-centage, they would run no risk, whilst they Would be promoting that whicli had long been felt as a necessity — the education of a most important class. At the Suffolk school the cost of each boy was £25 per annum ; it had been suggested that the sum sliould no* be less than £30, which he thought was most moderate when they considered that each boy would not only be maintained at that sum per annum, but receive a good and sound education ; whilst tliose who promoted the undertaking had a reasonable prospect of receiving a fair return for their money. He miglit remark that the Duke of Bedford would not have taken the commer- cial view himself, but he thought that the farmers and trades- men would view the suliject more favourably if that principle were adopted, and hence he had expressed his intention to invest so large a sum, and he trusted that the middle-class would heartily respond to the call to be made upon them. Mr. TuRXLEY read letters of regret and apologies for non- attendauce from Lord Dvnevor, the Hon. and llev. Lord John Thynne, Col. Gilpin, M.P., Mr. Hastings Russell, M.P., :Mr. Samuel Wliitbread, M.P , Mr. Harvey (Ciiairman of the Quarter Sessons), Lt.-Col. Stuart, M.P., Mr. S. C. Wliit- bread, Mr. Harry Thoruton, and 'Mr. Osborne (the Mayor of Dunstable). Mr. Turnley then proceeded to state the circum- stances wliich liad resulted in the present meeting. Some time ago Mr. James Howard mentioned the subject of middle- class education generally, remarking how desirable it would be to have it brought to the attention of the principal gentle- men of the county. Acting on the suggestion thrown out, he wrote to Mr. Peck, the architect of the Suffolk establishment, with the view of obtaining some information upon so impor- tant a subject. In a few days he received a letter, of which the following is a copy : 15, Fumivals Inn, E.C., February 10th, 1866. Dear Sirs, — I have great pleasure m forwarding you the enclosed particulars of the cost, and eight months' working expenditure of the >Iiddle Class College, Framliugham. The cost of building and ground £14,669 0 0 The cost of furniture and fittings 2,59113 0 £17,260 13 0 XoiE. — The cost of furniture might be greatly reduced, as the whole was specially desigTied to accord ^vith the building. The amount received in paj-ment for the board and education of 268 boys during the first four months was £2,235 11 4 The amount received in pa^nnent for the board and education of 312 boys during the second four months was 2,602 12 0 ilstkuig a total of £4,838 3 4 for eight moatha at £25 per nnTiiin^ for gach boy. The amount exjiended for payment of salaries to masters, matron, medical otficer, wages of servants, maintenance of 10 masters, matron, 26 servants, and the whole of the boys, and everj' other exijense, such as coals, wood, gas, chemicals, printing, stationery, stamps, draperj-, insurance, rates, taxes, repairs, and sundries, amounted to £3,826 33. 8d., leaving a balance of £1,011 19s. 8d. for the eight months' working, being a profit of nearly 6 per cent, for the eight months, or at the same rate 9 per cent, per annum. Of com'se you will perceive that the working during the iirst four- months was somewhat to our advantage, as the College was minus the complement of boys, the expenses for masters and sers-ants being the same. Before commencing the duties of the College the whole and considerably beyond the number of boys had appUed for atlmission, and at the present time applications are being made to such an extent for admission that the trustees are considering the question of enlai'ging the present building. With reference to your enquiries as to expenditure, it was found requisite to increase the head master's salarj- to £300, the sis under-masters and four junioi's to have their board, in addition to the salaries named. The matron at a salary of £50 and board. The medical ofticer at a salary of £50, paid by the boys. The domestic sei*\'ants, gardener, and engine-driver (26 in number), at an average of £12 per annum and their board. The amount for maintenance of boys is below the sum stated, and the board for masters and servants averages £20 for the year. From what I have seen of the management at Framliug- ham, I am disposed to think a considerable saving in the expenditure might be effected. At present too much is left to the head master. In my opinion his duties should be con- fined to the education of the boj's only, and a workina: steward appointed to manage the domestic arrangements and staff; it appears to me that 24 domestic sers-ants for such an estab- lishment is a most excessive number. In a similar building I am now erecting', much labour will be saved tjy the introduction of steam machinerj- for the whole of the wasliing and laundry department ; and in many other economical points I have improved the plan of Fram- lingham College, thereby effecting a saving in first outlay and working. Any cornpany started near London would be sure to com- mand success, and ensure a payment at least £5 for each beyond that fixed at Framlingham. As my college is, I believe, the first of its kind, I am much interested in the movement of founding similar buildings throughout the countrj-, and if any drawings or information beyond that now given would be of service, I hope jou will not fail to make use of me. I am, dear Sirs, yours truly, Fkedeeick Peck, Archt. Messrs. Turnley and Sharman, Bedford. Col. HioCtINS, in moving tiie first resolution, said he did not take up the subject for the first time ; for at the last agricultural meeting of this county he ventured to introduce tlie question of education of the middle class ; but the words were spoken at that period of the meeting when the company was beginning to disperse, and was somewhat, as is customary, uproarious, and was consequently not disposed to hsten. The few words, however, that he uttered were not lost upon Mr. James Howard, who then heartily supported his views ; and they had often since conferred together on the matter. It was very remarkable that in this country, which had beeu held up as an example for tlie cultivation of laud to tlie whole world — \\\\\q\i stood pre-eminent in an agricultural and commercial point of view — which, even from this very town, as Messrs. Howard could tell them, exported agri- cultural machinery to all parts of Europe — training schools for the middle classes, until within a very few years, were absolutely unknowTi. He repeated, this was a re- markable fact. There were now a few institutions in different parts of the countrj-, including the one already re- ferred to in the county of Suffolk. ^Now although it could not be denied that among the tenant-farmers of this country, and especially of this county, there were men of intelligence, men of business — such as he saw before hiia — men who carried out THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 469 important matters connected with the county with rare zeal and judgment ; yet, on the other hand, there were of course many exceptions to this rule ; and, to speak the truth, he must say they did not tiud that degree of education they had a right to expect. Wliilst this country was first in most things, it was behind in education as compared with other countries. Look at the continent of Europe. France, as they knew, had a 3Iinister of Public Instruction ; and the number of schools there amounted to 8:2,000, taking into account all the schools for each class, and two-and-a-half millions of money were devoted to their support every year, if they went into Prussia they would find that by the law of that countr\- ever)* young person from the age of sis to fourteen was compelled to go to some school. Now Prussia was essentially an agricultu- ral country, there being eight and a half millions of the popu- lation employed in that occupation. The educational system in Prussia was the most complete in Europe. In ever)- pro- vince the public schools were under the superintendence of a board of education appointed by Government. In ISGl there were iJ3,So9 Protestant and 9,895 Koman Catholic elementar}- schools. In Austria and Prussia there is a vast number of scliools established and under Government supervision. He would take tbem to Italy — that country which had been spring- ing up of late years into freedom, and holding up its head amongst the powers of Europe, to the great delight, he would add, of all Enghshmen. That country, with its 22,000,000 of people, had a minister of public instruction, ministers of commerce, industry, and agriculture. Great efforts were being made in that country to promote the education of the different chisses ; and last year the Government, notwithstanding its pecuniary difficulties, voted £600,000 in support of educational objects ; and what is worthy of remark, a great part of property confiscated from the monastic estabhshiueuts has been devoted to public education. He bad only to quote these facts to show how much England was behind other countries. He acknow- ledged there were good public schools for the upper classes, and by the aid of Government and the benevolence of individuals much instruction was conveyed to the lower classes ; but v\ith regard to the middle there was an absolute void. Under these circumstances lie thought it must be self-evident that the establishment of a middle-class school must be looked upon as a very great boon and blessing to this part of the country. !Now as to the position : Is Bedford or not a fit place for the site of such a school ? On this point there surely can be no doubt, first of all, there is a junction of railways from north, east, south, and west. Then they were actually in the centre of a great space altogether without the advantages of such an institution. Mr. James Howard thought the educational establishments of England for the middle class were generally on too retail a scale, and, considering the quality of the education imparted, much too dear. All those acquainted with manufacturing pursuits knew that to manufacture cheaply and well it must be done on a large scale. So with education : to give a liberal education at a small cost there must be large and well-regulated scliools. Some ten or twelve years ago he was invited to be present at the annual examination of a viUnge school, and what he heard on that day from the little rustics impressed him with a firm belief that "the time was not far distant when a strenous effort would he made to raise the standard of educa- tion amongst the great middle-class. In 1839 the Government, as most of them present would remember, awoke up to the fact that it would be wise to render some assistance in raising the working-classes from the state of ignorance in which they were for the most part to be found : since that period most praiseworthy exertions have been made by benevolent persons, both in the agricultural and manufacturing districts, to provide schools for the labouring poor. The good elfect of these exer- tions was to be found not only in the better behaviour of the people in our villages and in our towns, but in the diminution of crime throughout the country. Notwithstanding these movements for educating the poor, no corresponding efibrts have until lately been put forth to raise the education of the middle-classes — probably the future employers of those labour- ing children. He believed that the majority of the farmers of the present day were fuUy alive to the advantages of a liberal education : but he was aware there was still a large class which did not believe in the necessity of education for a fanner. Many have formed their opinion from the fact of weU-edueated men having failed in the pursuit of farming, whilst their less- educated neighbours had succeeded ; but suiely such failures had nothing to do with education. The failures arose not from the possession of learning, but from the want of application to busi- ness, to lack of economy, and want of judgment and aptitude for the calling. For the same reasons the failures of educated men and the success of non-educated men occurred in commer- cial and manufacturing pursuits. It would not, however, be difficult to point out some of the best and most successful farm- ers in this and other counties who are at the same time the best educated of their class. Col. Higgins had taken them to France, Prussia, and Italy for examples of education. In this countrj- they lived under a constitutional form of government ; how- ever advantageous Impenahsm might be in some respects, it was an impossibility in this free country ; a scheme for com- pulsory education could not be enforced. He would not, as Col. Higgins had done, go to the continent : he would simply cross the^ border into Scotland. K anybody had a lingering doubt as to the value of a hberal education for a farmer, let him go there, and to some other parts of his o^vn country he could name. In Scotland he would find liundreds of higlily educated men, occupying large farms, cultivated in the most beautiful style, men who lived hke gentlemen, and somehow managed to pay extravagant rents into the bargain. From experience de- rived from Scotland and other places, it would not be difficult to prove that a liberal education was of immense advantage to the farmer. There was one point which it would be well to remember : all farmers' sons could not in this small island be- come farmers ; a large proportion must turn out into the great world of trade and commerce, in wliich education every year becomes more and more highly valued, and was an absolute necessity. Let two young men go into a London or a Man- chester office, one being in possession of a hberal education, the other with only a smattering of learning — which was more likely to make his way to the front ? Again : two voting men may apply for the same situation in a mercantile establishment ; they might be equal in most other respects, but one had learned French and German, and this turns the scale in his favour. A knowledge of modern languages enlarged the prospects of a young man, and expanded almost indefinitely the sphere in which he can seek employment for his talents. He felt that when the immense advantages of education were so generally acknowledged, that some apology was due for thus trespassing upon the meeting, but he knew there were many outside of that hall w ho poo-poohed the subject, but whose children probably will, twenty yeais hence, have cause to reflect upon their parents for not having made greater efforts to provide them with a better education. Just now he had referred to Scotland ; perhaps he should be excused if he once more alluded to it. Across the Border, education had for generations been held in higher esteem than in England : a good plain education was there within reach of the poor, and a liberal education was within the reach of the middle-class. "What had ieen the effect of this P Go where they might, they found Scotchmen filling lucrative posts, in our mercantile establishments — in the command of our best ships — managers or foremen in. our manufactories — engineers of our railways and public works — and at the head of the great estates of "this country ; at home and abroad, no matter where you go, there you will find Scotchmen occupying lucrative and responsible posts. The reason of this was, not that Scotch- men were naturally superior to Englishmen, but because they had enjoyed the advantages of a superior education. He be- heved the estabhshment and successful working of this school would have a most beneficial influence upon the rising genera- tion of Bedfordshire faimers, and be the means of fitting them for some of those important lucrative positions to wliich he had alluded. Lord Chajkles Russell had much pleasure to find that it was not intended to confine the school to the sons of farmers, but that the institution would be opeu to the middle-class generally, and that the education would be of such a character as fuUy to meet the requirements of the age. He had no doubt that a large establishment, where young men intended for different pursuits mixed together, could fail to produce immense benefits, mdependently of the education received. Dr. Mor^■TAI^■ had known this county rather extensively for thirty-five years ; and he could tell them that when he first became acquainted with it he found many principal farmers whose signature was a cross, and not a few who could not read ; and as there were, even then, schools (such as they were) for the poorer classes, it not unfrequeutly happened m THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. that the kbourel's were better educated than their eiiiployers. That considerable improvement iu this respect had taken place he was not prepared to deny, but much, very much, yet re- mained to be done. The want of sound education for the middle-classes is urgent, and is daily felt more and more ; and he felt heartily thankful that it had led to this day's result. He would conclude by repeating the apophthegm : " Religion without education is too simple to be safe ; and education with- out religion is too subtle to be sound." Mr. TuE?fLEY read the rule adopted and carried out at the Suffolk establishment, in reference to religious teaching, and the following quotation from the statute of the institute : " And we do hereby will and ordain tliat religious instruction shall be given iu the college iu accordance with the prin- ciples of the United Cliurch of England and Ireland, but that no boy shall be compelled to receive instruction in the Church Catechism or other formulnries of the Established Church, or to attend the parish church or college chapel on Sundays, whose parents or guardians shall signify to the head-master their objection to sucli instruction or attendance, and shall make provision for the attendance of such boy at some other place of religious worship." Mr. CiiAKLES Howard was quite sure this movement would give great satisfaction, not only to his brother-farmers, but to the middle-class inhabitants generally. The cost for the main- tenance and education of each boy was fixed at a moderate amount ; and every farmer would now have an opportunity of giving his sous a thoroughly sound educ^ation. THE MEDICINAL PEOPERTIES OF OUR FOUAGE PLANTS. When the family doctor comes to our assistance practically iu time of need, as he fiequeutly does, we never fail to give him liearty thanks for his advice and services ; but when he enunciates the startling proposition of some twenty medicinal plants, names unknown, as a panacea for rinderpest and all the maladies to wliich our cattle are subject, and wlien we are fur- ther called upon to grow such plants, are we not entitled to their respective botanic designations? As most farmers who have turned their attention to this subject are familiar with something like ten times this uumlier of medicinal plants eaten by their cattle, the question naturally ari.ses. Does the practical man's list of mediciual plants include the twenty special " simples" thus introduced to notice, which are presiuucd to exercise such a heahng potency in tlie cure of riuderpest, &c. ? Again, such farmers are familiar with the fact that different climates, seasons of the year, and geological soils produce a very wide diversity in Nature's materia niedica, not very easily reconciled with the doctriue involved of only twenty plants for the cure of bovine pestilence or any other contagious dis- ease to which cattle are subject. Unless this limited list is in- tended to be read iu the niost general sense, as much as to say, that " in every district there will be found during the dilferent months of the summer season probably some twenty medicinal plants provided by Nature, which have been removed by Art — plants that are necessary to preserve cattle in a normal state of health, and to which animals are instinctively led the moment contagious matter enters the system, or, it may he, when the presence of contagious matter in the atmosphere is sensibly felt by them ;" then, if otherwise, we must confess ourselves unable to comprehend either the meaning of such doctrines, or the propriety of putting them in circulation amongst practical farmers at the present time. AVe are manifestly not warranted to put any such a general inter- pretation upon plain statement, as the following : " 17tere are some tivediij plant.? supplied h<:(', to produce breeding stock; s.n{[ foi/rik, to produce working cattle. In this country the latter is now almost exclusively confined to horses ; but on tlie continent teams of oxen are still common; and, as working oxen ulti- mately find their May to the shambles, they have consequently a twofold purpose to serve, viz., the fourth and jlrsi of the above. As a beast of burden, however, the ox is slowly being superseded by the horse, so that ultimately the fourth purpose of production will be exclusively confined to the latter animal, including the ass and mule throughout the greater part of Eu- rope. We shall, therefore, in this paper confine our observa- tions to the economy of producing fat stock, dairy stock, and breeding stock, as affected by the growing prevalence of conta- gious diseases, such as rindei'ijcst, sheep pox, &c. Erom a general point of view, the details of practice under each of the above three branches of stock management are be- coming more and more uniform with the advancement of science, so that ultimately the three may merge into one common practice with the exception of supplying our large towns with milk. Already considerable progress has been made towards the realization of this ultimatum in many districts, farms that once produced only breeding and store cattle now fittcning for the shambles all the disposable stock they annually yield, and the annual increase in the number of such farms is greater at tlie present time than at any former period, so that the rate of progression is accelerated. " What the actual effect of rin- derpest on this rate of progression may be, cannot, of course, as yet be definitely determined ; but that it will tend to accelerate the onward movement of details in the line they have hitherto been progres.siug must appear manifest to the practical reader. In illustration of the proposition enumerated in the preced- ing paragraph it may be observed that at one period, yet fresh in the memory of some old fiirmers, the greater part of Scotland was breeding-ground for the fattening provinces of England. At that time tlie Scottish counties north of the Tay hardly sent a single fat sheep and buUock each directly to the Metropolitan Cattle Market in a season. IN'ow it is other- wise, the capital receiving a large proportion of its best meat directly from those counties ; while the number of drove cattle that annually comes np from them, to be fattened out in England, is insignificant, the supply from arable districts on the " low lands" being already almost nil. The southern counties of Scotland and the northern counties of England appear subject to the same laws of economy, the production of fat stock being on the increase, and that of disposable store cattle on the de- crease ; while, /)^/' contra, the fattening farms of England have been receiving increasing supplies of store cattle from Ireland and the continent of Europe, to make up in part for the above deficiencies from the northern provinces. Similar causes produce similar effects, it is said ; and those laws of economy which have converted Aberdeenshire and the adjoining counties into first-rate fattening grounds will at no distant date convert the sister-country Ireland, and those pro- vinces of the continent of Europe that are supplying us with store cattle at the present time, also into fattening grounds — changes which will eventually leave the fat-stock counties of England the alternative of breeding their own store cattle. In other words, farmers will have to rear vi'hat they fatten for the shambles, and fatten no more than what they themselves can breed and rear upon their own farms, this being adopted by the farmers of the other producing countries as the more economical and profitable system to follow as a general rule of stock management. To such a rule there may remain numerous exceptions ; but the general piacfice is manifest, its details bespeaking their own importance in terms that cannot be mis- nnderstood by any intelligent and unprejudiced mind. ISfean- THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. m time, hou'ever, the change is a work of time, and the period of transition must inevitably be considerably shortened by the prevalence of contagious diseases and the increasing mortality amongst stock under the existing system of management, as compared with the other and more improved one coming into general use ; because, under the latter, cattle are more com- pletely isolated, while store-cattle markets, the conveyance of store stock, and the intercourse of cattle dealers, drovers, &c., with all their attendant means of introducing and spreading con- tagious diseases, are almost wholly done away with, the principal traffic in cattle by road, railway, and steam-boat being generally confined to the conveyance and marketing of fat stock, this traffic in fat stock being eventually reduced to a minimum by the development of the carcase trade. It need liardly be observed that the introduction of steam- boat and railway conveyance of fat stock, the use of artificial manures, the more thorough drainage of the country, and the growth of a greater variety and amount of feeding materials of every kind for stock, together with an increased consumption of oil-cake and other feeding stuffs of this class, have been mainly instrumental in bringing about this change, inasmuch as the introduction of such improvements have, in a great measure, obviated the defects and shortcomings experienced by the breeding districts in question prior to their introduction. No sooner, tor example, did steam-boats begin to ply between Aberdeen, Dundee, Leith, and London, than the successful con- veyance of fat stock commenced, and went on rapidly increasing year after year. Railway conveyance gave a further stimulus to the production of fat stock. Scotchmen are cautious, but enterprising — the farmers and cattle dealers of Aberdeenshire lieing proverbially so at the commencement of the change ; the vrork was therefore one of cautious experiment ; but the balance in hard cash being generally on the right side of the ledger, it has gone on progressing, there being still ample room a-head for further advances. This may seem contra- dictory, but it is fact ; for there are numbers of farmers who have, up to this date, never been able profitably to fatten for the southern markets, their stocks being sold as store cattle, simply hecause they have never adopted succcssfullythose improvements necessary to enable them to do so, and because in not a few cases they are prejudiced against their adoption, and in favour of the old breeding system. Tlie length of time that has thus passed by since the change began proves how slow the work of j)ro- press advances amongst farmers ; but when once begun, slow as the onward current of progression may be, it must of necessity, as it were, keep moving at an accelerated speed, were there no other reason than that old people and old ideas die out, and are supplanted by fresh blood. But there are other and more tangible reasons than even this ; for the marketing of store cattle to advantage has long been felt an uphill work, and the growing prevalence of contagious diseases and increase of mortality will make the hill many degrees more steep and rugged for the future than it has hitherto been : hence the practical conclusion. Such being the general question, the position of individual cases — whether the example be a farm-producing store stock, fat stock, or dairy produce, or a combination of these three, or any two of them — calls for the closest circumspection at the present time, in order to keep pace with the progress of things on the one hand, and out of harm's way on the other. Some fireside theorists may perhaps hastily conclude that btock-farming is a very simple affair, ninety-nine per cent, of the work being done by Nature herself. But those who thus leave Nature unaided, in our fickle climate and artificial position, very soon come to grief; and of all the fallacious dogmas that are propagated, this " do nothing theory " is perhaps the most objectionable of any at the present time ; for a movement in advance must of necessity be made in co- operation with Nature ; and in this enterprise the practical man must neither over-estimate nor under-tstimate his own professional abilities in the matter. The reason of this is plain ; for it is a shoulder-to-shoulder undertaking, in which every inch of fresh ground gained must be held and occupied until further advances are made, whatever may be the mo- mentum of adverse pressure that has all tlie while to be s>is- tained. A stock-breeder, for example, by erroneously sub- stituting the experience of the past for that of the future, may, by such a fallacious method of reasoning, arrive at the oppo- site conclusion, his argument being that hitherto, on an ave- rage of years, he has made more money of his store cattle than those who purchased tliem have done for fattening out for the shambles ; but such data only prove the dangerous and untenable character of his future position ; for if the producer of fat cannot purchase store cattle cheaper than he can breed and rear them, he will adopt the more economical and ad- visable course of breeding and rearing what he himself re- quires to fatten — a result which must leave the stock-breeder no market for his stores, save at a losing figure. In short, store cattle is a term only applicable to the past ; for, according to the most improved system of the present day, that which promises to be the geiieral practice of the future, stock are fattened from their birth, animals being always ready for the shambles either as veal or beef, lamb or mutton, as the case may be ; and therefore the sooner the se farmers who have made up their minds not to keep pace with the inarch of im- provement in this respect " dry their whistle," and place it, along with other curiosities of the kind, in some antiquarian museum, the better it wiU be for themselves and their suc- cessors. If, on the other hand, fat pays better than lean stock, the latter will be fattened out for the shambles, and so on. The case is a clear one, .and so are all other cases, in- cluding dairy farms, they being equally subject to economical improvement in the quality of feeding materials, household and field accommodation, breeding, and management gene- rally, as the fat-stock and lean-stock farms of the present day. Art in every case being able to supplement Nature, as it were, so as to realize the most profitable rcsidts either in butcher, meat or dairy produce, according to the commercial position of farms and the professional talents of farmers. The old maxim, " To be forewarned is to be forearmed," is a highly valuable and practical one, and applicable to the pecu- liar position of the British farmer at the present time. And here it must not be forgotten that the present visitation of cattle-plague, including the restrictions on cattle-marketing found necessary to be enforced in order to reduce its ravages to a minimum as it were, is something more than a mere warn- ing as to the future line of practice. It is not, therefore, the bounden duty of every farmer, whether his farm produces ex- clusively fat stock, lean stock, or dairy produce, at present, to be fore-armed for the future, and independent of lean-stock markets, home or foreign, cattle jobbing, droving, &c., thereby preventing the introduction and spread of contagion ? If it is the most improved practice to breed and rear what you fatten for the shambles, as doubtless it is ; and if all successful expe- rience is converging from every point of the compass towards this centre, so to speak ; then, is it not the interest and duty of the practical man, whatever may be his position, to remodel his farming details as fast as circumstances wiU permit, so as to enable him to join the general march of improvement with the least possible delay ? If at one time landowners and their tenants were induced by oppressive systems of tithes and poor- rates to clear whole districts of country, and lay them down permanently to grass, and if their present practice is to stock such graziugs with Scotch, Irish, and foreign store cattle for fatteuning, what is to prevent Scotch, Irish, and foreign far- mers rearing no more stock than they can fatten upon their respective farms? And what is to hinder English graziers breeding and rearing far better stock than those they now pur- chase extraneous of their own farms ? It may sound uncour- teously harsh and forbidding, and even prematurely silly, to teU a wealthy independent grass farmer and cattle dealer, who follows the occupation of his father and grandfather, and who consequently has little or no experience in arable mixed hus- bandry, and whose landlord is, perhaps, as poor and needy as a crow at Christmas, that he must throw aside his flhip and spurs, strip, roU up liis shirt sleeves, and get upon the steam- plough, and soon; but a second, third, fourth, and fifth visita- tion of the cattle plague, each visitation close on the heels of its predecessor, will teU him something more than even this, and in terms which wiU. eventually enforce compliance with the practical admonition thus delivered. To not a few farmers and graziers the present visitation will form a sufficient warning to be fore-armed for the future ; but to more obtuse and less tractable minds a second and even third visitation may be necessary to enforce submission to the providence and progress of things. No doubt, a little time, skill, and extra capital invested by both landowner and tenant may be required iu effecting the improvements contemplated ; but just so much the better for all parties in the end, and the country generally, when science and practice puU together iu 476 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the accomplishment of the work. Tliat contagion was mainly introduced and spread in tliis country on the present occasion, as on the preceding one of last century, by the reckless conduct of graziers and cattle dealers, goaded onwards by their one- sided narrow views of their own and the general interest of the country, is manifest ; and such indicates the propriety of the highest degree of caution at the present time, wlien Govern- ment is beginning to relax the stringency of its orders in rela- tion to the conveyance and marketing of cattle. I'nder such circumstances, very grave apprehensions are just now being entertained as to the coming season, lest fresh contagion should be re-introduced and spread over the length and breadth of the laud, such having been experienced during the last century whenever Government in the slightest degree relaxed its orders, to meet the wishes of those engaged in the cattle trade. But all such selfish and short-sighted policy, whatever may be its object and success for the time-being, is nevertheless in- directly aiding the cause of progress in a two-fold manner : first, by showing its own unsuitablencss for the exigencies of the occasion; and second, by pointing out how to lay the founda- tion of a more scientific and profitable system upon a perma- nent basis, JC:xGiNEER. AUXILIARY MANURES. BY MR. PETER M'LAGAN, OF PUMPHERSTON, N.B. Till within the last twenty or thirty years, the limited sup- ply of manure was felt as one of the main obstacles to in- creasing the produce of the soil, and to the introduction of an improved system of agriculture in particular districts. The adoption of one system of management in preference to another by a skilful farmer depended very much on the supply of the manure which he could obtain to keep up the fertility of his soil. Near large towns, where the supply was great, the most of the produce was sold off the farm, and there was little of the land pastured, and as little of it bare-fallowed. At a distance from towns, however, where manure was more difiicult to be had, the land was pastured two, three, or four years, and there was generally some of it bare-fallowed. The most com- mon rotation in Scotland is the five years' course, in which one- fifth of the farm is in summer fallow or green crop, two-fifths in pasture, and two-fiftks in white or exhausting crops. Now, supposing we had no more manure than what is made from the straw and turnips grown on the farm, we should not have more than ten or eleven tons per imperial acre were we to ma- nure all the one-fifth in green crop. If we gave a larger quan- tity per acre to the green crops, then we would be under the necessity of fallowing some of the land that should have been in turnips, and procuring manure for it elsewhere. The quan- tity allowed to the green crops in some districts was nearer twenty than ten tons per imperial acre ; and hence on every farm there was some fallow every summer, for which manure was carried from the nearest towns, or the land was allowed to lie longer than two years in grass, so that some of that fer- tility of which it had been exhausted by cropping might be restored. I have not thought it necessary to allude to the means adopted for recruiting the soil previous to the introduc- tion of summer fallow, whicli was, after the land had been tlioroughly exhausted by cropping, to allow it to lie to rest in what was called pasture, Imt more properly waste. It was not till after the middle of the last century that any substances were used as auxiliaries to farm-yard manure. Arthur Young, in 1770, speaking of bones being used as a manure, says — " They are a very odd manure, but that the far- mers find them of great benefit to their clay lands, and they will last twenty years good." Rape cake was also used at the same time as a manure, and oil cake was largely employed for feed- ing, mainly with the view of improving the quality of the ma- nures made on the farm. Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Nor- folk were the counties in which these substances were first most extensively used ; and a considerable portion of the pre- sent century was past before they were employed to any extent in Scotland. The publication of " Liebig's Organic Chemistry of Agriculture and Physiology" about twenty years ago, the almost simultaneous introduction of guano, and the regular publication of agricultural periodicals weekly, and fortnightly a few years afterwards, gave a very great impetus to the use of auxiliary manures, which are now considered a sine qua noit in good farming. _ The auxiliary manures most in use at present are guano, jiitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, rape-cake, bones, super- phosphates, and coprolites. It may not be correct to call these different substances " manures ;" but I use that word in the common acceptation of the term, which is — " Any matter or substance added to the soil with the view of fertilizing it, or of accelerating vegetation and increasing the production of the crops." Of all tiiose mentioned above, guano — or, rather, the variety from Peru — approaches ordinary farm-yard manure in composition more nearly than any of the others. It is usual to divide manures into animal, vegetable, and mineral : it will answer my purpose better, however, to make a more simple division, viz., into nitrogenous and phosphatic. To the former division belong Peruvian guano, nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, and rape dust ; to the latter, phospho-guano, bones, superphosphates, coprolites, and the other guanos now used. It is now generally admitted that the most profitable results are obtained from applying manures rich in nitrogen to the cereals, and those rich in phosphates to the root crops, particularly turnips. I shall now proceed to detail my experience in the applica- tion of auxiliary manures. The first thing I attend to is to have any manures used reduced to as fine a powder as possi- ble. At first I mixed the guano with sawdust ; when I had no sawdust at hand I simply damped it with water, till I saw an account in the Journal cV Agriculture Pratique of an ex- periment on mixing salt \\'\i\\ guano, by M. Barral, which was so much in favour of the mixture that I adopted the practice for some years. I now, however, prefer dissolving the guano with sulphuric acid ; and as I have performed some experi- ments in the turnip crop for the last two years, which have proved the advantage of the solution, I intend to continue it. I give here the experiment performed last year with 8 cwt. per acre of guano and sulphuric acid, and 8 cwt. of guano alone : Cost per Acre. £ s. Gu. and sulph. acid.. 4 8 Guano alone 5 4 Weight of Roots per Acre. Tons. Cwt. 20 8 19 8 Value of Roots at 7s. per Ton. £ s. d. 7 2 8 6 15 8 £0 16 _ £0 7 0 Difference in the price oi manures applied 0 16 0 Difference per imperial acre in favour of guano and sulphuric acid £1 3 0 The year before, the results were still more favourable for the same mixture. 1 cwt. of sulphuric acid is mixed with 3 cwt. of guano. All concentrated manures, such as Peruvian guano, nitrate of soda, &c., should be mixed with some sub- stance which would increase their bulk, and allow of their being sown more equally. Modes oe Applyi^'G Auxiliary Manures. — I always harrow in guano with the seed of the cereals ; on the other hand, when I use sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda, I top-dress the crop with it in damp weather about the time that the plant is leaving the pickle. When the soil is in high condition, such as after three years' pasture on which a large quantity of turnips and cake have been eaten by sheep, and I THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 477 on light soils where the crop is apt to be laid, I use no auxiliary manures to the white crop ; but I have been invari- ably paid by using them where the soil has not been up to the highest fertility, or ou clay soils, particularly with the white crop alter turnips. Tlie wheat is top-dressed in spring with a mixture of eijual weights of Peruvian guano, nitrate of soda, or sulphate of ammouia, and common salt, at the rate of '2^ cwt. of the mixture per imperial acre ; Peruvian guano is generally used for the oats ; aud a mixture containing more phosphates than Peruvian guano, in proportion to the nitrogen, for the barley after turnips. When dung is put into the drills for turnips or ))otatoes, the auxiliary manure is aj)phed at tl>e same time. When the dung has been ploughed-in in the au- tumn, or when no dung is applied, I sometimes sow the auxiliaries before drilling, in which case one drilling is sufll- cient. I have always found that when this latter practice is adopted, the braird is better and sooner, and the plants ready for thinniug eight days sooner than when the auxiliaries are applied in the drills. This is a great advantage in years when the ravages of the fly are destructive. Quantity of Auxiliary Mj\:nuiie. — It is impossible to say which is the most profitable quantity of auxiliaries to apply. This depends upon the kind of soil, whether clay, gravel, sand, or peaty. But I think that there is no part of this subject on which well-conducted experiments are more wanted than the most profitable quantity to be applied to the soil. This question has engaged my attention for some years, and I find it to be one of tlie most difficult with which I have to do. For instance, supposing Peruvian guano tlie manure to be experimented with, and it is to be applied to two soils equal in every respect but in the amount of availaljle phos- phates in them, aud supposing them at the same time to be of average fertility, if I apply small but equal quantities of auxiliaries to the two soils — that is, as much as the phosphates in the manure will have a full effect on both soils — it is pro- bable that the soil which has the largest quantity of phosphate will produce the largest crop ; but if I apply large but equal quantities — that is, quantities containing more phosphates than will be necessary for the one, and just as much as is necessary for the other — it is probable that there will be a larger produce, in proportion to the manure applied, from the soil containing least phosphates than from the other. The composition of the soil and the district must always be taken into account. Other elements must also be taken into con- sideration, and none more than climate. Some years ago I performed the following experiment : — 4 cwt. of Peruvian guano, and -i cwt. sulphuretted carbon, the principal ingredient of which is sulphuric acid, at a cost of £4 per acre, gave 20 tons 10 cwt. ; 8 cwt. of Peruvian guano, at a cost of .€5 8s., gave 20 tons 13 cwt. ; 10 cwt. of Peruvian guano, at a cost of £G 15s., gave 19 tons 18 cwt. Kinds of Manure. — I have already said that, generally speaking, it is most profitable to apply nitrogenous manures to the wiiite crops, and phosphatic manures to the turnip crops. I have spoken of the application of them to the white crops, and will confine my remarks now to the application to the green crops. The mixtures which I have used most ex- tensively for some years back are guano and sulphuric acid, described above, and one of bones, sulphuric acid, and guano, prepared in this way : 3 cwt. of bones are well soaked with water, 1 cNrt. of sulphuric acid is then poured on them, and thoroughly mixed, after which 3 cwt. of Peruvian guano, well reduced to powder, is a(|^led to absorb the superfluous moisture, and the whole is thrown into a heap, in which great heat is evolved. The mixture is made some weeks before it is used. The high price of Peruvian guano, and the comparatively low price of nitrate of soda and some phosphatic manures, led me to try last year whether Peruvian guano could not be dispensed with altogether in the growth of turnips. I therefore pur- chased some coprolites, and dissolved them in sulphuric acid ; having divided this into two lots, I mixed one with guano — the quantity of guano being equal in weight to the undissolved coprolites in the lot. The other lot I mixed with nitrate of soda equal in value to the guano. Equal weights of each lot were applied to land after wheat on which no dung had been put for two years ; there were -i tons 7 cwt. per imperial acre more from the nitrate and coprolites than from the guano and coproUtes. As my experience of coprolites is not very exten- sive, I will Dot !?ay anything strongly in their favour yet, but will merely state that from any experiments I have made with them, I have not been disappointed. Bones are deservedly reckoned among one of tlie best manures for turnips, whether in the form of bone-dust or dissolved by sulphuric acid. Though much is said of the value of soluble phos- phates produced by dissolving bones and other substances con- taining ))hosphates with sulpiiurie acid, it is found that bones, fermented cither according to Mr. Puscy's plan, or after being steamed, produced as good crops as when they are dissolved. A great acquisition toturnip-maiiures is the superphosphates now so common in the market, prepared by dissolving l)ones, bone-ash, coprolites, fee., with sulphuric acid. Any farmer may prepare these at less cost than he can purchase them, witii the certainty, at the same time, of knowing what he is using. 1 will now conclude with a few general remarks on the mix- tures of auxiliary manures. Chemists tell us tliat the value of a manure is mainly dependent on the amount of nitrogen which it contains. Now, though this is true when the ma- nures are of the same kind, as, for instance, when one sample of Peruvian guano is compared with another, it is not the case when the manures are of ditt'erent kinds, as when one contains more of phosphates, for instance, than another, or where the nitrogen in one is in a more available form as food for plants than another. In Johnston's " Experimental Agriculture," it is shown, from calculations made from experiments performed ou ditl'ereut crops, that the nitrogen contained in nitrate of soda was more effective than that in other substances, such as sulphate of ammonia, glue, S:c. I have found this to be the case with nitrate of soda as compared with guano : for instance, 1 have found that 1 cwt. of nitrate of soda, containing ISlbs. of nitrogen, produces as great an eftect as 1^ cwt. of Peruvian guano, containing 23|lbs. of nitrogen, on turnips, when I have applied phosphates with the nitrate. Supposing 2^ cwts. of Peruvian guano per acre to be a fair application to grain crops on soils of average fertility in Scotland, a cheaper and, I believe, a more productive mixture would be 1 cwt. of guano and 1 cwt. of nitrate, or even 13 l-3rd stones of nitrate alone. I speak only of the effect on the crops to which these sub- stances are immediately applied ; for, while nitrate of soda adds nothing to the soil, but is rather an exhauster of it, guano adds most of the mineral ingredients to it. In fact, tliough I may make up special mixtures cheaper to apply to particular crops, I cannot purchase any manure so cheap in itself as Peruvian guano. As regards the turnip crop, there is no doubt that several mixtures can be made up to produce a larger crop than Peruvian guano, and at a lower price, because the proportion of nitrogen in the guano, which is the most expensive ingredient of a manure to the phosphates, is greater than the turnip requires. When SaldanhaBay guano was first introduced, I had always as good crops of turnips by applying one-half of Peruvian and one-half of Saldanha Bay as I had by applying an equal weight of Peruvian alone. The eft'ect of the mixture was to double the phosphates and to halve the nitrogen — a proportion which appeared more suitable for the growth of the turnip than that contained in pure Peruvian. It is mainly on this account that phospho-guano has been found in many instances to produce as good a crop as the best Peruvian. Hence, in making up mixtures for the turnip crop, I should purchase substances in which I can get phosphates cheapest, as in coprolites, Kooria Mooria, Bolivian guanos, &c., and mix these either with Peruvian or nitrate for a supply of nitrogen. Por instance, by mixing 1 ton of coprolites, 1 ton of Kooria Mooria, 15 cwts. of sulphuric acid, and from 1 to 1^ tons of nitrate of soda, I would get a mixture worth from £S to £8 5s. per ton, which, weight for weight, I believe would produce as good a crop of turnips as the best Peruvian "■uano. Or if you do not wish to have anything to do with die sulphuric acid, substitute a superphosphate for those of coprolites and the Kooria Mooria. Or I might make another mixture of 1 ton of Kooria Mooria, 1 ton of Bolivian, 1 ton Peruvian guano, and 1 ton of sulphuric acid, to which a cer- tain amount of nitrate may be added if more_ nitrogen were required ; or, indeed, the nitrate may be substituted, in whole or in part, for the Peruvian. Or 1 may make another mixture, in which bones would form an important part. I have said nothing of rajie-dust, for though I use it extensively as food, I have no experience of it as a manure. Nor have I made any allusion to the manufactured manures, as I have only used one or two of them, and that hut seldom, 478 THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE. OFFICIAL STATISTICS OF LIVE STOCK; It will be within the remembrauce of most of those who take au interest in siich matters that a few months ago the duty of collecting information respecting the live stock of this country was confided to the Board of Trade. The inquiry has been made, and has resulted in a return which has just reached the hands of Members of Parliament. To this document, which is of some interest and importance, I venture to direct attention. The first portion of it concerns the total number of live-stock in each division of the United Kingdom. This table shows that the estimates of several statisticians, which have led to from seven to eight millions being put down as the numerical value of the herds of this country was pretty correct. The retuini of sheep, by reason of the early date on which it was obtained, does not include a very large number of the lambs of the present year in the northern counties of Scotland. The next table exhibits the cattle in each county, and the effects of the cattle plague within the same bounda- ries throughout the Umled Kingdom. Up to the 3rd of March, England is shown to have lost 107,402 head of stock — dead either by the knife or the disease. The heaviest loss has fallen upon Cheshire. The ordinary stock has been reduced from 125,192 head to 93,044, while the same cause operating in Yorkshire has carried oif 20,038, and so carried down tlie numbers from 393,421 to 373,383. Lincoln, on the 5th of March, had 169,294 cattle, having been the next heaviest sufferer. Her loss amounts to fi,3G0. The counties possessing btween 50,000 to 75,000 head of cattle are as follows : Buckingham, Devon, Dorset, Durham, Essex, Hereford, Kent, Northampton, Nottingham, Suttblk, Sussex, War- wick, Westmoreland. The counties possessing from 75,000 to 100,000 head of cattle are Chester, Gloucester, Leicester, Northumberland, and Norfolk. Those counties i-anging between 100,000 and 150,000, are Cornwall, Cumberland, Derby, Salop, Stafford; between 150,000 and 200,000 are Devon, Lincoln, Somei'set, while Lan- cashire runs to 202,552, and Yorkshire to 373,383. Wales possessed at the date stated 541,401 head of cattle: the ordinary stock numbered 547,234, and there- fore her loss has been 5,833. The plague has only made itself felt in the two counties of Denbigh and Flint. Scotland has suffered more severely than Wales, though not so severely as England. Her per-centage of loss is 3.43, while that of England is 4.14 and of Wales 1.23. The customary stock of Scotland was 967,975 head, the num- ber now taken 937,411, therefore the loss is 30,564, a less total loss than that suffered by Cheshire. Aberdeen possesses the largest stock (133,451), and comparatively has suffered least (.27 per cent.). The plague has fallen most heavily upon Forfar (25.20), Kinross (14.38), Fife (12.28), Clackmannan (11.64), and Stirling (11.32). The per-centage of loss in Cheshire was 34.28, in Cambridge 17.90, in Kent 11.30, and in the remaining English coun- ties considerably below this mark. These figures wiU be slightly altered if the losses be- tween the 5th of March— the date of this return— and the 21st of April are taken iato account. I perceive the ad- ditional loss to England in this period was 133,780, to Wales 895, to Scotland 2,627. The return as affects sheep affords the following intel- ligence : Yorkshire stands first on the list, and Lincoln next, their numbers being respectively 1,379,087 and 1,088,204. There are but two counties, Chester and Kutlaud, which possess less thaa 100,000. Those feeding between 100,000 and 200,000 are Bedford, Derby, Dur- ham, Huntingdon, Monmouth, and Surrey; between 200,000 and ^300,000, Buckingham, Cambridge, Here- ford, Hertford, Lancaster, Leicester, Nottingham, Staf- ford, Warwick, AVestmorelaud, and Worcester. The counties having between 300,000 and 400,000 are Berks, Cornwall, Essex, Gloucester, Oxford, and Salop ; from 400,000 to 500,000, Dorset, Northampton, Suffolk, and Sussex; from 500,000 to 600,000, Norfolk and Wilts ; from 600,000 to 700,000, Hants and Somerset. Be- yond this margin stands Kent by a few thousands. The number of sheep in Wales is 1,668,663, Brecon, Me- rioneth, and Montgomery having each a little over 200,000 ; Anglesea, Flint, and Pembroke having each fewer than 100,000. For Scotland the total stands 5,255,077, as will be seen on reference to the table. The county most wealthy in sheep is Argyle, the numbers being 700,621. Next comes Inverness, 522,006 ; next Perth, 494,635. Those counties possessing between 300,000 and 400,000 are Dumfries and lloxburgh ; and those between 200,000 and 300,000, Ayr, Kirkcudbright, Ross, and Cromarty ; 14 out of 32 counties having less than 100,000 head of sheep. Yorkshire again heads the list as a pig-owner : her numbers are 178,109. Suffolk and Norfolk are the only other counties which rise beyond the 100,000 ; Essex (98,948), Devon (94,475), and Lincoln (91,522) coming nearly within the bounds. Cambridge, Chester, Corn- wall, Gloucester, Hants, Kent, Lancaster, Salop, Somer- set, and Wilts rise above 50,000 each. The totals for Wales and Scotland are furnished in the table before referred to. Denbigh is the largest owner in the one case (26,529), and Dumfries in the other (18,612). The next division of the return distinguishes the num- ber of horned stock, sheep, and pigs, according to age, in each of the counties of Great Britain. This table affords particulars that deserves the closest attention at the pre- sent moment. There is scarcely room left in which to ana- lyze it thoroughly, or to show its value by reducing it to a per-centage account. This wiU be attempted in a subse- quent communication. The final table embraced in this document contains a statement of the population and number of live stock in the United Kingdom, and the various foreign countries according to the latest returns. As a possessor of cows and other cattle Russia stands first (25,444,000), the United States second (16,911,475), Austria third (14,257,116), France fourth (14,197,360), the United Kingdom fifth (8,316,960), Prussia sixth (5,634,500), In sheep Russia and France (45,130,800, and 33,281,592) are above the United Kingdom (25,795,708), the United States and Spain being nearly equal to her. In the matter of Pigs the United States stands first (32,555,267), and Russia second (10,097,000). Austria, France, Spain, England, and Prussia follow in their respective order. The value of these figiu'es will become more evident, however, when they are made comparative, by the intro- duction of the extent of territory on which these herds and flocks are raised. Much more, in fact, remains to be ob- tained from these returns than can be dealt with in a single notice. It must be hailed as the first instalment of agricultural statistics of which we are so much in need. Before long it is to be hoped that our knowledge con- cerning the amount of land under various crops may be as accurate as we suppose it now to be with respect to the cattle, sheep, and pigs within our territoiy, — H. R. THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 479 CATTLE-PLAGUE TEACHINGS. That Experience is tlie master teacher iu all trades is no less an old saying than u true one, and the lessons which the owners of live-stock are just now recoiving under the visita- tion of rinderpest are neither few nor unimportant. True enough, farmers, to\in-dairymeu, and hutcliers are proverbial for the tenacity with wliich tliey cling to the routine manner in wliich they carry out the details of their respective practices. Tell them any other way than that in which tliey move would be preferable both as regards themselves and their customers, and tlieir reply will be that their own way is the only one in which their work can be carried out successfully. And even now that rinderpest has compelled many of them to adopt a different course, so many trying diiliculties, real and imaginary, beset their path that it can only be received as an experimental exception, from which the sooner they can extricate themselves the better. We could point out, for example, some farmers who are now sending their milk to town daily, who twelve- months ago would have ridiculed the possibility of the proposition, owing to the distance, as the practice had previously been tried and proved a failure. Go to town, and you will find town-dairymen, whose sheds have been emptied by cattle plague, thankful for the country supply of milk, and their customers no less so, neither of whom would have listened to the possibility of the practice this time last year, because it had been often tried and had as often fiiiled. Iu the commerce of butcher-meat similar unexpected changes are to be found in operation, which, prior to the visitation of cattle plague, would have been scouted by all parties engaged iu the trade as impossibilities. Now, iu the changes wliich liave thus taken place, and are still taking place, the experience of practical men is very diversified, and we need hardly say that they almost invariably read the lessons thus taught thera in the light of their own experience. The consequence of this wiU readily appear manifest ; for those who have gained by the change in a professional sense will continue to profit by it, while those who liave failed, from whatever cause, will endea- vour as soon as they can to go back to their old ways, however much they may be surrounded with iucreasiug danger from renewed outbreaks of cattle plague, and the other contagious diseases that are now ruinously decimating flocks and herds in a manner language cannot describe. It follows that few sub- jects at the present time call for practical discussion more loudly than the true practical lessons which rinderpest and the other contagious diseases in question are just now teaching farmers, dairymen, and butchers, including all parties engaged in these three branches of industry. Where each reads his lesson in the light of his own ex- perience, and where men of similar experience combine together in order to thwart opposition, it will be no easy matter practi- cally to distinguish between sound and false teaching. One conclusion, however, ought to appear manifest to all parties — viz., that a return to the old practice which predisposed cattle to rinderpest and the other contagious diseases, and under which those diseases are ever liable to be imported into this country from the continent of Europe and other places where they almost continuously prevail, is virtually impracti- cable as a permanent system, because sucli a return w'ould in- evitably involve the advocates of the old practice and the country generally in more ruinous losses than those now being experienced. In short, the intellig(mt reader will readily per- ceive that a return to the old practice in all its objectionable details has for its ruin-working operation eventually the exter- mination of live-stock iu this country, comparatively speaking. It will no doubt be said iu reply to this that the objectionable features of the old practice are to be avoided. The dog returns to bis vomit, aud the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire ; while some people are said to jump out of the frying-pan into the fire; but the advocates of return, alike farmers, butchers, and dairymen, do not propose that either of these proverbs shall be wholly reduced to practice in their re- spective cases. But, unfortunately for our old school-com- panions, when once they admit short-comings in their favourite practice, leave tlie beaten routine-track in which they have iiitherto trod together, and enter upon fresh ground never trodden before by them, they leave experience behind, and get into a dilemma, liy placing themselves, as it were, Ijetween the poet's couplet : «' Death i' the front. Damnation in the rear ;" for, being no longer taught and led by experience, the blind lead the blind. Hence the humbling finale in the'tlitch. A few examples will best illustrate the practical force of tlie above conclusions ; aud as rinderpest is said first to have made its appearance in the dairies of the capital, next amongst fat- stock in tlie Metropolitan Cattle Market, and lastly amongst farm-stock iu the provinces, we shall take the examples in the same order, viz., first, dairy cows; second, fat stock and dead meat ; and, third, farm stock. The first fatal example of rinderpest reported was a Dutch cow, in the capital ; and recently more than one fatal example, under a return to stocking empty stalls with Dutch milch cows, have taken place. According to the old proverb, " Inirnt fingers dread the fire ;" but it would appear the truth of tlie proverb has either beeu questioned or overlooked by the importers, dealers, and users of Dutch dairy cattle or milch cows from any part of the continent, in connexion with the great network of German railways leading to and from the Russian frontier. Although the retributive hand of Justice has been prominently manifested in these new outbreaks of rinderpest in the dairies of the capital, and amongst dairy cows imported expressly for the capital ; yet dairymen, cow- jobbers, importers, and all concerned in this nefarious trade, justify, or rather whitewash, their conduct at the bar of ex- perience in a manner no less humbling than amusing when the return to the old practice is viewed in detail. The gist of the arguments run nearly in the following direction : " Dutch milch cows are the best bargain. They are healthy, hardy, good milkers, aud, as rinderpest just now prevails in our own provinces to an extent as great as in H oUand, and, if any- thing, greater, the balance of risk is in favour of Dutch mUch cows." Such a view of the matter may appear a fine readable story iu the estimation of those who only look upon the sur- face of things ; but to those who look below, it must remind them of the homely but pithy saying of an old Divine : " Give the Devil an inch, and he'll take au ell" — "allow him a hole sufficiently large to get in his head, and his shoulders will shortly follow" ; and as it is with the Enemy of tlie Human Race, so it is with the subtle enemy of tlie bovine family, which is now playing such deadly havoc in herds, and which will return not a second time at the utmost, but as often as importers, cow-jobbers, and town-dairymen afford the smallest opportunity of doing so — than which scarcely any practice can be more short-sighted or haphazardou's. It is high time for rate-payers to decline remuneration to those who sustain losses in this disease-spreading speculation, as above. True enough, experience will in the long run con- vince aU engaged in the importations of foreign milch cows of the erroneous course into which they have fallen ; for whether rinderpest is generated in this country or no — a conclusion on which scientific opinion is at present greatly divided — all are unanimously agreed that it is generated on the continent of Europe ; so that in either case the odds are against the prac tice of importing Dutch milch cows. Thus if the disease is capable of being generated any where in this country, the capital may, under such an hypothesis, be considered the head- centre of infection ; and as the conveyance of Dutch cows to the embarking ports of the continent, their passage across the channel, and the hardships subsequently endured between the disembarking ports aud the shed of the dairyman, predispose milch cows in the highest degree to catch contagion, the up- shot need not be told. If, on the other hand, rinderpest be not generated in the English metropolis, but is always directly or indirectly imported from the continent, then both the predisposing cause and the generating cause are against the practice of importing Dutcli 3iiilch co\vs; for granting h h z 480 THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. that they left tlie continental stalls in which they had pre- viously been kept perfectly free from disease, and tliat neither cause had begun to operate, so to speak, when the cows were landed at Blackwall, or at any seaport of this country, yet afterwards both causes may commence their pestilence- brewing work, so that by the lime the cows are quietly placed in the shed finally destined for them, and their new owner had begun to calculate profits, the disease may actively break out in a contagious blaze. And here we may remind our prac- tical readers tliat as Dutch milch cows are now common in all our own town dairies, and in not a few country ones also ; so for similar reasons tlie breed is largely spread over the ex- porting states of the continent, so that it is difficult to say wjiere the exporting cattle-dealers of Germany may collect their droves for the English market. And lastly, another un- settled controversial question arises for solution, viz., the length of time the foraites of rinderpest may remain in the body of a Dutch milch cow, or in that of any other breed, wliere animals are kept to a mature age in a comparatively inert and subdued state ; but afterwards when they (the fomites) come in contact with tlie predisposing cause, they then break out in a malignant contagious form, tlie pheno- menon being something after tlie manner tlie seeds of wild mustard vegetate when brought up to the surface of the land, altliough they had lain below for a hundred years. Now it is only but fair and reasonable, when importers, dealers, and daiiymen feel disposed to speculate in foreign railch cows under such hazardous conditions, that they should be lield responsible for at least the whole risk they themselves thus incur, and that ratepayers should be free. Such is the princi- ple of remuneration in all our insurance offices, audit obviously ought likewise to be the rule under the pole-axe losses of this suicidal character, for the contrary is virtually offering and paying a premium to unprincipled importers, cow-dealers, and dairymen for introducing and spreading the disease. Justice in the aljstract demands even more than this ; for if they im- port disease from the continent, they would, at tlie bar of justice, be held responsible for the whole losses thereliy sus- tained, not only by themselves, but by the general public, so far as sufferers. It is only when importers, jobbers, and dairy- men are thus held responsible in full for all tlieir own doings that they are compelled to read the lesson of rinderpest in the light of their own experience ; and were they so compelled they would shape tlieir course for the future somewhat differently. Tlie case of the metropolitan butcher bears a close resem- blance in many respects to tliat of the dairyman above, and this is true whether he purchases fat stock in the cattle market or dead meat in Newgate or Leadenhall, in reference to the manner he receives tlie practical lessons now being taught by rinderpest and the other contagious diseases prevalent amongst cattle. As a class or branch of trade they are very much divided on the question of an exclusive dead-meat trade ; and although the dead-meat trade is fast superseding tlie live-stock trade, yet the fears and prejudices of probably the majority of them are in favour of things as they were prior to the visita- tion of cattle plague. If tlie old system is eventually to be wholly superseded by the new one, let it be by degrees, as hitherto, in accordance with the general progress of improve- ment, as in other branches of trade. Thus far their conduct is truly practical, and in the common-sense meaning of the phrase they are truly practical men, reading the lesson of rin- derpest exclusively in the light of their own experience. But the majority of them above referred to, who wish to return to the old practice as it existed prior to the visitation of rinder- pest, appear to overlook one important fact — that the old trade is impracticable as a permanent system ; for all are agreed that some more efficient measures are absolutely necessary to be adopted to prevent the importation of rinderpest, so as to avoid during the future the derangement of the trade as now exjjcrienced. Just as they tliemselves have given uj) the smoky torch and tallow candle in exchange for the more daz- zling and brilliant light of gas, so the face of the future must be seen in its own light, and not in that of a past exjierieuce. Hence the transition dilemma in which they find themselves ; for rinderpest teaches that an advance must lie made, and such is the plain outspoken English of the oracle, that it is gene- rally understood and its soundness admitted. The difficulty lies in the length of the first step to be taken in the inarch of improvement, and when and how a second advance is to be made. Ou these the whole camp is in a state of division. In point of fact the first step in advance towards an exclusive carcase trade has been taken, but the majority of butchers in question have discovered tliat it is too long a stride to keep going at ; hence they wish to return back — but how far ? is the knotty question that has given rise to division. But, although thus divided, they are upon the whole agreed that the carcase trade as it exists at present won't do ; .so that sometliing must be done to keep the live-stock market open for the future, let the teaching of rinderpest be what it may. It is not so easy condensing the arguments of butchers in favour of the cattle ti-ade ou the old plan into a short summary as it is those of dairymen. That their reasoning is suicidal is plain ; for however objectionable may be the dead-meat trade as at present carried on — aud we readily grant that it is some degrees worse than tliey represent it to be — yet that is only an argument why the butcher-trade as a body should set honestly and trustworthily to work as Englislimcn about its improve- ment, and that witliouf delay ; but it is no argument whatever for a permanent return to the old cattle-trade. Looking im- partially at both trades, any person qualified to express an opinion on tlieir respective merits would unhesitatingly pro- nounce judgment iu favour of the dead meat trade, even as it exists in Newgate and Leadenhall markets. But it is now a long time since both these market-places were condemned as out of date ; so that for butchers as a public body to advance the barbarous or non-professional manner meat is there handled, witli the other innumerable objections to which the details of the present trade are subject, iu order to ett'ect a re- turn to the old live-stock trade as it was, is not only highly reprehensible, but untenable, as an argument in favour of their own narrow-minded views of so comprehensive a subject as the commerce of the animal food of the British capital un- questionably involves at tlie present time ; and, however they may be blindly guided by the experience of the past, the expe- rience of the future will teach them that rinderpest on the present occasion has effected a much greater advance towards an exclusive carcase trade than they appear willing to admit. This part of our suljject is fur from being exhausted. THE LAST CATTLE-PLAGUE OEDEES If the Lords of the Council were animated by a set purpose to drive the magistrates and farmers of England fairly out of their wits, they could not have hit upon a better means for the purpose than their order of March 24th. That order has now been at work for two or three weeks, and its utterly vexatious and impracticable character is by this time pretty well felt. it IS not enough to have set the counties and boroughs to- gether by^ the ears, by giving a definition of the word borough directly in the teeth of that given by the Act of rarfiameut ; that matter has been set at rest by a still later Act, vvhich confirms the order, and which may be taken as a bill of indemnity for the Privy Council. But if has been T'lnviRlit upceBsav^ besides thir, to tonvieilt the country by -u-- gesting, and on some points enforcing, a form of licence which seems expressly designed to give both those who grant and those who receive licences the greatest amount of trouble with the least possible amount of reason for it. Up to the publica- tion of this order, each Court of Quarter Sessions could make, subject to the general provisions of the Act of Parliament, such regulations as to the moving of cattle as suited the condition of its own county or even of any part of its own county. And the conditions of diUerent counties are so diff'erent, both in themselves and with regard to their immediate danger from the cattle plague, that it was most desirable that there should be a power on the spot capable of adapting its rules to the peculiar circumstances of each district. A Court of Quarter THE FARMER'8 MAGAZINE. 4bl Sessions, sitting by adjournment every fortnight, could from time to time change :uiy reguh\tions that needed cliauging, and naturally could better understand than a distant and central power what regulations and what tbrins suited its own dis- trict. But suddenly, on several of the most important points, all local legislation is abolished, and all power of local legisla- tion taken away. One iron form comes down, to be carried out through every jiart of the country alike. On some points, indeed, there is a power of relaxation ; but on others the order must be observed in all its fulness. In no case is there any power of making it more stringent. Now what is the order ? We arc bound to suppose that there is some part of England which it suits, but we are a great deal more certain that there are large parts of England wliich it does not suit. One thing is plain — that the country for which it is designed must be one where farming is carried on on a large scale, where justices of the peace arc as plentiful as blackberries, and where the time and labour both of justices and of farmers arc things of aliso- lutely no value whatever. We do not know what part of England this description fits, but we can readily point to many parts which it does not fit. There are parts of England which nearly answer tlie description of Laisb before the Danite in- vasion, which are certainly almost without magistrates, and which yet, we hope, somehow contrive, like the rulerless Phoe- nicians, to live quiet and secure. We know regions where it is hardly rarer to run down a bustard than to stumble on a justice of the peace. And there arc regions where occupiers of a hundred acres and more are hardly easier to be found than their worships themselves. In a primitive region, where hold- ings are small and magistrates scarce, the order lireaks down at once. Let us describe the process to be followed when the order is carried out in its fulness. The unhappy man who wants to move his cattle must first go to the justice and make a declaration. Instead of the justice, he may indeed go to the justice's clerk ; but as, even in the land of Laish, justices' clerks are in the nature of things still rarer than justices, this alternative hardly lightens the burden. He goes then to the justice, -makes liis declaration, and probably finds that, if he speaks the truth, he can get no further, and his cattle cannot be moved. He may be able to show that they are perfectly liealthy, tliat there is no disease for miles round, that his cattle have never been near any infected place in their lives ; but this is not enough. He must declare tliat they have been twenty-eiglit days on the same premises, and have not been in contact with any newly-purchased cattle. The cattle are in a perfectly healthy spot, to which they \\ ere moved from another perfectly healthy spot three weeks before. But they have not been twenty-eight days on the same pre- mises, and they eaunot be moved. If there be as little for them to eat as there was in tlie days of Ahab and Obadiah, still there they must stay for seven days longer. Or they may liave been in one place all the winter, but the owner has bought a cow as healthy as his own, of his neighbour hard by ; they have therefore been in contact with a newly-purchased ani- mal, and must perform theirfuU ipuirantiuc of twenty-eight days. Day after day magistrates must either connive at breaches of the law or violations of truth, or else must refuse licences on tjiesc purely technical grounds, in cases where, under the local orders, they could have been granted without diificulty. But supposing by some good luck the farmer gets through this strait, supposing he can honestly make the required declaration, he then makes it in form before tlie justice. He must now set forth again to find two occupiers of land to testify to the good health of his beasts and to the healthiness of this district where they are. But all occupiers will not do. ^lany a worthy and independent elector will not do. A lOs. freeholder will not do ; a £11' man under the new Keform Bill, even a £50 man under the old Reform Bill will not do ; many of the Justices them- selves, authorized as they arc to give licences, are not qualified to give a certificate on which a licence can be granted. The two occupiers of land must each occupy one hundred acres : an occupier of ninety -nine is utterly untrustworthy. Now, in many parts of the country, it is really hard to catch two such occupiers at a moment's notice— occupiers of the full amount, and personally acquainted with these particular cows and oxen. But if our friend is successful in finding them, he returns to the justice, who at last is authorized to issue the licence. A long and complicated form hns to be filled up, which gives the justice abundant practice in the signature of his own name, and the happy securer of the licence may at last depart in peace. Now, on some of these points relaxation is allowed. The number of acres necessary to be held by the grantor of a certificate may be reduced, and so may the number of days. But on one point no variation is allowed. The licence is necessary in every case where animals are to be moved five hundred yards along a highway. Under the local orders, the limit chosen was commonly some well-understood local division, as a parish or a petty sessional division. Cattle might be freely moved within the prescribed district : to go beyond it they needed a pass. This ride lay under the ob- jection inherent in all rules founded on local divisions, namely, that anomalies were produced in border districts. A man living in a corner of a large parish might have full liberty to move cattle to some distant place to which he never had any need to move them ; while he needed a licence to move them to some place close lo his own door, and with which ho had dealings daily. But anomalies of this sort simply show the unavoidable imperfection of all human legislation. And the old rules had the great advantage of being universally in- telligible. Everybody knew in what parish he was; there- fore everybody knew whether he wanted a licence or not. But who knows whether a given gate is more or less than five hundred yards from another gate P Who is to be the mea- surer? Miles are marked, at least on turnpike-roads; but everything smaller is guess-work. And for most human pur- poses the guess-work does very well ; but it becomes serious when it is lawful to go 500 yards, but a matter of a £20 fine to go 501 yards. — l/ie SatHnlcnj Eccicw. THE BUTCHERS AND THE CATTLE-PLAGUE-PREVENTION ACT. On Tuesday, April 21'tli, a general meeting of the Butchers' Trade Protection Society was held at the Butcher's Hall, Eastcheap, for the purpose of taking into consideration the recent Orders in Council relating to the movement of cattle, and to suggest mcins for alleviating the difficulties felt by the trade and the public, ]\lr. E. Hill, Master of the Butchers' Company, in the chair. The meeting was very numerously attended. The Cii\iRMA?f, in opening the business, said it gave him great jileasurc to be able to grant the use of the Hall en the present occasion. They all felt the inconvenience arising from the rinderpest aud from the legislation which it occasioned. So greatly was this inconvenience felt by the butchers of the Metropolis, that it was absolutely necessary to take steps for the purpose of enlightening the Government on the subject, aud for removing the restrictions under which the trade la- boured (Hear, hear). That was the purpose for which they had met ; and he now called on Mr. Varley to move the first resolution, Mr. Varley said the resolution he had to propose wa«, " That in the opinion of this meeting, it is necessary that a united effort should be made by the trade to inform the Government and the public of all the important facts connected with the cattle and meat trades, in order that the best legislation pos- sible may be carried out." Before speaking to the resolution, he could not but congratulate the trade on so large a meeting (Hear, hear). They were met to protest against any proposi- tion for slaughtering all the cattle that arrived in London at the wharves or in aliattoirs, or at any central spot within the boundaries of the Metropolitan Cattle Market, as imprac- ticable and detrimental alike to the trade and to the public (Hear, hear). The measure, which now applied to the 3,500 head of foreign cattle brought into London was only the thin end of the wedge (Hear, hear). By-and-by it would be ap- plied to the English beasts which were brought to mar- ket. Any such measure would give rise to great incon- venience : it would be especially inconvenient, and even injurious, to the smaller butchers, who would be shut 482 THE FARMER'S MAaAZINE. out from all opportunity of purchasijig their stock. It was indispensable to have the cattle as near as possible to the place of business, in order that tlie wants of the trade might be properly considered and met. He dis- sented from the way iu wliich the Times spoke of the trade (Hear, hear). They were not to be treated as mere children — as persons who could not suggest for themselves what the requirements of the trade were. Heretofore they enjoyed freedom of trade, with very little inconvenience to the public. How seldom it happened that accidents occurred from tlie driving of live-stock through the streets ! whereas it was on record that three hundred lives were yearly sacrificed by the heavy vans, carts, omnibuses, and cabs whicli plied iu the thoroughfares of the Metropolis (Hear). A great deal too much had been made of the nuisance of their slaughterhouses and of the detriment to health caused by them. He doubted whether any other class of London tradesmen could exhibit such specimens of healtli as those who stood before him ("Hear, hear," and laughter). They did not object to super- vision as to the cleanliness of their slaughter-liouses ; but they were determined to oppose all restrictions as to the killing of their cattle when and where they pleased, imder proper licence (clieers) . It was said that a large number of butchers did not kill their stock now. That remark might appear to have some force in it, at first sight ; but it was one thing to be supplied from a dead-meat market in one place and from a live-meat market in another, and quite a different thing to be supplied from a dead-meat market alone. They, who knew the inconvenience and the danger to life and limb whicli existed during the last few weeks at the dead-meat market, must be aware how that inconvenience and that danger would be increased if the live-stock market was abolished altogether (Hear). Moreover, they were not prepared to yield the privi- leges they enjoyed, and place themselves at the mercy of auy salesmen. Another important point which should not be overlooked in the consideration of this (luestion was that the offal of the live cattle brought to market, such as sheep's hearts, livers, &c., supplied thousands of the poor with food ; and it would be a great hardship to deprive them of these articles (Hear, hear). He denied that the public were victimised either in pocket or health by the butchers' trade ; bilt if butchers were subjected to unfair restrictions, the public would be sure to suffer, in pocket at least (Hear, hear). Mr. Stride, iu seconding the resolution, said that, as far as his knowledge enabled him to form an opinion, it would be impossible to supply London with meat without a live-meat market. The counties on the south of the Thames were largely supplied with meat from the London market, and that supply could not be kept np if the cattle from the north were jirevented from being brought to London. Again, it some- times happened tliat there was a short supply in Birmingham, or some other large town, and the deficiency was made up from the London market (Hear, hear). The effect of the Loudon live-stock market was to equalize tlie supply. The time for action had come, and the Government should be in- formed of tliese facts (Hear). The motion was put, and can'ied unanimously. Mr. Cobb moved the next resolution : " That recent legisla- tion and restrictions liave caused great loss to the trade, and uimecessary cost to the public." And of the truth of the propositions contained in it there could be but little doubt. The butchers had not been treated fairly by the Times and Mr. Hunt. It was with the money paid by the butchers for stock that the farmers were partly enabled to pay the tithes and the taxes and the rents of the land (Hear, hear). If Mr. Hunt got two or three pitches over the baskets that crowded Leadenhall and Newgate Markets, he would see how difficult it would be to supply the three million of inhabitants in the metropolis from a small area. He could not beUeve that the recent measures were intended to be permanent. They were passed to suit a particular case, and when the matter was fully explained to Sir George Grey and the Government, he had no doubt justice would be done them (Hear, hear). Mr. SiiouT, in seconding the motion, said that the butchers had shown a great spirit of forbearance in sulimitting as wil- lingly as they had done to the restrictions imposed, without raising their voices against them. Tlie time was now come when they must move in the matter, and the Government ne had no doubt would listen to the representation which their practical experience would enable them to offer (Hear). The resolution was adopted. Mr. WooiiLEY moved the next resolution to the effect " That any restrictions on tfie removal of cattle within the metropolitan district, or the compelling their slaughter in any other place than the butcher's own premises, was unnecessary." They all knew how important it was to have tlieir property under their own control ; but that would not be the case if their cattle were kept at a di.stance and in one particular spot. At present their own men slaughtered the beasts, with- out any cost to the public, at the most convenient time of the day ; but at a public slaughterhouse this would have to be done at great cost, and ultimately the public would have to pay that cost (Hear). Again, the live-meat market to a great extent regulated the supply, and prevented sudden fluctuations in price. The importance of the offal to the poor, which had been already referred to, should not be lost sight of, in con- sidering this question. The small traders would not be able to carry on their business without a live-meat market. He believed that a system of abattoirs would lead to a monopoly of the trade. It was absurd in the midst of the competition in London to talk of the monopoly of the butchers (Hear, hear). Persons .spoke of erecting in the course of a fortnight premises tliat would supply the whole of London. He did not believe it possible, and if possible it would be incon- venient and even dangerous (Hear, hear). He believed that the Government on proper representations being made would do them justice (Hear, hear). Mr. Illsley sec'onded the motion, and said that common slaughterhouses would entail great expense. The master would be at the mercy of the man whom he employed to slaughter his beasts. The masters would have to employ more men, horses, and carts ; he would be put to more trouble and inconvenience. The public would have to pay for aU this, and there was every probability that the public would be dissatisfied, as well as the sufferers, in the end (Hear, hear). The resolution was carried. Mr. MoRKis moved tlie next resolution, to the effect that the compulsory .slaughter of cattle and slieep in public slaughter- houses would involve great extra expense, large loss of valuable property, increase the traffic of carts and horses through the streets, and prevent the possibility of proper supervision and protection being exercised by tlie owners. He reminded the meeting tliat, in 1857, a similar attempt was made by the me- tropolitan justices of the peace; but owing to the united action of the trade on that occasion, and by proving that it was not injurious to the public health, they succeeded iu their opposi- tion. It was calculated that the weekly loss occasioned by the discontinuance of private slaughter-houses would be £9,145, or £475,.5'i0 in the year. The public would have ultimately to pay that loss. Then, when the beasts were kiUed and the hides removed, it would be impossible for the butcher to recognise his own. There would be an accumulation of carts, which would be most inconvenient. Tiien there was a moral aspect of the question ; for they could not tell what evil influences might lie exerted upon their sons or servants, if they had to go a great distance to some central market (Hear). Many of them laid out money on their premises, and it would be unjust now to depreciate their value. They did not come there to oppose the Government (Hear, hear). The Govern- ment no doubt thought they acted for the best ; but when it was shown to tliem that it was neither iu the interest of the trade nor of the public that these restrictions should be imposed, they would do justice. He believed it would be wholly inipos- silile to carry on the trade during the summer months with a dead-meat market only (Hear). Mr. GiBLETT, in seconding the resolution, said he con- sidered it would be a serious injury to the owners of stock and of graziers, if tlie slaughter of cattle was confined to four or five spots. He had the testimony of practical men for the statement that beasts were much deteriorated in value from the circumstances that their offal could not be turned to good use at home. IMr. IMorris's statement that the weekly loss would be £9,000, was based on a calculation of 4,000 head of cattle. But the number of cattle, sheep, and calves brought to market had greatly increased since 1857. He calculated that, on an average, every beast slaughtered in a private yard was worth 30s. more than if slaughtered in a public yard, and that every sheep and lamb was wortli 3s. more (Hear, hear). THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 483 They got 10,000 head of cattle from France, and 30,000 from Tonning. The owners of foreign cattle would not continue to send them here unless this was made the best market for them, and the depreciation that would take place by slaughtering them in public slaughter-houses might stop the supply. Another result would be tliat at one time they would have five times as much meat as was necessary, and at another time not one-fifth enough (Hear, hear) . It was a fact that for two or three weeks, under recent legislation, the butchers paid more money for meat than they could charge their customers (Hear, hear); the price having gone up 4d. per llj. The system of public slaugliter- liouses woidd destroy competition— it would lead to monopoly ; and thougli that might be of immense benefit to the mono- polists, it would be injurious to all others (Hear, hear). The resolution was adopted. Mr. Fazan moved the following resolution : " That unneces- sary restrictions on, or interference with, the carrying on of the trade in the freest possiblemauner caused increased expenditure to the butcher, and consequently increased prices to the consumer." The proposition contained in the resolution was one which could not be denied, and therefore this was more a question for the public than the trade. It was stated by the Chairman of the Market Committee, that he would erect, in three or four weeks, slaughter-houses for all the cattle that came into Lon- don. He believed that was wholly impossible. He considered it a great benefit to the public, and a great convenience to the butcher, that he should have the privilege of slaughtering his beasts at home. Mr. PicKWORTH seconded the resolution, and, in doing so, maintained that public slaughter-houses would give a monopoly to the salesman, whilst the public would not be so well served. There were 1,700 butchers in the metropolis, and if united they would be able to protect their own interests (Hear) . The resohition was adopted. ]\[r. Reynolds moved, and Mr. Brewster seconded, a re- solution for the appointment of a committee to carry out the objects of the meeting, which was adopted. The Chairman, in reply to a vote of thanks, said the real question was how the metropolis could be supplied with good and wlwlesome food. After 40 years' experience, it was his firm conviction that there must be a live-meat market and that there must be a dead-meat market for the metropolis, and that every man who purchased a sheep, lamb, or ox, should be able to take it home with him, and do what he pleased with it (Hear, hear). He was convinced the metropolis could not be supplied with meat unless this was done to the greatest extent. It was for the benefit of the grazier that he should be allowed to kill his ox at home, or send it to the live-meat market as he pleased. There would then be a wholesome competition be- tween the dead-meat and Iht; live-meat markets, and the pubhc would have the benefit of the competition (Hear, hear). The proceedings then terminated. THIN-SOWING. — A PECK AN ACRE OF WHEAT. Sir, — Let us keep our minds unprejudiced in this matter, and open to conviction, by small and continued experiments, which will give us safe ground to act upon. I wish that it were possible that all agriculturists could see my experimental half-acre of wlieat, dibbled with one peck per acre, in all the stages of its growth. 1 see it daily from my window, audit suggests no end of reflections. There are the four stetches, looking in the distance like a bare fallow ; while the rest of the field, sown with four pecks per acre (my usual quantity), is as green as a grass-field. Judging fi'om its appearance, I should at once condemn it as a failure, and yet mc know from past experience, and feel confident, that these bare lands will, at harvest, produce a crop more abundant than the green mass tliat surrounds it. It would be most interesting to record, by shorthand notes, aU the feelings engendered by an inspection of those bare stetches by practical agriculturists during the various stages of the wheat's growth — from positive disbelief and doubt, passiug, in gradation, to the admission of surprise and conviction at the result, so successful but so unanticipated. But so it is, and we felt it ourselves more than once. There are the little plants from single kernels, at intervals of 6 inches by 4|-, and on looking closely at them we see peeping out the tiny but nu- merous shoots that are to radiate horizontally, and cover the ground with strong and reedy stems, so that the field will look as though it had been rolled witli an immense roller, and every stem almost glued to the soil. In due time those horizontal shoots will take an upward movement, having at the lime that adniiraljle and usefid curve of resistance \^hich enables the plant to hold its erect position, regardless of winds and storms. How different at harvest from the laid and injured crops which, owing to crowding, are compelled to go up at once vertically without the curve of resistance ! How small the kernels and dull and soft the straw of the thick-sown, com- pared wdtli the bright and glossy seeds of the thin-sown, whose plump, well-developed kernels give unmistakable evidence of a more natural and proper proceeding ! When harvested and " traved," or shocked, the contrast in the straw is most striking and convincing. By tliis thin-sowing you get more straw (tested by weight), as well as more corn, than by thicker-sowing, besides the absence of mildew. Said a Wiltshire man to me, just before harvest, as he was closely ex- amining each plant or bundle of growing stems : " Well, Mr. Mechi, you might have written all your life about this, but 1 should never have believed if I had not seen it." And it cer- tainly is very wonderful that the stems from each kernel should range from 10 to 30 ; but so it is, and this does not depend upon the quantity of the seed sown, but upon the quantity of nutritious matter in the soil available for the growth and fuU development of the plant. Twenty times as much seed would not produce a crop where there was not available food. I « ill now describe the whole of the facts quite irrespective of mere opinions. On one clover lea yearly, when I have drilled my usual quantity — i jjccks of wheat — I dibble in, on four lands, or half-an-acre, half-a-peck of wheat, which is one kernel in each dibble hole, G| in. by 4 in. apart. It is dibbled at the same time as the rest of the field, sometimes in October and sometimes in November, so as to be a fair comparative trial. The land is strong clay land. I have not yet tried so small a quantity on the light land, although I shall do so next year. I fear, however, it might not answer so well on light land, on account of birds and other reasons. The yield fi-om tins peek an acre was in 1864, 58 bushels per acre, and 2| tons of fine straw. This last year, 1865, the yield was 58 bushels per acre (straw not weighed). In both years the yield ex- ceeded the remainder of the field by 2 bushels per acre, and the straw ia 1864 was also more abundant. This year (D.V.) 1 shall duly report the results, which I have no doubt will be the sa)ne ; and yet with these facts so patent I lack the cou- rage to reduce my quantity from a bushel generally. By these repeated trials I shall, however, gain confidence, and probably drill an acre or two in each field with 2 pecks. Last year I thought it impossible tliat the thin-sown could equal the bushel, for it went in badly, and altogether looked like a failure. The peck of thin-sown red wheat only equalled the thicker- sown red in 1865, but the white beat the thick-sown white by 2 btishels. In 1864 both red and white thin-.sown carried the day over the thick-sown. AU ray heavy land wheat in 1865 averaged something over 7 qrs. per acre. I don't believe that farmers know how much they often lose by thick-sowing. They would do so if they tested, as I have done for years, comparative qualities on a small scale. Every man should thus judge for himself according to his soil, climate, and other circumstances of condition, &c. The frothy straw and light kernels of a thick-sown and early- laid grain crop are a losing affair. If ever we hear of an extraordinary yield, it is usually from a crop so thin in the spring that its owner tliought of ploughing it up ; but after well harrowing, &c., it branched amazingly, and became the best crop on the farm. It is clear that there is some gross error in sowing when our average increase is only nine kernels for one. Mine is at least 40 to 58 for one. Ti2it)-cc,Aj)rUii(h. J. J. MeciiI. 484 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE CATTLE PLAGUE IN SHEEP. From the evidence obtiuiied during the past few weeks, it would seem that the agricultural community is not yet awake to the fact that sheep are liable to become the subjects of rin- derpest. The systena of putting ewes into yards or sheds where diseased onttle have been continues to produce the natural consequences, and even the most sceptical must begin to realise the existence of some uncommon mahidy among the sheep so exposed. By this time the symptoms a,nA jiosf-moi-fem appearances of cattle plague are familiar to the majority of the members of the profession, and a comparison of the indi- cations afforded by cattle and sheep, sull'ering from this all'cc- tion, will help to remove any obscurity which may still hang over the subject. The important question for solution is, what are the really characteristic signs of the disease in cattle or sheep ? Many symptoms are common to various diseases ; but in each particular malady to which wc are in the habit of affixing a title, there are, or should be, some distinctive indi- cations which arc not found in other aifections. It is of no consequence that the definitions of disease are arbitrary, and commonly unmeaning : the fact of tlieir being generally ad- mitted is sullicicnt for us at present ; and it only concerns us to inquire what are the symptoms which of necessity are pre- sent in the disease, which, by consent, is distinguished by the term " cattle plague"? Excluding from the list of symptoms all those which are not diagnostic, we may consider the fol- lowing to be conclusive : 1. Prostration, shown by the depressed head, ears drawn back, sunken eyes, and despairing aspect. 2. Irritation of the raucous membranes, indicated by a pink tinge over the lining membrane of the mouth, or by red lines upon tlie gums surrounding the incisor teeth, redness of the papilhc, and probably desquamation of the epithelium from the surface of the membrane in various parts. The lining membrane of the labia is also reddened, and often covered with a muco-purulent secretion, which adheres to the surface with considerable tenacity. Neither of these signs, however, taken separately can be considered positively to indicate cattle plague. Prostration may depend upon a variety of causes. Redness of the buccal membrane, and desquamation of epi- thelium are freauently observed in the worst forms of eczema ; and redness of tne lining membrane of the vulva is seen Ijcfore and after parturition, and even during cestrum, but the com- bination of all these symptoms is only found in cattle plague. Different observers have remarked certain minor signs, which possess to them great significance : such are, occasional mus- cular twitchings, and a periodical shiver, apparently voluntary, and suggestive of an intention on the part of the animal to shake something from its head. An increase in the thermo- metric heat of the body, although invariably present, must be classed among the general symptoms, as every febrile disease has its range of temperature ; and we have ascertained, by numerous experiments, that during the progress of ordinaiy catarrh the temperature rises as'much as in cattle plague. On this subject, however, we shall have more to say at another time. We are no friends to the haphazard system of " seeing at a glance," and we should be wanting in the performance of our duty did we not contend for a careful and minute exa- mination of every ease before the expression of an opinion : no symptom is too insignificant to be disregarded under the present circumstances ; diminution of the secretion of milk, loss of or impaired appetite, cessation of rumination, and a temperature of 104 degs., may be assumed to he promonitory signs of plague, and a reckless assertion that the animal is the subject of the disease is most likely, "on the doctrine of chances," to be verified, and the prophet to acquire honour in consequence ; but should the case turn out, in the general unfitness of things, to be one of simple fever, we confess we liad rather not sliare the feelings of that individual who has thus staked his reputation upon the hazard of the die. it is asserted on, we forget whose, authority, that the " woman who hesitates is lost," and there is strong reason to believe that the same melancholy fate often attends the man who adopts the opposite course of action. The evils of rash decisions are, uutortunately, not confined to the individual, but are reflected upon the profession of which he forms a part ; and this con- sideration should deter many a too confident man from making assertions, of the truth of which he may be assured, in the ab- sence of evidence that will satisfy the minds of others. If caution is commendable in forming an opinion upon the ex- istence of plague in an animal of the bovine family, it is in- finitely more important in reference to the members of the ovine. In sheep the disease is not so virulent, does not extend so rapidly through the flock, and is not attended with the ex- traordinary fatality that is its especial characteristic in cattle, nor are the jjost-Dioiicm evidences in all cases so marked as we find them to be in the ox. Slieep affected with cattle plague will generally show most of the signs of the same affection in cattle, viz., dulness, dependent head, irregular appetite, the occasional shiver, and, in the case of ewes with lambs, diminution of milk. Diarrhtt'a generally sets in after these premonitory symptoms have existed for tflo or three days, and the animal quickly succumbs. Tlie evacuations are very frequently light coloured, but in many instances they are very dark or nearly black in colour. Discharge from the nose is almost constant, but is by no means so frequent from the eyes, which, however, are usually dull. The lining membrane of the labia is reddened, and in many eases the buccal membrane is also congested. Desquamation of the epithelium we have only observed, to any extent, in a few eases. When the respiratory system is seriously implicated, there is the usual dry husky cough and accelerated respiration. 'Yhcpost-moyleni appearances will vary according to tlie stage of the disease ; and by this we do not mean according to the length of time the animal has been affected, because, as in cattle, the malady sometimes runs its course in a few hours, while at otlier times it continues for several days licfore reaching its termination ; hence very marked lesions may be observed in one acute case that has terminated rapidly, while only comparatively trifling morbid changes may be discovered in a milder form of the disease, from which the animal may have suflercd for a considerable period. No single lesion of uniform existence can be taken as absolute evidence of the presence of cattle plague in sheep ; nor indeed in cattle ; but tlie lining membrane of the abomasum is invariably found to be implicated in some degree in the changes which have been effected during the progress of the disease ; and although it would not be consistent to decide upon the evidence afforded by this tissue, it is absolutely certain that the liealthy condition of the lining membrane of the fourth stomach is inconsistent with the existence of plague, and for this reason the state of the membrane of this viscus should be carefully ascertained. In a recent investigation, three sheep suffering from plague were killed and submitted to ■». •post-mortem examination, and in each one the evidence afforded by the the fourth stomach was most satisfactory, although nothing could be more varied than the lesions in each case, as compared with Die others. In the first instance the membrane presented a general \^■hitisll- yellow appearance, and the entire structure was swollen and pulpy-looking, from effusion into the submucous tissue ; this was particularly evident upon the folds, and more especially towards the pylorus ; very slight erosions might be noticed, on various parts of the surface, and here and there a faint tinge of pink mottled the otherwise uniform pallor. These appearances correspond to those observed in^ie same parts of cattle in the early stage of the affection. The second case differed from the preceding in the more advanced condition of the morbid changes. The same whitish-yellow colour of the membrane was apparent, but there was an abundant mixture of red and light purple, ju'oducinga very characteristic raoftlcd appearance, whicli is constantly met with in the abomasum of the ox under similar circumstances. The erosions were deeper, and the pulpy or cedematous condition of tlie entire membrane more marked. The third animal had suffered from the disease in a very acute form, and the lesions in the mucous membrane of the abomasum were most decided ; the whole surface was of a dark red, mottled with spots of bright vermilion, crimson, and black ; numerous large sloughs existed upon the surface, and deep erosions were apparent, in some places extending THE FAEMEH'S MAGAZINE. 485 through to the submucous tissues ; more perfect and, in a certain sense, beautiful illustrations of three stages of the disease could not be imagined, and it was at the time a subject of regret tliat all who are sceptical upon the question of cattle plague iu sheep could not have their doubts put to flight by such irresistible evidence as these parts afforded. Passing from the fourth to the third stomach we may expect certain indications which will be corroborative, but we caution the members of the profession against resting too much upon the lesions which are found in this viscus. The existence of hardened ingesta between the folds, or the pre- sence of red spots, or yellow spots surrounded by red lines, and the ready separation of the ei)ithclium from the mucous mem- brane,are unmistakable signs; but neither in sheep nor cattle are tliey of universal occurrence. In many of the cases among sheep in Norfolk in September hist, these characteristic indications were found, and iu a few instances since we have remarked them ; but their absence in the most marked cases of plague in cattle forbids us to attach to them any great siguificancc as diagnostic sigus. Very frequently, however, an injected con- dition of the vessels of the membrane of the omasum will be observed, and, not uncommonly, patches of a pink colour on various parts of the folds. In the intestines the morbid ap- pearances also vary considerably, the colour of the lining membrane passing from the dirty yellow tint to the deep crimson of intense inflammation. .Sometimes the yellowish- white ground colour, which tiie lining membrane of the in- testines assumes, is varied by longitudinal red streaks upon the edges of the corrugations, and this is particularly the case in the rectum. The respiratory membrane presents tlie same aspect that is seen in various stages of the disease in cattle, varying from simple congestion to intense crimson, or nearly black, and a film of exudation often covers the surface. Con- gestion and exudation arc also seen in the fauces and posterior portion of the tongue. The lungs arc usually congested, but in some instances when a sheep has been killed in the early stage of the disease these organs have presented the natural colour, excepting iu those patches of exudation, which are con- sequent upon the presence of filaria?, which arc dark in colour ; but whether the lungs are congested or not, they are invariably distended with air, although the peculiar interlobular emp- physenia, which is always seen in the lungs of cattle, is never found in those organs in the sheep ; this circumstance, how- ever, is due to the difference of organic structure, rather than to any peculiarity in the manifestation of the disease in the two classes of animals ; in fact, the symptoms a.n<[posf->i!or/cM appearances are altogether more closely allied than might have been anticipated. — 17ie " Vclerinariaii" for Minj. THE .SCOTCH OX AND DEVON .STEER OF THE LAST SMITHFIELD SHOW. The Scotch ox of the present notice belonged to the West Highland breed of Seoteli cattle, which occupies all the western counties and the extreme northern parts of that part of the kingdom. Tlie animals are found, in the primeval purity of descent, in the counties of Perth and Argyle ; the largest size with thick siiaggy coats of hair. A smaller variety, with sleek coats of various lengths and colours, occupies the lleliridcs or AVestcrn Islands ; while a very stunted and diminu- tive animal is found in the islands of Orkney and Shetland. The general character : horns long and widely spreading, curv- ing upwards at the point ; head large, bones of the body heavy and coarse, shoulder prominent, ribs Hat, back sunk and belly depending, wide interval between the short-rib and hook bone, skin thick and mellow, eye fierce, and disposition most pug- nacious. These properties are somewhat varied in the dif- ferent modifications of the animals, the smaller breeds exhibit- ing a greater symmetry and more uniformity of character. A very general fault attaches to most Scotch cattle, in the sunk back and dcpcndiug belly, and the wide interval of the short- rib. These are very essential points of symmetry — to be level and short. Tlie flesh of these animals has been long known as the best in Britain, and the breed has been brought forward and has found prizes in the proper class. The average weight of the fattened carcase may be about .50 imperial stones: the greater weights are produced by extra feeding. The Devon cattle are too well known to need any descrip- tion here, as the most symmetrical and handsome of all ani- mal frames. The size is rather small, and the posterior width is lessened to the buttock, which is protuberant instead of an even line across, and the tail is often twisted without hanging straight down from the root. But with this exception, no other fattened carcase shows such a level and uniform covering of fiesh, in a wide and level back, covered ribs and shoulders, a straight belly, and protuberant flank. The slope of the shoul- der over the fore-ribs is most peculiar, exceeding even the llerefords, both breeds far surpassing the Shorthorn in that point of superiority. A most notable instance of comparison between the fattened carcases of Lowland and Highland cattle occurred to public notice at the last show of the Smithfield Club,. The Scotcli ox and Devon steer were most justly awarded tlie liighest pre- miums in tlie respective classes of position, which placed the two animals in contact for the highest prize given to the best ox of any lireed or class. In this position a wholly different case was produced, from judging similar properties in the same breed of animals, and to award the merit to so very dissimilar olijects as were now placed in view. Seldom, or per- haps never has a similar instance occurred, and the decision may admit some investigation. The Scotch ox was most undoubtedly a very superior beast of his breed, and most deserving of attention. The skin was thick, gelatinous, and resilient — a property that ever belongs to a coat of shaggy and curly hair ; the posterior width was square and upright, which is seldom seen in that breed of cattle ; and the whole carcase exhibited a fattened frame of much llcsh of a kindly handling. The head and horns were large as usual, fonning an item of offal of some amount ; the shoulder was prominent and bare of flesh to tlie top, which was narrow in the two bones that meet there ; the ribs were flat, wanting the convexity to form the cylindrical barrel, and, to extend the cord of measures, forming a " flanky " side of body, diminishing the girth, which is a great fault. The back was level, though narrow, with a moderate width between and over the backbones ; the interval of the short-ribs was bridged in some degree, and the ribs, though flat, were fleshed in a fair quantity. The flank was very loose, and depending, in- stead of being protuberant, to square the carcase in a line from tiie point of the shoulders over the ribs and flank to the extremity of the buttock. This object is wholly prevented by a prominent shoulder, a flat and lean girth, and a hanging flank, as was shown by this animal. The bones were large, but not so much as usual, and there was still very visible tlie sunk back and depending belly, and the interval of the short- ribs, though much less so than in most instances : the whole carcase of flesh was loose and flabby. The Devon steer was a most handsome specimen of that breed — the most symmetrical of British cattle. Tlie carcase exhibited a covering of llesh rcgidar, even, and uniform, with- out a bare spot or the least want of filling. Tlie top of the shoulder was widely rounded, with a covering of flesh ; the shoulder was most finely sloped into the neck, and backwards over the short ribs, carrying flesh, and produciug a full girth ; the middle ribs were most fully covered, maintaining a very level coat over the whole extent ; the flank very full and protuberant, filling the outward vacancy of that part of the body. The back was wholly level from the root of the horn to the root of the tail, with a large width for the size of the animal, and with the proper spring and curve of the ribs. The usual narrowing behind the hook-bones and the pro- tuberant buttocks were less than in most instances, and may not detract from the general estimate. The top of the hook- bones was covered witii flesh, forming a part of the uniform covering over the body, to which our recollection over more 486 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. than thirty years eanuot place anything in a superior opposi- tion at tlie shows of fat cattle. Ou a large majority, or rather on the whole number of the most incontestable grounds of superiority, the prize of merit belonged to the Devon steer ; and this opinion is very largely strengthened by the consideration whether most flesh was carried, and in the least compass, on the finely-rounded bone of the Devon steer or on the coarse angular walls of the Scotch OS. This point is of the very last importance, and should decide when other points agree. It seldom, or pro- bably never, occurs in any case of organised life that High- and ruggedness is found superior to Lowland refinement. J. D. THE MARKING OF HOPS At the last monthly meeting of the Maidstone Farmers' Club, when Mr. J. H. HodsoU occupied the chair, Mr. Hayes drew attention to the Eill about to be introduced by Mr. Iluddlestone, Sir Brook Bridges, and Sir Edward Dering, for the purpose of preventing frauds in the hop trade. There was one clause in it, however, he said, to which their at- tention ought to be directed. The Bill provided, among other things, that if any planter, grower, &c., should put hops of a different growth or value into a bag or pocket for the purposes of .sale, he should be liable to a penalty. Now, there had been certain cases which, hovi'ever they had been decided, they had all a pretty strong notion that, if hops had gone up in the market instead of down, they would never have heard anything more of the matter — and this clause would subject all of them to be treated in the same manner. There were gentlemen with gardens of Goldings, in which there was a little corner that would not grow that particular kind of hops, and he would defy them to keep the growth separate. If, for instance, one of them had a garden in which there was a single acre of Jones' and the rest Golding's, he had sold his growth as usual, and the market had afterwards gone down, would it not be open for an unscrupulous factor to say, " Oh, you have mixed your hops. I do not think for a moment that you intended fraud ; but here are two qualities, and it is contrary to law." The clause certainly opened the way to a great deal of humbug. His (Mr. Hayes') attention had been called to the matter by Mr. Hartridge that day, and he had looked into the proposed Bill, and found it as he had stated. They were all, of course, quite aware that Sir Edward Bering and the other promoters of the Bill would not knowingly do the hop-growers an injury, but he thought attention should be at once called to the sub- ject, so that the objectionable clause might be expunged. Ko honest grower was desirous of mixing his hops ; but in cases like the one he had mentioned it was impossible to keep the bulk entirely of one kind . Mr. Beakd said Mr. Felton was one of the principal movers in the matter, and he believed Mr. Gibbs had written to him upon the subject, and also upon another matter — the making it compulsory to mark the weight upon each pocket. He Ije- lieved that some alterations were intended to be made in the BiU, but whether the clause to which Mr. Hayes had drawn attention was one of them he could not say. Mr. Reeves said that the clause mentioned by Mr. Beard was equally olyectionable. It required the planter to mark the weight in cwts., quarters, and lbs., on each pocket. They were not bound to do that now, and he thought the clause very objectionable. A public meeting to protest against this clause was, he believed, shortly to be held at Tunbndge Wells. Mr. J. Paine said where a grower had Golding's, Jones', and Grape hops, it was quite impossible, with a large body of pickers, to keep the different growths entirely separate. A few of a wrong kind would be sure to get in : if the factor picked out from the Golding's a Jones' or a Grape, it would be just enough to enable him to throw out a growth of hops if the mar- ket went against him. The Chairman said, notwithstanding the difficulty which might be experienced, he thought it behoved them all to keep their hops classified as much as possible. He advised that the matter of marking the weight should be left an open question. The weight marked upon the bags had nothing whatever to do with the weight passed at the scale. Mr. Paine repeated that if the clause regarding the mixing of different kinds Ijecarae law, it would enable the denier, if he were unscrupulous, totlirowout his entire growth, or he (Mr. Paine) must take avast deal of trouble which lie did not choose to take. When he began at the top of his ground he went through it, Mr. B.vkling inquired whether Mr. Paine had ever seen a garden having hops quite true ? Mr. Paine said that he had, but the instances were rare. Even then the hops would vary, as some would get a little more air, and some would be fine and others small. Mr. B.veling said that he had looked for a garden entirely true, but had never been able to find one. It seemed that if the clause came into operation it would give a factor an opportunity to throw up a bargain if he found the hops were not exactly of the kind marked. It was admitted that it was a very rare thing to find a garden of perfectly true hops. [Jlr. Paine : Very rare.] The clause seemed to be an extremely dangerous one. Mr. Hayes said he quite agreed with the idea that it was always best to call an article what it really was, but he thought the clause would give the dealer an unfair position. He begged to move that the chairman be deputed ou the part of the meeting to state to those who had charge of the bill their views on the matter. He thought the clause was extremely unfair. There were unfoir dealers in all trades, and the clause would give such anopportunity to defraud them. The bill was intended to pre- vent fraud, and as such it had his support. He had no desire to mix hops for the sake of fraud, but if he only got one bushel of a wrong sort mixed with his growth, he would be at once placed in the power of the factor. Mr. Stonham said he thought there was something insidious in the bill. He noticed that on Mr. Hayes reading the pre- amble it stated " that the laws relating to the marking of hops were not sufficiently distinct, and that it opened ths road to fraud." Most of them knew that the old law had never been re- pealed. In the new bill it stated also with regard to marking, " every owner, planter, grower, consignee, or other person." Now, what had the consignee to do with the marking of hops F The act then went on to say that none of these persons should be liable to penaltj- or forfeiture if they acted bond fide and without intent to defraud. It seemed to him that the matter was getting out of the hands of the planters, and that if a dis- pute arose the dealers would be al)le to plead ignorance. He considered that the old law was quite sufficient for all intents and purposes. Mr. Barling pointed out that the insertion of the term " consignee" in the clause was for the purpose of precluding merchants and others from falsely marking hops that they had purchased, or from taking hops from a bag having their proper »anie upon it, and putting them into a bag having an improper name upon it. Mr. Stoniiam said that there had been cases before the world where hop-marks had been falsified, and the old law had been quite sufficient. He thought it was idle to come before the public and to say that fresh legislation was wanted. The Chairman said that the old law did not refer to the consignee. It was then decided that the Chairman should be requested to communicate to Sir Edward Dering the wish of the club, that the first clause referred to should be withdrawn from the bill. . Mr. Reeves then rose for the purpose of jirotestiug against the grower being compelled to jjlace the weiglit of his hops upon each pocket. He could quite understaud, he said, its being necessary to have the name of the grower and the parish and the county, but to make the marking of the weight com- pulsory he protested against, and he believed that was the view taken by the great body of the hop-planters. The Chairman saicl that he was sorry to hear it. He eould only say that every other article that came into London had its weight upon it. Mr. Day : How about foreign hops ? THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 487 Mr. Rkeves poiuteil out that wlicvR hops liad liail their weights marked, the accounts from tlie I'lictors had come in un- satisfactory, while those unmarked had been satisfactory, and yet they were of the same drying and the same growth. Wliere gentlemen had a large growth and could go to London to see their hops weiglicd, it was all very well ; but where they could not do this, marking the weiglit did not answer. lie proposed that the promoters of the biO should be asked to withdraw this clause. Mr. BR1DGLA^'D seconded. Mr. Hayes said lie would propose, as an amendment, that they should do no such thing. lie decidedly wished his Gold- ing hops to go as Golding hops, but if they got the clause re- ferring to the mixing wthdrawn it would prevent any cavil. Should they, however, alter too many clauses, they would be supporting Mr. Stonham's opinions, which he did not wish to do, for he wished to see the bill carried in its main provisions. Mr. Pai>'e seconded the amendment. Mr. Sto:\uam said he should have no objection to the clause for marking the weight, provided the purchaser took the hops on the same principle as he would a York ham or a Stilton cheese. Blr. Baelog thought it was merely a matter of form, but he thouglit it ought not to go forth that they objected to put the true weight on the thing they were offering for sale. Mr. Stoniiam said he did not think any hop-grower would object to do this, provided they were dealt with fairly ; but Mr. Barling had not seen so many hops sent to London as some of them had. He then proceeded to show that if hops were either over or under the marked weight, owing to varia- tions in the atmosphere, the dealer was suspicious. The amendment was then put to the meeting, but was lost. The original resolution was therefore carried. The Chairman said he would carry out the wishes of the club, but he should take tliB opportunity of saying that he did not coincide wth their views in that matter. Mr. Reevt:s said growers could still mark the weight upon the pockets, but they objected to its being made compulsory. NEW ZEALAND WOOL, Wool is undoubtedly cue of the most important pro- ductions of New Zealand, and its value in export is only second in annual amount to that of gold. We are glad to perceive from the report of the jurors at the New Zealand International Exhibition, held last year, that the subject of wool-production, and especially of longvvools, is receiv- ing the special attention of the colonists. Through the exertions of the Exhibition Committee, seconded most heartily by wool-growers from all parts of the colony, a collection of .specimens was shown, which was undoubtedly one of the most valuable features of the exhibition. The exhibitors of wool numbered forty, many of whom fur- nished a number of specimens of the various varieties of wool. The exhibits comprised every description of wool cultivated in the colony, and thus illustrated at one view the progress and improvement that have been made in this important branch of colonial production. The principal provinces of New Zealand were well represented. From the number of exhibits of long wool, or of wool from crosses of loug-wooUed animals, the cultivatiou of wool for combing purposes is evidently growing more into favour ; and, judging from the excellent quality and great weight of fleece of the samples shown, this branch of wool-growing will doubtless become an exten- sive and profitable one. Of late years the demand for combing wools has vastly increased, and is appai'ently limited only by the supply, which is not equal at present to the wants of the British manufacturers. The exhibits of fine wool were not so numerous as might have been ex- pected ; but some were of superlative excellence, both as to quality and length. The evidences of attention in the matter of careful breeding were not wanting, and the quality of the merino wools was, as a whole, equal to any thing that the jury had ever witnessed. In 1851 there were but 233,000 sheep in the possession of Europeans in New Zealand; in 1858 the number had increased to 1,523,316 ; and in 1864 there were close upon 5,000,000 in the nine provinces. Of these there were about 1,500,000 in each of the two provinces of Canterbury and Otago. In 1855 the exports of wool from New Zealand were 1,772,344 lbs., value £93,101; and in 1864, 16,671,666 lbs., valued at £1,070,997. lu the first six months of 1865 the exports were 17,995,0431bs., value £1,069,746. It has been a long-standing complaint with English manufacturers that the New Zealand wool is sent home in a dirty condition. Owing to this defect in preparation, the New Zealand wools, although fully equal, and in many instances superior, to the Australian in quality, have not commanded so high a price as they would, have done if greater pains had been taken in washing the sheep. This fact has been often and constantly impressed on the New Zealand wool-growers, and within the last year or two a great improvement in this respect has taken place. The plentiful supply of the purest water which abounds in every district of New Zealand makes it a matter of sur- prise that the very necessary operation of washing has been so much neglected, or at least attended to in a very indiiferent manner. The difference discernible in the cleanliness of the wool from different stations shows that many of the wool-producers may yet with advantage pay greater attention to the subject of washing. The apparent high price obtained for some of the wool exhibited is at- tributable not so much to the extra quality of the wool as to its cleanliness. It stands to reason that a manufac- turer will give more for wool that is clean than for ill- conditioned wool. The jurors give their opinion that it is a mistake on the part of the colonial scom'crs to attempt the production of a very high colour, to the sacrifice of some of the most important essentials of the wool. The point to be arrived at should be to produce a clean well- washed wool, but still retaining the natural character of thewcol. Well washing the sheep before shearing seems amply sufficient for all purposes until the wool reaches the hands of the manufacturer. When scouring is resorted to, it is of paramount importance, especially with combing wool, that the staple should be kept free and open, and not fetled or matted together. This is a very serious evil, and one that entails loss on the grower by the reduced prices he can obtain for such wool. Of the English long-wools inti'oduced into New Zea- land, the Lincoln, Leicester, Cotswold, and Romney Marsh may be considered as the best known types, to which may be added, as a sort of intermediate class, the Cheviot. The Lincoln is generally accepted as the standai-d type of. the coarser wools, suitable for combing purposes. It is a class of wool, to the production of which the soil and climate of New Zealand are very suitable. In fact, it may be asserted as a rule, that the long-wooUed sheep of Great Britain improve with the change ; the length of the wool is increased, and all its valuable properties preserved, owing doubtless to the genial climate and the absence of exposure to the extremes of an English temperatiire. Scarcely second in repute as a combing wool is the Lei- cester. Of all the long-wooUed sheep this has received the most attention in New Zealand, and the success which 488 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. has attended the efforts to introduce its production in the colony affords every cuconragement to the promoters, and there can be no doubt that in a few years the growth of Leicester wool will be largely prosecuted. The Leicester appears to be the favourite breed with the Auckland sheep -farmers, nearly all the exhibits from that province consisting of wool of this class. Of pure Leicesters there were many specimens from almost every province, and in each instance the exhibits were highly sutisiiictory. The Leicester is valuable as a cross with shorter and finer wooUed sheep, examples of which were shown from Olago. The Cotswold appears to be quite as much in favour with the New Zealand breeders as the Leicester, and probably its habits and character are more generally adapted to the climate of the ^Middle Island and the mountain pastures of the colony than any other long- woollcd sheep. The value of this breed as a cross with either Leicester or short-wooUed sheep cannot be too much spoken of, and the favour in which crosses with the Cots- wold are held is a sufiicient proof of their excellence. The Cotswold-Merino undoubtedly possesses the most valuable qualities. The best features of the respective breeds are maintained in a most remarkable degree, the result being a long clean combing wool, equal in length to the pure Cotswold, and still preserving the extreme fine- ness of the Merino. There can be no doubt that wool of this description of cross deserves the attention of New Zealand breeders, and that its production would be attended with profit. The Ilomney Marsh has been introduced into New Zealand with great luccess, both with regard to the improvement of the Aft'ool and crosses with close-woolled sheep. The short-woolled English sheep in New Zealand are the Southdown and the Sliropshire Down. Some breeders have crossed the Southdown with the Merino, and with cross- bred Komncy-j\larsh-and-Merino. The Merino is the most valuable and important breed cultivated in New Zealand, and of sheep of this class the ilocks of the colony are chiefly com])osed. The INlerino wool has become finer and softer in Australia, and in New Zealand the length of the sta])lc and weight of fleeces have been increased, without any deterioration in the qualHy of the wool. The German Merinos have also been cultivated with remark- able success in the Australian colonies, judicious crosses with which have materially improved the character of the wool of the Spanish Merino. The Merinos adapt themselves easily to every change of climate, and thrive, and retain with common care all their fineness of wool, under a burning tropical sun and in cold mountain ranges. Foremost amongst the breeders and importers of pure-blooded Merinos in New Zealand stands ]\Ir. Kich, The eelebi'ated Mount Eden flock of this breeder enjoys a most extraordinary and well-deserved popularity throughout the Australian colo- nies. 'J'he fleeces exhibited by Mr. Rich prove what can be accomplished by scientific culture. The great weight of some of these ^Merino fleeces is astonishing — 211bs., 161bs., 201bs., 151bs., lOjlbs., and 71bs. being the weight of one year's growth fleeces in Mr. Rich's exhibits. When we consider that with this great weight of wool is combined the utmost fineness of fibre of the original Spanish Merino, the great value of Mr. Rich's breed be- comes at once so apparent as to need no fiu'ther comment. So much has Mr. Rich improved this original blood, that some of his rams have been exported to Europe. When his father was on a visit to Europe for the purpose of in- specting the finest flocks on the Continent, he showed some samples of his INIount Eden wool to Baron Damier, superintendent of the Lnperial French Merino flock at Rambouillet ; and the Baron was so struck with the supe- riority of this wool, that he requested Mr. Rich to send him a few of his rams, in order to improve even the fa- mous " Rambouillet" flock. The New Zealand sheep-runs have been stocked chiefly with the Australian-Merino variety, improved through the importation of pure Saxon-Merino rams from Germany. Although there is eveiy reason for believing that the growth of long-wools will be largely increased, the Merino will always occupy the chief position in the flocks of New Zealand. The excellence of the ISIerino consists in the unexampled fineness and felting property of its wool, which in fineness and in the number of scriations and curves exceeds that of any other sheep the world produces. CENTRAL FARMERS' CLUB. THE SUITLY OF ANIMAL FOOD. The last monthly meeting of the Club for the Session was held on Monday evening, May 7th, in Salisbury-square, when the question for consideration was put as follows : " On increasing the supply of animal food ;" to be introduced by Mr. II. Smith, of Emmett's Grange, South Moltou. The Cii.viEMAN (Mr. G. Smythies), having taken the chair, said that the attendance of members was less numerous than he could expect or desire upon an occasion when they had to discuss so interesting a subject as the best means of increasing tlie supply of animal food. That was always a very important question : but it was of special importance at the present time to the people of this country, who were not only great 'con- iinuers of meat, but whose supply had been considerably altered and diminished by the great visitation of the cattle- plague. They had discussed that subject incidentally and upon a smaller scale at preceding meetings — that was to say, they had entered into such questions as the breeding and the feeding of cattle ; but tliey had never discussed the general question of an increase in the supply of animal food upon the same com- prehensive basis on which he hoped it would be considered that evening. It was to be introduced by Mr. 11. Smith, who had thought and acquired a great deal about it for mauy years. He had no doubt that they would have an admirable opening paper from that gentleman ; and he hoped the subsequent dis- cussion would be so conducted that tlie country would be enabled to see its way to the best possible solution of tliat im- portant problem. He would not trespass further upon tJieir time, but would at once introduce Mr. Smith to their notice (Hear, hear). Mr. Smith then said : The importance of our present dis- cussion— "On Increasing the Supply of Animal Food" — at once points to a very open subject, every branch of which has been discussed in the abstract at previous meetings of tliis Club. It is now our province to discuss the main question — a question that is naturally surrounded with most valuable de- tails ; but as time will not admit of these, we must, on the present occasion, confine ourselves as much as possible to suggestive matter. This subject has been mainly dictated by I THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 489 tlie fnmsition-state of tlie meat niaiket. It is shown by statistics tliat the altered positiou and tastes of the great body of cousumers has caused a eoiisequeut increased demand for meat, and tiiat the supijlies have not, tl\ereforp, kept pa.-'e with the growing- consuniptioii of tlie country. It has even been predicted by what are logically styled " far-seeing men " that England is destined to become the workshop of tlie world — a prophecy which has seemingly gained support from the rapid increase that has taken jdace in manufactures, and the heavy demand tliat has been made upon the country population in favour of the towns. Tliis change is worthy of notice. At the taking of the census in 1851, 580 towns were included in the record, and in that year the population of these towns and that of the surrounding eountry was nearly equal ; but in the subsequent ten years, while the population iu the villages and country parishes increased at the rate of 6.5 per cent., the increase iu the towns was 17.3 per cent. This rapid increase in the towns' population is not only verified by the advances made in manufactures and commerce, but by the unparalleled progress made in tlie arts and sciences by education and the more general diti'usion of useful knowledge. Thus changing tlie habits of living has made England a new nation: we have become a new people. Even the tillers of the soil have been drawn from their early habits to aid the commerce of the eountry in the barter of manufactured goods for foreign food ; while the British producer has had to contend against the free importation of foreign produce, witli a more costly labour slieet, and increased diseases and drawbacks iu his herds and Hocks. Not so with the town consumers — they have benefited by the change. With these facts before us, no one need be surprised tliat the supplies of animal food have not kept pace with llie increased consumption. In fact, the imported sup- plies are the true measure of an increased demand overtaking the produce of our soil. As a result, arising from the con- sequent increased rate of wages now paid for manual labour to every man engaged in agriculture, we find that men of capital, with sound holdings, have called to their aid me- chanical power, so as to limit the application of manual labour upon their farms ; others have resorted to the practice of layiiig more laud down into grass ; while those with uncertain holdings, and such as are short of capital, have allowed their farms to sutler. Hence, the withdrawal of labour from the land, the want of permanent improvements on the part of cer- tain landlords, coupled with the want of better security for tenants' outlays, have each had a tendency towards cheeking the production of the soil. On the other hand, we find that the landlords and tenants, with good mutual agreements for the security of tenure, have been the great pioneers in British agriculture — the very class of men who have contributed such liberal supplies of animal food to the Metropolitan Market; and this, most signally, from lands that were lying waste even in the memory of the present age. But even this change is not greater than the transition-state of the meat market. We have free imports and competition in stock from every available source, yet prices rule high. But how can we anti- cipate low currencies whilst the consuming powers of the people are rapidly increasing? It was always affirmed that beef and mutton were our "sheet-anchor" — that foreigners could not provide that iu any quantity ; but this they have done, and will continue to do, just as easily as they send us grain. Foreign stock reach us from all parts of the Continent ; but, from the beginning of December to July, mostly from IloUand, Germany, France, and Spain ; from July to i)ecent- ber.from Sclileswig-IIolstein, Oldenburgh, Holland, and Spam. These are brought by steamers mostly built for the purpose. To show the growing importance of these imports, I supply a comparative tabulated statement of the first year's returns with those for the last nine years : — Foreign Stock Imported. July 11 to Dec. 31, 1813. 1857-59. 1860-62. 1803-65. Cattle 2,558* 513 233 190,100 612,309 70,081 33,325 237,022 933,014 82,530 72,932 510,088 1,841,201 149 214 Sheep and lambs Calves Pigs 215,4-1.3 __ Summary 3,304. 902,4.35 1,315,088 2,752,545 Including chIvcsi We have tlins received, during the last three years, nearly three million head of foreign stock, of which nearly one-and- a-half million were sent us in 1805 ! A considerable increase has again taken place during the first half of the present year. It is fair to anticipate a continuance of these increased sup- plies, as the growing facilities afforded by the new and pro- jected foreign railways are brought into use ; for, while they traverse vast continents of improveablc land, they bring us nearer, at every stage, to the great northern supplies, as yet but little noticed. For instance, in the Steppes of Russia alone are grazed 8,000,000 of cattle annually, amongst which the rinderpest is stated to be always present, but iu a mild form. These cattle are subsequently distributed over Russia proper, Hungary, and its dependencies. Some 30,000 oxen of the Steppe breed go to Poland annually — from whence there are railroads through Prussia to the ports for shipments to Loudon. This continuous route from the Steppes opens up the question of contagion ; for, so long as we have foreign live stock imported into this country, so long shall we he liable to receive the rinderpest. As these animals are ever liable to come from, or through, infected districts, and are subsequently congregated together, either by steamer or on landing in this country, it is only fair to assume that disastrous consequences may follow, and thus neutralize the benefit to be derived from their import. It is thus important that prompt steps should be taken to prevent all foreign stock mixing with the English. They should either be slaughtered at the ports where landed, or conveyed by special trucks and trains to, and sold at markets established for foreign live stock only, under official regulations, near London, and there slaughtered at public ahcdioirs. In fact, as come they will, some such plan is imperative for the protection of the English producer. As regards the quality of foreign stock, we have only to note those sent from France and Spain: this will more naturally follow from an infusion of well-bred English animals, improved husbandry, and the consumption of their artificial produce, such as oilcake, lin- seed, &c., at home. Here, then, we have every prospect of an increased supply of animal food, but in the wrong direction : far better would it be if our native agriculture were so stimu- lated as to produce it upon John Bull's own soil, and thus keep our gold at home for reproduction. Time will not admit of our going into details as regards the home supplies of stock to the J\Ietro]iolitau Market. These may be best consulted by reference to Mr. Herbert's statistical reports, in the Journal of the lloyal Agricultural Society. But even these have no real bearing as regards the consumption of the metrojjolis, as so many animals are purchased by parties from the country. These statistics show that while the imports of foreign stock into Loudon alone increased in the last half-year of 1865 some 195,300 head over that of 1804, we must bear in mind (apart from our present calamity) that the supplies of English stock have been decreasiug every year, and becoming less adequate to meet the demand without foreign aid. As one step towards a heavier supply of meat, feeders may make the general cattle they feed good thick meat with artificials, instead of sending them to market, as many thousands have been sent, in good store order only. The recent change intlie metropolitan live and dead meat markets is a most formidable one, but nevertheless prompted by neces- sity, iu which three great interests are involved — the producer, consumer, and butcher. There is, however, merit and conve- nience in both systems : for while a medium scheme, a balance between live and dead meat markets may be retained, there may be other and better ways of transacting the same business ; out of this forced experiment may arise some new and com- prehensive measures. I would suggest that there should in future be t«o distinct live-stock markets. Let the English supplies be sold at the Metropolitan Market, and the foreign stock at a new market near the London wharves. Second, let there be at each of these markets good and sufficient public abat- toirs established for carcase butchers, that all animals may be slaughtered at the Foreign Stock Market, aud the same at the Metropolitan itarket, except such animals as are bought for country consumption, beyond a certain radius round London; my object' being, first, to prevent the possibility of the foreign cattle being moved alive from their market ; and secondly, that the future supplies of live stock for the use of the metropolis shall be killed at alattolrs outside the town, in the same way as already adopted at all the large cities on the continent ; and, lastly, that the new dead-meat market should be so construeteil 490 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. as to receive the increasing supplies of meat from all parts of the country. While such a systematic scheme would econo- mise food, and keep tlie filthy offal out of London, for the re- production of meat, it would act as a preventive for staying the future importation of cattle plague, which has, alas! cleared London of its dairies, and extended its ravages to thirty-six of the forty English counties; sixteen out of twenty- seven of the Scotch counties, and two out of twelve in "Wales. The following table represents the total numbers that have been reported upon by the inspectors ; but it is known that the Orders have been evaded in every district, and that numbers of cases have occurred, of which the inspectors were ignorant ; but happily it is now on the decline: — Date, i Total Attacked. May I 329,609 Total Died. I Total KiUed. 123.101 03,923 These are fearful returns — ^losses that are irreparable. But these are not the only losses, for eveu thousands have been prematurely slaughtered as a preventive against attack. Dis- tricts have been cleared of their fattening and growing stock ; while in extreme cases whole herds, from the incalf-cow down to her latest offspring, have been sacrificed to the disease. What more, then, can be done to stay its remaining ravages? I see no other chance but that qI jii'evenVwn, both at home and from abroad, which is well expressed by Mr. Howard Reed, who says, " From the pursuit of such considerations as these it is impossible to rise without a profound conviction that our strength and hope for the future lie in prevention. Medicine has afforded us no specific defence ; isolation in a country densely populated, interlaced with a net-work of highways and rail- roads, and subject to strong winds, is impossible ; disin- fectants are not to be depended upon, and slaughter is a remedy little better than the plague itself." The county returns show that the breeding districts to the west and south-west, where cattle are but rarely imported, have been nearly exempt from the disease. Yet all breeds of cattle seem alike subject to it, tut the more highly bred or cultivated races possess less na- tural resistance against its attacks; but those in good condition resist it the longest. Breeders should thus adhere to those laws of Nature which give robust constitutions to the rising generation. It is truly unfortunate that we possess no statis- tics of our^iative herds and flocks ; had we these, we might the better understand our true position. I had hoped that the " stock census" returns would have been out by this date ; however, when they are issued, not being compulsory, they cannot be relied upon. The practical increase in the supply of animal food depends, first, on the investment of capital to in- crease the fertility of the soil ; secondly, on the subsequent improved rotation of crops, so as to secure a larger pcr-centage of cattle-food produce, with increased economy and diminished waste in its consumption ; thirdly, on improved animals, with precocious habits as fattening stock, whether cattle, sheep, or pigs. It is thus as equally important to have an elficient and seasonable supply of food for every class of animal throughout the year, as it is to have a sulficieucy of well-bred animals up- on the farm. For such a purpose, the strong lands, which hitherto have done but little in the way of increasing the sup- plies of animal food, should be used d\iring the summer mouths for growing green crops. This ought to be to the occupier of clay soils what the winter feeding of roots is to the occupier of light soils. Cabbages, early turnips (sown on a stale furrow), mangolds, and kohl rabi may be grown on clays, the two for- mer in time to be eaten upon the laud by the end of September, and the two latter to be drawn off, stored, pulped, and used with wheat-straw chalf. In this way all the straw which is not absolutely wanted for litter, may be advantageously eaten, and with the aid of oilcake and crushed-corn, a good deal of mut- ton and some beef (the former pays best) may be made from the produce of those soils, the occupiers of which have hither- to relied upon wheat and beans only. This change of system would require autumn cultivation for all the green crops, and so raise the questiou of efficient drainage and steam cultiva- tion ! The quick return afforded by a good flock of sheep is by far the most important subject for increasing the supply of animal food. The dry soils in the more even climates are na- turally the great sheep-producing districts; the sheep-fold and a successiou of well-arranged green crops throughout the year, for a heavy breeding flock, being great essentials for a success, ful sheep husbandry. Early cabbages and globe mangolds have been substituted for roots on sharp soils during the last few years, and found, when eaten upon tlieland, to answer remarka- bly well. It is iu the production of fat yearling sheep for the shambles, and stock lambs to be fatted by other parties, that the more lucrative branch of sheep farming lies. Happily the country is pretty full of sheep, aud the late lambing season has beeu a very good one. The great drawback to a more general system of sheep liusbandry is the wet state of so many farms, some of which do not produce a single sheep. Such a case — Sheep v. No Sheep — should at least draw atten- tion to a subject \\'here the wool alone would pay the in- terest for draining, and the mutton for deep cultivation — a profitable practice for aU ! Many of the best sheep breeders, especially upon the Downs, adopt a practice that may be worth mentioning, viz., that of bedding their sheep folds with straw. This plan has recently gained support in other districts. The straw is thus made into manure by sheep upon the land, in- stead of Ijy cattle at the yards — a couveuient practice during the present uncertainty of the cattle plague. Early maturity is the great aim of most sheep breeders ; yet there are those who prefer growing their sheep to a larger size, especially when wanted as a working flock in connection with the Down lands. These sheep subsequently carry heavy carcasses to mar- ket, and which from their age command a higher range of prices. The result of a first cross with large males and the proposed draft ewes is a singular means by which a more vi- gorous pruduce and an additional weight of meat may be sup- plied, but practice confirms the advantage of fattening all the produce. Iu brief, too much cannot well be said in favour of sheep ; they are now the mainstay of high farming ; only breed and feed them well, and they will repay you two-fold in wool and mutton. There are many and loud objections to the killing of fat lambs, and calves for veal. This is a new idea to those who have been congratulating themselves on killing ripe mutton at twelve aud fourteen months old instead of twenty- four months, and ripe beef at two years old instead of three and four years, to find themselves blamed for getting live stock ready for the butcher at eight and ten weeks old. I believe the interests of the puldic are best served by every man doing the best he can for himself, so that the questiou of hastening the feeding of young stock, or feeding them at a slower rate to a greater weight, may be safely left, where after all it must be left, in the hands of the individual stockowners, each of whom will have to deter- mine for himself how he can best turn the greeu crops he has grown to the largest profit. The increased demand for good reariug calves has most conclusively shortened the supplies of English veal, if the price of stock lambs does not check the fat-lamb trade. Nearly the whole of the supply of calves disposed of in the London market during the last six months of 1805 was composed of foreign importations. The largest returns from both " stock and com " are derived from the mixed arable and grazing farms, such as have from one-fourth to one-fifth in pasture. Cattle form a prominent feature upon such farms. Full-grown animals (or nearly so) are mostly bought in for making rich farmyard dung during the wuter months — an acknowledged costly process. That is : the ani- mals do uot return a sufficient profit to pay the difference be- tween the manure and the oilcake biils. Yet the system goes on, and the deficit is charged to the " General Improvement Account." This spirited manure-making business can alone be carried on by men of capital. It thus points most strongly to the boundary line between the two classes of producers. AVhore men fatten large quantities of stock upon artificial agents, all subsequent works go on well. Not so with those who yet feed their cattle upon straw (or nearly so) ; for, in this case, the manure being straw, they are thus all straw together. A truer definition of the two opposite plans of arable farming and the production of animal food cannot be given. The four-field course of cropping, or rather the alternate husbandry of corn aud stock crops, demands atten- tion iu conjunction -nith the present state of the labour mar- ket, aud the enhanced price of meat over that of corn. I tlierefore throw out the suggestion, with a view to increase the supply of animal food, that an additional year for growing stock-producing crops may be safely added to the four- field course. Thus, iu place of the present established rotation of turnips, barley, seeds, wlieat, I would substitute turnips, seeds THE FARMEE'S MAaAZINE. 491 (sown down without a corn crop), second seeds, wheat, barley. I will now give my reasons for making this suggestion. 1st, the turnip crop would not come rouud so quickly ; 2nd, the young seeds would be much more vigorous, and not endan- gered by lodged barley ; 3rd, the wlieat crop would be lieavicr ; -itb, the barley after wheat would be perfection, both in quantity and quality ; 5th, wliile better straw would be grown and more stock kept upon the land, one-fifth of the labour bill would be saved ; lastly, to meet a formidable object tiou as raised against the four-field course in some of the rich alluvial districts, there would be no limit to high farming. I may now add a favourite rider to my plau of a. five-field course of cropping — vi?,., the better provision of suitable cattle for consuming tlicse crops, and for making manure. I incline to the belief that, with such a rotation, safe and elficieut returns may be made from a breeding stock ; and thus, by increased numbers beiug reared upou the farm, there woidd be plenty to sell and but little to buy — an inviting practice. In the northern and western counties, where large breadths of well- farraed arable and pasture lauds occur, the farmers breed everything ; and have, so far, preferred selling their capital steers to the Graziers, to the practice of feeding them. Some of the best farmers on the borders of these districts, especially in the Midlands, are also turning their attention to the breed- ing of slock, and tliis of the best description. The occupa- tion of the grazier is the most diflicult one. How they are to increase tlieir supplies of animal food under present difliculties, I am at a loss to understand. Even their past occupation has been a precarious one for the want of a proper supply of good lean cattle. The breeding of cattle has been too much con- fined to certain districts. Parties need not be afraid of over- stocking the market ; do what they may, they will only stay the otherwise more ample supply of foreign stock. Again, to introduce lean foreign stock for grazing purposes, as once predicted, is a contemplation that cannot now be realized— if it ever could. Mr. Herbert, in his report of the Metropolitan Market for ISCl, states that " A few ventures have been made by large agriculturists in the purchase of foreign stock, to be fatted on their land ; but they have all resulted in heavy losses, and have been given up." The importation of lean cattle from Ireland has also been seriously checked of late. It is to be hoped that the Irish cattle-breeders will put their Irish heifers to the bull instead of feeding them, in order that Cheshire and other districts may be again replenished with dairy stock. I hope our friends on the Emerald Isle will take a note of this suggestion. The supplies of Welsh runts to the Midlands, around Rugby, Northampton, and Market Harborough have been pretty good. These should be en- couraged— a good Welsh runt is a desirable animal, either as a grazier or butcher's beast for the London market. And the more so, as there is a growing desire amongst the best breeders of aU sorts of cattle to finish their animals at home — a desire that is uow being fostered by necessity. These conflicting drawbacks point most strongly to the inquiry, Whether or not some portion of the stock required, even upou a good grazing farm, especially of mixed quality, could not be bred or reared iu preparation for the richer lands — there to be fatted off? The nature of the grazier's occupation has so far checked his going into the breeding business ; yet lie is the first and loudest to declare that the breeders " have the best of it." But, after all, the real increase iu the supply of lean cattle for the grazier lies iu the improved cultivation and consequent production of more and better animals in those hitherto-neglected districts as are by climate and natural cattle-produce best adapted to their increase ; districts that have beeu lying next to waste as regards the food of man, alone producing a few miserable sheep and wretched steers. It is on these recognised practical improvements that our de- pendence must uow be placed. No investment pays better than permanent improvements upon a man's own land, or tenant's outlay iu artificial food and manures when invested under security of tenure. I know no other safe investments in which moderate expense produces so large a result of profit as permanent improvements in land. Even the better grass- lands have not received thsit attention which is due to them. If farmers were to deal with grass as they have dealt with corn, the production of animal food would soon form a more important item in the returns of a farm. Grazing with arti- ficial food gives a return of at least £1 per acre more than graz- ing without it. The English breeders, especially of pedinree stock, have a copious business of their own ; for, apart from the enjoyment of their herd-book stories (for even tiiousauds of select animals have already beeu registered iu the Short- horn, Hereford, Devon, and Sussex Herd-Books), they yet hold a monopoly of the bull and select female business. These national records, as also the "Herds of Great Britain" as given iu the Farmer's Magazine, are alike consulted by the foreigner as well as the English. breeder. The prize sheets of the Royal Agricultural Society and Smithfield Club all point to the growiug importance of the established breeds, whose patrons have been the great pioneers iu this branch of hus- bandry. All honour is so far due to them ; but their extensive work is yet to come ! Modern cattle husbandry had been doing its work in a commendable way, iu which the agricul- tural shows and public sales had done their part, by iufusing new blood into the remotest corners of the land, where, as yet, all sorts of animals are kept ; but the sad ravages of the cattle plague has stayed for the while all intercourse of this improvable nature. When we note that the small holders of land produce as many calves as the larger breeders (yet not nearly so many as formerly), and that the dairy districts, though limited, produce about the same number, we have, as confirmed by our fairs and markets, at least one-half of our cattle of a secondary order. Here, then, we have a wide field open to us for increasing the supply of animal food. Happy would it be if a uew generation of improved calves could be produced iu such districts. Landlords could not afl'ord a more practical help to their tenantry than by sending them a well- bred robust-constitutioned bull, to be kept about the centre of the property. Companies for the same desirable purpose might also be formed, but not at a costly issue, by introduc- ing high-bred fancy males. The purchase of calves from the best dairy districts, where the breeders sell them directly they are dropped, is a useful practice for parties who are not desirous of keeping a standard herd of cows. Purther, a first-rate buU could be supplied to improve the produce' Early spring is the period adopted by the dairy-farmers for dropping the calves. Tlie month of January, above all others, is the proper time for rearing them. Tliey thus grow ou into summer weather, and are more easily and cheaply reared than at any other season of the year. The produce of a few good- milking, well-bred dairy-cows, wlicu mixed with some of the many agents for milk — sweetwort, the essence of malt, to wit, boiled linseed, oatmeal, &e. — form an excellent gruel for calves, to be supplemented by a little hay and artificial food. The best calves in the Cheddar district (Somerset) have hitherto beeu (mostly) sold to calf-dealers, for the Loudon market, where they have been resold into the" eastern coun- ties. Many of these are sold as fat cattle at two to two-and- a-half years old. Mr. Herbert, iu his December report for 1861, says: "The Metropolitan Market ha« of late exhibited an important feature. Nearly a moiety of the stock exhibited was composed of beasts two years old. These and our best crosses come mostly from Scotland and the eastern counties." As regards dairy-farming, when we reflect upou the sad clear- ances that have been made in the London and Cheshire dairies, as also the important change tliat has taken place in the sup- ply of milk to the Metropolis, it is fair to assume that dairy produce (in the absence of foreign milk) will, at least for some time to come, be in the ascendant. The Pig business, both breeding and feeding, has not yet received a proper share of the farmer's patronage. The pig, in his way, is an important personage. He acts as a scavenger, to convert your waste iuto money. As a machine for making capital manure, and as a prohfic breeder all the year round, to be sold at all weights and sizes, from a sucking roaster to the bacon liog, he be- comes a never-failing rent-paying commodity. I therefore see no reason why pigs should not form a substantial representa- tive in the farmyard, especially during the present uncertainty of the cattle-plague. To parties who have already studied this business I need say nothing; but to those who ask, " WiU a pig pay ?" I say, consult our friend Fisher Hobbs, or read Fisher and Sterne's voluminous essays on pigs and piggeries. There is further the old cottage axiom, " No pig in the sty, no clock in the chimney-corner." The Poultry department of agriculture has also been much neglected. Parties scarceK look to a change of blood, or even to the law of selection. If only a little time was given to it, they would find it a most pleasing study; and their tables and pockets would be im- proved thereby, No dinner of any pretensions is complete 492 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. without it ; aud, uuder proper mauagenient, poultry is a deli- cacy all the year rouud. We have spring chickens and Ayles- bury ducklings, then barn-door fowls aud ducks, on to Micliaelmas geese aud Christmas turkey, finishing the season with guinea-fowl and peacock. Upwards of £20,000 per annum is paid into the town of Aylesbury and its neighbour- hood for Aylesbury ducks alone. Similar results are recorded of the Surrey Dorking fowls ; while 301 millions of eggs reached this country from the Continent in 1865. Since the establishment of poultry-shows, a great increase has taken place in the weight of poultry. Ducks now weigh oftentimes from 51b. to 71b. each, fowls from 71b. to 81b., geese from 141b. to 201b., and turkeys from 181b. to 241b. To .show the im- portance of lish as a supply of food to the Metropolis, it has been roughly estimated that this supply is equal to the cattle ; for, while London consumes 300,000 cattle annually, which, at an average of 6 cwt. each, would amount to 90,000 tons of beef, there are 80,000 tons of trawled fish alone annually sent to the Loudon market. The importation of lialbiis is another branch of foreign food that has to be paid for with English money. Can we do anything in this way, by means of labbit- warrens, as in oldeu times ? There must be lots of dry and bauky waste lands that would " rabbit ;" and, if blended with the fresh-egg and poultry business, it might be well worthy of a " limited liability company." The late Mr. Pusey told us, as far back as 1838, that, while England aud Wales contained about 37 million acres, and Scotland and Ireland about 20 millions each, there were in the United Kingdom 29 millions of acres lyiny waste, one-half of which might be improved. These are startling figures, at a time when England requires more food, and is paying other countries for it, instead of im- proving her waste laiuls, to grow it at home. Tliis is a sub- ject with wliich I am practically familiar ; and I fearlessly assert that a great national benefit would be derived from a proper report being made of these waste lands, setting forth their several capabilities for improvement. We must not overlook the fact that our rapid increase of population aud wealth is goiugon upon a fixed area of land, an island, and that it is one of the obvious physical eflects of the increase of l)opulatiou that the proportion of land to each person dimi- nishes. This subject is well worthy the consideration of the Joiirtial Commiilee of the lloyal Agricultui^l Society, if not of the English Government, at this national crisis, for increas- ing the home supply of food for the people. Had we but a responsiljle Mbusiar of Ac/riciilliire to watch over our interest, and to convey our thoughts, there might be a favourable ray of hope for such a result ; but, alas ! as we are now placed, \^'e have no hope at all. Economy, in agriculture, is a most im- portant meaus by which an increased supply of animal food may be attained, the greatest of all being the increased fertility of the soil resulting from a liberal investment of capital, under security of tenure, the fixed payments of a farm, such as rent, rates, and taxes, being the same ; while, on the other liand, nothing can well be worse than the waste of capital where tenants are " farming in aud farming out." There is economy in a good education ; for, while a proper know- ledge of the " natural sciences " is essential to pro- fitable farming, it is equally important to understand the principles by wliich Nature's laws are governed. There is marked economy even in well-formed aninuds, as im- proved machinery at the farm factory, where the animal heat and the proportions of the boiler have alike to be consulted. We are told by our scientific and mechanical friends that we are to look to this boiler question as a certain means to a cer- tain end, vi/,., for " gettiug up steam" at a cheaper rate. As a simile it is familiar to all, that no animal machine is shown to such advantage as the fat sucking-calf, foal, pig, or lamb, the true result of Nature's fuel, " mother's milk," direct from the tap ! When removed from milk, their after-progress is en- tirely regulated by the treatment they receive from man, whose foremost study should ever be how to best preserve this calf or lamb flesh as a foundation upon which to build his future structure. If natures' steam is turned off abruptly, the fire put out, the animal macliine becomes idle, and as a conse- quence, time (money) is not only lost by the machinery being thrown out of gear, and hence liable to rust (disease), but a cost y coiisumptiou of fuel has to be employed, to put it to work again When done, it does not pay nearly so well as if the animal boiler had been doiug steady work from the com- mencemcut, for a quick r«n-in at last, to win the produce stakes with " early maturity." There is also economy in assimilat- ing the flesh-forming feeding stuffs to the varied requirements of this machinery, viz., the requirements of all animals accord- ing to their age and progress towards the shambles. There is economy in the use of malt for the same purpose ; for, apart from the Government scheme as practised through learned professors, to show that Malt is not so good a fuel as barley for the animal furnace, they do admit it to be " an excellent coudiment," mark ! not coal, but excellent cohe. Now, if we could only get iilenty of Government coke (condiment) to mix with our refuse coal (inferior farm produce), or " sweet wort," to give our calves, I think we should be able to pre- pare some pretty good feeding stulfs, for increasing the supply of animal food. I have not read the two statements prepared by Professor Lawes by order of the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, and for this reason : I had quite enough of Dr. Tiiomson's book " On the Food of Animals," written for the Government in 1840, who singularly enough tested the com- parative fattening properties of barley aud malt upon two Ayr- shire dairy cows, and weighed their milk. This is the sort of data the Doctor arrived at : " When placed ou crushed malt and hay the brown cow receded from 330|^lbs. of milk to 2911bs. for the fifteen days, while the white cow gave 325pbs. against 3281bs., being a difference of 371bs. between the white cow and brown, and not the food." At page 43, the Doctor quahfies this glorious trial (upon which the Chancellor's de- cision has been formed) thus : " This brown cow had seen the bull two days before her arrival, but without the requisite effect, as she displayed occasionally considerable irritability, wildness of eye, and other well known symptoms." The real result being, that these two dairy cows were diametrically op- posite in condition and periodical habits, the white being in- calf, while the brown is not ! Thus went up or down the pounds of milk, Agreeable with the " well-known symptoms" Recorded in the Doctor's book. To solve the Government question. There is especial economy in well devised mechanical appli- ances to .save manual labour upon a farm, but especially iu steam-cultivation, to supplant the major part of the horses en- gaged in agriculture. It has been shown by Dr. Playfair, that ahorseconsiimesdailyas much flesh-forming food as would main- tain seven labouring men. The motive-power of the steam- engine is coal : the motive-power of the horse, food from the land, is spared for man's use, apart from the valuable aid to be derived from deep cultivation, and the certainty of getting ou the land at differeut seasons. The crowded periods of horse labour are so reduced that a smaller number of horses will suflice for the annual work of the farm. To show the fuU force of this horse-labour subject, and its especial bearing upon the consumption of farm produce, I may name that Mr. Colquhoun, iu the year 1812, estimated the consumption of the 1,800,000 horses then employed at £27,117,136. There is both economy aud comfort iu Covered yards, as moderu factories for the better conversion of farm produce into meat aud manure. Eor such a purpose the building should have proper height, and well arranged ventilation, so as to maintain a uniformity of temperature, the interior being fitted agreeably with the system to be adopted iu the production of animal food. If for a breeding stock (their best use), the different grades of animals must be so located as to enjoy themselves for the profitable performance of their progressive work. For instance, the cows having done growing would be placed in stalls to economise space, the fattening animals in warm boxes, the young growing stock would run loose in the centre yards, and the juniors would be placed in suitably arranged calf- pens ; iu the immediate vicinity of which are well-arranged root, chaff, meal, and mixing-houses, which by their concen- trated position afford an economy of labour, food, and super- vision well worth having. Again, as the economy of warmth is a known equivalent for food, so do covered-yards economise feeding-stuffs, while the even temperature of the building pro- motes both health aud happiness. In confirmation, I give the comparative temperature of a covered-yard erected by myself aud sou, for Mr. Taylor, at his Eastwood Parm, East Harptree, Somerset, the interior of which is 140 feet by 70 feet ; the height froiu the ground-floor to the ventilating louvres is 20 feet ; the roof is composed of three 36-feet spans, and two 18- fpct spans, and covered with corrugated-iron, Every oper-i- THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. 493 tiou is performed by water-power. Itlr. Moscrop aud Mr. Jacol) Wilson liave also kindly supplied nie with the compara- tive temperature of their covered huildiugs ; hut as they closely agree with Mr. Taylor's aud confirm the principle, I need not give more than one : . .jj M ^ ■S be ■M^ > . T) i/i t-, OS p 33 2 "3 33 (5 O h3 c o O Is 1860. Degs. Degs. Degs. Degs. Degs. Degs. Feh. 24 6 a.m. 29 33 34 36 30 50 ,, Noou. 40 43 44 50 41 54 0 p.m. 40 44 45 46 41 55 ., Midngt 30 32 33 36 30 56 Dry weather, cold at night. The water inside the building was 4 degrees warmer tlian the supply-pond outside. These returns confirm the principle of ventilation (upwards) by showing a graduated temperature. The above statement was accompanii-d by a letter froni the herdsman, which I give verbatim : " We have now 102 Devons of all ages in the new building, they do much better than the cattle at the open yard and shed, and don't eat near so much. Those in the closed shed are too hot, and the place wants ven- tilation. Although all the steers were fed alike, those that came in first do much the best. The second lot are now doing well, but will never catch the others. Covered yards are the things to save food : the cattle aud food are all close together : what one won't eat another will : nothing is wasted ; and it is a capital thing pulping the roots and mixing them with the chatt'. The best of all is, they don't get washed by the storms. Their coats are so alike, aud they are so comfortable in the yards. They lie about like cattle on grass in the summer time, and don't take near so much litter as the open yards. The carters like it, for their horses do capitally. I am so glad the pigs are not inside the covered building." Time prevents my going into details, but these may be mainly supplied by consulting Mr. Bailey Denton's capital paper on " Covered Homesteads," read Ijefore the members of this Club in May last. There are also prize and other essays upon this subject in the recent Journals of the Royal Agricultural Society, which will be read with much interest and profit to those who are contemplating the erection of new buildings or transform- ing their old ones. I fear my very open aud suggestive sub- ject has carried me on too long, yet I cannot conclude without an expression of hope that the law of production as dictated by " security of tenure" may become the rule and not the ex- ception of British agriculture, and that more general and sub- stantial attention will be given to the breeding and feeding of every branch of stock, not alone to replace the ruinous car- nage that has taken place in our native cattle, but as a certain and profitable ineans for increasing the future supplies of animal food. Mr. L. A. CoussMAKER (Westwood, Guildford), said he wished to make a few observations on the subject of that eve- ning's discussion, which he considered a most important one — • tlie production of as much food as possible for their stock. But of late the question had arisen where they were to get the stock to consume the food. What they wanted to do was to conbine the two things — to get the stock, and then to feed them ; in fact, to raise as much stock as they could on their farms. They were, however, very difterently situated in that respect, for scarcely any two men's farms consisted of tlie same description of land, and there were alterations on all farms. They should endeavour to ascertain how each of them on their respective farms could raise the most stock. Everybody was aware that there liad been great difficulty in getting stock during the last few months, and he did not know how the graziers had been able to supply themselves. Men who occu- pied arable farms, and who had trod all their straw into manure, and consumed all their last year's roots, must get rid of their stock in one way or another ; but in consequence of the cattle-plague, although the graziers wanted stock, there was a great difficulty in the transfer of stock from sellers to buyers. He thought that too much imijortance could not be attached to the system of breeding ; and it was most desirable to see whether they could not combine tlie breeding of stock with the fattening of stock. He had himself^ thank God, escaped the cattle-plague, although it had been violently raging in his neighbourliood. In the months of August aud September they had lost in his parish 270 head of cattle. He escaped himself, aud he believed that one of the causes of the escape was that he had not for years bought any stock, and he bred at one end and fattened at the other, and he never bought or sold except to the butcher, beyond the single fact of buying about once every two years a yearling bull, for the sake of change of breed. One animal of that kind could easily be isolated and prevented from bringing any infection among a herd. By breeding their own stock at one end and fattening it at the other they had at once the breeder's profit and the grazier's profit. It might be said that they had also both the losses, and that was no doubt true ; but, at all events, they could thus depend upon themselves, and not upon the markets, and they were not so liable as they otherwise would be to such calamities as that by which so many farmers had been visited during the last year. Having got their stock, the next thing was to provide food for that stock. They wanted to have as much stock as possible, and they must have food for it. It was no use to have large supplies of food at one time, and to have none at another. His endeavour always had been, knowing what stock he had, to have a suHicient sup- ply of food for it all the year round. The climate of this country enabled them to produce so many roots and grasses, that with a little management they could, he believed, accom- plish that object. Discussions had been raised with respect to the value of difi'erent kinds of roots — of turnips, swedes, man- golds, &c. He thought they should look at their value at different seasons and under different circumstances, so that they might have early turnips in the early autumn, swedes in the winter, and mangolds in the spring. He did not know what they should do without mangolds, and he was at a loss to imagine how people had been able to get on without them for- merly. There was always an interval between the time when swedes began to get leathery and sapless and the early grasses came in ; but mangolds most fortunately supplied the want which then occurred. He believed that mangold-wurzel was a German product and a German word, and that it meant in that language " The root of scarcity," and it well deserved that appellation. Mangold-wurzel continued good up to the summer. It was never worth much uutil decidedly after Christmas ; but iu the spring, and on to the very height of summer, it was in- valuable. When mangold-wurzel failed they had tares aud rye and other articles. A succession of food for the stock on a farm was of the utmost importance, and it had a special bearing on the question they were then discussing — how they could produce the greatest quantity of food for their cattle ; not the greatest quantity at any particular time, but an even supply of food aU the year round (Hear, hear). He believed that if they bore that fact iu mind, and if they would breed their own stock, they should be enabled entirely to fulfil the object which was that evening brought under their considera- tion. Those were his views on the subject, and he felt con- vinced that if they were carried into effect they would be productive of great advantage to fitrmers aud to the country at large (Hear, hear). Mr. James Howard (Bedford), on being called upon, said he should state his opinions on that occasion with niuch doubt aud hesitation. He had not been able to follow either Mr. Smith in reading his paper, or Mr. Coussmaker in the observations he had afterwards addressed to them, in consequence of the diftlculty of hearing in that Hall, and he was glad to be able to inform the Club that the room was to be divided, so that by the time of their next meeting it would be better fitted for the purposes of those discussions. He was a young farmer, and his experience was almost entirely confined to day lands. He started farming, believing that there was nothing like growing root crops for the con- sumption of cattle during the winter. But he had not been many years farming before he found that that principle might be carried too far, and that a man could not commit a greater mistake than to , attempt to raise very large quantities of root crops on clay lands. There was great difficulty and expense in getting them off, which, coupled with the injury that was done to the land in carting them, was really more than the crop was worth, He believed that the M M THE FARMER'S MAGAZIKE. best mode of raising food for stock was growing tares, rape, and early white turnips, so as to get the green crops con- siuned iu the summer mouths, or hy the middle of October, and uot to be under tlie necessity of putting stock ou the land until the following March. He felt convinced, from his own short experience, that that was the best course to be pursued on clay lands (Hear, hear). Mr. J. Wood (Ockley, Hurstpierpoiut, Sussex), said he had listened attentively to Mr. Smith's paper, and he thought it was one which deserved more attention than they could bestow upon it that evening. He believed there were some points in it that would well repay any member of the Club for reading it hereafter. It contained many suggestions which might possibly lead to some improvements and facilitate the attain- ment of the end they had then in view — an increase iu the production of meat for the growing population of this country. Mr. Smith certainly started what appeared to him to be rather a new theory with respect to the rotation of crops ; but he did not see why that theory should not be carried out. It must, however, be admitted that it was rather contrary to their general practice — he meant the theory of taking all their white-straw crops together, and all their green crops together. The suggestion that they should sow seeds without a green crop was certainly very novel (a cry of " No.") It was very novel, at all events, so far as crops of clover and such articles were concerned (a renewed cry of " No," and " Sussex") ; his experience had certainly been rather confined to Sussex, but he had seen other counties, and he had not found that principle adopted in them. On the stiiFer lands they had to apprehend the danger of raising what were called " cuckoo" oats — t hat was to say, oats sown after the cuckoo came — about the middle of April, which was necessarily a very poor crop. He had con- se(iuently often sown spriug wheat as late as the 4th of May, aud he had obtained nine sacks to the acre. He wished Mr. Smith had pointed out the time when they ought to sow their seeds, and perhaps he would be kind enough in his reply to say something on that subject. He thought it would be a great help to some rather backward farmers like himself to receive some information of that description. Now, as to food for stock in summer, tares aud jilenty of oilcake were very well ; but what, he would ask, was to succeed them P He always fouud that late-sown tares came to nothing, and that he only got tares fit for feeding when he sowed them in the autumn, and even then he should sow theiu early. He had beeu induced to supersede them by swedes, turnips, and other products of that description, and he found that that answered his purpose last year even in the dilficult position in which they were all then placed from drought. If they could adopt Mr. Smith's plan of sowing seed after root crops, they need not be so much afraid of injuring their land by getting the root-crops otf it, as if ploughed in time tlie frosts would bring it right for a seed-bed. He hoped to have learned something from Mr. Smith's paper about the best means of wintering lambs on heavy farms. Last winter his sheep had so many cricket-balls hanging to their bellies, that he was obliged to have them cracked over with a mallet (laughter) ; and tromthe continuous wet weather he was at last obliged to fold them on grass-laud, which he considered better than getting them in upon straw. He quite agreed with Mr. Smith that what would tend most to benefit the community as regarded the supply of meat was for every farmer to consult liis own individual profit. That was a point which should always be borne in mind by the members of that Club ; for by it they would thus become farmers, and at the same time render greater service to the country (Hear, hear). He had hoped that Mr. Smith would tell them how they might increase their stock of poultry. He had heard a good deal of late about the production of poultry iu Erauce, and the enormous quantity of eggs that was sent over to this country. He had endeavoured to improve his own poultry, and with that view he gave 3d. a liead to his heuwife for all that was sent to market ; but he was not satisfied with the result, lie was told that iu France there was a system of boiling up dead horses for the purpose of feeding in some cases as many as a thousand hens that were confined to a certain space. He could never get the full par- ticulars, but he believed that a sort of mess was made up with the soup, aud that the hens were then fed upon this animal food, and that this caused them to lav many more eggs than they otherwise would do. He (Mr. AVood) could never get any profit out of his poultry, though he kept his own table sup- plied, being very fond of chickens (laughter) : nor did he believe that any farmer who had much land derived profit front that source. He was told that some people living in towns made a great profit by keeping hens, but for his own part he did not believe farmers generally could obtain any profit. In all such matters, however, it was of course necessary for farmers to adapt themselves to the position in which they were placed. Mr. James ThoMxVS (late of Lidlingtou), said: Last time he read a paper before that Club he went at length into the question of laying arable lands down to grass under a green crop, and he pointed out the method of proceeding which was now universal in the southern part of Scotland and the northern part of England, near where the two borders met — ■ namely, laying grass down with rape during March, April, and ]\Iay. The effect of this was that iu the autumn, very soon after the rape was eaten off, there was a quantity of young grass seed to feed off, aud the benefit was seen in the following year, and for years after. He believed that where a great object in view was to increase the quantity of meat to supply the markets, it would be found that no plan was so good as that of laying clover down with a green crop, Uke rape or cole seed, and afterwards breaking-up the land when it had been laid down for two or three years continuously with white straw. To enter fully into the question of increasing the supply of animal food would require a very long discussion, but he had risen simply to explain to Mr. Wood what he conceived to be the best way of laying grass down so as to produce a larger amount of food for sheep. The problem how they might pro- duce the largest amount of mutton had, iu his opinion, been solved in Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire ; for he did not be- lieve it possible to produce a larger quantity than was produced at the present time in the Wolds of Lincolnshire and on the Cotswold Hills. Keeping grass down for two or three years consecutively, when it was laid down judiciously, must be bet- ter-for the production of mutton than the old four-course system. Mr. J. A. Williams (Baydou, Hungerford) said he thought Mi. Smith had answered the question raised by the terms of the subject as stated on the card by suggesting the adoption of the five-course instead of the four-course system, aud now that the wheat crop was positively not worth growing, the public, and not the farmers, benefiting by the growth of wligat, it became a question whether the system may not on all light lands he generally adopted. Under the five-course system they might save a good deal as regarded artificial manure, the manure being produced in the shape of the extra green crop. Another question was how the green crop was to be produced. There were many ways in which it might be done. As re- garded what Mr. Thomas recommended, he would like to know what became of the rape root after the rape had been eaten ofl'. The roots would not be extinguished when the crop had been eaten by the sheep. Mr. TnoMAS : You should not leave it too long; you should try aud get it off early enough. Mr. Williams continued : There were seasons in which it might be very advantageous to put Italian rye grass with rape to a moderate extent for feeding. He had seen two or three instances this season ; in fact, he had himself had recourse to that system, and he believed that even oilcake was uot superior in its effects to rape and Italian rye grass wlieu the rape was in bloom. The present season had been favourable for that system. He found it answer well to take in the first place a crop of peas, harvest them as early as possible — you will have the peas and fodder for the feeding of cattle — then plough and cultivate well for rape ; drill it in with plenty of manure, and sow one bushel of Italian rye grass seed per acre, aud then in the spring they produced the crop which he had mentioned. This year he meant to feed it off again, and then he would let the land become fallow for wheat. Mr. Campbell, of Byscot Park, had also sown Italian rye grass without a corn crop, with tlie exception of two bushels of oats per acre ; aud he believed it was a practice to cut the crop for hay in the first year. He got very good rye grass under those circumstances. Another peculiarity under Mr. Campbell's practice — he (Mr. Williams) could uot say whether it would answer or uot, but he hoped that it would, as great expense was incurred — was that, in order to grow twice or thrice the usual quantity, nitrate of soda was used to an enormous extent, and irrigation was about to ^be largely THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 495 resorted to. Mr. Smith had spoken of feeding with treacle or malt. Now, tlie Chancellor of the Exchequer, as Mr. Smith reminded them, based his opiuiou with regard to the efficacy of malt on the report of Dr. Thompson on the feeding of two cows. Tlie agricultural interest had been trifled with, in regard to that matter ; for while Dr. Thompson said that malt was of no use for feeding purposes or for milk ; another person (Mr. J . B. Lawes) who was employed by the Govern- ment, declared tliat the only benefit which he found from feeding with malt was that it increased the quantity of mOk (Hear, hear). That under such contUtions the C'lian- eeUor of the Exchequer should he able to rely upon his pro- teges in retaining the malt duty, proved that tl\e agricultural interest was in the House of Commons thrown to the winds (cheers). Mr. Smith had justly remarked that they required a Minister of Agriculture in that House. For the last three or four years — to go no further back — the agricultural interest had been overlooked in the reduction of taxation, whilst every other interest had been benefited, and now that we had the next claim for relief from the injustice of the j\Ialt- tax, we were told that the Xn/iounl Belt must be reduced before that could be accomplished. It was therefore time to speak out on this subject ; and he hoped all the farmers' clubs in the kingdom would demand with one voice the appoint- ment of a Minister of Agriculture (cheers) . Mr. T. B. DRiJfG (Claxby, Spilsby) thought that while some farmers might usefnlly follow Mr. Smith's recommen- dations, there were others to whom it would he dangerous to attempt to produce more animal food than they were doing. He agreed with Mr. Smith that there was a large acreage of land that ought to produce four times the amount of animal food that it did ; and especially was that the case in Suft'olk, where there was a large quantity of mixed and free soU on a tenacious clay bottom that was well adapted for roots, hut so full of water that roots could not be grown, or if they can grow could not be fed oft'. In such cases it woidd generally he found that the occupier had not sufficient capital to drain the land so as to bring it into a proper state for growing roots ; and capital was required also to cover the land with stock when it had been drained. Hpw that impediment was to be overcome he did not know, the difficulty being increased in many cases by the fact of the land having been in the occupation of the same family for a very long period, and that the landlord, thougli he would not turn out the tenant, would not advance capital for improvements. As regarded rabbit warrens, he would observe that what Mr. Smith said on the subject seemed well worthy of attention. There were some places where rabbit warrens might be kept with advantage, and others \^here they certainly ought not to exist. Tiiey ought not to exist in the Lincolnshire AVolds ; hnt when he was a boy thousands of acres of land in Lin- colnshire consisted of rabbit warrens ; and he knew instances in wliich the breaking up of a warren had greatly benefited the land, and led to a large production of corn. An old friend of his exported some rabbits from Maidenwell to a mountain- ous part of Wales, and two or three thousand acres of hilly laud were occupied by raljbits with great advantage to the owner. The CiiAiRMAJf, in winding up the discussion, said he could not help expressing his regret at the thinness of the attendance. He had hoped that that subject would bring together farmers from all parts of the country ; he had hoped to see a large number of breeders, and summer graziers, and winter graziers ; for he thought one of the best means of increasing the supply of meat was a division of labour, which was necessary in their business as well as in others. This country was particularly favourable to the purpose of dividing the systems of breeding and feeding cattle. The dilFerent geological districts in this coun- try, succeeding one another rapidly from \Aest to east, pointed out to them, he thought, the best modes of proceeding to adopt : showing that on the west coast, where there were hills and abundance of moisture, they should breed ; that in the mid- land counties, where there was fine grazinsc-laud, they should summer-graze ; and that in the east, where there was fine land for growing roots, they should winter-feed. He thought that system of variation was better than the one advocated by Mr. Conssraaker, of that of every man breeding his own cattle and feeding them (Hear, hear). Those who Uved in the west would have a ditliculty in increasing their animals for want of suffi- cient straw, which was required not only to feed stock, but also to litter it in winter. As regarded sheep, where they were kept to too large an extent, the liabihty to disease was increased, and he believed that the losses among sheep, of which they heard last autumn, were owing in a great degree to their having been kept too thickly on the land (Hear, hear). Graziers now complained that young stock were fed so well by the breeders that they could not improve them. He thought the best way of obviating that objection would be for the graziers themselvea to improve their mode of management (Hear, hear). It would not do to say to the breeders : " You must not keep your ani- mals so well : you must go backward rather tlian forward." But he thought it was very possible fur the graziers so to im- prove their management as to keep young animals up to the mark when they liad bought them in a good condition (cheers). Those who bred and fed their own cattle had no difficuhy in getting them fattened at two years old ; but when breeders wanted to sell them at a year old, graziers refused to buy them, on the ground that they were of no use to them — that they could do nothing with tliem. That implied that_ breeders ought to keep their stock in a poor condition. A similar re- ma'rk applied to sheep. He really did not see how there was to be a division of labour unless the graziers in the midland counties kept animals bitter. The case was similar as re- garded those who hved further east, and wiuter-fed. It was found there that more profit could be got out of old animals ; but they were getting scarcer, he believed, every day. As regarded early maturity, while on the one hand it w^as said that it ought to be encouraged, on the other hand it was argued that they should not consume animals as lambs and calves. Why it seemed to him that that was the essence of early maturity (Hear, hear). A friend of his had sold lambs lately at 45s. a-head. Surely that was early maturity (laughter) ; and as long as people would give such a high price for lamb and veal, it \Aas the place of farmers to supply the public with them (Hear, hear). As regarded the course of farming, he thought that as the time had come when meat-growing paid much better than corn-growing, it became them to consider how they could grow green-crops to greater advantage. It was seven years ago since the five-course system was first advocated in that Club. In 1859, Mr. Owen Wallis read a Paper, recom- mencUng— not indeed what Mr. Smith had recommended that evening, but the five-course system— the growing of two grain crops after the green-crop, and tlien seeds. The tillage- lands had now got into .such fine condition, that the seed-crop failed to grow, if sown with barley, beiug the first crop after green crop, hut it was easy to substitute two green crops for this course. He found great benefit after turnips were eaten oft' by sheep in the growth of mangold wurzel. In his moist climate, mangold wurzel would not grow unless it were cultivated very highly indeed, and he had found that the best mode of growing it was by sowing it after the turnip-crop. It had been remarked that the sowing of grass immediately after the corn-crop was not new, but he thought it was new in connectiou with the ordinary five-course system. Mr. Smith recommended that grass-land should be manured and improved, so as to enable it to support an increased quan- tity of stock. Now, that was a rather diflicult matter. It Was easy to improve arable land by means of artificial manure, the use of which, in that case, would pay ; but, in the case of grass- land they must use farm-yard manure, and it was difiicult to increase the supply. As to pigs, he must say that he had found them very useful animals. No animal seemed to him to pay better for what he received than his friend the pig, and tlie manure was valuable. Mr. HoBERT Smith, having briefly replied— On the motion of Mr. J. A. Williams, seconded by Mr. J. Tyler, thanks were voted to him for his introduction. On the motion of Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. Skeltou, a vote of thanks was then awarded to the Chairman, and this terminated the proceedings. POTATO TOPS AS A TOP-DRESSING. — In " Flint's Grasses and Forage Plants" it is stated that a practical farmer, who raised early potatoes for market, was in the habit of drawing the tops before they were dead, early in August, on to his mowing land and spreading them on the grass with very great advantage. He found the tops from an acre of potatoes sufficient to top-dress an acre of mowing land, and the effect was equal to three or four cords of good manure. M M 2 496 THi; FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. Monthly Couijcil : Wednesday, May 2, 1800. — Present — Lord Tredegar, president, in the chair ; Earl Catheart, tlie Earl of Shrewsbury, tlie Earl of Powis, Lord Beruers, Lord Feversham, Lord Walsiughani, Major-Gen. the Hon. A. N. Hood, the Hon. A. H. Vernon, Sir J. V. B. Jolinstone, Bart., M.P. ; Sir A. K. Macdonald, Bart. ; Sir J. V. Shelley, Bart. ; Sir Watkiu W. Wynn, Bart., M.P. ; Mr. Acland, M.P. ; Mr. Amos, Mr. Baruett, Mr. Barthropp, Mr. Bowly, Mr. Cautrell, Colonel Clialloner, Mr. Clayden, Mr. Lent, M.P. ; Mr. Driice, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, Mr. Hamond, Mr. Holland, M.P. ; Mr. Hoskyns, Mr. Hutton, Mr. Jonas, Colonel Kingscote, M.P. ; Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Pain, Mr. llandell, Mr. Ivigden, Mr. Sanday, Mr. Slmttleworth, Mr. U. S. Thompson, Mr. Torr, M. Turner, Mr. Wallis, Mr. Jacob Wilson, Professor Wilson, Mr. Frere, and Dr. Voelcker. The following new Members were elected : — Corbett, Richard John, Cirencester. Herbert, Major Edmund, Llansantffraed House, Abergavenny. Marsh, John Josiah, Hawkedon Hall, Clare, Suffolk. Smith, Richard Sadler, Broad Hintou, Swindon. FoANCEs. — Major-General the Hon. A. N. Hood pre- sented tlie report of the Committee, from whicli it appeared that the Secretary's receipts during the jiast month had been examined by the Committee, and by Messrs. Quitter, Ball, & Co., the Society's accountants, and were found correct. The balance in the hands of the bankers on April 30 was £1,424 Is. 9d. Discussions. — The following arrangements for the weekly meetings of the Council were announced : — Wednesday, May 30, The Supply of Meat to large Towns ; Wednesday, June 13, subject not decided on. Siiow-YAKD Contract. — Mr. Randell presented the re- port, recommending- that Mr. PoUard's tender for the erection of the entrances and adjoining portable buildings be accepted, and that the surveyor prepare the necessary agreement to be executed by the Secretary and Mr. Pollard. This report was adopted. Agricultural Education. — The Earl of Powis having moved that tlie Education Committee be authorised to offer for 1800 the same amount of prizes in connection with the Cam- bridge Local Examinations as were offered in 1805, the motion was seconded by Mr. Thompson. Mr. Holland, M.P., then moved as an amendment, that no further grant be made for Society's prizes in connection with Oxford and Cambridge local examinations. On a division, 18 noes to 11 ayes decided against the amendment, and 19 ayes to 13 noes declared in favour of Lord Powis's motion. Mr. Holland, M.P., having withdrawn the motion of which he had given notice relative to an application for an amended Charter, Mr. Thompson moved that a committee be appointed to consider the existinj: provisions of the Charter, and report whether in their opinion it is advisable to make any alterations therein ; to this Sir John Shelley moved the following addi- tion— but that no alteration of the Charter be brought before the Committee other than the words " or which shall refer to any matter to be brought forward or at any time pending in eitlier of our Houses of Parliament." The rider was seconded by Lord Feversham, but, on a show of hands, only 5 ayes were in favour of it, and Mr. Thompson's motion was carried by 29 votes. The following noblemen and gentlemen were appointed as the Charter Committee : — The President, Earl Catheart, the Earl of Powis, Sir J. V. Shelley, Bart., Mr. Acland, M.P., Mr. Dent, M.P., Mr. Holland, M.P., Mr. Hoskyns, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Torr. House List. — Agreeably with the bye-laws the Council arranged liy ballot the following election-list, to be recom- mended by them for adoption at the ensuing General Meeting on the 22nd inst Attendances (from the Rising of the Newcastle Meeting, in 1864, to the Present Time). NAMES. Monthly Councils. Total, 23. Amos, Charles Edwards, 5, Cedar's Road, Clapham Common, Surrey . Barthropp, Nathaniel George, Hacheston, Wickham Market, Suffolk Bowly, Edward, Siddington House, Cirencester, Gloucestershire Chesham, Lord, Latimer, Cliesham, Bucks Clive, Geo., M.P. (elected June 7, 1805), Perrystone, Ross, Herefordsh Druce, Joseph, Eynsham, Oxford Gibbs, B. T. Brandreth, Half-moon Street, Piccadilly, London, W. .. Holland, Edward, M.P., Dumbleton Hall, Evesham, Worcestershire Horusby, Richard, Grantham ... Hoskyns, Chandos Wren, Harewood, Ross, Herefordshire Hutton, William, Gate Burton, Gainsboro', Lincolnshire Jonas, Samuel, Chrishall Grange, Saffron Wulden, Essex Kerrison, Sir Edw. Clarence, Bart., M.P., Brome Hall, Scole, Suffolk Lawes, John Bennett, Rothamsted, St. Alban's, Ilerti Lawrence, Charles, Cirencester, Gloucestershire Macdonald, Sir Arch. Keppel, Bt., Woolmer Lod»e, Liphook, Hants . Randell, Charles, Cliadbury, Evesham, Worcestershire Read, Clare Sewell, M.P., Houingham, Thorpe, Norwich ... Richmond, His Grace the Duke of. Goodwood, Chichester ... Sanday, William, Holmepierrepont, Notts Shrewsbury and Talbot, Earl of, Ingestre Halj, Staffordshire" bhuttleworth, Joseph, Hartsholme Hall, Lincoln Smith, Robert, Emmett's Grange, Southmolton, Devon r,r n S'li-'-,, '''^' Tredegar, Newport, Monmouthshire... Wells, William, liolmewooj, IVterljorougli, Northainplonsbire 5 9 12 8 1 13 15 13 11 10 7 7 0 15 0 13 10 11 Special Councils. Total, 4. The Council tlicu adjourned to Tuesday, the 15th inst., at 1 p.ii. for 1 Weekly Comm Councils. Total, No. of 23. Meetings. 4 17 20 2 13 11 "i i'o 5 47 8 49 0 45 3 -v- 0 13 35 1 5 1 1 14 4 47 "i is 3 17 3 i 13 6 20 Attend- ances. 3 13 9 7 12 37 37 12 "4 21 4 40 9 3 10 11 lie coiupletiou of their report to Ihe General Meeting TILE LWRMER'S MAGAZINE. 4W TENURE AND IMPROVEMENT OP LAND IN IRELAND. Tlicrc is no question that can be discussed with more coutiuual advantage than the relations between hiudlord and tenant. It is a subject, so far as the interests of agriculture are concerned, that never wears out. There is no local club nor even parish dinner but. may be made susceptible of some good in this way ; carrying, as any such conversation would, the lesson home to a man's own door. It is remarkable, moreover, that all the iuiprovc- ment effected of late years has been brought about almost entirely by such au agency— that is to say, by talking the matter over. We have done little more than talk ; but, nevertheless, a deal has been done. The late Mr. Philip Puscy's Bills never passed, but were one after another re- jected by the Upper House; yet, still the object was by no means defeated. The incessant exertions of iMr. Pusey him- self, supported as these were by the evidence organized under the direction of the Farmers' Club, scattered infor- mation far and wide throughout the country, and know- ledge in this instance was certainly power. From that very date the landlords and the tenantry of England have been gradually coming to a better understanding with each other, as the former and their agents began to more thoroughly coropreheud the nature of the claims advanced or the character of the concessions i-cquired of them. There are hundreds and thousands of estates where a more liberal feeling has almost imperceptibly, if not unwit- tingly, been developed by the Tenant Right movement of Mr. Pusey and his coadjutors. And yet this rallying cry was not without its terrors. A large majority, indeed, of the landowners of England were fairly frightened by the mere sound of such a signal, associatiug it as they did, in their ignorance of its intention, with a more political agitation in the sister kingdom. We were the first to feel and to recognize this disadvantage, as our constant endeavour has been to draw the strongest possible line between the Tenant-right of England and the Tenant- right of Ireland. In truth, we never see the Irish land- lord iind tenant question coming on in the House, but we wish that, for the nonce at any rate, Ireland had a Par- liament of her own, where difficulties so peculiar to the habits of her people might be adjusted by those who understood them, and not confounded with usages, which, however similar in name, possess but few other points of resemblance. On this side of the Channel a debate on the Irish tenure of land is something more than unprofit- able— at least to those not directly concerned in the con- sidei'ation, as, indeed, this does not often lead to any material good to any one. There is just such a discussion being proceeded with, at present, over what is termed the "Tenure and Improvement of Land (Ireland) Bill," and as to the principles of which measure the Irish members themselves are anything but agreed ; while the English join in, or rather essay to lead the debate with the most extraordinary harangues, making confusion worse eon- founded, and overwhelming the question with their elo- quence and ignorance. Let any man who has not studied the subject of land tenure seek to enlighten himself by such speeches as those delivered on Friday, one after another, by 2>Ir. Lowe and Islv. Stuart Mill ; or let any man who may think he does know something of the prac- tical bearings of such a subject, point his own intelligence by the perusal of these two companion addresses. Re- fined, elaborate, and learned we will allow them to be ; but beyond this they do little more than inextricably entangle two interests that shoidd be kept as carefully separate as possible — that is, if any advantage is to come to either. So tangled a skein, in short, did the thread of the story eventually become, that Mr. Sewell Read, as an English farmer, joined in with a commentary on tlie system of English tenure, applicable as it may be some day or other to the system of Irish tenure; whereas the two arc, so far, as dillcreutas dark from light. In Ireland Tenant-right means, or for a long period was intended to mean, fixity of tenure, and nothing has in Ireland tended so much to retard improvement as this same security of possession. As Lord Naas said, on Friday, " A great portion of the land of the country was at present held by tenants upon long leases extending over three lives. The estate with which he was connected was held by a large number of leases ; and he would ask any gentleman acquainted with the circumstances of Ireland, whether from his knowledge he coivld say that there was greater disposition on the part of the occupiers of lands held under long leases to improve them, than was manifested by tenants-at-will. He maintained that a traveller through the country, if he were to make inqui- ries at the farms most wretchedly kept, would frequently Iind that they were held for the longest terms." Here in England, on the contrary, lixity of tenure, if we can altogether acknowledge so distasteful a term, has led to the most signal improvements. Men who hold on long leases, or by custom, as in Lincolnshire and parts of Yorkshire, from life to life, have done everything to ad- vance. Fixity of tenure has, in fact, in Ireland been used by the tenant more or less as a weapon of defiance ; whereas in England it has pretty generally conduced to strengthen the good feeling between the two classes. Then, again, this very Bill stipdates that the occupier shall set about no improvements until he has obtained the consent of the owner. But what are improvements ? Here in Eng- land we have put them under two separate headings — per- manent and temporary — it being understood that it is the duty of the landlord to do the one, and the tenant the other. In Ireland, on the contrary, it would seem very frequently to be the duty of the tenant to do everything ; and hence his having to obtain the sanction of the land- lord, pot to a mere act of husbandry, but for some more costly outlay. All this, though, is anything but clearly put. In England, the Teuant-Right movement is gra- dually, but certainly getting to great liberty of action. The actual agreement becomes simplified by the recogni- tion of a wholesome custom ; and so long as the tenant pays his way, and the two contracting agree to an arbitration on quitting, a fanner that can be trusted with possession should also be left to farm pretty much as he pleases. The old lawyer's office agreement, that stipulated for this and that, is going fast out of fashion amongst us ; but in Ire- land an Act of Parlianicnt is to impress upon the tenant the necessity of his continually consulting his landlord as to what he should or what he should not do. Of course there are all sorts of collatei-al questions that arise here ; such as the ability of the Irish landlords to perform their own proper share of the duties, the disinclination of the tenants to do too much with the fear of an eviction or surcharge before their eyes, and so forth. But these are more or less traceable to the ditferent characters and different circumstances of the people ; and we must again and again insist that the system of land-tenure in Eng- land and in Ireland can only be considered to advantage as two distinct questions ; a point, indeed, that is ad- mitted by the distinct measures introduced, if not observed as it should be in the conduct of the debates thereon.— Mark Lane Express, 498 THE FABMER'S MAGAZINE. ROYAL MEETING AT BURY ST. EDMUNDS. Sir, — 111 a paper before the members of the Farmers' Club in London, " On Agricultural Sho\ys ami their influence on Agricultural Progress," the author, Mr. A. Crosskill, said, " The dilference between holding large meetings in towns possessing railways, and going to places without such conve- nience, was forcibly felt by visitors to tlie lloyal Show at Slirewsbury in ISIS, where the trouble, delays, and losses caused by a partial return to the old system of coaching and post-horses dwelt long in the memories of those upon whom they were inflicted. Perhaps a latent desire to give the pre- sent generation a slight specimen of what their predecessors endured may have been among the motives which caused the Council of the Royal Agricultural Societi? to fix the next country meeting at Bury St. Edmunds — a little town, pos- sessing only a single line on a branch railway notoriously inadequate to the exigencies of such a traffic as the Royal Meeting invariably causes. It is, however, to be hoped that the respite of twelve months, caused by the lamentable disease now devastating our herds, will be taken advantage of by all concerned in providing the requisite accommodation ; so that those members of Council and their friends, who, amid a storm of adverse criticism, have steadily maintained that the decision was a right one, may have their opinions justified by the result." I must confess, when I liad read these remarks of Mr. Crosskill's, I felt astounded. One would have thought a person like Mr. Crosskill, reading a paper before such a body as the Farmers' Club, and taking upon himself the responsi- bility of lecturing the Royal Agricultural Society of England for choosing Bury St. Edmunds for their next meeting, would at least have looked into the matter, and have made himself a little acquainted with the railway and other accommodation which exists in our to\vn, before saying what he did ; but I have no hesitation in saying Mr. Crosskill could not have done any such thing, or it would not have been possible for any one who had the slightest regard for truth to make such statements before such a public body ; and I quite think with Professor Coleman that Mr. Crosskill, although a great traveller, must have travelled with his eyes shut. Mr. H. Corbet truly said, he felt that " Mr. Crosskill had been all the while building up a wonderful pile — only to pull it down again." I will, with your permission, sir, in the few remarks I have to make, just prove to your readers that the wonderful pile built up by Mr. Crosskill, in the shape of his remarks about Bury St. Edmunds and its railway accommodation, as quoted above, had no foundation at all, and it will not be very difficult in consequence to cause this pile to tumble to pieces also, and if Mr. Crosskill has not been more particular on the other subjects contained in his paper, I must confess I see but little cause for congratulating liim. I may state here the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society decided to hold their annual meeting for 1866 in the Eastern Counties— comprising, I think, Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Huntingdonshire, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire, and were prepared to receive applications from towns in these several^ counties, with a view of choosing the best place. Now, Essex, Huntingdonshire, Hertfordshire, and Cambridge- shire made no application at all to the Council for their visit ; m tact, put in no appearance whatever. It was only Bury St. Edmunds and Ipswich, representing Suffolk and Norwich, and Lynn, representing Norfolk, that put in an appearance, and applied to the Council for the visit. So when the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society met to decide the respective claims and merits of these four places, it is evident they were left to choose one tow7i of these four. Now, the Council icnew the Royal Agricultural Society had visited Cambridge ; It iiacl also visited Chelmsford, representing Essex ; it had also visited Norwich representing Norfolk ; but it had never visited Suffolk. The Council therefore, first of all, had to de- cide whether they would prefer Suffolk or Norfolk (the only counties that made application), and tliey decided upon visiting the former county. Then they liad to consider the respective Claims of the two towns in this county, Bury St. Edmunds and Ipswieli ; and, after hearing evidence on both sides, they decided upon Bury St. Edmunds for their visit in 1866. Now, I suppose the gentlemen forming the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society cannot be charged by Mr. Cross- kill with acting in any way contrary to straightforwardness and impartiality in a decision of this kind, for they could have no feeling in the matter. Well, then, if he cannot so charge them, he can only say " it was an error of judgment" — it must be one of these two causes. It wiU not take me long to show the Council were perfectly justified in choosing Bury St. Edmunds over Ipswich ; that it was no error of judgment; that they made themselves tlioroughly conversant with the railway facilities of both places, and inspected at both places the proposed sites for the showyard (a deputation being sent down for that purpose) : my remarks will show, in fact, the Council are right, and that Mr. CrosskiU's remarks are contrary to the truth, and his objections only exist on the paper on which he wrote them. i'irst, then, as to his illustration of the Shrewsbury Meet- ing in 1845. I gather from this that there was no railway at Shrewsbury at that time ; " but that coaching and post- horses" had to be resorted to, to convey the numerous visitors to the Society's meeting at this place from the nearest railway stations. Now, let us just see what grounds Mr. Crosskill has for comparing Shrewsbury in 1845 with Bury St. Edmunds in 1867 in point of railway accommodation. We have, sir, " three" railways to London from Bury St. Edmunds, viz., one via Ipswich, one via Sudbury, and one via Cambridge ; and I find by turning to the Great Eastern time- table book for April (and whicli Mr. Crosskill could have bought for one penny), tlie following trains run from Bury to Loudon daily : From Bury to Lon- From Bury to F'rom Bury to don via Cam- London via London lid bridge. Ipswich. Sudbury. 7.50 a.m. 6.30 a.m. 7.30 a.m. 11.45 a.m. 9.0 a.m. 10.25 a.m. 3.50 p.m. 11.40 a.m. 3.20 p.m. 5.40 p.m. 2.45 p.m. 4.15 p.m. 5.0 p.m. I may add the 9 a.m. train via Ipswich waits at Ipswich for the 12.5 train, and the 5.40 p.m. train r/« Cambridge waits at Cambridge for the mail. We have also twelve trains from Loudon to Bury daily, and the number of course will be in- creased each way when the show takes place. I will now give your readers the trains leaving Ipswich for London. I find by the same time-table the following : Trains from Ipswich to London. 1.20 a,ra 1.25 p.m. 8.17 a.m 4.0 p.m, 8.30 a.ra 5.55 p.m. 12.5 a.m and seven from London to Ipswich, the railway {via Cam- bridge) to Bury is single to Newmarket, then double to Cam- bridge, and the railway via Sudbury is single to Sudbury, while the railway via Ipsvpich is double all the way to Lon- don. Now, what, may I ask Mr. Crosskill, becomes of his statement of Bury St. Edmunds possessing only a " single line on a branch railway," and comparing it to Shrewsbury in 1845, with no railway ? Again : The London and North Western, the Great North- ern, and the Midland aU run into Cambridge now, and from Cambridge to Bury is only one hour's ride by rail by ordinary trains, and about, say, half-an hour by express train. But we will suppose for one moment that the Council had decided upon Ipswich ; what would have been the consequence ? Why, simply this : all the visitors coming from the north viet Peter- borough (and Mr. Crosskill would be one), and by the before- mentioned railways, Avould have' to come to Cambridge, and THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 499 would actually have to pass Bury St. Eilinuuds station in order to get to Ipswich, Ipswich being some two-and-a-half hours' ride by rail from Cambridge, aud Bury only half that time by ordinary trains ; while from both sides of Norfolk Bury is easily reached ; but at Ipswich it would be the reverse, for the people living on one side would absorb their day in travel- ling. And in July, 1SG7 it is expected another new railway will be opened, viz., from Bury to Thetford. Bury is, in fact, the very centre of the eastern counties (see Bradshaw's map) . It is a first-rate agricultural district, and for good farming they (the farmers) will bear comparison with any in Great Britain ; and the town and neighbourhood were the first to move in securing tlie Royal, and in one week from the time the move was made the requisite fund was ready to be guaran- teed to the Society, viz., i;;i,000. Also the show-yard will be only five minutes' walk from the railway station and town, which was quite the reverse at Ipswich ; while at Ipswich the Council would have laid themselves open to the objection Mr. Crosskill makes indirectly against the Society, when he says : " But the extreme corners of the land cannot engross ever- lasting attention, and we may reasonably," he says, " look forward to the next few years for places of meeting more con- venient to the great bulk of the agricultural public." Well, I have, I think, shown that Bury " is a convenient place for meeting ; that instead of only having a single line, we have three different lines, and by the time the show comes shall have four. " One word more and 1 am done as regards the railway question. To those of your readers who visited Plymouth show, and have not yet visited Bury (and I think Mr. Crosskill himself will count one under this head), I say that our station is as large again as Plymouth ; that the objection of having only a single line of railway is a dream of Mr. Crosskill's, who must have been thinking of Plymouth, which really only possesses a single line of railway (the double line only going as far as Totnes or Newton Abbott) ; so, in point of railway accommodation, we are far superior to Ply- mouth. At the outset, the Great Eastern board of directors promised our corporation, by official letter, that every facility should ])e afforded in the shape of railway arrangement, if the council of the Royal fixed upon Bury. They did fix upon Bury, in preference to Ipswich. The facts I have related came before their notice, and justified tJieni in the decision they came to. It is true, Mr. Crosskill does not mention Ipswich ; but Ipswich and Bury are the only two towns of note in the county ; and visiting this, the county of Suffolk, they visit a county they have not visited before. I have shown that Mr. Crosskill's charges against the Society and Council, for " fixing upon a town with otjJy a single line of railway," is devoid of truth entirely. I will now notice the other objections he makes against Bnry St. Edmunds ; and it will not be difficult to show he has built up another wonderful pile without any foundation. He says " it is a little town." AVell, we can only judge by comparisons with former towns the Society have visited. Bury St. Edmunds is about twice the size of Chelmsford. It is much larger, and contains more inhabitants, and is a more important town than either Salisbury, Canterbury, or Warwick ; and if we add Chester and Worcester, I can say fearlessly (for I know all these places well, and have not travelled with eyes shut) that Bury St. Edmunds is far superior to all these places m point of hotels and otlier accommodation. Bury is proverbial for its good hotels. Take the "Angel Hotel:" there is not an hotel in any of the places I have mentioned that can be compared to the " Angel." Then we have the " Suffolk," the " One Bell," II Everard's Hotel," " The Half-Moon," " The Six Bells," and " Three Kings," all first-class hotels, and several others nearly as good. As regards private accommodation, if will be found that we are better-off in this respect than Leeds, Newcastle, or Ply- mouth. It IS well known to all who visited these three last- named places that it was almost a matter of impossibility to procure private lodgings at aU. Those who had large houses, and could, if they Uked, afford the accommodation, declined to do it, on the grounds " that they were above it, and did not choose to have their domestic arrangements upset for a con- sideration ;" others lived in houses only of sucli a size that precluded them from letting lodgings. The result was, in the two former towiis, although large (and would come up to Mr. Crosskill's standard)— "I know as regards myself and the gentleman I acted for "—I p«id the highest price for lodgings and got the worst accomuiodatiou for oiii' money than in any place I had been before ; while at Plymouth I could not pro- cure comfortable private lodgings at all, and had to stay, for the first time, with our party at an hotel, where we were very comfortable ; but others were not so comfortable, for there was no alternative but to go to hcrtels ; and the consequence was, they were — to use a phrase — " choked up." I know, at one, they frequently had to wait two hours for their breakfasts. I mention these circumstances to show that Mr. Crosskill's idea that it is only large towns that are capable of affording accommodation for the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting is a wrong one, and quite contrary to ray experience. The twelvemonths' grace given us Mr. Crosskill alludes to, as affording us time to make up for our deficiencies in affording accommodation, does not apply, as ample accommodation already exists. Mr. Crosskill, I should say, has never visited Bury, and we therefore decline to accept his opinion as to whether Bury can afford accommodation or not. I have said more than I intended to do at the outset ; but I may just add in conclusion, I think Mr. Crosskill's conduct is much to be deprecated. If he had made these remarks before a meeting in his own little obscure town, they would have carried no weight ; but when made before such a body as the Farmers' Club, and going forth as they do under their auspices uncontradicted, they necessarily carry a weight with them which they otherwise would not do. I say it is only under such circumstances they become important, and would of course be taken as facts. I have felt it my duty, therefore, to dispute altogether Mr. CrosskiU's statements about Bury St. Edmunds, and state they are contrary to the fact ; and if he had looked into it and made some enquiries before-hand, he never would have said what he did. I tliiuk the Royal Agricultural Society ought to have noticed them for this reason : Suppose no one had noticed Mr. Crosskill's statements at all, they would have been taken as facts ; and what would be the consequence ? Why, just this : people would have been frightened to visit the Royal Agricultural Society's meeting at Bury — " only a single line of rail, a little town with no accommodation" they would say : "No, I shall uof^ go this time." At the same time, these re- marks are contrary to facts ; and Bury and the Society too have just cause for complaining in consequence, for both would be sufferers if Mr. Crosskill's remarks were to go forth uncontradicted. Our town and neighbourhood will be put to the expense altogether of some £7,000 in receiving and entertaining the Society. Each aud all are quite ready and willing to do their part in making the show a success for the Society and a credit to the town, but Mr. Crosskill's remarks are calculated to re- verse all this, and render it in fact a complete failure. If they had been true, we could not have grumbled ; but as they are not, we have a right to remonstrate, and to say for a person to make such statements without first making inquiries, he de- serves to be exposed and put right, especially when there is so much at stake, and I hope, if he should ever read another paper at the Earmers' Club, he will exercise more care, and not make statements first and institute inquiries afterwards. Apologising for this long letter,! am, sir, yours faithfully, J. Le Butt, Representative of Robert Boby. Bmy S(. EclmuiuU. THE CHIPPING SQUIRREL.— The burrow of the chipping squirrel is rather complicated in structure, and is always- made under the shelter of a wall, an old tree, or a bank. The hole decends almost perpendicularly for nearly a yard, aud then makes several devious windings in a slightly ascending direction. Two or three supplementary galleries are driven from the principal burrow, and by means of them the animal is able to escape almost any foe. The stoat, however, cannot be deceived by this complicated arrangement of tunnels, but winds its lithe body through all the deviating passages, and kills every chipping squirrel whieli it finds. One of these bloodthirsty weasels has been known to enter the burrow of a chi])ping squirrel, and in a shortime to leave it, having in the space of a very few minutes killed six victims, a mother aud five young whose lifeless bodies were found in the nursery when the burrow was opened.— -//owia withoui Hands. By the Rev. J. G. Wood. ' 500 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. THE NEW FARM. Alas ! mine Editor, liow sad I always am to meet you — not but that I Ijelieve you to be uucommouly pleasant company : rather doth my sorrow arise from recollection of tlie irre- coverable weeks and moutlis that waste away between the periods of our correspondence. First and foremost amidst my thoughts there appeareth a vision of that briglit treasure (of whicli I made mention in my last) — tlie unexpected spring we discovered beside the foldyard. Alas ! it hatli not proved altogether an unmixed good ; for a branch line, which, in sinking our well, we failed to encircle and intercept, has worked a bolt-hole by a treacherous seam into tlie basin of the foldyard, which wc liad hitherto fondly imagined to be sound, having had it excavated out of the live rock. How we discovered it was thus : One morning, on our rounds, we were surprised to see a usually snow-white call-duck, that carries her head proudly erect, and is possessed of just that amount of emhoHpo'mt whicli was tlie special admiration of the First Consul, all dyed of a deep purply brown tint by the watermark from her bows around. At first, methought she was but in tlie fashion, and, after the example of her betters, in approved coquettish style, was stepping witli her upper plumage reefed, just so as to exhibit the dainty petticoat be- neath— in her instance, it must be allowed, of an uuwontedly sober hue ; but, then, she's a dear, darling, retiring, little duck, somewhat slow, perhaps, on shore, and superior to vulgar dis- play, even while afraid of being behind in the fashion. Well, she waddles on, and is lost to sight, evidently not quite happy in lier mind, as the bailiif generally remarks of any agitated ani- mal ; when, wonder on wonder ! behold my pet white shorthorn cow, dark buskined to the knee, and having a most unorthodox muzzle ! There is the old white pony, too, .which must have slipped down, being rather shaky on his legs, with a large dark stain upon his quarter, that reminds one of old days, when we wicked lads, at a hard-hearted boarding-school, used to lay a trap of black cherries on the bench in a dim corner, having first set a decoy picture-book upon the desk for mamma's pet, the day-boy in his superb and superfine moleskm trousers. And the pool itself is not the pool of our pride and delight — the pool that we had excavated with so much trouble for the refreshment of our kine and the delectation of tlie ducks. It is a water Ijewitched ! Whatever can have happened ? We call the bailiff. He looketh, and is of a surety surprised ; he kueeleth, and from hollowed palm behold he drinketh (Thank you, that'll do — don't pass it on, please) ; and his decision, after the fair test, not simply of a gulp down, but after a deliberate rinsing of his mouth (most audibly expressive) he pronounccth gravely, " Well, sir, I've drank worse. There's many a time I'd havebeengladofthat,plougliing." "Allright.but it won't suitme, and if you go to the glass you'll see your palate now is as dark as a IJandy Dinmont's ; and your missus will tliink you've been chewing her black-currant jam on the sly." Well, but to be serious, this won't do. We must find out the reason. By steps we trace the mischief to an iUcgal overflow of the fold- yard, owing to that above-mentioned incursion of the spring. It has clearly something to do with the bark that was deposited Irom the tan-yard as an absorbent substratum for the muck- juice. Well, then, we must be cautious lest there be poison in this liquor. There is nothing for it, but \\& must let off the pool — oh ! and that too whicliit has taken so many months to fill, and at a season when the rainfall is due to decline. I mount my hack, and hurry to the tan-yard, where I am in- toriued that there is luckily nothing poisonous in the drink, but that the fluid now is a deep and permanent dye — that some lime must have got to the tannic acid. At once the whole process is intelligible ; for one feeder of the pool is the wash ot a neighbouring road that is repaired with limestone. What a wretched bit of superfluous trouljle do we owe to this meet- ing of the waters ! But I can stand it no longer, and, despite the malt-tax, must drown my care ; for was it not my favourite resort at sunset to watch the pet wild-ducks disporting them- selves lu giatcful enjoyment ? and I was just about to plant for them such a nice sedge corner, where the flies would accu- mulate for the tiny ducklings to peck at. But to adjourn to the other side of the farm, there is an alluvial bank below our garden terrace, the gathered deposit of rich soil frayed away by floods from upward shores. On this, in summer-time, a luxuriant crop of various plants sways gently in the backwater of the hurrying stream. Here, at eventide, as you lean over your boat, you may watch the pro- menade of many a lustrous fish, which iu our AVye it is far easier to behold than to ensnare. Of late the water has been clouded ; but one evening last week there was an assembly of village lads upon the shore, and next morning there was a rumour of unwonted success. We determine to try our luck as well. At last a nibble, clearly, by the float. W^e pull ; but what a weight ! Hurrah ! he's a good one, whatever he may be. Draw gently, for the line may break. Now he is pulling, and no mistake ; and now — woe's me, he's gone ! What a horrid sell ! I feel disgusted and desponding, and am about to wind-up, when again a full weight as ever. He's on again ; coming up, too, gradually. Hurrah ! after all — but again no sign — he's gone — it's disgusting. I'll be off. We wind away at the reel, when again a most tremendous pull, and a renewal of our apprehensions for the line. Again a slack, and again as quickly a tightened strain — he's surely some pounds weight. Come away, then, at aU risks ; I can't be bothered any longer ; and our friend floats up — what think ye ? Why, nothing more nor less than a small dirty flat-fish, who had produced aU this excitement by alternately setting himself upright against stream, when he became weighty, and, when exhausted, sliding obedient to the hook. A flat at both ends, might not Dr. Johnson have remarked, in improvement of his well-known definition of a fisherman ? But on the adjoining meadow I notice tliere wiU soon be a bite sufficient for my precious Shorthorns. Wherefore pre- cious ? for did I not not once speak lightly of the breed, as a transient thing of beauty soon to pass away ? The lapse of years has, however, shown one that there has of late sprung up a line of farmers so fond of the sort, and so skilled in their cultivation, and further, too, that the breed has in it so much promise of ultimate deep milking, as well as fat producing, that I believe it to be now as firmly established in the taste of the nation as cricket and the tlioroughbred horse. What, then, should the young farmer do ? Buy Booth or Bates, and notliing else ? Why, most certainly not ; unless you wisli the breed indeed to wane and dwindle away. Get fixed in your eye one special type of form, such as you may have noticed to have already obtained (as Disraeli said of Peel's quotations) the meed of public approbation ; then, at tlie sales of really weU- desceuded stock, buy such'(not too hastily nor too numerously) heifers as you see of the stamp you love — almost everyone has his own ideas as to the exact form requisite for beauty. Then purchase a bull of noble alliance, and the offspring of parents that are known to transmit their type and likeness strongly. There is much in this. Your object should be to try and breed up a herd of one particular style. So Sir Charles Knightley acted, in his successful aim at a fine shoulder in his animals. It is folly and nonsense to get together for breeding pur- poses a herd of all sorts as regards shape and character, even though they may be stated to come of purest Booth or Bates. Whatever you do breed, try to breed them as like in outward fashion as a handful of beans. Uniformity of fashionable style, so engrained by long and careful cultivation that their young can be relied on to appear (with rare " misfits") of tlie same character also, is, I consider, the mainspring of a success- ful herd, both as regards show prizes and a good auction average. Long pedigrees, of course, you must have to exhibit. But I find I have struck a subject which might fill a volume, and my allotted space is being visibly lessened. I am sorely tempted to lie off, too ; for see now the rain is over, and the sun is out again, and tlie yellow-green arms of the willow glisten as young snakes under its renovating influence. The intermission of shows tlii% year will, I trust, do good by THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 501 obtaining the release from forcing diet of an extra nnm- ber of clioice animals, which, so far as breeding goes, wonld otherwise have been sacrificed. It is very sad that the lirst- prizc breeder is obliged to spoil the reproductive powers of so many of his herd in order to keep up tlie prestige of former successes. The fact is, the buyer must sec what the raw ma- terial wUl be, polished. I believe the plan of exhibiting in store, or at least in reasonably fat condition, was once tried in Suffolk ; but the tiling did not do. The pleasure-seekers com- prehended not the real merits of the animals : they looked only for the beauty of a plump contlition. Wiiat a battue we had among the black-beetles last night again ! I wish some one would kindly suggest a mode of ex- terminating the disgusting horde. For mouths, owiug to their nt)n-appearauce (do they hybernate?), wc had fondly hoped that they were gone for good, having bolted in despair or disgust, as Buckland says rats will ; when one hot night lately, during the small hours (to use an Irishism), as we were taking our round to see that all was safe, we found the kitchen in parts positively black with them again — and such enormous brutes, too ! It is inconceivable that the young fry we used to thin can have so grown, or else there is room for considerable retrenchment in tlie flour-bin. However, in we rush, and lay about us with an extemporised weapon, a golosh ; a grand im- plement, we can assure you, for it doubles back to fetch them out of the deepest corner and the most unlikely ledges. How they did scamper aloug at a glimpse of the light (but it was no use), under the wood-basket, and the duster, and the coal-bin ! All of which having been lifted in turn, down we came with a fatal crush, that soon sadly defiled the kitchen boards. But there was a stone recess alongside the fireplace, a sort of cul- de-sac, into which a legion fled ; and it was pitiable to Ijchold them after the first smack, how they dashed and leaped around, and met our gaze at the one only outlet, and retreated, and how the veterans w«re resigned and quiet. It really went quite against our heart to kill them thus helplessly cooped up ; but then there was the remembrance of the food they spoil, and so the slaughter proceeded, until unenviable indeed was the kitchen-maid's washing-up in the morning. And the missus hears, in confidence from the cook, that master must have been as quick as a cockroach himself to kill such a number. One old fellow amused me much : he lay upon a ledge, en- sconced behind the skirting-boards, with just his head and horns out — unless the candle approached near, when he at once drew back — deliberately watching the slaughter of his clan with ap- parently the most imperturbable coolness. The next morning, however, he was found dead on his shelf. It is possible that he was the moneylender of the community, and sorrowing for his bonds had expired of a broken heart. Since writing the above, Mr. Editor, I am glad to have heard from Mr. Carr, of Stackhouse, that he intends holding periodically at some central place conglomerate sales of Short- horn stock, the .only conditions being that they shall be Jirst-dass aiidsold without resarve. Tiiis is a right good move, from every point of view. Thus will breeders have an oppor- tunity of obtaining young bulls without tlie present bothera- tion of advertising and scouring the country in quest of their requirements, while it will give the long-wanted opportunity of thinning by public competition an overgrown herd, without, as has been hitherto, the disagreable necessity of dispersing to the wide world a combination of elements, just as a good type possibly was being established, which it had taken long years, much care, and money, to accumulate and combine. The enthusiastic breeder of these noble cattle can now, without a breath against his character, reserve for a continuance of long- considered experiments such specimens as had best answered to his mind's modelling, while he gets clear without the sac- rifice which butchers' prices entail of supernumerary lots. It will be our own fault now if we cannot in our several herds establish the form which it most pleases our eye to rest on ; and seeing that minds vary as features, it is but reasonable to conclude that ia a few years' time we shall have the folds and fields of breeders severally exhibiting a more uniform, but distinctive collection tlian has hitherto been tlie case. The wonder is that the plan was not adopted before. I have never but once spoken to INIr. Carr, but I congratulate myself and the Sliorthorn breeders at having for our auctioneer a gentle- man whose integrity and judgment are beyond suspicion. A problem often suggested to my mind, the solution of which was of great importance, recurred again to-day, as I watched a new Samuelson taking its trial trip across the lawn. Wliy is it that a sward of coarsest fibre, or, rather, of coarsest stems, will rapidly be overgrown by a clothing oi^ the dearest little white clover when once a mowing machine has been brougiit to use its cruel, crushing, bruising energies upon it? I have not only noticed it myself, but I have stated the fact to others who have found invariably the same result, I have now on this red sandstone formation acres of weak grass, which I should be oh ! so glad to see interspersed with an enriching element of trefoil and clover plant. Would that some recipe on a large scale could be found to answer. " Oh ! many a time I am sad of heart, And I havn't a word to say. And I keep from the lasses and lads apart, In the meadows a-niaking hay," when I take cognisance of the benty stuff that one has to put up with after aU, and when I recall how zealously and re- peatedly I have harrowed and sown with the most approved " renovating mixtures" these selfsame ungrateful plains. Come up it will as a rule, but it seems as if it could find no resting place for the sole of its foot ; for in the course of a very few years, or rather months, the coveted shamrock develop- ment disappears, just as it v, ill if dressed with too liberal a dose of liquid manure from the fold-yard reservoir. A compost of lime and earth induces certainly an occasional temporary set- tlement of clover ; but the plants are rare and, as the raisins ill a school pudding, at duelling distance apart. Whereas whatever be the nature of the soil and the texture of a lawn submitted to the mercies of an ordinary mowing machine, quite surely, and almost before the moon has waned that dawned upon the experiment, the desired plant will thickly appear. Whatever can be the cause ? Is it that the bruising of the strong grass-stems debilitates and discourages them r giving room for the advance of a timid plant, which, indebted to Holland for its distinctive appellation, yet most certainly partakes not of the failing attributed to the people of that country liy Canning, in his famous poetical despatch to Sir Charles Bagot : " In matters of commerce the fault of the Dutch Is giving too little and asking too much." Anyhow it would be most advantageous to us farmers if the machine makers would put their heads together, and invent some implement that would do on a large scale for our pastures what the mower does for our lawns. The increase of canine madness alarms one. Having a team of nice terriers, and abundant rabbits to work them with, one gets daily alarmed lest something should happen, to oblige their extermination. It is satisfactory to know that lunar caustic applied at once to the wound is a specific against the poison of the rabid animal's fang. I have ahvays a bottle-full in the house. How marvellous is the gift of scent! How it struck me, particularly one morning some weeks since, on our approach, out shooting, to a place that seemed likely to hold game, or at least a rabbit. Not he — this pet terrier, with a touch of spaniel in him, as good a dog as ever was shot to — he wiU not look. With a single half-sniff he canters by ; and when you call him, once, twice, rather sternly this time, he comes coax- ingly up ; but when you " hie" him in such a reproachful look, he directs yon such a deprecatory glance of his melancholy eyes, as though he would fain say, " Now, you woidd'nt have me stultify myself by doing more ;" but, as man should, being mas- ter of the creation, when we insist, then in he goes, and sniffs and searches, but makes no sign of the hoped-for presence, and the place is clearly void. Tlie keeper hints that after the last night's storm no creature could be expected to lie in that cover under the falling leaves and Ijoughs. Then, doggie, as you feel constrained to pat him, and say, " good dog" — then don't he wink his eye internally? and don't he keep on bobbing around, and altogether looks so delighted as though, while feel- ing he must be civil for his victuals' sake, still he were very much inclined to ask his master " Wherever were you riz ?" " Who's who in '66 ?" or any other such like intellectual hut insulting query. We on our part are glad of a diversion, and so we charge, " Hie on, lad," and he leaves us to reflect not only on that old stern inquiry where instinct ends and reason be- gins, but also more deeply upon the marvellous gift of scent, which engaged our pen above, and which again falls tame be- side the sense that guides the condor of the Andes from beyond S02 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the horizon long miles fo a feast upon the fiiiliug mule. Tlicn comes a further reflection. These animals must have some compensatory attribute, or their lives woiJd assuredly he mi- serable. Our own nasal organs are too sadly appreciative of tiie disagreables in life already, we think. What then must the victims of these so much suhtler olfactory nerves think ? This same bow-wow got a- nip he did'nt like, last night. He is of an inquisitive turn, and as he was following the bailiff's wife home just before dark, he must needs go out of liis way to explore the cellars of a huge boulder that, rolled down from the mountain behind, has come to anchor, in ages gone by, upon the orchard slope. He is a plucky fellow, and does'nt insist upon weight for age in a street quarrel ; hut this time he cried sadly. The fact is, either a fox or a badger, both of which abound about, must have caught him by the collar ayd shook him well, for he had no wounds to show. Such a beautiful fox was brouglit to me last winter, that had been caught under a rock iipou the hill above the house ! He was tracked over the snow to his retreat ; a bag with a hoop in it was then put against the opening, and a piece of lighted caudle on a stick introduced through a treacherous chink behind, which so affrighted Master Reynard that he bolted into the sack and his captor's arms. He had not been caught many hours ; but it was amusing to note the old roliljer's resigned, or rather indifferent, way in which he laid out his head on his paws, just turning an observant eye only, if one moved. He struggled violently and hung back despe- rately when his cliain was pulled. His coat was so richly tinted — a lustrous red-brown — I almost longed to keep him as a pet ; but then pets accumulate, and guineas don't, so I al- lowed his transportation to a neighbouring hunt. " Oh, my dear mother, do let me alone ! I've got to finish this writing by post -time." She is leaning over me, enlarging on the past, present, and future (as the respected old Athenian poets used to say) of some party that I really don't take the least interest in, inas- much as 1 don't know who it is. " Well, I'm going." And as she goes, in her energetic laudation of some one whom she has been praising the last half-hour, but whose name escaped me, as I cannot, like the First Napoleon, talk, write, and listen at once, I start at her emphatic whisper, "He's a man that drinks nothing but water." " My stars be thanked! I don't. I have already too large a per-centage of that precious element in my natural system, if oue is to believe tlie explanation of analysts. Water's a very good thing in its place ; and I wish it wouldn't leave us so treacherously as it does sometimes, in summer, on these red- sandstone rocks, Alas ! that poisoned pool I spoke of in ray last ! We have had to let off the main part of it, after all — it had grown so fuul in tint and taste. My bailiff, being of a thrifty turn, had it guided ou to a plot of cabbage-plants, all of which I now expect to see brought up to table as guiltily died as the bone of madder-fed poultry is said to be. And the dear little ducks are dropping in daily — a yard further down, by the way, than they need have done — from the hatching-nests under the thorn-heaps along the banks. We have already a good store, and have been hitherto success- ful in the rearing. It makes one's teeth water to think of the Sunday-dinners a little later on, I had been cantering through my ewe-flock yesterday after- noon, to note the growth of the lamljs, when I got a message that some strangers had come to view the bulls. This makes me tremble lest they bring the dreadful rinderpest upon their garments in some subtle form. The worst has not, I believe, yet come. Only the other day there was an order signed in this district for the removal of some cattle, on the declaration of two respectable farmers, one of \vhom had not seen the stock of which he testified. What must be the result of this loose — if, indeed, honest — action ? I was informed of this by the magistrate who had to countersign their witness. How lovely the pear -blossom has been ! but the apple is not fuUy out yet. The cherry-trees are laden ; but the berries. Gardener predicts, will be but a scanty- tribe. The wall-fruit might be better ; but I dare not think ranch of that, having forgotten to have the walls duly pointed ^ith new mortar. " They be all full of hcrrywigs and all sorts of varmint ; and, lor ! these trees they be no manner of good. I've been aver- depoising ever so long what's best to do with them." But, as the gardener's getting thus even warmer than his hothouse, there's no " averdepoising" for me. I'll just make up my mind, and be off for a gallop in the cooler climate of the river- side. And so, mine editor, adieu ! ViGiL. THE HOME OF THE LABOURER. A meeting of the Eye Farmers' Club was held on Tuesday evening. May 1st, at the White Lion Hotel, Eye, at which a paper was read by Mr. W. L. B. Freuer, on " The Dwellings of Agricultural Labourers, and the Ground Attached to them." The chair was taken by Mr. Henry Wells. The CiTAiRSiA^v said : His duty was simply to call on Mr. Preuer to introduce the subject for discussion, which was of very great importance. In consequence of the Uuion Charge- ability Act having come into operation, the prospects of the agricultural labourer were altered in a great degree, and they, as farmers, must see what they could do to keep those who were worth anything on their farms, and one inducement would be the giving them comfortable dwellings and a fair share of ground which they might cultivate when their day's work on the farm was over. Mr. Freuer had taken so much interest in the question of cottage homes that he would do ample justice to the subject. Mr. W. L. B. Freuer said he agreed with the chairman in considering that this subject was becoming of greater import- ance every day, and for this reason— the facilities for travel- ling all over the kingdoni were so great and becoming so easily available that he noticed the labouring population was very quietly slipping away from them. At all events, they were losing their best men, whilst those left behind were the aged and infirm. Employers were willing to keep them at work, and they did their best, but they lost the thew and sinew of the land when they lost their youug men, and something must be done to keep them. Whether it was to be put in the power of the tenant-farmer to pay higher wages was a question ; but at all events the matter of cottage accommodation was a point 'Which ought to be studiously attended to, for that was one great means by which they might promote the welfare of the labouring man, and induce him to work upon their farms. It might be said that this subject " The dwellings of the agricul- tural labourer and the ground attached to them " concerned only the owner and the occupier of the cottSge, and therefore could not be of much interest to a farmers' club ; but reflection would show that to the tenant farmer it was and must be of great interest, for on the nearness of the man's cottage to his work very greatly depended the efficacy of the man when at his work. Would it not also be conceded that if a labourer were so badly housed and his family so crowded that there arose a natural, or he would say unnatural, desire on the man's part to haunt the attractive fireside of the beershop so habitu- ally as to spend there his hardly-cariicd wages which should go to the comforts of his family, thence becoming a sot or a drunkard, his working capabilities would be deteriorated, and he would be rendered immoral, giving by the force of his ex- ample a bad encouragement to his family ? Was not such a man a nuisance to his employer, and an unworthy specimen of his class ? Did he not speedily become discontented — his family showing by their rags and wretchedness that the guid- ing hand, humanly speaking, was wanting F The agricultural labourer constituted the largest portion of the industrious classes in an agricultural parish, and his well-being and good conduct, and that of his family, must be important items in the general bearing of the little couununity. The homes of these people, if physically and morally unhealthy and deficient in proper accommodation for the decent bringing up of their families, must not only teU badly for them, but their results must recoil on the tenant-farmer. Let them look at the dwell- ings of the labourer as they generally found it. He said THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 503 "generally" because many owners of iiroperty hail applied themselves to the improvement and building- of cottage homes, and he mentioned the dwellings on the estates of the Duke of Bedford and the Earl of Leicester. Many had followed their example, and among them His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in the short time he had held the Sand- ringham estate, had done much in this way, following the ex- ample of his noble father. They all knew the interest taken by Sir E. and Lady Caroline Kcrrison in the improvement of the cottages on the property, in building new cottages, and adding to the accommodation of old ones. New cottages could not be built over the whole of a large estate ; and he was satisfied that more comfort and conveuience might be afforded by adding to old cottages than would at first sight _seem possible. It might be asked why other owners of cottage-property did not foUow the noble examples set by many of the lauded pro- prietors ? The answer was, that the owner of large estates did not look at the cost of cottage-building in the same £ s. d. way that the mere owner of cottage-property did : he regarded them as necessary adjuncts to his property and to the due fa- cilities for its cultivation, coupling this with the philanthropic desire to see his people well housed ; but the mere cottage- owner desired to make as large a rental with as small an out- lay and accommodation as possible. It was to the neglected condition of the latter class of cottages that he wished to di- rect attention. They found a single living-room, no wash- house ; and consequently the whole of the work incident to the family had to be performed there, and it was impossible for that living-room to be kept in such a state as to be a home of cleanliness and comfort to the husband when he returned from his long day's toil. In addition, there probably was a broken window, stuffed up with rags and paper, doors closing so badly that every wind that blew was felt by the fireside, a floor below the level of the ground outside, damp and un- healthy, an old piece of sacking laid down to hide the broken pavement, probably only one, or at most two bedrooms, ill contrived and badly ventilated for a large family to be crowded into. He had seen eases where one bedroom had to contain a man, his wife, and seven children, and others where the pa- rents, with two grown-up sons and two or three grown-up daughters, lived in one room, without the slightest attempt at a screen for the separation of the sexes. The young people might have been to school, and the clergyman might liave used every exertion to inculcate sound religious principles, the parents might be industrious ; but the force of circumstances in the home broke down all school-education moral culture and training, and the results were seen in after-life. He then referred to the outside of such a cottage, with no eaves- troiighing, the water from the roof being left to soak into the foundation of the cottage itself, the pigsty and privy being placed in such close proximity to the back-door that the effluvia must be detrimental to health, and a muek-hole close by. From the narrow, cramped-up site, it was impossible to remove these necessary appendages to a proper distance ; and the ditch of the neighbouring proprietor would be within eight or ten feet of the door. Many cottages were without garden-ground, or, if they had any, it was so small as to be utterly worthless for any garden-purposes. This was not ex- aggerated : it was but too true. Much had been done to alle- viate the evil ; but fifty times more was requisite, in order to properly house and accommodate the agricultural labourer. He quoted from the sanitary report of tlie Poor Law Com- missioners on the cottages of the poor in Bedfordshire a de- scription of the wretched condition of the cottage — the day- room dirty and uncomfortable ; the family, parents, boys, and girls, indiscriminately mixed, with frequently a lodger sleeping in the same room. The husband, enjoying but little comfort at home, resorted to the beer- house ; the children were brought up without regard to decency ; the girls became mothers of bas- tards, and became a burden to their parents or the parish ; and the boys became the worst of labourers, resorted to poaching, committed petty thefts, and added to the county-rate by coTumitments and prosecutions. The author of "Healthy Moral Homes" said, " Homes are the manufactories of men, and influence a growing nation. The importance of improving these homes is at once seen. Perfect men come not from ill- arranged, iU-ventilated, and iU-ordered dwelUngs. These most humble abodes, in order to be healthy, must be dry and weU-veutilated." Mr. Freuer also quoted "quaint old roller's" evidence for well-ventilated and well-arranged houses, and said he would now turn to the brighter side of the subject, which consisted of the noble efforts he had alluded to. lu considering what a poor hard-working man's dwelling ought to be, they must look at site, plan, and construction. He preferred a double to a single tenement, both for economical reasons, as well as for just sufficient neighbourhood so as not to feel lonely, and such a double cottage he would plant in half-an-acre of ground, with about 25 feet in front between the cotfage and the road, and ample room behind to have the shed, pigsty, &c,, far enough to avoid unpleasantness. He quoted from the prize essay which appeared in the Royal Agricultural Societii's Journal, describing the site desirable for cottages, recommending that it should be 2 feet or 3 feet above the level of the road on which it abuts, in the immediate neighbourhood of an allotment, near tlie work of the labourer, with as near a south aspect as possible, and not overhung by forest trees. Another quotation was from the first annual report of the directors of the Association for Promoting Im- provement in the Dwellings and Domestic Condition of Agri- cultural Laljourers in Scotland, and others from Sir. Stephen- son's " Cottage Homes of England," and Loudon's " Cottage Building," and contained bomewhat similar recommendations as to site. He added that in no case should low damp ground be chosen: stagnant water and muddy pools should be avoided. Where high trees over-topped the chimneys, smoky rooms were the consequence ; and the old adage of " a smoky house," and, as a natural concomitant, " a scolding wife," would be readily understood ; for where the former existed, it was not much to be wondered at if the temper of the wife failed some- times, for upon her fell the great annoyance. A double^ tenemented cottage thus planted in half-an-acre of ground, and a third of a mile distant from other cottages, he had found far preferable to those situated in groups or villages. The inmates of such detached cottages were generally foimd morally more healthy and weU-eonducted, and brought up their families better. Indeed, it was but too general that tliey found more immorality and a far greater number of illegitimate children in groups of cottages and villages than where they were more evenly scattered over the parish. Next, as to plans. The first object in view before drawing plans was to consider for what size and description of family they were to plan. As a general rule, poor people required ample bed- room accommodation, and health as well as decency directed these to be on chambers above the lower rooms ; still they might find an exception desirable in the case of aged people, one bedroom being sufficient for an aged couple, and infirmity would make a stair to eliml) to the bed-chamber a great trouble ; so that in their case a single-storied cottage would be best, with a living-room 12 ft. by 10 ft., with a bedroom of the same size opening out of it, with a fireplace in each, a small scullery 8 ft. square, and pantry 4 ft. by 5 ft., the wash-house having room for a small oven, copper, and sink. A small porch would protect the day-room from storms and draughts, and im- prove the elevation as well, and a small shed and privy out- doors would complete the accommodation. A distance of 18 feet from the road would give as much garden-ground as the occupants could probably attend to. "O'lth this exceptional case they knew what they had to plan for, viz., the hard- working man with his wife and family. It might be said it was not every man who had a large family, stiU. he (Sir. Freuer) maintained that they must plan much the same. He remem- bered the time when every farm-house had two men and a boy as in-door servants. Such servants existed no longer, and this . he regarded as a great loss to the community ; he was aware of the trouble and annoyance they occasioned, still he could not but lament the discontinuance of such a mode of employment, for what was the result F Single men must still find employ- ment, and how did they generally spend their leisure hours ? But too often in lounging at the idle corner, or at the public- house or skittle-ground. StiU they must be lodged and pro- vided for in the cottage-homes, aud when it happened that a married man had little or no family, he wiUingly took one or more of these as lodgers. The next step was so to arrange the internal construction of the cottagers' homes as to obtain the greatest possible convenience of access and comfort. lu order to do this they must be practically acquainted with the wants of the working man aud his family. Did the wiffe bake her own bread? Of course she washed the linen, and was there a drying ground P Had the man sufficient allotment ground for keeping a pig ? if so, what were his appliances in 604 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. the shape of shed and pi^jsty ? How was water supphed for daily use ? The cottager liimself might not know very mucli about tlicse matters ; but liis wife, if she were the thrifty, tidy housewife slie shoukl be, eould give much more information. It was a trite old saying that the poor man must ask his wife whether or no they were to live and get on ; and he believed it true, for the poor man might (oil and labour iu vain to earn high wages if his wife did not nse every thrifty care in the ex- penditure of the household and its economy. The wife had all the work of the house to do, and could often tell them more of the proper situation and connection of the rooms with each other and the details of the cottage management tdan the man could do. First, taking the ground plan, there should he a day or living-room of not less than 12 ft. square, with a lobby or porch in which space would he afforded for the man's working tools iu every-day use ; a wash-house, 12 ft. by S ft., containing oven, copper, and sink ; pantry, 5 ft. l)y 8 ft., and a closet iu the day-room, liy the side of the chimney, for crockery-ware and dry goods, the height of these loiver rooms should not be less than S ft. Three bed-rooms might be constructed over, so as to be entered independent of each other from the staircase, the largest or family room to have a fire-place in it, a great requisite in case of sickness. The ventilation of the bed-room was a matter of great importance, and should never be neglected, for the poor themselves had the greatest horror of any current of air, and if ventilation was not provided for, it would not be provided by the poor. Tliey had an idea that warmth was the one great essential in a bed-room, forgetting the fact that where two or three people are sleeping in a small room, the air soon becomes vitiated. The bed-cliambers being carried up G ft. G in. to the wall plates, might have an additional 2 ft. added to the height of the roof, and a very simple but most efficient plan of ventilating them was by placing a well perforated board about fifteen inches square in the centre of the ceiling, thus giving an exit to the foulest air. It was almost needless to say that every window should have its casement properly hung, and with the necessary apparatus to he set open by. There was one habit he could but allude to, as tending very much to stand in the way of that proper cleansing which every cottage required at stated times, and that was the desire to be tawdry fine, at the expense of cleanliness, iu papering cottage-rooms. When first papered, doubtless they looked smarter, and pos- sibly did give au air of respectability to the room ; but it was the ordinary living-room of the family, and could not go very long looking smart and new. The poor man, as his family increased, could not atford to re-paper it, and so it remained ; and if any infectious diseases reached him, the walls could not he cleansed as they should be, and would be, if white-wash could always he applied (as it should be) periodically to every room. He did not allude to this in a carping spirit, or with the desire of depriving the poor man of the enjoyment of seeing his room made, as he thought, a little decent ; but he put it to his common sense, whether whitewashed walls were not better in the long-run than for the old paper to become dirty and dusty from long use, and there- fore, possibly, a bar to the health and consequent happiness of those who were the nearest and dearest to him. The outdoor arrangement should consist of a small shed about eight feet square, privy, and pigcote under tlie same roof, placed quite thirty feet clear of the cottage. As to the construction of the cottage, undoubtedly brick and tile or slate were the most substantial and enduring. After minutely describing tlie moda of construction, he recommended, he said, cottage-waUs might bo built of cl.ay lumps, with brick quoins. This would con- siderably reduce the cost, and give even a warmer, because drier cottage. Clay lumps should he set on a pinning two feet out of the ground. Stone-work was to be preferred to bricks ; for the first course of lumps set on brick-work was often found f» decay. The chimney-stack should be placed in the centre, instead of outside, much more warmth being thus preserved. The living-room door should open into a porch or lobby, and not directly into the open air : the windows of ample size, and a small stove containing oven and boiler, added much to the comfort of the occupants. lie produced a copy of the aged couples' cottage plan from Lady Caroline Kerrison's published book on cottages ; that of the cottage with three bedrooms, from the prize model cottage of the Royal Agricultural Society, in 1861 ; but he suggested certain altera- tions, and stated that a cottage upon the plan he had adopted had been built in Eye by Mr. Edgar Ciienery. Having briefly spoken of the elevation of cottages, Mr. Frcuer said the diffi- culty was, how to obtain a sufficient supply of healUiy homes. It had been suggested that it never could be obtained without some legislative enactments, similar to the Lodging Houses Act of the metropolis ; but he hoped more from the effect of public opinion and examples constantly set by owners of pro- perty. In conclusion, lie must say a few words on the garden, or allotment of laud, occupied by the poor man ; and having had twenty years' experience of allotment management, he was able to bear testimony to the great physical and moral good it exercised. He had seen vicious and drunken habits consider- ably ameliorated, if not cured, by the industrious habits which must be exercised if the allotment were cultivated to advan- tage. Even the thief and the poacher had been induced to forego many of their nefarious practices ; and many a family which had been in rags had been helped by it to be better clad and provided for. His experience told him constantly that half a quarter of an acre close to a man's door was of more value to liim than a quarter of an acre half-a-mile distant. In order to ensure constant orderly working of tlie allotment sys- tem, it was absolutely imperative to have an annual inspection by the owner of the land, or by his authority. About thirteen years since, he (Mr. Freuer) undertook the management of three hundred allotments on an estate in Norfolk ; and he then found, owing to the want of supervision, the land so miserably cultivated, much of it ploughed and cropped as if it was under field cultivation, without the slightest attempt at garden management, that it was quite disheartening to witness; and when be called the occupants together, and explained to them tliat he was instructed by the noble owner to proceed under new rules, which mainly consisted in not allowing more than half the land to be grown with any corn crop in one year, the other half to be cultivated for a variety yf vegetable pro- ductions, and that spade husbandry must be strictly adhered to, and, further, that he had power to award prizes for those best cultivated, in the same way as it had been carried on on the Bronie and Oakley estates for so many years past, lie saw, by the sinister expressions of countenances, that he was not believed, or, at all events, they believed there was some motive at the bottom. He, however, began his annual inspection, marking the want of due attention or careful cultivation, and showing them how possible it was for them, by the mere out- lay of labour, to better their condition. The first year he could give only one prize, the second two ; but they soon began to see the benefits to be derived when a good blanket or pair of sheets was obtained of as much value as the rent of the allotniejit. The long dormant spirit of industry was aroused, and he now annually distributed among them allotment prizes in the shape of blankets, bed-rugs, sheets, &c. ; so that 40 or 50 famihes were benefited by the addition of some much- wanted article. But the by far greater and better result was at the same time attained — the people were taught self-reliance. Their own industry had doubled their produce in many — almost a majority — of instances, and they were morally and industriously better conditioned. When he had distributed the useful prizes, often had the poor wife (who, perhaps, had brought up a large family) said that she never before knew what it was to have a new blanket in her cottage. He must, therefore, look on the allotment system, carefully managed, as one of the greatest benefits to the poor man. Whatever might be the means by which they might hope to obtain better cot- tage accommodation for the poor hard-working sons of toil, by whom their fields were cultivated, and to whom they must look for the well bringing up of the next generation, lie was sure the Eye Farmers' Club would join in the heartfelt expres- sion of opinion that the thanks of the community at large were due to those who were setting such a laudable example in cottage building, with the earnest hope that many, many more such good moral homes might be erected, that they might see the poor man's family not only better housed but better con- ducted, and thereby led to be better men and women, and, let them hope, better Christians. Rev. R. M. BiNGLEY (Braiseworth) was afraid, as far as getting the labouring population to stop was concerned, that they would be shutting the stable door after the steed was stolen ; however, by following Mr. Freuer's advice they would be holding out an inducement to the generation now growing up to remain in their native district. If all employers of labour and their wives and families mixed more with the laljouring people, they might in many ways tend to make THE FAEMER'S MAaAZINE. m. their homes more comfortable. In this matter they must not be easily discouraged by the disinclination to alterations in their cottages, and especially by their aversion to ventilation, the advantage of wliicii it was ditiicult to make them under- stand. They could take some consolation from tlie circum- stance that in many contiuental countries the condition of the agricultural labouring community was worse than here. Mr. Shout suggested that the walls of the cottage should be merely plastered, as better adapted to set off any works of art which tliey might have. Sir. BiNGLEY alluded to the frightful daubs which decorated cottage walls, and should like to see sensible, instructive pic- tures substituted. Mr. G. Symonds asked Mr. Freuer what was the cost of building such cottages as he recommended ? lie asked because some cottages were about to be built on his farm. Mr. Freuer said on an estate in Norfolk he had built thirty of these cottages, and found they could not be built for less than £100 a tenement, so that a double cottage would cost £~00. Mr. Symonds : Without the carting? Mr. Freuek said yes : his estimate was merely for materials and labour. Rev. W. P. Roberts (Eye) said the one thing which im- pressed him most strongly when he came to that neighbour- hood, on seeing the homes of the agricultural labourers for the first time, was the insufflcieucy of the sleeping accommodation, aud he expressed his strong hope that those who had the power to alter this state of things would use it. Last year they heard the distant murmurs of cholera, and perhaps this year it might visit this country, and he urged all to do their best to induce their labourers to have their cottages white-washed, and all impurities removed. If this were done it would do good, and, if from no higher motives, they should do it from the selfish motive that if tlie disease did come it would not visit the poor alone. The Chairman said some ten or eleven years ago, when he went into possession of one of his farms, he found two fields, of five and two acres, parcelled out in allotments. lie found a great wish among the allotment holders to hold on, aud he said he would give them a trial, but would hav-e it understood that they must cultivate their allotraeuts as well as they did the rest of the farm. Some of the men turned out badly, but others were industrious, and he had given notice to those who did not farm properly, who were most of them journeymen tradesmen, who made tlie worst of farmers. When he got rid of bad farmers he let the allotments to his own men ; but still many of the industrious men of the parish wlio were not in his eai- ploy had an allotment. Eefore he took a farm he did not think an aUotmcut of a quarter-of-au-acre was so great a benefit to the poor people as lie had found it, and he should be glad to continue it. With reference to the cottages, he had several, the walls of which he found damp. They had each two cham- bers, wash-house, and pautry, and he had built a piggery ; but they had not the porches Mr. Freuer had spoken of, and he was glad Mr. Freuer had spoken of them, for he saw how desirable they were, aud he would have porches built to his cottages. Rev. 11. M. Bingley alluded to the question whether cot- tages should be single or in two tenements, avowing his pre- fereuce for single cottages. He proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Freuer for his lecture, which was carried. THE USE OF SOOT. Sir, — Some good people think that to put seed or plants in the ground is all that's needed, never dreaming that plants or seeds need as much care as our purses, and thousands of good plants are lost for want of a little care. Many seeds never germinate, through being devoured by insects when they are put in the ground. I wish to draw the attention of your readers to a substance that, when rightly used, is one of the best of protectors to both seed and plants ; and my advice is not founded upon any theoretical ideas, but, on the contrary, upon a long and extensive practice as a cultivator of the soil. The substance I allude to is soot, and I have reason to be thankful for having had it placed before me as an antidote against vermin, which destroys many of our valuable root crops. No one who has the least thought for his own success as a cultivator will heedlessly throw away any soot, however small the quantity may be, but will carefully preserve it in a dry state, for use when the time comes, that it can be applied for the purpose wanted ; it is not only a protector of roots aud seeds, but acts also as a stimulant to the plants, if used aright, when growing. Itis also true that it will hinder the vegetating powers of seeds, if put in too close proximity to them ; and I beg to give your readers a few of my own ways of using soot : In the first place, if [ want to protect seeds from the niune- rous insects which usually are found in most soils that v/e sow seeds in, I sow a good deal of soot on the ground, just before sowing the seed, aud work it in either with a fork, spade, cul- tivator or rake, so that it gets well worked-in before the ground is made fit for the reception of the seed. By this method, the soot is generally incorporated so well with the soil that there is little danger of its affecting the seed, and at the same time is so obnoxious to the insects that they generally leave the seed unmolested, aud go elsewhere for their food. As the young plants get a few inches out of the earth, a slight sprinkling of soot on a dewy morning, or just before a gentle rain, helps not only to preserve tliem from depredators. but to make them grow also. The Brassica or cabbage family, which is made np of Brussels sprouts, coleworts, cauliflowers, and all our varieties of cabbages, is very subject to having their roots what is called " clubbed," by iusectseatinginto them and depositing their eggs in them, which causes the roots to swell out, or rather the bottom of the stem of the calibage, &c., for the real roots refuse to grow, or are eaten off just as fast as the plant makes an effort to put them out, and thus thousands of plants are lost yearly which would be saved by getting equal quantities of soot and clay or soil, and mixing them together, first in a dryisli state, aud when they are well incorporated to mix them with water until they form a sort of paint, which should not be too thin ; in this mi.xture dip all the roots of cabbage or similar plants just before planting, and it is rare that they will need any other protection. To prevent such plants from being clubbed in the seed-bed, using soot in the manner named above before sowing the seed will save them. Turnips can be saved from the " fly" by sowing soot over them w hen they are an inch or two high, picking a moist day, if possible, for the operation. Soot sown freely amongst carrots or parsley when growing helps to keep what is called canker out of them. This canker is the work of insects. There are few crops that are not benefited by using soot. This ought to make every one who has a gard»n or farm lot to carefully save every ounce of soot he can aud to get all he can ; the quan- tity of it yearly thrown away iu such a city as Chicago, if preserved in dry barrels or boxes and bought up by farmers and gardeners, or given them, would enrich not only the crop growers, but the crop eaters as well, for the more plants saved from insects, the more for human beings, consequently they would be cheaper and better ; so much for soot. If there is anything I have left so that your readers don't understand using soot, I shall be happy to communicate what little in- formation I possess. John Hague, Gardener, Late of Ashton-under-Lyne, England, — Praire Parmer, 606 THE FAEMEE'S MAGAZINE. OUE GAME LAWS AND DEEE FOEESTS, Mr. Alex. Robertson, Dundonnochie, author of " The Laws of Thought," recently read a paper in the Guildhall, Perth, on " Game Laws and Deer Porests." Mr. Robertson commenced his lecture by noticing an old statute for the preservation of the games and sports of the kingdom, and stated that the object of liis paper was the solu- tion of the question — Should the sporting legislation be modi- fied or entirely abolished P lie stated that it was clearly a relic of feudalism in our constitution, which could only be un- derstood by studying carefully the genius of our old forest laws, from which the modern Game Law was a "bastard slip." He tlien went on to say that the real question at issue was, whether wild animals were or ought to be an incident of pri- vate property. He adduced four objections to the present game laws, the first of these being their eril effects on the i^asant po- 2iiilafion. In England, for oue deer forest there were 3G parish churclies destroyed, along with all the hamlets and villages for tlie space of thirty miles. King John at oue period owned GS forests, 13 chases, and 7S1 parks in diii'erent parts of England ; and as offenders against his pleasure were punished without re- ference to law, these oppressions became so heavy that they caused the barons to rise and demand protection of their rights. Hence at Ruunymede they obtained the Great Charter, and also the Forest Charter, which alone regulated the proceedings of the forest, until it became suspended by the game statutes. In the Highlands the population was kept down by large tracts of territory being thrown altogether waste ; and even that part of the land not wliolly devastated had been placed beyond the reach of industrial imjirovement. Belgium ni;»iutained a population of 424, four Highland counties 23, and the rest of Scotland 153 people to the superficial mile. To what ex- tent the low average in the Highlands was attributable to the operation of the game laws could only be subject of conjecture ; but the present controversy going on between the Duke of Argyll and Dr. Leone Levi wiU no doubt tlirow consider- able light on', the subject. The lecturer then proceeded to state his second objection, viz.. The detrimeiilal effect of the Game Laws with reference to agriciiltiire. It was the interest of all classes to see that their operations were not impeded by any proceedings in their legislation. Nothing could be more opposed to the spirit of aU law than harassing the husbandman in his toils or depriving him of the fair re- ward of his industry. As society depended upon the farmer for food and clothing, it was an egregious mistake to suppose that the question of the Game Laws belonged exclusively to hira. On the contrary, every member of society was deeply interested in its settlement. Farms in Perthshire suffered to a great extent from the ravages of so-called wild animals — one farm in the immediate neighbourhood of Perth having been twice valued within three years, when sixty pounds were found due for one field. In another large county, thousands of acres of turnips had been rendered useless by being cliipped by hares and other vermin. The damage done in the aralile lands of England was estimated at ten millions sterling, or ten sliiUings per head of the entire population. The damage done to the crops in Scotland may be fairly estimated at one million ster- ling annually. The proportion payable by the Town of Perth in the enhanced price of food would thus be 8,000 a-year. Whether farmers knew or not as to the game nuisance before signing their leases, tli-e public had a right to demand that the fair produce of the soil should not be wantonly destroyed. Society had no business to inquire what stipulations regarding rent may have been made between tenant and proprietor, but it was fair and riglit that it should see that no injustice was done to one or other, so far as legislation was concerned. The public could have no interest in seeing the farmer de- prived of his legal rights, which was said to be the case" at present, owing to his being surrounded by a net-work of statute law. The legalized protection to wild animals in the Highlands was most severely felt in reference to the peculiar products of that country. Two millions of acres had been laid totally waste, embracing within their area some of tlie most fertile lauds of Scotland. The natural c;rass of Glen Tilt were among the most nutritive in the county of Perth. The deer forest of Ben Aulder was by far the best grazing ground in the wide district of Badenoch ; a part of the Black Mount forest was the best pasture for blackfaced sheep in Scotland. Some idea may be formed of the ground laid waste for purely sporting purposes in Scotland from the fact that it embraced an area larger than the whole coiuity of Perth. The re- sources of the Forest of Ben Aulder, might give -some idea of the loss sustained by the comitry from these forced de- solations. The ground would pasture 15,000 sheep, and as it was not more than one-thirtieth part of the whole forest ground in Scotland, it might be roughly guessed tliat the country was deprived by tlie forests of half-a-million of sheep. All that forest land was totally unproductive, never having repaid the money spent on it. It might thus as well have been submerged under the waters of the German Ocean. With a rapidly augmenting population, itvvas nothing short of madness to continue adding to these desolations, and thereby diminishing the supply of those commodities which are ndispensable for the sustenance of the people. If Vattel, Adam Smith, and John Stuart Mill were to be believed, such extemporised wildernesses or deserts ought to be put down by the decided interference of the Legislature. The vulgar notion of grouse-shooting and deer-slaughtering being advantageous to the Highlands was now almost exploded. People had begun to see that the visit of a few sportsmen for a month in the year could not make up for eleven months forced idleness. Judging from an estimate of the produce obtained from exten- sive moors in the counties of Inverness and Perth, the country did not derive an advantage from them of one penny per acre from game, and for every penny thus gained a shilling was lost. Every effort seemed to be made to interdict industrial development, and were the Game Laws abolished, and the sporting grounds of the nortli fairly opened up to agricultural enterprise, the wealth of these parts would in seven, or at most ten, years be doubled in amount. Mr. Robertson then sketched, at considerable length, the effect of the Game Laws in creating crime and engendering cruelty of disposition — quoting from ancient and modem authors in support of his statements. He afterwards craved assent to his first pro- position, which was, " That the present state of our legislation respecting the destruction of wild animals deserved our most serious investigation." Mr. Robertson tlien proceeded to con- tend that the key to the whole controversy was found in his second proposition : " That wild animals never have been, and never can be, made private property." Science, he said, re- jected all the various remedies proposed for these acknow- ledged abuses. It condemned the various schemes pro- posed by farmers generally, ;tnd the visionary expedients of agricultural societies. It laboured under the ad- vantage or disadvantage of rejecting friendly compro- mise. It mocked at all opinions, even from the most trustworthy sources. It was certain knowledge, or no knowledge at all. The position to be taken was neces- sarily either true or false, exactly in the same manner as the solution of a mathematical problem w as either true or false. To get a right beginning on such an important question as that of the game laws would indeed be a great matter, as such questions were generally begun at the end instead of the begin- ning. As the great priucijilesof justice and equity seemed so clear in reference to the subject, the question resolved itself into this — Were they to be guided by truth and rectitude, or by injustice, and consequently crime, tyranny, aiid oppression P That wild animals never had been acknowledged as private property by any author of authority in t!ie science of jurisprudence, was a question beyond dispute. The lecturer then proceeded to justify this statement by quotations from the Institutes of Justinian, Lord Kaimes, Erskine, and other eminent authori- ties. He also affirmed tliat the decision of their authority was confirmed by a universal sentiment of the human mind. People of the most conscientious nicety never for a moment hesitated to take a hare or fowl which they knew to be poached. In some parts of the Highlands ))oachiug deer had been always THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 607 looked upou as a very proper amusement, even for young gentlemen of family. Nature evidently intended that man should not be supported by the mere spontaneous fruits of the earth, and therefore it was a condition of his existence that lie was to subdue the w ild auinials, and derive sustenance from the tillage of the soil. In devastating vast tracts of land by force of law, and keeping animals wild by express legislation, he violated a great law of liis nature, and set himself in oppo- sition to all progress. He was endeavouring to mimic the barbarous employments of a savage in the midst of a civilized community. As identification was an indispensable requisite for property in animals, it was simidy ridiculous to speak of wild animals being declared the property of a landlord or farmer. AU the Acts of Parliament in the world could never overturn a fimdaraeutal law of nature. A nuin who appro- priated to liis o«"n use anything belonging to another was simply a thief; but no jury in the country would make a man a thief for simply taking what justice, reason, common sense, and law concurred in proclaiming to be his own. Mr. Robert- sou concluded with these words : " We may uphold our legislation for these barbarous and cruel sports ; but so long as we do so, the unfailing result must be tyranny and oppression — the moral degiadation of our race — the encouragement of crime, and even of bloodshed," "DENATURALIZATION." Under tliis heading the Lancet some time ago said, in one of its " medical annotations": "The quality of vitahty seems to be a subject of discussion amongst veterinarians, as well as our- selves. They are divided as to whether cattle as fed and treated now-a-days are as healthy and sound as they were before the free-trade measures. We are often reminded, liy tlie plaintive lamentations over the doings of free-trade, of Addison's tine old Tory-foxhuuter, who was of opinion there had been no fine weather since the Revohition. StUl, we must face the facts of these free-trade times as compared with the preceding, and one of tliese is a greatly increasing mortality amongst cattle." The denaturalization or degeneracy of the luiman race has long been a keenly canvassed controversy in the medical pro- fession, and recently the denaturalization of cattle has been a bone of contention amongst veterinarians. In tliis contro- versy medical men aud veterinarians are unanimously agreed that there is an increase of lUDi'tality both in the human family and in the domesticated races of tlie brute creation. Thus far there is very little ditl'erence of opinion iu either branch of the medical profession ; but whpn \ve proceed in the investiga- tion of the snljject a little farther, and come to the cause or causes of this increase of mortality, " the apple of discord" appears in their midst, unanimity in both professions as to the effect being split up into a contrariety of opinions as to its cause. Some veterinarians, for example, are of opinion that the greatly increasing mortality amongst cattle is due to de- generacy of race, arising from the present forcing and objectiou- able system of feeding and fattening stock, and of breeding be- fore animals have arrived at a mature state of growth. Others unhesitatingly acquit the present forcing system of feeding, — early maturity, breeding, and heavy weights, of any blame in this matter, tliey being of opinion that the increased mortality is solely attributable to contagious diseases, chiefly imported from the Continent of Europe and other places. Of this increased mortality 50 per cent, is said to be due to lung disease (pleuro- pneumonia) alone. Of the other contagious maladies im- ported small-pox in sheep, foot-and-mouth disease, and rinder- pest are enumerated. The practical conclusion at which the Lancet arrives is as follows : " One good result of the cattle plague will be to convince our statesmen of the necessity of measures for prohibiting the importation of these diseases." The controversy in question, it must be observed, is not one of two sides, Imt a controversy of many sides ; and doubtless there is much truth on each side, and, upon the whole, many jarring anomalies that may one day be reconciled when oppo- sing parties get farther advanced iu the march of discovery and improvement. The cattle-plague, true enough, has thrown much daylight into many comparatively dark places, aud perhaps nowhere has so many short-comings been exposed to public view as in tlie veterinary school ; so that eventually, when Discovery has made further progress, veterinarians may be more unanimous as to the cause of the increasing mortality now experienced in flocks and herds. Bleantime it is manifest that those who are at present attributing this increase of mortality in cattle to imported diseases, aud imported diseases alone, are overlooking how much of it is due to the predisposing cause arising from the abnormal dietary and system of management, which manifestly exist in this country. In other words, they and those who join tliein are not taking into calculation how much of this increase of mortality amongst cattle is due to degeneracy of race iu this country as the predisposing cause of contagion, how much of this degeneracy is due to the present forcing and unnatural system of stock-management, and how much to predisposing causes on the continent and iraportatiou therefrom. Certain it is WvX the statistics of mortality of rin- derpest is in favour of this latter hypothesis as to denaturali- zation being the chief predisposiug cause of the increasing mortality. And granting, fur the sake of argument, that such in point of fact is actually the case, then the question arises, Wliat would the per-centage of mortality have been had this predisposing cause not been present here aud on the continent ? Prior to 1812 the per-centage of mortality is estimated at not more than two per cent., if so much ; but since then it has been doubled aud quadrupled ? Query, how much of this increase is due to the predisposing cause existing in stock in this country ? aud how much to an increase of imported dis- ease ? Long before the above date (18-13) the forcing system of stock-management existed, but only in comparatively few flocks aud herds. Since that time it has become universally fashionable, having been extended over the length aud breadth of the land, with a very few comparatively remote and isolatated districts ; and no doubt the introduction of steam- boat and railway conveyance has done much to facilitate this distribution of our improved breeds and their crosses ; also, long before the above date (18i3), rinderpest and most pro- bably the other contagious diseases were imported, although the latter were not very clearly identified by the cow-leech of the olden time ; but the per-ceutage of mortality was low, as above stated. Since 1843 the importation of foreign cattle has gone on increasing, both in numbers and weight ; but, never- theless, evidence is wanting to show that there has been a cor- responding increase iu tlie importation of disease. Indeed, those who affirm that rinderpest on the present occasion was imported in a single cargo of live stock, aud in one, or at most a few individuals of that cargo, as many continue to assert, concede the doctrine that although liability may increase with numbers imported, and witli the increase of the prechsposing cause on the confluent, where the English system of forcing is now bein^ fast adopted by continental farmers, yet actual importation of contagion under an organized and efficient system of veterinary in- spection may be less at present than it was under the old system towards the close of the last century. At least there is no actual proof to the contrary, while the presumptive evidence is obviously in fiwour of the argument at issue, assuming al- ways that the per-centage of mortality on tlie continent of Europe has remained uniform throughout, lieing the same just now as it was iu 184'3, and during the last century, when this country was visited with cattle-jnague, aUas " murrain," alias " distemper," as it was then variously called, which is con- ceding a great deal too much in favour of the importation dogma ; for we believe the per-centage of mortality in cattle on the continent, where the importation dogma falls to the ground, is increasing with the increase of the predisposing cause or degeneracy of race, as it has increased in this country. 13ut be this latter as it may abroad, the fact is manifest at home ; for since 1843 our improved breeds and forced system of feeding have extended over the length and breadth ol the kingdom, as already stated, and with this extension a corres- ponding increase has taken place in the per-centage of mor- tality amongst live stock. Such is a very general resume of the premises, or plain mat- THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. ters of fact involved in this denaturalization controversy ; and the intelligent reader cannot fail to perceive that the only practical conclusion that can he legitimately deduced there- from, is manifestly against the importation dogma, which a few leading veterinarians are now anxiously striving to get farmers to swallow as a scientific bolus. With our eyes open to the growth and spread of contagious disease and mortality there- from in this country since 1843, and with the manner such have taken place, we are hy no means blind to the growth and spread of the same on the continent of Europe in a more malignant and contagious form, and carrying \\ith it a higher degree of mortality ; and to the consequent necessity that arises for every jjossible precaution being taken to prevent the fresh importa- tion of disease into Britain. True, it is argued that mouth-and-foot disease, lung disease, and small-pox in sheep, are modern maladies ; but if this proves anything, it is a degeneracy of race ! No doubt it wiU be said in reply to this conclusion, that these modern maladies came from the East, or from Central Africa. But is not this only jumping out of the frying-pan into the fire ? In short, de- generacy of race is one thing ; mortality from contagious dis- eases another ; and mortality from a degeneracy of race a third. The first is yet a question of controversy amongst veterinarians. With the second they (veterinarians) are to a certain extent professionally familiar, and therefore they may be allowed the privilege of forming a rough estimate of the pcr-centage of mortality therefrom. Of the third they know very little, as hundreds and thousands of calves and lambs die or are killed, of which they know nothing ; so that their general deductions as to the increasing mortality since 1842, as given above, are fallacious. With all three, many intelligent farmers are now but too familiar, and therefore it is not likely that they will swallow the importation bolus, by confounding the one with the other at the bidding of any veterinarian. A closer examination of the details of degeneracy of race will stiU further show the fallacy of this importation dogma as being the sole cause of the increasing mortality which farmers are now experiencing in their flocks and herds. Eifty per cent, of this increase of mortality in cattle, for example, is said to be due to the importation of lung disease. Now, it is a well-authenticated fact that all our improved breeds are de- fective in the muscular action of the heart and lungs ; that the Shorthorn breed is peculiarly so, more especially in our dairy districts, as in Cheshire ; and that much debility is owing to our modern system of housing in crowded and confiued hovels, too hot from heated air and animal exhalations at one time, too cold at another time from fiigid currents of piercing air during the winter months, and of grazing in unsheltered and exposed pastures during the summer time, animals being roasted during the heat of the day and chilled over night, as in southern latitudes ; our climate, from draining and other improvements, having thus become of late years very similar, in these alternate changes of temperature, to the climate of our East-Indian empire — sum- mer 1805 was a remarkable instance of this. It follows, therelbrej when the extension of our improved breeds is taken into calculation, along with the physical changes just referred to, that much of the increase of fifty per cent, of the mortality amongst stock must be due to such sources as predisposing causes, and not to tlie continuous importation of continental lung disease. There are, it must also be remembered, a long list of diseases, when the animal system has once been infected by them, that are ever afterwards liable to break out afresh on the presence of certain predisposing causes ; although a long period of time may have intervened between such outbreaks, and neither medical men nor veterinarians can say with any degree of reliable authority as to whether lung-disease and rinderpest belong to these or no. Eor aught that they know to the con- trary, the foinites of these two and other contagious diseases may lie in the ground or somewhere else a thousand years, like the seed of wild mustard, without losing a single iota of vitality. Hence the practical inference as to the value of their scientific conclusions. There has, again, been a great spread of obesity, or at least of obese constitution, since 1842, which has greatly added to the per-ceutage of mortality, not only from contagious dis- eases, such as pleuro-pneumonia and rinderpest, but also from degeneracy of race, cows at calving-time and their newly- dropped calves being liable to be carried off, the former under milk-fever and the like, and the latter from weakness or im- perfect organization. Then a large number of animals — or perhaps we should have rather said an increasing number — is prematurely, as it were, sent to the shambles, dog-kennel, and knackers — animals that will not fatten, and that would soou die from what may truly be termed degeneracy of race, were they not slaughtered, sometimes for not much more than the price of the skin. The per-centage of animals thus disposed of has certainly been on the increase since 1842 — a fact which is strongly corroborative of the opinions of those who argue the descending scale in the quality of vitality — i. e., increasing degeneracy of race, and which of itself completely overthrows the above conclusions relative to a quadruple per-centage of mortality in cattle from imported diseases of a contagious cha- racter, such as those enumerated. On the other hand, it must be borne in mind, in the discus- sion of our subject, that much degeneracy of race was expe- rienced, under the old system of stock-management, from starvation — a system not yet wholly extinct, but which is the very opposite of that noticed above. The two extremes may therefore be termed denaturalization from starvation, and de- naturalization from the forcing system now in vogue. It is said that " between every two extremes there is a golden mean ;" and we need hardly add that the golden mean in question is the practice which stock-owners should foUow, so as to obviate a degeneracy of race and the inestimable losses arising there- from. There never was a period, in the history of British agriculture, in which improved stock-management more strongly commended itsell to the attention of the agricultural public than the current one ; and therefore we hope the golden mean in question will be experimentally investigated in every province of the kingdom. THE MOST PROFITABLE MANAGEMENT OF CARSE LAND. The following paper was recently read before the Logic and Lecropt Farmers' Club, by Mr. Peat, of Manor Earm : — Tlic carse soil in the two parishes of Logic and Leeropt, \yhich includes the bounds of this society, has been cul- tivated for a considerable time, and still continues to be cultivated, on the six-course rotation — viz., one-sixth in wheat, one-sixth in beans, one-sixth in barley, one-sixth in oats, and the remaining one-sixth in green crop or summer fallow— the farmer relying on the proceeds of the sale of the wheat, beans, barley, and hay, to meet his landlord, the ex- penses of cultivation, and maintaining himself ; the attention paid to stock was, in general, until within these few years, only a secondary consideration, and the proceeds derived therefrom comparatively small. So long as the minimum price of wheat kept above 44s. per quarter, with tlie other kinds of grain in a corresponding proportion, perhaps it was the best mode of cultivating the land that could be adopted ; but with the fiars prices of Stirlingshire, for the last three years, averaging for wheat 30s. 9d., beans 30s. 7d., barley 25s. 4d. per quarter, and the working expenses rather increasing every year, the trade has become an unprofitable one, more especially so at present to those who have a stated money rental. It is difficult to give a remedy. The soil is generally good near the margin of the Eorth and Allan, but on fields further removed the yellow barren subsoil is often only 3 to 5 inches from the surface. The whole is stiff and tenacious, and its productive capabilities so very much dependent on the weather at seed time, as to make it a very difficult job to get it to yield the produce most suited for the times. In dryfield, with a colder climate, it has the advantage of us here ; the soil is easily stirred, and e.\tra manuring and cleaning surmounts irregular modes of cultiva- tion. It is not so in the carse ; you may succeed the first year THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 509 in cross cropping, Ijut every succeeding crop you are a loser by it, until the tallow rotation comes round to get rest and clean- ing. It appears to me that no important change can be advan- tageously introduced to our mode of cropping. The best way of managing earse land at present, I apprehend, is by laying down a portion of it to pasture, and making the rearing, keep- ing, and feediug of stock a primary consideration. With beef at 05s. per cwt., and every prospect of a steady consumption continuing among the working population, more reliance on live stock very naturally suggests itself A success in pasturing depends on the regular growth of clover, and as it most un- fortunately does not grow on more than one-third of our earsc soil, tlie method required to be adopted difters from that carried on in dryfield, where the whole farm nuiy be cropped and pastured in succession. The better plan, I think, is in selecting a portion best adapted for growing grass, and favourably situated for water, fences, &c., aud laying it down with the intention of letting it remain for a number of years. The fields thus laid down ought, besides paying the reut, to give a air return for capital and trouble, besides increasing its capa- bilities for yielding crops after being again broken up, while in the interim the expenses of cultivation are reduced. And cul- tivating the renuiinder of the farm in the manner it has hitherto been done, farmers whose leases have longest to run will derive greater benefit by pasturing than those whose leases are nearly expired. But in both cases the cordial conseut and co-opeiaiion of the landlord is needed ; his consent to get the stereotyped forms in our leases superseded, and his co-opera- tiou in putting up fences — the cost of erecting either with wire or paling is at least five pounds an acre, which is too much for the tenant to bear himself. In reference to cattle, as a %\ hole we are behind many other districts iu this respect. Some pre- fer buying their stock in autumn, wintering them, and selling off again in spring, and for those who have a good demand for dairy produce this \^ ay nuiy be the best, but to most of us such advantages are beyoud our reach ; rearing our own stock, therefore, and making as many of them fit for the butcher as we can, is the way to receive most remuneration for our trouble, and ruu the least risk fi'om disease. The following stock, on 100 Scotch acres, can, I think, be kept to advantage — viz., five cows, ten calves reared yearly, and confined in the house till they are two years old. The above stock is appa- rently a limited one, but, being summered and wintered at home, it is about equivalent to double the niuuber kept only through the winter half of the year. Tlie large-sized Ayr- shire cows are the best ; they are generally good milkers, and when served with a shorthorned bull their stock are good growers, and have as hardy constitutions as any other kind or cross that can be got. In the rearing of calves, it is of the greatest importance to have them early, in order that they may be ready for grass at the first of the season — starting and carrying them on in a good gro\ring condition, with a sutficieut quantity of sweet milk, supplementing it with a little oilcake or well-bruised grain, before they are weaned, and continuing it after tlie milk is withdrawn. I consider this a very good mode of nursing. By keeping them well up in condition the first nine months, though rather costly at the time, they are easier kept in good growing condition ever after. I think they thrive as well, and receive more equal justice, by being tied in the stall the first winter — their food consisting, besides straw, of a service of turnips morning and evening, with 1| lb. of bruised grain in warm dreg or boiled chafir for tiieir mid-day feed ; in spring they can be turned into the courts, and soiled there during the summer — the quantity of grain being in- creased after the turnips are done, until their service of cut- grass once a day commences, when it may be withheld so long as the grass lasts. To store a quantity of our bean chaff, and give them a supply of it once a day in May and June — the interval between the turnips going out aud the grass coraiug in — is worth attending to. They generally do best loose in the courts the second winter, when the courts are well covered to afford shelter , dreg, or boiled chaff, as a substitute, with straw ad libitum, adding a little bruised grain to each, should, with proper attention, maintain them in excellent growing condition. They may be sold when two years old ; or, if the portion of the land in grass is not sublet, put out to pasture, and kept on till autumn, when they ought to be beasts worth £20 or iO guineas each. It is a long time before the capital on stock can be turned over, but after the system is established ii large item is realized from them every year, and the manure heap not only enriched by the liberal feeding, but greatly increased by soiling the cattle at home through the summer. In regard to the cultivation of the farm, draining the land weU is the first requisite, and attention to details in the manage- ment being generally acknowledged to be of importance, I shall, at the risk of being told there is nothing new in my story, go over each of the rotations in detail, first, the fallow or turnip break ; getting the land cleaned early in the season, whetiier for fallow or turnips, is of great moment. I con- sider from one-half to three-fourths of the rotation sufficient for turnips, the remainder in bare follow : when the soil is similar, reversiug the two portions each alternate rotation. Where much ditterence iu the tenacity of the field exists, it is better to grow turnips always on the easiest portion. A pair of horses with me is not able to prepare above 5 Scotch acres of laud for turnips, aud perforin the other work on the farm. Twenty carts of well-rotted dung aud 3 cwt. of Peruvian guano, I think, is the receipt for growing the most profitable crop. It is of importance, for the fully maturing of the crop in autumn, to have them early sown, especially swedes— two acres of them sown to be kept for spring use is enough ; the others, purple top yellow, grow large and keep well. Instead of a heavy dose ot' lime for fallow, I prefer about fifteen bolls aloug with fifteen carts of dung from tfic court uot in a decom- posed state. The wheat grown after such treatment is earlier ready to cut, does not tlirow out so much, and though the crop is heavy and lodges, the straw is harder and the grain better iu quality than after a full dose of lime alone. The second crop in the rotation is beans : the wheat stubble dunged in autumn with twenty-five carts of well-rotted dung, plough- ing the portion where the turnips grew tlie previous year, the dung lying on the surface of the fallow portion all winter, and ploughed immediately before sowing in spring. None of our crops desire to be so well ripened before being cut as our bean crop. The third crop is the barley: the bean stubble is ploughed in autumn, commonly followed with other two ploughiugs in spring, together with harrowing, grubbing, and rolling, until a deep fine mould is obtained. I often think we are ill requited for our labour in growing this crop, but it appears to be a labour we cannot well compromise. I have tried it with one furrow in spring, and have tried it with grubbing and no furrow at all, but find the barley grows best by giving the maximum of work. The seed put in about the second week of April, and the crop well ripened, produces the best results with me. We sow the grass seeds for the succeed- ing crop at this time also. I have tried several ways in order to find out how to grow clover successfully. Though I prefer sowing immediately before rain, it is to me still an enigma. The want of clover is a great drawback, being equivalent to a direct loss of ten shillings an acre. The hay crop will, in general, pay better by expending 2 cwt. of guano per acre upon it. Much of the success, however, depends on the quantity of moisture, and the want of sunshine immediately after being sown. The last crop in the rotation is the oats, far removed from the manure, it is generally far from being a remunerative one, unless aided by 2 cwt. of guano per acre— the best time for sowing it being along with the seed, and harrowing both in together. Using only the better qualities of seed for sow- ing, and selecting tiie varieties best adapted for the soil, with a change of wheat and oats from an earher locality at least every third season, is a matter of great moment. Another help to make the most of carse land is iu keeping a supply of good implements, of the most approved construction— avoiding those of a complicated nature— aud keeping the whole in good working order WESTERN CHEESE. — About five years ago the first cheese factory was established in Ohio, and now there is one in every town. Usually the farmers pay the factory for doing the work, and divide the cheese. Generally about a pound of cheese can be obtained from each gallon of milk. Salt is added at the rate of three pounds to 100 gallons. This spring skim-milk cheese sold at 16c. per poui.d. Better cheese, since made, has sold higher. Each cow pays a profit of GO dols. to 80 dols. in a season at present rates, aud tliere is no business in the country more renumerativc. Earmers in other localities are learning this, and cheese factories are being set up in Michigan, Illinois, ^Viscousiu, and Iowa. — Amerk-an Paper. $10 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE HORSE SHOW AT THE AGRICULTURAL HALL, ISLINGTON. With the weather all in its favour, and London fiOl of " horsey" people up for the Epsom week, the Company opened their doors for the third annual show of horses on Saturday, May 19th. There was a very good attend- ance in the latter part of the day, the ladies mustering almost as strong as the men, and in their opinion of horses many much stronger; whilst their dresses, saying nothing of their faces, made the place look a deal more lively than usual. The arrangements in the Hall, hoth for the accommodation of the puhlic and the horses, were very good, and the ventilation capital; for, with 302 horses down in the catalogue (though of course there were some ahsentees), the huilding was as sweet as a drawing- room. There was certainly one slight drawhack caused hy the sun, who on his daily journey towards the west came in during the afternoon so strong (on the free list, too) as to make the horses, judges, and ofhcials quite in- distinct to many of the spectators on the south side of the huilding, and causing several " swells" to speak in any- thing but respectful terms of that luminary. We were glad to see the horses properly numbered on both sides the head this time, but still many of the grooms or hawbucks did aU they could to hide tlieir show-cards, and some only put up one. This could easily be corrected by the man at tlie entrance refusing them admittance till the numbers were properly hoisted, "and a notice to that effect put on the stalls. The first set of judges commenced their duties about ten, and with an interval of half-an- hour and a fresh trio the business was carried on till half- past seven, the Court being then adjourned till this day at eleven, to pass sentence on the two classes of single harness ponies not exceeding twelve-and-a-half and thir- teen-and-a-half hands high ; the stallions for getting hacks, cobs, or ponies; the carriage-horses in matsh pairs, and the roadster trotters in single harness not ex- ceeding fifteen-two. A great delay was caused through the heaviness of some of the classes, but mainly through the slow manner and tremendous time Sir George Womb- well, Mr. Thomson, and Colonel Maude took in coming to a decision ; and we can only say that if Rainbow had dwelt one-tenth of the time at"his fences that the Captain did over his verdicts, that neither would have seen the finish in the celebrated Waterloo run ; nor would Sir George have done the state much service if he had not displayed a little more dash in that ever-memorable and gallant charge at Balaclava, nor would he have stood much chance of being judging at Islington on Saturday last. One of the great attractions last year was the thorough-bred stallions brought together for the £200, but these great guns are totaUv absent tliis year, with the exception of The Scottish Chief and his companion, who were there on Saturday, not in any class, but in expecta- tion of meeting the Prince of Wales ; though, like many more who have put their trust in princes, they were doomed to disappointment, as the Prince never came near. The sixty pounds oftcred for thorough-bred hunting stal- lions was but a poor substitute for the £200, and the re- presentatives of the class but a sorry one for those of last year. There were eight entries, and seven appeared in the TfV il ^''®* °^ ^^^ catalogue was Blenheim, the Duke ot Marlboro' horse, of whom we spoke unfavourably at f lyniouth and elsewhere, and now another vear is gone we cannot see any cause for changing our opinion. Tallyho, the next in order, with a very light middle, leggy, and seemingly pinned in his elbows, did not attract much attention ; nor did Kentucky — though deep and powerful — with his short neck and badly-laid shoulder. His Ex- cellency was a little more pleasing, having a good barrel, quarters, and limbs, but a heavy shoulder. Cellarius was yroltij and lengthy, with no substance. In fact it was very soon brought to a match between the other two, Storm- slayed and Prince Plausible, the former, who took first prize, beiug a very compact horse of great power, with good ends and tremendous limbs, all over a hunter, but scarcely giving one the idea of a thorough-bred ; whilst Prince Plausible was a neat, useful, well-shaped one, with good liiubs, plenty of power, and hunting-looking. The next class taken was the weight-carrying hunters up to 15 stone, with an entry of forty, and most of these in the Hall. Amongst them were many very good- looking ones, and it took the judges some time to sift them, as there was anything but room for the whole to come in at the same time with safety. They were thus passed in batches of a dozen at a time, and this was how a cream-coloured, circus-looking animal in one of the last batches came in for a commendation, the judges no doubt forgetting the style of some they had previously drafted. The first-prize horse (Voyageur) looked all but perfection as a weight-carrying hunter, in shape, bi-eed, power, and constitution, with a magnificent top, with the exception only of a slight heaviness of a well-laid shoulder. With short limbs, great arms, thighs, and good joints, as firm as a rock on his legs, he "looked all over a durable article," as a draper would say ; and Avhy not ? as from north to south we are aU talking about " quality " now-a-days — a word that must have emanated from some sporting eit. The second (Rainl)ow) is a horse of great character, with good varmint head, his neck of a nice length, and strong, well-laid shoulders ; deep in his middle before, but a little tucked up behind the saddle, and w'ith just an indication of slackness about the loins, and gooseyness on the rump ; good quarters, a little drooping, and honest-looking limbs ; very quiet in his " manners," and all over a hunter, with- out a particle of lumber about hiin. The third was In- gleby — a horse often noticed before, and that took the four- year-old hunter's prize here last year. Of the others we ticked, as they passed, for something good about them, were Mr. J. Anstrnther Thomson's Phoebus (although in his canter he went like a w^ooden one), Mr. Druge's Luck's All, Mr. Paddison's chestnut gelding, Mr. Bode's chestnut, Mr. Puller's old one-eyed Cyclops, Mr. Mumford's llejected, Mr. Gale's Ilop-bine, Mr. J. Greatham's bay, Mr. W. Bootli's weight- carrier (that we can fancy we see pounding away with old Sebright, but not round circus), Mr. J. A. Jackson's Avonmore, Mr. Tollit's Little Wonder, Mr. Robson's Ex- President, the cream-coloured Grapeshot of Mr. Newton, and jierhaps another, if the grooms or owners had taken the trouble to put their numbers on properly ; we fancy, though, some may omit this purposely, as being ashamed of their cattle. For the hunter prize, without condition as to weight, there was a goodly muster, the first prize going to Sir George Wombwell's Hawkseye, a very neat light-weight THU I^AEMER'S MAGAZINE. 511 liuuter, with a deal of character, light head and neck, good shoulders and quarters, and deep girth ; but he is a little slack in his back ribs, though with good limbs. The second was a very different stamp — a chestnut four- year-old, of great power, and a fair mover, that looked like growing into something useful, lie was wrongly described in the catalogue as Tom No. 55, whereas it ought to have been Master of Arts by Pottinger. The thii-d. Rural Dean, was a very showy horse, with a beau- tiful coat, a fine forehand, and honest limbs a little de- ficient behind ; a nice animal, but more in his place as a light charger than a hunter. Amongst the others that struck us were Mr. McCulloch's Yeoman, Mr. Allen All- cocke's Brown, Mr. J. Durge's Jim Crow (a good goer), Mr. E. Paddison's showy but weak-thighed bay, Mr. H. Howse's Socks, Mr. Earl's Chance, Mr. F. Gi-esham's long, wiry, useful, good-in-going Blooming Heather, Mr. W. Newton's Hopewood, Mr. J. ToUit's Brown Duchess, Mr. T. Middlemore's Duchess, and Mr. Grout's long, powerful, short-legged Vixen. Then followed hunters not exceeding 15 hands 2 inches ; but why this restriction as to height no one seemed to know, and we don't attempt to explain, without it was to get up a wrangle to disqualify some- thing after gaining the ribbons. However, Cobnut, who took first, was only a trifle over fifteen hands, and a model weight-carrier, although it was some time before he could be persuaded to face the gorse hurdles. AVe cannot put much faith on the jumping in a circus, and fancy that many of the adepts at this kind of business know about as much of a fence or a brook when in the field as a circus-rider himself would know. Bayard, the second one, seemed to us a plain, soft-looking mongrel ; and Topsy, a showy light-middled hack or lad's hunter, was quite a Genius of the Ring. Mr. Thurnall's Miss Julia, with good looks, seemed like going ; and Mr. Sothern's Limited Mai], or "unlimited" we should say in the general utility business way, from a hack, park-hack, ladies' horse, cover-hack, four-wheeler, to a hunter. Mr. S. B. Congreve's Amy was not of a bad stamp, but, like a good many other Amys, would not look any the worse for being well dressed ; Mr. J. Tollit's Beeswing was useful. The best four-year-old from the 1st May or the 1st of April was taken by a long, low, capital-topped mare of power ; whilst the second went to Mr. Drage's Thorpe Malson. for anything but his good looks, and why put before Yellow Jack (the third), a very neat, bloodlike horse, seemed to many quite unaccountable. Captain Barlow's Will o' the Wisp was of a rare shape, but very low in flesh. The cover-hacks were a very indifi^erent lot, as almost anything seemed to come under that de- nomination by the sample ; and there was nothing among them to remind one of the line in the old song, or of the pace at which — " On iny tlioro'-bred hack to cover I rattle." Mr. Briggs, with his hair dressed up in the old style, was a useful cob for Mr. Briggs; but not for anyone late on the way to cover, without he had a particular wish not to see the find. The second was a lengthy cob, with more style, but not a cover hack, and the third prize was withheld. Mr. J. G. Little had a varmint chesnnt, that required a little joint-oil ; and Mr. T. Norman's good- shaped, nice-actioned Nancy would not look any the worse for being an hour or two in the bauds of & (/room, just to undergo a little trimming ; and with a West End saddle and bridle, instead of the Brummagem one, her owner would not know her again. If some of the owners who show horses were only aware of the value of first- rate habiliments, what gentlemanly-looking fellows' they might be ! Mr. Perry's bay was not deficient in good looks, and Mr, W. Stone had a black of character. Peggy, the prize weight-carrying hack, was a nice lengthy roan of fifteen two, with very showy high action ; while the second was old Crafty, a mare that has taken more prizes than we can stay here to think of; and the orange ribbon for third prize was handed over to British Queen, a very nice red roan of Mr. Millward's, but this was all mere honour and glory, for there was no third prize in the class. Mr. Spence had a good-looking one in Bonnie Dundee, but he could not get his fore-legs from under him ; and Mr. Branwhite's Confidence is a cob of great power, suitable for a stout elderly gentleman with some nerve, as he was not quite perfect in his fore-leg action. Fire King, a very stylish horse, in show trim, something of a light charger, with a London professional up, very soon caught the eye of most people in the next class, and the blue ribbon most deservedly. As the second best. Beauty, though very good-looking fore and aft, was faulty and short in the middle. Mr. English had a nice brown ; and the Prince of Wales of Mr. Hy . Frampton was a neat one. as also Mr. Lacey's Pegp.y. Mr. J. Harvey showed a heavy-topped horse with grand action, but more suitable as a charger, and would have looked better with less flesh and more bone. The prize park hack Bridesmaid was a neat showy bay ; whilst the second was evidently given to the lady up, and not to the scratchy, shambling, shin-rubbing animal she was on ; but the third, Minnie, was a stylish cobby animal, showing some blood ; and Mr. Whitbread Robert's Princess was a nice cob. Mr. W. C. Booth's black. The Belle, was, however, one of the handsomest hacks in the yard ; Mr. J. D. Lewis's Brides-' maid, very neat and showy ; Mr. Milward's bay, Mr. John Aston's Prima Donna, ' .Mr. A. Stavely Hill's Badger, Mr. Grout's Gaylad, and Mr. G. Steer's Maggy were taking to the eye. In the Galloway class, Fuchsia, a bay with white heels, under fourteen and an inch, said to be by Adamas, was very good-looking, with length, but rather overtopped for her limbs ; the second in this class. Grouse, was very clever, being quite a light hack in miniature, and the brown of Mr. Greetham, a long cob of some power ; Mr. Giblett's Alice Grey was stripped and kept in some time, but merely to please the lady, we should say, or to show the spectators that she was all legs and no middle ; Captain Barlow's very clever little blood-like hack Lady Mary took the eye of Captain Thomson, and was ordered up into the centre ; but im- mediately he had turned his back to look at another, a bit of a scrimmage occcurred with some of the con- demned at the exit gate, and she got notice to quit by some one in oftice, evidently by mistake. The ponies under twelve-and-a-half to carry children had two first prizes and two seconds given, one first going to Captain Barlow's Little Wonder, quite a boy's hunter, and the model of one with great power and plenty of breed ; but he does not look his best now, as he is just shifting his coat. The other first-prize Duncan was a very good-shaped one, and about the size of a made-up prize pointer. The two seconds were very good-looking, as were Mr. Rees' Gipsy with a pedigree from Middle Park, Eltham, Mr. T. S. Cocks' Gloyn, and Mr. Nelson's Beauty. The roadster stallions, always a favourite class with the public, caused some amusement and much clap- ping of hands ; but whether was the applause for tlie horses or men ? — perhaps both, as they equally deserved it. Young Perfumer, the first-prize roadster, is one of the old roan Norfolk trotters ; with rather a heavy neck and carty aiipearance, he has well-laid shoulders and good quarters, with plenty of length, nnd short good under- standing, as 'the hind ones he brings under him in prime fasliion, while he sends out the fore to the admiration of all beholders ; still, he is pulled down by a slight hollow- ness in the back and lightness in his middle. The second, Trotaway, was very perfect all over, of great power and N N 3 512 THE FAEMER'S- MAGAZINE. length, aU(], with a little more b'ood, would make a model cob staliiou : lie is well worth looking at. lleforraer is a shortish, hardy-looking chestnut, that did not quite please people either in form or action. Mr. Goggs' Nor- folk Phenomenon was very good-looking, with length and quality ; but we could not see much of the others, from the power of the sun, as we before said, and were not sorry when the court adjourned, as from ten till half- past seven on a cane-bottomed chair is more wearisome to the greatest lover of horses than more hours iu the saddle itself. PRIZE LIST. HUXTER ST.\iLIONS — TlIOROUGII-BRED. Judges — Lord Portsmouth, Sir Watkin Williams Wynne, and Capt. Percy Williams. First prize, £40, to Mr. Topham, Welford, Northampton (Storm Stayed). Second of £20, to Mr. H. R. Phillips, Willesdeu Paddocks (Prince Plausible). Ro.u)STER, Hack, or Cob Stallioxs. Judges — Mr. J. Anstruther Thomson, Sir George O. VYorabwell, and Col. Maude. First prize, £~0, to Mr. James Phillips, 2, Pinsbury Pave- ment (Y'oung Performer). Second of £10, to Mr. T. L. Reed, Downham Market (Trotaway). Third of £5, to Mr. Burton, 55, High-street, Marylebone. All-aged Hunters. Judges— Lord Portsmouth, Sir W. W. Wynne, and Capt. Percy Williams. Weight-carriers, equal to not less than 15 stone. — First prize, £t)0, to Mr. Sutton, Darlington (Voyageur). Second of £30, to Mr. T. Anstruther Thomson, Pitsford Hall, Nor- thampton (Rainbow). Third of £15, to Mr. H. J. Percy, Aspatria, Cumberland (Ingleby). Without condition as to weight. — First prize, £30, to Sir George Wombwell, Bart. (Hawkseve). Second of £20, to Mr. T. Gee, Wadhurst, Sussex (Master of Arts). Third of £15, to Mr. H. S. Lucy, Charlecote Park (Rural Dean). Without condition as to weii;ht, and not exceeding 15 hands 2 inches.— First prize, £30, "to Mr. H. Howell, Duflield, Cirencester (Cobnut). Second of £15, to Mr. E. Barnett, Brentwood, Tooting (Bayard). Third of £10, to Capt. Ward, 2nd Life Guards, Knightsbridge Barracks (Topsy). Four-year-olds from the 1st of May, 1866. First prize, £24., to Mr. W. Morley of Effingham Hill, Dorking. Seconrd £15, to Mr. J. Drage, M.oulton Lodge, Northampton (Thope Malsor). Third of £10, to Mr. G. Holmes, Beverley (Yellow Jack). C0VER-II.\.CKS AND RO-ADSTERS. Judges— Mr. J. Anstruther Thomson, Sir G. O. Wombwell, and Col. Maude. Not exceeding 15 hands 1 inch. — First prize, £15, to Mr. F. Young, Knightsbridge Barracks (Mr. Briggs). Second of £10, to Mr. W. Armstrong, Haynes, Beds. Third of £5, withheld for want of merit. Park Hacks. Weight-carriers, from 14 bauds 2 inches to 15 hands 2 inches. — First prize, £25, to Mr. A. Barker, 103, Piccadilly (Peggy). Second of £15, to Mr. H. J. Percy (Crafty). Highly commended: Mr. R. Milward, Thurgartou (Britisli Queen). Park Hacks and L.uiies' Horses. Of any height. — First prize, £20, to Mr. C. Symonds, Oxford (Fire King). Second of £10, to Capt. St. Clair Ford, 17, Lypert Terrace, Cheltenham (Beauty). Not exceeding 15 bands 1 inch high.— First prize, £20, to Mr. J. D. Lewis, King-street, St. James's (Bridesmaid). Second of £10, to Mr. R. J. Lloyd Price, Bala, Merionethshire (Firefly). Third of £5, to Mr. J. F. Steel, Southfield Abbey Town, Carlisle (Minnie). Not exceeding 14 hands 2 inches.— First prize, £20, to Mr. G. Culdecott, Claphani Common (Fuchsia). Second of £10 to Mr. Walter De Winton, Hereford (Grouse). Third of £5 to Mr. W. Greetham, Stansfield, Lincoln. Ponies. Not exceeding 12i_luinds, to carry children.— Prize of £5 to Capt, Barlow, Hasketou (Little Wonder). Prize of £5 to Messrs. S. and B. Lawrence, Kensington (Duncan). Prize of £3 to Mr. H. Take, Watford (Fairy). Prize of £3 to Mr. H, Skinner, Thornton Heath (Tommy). Not exceeding 13^ hands, in single harness. — First prize, £15, to Mr. R. Gyleses, Stratford (Polly). Second of £10, to Mr. S. H. Chavasse, Hamstead, Staft'ordsbire (Lalla Rookh). Third of £5, to Mr. Tailby, Birmingham (Jerry). Hack, Cob, or Pony Stallions. First prize, £15, to Mr. D. Lister, Ilkey (Black Performer). Second of £10, to Capt. Barlow, Hasketon (Contidence) . Third of £5, to Mr. W. H. Gaunt, Kirk Hammerton, York (Golden President). Carriage Horses. Not under 15 hands 3 inches, in match pairs. — Prize of £25 to Messrs. Wimbush and Co, Hulkin-street (bays). Roadster Trotters. In single harness, not exceeding 15 hands 2 inches. — First prize, £25, to Mr. J. Edwards, Ealing Paddocks (Stephen F. Knapp). Second of £10, to Mr. C. M. Baker, Clapham Common (Magnet). Veterinary Inspector — Professor Simonds. SALE OF MR. MILWARD'S PONIES. The fourteenth annual sale of these well selected cobs and ponies furnished, as usual, one of the features of the Monday before the Derby at Tattersall's. Some of them — sucli as Two Thousand, Free Forester, Rachel, St. Leger, Court Journal, Delectus, Butterfly, and Devonia — were wonderfully neat, as pretty, in fact, as pictures, although it is said there is a stiU better lot now coming on at Thurgartou. The following are the prices : Gs. Two Thocsand, winner of the first prize at the North Lincohishire Show (Marquis of Hastings) 120 Free Foresteb (Capt. Spiers) 110 Rachel, winner of the second prize at the Yorkshire Show (to go abroad) 60 St. Leger (Marquis of Lansdowne) 61 Ankaeki (Mr. Clarke) 60 Court Journal, by Theon (not sold) — Delectus (Mr. Williams) 63 Magnet, by Bobby (Mr. WUliams) 61 Butterfly (Mr. G. Rice) 37 HuMBER (Mr. Clarke) ... 42 Laton.\. (Mr. Morant) 46 Carlotta (Mr. J. Scott) 39 Gold Stick (Lord Dudley) 100 Devonia, by Bobby (Mr. Hope) 40 Winning Hazard (Lord C. Fitzroj') 38 Ernest (Mr. Clarke) 41 MR. F. BRANWHITE'S COBS AND PONIES. j\[r. Branwhite, who is also getting a reputation in this way, sent up his now annual collection from Long Melford, in Suifolk. They luid not quite the quality of Mr. Milward's lot, but were set off by capital action, with iilenty of power and substance : — Gs. Major (Mr. Hibbert) 38 Sir Roger (Mr. Sparrow) 65 Beautt, winner of a first prize in paii's at Islington (Lord Grosvenor) 80 May DAT (Mr. F. Allen) 25 Rarity (Mr. T. Pain) 70 Mebry'legs (Lord Grosvenor) 110 The Squire (Mr. Percival) 44 Pattern (Mr. Chaplin) 55 SALE OF STOCK.— On Friday, the 11th of May, a sale of fat stock, the property of Messrs. J. and F. Howard, took place at the Hoo barm, Bedford. The stock consisted of 20 West HiglJand Scotch bullocks (four years old), 5 shorthorn oxen, and 17 maiden heifers ; 150 O.xfordshire Down tegs, and 50 evves ; 30 fat lambs, aud 50 pigs and porkers. This being the first sale of fat stock on the farms of tliis firm, great in- terest was excited, and a large company assembled, mostly buy- ers, from Loudon and other parts of the country. Messrs. Stattord and Son were the auctioneers. The sheep sold from 49s. to 7os. 6d., the average being about 55s. ; the beasts £19 5s. to £30s. 5s., average £24 19s. ; aud pigs £3 16s. The re- sult of the sale was : Pigs, £191 Is. 6d. ; sheep, £576; ox^R and heifers, £1,023.— Total, £1,844 4s. 6d. THE EARMEK'S MAGAZINE. 513 THE LONDON BUTCHERS AND THE CATTLE-PLAGUE. It is said that any great measure of reform is rarely carried out but at the cost of a class. The one must suffer for the good of the many. And the advent of the cattle-plague has not been without such collateral con- sequences. It may still be more diflicult to identify the martyr here than any merely snperilcial observer might be iuclincd to think. With his stock-in-trade sacrificed, and the prosecution of his business paralyzed, nine people out of ten would very possibly be inclined to consider the farmer as the especial victim of this onslaught. But it is not so. Much as the agriculturist }nay have suffered, there is another body of men yet more deserving of any sympathy and support which tlie public can afford them ; and these are the London butchers, who, for a time, bore their burden, like the heroes of old, in silence. High as the price to which beef and mutton rose during last autumn, fearful though might be the rate at which they had to charge their customers per pound, to their credit be it said, the London I)utchers were the very last to make any complaint of the state of things under which they were trading. It was not, indeed, until the outside world began to protest that though beasts were cheaper beef was dearer, the butcher came to see the question in that light, and to lower his terms again, despite the fact that the cattle-plague was actually increasing. Since then, however, he has made the cause of the public his own, and recently the Butchers' Trade Protection Society called a meeting for the purpose of taking into consideration the recent Orders in Council relative to the movement of cattle, and to suggest means for alleviating the difficulties of the Trade and the public. The one great object of the demonstration, as gathered from the report of the proceedings, which we give in another part of our paper, was an objection to the proposed plan of public slaughter-houses. According to the resolutions, compulsoi^ slaughter on any than the butcher's own premises is un- necessary, as that such a system would involve great extra expense to the butcher and increase of price to the consumer. This is the frame-work of some four or five resolutions ; whilst the several speakers m-ged the impossibility of such a change being brought about, the awkward way in which such an enactment would work, and the monopoly that it would create. And here, as a matter of course, the Trade and its well-beloved public will at once join issue. So far from the abattoir principle being impracticable, it was admitted at the Meeting that a large number of butchers even already did not kill their own stock here, as we have the example of other countries to show how such an ar- rangement can be carried out. Then, again, that any marked alteration could be effected in the conduct of a business without some inconvenience being felt at first is naturally not to be entertained, though the result of this would be eventually a deal more convenience to the public, either as regards the supply of provisions, the sanitary condition of the several districts, or the very traffic of the streets and roads. And further still, the general establishment of dead-meat markets, so far from having any other tendency, would threaten to be the very death- blow to monopoly. The little men could buy just what they wanted, and no more, or even private families club together and go to market for themselves, as they did but a short time since, rather than submit to the extortions to which they were subjected. But it is not on these grounds alone that any change is advocated. It is not, in truth, for any one of these reasons, valid as they may be, that the Government now feels called upon to interfere. There is a serious and, as it may be, a continually recur- ring difficulty to meet, and it is by some such means only that we can hope to subdue it. We may by care keep the evil from our own homesteads when once it has been stampcd-out, but no one can answer what may come from abroad or travel the highways of the metropolis. We must have public slaughter-houses as a system, not merely in London, but at the several ports of disembarcation ; that is, if henceforth we are to trade with anything like a feeling of security. With time everything will adapt itself to circumstances, as even the lower class of buyers look-up the offal, and " the sons and servants" of the superior men defy the evil influences that might be exerted against them from having to go a distance to some central market ! The moral aspect of the question is certainly a curious one, and we really cannot see why a respectable young man may not stand as much chance of contamination in a live-stock as in a dead-meat market. For months past the farmers and graziers, who have been the great losers as the butchers have been the great gainers, have cheerfully submitted to the utmost incon- venience, with the hope of staying the terrible plague that is amongst us. And if they can bear their burden so patiently, shall the town tradesman, who has in reality had nothing to bear, but has the rather turned the calamity to his profit, be the first to call out and protest so loudly against an alteration that must be for the benefit of the public ? Let us allow that his trade be diverted from its ordinary current ; and what then ? Has the baker never had to submit to official interference, nor the publican had to regulate his business in the way most conducive to the common good ? Of course they have had continually to bow to the voice of authority, however inconvenient it might have been to do so ; while the butcher, by his own showing, is to be the exception, though something more than a danger merely " imminent" is to be encountered, or rather an enemy already upon us to be conquered. In the new number of the Royal Agricultural Society's Journal there is a short but very acceptable letter from Mr. Robert Herbert on the arrangements of the supply of meat for the Metropolis, and in which he says: "No additions have been made to the number of dead-meat markets in the metropolis ; but the City authorities have stopped the traffic through Newgate- street till late in the afternoon, to enable the railway companies' waggons to reach Newgate and Leadcnhall. The scene of confusion, however, baffles description. Thousands of tons of meat remain for many hours in the waggons, as the meat sales- men have not sufficient room in their shops for the arri- vals, and the process of unloading can only take place after the shops have been partly cleared by the purchasers, many of whom come from very distant parts of the conn- try. * There can be no help for this state of things until after the new dead-meat markets are formed ; so that those who succeed in getting their meat into the market in the early part of the morning will secure the most re- munerative prices." This is, more or less, the conse- quence of a state of transition ; while Mr. Herbert goes on to say, " There is one feature in the trade which re- mains to be noticed. Not a few of the large butchers in the metropolis have agents in various parts of the country for the purchase of meat, which is conveyed by the rail- way companies direct to the shops. Some delay has £re- 514 THE FARMER'S MAaAZlNE. queutly occurred in tlie^elivery, owing to the euormous traffic going on." All this is the evidence not merely of an eyc-wituess, but of an authority in the market, who tells us of a scene of confusion that baffles description — of tons of meat remaining for hours on the waggons — of the awkward delays in the delivery of dead meat sent, and so forth, as so" far Mr. Herbert and the butchers go together. But however well they may agree in the pre- sent, they take different paths as they proceed onward. The butcher sees nothing but toil, trouble, and loss in the prospect ; while Mr. Herbert's impression is that " the iieic system loill he found to ivork advantageously." Should the Government, after this, falter in its purpose, any further visitation of the disease will be directly traceable to its own incompetence. 'Whatever the Worshipful Company of Butchers may say to the contrary, the abat- toir system is not impracticable, while there is every good reason that it should be enforced in this country. TRACTION ENGINES y. SHYING HORSES. Id the cpiestiou of obviating the danger arising from horses shying at traction engines on common roads, too little atten- tion is now being paid on tlie one hand to the training of the former not to shy, so to speak, and the imperative duty whicli thereby devolves upon all who own liorses, to have them thus thoroughly trained ; and too much, on the other hand, to re- strictive and prohibitory legislative measures against the latter — statutory measures which have for their ultimate eifect a very retarding influence upon the progress of steam in connection with agriculture, and many mining and other similar interests in which the use of traction engines has become an abso- lute sine qi'd lion to their existence. If a person has a pair of fine spirited carriage-horses that have never been trained not to shy, and which consequently do shy at traction engines whenever they meet or overtake them on the road — two ani- mals tliat could easily be trained by any professional breaker- in of horses for a few shillings — ought not that person, what- ever may be his or her station in life, to be ashamed for thus ap- pearing in public, no less to their own danger thau that of others of her Majesty's liege subjects ? Ought not such a person to be viewed by common senseandthe'uubiassedopinioQ of a high- minded public in the light of a very silly low-ttii/ided species of tlie genus homo, and held up accordingly to the sympathy of a pitying public, and shunned by all who have any regard for themselves or a knowledge of the science. of horse-flesh in the most extensive sense of the word? And is it not high time for the Legislature to step in, take aU such persons roughly, hut legally, by the ears, and tell them plainly, in Trafalgar style, that " in these piping times of progress, Enylaud ex- pects them to do their duty "? Of course there are many off- sets to an afiirmative answer being given to the interrogatories of this kind ; but at all events somethmg recpiires to be said point-blank about the matter. In the case of persons of easy circumstances in upper life, the first natural impulse of the moment will doubtless be some- what to this effect: " Let us alone; we are in possession of our present privileges, and therefore have a right to enjoy them. Our riding and carriage horses were once thoroughly broke in, trained, and sold under warranty to us as such ; and, therefore, an objection cannot be raised against them as to being the contrary, and consequently unqualified for out-dooj- service. Not so the steam-horse ; for lie is a new-fangied in- truder, and therefore his owner can plead no such privilege ; consequently for the present he must be confined within cer- tain circumscribed hmits. No doubt, ultimately aU horses may be trained not to shy at traction engines, and mIicu we next go to market to purchase, such qualifications will be duly attended to ; but progress and the contemplated changes in question arc works of time, advancing slowly by degrees ; and, therefore, for the current period we are entitled to time to wear out our present stud, unmolested by modern inventions and innovations." Superficially examined there is much in this reply, or counter- argument, of a plausible common-sense character; but the moment the skin is broken, the bones are seen to be rotteu.and without a tissue to bind and articulate them togetlicr. In the case of railway engines, for example, no attention whatever has at any time been paid to the argument which it involves : the general public of every rank having been thrown upon the alternative of training horses now at work in the best manner withm tlieir power, and why should it be otherwise in the case ot engines employed in agriculture ? "Why should the latter be restricted to night-travelling on common roads ? and the former be allowed to run at all hours of the day — crossing and recrossing the common roads upon which an agricultural traction engine dare not be seen unless at midnight ? and running parallel to, or alongside, roads, and through fields where farm-horses are every day at w^ork, no attention whatever being paid as to whether they shy or not ? It farmers are compelled by the force of necessity and duty to train their horses not to shy at the railway engines of the general pubhc, ouglit not the general public to be compelled to train their horses not to shy at the traction engines of the agriculturist ? If the one is to be allowed to wear out his horses on the " take it easy plan," ought not the other to enjoy a similar privilege ? In short, however privileged a class may be, no such privilege as that claimed by the counter-argument in question can be ex- tended towards them, either on public or private grounds ; for as inteUigent, honest, and loyal subjects of the realm, they are in duty bound no less to the general public than to themselves either to train tlieir horses at home by their own servants, or else to send them to some training establishment to be trained by a professional breaker-in of horses. The day is happily gone by, when the utilitarian spirit of the British public will stop in its onward triumphant career of progress, to ihUy-diilly for a single moment with the old wives' failles and maxims of a bygone generation. The reader may think this perhaps some- what sweeping, but it is only the plain truth plainly told. Another objection, one equally invalid as the last, may be and has been raised, viz., that it is impossible to train some horses so as to reconcile them to meet a traction-engine without shying, and the number is perhaps rather on the increase than decrease, owing to the wider extension of the railway system, and the fact that young horses are trained to shy in early life at railway trains, and never afterwards can be brought to give it up. It is like " a running away horse," once the bad habit has been acquired, all the art and tact at the command of his owner will not break him in to refrain from it. The bad habit itself is unquestionably a vice of the worst kind, and although by an extra amount of care and watchfulness it may be apparently got under for a time, it nevertheless eventually, in the vast majority of cases, manifests itself stronger and more unconquerable than ever. So is it with animals that have acquired a confirmed habit of shying at raihvay trains, traction engines, and the like ; for the vice, iu many cases, is so indomi- table as to be unconquerable, and even those animals that give it up are not altogether to lie relied upon in after-life, and therefore their money value should be reduced to a figiu'e that would keep them out of the market. The objection includes its own practical refutation in a two- fold manner : for, in the first place, why train horses to shy at any age ? and, in the second place, if shying has become a con- firmed vice in such animals, why allow them to appear iu our thoroughfares, or even ou a common road, at any hour of the day, to endanger the safety of the public ? Why are not all respectable people ashamed to be seen iu pubhc with horses of such vicious and untameable habits ? Or rather, why should any person be considered respectable who is the owner of such animals ? At first sight, or so long as it is examined from a selfish and fallacious point of view, this form of putting the interrogatory may be thought somewhat low and uncharitable ; but when examined in its true light, and the only light, too, in which an inteUigent, high-minded public will stoop to ex- amine it in, the very reverse of this is the case ; for if the 5er« THE FARMEil'S MAGAZINE. 515 Vant of ail houcst man turns out to be a thief and a cutthroat, does the fact that he is tlie servant of an honest man prove him to be an honest man too, like liis master, to the satisfac- tion of the public? And where is the honest, intelligent master who would not blush at the idea of having such a clia- racter in his employment ? and wlio would not clear his estab- lishment of all such characters, with their accomplices, as fast as possible and at any sacritice ? And why sliould it be other- wise with a servant (tlie horse) some degrees lower in the em- ployment of an houcst, intelligent master — a servant who would turn his employer without ceremony into the ditch, or over the precipice by the wayside, or trample him under his feet, were a traction engine to turn the corner and appear in the road or street before him ? a most unreasonable servant, too, one who is well-knomi to his master to be a confirmed rogue, by habit and repute guilty of such crimes. Were shying horses men, tliere would be no difficulty what- ever experienced in coming to a satisfactory solution of the practical question at issue ; but because they are what they are — unreasonable creatures, irresponsible in a great measure for their bad deeds — and because they are the acknow- ledged property of their privileged owners, the upshot is some- what diiferent. It is not very easy to reconcile this mode of reasoning the matter with the science and practice of any pro- fession, or of no profession at all, if we may use such a nega- tive mode of expression, more especially in those ranks of life whose example is presumed to he a moral rule for the guidance of all other sections of society in questions of such etiqitette as the relation between master and servant, and the servile obe- dience due by the latter to the former. True, fashion is ever changing, and somewhat irresistible in its action, in the upper ranks of life ; and if the question of being ashamed to keep horses that shy at traction engines belongs to the realms of fashion (and we do not see our way very clearly where else to place it, in the common category of things), it is to be hoped that the current fashion wiU soon be superseded by something more rational ; for, of all the unreasonable affairs in existence, that of worldng shying horses in one's own carriage is the most irreconcilable to common sense. But while we purposely censure, in no measured terms, the apathy now being extended to the proper training of horses, so as not to shy at railway and common-road locomotives, we must also confess, on the other hand, that justice has not been done in the construction and working of the latter, and that this stands greatly in the way of the former being accomplished. Noiseless sraoke-and-st(!am-consuming engines, for example, of both kinds can now be manufactured as readily as those in use ; aud were this done, horses would be much more easily trained not to shy at them. The dread of smoke and fire is very strongly implanted in the lower animals ; so much so, that burning fires have been adopted in all countries where wild animals abound, as a safe protection during night to those surrounded by them. The horse is naturally a very sensitive animal to danger, and prone to wheel about and flee for safety ; and therefore it is strictly in accordance with liis nature to fly from or shy at the sparks and smoke from a traction engine, more especially when accompanied with the hideous, monotonous noise which it makes in puffing off its waste steam. Tliere is here much room for improvement, and the sooner it is set about aud the old routine forms aud mechanisms thrown aside, so much the better for the cause of progress. This plainly does not belong to the realms of fashion, and therefore we briefly dispose of it accordingly. It will thus be seen that both sides of the question are sur- rounded with shortcomings of a character that greatly retard the general march of much-needed improvement, more espe- cially an extended use of traction engines in connexion with agriculture aud several other branches of industry. It will also be seen that although tlie conduct of the manufacturers and owners of traction engines is not so culpable, silly, aud un- reasonable, in a professional sense, as is that of the breeders and owners of horses, it is nevertheless as great a harrier, per- haps, to the cause of progress, and will be as difficult of remo- val ; for although certain improvements have been made in the construction of engines for consuming their smoke and doing away with the puffing noise of the waste steam,they are but ap- proximations to what is further needed ; so that fresh discovery is necessary before their universal adoption can be expected. This, however, is no excuse for not adopting improvements jnade. In short, the improvements on both sides is an uphUl work of time, that can only be eflected by degrees— uphill be- cause against the pocket in the outset, and therefore the chief difliculty likely to be experienced will be the getting of hotli to pull together, so as to get parties out of their present anta- gonistic position, and on to fresh ground. We have thus two parties involved in the general question; and the first step towards its practical solution is obviously to get them thoroughly to comprehend their respective positions, and the untenable character of the ground which they at pre- sent occupy, in order that both may see clearly the path of duty and interest that lies before them. In the case of the breeders and owners of horses, for example, so long as the former graze their brood mares in pastures adjoining rail- ways,' and allow both the dams and their offspring to cock tlieir tails, shy, and gallop, as natural instinct may prompt, what can the latter expect, when animals grow up under such a course of training, but shying, when they are first pitt in harness, the moment they are called upon to go under a rail- way-bridge when a train is approaching, or face a traction- engine, meeting them puffing, snorting, and casting across the road a continuous volume of smoke, mixed with sparks and steam, as if purposely determined to clear the way of aU. opposition? AVe can peitectly uuderstaud the magnitude of the task which breeders so circumstanced have to encounter in the training of their brood mares with their offspring not to shy at the train, and the necessity that will often arise for parting with fine animals in every other respect, or ceasing to breed from them ; Imt the greater the magnitude of the task, so much the more urgent is the duty to set about its imme- diate performance. " A cowardly front to a steep and rugged hill " was never yet the rule of action on the part of any true- hearted Englishman, and never will be while England lias an inch of land above the ocean on which the yeomen can get a footing. If England, therefore, expects her farmers to do their duty, as doubtless she does, they are neither without the will to perform, nor the means to carry that will into practice, if all the shying brood mares in the kingdom shoiJd have to be sent to the knacker's yard to-morrow. But a less sacrifice than this will accomplish the enterprise of the training work of improvement, if cautiously, timely, firmly, and opportunely gone about. Again, on the part of the owners of riding horses, carriage, and other horses : granting that the animals were never trained to shy at railway trains, and were never known to shy when grown-up and in harness, is that any reason why their ov^Tiers should conclude that training is unnecessary ? Certainly not. All horses require to be broken into whatever work they have to perform, whether for saddle or harness ; aud the first and obvious duty of every purchaser is to get a warrant that the horse or horses he buys has or have been thoroughly trained not to shy at a traction-engine or railway train ; aud in the case of such warrant being forthcoming, or satisfactory, it is then the first and bouuden duty and interest of the purchaser to have his horse or horses thoroughly trained before he puts the one or the pair to his carriage. Who ever was heard of taking from the grass a pair of untrained colts, aud yoking them to his carriage-pole, save a madman ? And what is the difference between this example and that of yoking a pair of spirited horses to face a traction-engine, that have never been trained not to shy at such ? The difference, if any, is ob- viously against the latter example ; and yet, at the present time, when the subject is beiug publicly discussed in all its bearings, how many such persons are there in the kingdom who, for no other reason than the penny-wise and pound-foohsh value of a sovereign or two, fall back on their elbow-chairs until the time comes when they must have their carriage, and then go out grumbling at parliament and all the world besides for allowing these traction engines to travel the road during those hours of the day when they are out taking an airing, paying a visit, or the like I If Parliament has a useful func- tion to perform, and common sense enough to discharge the duty which devolves upon it in such a case, it is to prohibit madmen, and worse than madmen, from taking their horses out of their stables until they are properly trained, or in some way set about the honest and faithful discharge of the duty which thus devolves upon them. In point of fact this is what the more iuteUigeut, high-minded, and utilitarian portion of society that own horses already do. A riding-master, for ex- ample, who has a stud close by where we reside, for teach- ing the young ladies and gentlemen of the neighbourhood to 5l6 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. ride, wlien he purchases a new horse, may be seen training him under the railway bridges of the district day after day, until the animal becomes thoroughly reconciled to the passing trains. Otherwise, the animal is sold, and another purchase made. In this there is no lack of common sense and business talents. Servants, again, may also be seen training their em- ployers' carriage and riding horses ; ditto butchers, and all who use light carts ; so that when the whole truth is fairly brouo-ht into daylight, and the conduct of those who act other- wise is closely scrutinized in that liglit, it will be found to merit the highest censure that can be bestowed upon it ; and if the time is not already come for estimating such conduct at what it is worth, it is obviously fast approaching a jjublic realization, for the current period is one of a truly practically searching and experimental kind ; and if purchasers would adopt the maxim of returning shying horses upon dealers' hands as unsaleable at any price, it would eventually read both the breeders of such shying cattle and the general public a lesson which neither would forget, and which 'both would profit by. As to the improvements in traction engines," the statutory proposition of compelling their owners to have them altered immediately may be considered rather arbitrary, but it is not mthout legislative precedent ; and, tlierefore, unless parties set about the work of improvement without delay, the statutory enforcement of the proposition is the inevitable result. We cannot see our way practically to any other satisfactory ' solu- tion of the rjuestion. Engi:^eee. ON THE RELATION BETWEEN MASTER AND SERVANT. Prize Essw. By Mr. Sinclaie, servant, Bogiie.U) or Laituers. Those engaged in agricultural pursuits form a large section of the population of our northern district ; and whoever devotes himself to promote their social and moral elevation affects the greatest portion of his fellow-countrymen. In this day of investigation and desire of advancement, every question is looked at and discussed both in public and private, and every possible means used to let the conclusions be known. Men of all ranks and conditions in society are interesting themselves in the welfare of those around them. The working man for years back has been looked upon as a secondary creature iu the order of creation, made to perform work to others, live on the meanest fare, eke out a life fraught with misery, without a right to state his grievances to the higher ranks of society, that they might be removed. Eut, thanks to the spirit of the age we live in, which allows the labourer to stand forth and plead his own cause, in his own blunt and homely style, and tiianks to the noble, the learned, and the generous, who have sustained him in his pleading, and caused his voice to be heard on high, it is a new epoch in the history of the farm-servant and labourer to be called upon to plead liis cause with tongue or pen ; and now, when called upon to stand forth and speak for ourselves, we feel, like a washed sow in a carpeted room, entirely out of our element ; but put us behind a plough, a scythe, or a hurly, and we would know what to do and how to do it. This essay has been prompted by the announcement of three prizes to be given by the spirited and generous Alex. Stewart, Es;^., of Laithers and Inclibreck, through the auspices of the Turriff Agricultural Association, for the tliree best essays on " The Relation of Master and Servant, and their Duties to each other ;" and I presume it is farmers and their out- door servants that are meant, and as such I shall endeavour to treat it. The question naturally divides itself into two parts — 1st. The Relation of Master and Sen-ant ; 2ud. Their Duties to each other. 1st. The Relation of Master and Servant. — In all countries of the world there has always been, in a greater or less degree, such a distinction in society as master and servant. One man by birthright or enterprise may possess or acquire such an amount of this world's goods as his own hands would be entirely unable to "hand weelthegither," and hence necessarily requires the assistance of others. His wealthy neighbour is unable to render requisite assistance, lieing similarly situated himself; turn he must to the poorer classes around him, who arc thankful to see his face and hear his errand. Both parties are in want, the one for labourers, the other for bread. His superiority lies in the abundance he possesseth, theirs in their robust frames and skill acquired in the performance of labour. The wants and resources of both parties are wisely adapted to each other, and, properly used, produceth plenty and comfort. It is no dishonour to a man to go and seek the assistance of others to enable him to manage his affairs with discretion, nor IS it derogatory of a man's honour or worth to have to toil for a subsistence, providing he does it in a la-n-ful manner. iNecessit^- compels both parties to seek each other, and also to render due equivalents. Eanners require servants of various ages and capabilities — boys to herd their cattle, men to plough, sow, and reap their field?. The minor, leaving his father's house, and going away "to herd some neighbour's cattle," places himself under tbe government of the farmer for the engaged time. He leaves his father's house and adopts that of the farmer, who becomes a father to him, bound in the eye of British law to protect and care for him, in case of sickness or accident, as though he were one of his own body begotten, born and living with him. The eye of the juvenile is restless and inquisitive, his mind clear and imitative, his affections tender and unperverted, his habits and modes of thinking about to be formed ; and if he falls under the influence of a master leading an improper life, his mind will be influenced and his affections bent iu the same direction. If he happens to fall into a pious and orderly family, he will become simi- larly affected for good, and his first impressions for good or for evil will adhere to him for life. Masters should think on this. Of those more advanced in years and skilfulness in their call- ing, the master stands related to them more in the light of a ruler than a father ; they have arrived at the period of responsibility, their ideas formed, their affections set — there- fore they are not so easily influenced, nor require such strict surveillance. They struck the bargain with their masters of tliemselves, and are bound to complete the same. He sells his labour for a fixed period of time for so much money, renouncing all claim to it, except so much as may be excluded in the bargain, or by the consent of the master afterwards at his request ; the master has a right to all the time and the servant to all the money, according to bargain. This forms a close relation indeed, and if both parties are satisfied with each other, it affords a very happy way of spending his younger years; but if they are dissatisfied with the conduct and suffi- ciency of each other, and the passions rise, and high words pass between them, the sooner the connection is dissolved the better. The tediousness of the half-year system could be greatly enlivened if masters would give occasional half-holidays (as a reward of good conduct) to their servants between terms, \\'hen they might have an opportunity of visiting friends, transacting business, &c. This would in some measure prevent that undue degree of debauchery manifest where they only meet once in six months ; also, it would induce a degree of better feeling between the two parties at home, and ensure work to be efficiently and promptly done ; thereby making the yoke of bondage to lie as light on the shoulders of both as possible. 2nd. Their Duties to each other. — The master engages a servant for a set period of time for so much money, and other perquisites, as the circumstances of the servant may call for. At the time of effecting a bargain, it is usually understood that the farmer will supply the servant with food and lodgings for the time stipulated ; but if they are in a bothy, it is specially mentioned. Where the farmer supplies prepared food, the servants jiartake of it iu the kitchen ; in olden times he used to eat with liis servants, but now he partakes of his meals iu THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 51^ anotlipr apartiucnt. Tlic cliaiiging hand of time aud eater- prising- minds have altered the aspect of the country and the buildings upon it for the better ; whilst in the farmer's family it has been for the worse. The farmer is bound to give the servant a clean and suitable diet, capable of sustaining life, and to enable him to fulfil his engagemeut without injury to his person. But in many cases his victuals have been cut down and pared away to the smallest compass, and often composed of indifferent materials. The absence of the farmer at tlie time of meals is favourable to this. Had he still sat at the head of the table and said grace, at the same time partaking of every dish with the servant, there would have been less danger of it becoming parsimonious ; also the farmer's influence would have lieen greater with the servant, aud a less degree of hostility existed between them. The servants in the kitchen easily know what the master partakes of in the room, and very often vent their spleen in fearful imprecations on his head. Some, to hide the knowledge of their eating and drinking from their servants, to get rid of their noise in the kitchen and their complaints about their meals, have put them into a bothy, with a woman to cook their )neals ; in this case tiiey are equally as well as in the kitchen, where they have a liberal supply of potatoes and vegetables. Others have shoved them off still farther ; they have put them into bothy with their allowance of milk and meal, without potatoes or vegetables, or a woman to cook to them, having to kindle the fire and to cook for themselves. Nothing remains for them but brose, eternal brose, summer and winter. How iu all the world could a master enjoying his >-u/i and plum- pudding think how a fellow-creature could be able to cram down one dry morsel of water-brose after another till he was satisfied, aud for three times a day ? Those who serve such masters, and live on such fare, would require constitutions first-class, and intestines made of the very best materials, and warranted not to get foul, nor to go out of repair. If we add to the grievance of the men having to cook and settle their utensils in their place when they should be resting their wearied bodies, the probability of a churlish master, disagree- ment among tliemselves, unfavourable weather, &c., verily there is little difference between them and the negro in bonds, save the vendible right, the cowhide, aud the whipping estab- lishment. Although I speak strongly against such treat- ment, yet I would not seek the other extreme. There is no necessity for a master to raise his servants to a perfect equality with himself. No servant, possessed of common sense, would plead for admission to all the dinner and tea-parties of the family, to recline on his sofa, sip his wine, and joke with his guests. His place is outside, attending to the aitairs committed to his charge. "What we strongly contend for is more sym- pathy shown by masters and better meals supplied to servants. Tliey need not go to extravagance in anything ; little will please, and will be amptly rewarded by smiling faces at the fireside and in the market. It is the duty of the master to afford good lodgings at night. Servants should have a comfortable sleeping apartment, with a fireplace in it, where a fire could be put on in the case of accident or sicknes's. The servants' sleeping apartment about our large farms are too often of a very miserable description. Thrust into some corner of the buildings full of damp and vermin, or on the loft above the stable, amidst the effluvia arising from the horses' breath and dung beneath, with four, six, or eight horses eating, and prancing on every night. To sleep soundly in such a place requires practice as well as composure of mind. Jlaiiy a strong man sleeping in these places has fallen a prey to rheumatism, bronchial and pul- monai-y disorders, general debility, and found an early grave. A few have staggered through life mere " remnants of their former selves." If a servant were to run up a list of the different places he has slept in during his servitude, it would present a very ludicrous appearance. Deem it not a piece of egotism if I present you with my own. I have slept with my master ; at the back of my master's bed ; on the loft above my master's bed ; at one place, in a chamber with a fireplace ; at two, on tlie same floor with the horses ; at many, on the loft above their heads ; at two, in the end of the barn ; atone, above the cows ; at another, in an out- house where the poultry were fed in the day-time. Here I would say, if a master valued the healtji and comfort of his servant, also his own interest, he would see to have his servant comfortably lodged at night. Indeed, it would be well if some more stringent sanitary measures could be enforced, and give to the farm-servant a suitable sleeping-place, and a well-kept bed. If the master would do his duly, this would be unnecessary. Lastly, the master ought to show kindness to his servants, " forbearing threatening." This is a very difiicult point to settle, and say exactly what should or what should not be done. A master must sway the rod of authority in his own household, or else his affairs would soon become unmanageable, and ter- minate in his utter ruin. If he lose his place among and his power over bis servants by talkativeness and gross familiarity — by showing peevishness, irritability, and captiousness of disposition — by hanghtiuess of manner, or violent outbursts of rage — they will soon become indifferent to his welfare, whether be be absent or present, angry or pleased. He should study to issue his orders in a spirit of kindness combined with firm- ness, so as to induce cheerful service on the part of the servant, also leaving an impression on his mind that the orders must be executed. Speaking kindly to a servant has a great influ- ence over him ; and if the master would deign to let the servant know his worth, and how high he stands in his estimation, leaving things a little at his disposal, he would look with a more interested eye after Ins master's affairs, and walk with a lighter heart and a brisker step in the performance of his duty. On no account should a master use threatening lan- guage. It irritates the servant, and produces feelings of the worst description in his bosom. Besides, masters occupy a higher step in the order of society, and they should consider it below their honour to deal unkindly towards those who are toiling for their comfort and well-being. It is a law in nature that the greater attracts the less ; so they, being greater in the world's esteem, should all as one man begin to show to the servant-class a spirit of sympathy aiul kindness, especially to the rising generation, and in a fevv years there would be fewer complaints about and lawsuits with that demoralised, insolent, and incorrigible class of creatures. Let us now consider the duties of servants to masters. Ser- vants and masters are mutually dependent upon each other — the one to serve, the other to be served. It is no dishonour for a man who has been born poor to go and serve another for money, if he gives a sutticient amount of labour for the promised sum. Half-yearly engagements have a tendency to produce languor of mind, laziness of action, carelessness, and indifference to tlie master's interest. Servants should render faithful service from the one end of the half-year to the other, ever remembering that the whole of the half-j-ear belongs to the master, the same as the whole sum of their wages to them as soon as they are won. . Nor should the eye or the call of the master be necessary to wring out a sufiicient quantity of labour, but they should consider themselves bound, by their engagement, to render faithful service, \vliether he be absent or present, angry or pleased. If they respect their master as they ought to do, they will render it spontaneously. Servants ought to render willing and cheerful obedience. In some cases it is very difficult to do it. Masters are but men, hence not infallible ; they have many troubles, anxieties, and heart-burnings servants know nothing of. Although at times they issue orders in a passion, and display a haughtiness of mind not easily borne with, yet a cheerful look and a ready step in the performance of duty must calm the eye and captivate the lieart. The greatest churl can be won by this. Again, how unpleasant it is for a master, after he has issued his orders, to see his servant move away at a tortoise pace, dragging one leg after another as if he had been suddenly attacked by the gout. If a servant had any respect for his own character and his master's profit, he would be up and at it, heart and hand, as soon as bidden ; aud the more unreservedly a servant can bring his mind into sympathy with, and subjection to the master, flie swifter will time fly, and the higher will be his enjoyments. Servants ought not to purloin their master's property. A master cannot be always present to see how his servant deals with hisiproperty, but must leave a considerable amount of it at the risk of the honesty of his servant. It is the same to him as money, although not in his purse, being convertible into that substance as necessity requires it. A servant would shudder at the idea of putting his hand into his master's purse and abstract its contents ; yet few esteem his property in the same light as his money, but will pilfer away small portions now and then, to suit their avaricious desires. A servant should 518 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, bear in niiud that lie has vohmtai'ily sold his services to his master for a fixed period of time and a certaiu amount of wages. If he has done it too cheaply, he must beware of doing so in the future ; but he must not make it up secretly at the expense of the master. Nor ought he to lavish his master's property after a wasteful manner, although he does not appropriate it to his own purposes. The master's property is committed to liis care during his period of eugage- jiient, to be used economically for the master's profit ; besides, lie should beware of laying thievish and wasteful hands on his master's property, for larceny and wastefulness is but the commencement of a course of action which has led many to poverty, sorrow, prison, and death. If a servant esteemed his master, , and held his property sacred ; if he wished to pre- serve his own character free from every blot which follows such a course of action, he would scorn to do such a naughty deed. Servants ought not to wilfully damage their master's pro- perty. Whether ii be tools or animals committed to their charge, they ought not to break the one nor maltreat the other. Some servants are as foolish as to think they take vengeance on an imperious master by wantonly breaking their tools or chastising their animals. Such is not the case, Actions like these proceed from pride and ignorance. They should not be indulged in, for tliey end in no good to either party. Servants should go to their work without mumiuring. It is very unpleasant for a master to issue orders to a servant, and hear him going away venting the splenetic contents of his mind against himself or his work, in audible and suppressed tones wholly unfit for repetition. If a servant has fallen under the sway of an indifferent master, it is only but for a time, when he will have it in his power to be more circumspect in the future. If he is uncomfortable, he should keep it to him- self, and it will do nobody any harm ; if he expresses himself to others, the evil will spread like a plague spot, and do much harm. To be of a peevish and petulant temper, it makes the half-year undesirably long, and the best of circumstances fraught with misery. Nothing like going manfully to work ; ply the tools witli vigilance till the expiry of the'time, and the term will bring a free and full discharge from all evils, real or imaginary. Let us now, in conclusion, add a few general remarks on the question before us. For a number of years back the rush at the letting of farms has been unprecedented. Men with and without capital, with and without experience, have boldly joined in the race, using every means within tlieir reach to enable them to secure the object of their pursuit. Heats have in consequence risen in a greater ratio than the produce market; farmers have had to adopt the most economical methods of farming, devise more effective implements and machines, task their horses to a greater extent, look sharper after their servants in the performance of labour, that they may be able to make a living, and have often had to succumb in spite of their best efforts. To enable them to pay high rents, they have retrenched their expenditure wherever it could be done with safety to their own interests. Servants have been deprived of many holidays held sacred and enjoyed by our forefathers, and appropriated to the master's use. Their victuals, in many cases, have declined in quality and prepara- tion to be almost insuflicicnt to support their physical system in the performance of labour. To stop their complaining mouths, they have been cast out of the kitchen into the bothy to provide for themselves. They have to labour in all sorts of weather, unpitied, during longer hours than any tradesman, and at less wages than they formerly got. They have assisted in bringing large quantities of grain and live stock to the market, producing a rich return to the master as the results of their labours. The master has reserved a luxuriant table for himself, enjoying more of the sweets of life, and the smile of the opident amid such bustle, than he would lie willing to share with his servant, keeping him at the point of his elbow, and shoving him into a dark corner of society amongst hqjses, dogs, and vermin. The servant has not stood amid tliese things as an indifferent observer, but has been involved in the idle whirl from first to last, in many eases suffering physically and morally from the results. From what has transpired, he has come to the conclusion that the master intends to make himself rich at his expense ; and instead of being a servant, he mtends to make him his slave. Both parties now stand look- ing at each other in tiie light of enemies, both resolved to resist any encroachment upon tlieir rights and interests to the fullest extent of their power. Such being the case, the relation which should exist between master and servant is broken down, and hence the duties they owe to each other remain undischarged. Both parties should sue for a compromise — the master to be less exacting, the servant more submissive ; the master more kind, the servant less haughty ; the master to interest himself in the servant socially and morally, the servant to look after his master's affairs the same as his own. It will not do for the master to point the finger of scorn, and say — " You degraded creatures, necessary evils about a farm, ungovernable in your appetites, swinish in your desires, fit companions for dogs, get out of our yvaj, one and all," since they have had a hand in bringing the servant-class to the present moral position they have arrived at. The stream can never rise higher than the fountain; and if a man be put amongst society more degraded than himself, he wiU soon become assimilated to them in word and action. If he has horses, cattle, sheep, or dogs for his constant com- panions, his mind will naturally sink to the same level, pro- viding no other superior object attracts his attention. Far- mers, being men of age, experience, and inlluencc, should first extend the hand of sympathy along with the efforts of pro- prietors, ministers, and philanthropists, to raise the ignorant, outcast, down-trodden sons of toil to the moral position they would be glad to see them occupy. For, if ploughmen succeed in raising protection societies in every parish for an increase of wages and the protection of their rights, with the same hostile feeling rankling in their bosoms against their masters, it will bring things to a sad pass, and render confusion \\'orse confounded. In the event of the extension of the franchise, many working men wUl become electors, whose vote will go as far as his saucy employer's, which must tend to alter the laws of the realm in his favour at no distant day. As we are upon the eve of very troublous times, probably war, with Europe having her ports closed against us, fearful shipping disasters, arisiiig from storms at sea and the results of war, our soldiers employed abroad, and militia and volunteers called out to defend our own shores, disease among live stock, high rents, scarcity of labourers, and an increased rate of wages, farmers will then find it no easy task to meet aU the demands made upon them by a hostile and clamorous working-class. Those who have transgressed ought to retrace their steps without delay, that it may be a lengthening of tranquillity. Proprietors and others would better interest themselves (as some have happily done) in the welfare of tlie working-class, before a fierce democratic spirit be awakened against them, and shake society to its very core. Many resolutions have been adopted, and means tried to ameliorate society of its existing evUs, which have either fallen through the hands of the fraraers, or proved abortive in its results ; nor do I expect to see society better organised or discharging its duties more efficiently than at the present time. People do not err from want of knowledge, but from want of will to obey ; and unless a superior king and rulers to the present order come upon the stage of this world's affairs, able to make and enforce laws to a righteous extremity, "the relation of master and servant" wiU be of the slenderest order, " and their duties to each other " in too many cases miserably discharged. DEATH OF MR. R. COLEMAN.— It is with sincere re- gret that we this week record in our obituary the death of Mr, Richard Coleman, of Southwoods, near this town, the founder and, up to a few years ago, when he retired, the head of the present firm of Coleman and Morton, the well-know n agricul- tural implement makers, of Chelmsford. The deceased gentle- man had reached a ripe and honoured age, but from his state of health there was a hope that he might be spared a few years longer to enjoy in his retirement the fruits of his active and useful life. A short time since, however, he was seized with a severe and painful illness, which, upheld by the principles he had followed through life, he bore with the patience of the Christian up to the evening of Friday, May 11, when he expired. The deceased might well be regarded as a public man, and a benefactor of his country and of agriculture from the invention of the well-known implement that bears his name — Coleman's Cultivator, which has not only tended to great improvement in THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 519 the cultivatiou of English farms, but may be seen at work in most parts of the contiucut, in ilussia, in India, and in America, to wbich countries it is now exported hirgcly, maintaining its higli character amidst no small degree of competition. It took the Royal Agricultural Society's prizes at several of its meet- ings; the only prize for this class of implement at the Great Exhibition in 1863 ; the gold and silver medals at the Paris Exhibition, and at llamburg and other places. An historical notice of it says that for several years after its introduction " it had to compete with a great variety of implements, but the re- sult has been that it has distanced every competitor, and proved itself superior to every other implement used for the same pur- poses. The experience of those who have worked it, and the awards of the judges of the Royal Agricultural Society, the Yorkshire, the Bath and West of England, and several other societies, hotli British and foreign, cor- roborate this statement. Whatever may he the state of the ground from excessive heat, &c., Coleman's Culti- vator will enter, and keep to its work with the broadshares attached ; and upon the work heing cleared where it has once passed, the hottom will be found perfectly level and cut quite dean." Mr. Coleman's great experience in this department of engineering and acquaintance with the wants of the farmers enabled hira to perfect other improvemeuts for facilitating agricultural operations, in which he was greatly assisted hy the skiU and enterprise of his sons, the present heads of the firm. Amongst the foremost of these was the steam-ploughing and cul- tivnting tackle, of wliicli we some time ago gave a description ; and he has tluis left behind him a name that will long be remem- bered in connexion with the tilling of the soil and other farming operations of this country. As a townsman and a neiglibour, Mr. Coleman was held in high respect, not only hy those who might be called his immediate friends, hut by all with whom he became officially or otherwise connected. Eor several years past he had been a member of the Board of Health, in which capacity he took an earnest interest in matters relating to the improvement of the town, and the establishment of a cattle market on a site more convenient than that of the public street ; and his calm and quiet and thoughtful demeanour al- ways gave weight to his words among his colleagues, or to those who sought his advice. To charitable purposes he was ready ,to lend a helping hand ; audit will he recollected that in the case of the cotton famine, and on other occasions, he not only assisted pecuniarily, but gave his active personal labour in promoting the subscriptions. Attached to the Wesleyan connexion iu this town, he was a liberal supporter ot all its institutions, missionary and otherwise ; but was ready at the same time to assist in the promotion of objects of true religion and humanity in connexion with other bodies ; and it must not go unrecorded that, as a iarge employer of labour, he endea- voured in a spirit of kindness to exercise a salutary moral in- fluence on all around him. — Essex Herald, FREKCH AGRICULTURE AND INSECTS. The report from the French agricultural districts, always looked for with greater interest at this season than at any other, has just been sent in, and from it we learn that the field labour and sowing have heen greatly delayed by the rams, which, although of short duration, have been violent and heavy. In spite of the extraordinary abundance of weeds, by which the soil is overrun to a degree unparalleled in the me- mory of the oldest agricultural labourer— the development of which is supposed to have lieen favoured by the damp and mildness of the past winter — the wheat is rising splendidly. The colzas are beginning to flower, the flax is fine, oats pro- raise well, and the vine gives no other fear save tliat of being rather too forward. The abundance of insects, like that of the weeds, is attributed to the entire absence of hard frost during the winter. This latter plague has attracted the serious attention of the administration in many departements of France, and, as usual, induced a vast number of remedies, more or less feasible in their application, to be submitted to examination. Not the least curious of these is the one earnestly proposed by the Sud-Est of Grenoble. This proposition urges the com- pulsive organisation of two millions of young boys into re- gular battalions, for the destruction of noxious insects, parti- cularly the May-bug, so terrible in the departement of the Iscre, that the Prelect has renewed the offer of a reward of ten centimes for every kilogramme of May-bugs brought to the mairies of the different arrondissements. The school- masters are to be the commissioned officers of this juvenile army, and to lead the troops under their command to battle with the enemy every Tliursday and Sunday during the season. So, there being over 40,000 communes in the departements of France, consequently 40,000 schools, each containing on an average fifty pupils, the two miUious of youthful recruits are furnished without expense or trouble. The army is to be regularly enrolled, the Schoolmaster-General to be nominated Chief Haiineloiiicr of the departement, and the general whose victory is pronounced the most brilliant and successful to be proclaimed " Grand Hainieionier'^ of the empire. To him win be confided the direction and organisation of the different bativcs, and to him will be entrusted tlie command of the nu- merous army of HaiiHefoiiiirs destined to confer greater pros- perity on tlie country than the most brilliant conquercrs ever achieved by the annexation of new provinces. The Prefect of the Isere has encouraged the development of the idea by or- dering an official examination of the proposition, and a report to be made concerning the efficacy of the proposal for exter- mination of an insect described as the most malignant enemy of tlie human race, and in every stage of its existence bent on the destruction of the fruits of the earth ; as larvre attacking the root — as a peifect insect devouiing the bud, the leaf, the flower — and evidently destined to produce a famine in the land if not arrested in due time. The conversion of this scourge into a blessing by pressing out the oil contained in its carcase for the greasiug of agricultural implements, aud using the residue as manure, is ofl'ered as a grim compensation to the farmers for tlie damage which the trampling to and fro of the May-bug hunters might occasion to their crops. [This threatened destruction of the crops by insects is in consequence of the almost total annihilation of small birds by the peasants. The sparrow-clubs of England should take warn- ing by the above, and calculate whether they think the course they pursue is really a right one. — Editor.] CATTLE PLAGUE.— It appears that the cattle plague commenced its ravages in the United Kingdom in the week ending June 24. In that week there were 30 attacks ; in the week ending July 1, 147; July 8, 575 ; July 15, 3~1; July 22, 490 ; July 29, 757 ; August 5 (it was not until this date that general alarm began to prevail on the subject), 1,145 ; iu the week ending August 12, 1,231; August 19, 1,175; August 20, 1,270 ; September 2, 922 ; September 9, 847 ; September 23, 1,333 ; September 30, 1,666 ; October 7, 1,436 ; October 14, 2,364 ; October 21, 1,955 ; October 28, 2,210 ; November 4, 3,158; November 11, 3,761; November 18, 4,310; No- vember 25, 5,011 ; Decemher 2, 5,679 ; December 9, 6,988 ; December 16, 8,008; December 23, 8,351; December 30, 9,500 ; January 6, 8,508 ; January 13, 12,299 ; January 20, 12,842; January 27, 15,638; February 3, 11,443; February 10, 15,895 ; and in the week ending February 17, 18,356. A policy of slaugliter was then inaugurated, and the attacks have since been as follows; — Week ending February 24, 11,310; March 3, 9,370; March 10, 8,263 ; March 17, 8,028 ; March 24, 5,672 ; March 31, 4,653 ; April 7, 4,008 ; April 14, 4,320; April 21, 3,805; April 28, 3,783 ; and May 5,3,067. Although the number of attacks has thus been greatly reduced, it was still as large at the commencement of May as at the conimencemeut of November. In the autumn the public mind \\ as filled with the suljject of the rinderpest, to the exclusion of almost every other topic ; hut now — use being second na- ture— the cattle plague comes in for only a moderate share of attention. Nevertheless, it will be seen that the rinderpest question is still not without gravity. 520 THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF GRASS LAND. At the general meeting of the memhers of the MicUaud Farmers' Club, Mr. R. H. Masfen, Vice-President, in the chair, a paper on " The Management and Improvement of Grass Land" was read by Mr. C. S. Bigge, of Much Wenlock, who in introducing his subject said they were all of them becoming aware that large jjrolits might be realised from improvements ia the pasture and meadow lands of the kingdom, and that stock fanning would hereafter as heretofore hold the foremost place in the agriculture of England. The first step towards the improvement of grass land he proposed to inquire into was that of drainage. The removal of superfluous water was a work of the first importance ; not depriving the plant of the moisture necessary for its support, but removing water stag- nating in the soil and rendering it impervious to the disinte- grating action of sun and air. IVoni tiie absence of drainage, the crops of rushes, sedges, and other useless herbage spring, which induce a debilitated condition in the animals feeding on them, and give rise to the diseases of rot, red water, rheumatic fevers, and a predisposition to succumb to infectious maladies. The distance apart of the drains should be — ft. ft. ft. in. On very stiff clay 18 to 21 wide 3 0 deep. Onstrongclay 24 „ 30 „ 4 0,, On clay with porous subsoil... 30 „ 36 „ ■!• G „ On gravel and sand 50 „ 75 „ 5to7feet. Land with subsoil of stiif clay he would treat as the stiff clay warplands — with close shallow draining, spreading the clay on the surface ; and peaty soils the same. In deep arterial drainage he would use 2j-iuch or 3-inch pipes in preference to 2-inch, the increase in the width rendering the use of more expensive pipes of less importance. The cost of fair average work varied from £5 to £6 per acre. One tiling it was important to bear in mind — that the more drains they could get in strong soils the better, the circulation of air in the pipes increasing the porosity and fertility of the soil. The outfalls and direction of tiie main drains must always bo care- fully attended to, to prevent them from becoming stopped up by sediment, roots, or the working of vermin, in which case instead of carrying off the water they would act merely as receivers, and make the land wetter than it was before. In long outfall drains, especially on flat lands, air holes should be inserted every 200 or 300 yards, the orifice being about the same size as the pipe or culvert for the water. With regard to the direction of the drains, which was a most hotly con- tested point, he preferred them cut diagonal to the ridges where there was suflicient fall ; but on very flat land and on the highly thrown up ridges of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire this was impracticable, owing to the ditticulty of keeping an even bottom to the drain and the extreme tenacity of tlie soil. In some stiff land it might be necessary to keep the old furrows, but every furrow must be drained, which, at twelve to fifteen feet wide, would be an expensive though eifectual proceeding. Mr. Bigge next drew attention to the application of fertilisers, which he divided into artificial, natural (or those produced on the farm), and mechanical (or the action of the various im- plements). For improving the quality, increasing the quantity, and rendering the herbage more nutritious, bone manures, in his opinion, held the first place. Tliey were applicable to soils of every description. Bones in an unmanufactured con- dition—steamed, ground, and passed through a half-inch riddle, dust and all— he would apply in quantities of from five cwt. to eight cwt. per acre, repeated after the lapse of five years. Ground bones should be applied in autu-nn, and if possible not later than January. But bones thoroughly digested with sulphuric acid, so as to form a fine powder, were preferable to raw bones. The results obtained by Mr. Brown, of AVellington, were most striking. His farm, of ninety acres, produced £85 worth of butter, and £70 worth of cheese, in ISjI, and the yield increased every year — with the exception of a trifling falling off in 1851 as compared with 1853— until in 1857 the produce was : Butter, £194., and cheese £277, making a total of £4.71 in 1857 as compared with £155 in 1851. He manured his land in the first inatance with ten cwt. of prepared bones, and in four or five years dressed it with five cwt. more. He expended £100 a year in bone manures, and increased his herd of cows from eight to thirty. Although a great increase in the quantity of iierbage was obtained by the use of nitrogenous manures, as Peruvian guano, nitrate of soda, and sulphate or nitrate of ammonia, yet they must be used with great caution, or a growth of soft inimtritious grasses would be tlie result. In experiments made for a series of ysars by Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert, and recorded in the Journal of the Royal Ar/riculltirfil Socief;/, the heaviest results were obtained by a mixed mineral manure of potash, soda, magnesia, and superphosphate and sulphate of ammonia ; but the dressing was so expensive that he would recommend instead of it 1^ cwt. of Peruvian guano and 1^ cwt. of bone superphosphate. The use of mineral superphosphates he would entirely discourage ; but tlie phosphatic guanos, when treated with acids, gave good results. Still, he was of opinion that a thorough good dressing of prepared bones would in the end pay best. With regard to natural fertilisers on rough coarse land, especially when it was very wet, lime was most beneficial. It was best applied mixed with turf, road- scrapings, and salt — of lime three to four tons per acre, with the same number of cwts. of salt. This mixture should be applied in autumn or winter. Quicklime, not from the kiln, spread at once and allowed to slake on the land, had been applied effectively on recently reclaimed moore and waste lands. As to farm-yard manures, for permanent meadow land a dress- ing of ten to fourteen loads of well-rotted duug applied every five or six years would produce the best average results. Farm- yard manure was, liowever, seldom available for grass, espe- cially on strong land farms, and was comparatively slow in its action. This might be compensated by the use of nitro- genous maniires ; but was a dangerous course to pursue, as, after a rank growth of a year or two, the land would probably be exhausted. To keep always going a good compost heap made up of farm-yard manure, road scrapings, salt, ashes, with a few cwt. of bone manure, well mixed and rotted, would be found to be beneficial as a receptacle for odds and ends, as promoting neatness and cleanliness, and as being a most valuable fertiliser. Another mode of improving grass land was almost, if not quite, equal to the use of bones — that was, by folding sheep in (he same way as over arable land, giving roots, hay, straw, chaff, corn, and cake. The improvement of the land would more than repay the cost of the extra food, and the sheep, especially on strong lands, would do far better. When the grasses were very coarse, folding a second time might be necessary. A great advantage of folding on grass was that you could easily vary the size of your folds with the weather, nature of the soil and herbage, while the sheep could always be kept dry under foot. After the drainage of grass land, where tlie herbage is good the turf should Ijc replaced on the drains, and the superfluous soil spread over the land. On rough lands, the turf might be made into compost, or chopped up at once, and spread over the ground, with a dressing of bones. The drains from the farm-yard should be led on to an adjacent meadow, and not to the nearest brook. In speaking of mechanical fertilisers, Mr. Bigge remarked that all grass land .should be well harrowed at least twice a year, in spring and autumn. The one light chain or bush harrow- ing was quite insufiicient. Frequent rolling would also be very beneficial. The eradication of thistles, rushes, and docks was well worth expense and trouble. Thistles should be spudded out frequently during the summer — the commoner system of autumn cutting being inefficient. Rushes would gradually disappear after drainage, but should be cut over once a year and dug out in the winter. Docks should be spudded at least six inches deep. Sheep-folding would get rid of other weeds, as meadow safl'ron, carex, &e. He then referred to exceptional and special cases, as poor clay soils, drained, but in auuncared for condition. In this case, if there was a fair sward and the land had been down more than ten years, he would apply bone manure and lime and as much compost as he THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 521 could get ; but if the sward was weak and thin, it should be ploughed, uot witli too deep a furrow, and one or two crops of rape or turnips taken, after which it should be laid down in spring without a crop. He did not think breaking up grass land and putting it through a four or live course rotation of tillage wns at aU advisable. All grass should be either eaten down close or mown once a year, and, after bearing, should be allowed to spring to a fair length. Grazing land should be allowed a fair start in the spring, and where early spring feed was required the after-grass of the previous autumn might be left untouched to encourage tlie growing grasses. Meadow lands should be for the most part sown year after year, an occasional crop being taken from the other grass lands of the farm. Mr. C'haw>'eu, iu proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Bigge for his excellent paper on a most important subject, observed that the improvement of grass land in certain instances might be brought about by a very simple process, and one which Mr. Bigge did uot allude to, namely, the mowing of old pasture laud — not iu the usual fashion, for that would avail notliiug, but rather increase the difiiculty. The object was to com- pletely denude the laud as far as possible of all the fog and grass upon it. The work required to accomplish this object was such as labourers would not do except by day work, and such as. they could not do except by whetting their scythes every five or six yards. After the soil and roots of the old grass had been laid bare a top dressing should be applied, the nature of which depended entirely upon tlie soil and the sub- soil. Au analysis would show wliat manure the soil was naturally deticient in. He did uot think they could apply hone as a panacea for all grass land. After this treatment tlie sweetest clover and grasses would spring up, and keep a position wliicli they could not attain before in eousequeuee of the previous oppression of the old coarse grasses. Tlie coming summer would be a favourable time to try the method he had suggested, as in consequence of the scarcity of stock and the malaria floating about iu the atmosphere of various dis- tricts, many farmers would be unable fully to stock their land. The produce might be mown and preserved for future winter consumptiou. Mr. Kino seconded the motion. lie advocated the use of horse-shoe tiles in jneference to the pipes recommeuded by Mr. Bigge for draining. Mr. ilouGiiTOJi said he should like to know what the pro- duce of the laud in the midland counties was wortli per acre after it had been improved. His idea was that the best way to improve the greater portion of the grass lands in those counties was to plough them up. Mr. Br.vwn, while agreeing with much that had been said, disagreed in some measure with all the gentlemen who had spoken. As regarded Mr. Houghton, he had evidently au objection to the grass land of tlie country continuing so. The question really was not so much the amount of produce which might be obtained from the land, but the cost of that produce ought to be considered. He coincided with Mr. Bigge's remarks relative to the use of raw bones on old pastures worn out by grazing or cheese making ; but he doubted the eifect of any heavy application of bones on grass laud recently made. With regard to the folding of sheep upon pasture land, he thought that although the laud might show a visible improve- ment, the question was whether such a system was best for the sheep or the farmer. He most certainly advocated it, and he thought by the consumption of roots, corn, cake, and such food on their grass land they would improve their flocks, im- prove their pastures, and in the winter months (he did not say summer) remove every bit of feg or fog, which was best carried into the farmer's pockets through the stomachs of his sheep. With thoroughly good drainage, and with food (which he left an open question, so that a portion was roots) on their grass land, they might keep their flocks in good condition, for lie did not believe a flock of sheep enjoyed themselves when folded on arable land. A point on which he desired informa- tion was, how far the common earth-worm was detrimental or beneficial to grass land. There was a great quantity in land where he folded his sheep, and they appeared to consume the valuable deposits of his animals, aud carry it into the ground. Mr. Biruitt ditfered from Mr. Bigge as to nitrogenous manures exhansting grass lands. His own experience was quite the contrary. Soot, if it could be had in sufficient quaatitieSj was the best and cheapest manure of any for grass. As to tlie eradication of worthless grass, instead of mowing he burned it. Concerning earthworms, he referred Mr. Brawn to the Peiniy Cyclopadia (fifth or sixth volume) for an article, which maintained that their action was beneficial. Mr. Lythall said there could not be a more valuable manure than bone for land with a clay subsoil— that was land adapted for making cheese. Some laud taken by the Great Western Railway Company in 1817, which was then rated at ISs. per acre, had, solely by two dressings of bones— about eight or ten cwt. per acre each time — been so improved that it would now readily let for 50s. per acre. Tlie moss wns eradicated, the growth of clover was greatly increased, and the grass came a fortnight earlier than it used to do. But a light soil, with a gravelly subsoil, dressed at the same time, showed no sign of improvement whatever. Mr. BiRDiTT confirmed Mr. Lythall's last observation by mentioning an instance of a similar kind to show that bones were a capital application on some lands, while on others they were useless. Mr. Wright referred to the valuable results which had followed the use of bones on the dairy lands of Cheshire and elsewhere, but as Mr. Lythall had stated, he believed bone manure was uot of much use on light soils. In considering the subject then under discussion, they must bear iu mind that there were two descriptions of land with which they had to deal — light and heavy soils. In one case it might be absolutely necessary, speaking generally, that drainiug should be the first thing undertaken, but in the case of many of the liglit sandy soils lie would suggest that a dressing of good nrarl would be most beneficial. Tliis would at once and for ever change the staple of the land, and greatly increase its value aud produc- tiveness. Marl was very frequently found in districts where it was most wanted, more frequently, he believed, than was generally imagined ; and it had been described by writers on agriculture as a hidden jewel, and as a mine of wealth lyiug almost unobserved under our feet. Another interesting point was the appearance of the finer kinds of grasses after the application of diifeient manure alone. In a very interesting paper contributed by Mr. Morton to the last part of the Journal of the Bath and West of England Society allusion was made to the well-known experiments of Mr. Lawes, who for many successive years treated certain half-acre plots iu the middle of a natural sward, each in a particular way, and the upshot now is that these plots are as differently planted as if sown out of difi'erent bags. He (Mr. W.) might give an instance in his own limited experience, where some liquid manure having been applied too freely, all vegetation appeared at first to be destroyed, but soon afterwards the spot was covered with one of the smaller varieties of trefoil, which he had never before seen in the field. Another case was men- tioned to him by the late Mr. Godfrey Hirst, of Kuowle, who, acting on the advice of a friend, applied a dressing of manure expressly prepared for grass land to a field much out of con- dition, and the result he described as most extraordinary, the finer grasses being produced in great abundance. He (Mr. W.) thought by suitable dressings, and some care in stocking and future management, on a large part of our medium soils, grass land which was now comparatively unproductive might be rendered very valuable, and that it would be far better on every ground to improve than to break up land of this description. Mr. M.\.SFEN said he had invariably found bones to be of great service on strong land, and on light land he had fre- quently seen bones applied, when the success was uot at all equivalent, whicli he attributed to want of suflicient moisture. He should be very glad to see the poor grass lands very much reduced in quantity. To show that the constituents withdravVn from the soil for feeding young animals were different from those removed in making butter and cheese, he mentioned, as a well authenticated fact, that where cattle were grazed on the banks of the Dove, the land had deteriorated within the last generation or two, whilst there was no such change where cattle were milked and cheese made. He thought the folding of sheep on glass land caused foot rot. He had heard it said, but did not believe it, that the earthworm caused rot in sheep. He observed, liowever, that where there was a superabundance of earthworms, the land was completely covered over with pellets, thrown up by these worms ; and as sheep fed very near the grouud they took into tlieir intestines a quantity of grit and sand so thrown up to the surface, aud the consequence was that they were debilitated, and presented appearances which 522 THE FARMER'S MAOAZINE. miglit be mistaken by an imskilied observer for symptoms of Mr. BiQGE having replied to various observations wliich liad been made, the motion was passed. BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. A monthly meeting of the Cotincil of this Society was held at Doucli's Railway Hotel, Taunton, on Tuesday, the 2-ltli of May, under the presidency of E. A. Sanford, Esq. Tliere were also present the Rev. T. Phillpotts, Messrs. R. S.Allen, Archer, R. Brent, M.D., C. Bush, R. H. Bush, T. Danger, J. Daw, M. Tarrant, J. Fry, C. Gordon, John and Jouatluin Gray, J. D. Hancock, J. Hole, T. Hussey, H. T. Jones, J. Lush, H. A.F. Luttrell, H. G. Moysey, J. P. Pitts, S. Pitman, G. S. Poole, E. U. Vidal, H. Williams, H. Spackman (Official Superintendent), and J. Goodwin (Secretary and Editor). The ProgK-VMJIE of the Salisbury Meeting was adopted : The Exhibition wiU o])en on Monday, June 4fli, wlieu the horses and poultry will be publicly judged, the implement, arts, and horticultural departments will be open to inspection, and the band of tlie Royal Marines (Plymouth division) will attend. On Tuesday all the departments will open at 9 a.m. ; field imple- ments, of various kinds, wiU work at intervals from 10 to 3 o'clock, and a Dog Show, for which the funds have been pro- vided by the Salisbury Local Committee, will be open. On Wednesday, all the business of Tuesday will be contmued, witli the addition of the competition for shoeing prizes, the annual meeting of members, and the Society's banquet. Thursday and Friday arc the people's days. New Meiibeks. — Mr. William Pinckney, Milford House, Salisbury ; Mr. John Woodcock, Netjierhampton, Salisbury ; Mr. Horatio Ward, Salisbury ; Mr. J. Bennett's Trustees, Journal Office, Salisbury ; Mr. James C. Wyatt, Donhead, St. Mary, Wilts ; Messrs. Parfitt, Barnard, and Harvey, Phceuix Foundry, Devizes ; Messrs. Simpson and Son, Melksham ; Messrs. S. and A. Fuller, Bath ; Messrs. Newnham and Son, Broad-street, Bath ; Messrs. Roberts and Sons, Bridgwater ; Messrs. Major and Co., Bridgwater ; Mr. Tliomas Lntley, Moorhouse, Holford, Bridgwater ; Messrs. Raynbird and Co., Basingstoke ; Messrs. Carter and Co., 238, High Holborn, Loudon ; Mr. Joseph Beach, Dudley ; Mr. Alfred G. Lock, Vitriol Works, Redbridge ; Mr. James Smith BynoU, Wrough- ton ; Mr. R. B. Ford, Sandford ; Messrs. Marshall, Sons, and Co., Gainsborough ; Messrs. Picksley, Simms,and Co., Leigh ; Messrs. Hawkes and Spencer, Tiverton ; Messrs. Garton and King, Exeter ; Reading Iron Works, Reading ; Messrs. J. H. Day and Son, Shavington, Crewe, Cheshire ; Messrs. Ashby and Jeffery, Stamford, Lincolnshire ; Rev. G. Copleston, Oifwell Rectory, Honiton ; Mr. Henry St. John Maule, The Hayes, Newton-street, Loe, Bath. Members increasing their Subscriptions: Messrs. R. and J. Reeves, Westbury ; Messrs. Brown, Bridgwater, REVIEW. THE POULTRY YARD, HOW TO " FARM" IT TO MAKE THE CROP PAY, &c. By J. I. Lushington. London : Rogerson and Tuxford, ^6, Strand {Mark Lane Express office). The amazing increase of the importation of eggs raises the question why the British farmers do not make an effort to at least share the profits of their production with the foreigner ? In order to make the reader sensible of the magnitude of this question, we give the figures of ^this importation at three or four periods. Thus, In 1840 the quantity was 92,140,180 1850 „ „ 105,689,000 I860 „ „ 107,695,400 1865 „ „ 864,013,040 They therefore increased nearly 200 millions in the last fiTe years, and in 1865 had exceeded that of 1864 by 28J mil- lions ! The price of French eggs last year was Os. Id. per 120, which was lOd. less than in 1860. If we charge tliera at 6s. the importation will amount to £910,033 sterling. Is this of no instruction in the eyes of tlie British farmer when he is complaining of the unprofitableness of his profession P If we have estaljlished the claim of this branch of rural economy to the serious consideration of the reader, we have a good intro- duction to the little hand-book on keeping fowls which gives rise to our statement. Every department in the breeding, rearing, and treatment of fowls wiU be found handled by a practical man, who has evidently made the subject his study, and here gives the result of his own experience. We strongly recom- mend the work, not only to the amateur poultry-fancier, but to the farmer, who will find, if he tries the plan on ii. farming scale, that it will pay him better than any other branch of his business. THE WHEAT TRADE OF THE WORLD.— A French calculation exhibits the price of wheat as follows, at various points, and in various countries : France, 21f. G9c. per quintal; Belgium, 23f. 93c.; Stettin, 2.3f. 75c.; Cologne, 21f. 10c. ; Hamburg, 24f. 40c.; Mavence, 22f. ; Rotterdam, 21f. 5c.; Bale, 23f. 35c. ; Zurich, 24f. 15c. ; Vienna, 17f. 90c. ; Turin, 26f. ; London, 25f. 50c. ; Liverpool, 20f. 35c. ; St. Peters- burg, 22f. 80c. ; Odessa, 18f. 85c. ; New York, 24f. 20c. ; Alexandria, 18f. 45c. ; and Santander, 19f. 50c. The highest price would thus appear to have prevailed at Liverpool, and the lowest at Vienna. HOP TRADE WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES.— In the year ending at Michaelmas, 1865, 77,070 cwts. of foreign hops were imported into the United Kingdom, and only 4,836 cwts. of foreign hops were exported from it. The quantity received from the United States was mucli smaller than in the previous year. The quantity of Britisli hops exported in the year amounted to 15,425 cwts. ; the bulk of this export trade is with Australia. FRENCH AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.— Tlie Moni- feiir des Traraiix Pablics publishes the following statistics respecting the number of horses and cattle in the 89 depart- ments of France : — Horses, 3,000,000 ; asses, 400,000 ; mules, 330,000; horned cattle, 10,200,000— 2,000,000oxen; 5,800,000 cows; 2,100,000 yearlings. The number of calves produced in the last year was 4,000,000 ; sheep and lambs, 35,000,000, of wliich 26,000,000 were merinos ; 1,400,000 goats and kids ; 1,400,000 hogs above a year old; 3,900,000 sucking pigs, There are present in France 12,600,000 acres of natural meadow land, 5,000,000 acres of artificial meadows, and 20,000,000 acres of pasture land. BACON AND HAMS.— The quantity of bacon and hams exported from the United Kingdom in Blarch was 4,820 cwt., as compared with 3,321 cwt. in March, 1865, and 7,472 cwt. iu March, 1864. In the three months ending March 31 this year the exports were 13,045 cwt., as compared with 7,283 cwt. iu tlie corresponding quarter of 1805, and 18,106 cwt. in the corresponding quarter of 1864. Tlie value of the bacon and hams exported in the first three months of this year was £64,609, as compared with £29,980 iu 1865, and £70,074 in 1864 (corresponding periods). DOGS AND CATS.— According to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, there are three hundred tliousand dogs within the United Kingdom for which their owners pay licence, and it is computed that only one dog in ten is so licensed. There- fore we have amongst us no fewer than three millions of dogs. As for cats, we have no such clear statistics ; but we may set them down at double the number — that is, six millions, as against three of their canine enemies. The sum that these animals cost their owners per annum is something prodigious, and may be computed as follows : — Dogs licensed — three hundred thousand at 12s. per annum £1,800,000 Three millions dogs' keep — say Id. per diem, or £1 10s. 5d. per annum 5,150,000 Three hundred kennel keepers at £1 per week, or £52 per annum... ... ... ... ... 15,600 Six million cats' keep, at Jd. per diem, or 15s. 2id. per annum "... 5,150,000 £13,115,600 — or more tlian the whole revenues of the Germanic Con- federation of the present day. — Montrose Standard. THE FAKMEK'a MAGAZINE. S23 CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE. This month introduces the turnip-sowing over the greater part of the kingdom. The land must be well pulverized, all weeds and stones re- moved, and rolled flat. Open the drills with one furrow of the common plough, or with the same furrow of the double mouldboard plough. Lay the (lung in the hollows, from one-horse carts ; spread and cover it without delay; and sow the turnip-seed immediately. On cloddy, crumbling soils, roll the drills on the flat ground without de- lay : it crushes the clods, closes the surface against drought, and acts as a lock and key with regard to moisture. In dry seasons this rolling forms a valuable part of turnip farming. Sow Swedish turnips till the middle of the month, and then go on with Green Rounds, and last sow the White Globes. Sow by the drop- drill all auxiliary and artiflcial manures, as bones, guano, ashes, bran, and rapedust, and roll imme- diately. Turnip-sowing should be mostly finished this month. Plough pared and burned lands, on which the ashes are spread, with a thin furrow. Harrow the land smooth by repeated tines. Sow the turnip- seed by hand, and cover with a single or double tine of the grass-seed harrows. In some cases a rolling may be necessary. If the land is deep and loamy, work it into tilth, and drill as usual. Plough the intervals of the drills. Horse and hand-hoe potatoes, beet, parsnips, and carrots. Plough potatoes deeply, on stiff bottoms ; and break the drills with the hand-hoe, to procure a fine pulverization. Shear sheep, and mark by distinctive signs the dilFerent ages and conditions. Wean the lambs of the year, and place them on the best pastures. Put mares to the stallion regularly. Cut and destroy all weeds on pastures. Pull all tall weeds among grain crops, and destroy all seed- bearing weeds on the sides of roads, ditches, and hedges. Hay harvest will sometimes commence during this month, in early seasons. Clovers, sainfoins, and forward meadows may be cut. Get the herb- age dried and stacked quickly. The working and making of hay requires plenty of hands, kind treatment of the labourers, and quickness and despatch in every operation. Allow five or six haymakers to each mower, besides the hands employed in carrying. In favourable wea- ther, two days will dry the herbage, when properly managed by alternately being cocked and turned. In stacking hay, it is better that it sink and con- solidate by its own weight than by being trod into firmness by artificial pressure. CALENDAR OE GARDENING. Kitchen Garden. First Week. — Peas : Return to the early sorts, as the Hotspur, Charlton, and Cormack's Kent, with a few rows of the Tall Marrow. Peas sown late rarely escape mildew. Sow kidney beans and runners for succession, cabbages to come in speedily, Dutch turnips for autumn, carrots and onions to be drawn young or stand the winter. Fourth Week. — Sow again turnips, salad, and lettuce. Transplant Cape broccoli about the middle of the month ; cauliflower for August, making the ground rich for compost. Also transplant bore- cole, Jerusalem and Scotch kail, savoys, and Brussels sprouts. Asparagus-beds still yield, but should not be cut beyond the 10th, as close cutting mutilates the beds and rows. A shoot should always be left to each crown. Scatter rich earth and droppings over the beds, avoiding salt on the wet leaves, which are destroyed by the saline particles. Mix the salt in the composts of earths. Plant young lemon-thyme, savory, sweet mar- joram, basil, and also slips of lavender, rosemary, rue, and other hardy sweet herbs, in cool, shady beds, for subsequent transplantation. Cut the aromatic herbs for drying, when the flowers appear. Thin out onions by degrees for use, leaving the bulbing-stocks four to six inches asunder. In dry weather, light thinnings and hoeings of the surface are very beneficial in attracting moisture to the plants. Fruit Department. The ill-placed shoots are removed from apple and pear-trees to the bottom, or may be fore- shortened, and repeated at the end of summer. Strawberry-rows should be stringed on each side, the twine fastened to short sticks, so as to support the entire rank of trusses. Flower Garden. Arrange the greenhouse-plants now brought out in neat order, to a northern exposure. Plunge Indian azaleas in a peat border. Arrange flower- ing shrubs and also herbaceous plants in situations low in front, to a high back, in an order to dis- play the sizes and colours in any miscellaneous collection. Take up bulbs when the green parts change colour and become dry. 524 THE TARMEB'S MAGAZINE. FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL GOSSIP. ' A recent sale of reproducers at the imperial varherle of Corbou maybe interesting. Annexed is a complete list of the sales effected : — BULLS. Name of animal. Age. Selling price. Purchasers. 6 years ... 33 mouths . 31 months . 30 months . 19 mouths . 16 months . 16 mouths . 16 mouths . 15 months . 15 months . 36 months . £38 £57 £108 £38 £80 £44 £43 £30 £30 £106 £31 MM. de Torcy „ Vaillaut „ Auclerc „ Jacquiuot „ Burel Bois Rose „ lloUet ,, Tiersonuier ,, Blanchart Alfgar ,, deMontmaur „ Boisteaux Isolier „ Jubin Name of animal. ^ Age. Selling price. Purchasers Edith 15 years... Oeeauide i 9 years... Bluette 8 years.., Nemophile 7 years.., Nanette \ 6 years.. Noblesse ' 6 years . . Egle 4^ years.. Cassiopee 3|^ years.. MM. deMontmaur „ RoUet „ Tacouet „ Devaulx „ Devaulx „ de Moutlaur ,, Jaccjuinot ,, de Mesauge Name of animal. I Age. Cy pris 30 months . Eleonore 15 mouths . Rosemoude 14 mouths . Mathilde 14 mouths . Aline 10 mouths . Phebus 8 mouths . Talita I 5 mouths . Selling price. Purchasers. £33 £36 £33 £30 £23 £31 £10 MM. de Mesange „ de Kerjega „ de Serviguy „ de Moutlaur „ de Serviguy „ Devaulx . „ RoUet The total sum derived from the bulls sold was £564, from the cows £393, and from the heifers £174; making an aggregate of £1,131. A sale at the imperial sheepfold of the Cham bois last month was also a decided success, the rams offered being taken off at high prices. This sheepfold now comprises the flock of the old sheepfold of GervroUes ; this flock has fuUy supported the translation, aud is now in a very prosperous condition. At the annual meeting of the Frencli con- cern known as the Credit A(jncole, the report presented stated that the course of affairs during the past exercise exhibited a further progress in the operations of the undertaking. M. Saint-Cyr, professor at the tlie Lyons veterinary school, has been collecting some statistics on the subject of that mysterious disease — eauine madness. The result of his inquiries, pub- lished in the journal of tlie Lyons school of veterinary medicine, early this year, commends itself to the attention of serious men. Statistics, especially ou pathological questions, do not, perhaps, command the complete confidence of tlie public ; at the same time, it should be stated that M. Saint-Cyr borrowed tlie elements of liis memoire from the registers of the Lyons school, on which are inscribed the history of tlie animals treated. Notwithstanding, however, the minute attention with which M. Saint-Cyr has collected his notes, he has not succeeded in removing the uncertainties prevailing ou the subject, aud the reader feels himself almost as much at sea as before. This ignorance of the disease is rather, however, a proof of tlie impartiality with which M. Saint-Cyr has collected his data. The information obtained by M. Saint-Cvr, as to the period of the incubation of the disease, offers absolutely nothing of a fixed character. In 159 dogs observed, tliis period varied from 16 to 115 days, and there remains, it will be seen, a great latitude for the establishmeut of an average. It is probable that short incubations of four or two days, or eveu less, of which mention has often been made, are altogether baseless, as it is very difficult to carefully observe a fact in the midst of the panic which its gravity provokes. Does sex exercise any in- fluence on the malady ? Are dogs more frequently affected by it than bitches ? The most conflicting opinions have been sustained on the subject, and a proportion has even been fixed of 15 bitclies for 87 dogs, which gives an average of 17 to 18 per cent. It is known, liowever, that the absolute proportion of dogs and bitches is about 17 or 18 per cent., and it will be readily understood then, that M. Saint-Cyr is right in judiciously refusing to recognize the value of these pretended statistics. M. Saint-Cyr has remarked that the more dogs are ac- customed to a wandering life, in town or country, the more they are likely to contract the disease. The ex- planation seems easy : wandering dogs, by reason of their nomadic life, are likely to find themselves en rapport witli a greater number of animals of their species, and run more risk of coming in contact with mad dogs. Upon the question of age, M. Saint-Cyr comes to the conclusion that it is in middle age that the malady commits the greatest ravages. He explains this fact upon the supposition that it is in youth or old age that dogs remain the most willingly in the houses of their owners. Does heat and drought exert any influence on canine madness ? Popular prejudice answers in the affirma- tive ; hut M. Saint-Cyr affirms that the answer is contrary to truth, aud even contends that it is iu rainy months that cases of dog-madness are the most common. It is true that the sta- tistics of the two last years contradict this hypothesis, but M. Saint-Cyr argues that this is attributable ouly to exceptional meteorological circumstances. M. Saint-Cyr arrives at the uot very satisfactory conclusion that, putting contagion on one side, all the causes of dog-madness are unknown. He does not dare to deny the spontaneity of the disease, but he affirms that if at one blow all the mad dogs of the world could be de- stroyed, canine madness would disappear for ever. — The Agri- cultural Society of the Drume has imposed on itself the task of replying to two questions asked by the Imperial Agricultural Society of France : '" Is property very much sub-divided P What would be the best means of encouraging its re-union so as to facilitate its inspection and the progress of field-work, care being taken to diminish as much as possible loss of time and transport expenses ?" The local society appears to incline to the opinion that property is too much subdivided, and that legislation must apply itself to the task of checking the abuse of its division. Some members of the society advocate, how- ever, a laisse: fa'irc policy. — Although thrashing-machines have made great progress in France, they are still not suffi- ciently in use on the farms of that empire. This arises from the excessive fatigue which they occasion to the animals yoked to them, especially if farmers employ iu connexion with them horned beasts, whose " performances" are neither regular enough nor swift enough to enable satisfactory work to be ob- tained with them. The result is that in districts iu which the cultivation of the land is carried on with these animals the flail is with difficulty set aside by the thrashing-machine. This state of things will continue until steam-motors are employed, which alone work regularly aud completely economically, see- ing the perfection and promptitude of the thrashing effected with their aid, while portable agricultural engines can also be used for putting iu motion every description of agricultural machinery. French agriculturists appear to be nervous as re- gards possible danger which these engines may occasion by setting fire to straw, and to guard against this the use of the Chodzko fumivorous apparatus is recommended, although it is still iu far from general use. We referred recently to agricultural topics in the district of France formerly known as Picardy. A writer on the subject says : " Pigs form the object of an important production and export. Various crossings with English breeds have produced mixture? favourable to the precocity of the animals and to THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 625 their aptitiule for fattening'. I'nfortniiately, these advantages are in part balanced by a notable falling-oil' as regards feeuudity. Many points still reraiiiu to be cleared up on this still obscure part of zootccliny Tlie proximity of England and Paris, which opens large outlets for our piggeries, facilitates also the exportation of our eggs and fowls. Tiiese latter, wliicli are too much iieglected by cultivators, recommend themselves by their rusticity and fecundity. If a little attention is paid them, specimens are obtained not very large perhaps, but presenting a very savory llesli. Experimental crossings with the large breeds of France, England, and Asia produce larger specimens. But they are less 'rustic,' less easy to nourish than the iiulige- nous species, and the product of the egg is less abundant." " We can now afford some details as to the French district State agricultural shows at Avignon. Cattle comprised 12'J head in the catalogue ; sheep, Ci head of rams or lots of five ewes; while there were 110 head of poultry, 289 entries of implements, and 191 lots of products. Tiiese totals were supe- rior to those of the Nice meeting, but were nearly efiuai to those at Perpignan or Niraes. The exhibitors have scarcely changed : they arc always those of former shows. Tiiere has been no loss as regards the quality of the entries, but the con- viction is forced upon the mind that agricultural tastes have not extended. It is hinted that these district State agricul- oultural sliows require publicity ; in the departemcnt in which they are held the great majority of those persons whoouglit to be interested in them scarcely know when they take place or how they can be reached. Tlie last State agricultural show held at Avignon took place in 185S, and tlie meeting of this year, when contrasted with its predecessor, was rich in implc- 7nents. What perhaps was better still, the entries made in tliis department were — with the exception of the thrashing ma- chines— well adapted to the requirements of the departement. Tlie collections of Mr. I'arsous of Marseilles, BE. Lavaudet of Aries, and M. Bonnet of Avignon, were especially re- marked. jMr. Parsons is an American engineer, who makes very good implements, with which he has furnished French Africa for some years past ; he is an ally of AYood, an English maker. M. Lavandet brought to Avignon some of Howard's ploughs. iM. Bonnet's name has been rendered sonle\^hat celebrated among the agriculturists of the south of France by the plough of his brother. The prize of honour for the best agricultural working — a sum of £200 and a silver cup of the value of £1-10 — was awarded to M. Eugene Raspail for his working of the Colonibier and the Bosquet at Gigondas. This was, to a great extent, what the French term an e.cpluUalion riticole — or what we shoidd caU a vineyard — as \\as the second best working of the grand Bonigard, near Orange, wl'.ich brought a gold medal to Baron Jules de Serres Monteil. The district, although regarded as a locality comparatively without stock, has always some very fine specimens of its exhibitions. Some persons of the Herault and the Gard — a few engaged in milk speculations, which are found lucrative near the great centres of population, and others devoting themselves purely and simply to exhibitions — furnish boxes of first-class cattle. M. Gaston Bazille, M. Causse, and M. Sauvajol would do honour to the districts of the uortli and centre of France, as would MM. Bardon, Boch, Jambon, and Pilot. On whatever ground these exhibitors come to the meetings, they are entitled to commendation, as without them shows of stock would scarcely exist ; while the southern Mediterranean littoral would scarcely know what fine beasts were. It is by means of the breeds of Switzerland and Savoy that these breeders render these great services to the district ; if it were necessary to justify by a fresh illustration the utility of the free importa- tion of stock no more striking proof could be found. Jlilk- produeing industry could not be carried on at IMontpellier, Nimes, Aries, &c., if it were imperative to keep French breeds, although twelve or fifteen years since the auimals chiefiy iu use were the far from productive cows of the Gevandan, the Cantal, and Brittany. Etl'orts to improve them could not have been carried out, as the experiments would have cost too much ; they could not have been made, either from a want of specimens. The barrier of the Alps, however, once removed, animals were made available, the maintenance of which was rendered lu'acticaijle from their own intrinsic profit. Out of 12G animals presented by the niue departementsof the district, the Herault had 73, the Vaucluse 2o, tlie Bouches-du-ilhone 13, the Gard 12, and the Aude 5. Two-thirds belonged to the Tarentaise or Savoy breed, which is very productive of milk, while it has good form, and supports itself easily. In tlui foreign breeds the Schwytz breed compiiscd 20 head out of 32. 'J'lie category of miscellaneous crossings was the refuge of pure-bred animals ])reseuling bad characteristics, or too inferior to take a place in their proper rank ; the jury suppressed several prizes. The district of whicii the Avignon Show was the representative, if it lacks large cattle, abounds in small. From tl'.e nature of the soils, and the culture carried on, sheep are here at home. A large amount of dry land, a great surface of hills and mountains, where grow thyme, lavender, and a number of aromatic plants after which these animals seek eagerly, and many vine-leaves to eat, arc here conditions made expressly for them. The climate, besides, docs not greatly conduce to the consumption of meat, while it does not allow meat slaughtered to be kept long, so that the sheep is adapted better tliau any other species to possible consumption. This is why sheep are numerous in the dcpartements of the Soutli of France ; they are unfortunately distingniishcd, how- ever, by much mediocrity, and the ideas which prevail on the subject prohiljit the probability of auy prompt improvement. The merino has introduced prejudices which have become tenacious, and which declare in favour of large horns and a bony frame, under th'' pretext of fine wool. There are few preferences less justiliable, and the result is that the good breeds of the district, Puyricards, Corbicres, LauVaguaises are^ bastardized on the one hand, and lack encouragement on the other, and some distinguished breeders of Southdowus, a race which succeeds here marvellously, and which gives splendid results by crossings, do not always find in the exhibitions of the district the support and the justice which they deserve. In the Barbarine breed, all the males (seven in number) were mediocre;, but the jury, nevertheless, did not suppress the prizes ! The Southdowns of M. Sarda were remarkable, more especially the mm ; but it was found necessary to eliminate them, as they were atl'ected by a contagious disease. In the crossings M. Sarda and M. Trouche took prizes, the one for an excellent merino ram, the otherfor aSouthdown-Barbarine. The pig classes were scantily filled, but comprised, neverthe- less, some good animals. The circumscription associated with Uie Auxcrre Show was profoundly modified as compared with that attached to the exhibition held at the same town in 1859. It is considered that the show has gained by the change, as it has become less bound up with the Centre, a relatively poor district, and has advanced towards the East, the richest part of France after the TCorth. As at present composed, the district grouped round thf Yonne comprises a large part of Burgundy, Champagne, and FVauche-Comptc — that is to say, the country of good wine — sheep without number, the fine Charolaise and Feraeline breeds, kc. Tlianks to the intelligent ettbrts of the agricul- turists of the district, wheat is giving place to new cultures, hops being now propagated in the Yonne and the Cote-d'Or, while a good number of refineries or distilleries exist, and enable excellent food to be offered for the breeding and grazing of cattle. The agricultural society of the Yonne availed itseK of the occasion of the show to proceed with a di.scussion of several of the grave questions on which the approaching agri- cultural inquiry must turn. The discussion threw, however, littla fresh light on the subject, the contest naturally Ijeing be- tween commercial liberty as opposed to the protective system. There were also some hints tiirown out to the ett'ect that the French atjricidtural laljourer is becoming too highly educated, and consequently more difficult to control. To return, how- ever, to the Auxerre Show, properly so called : The cattle ex- hibited comprised five categories — the Charolaise, the Feme- line, two miscellaneous pure French breeds, the pure Durham breed. In all, there were 388 animals, thus distributed ; Charolaise 38, Femeline G7, miscellaneous French breeds 70, Durham 26, miscellaneous foreign breeds 91, Durham cross- ings 30, miscellaneous crossings 57. All these categories were well represented, and they had quality as well as numbers ; so tliat not only were all the prizes warmly disputed, but it was found necessary to add some " honourable mentions" to the revA'ards accorded by the ministerial programme. In losing- the AUier, the Nicvre, and the Cher, where the breeding of the Charolaise race is iu great favour, this district presented itself on less favourable condition ; but the Yonne and Cute- d'Or have proved that they could dispute the palm with them. The laureate of tlie prize of honour in 1859, M. Laconr; 0 0 626 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. worthily siistaiued liis old reuowu ; and by tlie side of his ir- reproachable heifers there still remainecl adrairatiou for the nniraals of MM. Clmlou, Cortot, Masson, S:c. Although much more mimerous, llie Femeliue breed presented perhaps fewer swbjects worthy of note. The specimens exhibited by MM. Maiiiy, Grappe, Marie, and Pruneau were deserving of praise. TENUEE AND IMPEOVEMENT OF LAND (lEELAND) BILL. The following is a full report of Mr. Read's speech iu the House of Commons : Mr. Claee Sewell Read said he believed that he was the only member of the House who derived his income entirely from the occupation of land, and it would naturally be assumed, therefore, that his sympathies were with the tenant farmers. He was rejoiced to hear that there was to be a just and generous measure introduced, wliich was to settle the grievances and the wrongs of the Irish tenantry. He could claim no personal knowledge of the agriculture of Ireland, but having in his younger days passed a few years in South Wales, he knew something about reclaiming bogs, the cultivation of hiU sides, building stone walls, and constructing rude farm buildings. He understood that what was called tenant right iu England — viz., compensation for the expenditure of artificial food and manures, and the application of lime, chalk, clay, and mineral manure — was not applicable to Ireland, and these being only transient improvements were generally paid cheerfully by the incoming tenant, required no notice from either party, and were seldom objected to by the landlord. The object of the bill, he took it, was to give security to the tenant incases where every- thing was done by him and nothing by the landlord. It was a gross injustice that a man who had drained and enclosed and built upon a farm should soon after be called upon to pay an advanced rent or be ejected ; but how was this to be remedied ? Some said that no tenant should be so foolish as to trust such an earthen vessel as an Irish landlord without a lease (a laugh), while others maintained that a tenant should never be ejected from a farm as long as he paid the original rent. The biU did not go quite so far as that, but its tendency was in that direc- tion, for it provided that a tenant should enjoy the farm for thirty-one years before paying any additional rent, and that if he spent £5 per acre on the improvement of the land he should be entitled at the end of twenty-five or thirty years to be re- couped every farthing if the improvement was as good as when it was first made. There were some improvements in which this was the case, such as the removal of large boulder stones, good pipe draining, and the raising of fences. Now, his opinion was, that if a tenant occupied a farm for such a length of time as to reimburse himself, with moderate profit and fair interest for the capital he had expended on it, the landlord should at the expiration of that period come info the full enjoy- ment and possession of it (Hear, hear). And he contended that for most agricultural purposes twenty-one years were amply sufficient. But this biU repudiated such views, and in the case of reclaiming bogs and erecting farm buildings extended the compensation to forty-one years, without any graduated schedule, the full extent of which would be illustrated by supposing a tenant to judiciously spend £50 in reclaiming ten acres of bog this year, he could even in the year 1905 — supposing his work were in good order — claim the whole of his £50 fi-om the landlord. Some part of his own county a hundred years ago was a mere heath or rabbit warren, but in consequence of the land having been let on twenty-one years' lease it had been enormously improved in value, and the rents had increased 200 per cent., and was now occupied by a pros- perous and contented tenantry ; and the honourable member for Dublin city had just shown how a nineteen years' lease in Scotland had, to the mutual satisfaction of both landlord and tenant, raised the value of the land from 15s. to 50s. an acre, which destroyed many of his able arguments in favour of the bill. The Irish landlords were now called upon to pay for im- provements which, whether efficient or inefficient, might alto- gether interfere with their plans for a general improvement of the property. It was no safeguard to the landlord that he should only be called upon to pay the increased value of the property. The hon. member for Westminster was wrong when he said the valuer in assessing the compensation would regard the improvements as they bore upon the value of the whole of the landlord's estate ; whereas he, on the other hand, believed tliat the valuer would otdy look to the benefit the improve- ments might confer upon the particular farm occupied by the tenant. It was easy to understand that improvements which might be beneficial to a particular plot of land might be in- convenient if not detrimental to the estate at large. The late Mr. Pusey had introduced three moderate measures into that House on this subject, which embodied the very reasonable principle that if a tenant with the consent of his landlord erected buildings, &c., he should at the expiration of his te- nancy be paid compensation, which advantage, with others of a similar nature, had been already secured to tlie Irish tenantry ; but Mr. Pusey's bills were rejected in another place, and there- fore lie was sure that the present measure had no chance of being carried through Parliament. He contended that if a tenant would build upon the property of another, without or it might be against the owner's consent, surely justice would be satisfied by enabling him to sell and remove his buildings (Hear, hear). The last clause in the bill partly abolished the law of distress, and, if passed, a similar clause would be neces- sary for England and Scotland (Hear, hear). It would be ab- solutely impossible to maintain the law of distress in England and the law of hypothec in Scotland after passing such a mea- sure as that before them. The abolition of the law of distress would be hailed by the wealthy portion of the tenantry with delight, as they believed that under the present system the landlord had a preference over the general creditors. They believed that the landlord often passed over a responsible man in order to let his laud to a man of straw who offered a larger rent, and that he did so because he felt sure of getting his rent. But in the event of such a change taking place land could not be let upon tlie same terms as at present, as the landlord would be compelled to enforce the payment of his rent before, in- stead of after, it was due, and in times of calamity he would not be able to grant his tenants the indulgence he could safely offer them under the existing system. But the proposal of the Government would inflict all the hardship of the existing law without conferring any of the benefits of total repeal. The general creditor would be deluded into the idea that the land- lord had no preferential claim, and the owner might still prefer the man of small means, as he knew he could at any time retain the power of distress by entering into a written agreement to that effect with his tenant. It was said that the real object of the bill was to compel landlords to grant written agreements to their tenants, and to abolish the law of distress ; but if that were so he should object to such change being effected by a side wind, instead of being boldly carried as substantive mea- sures (Hear, hear). He regretted that he had not been able to consult with any hon. gentleman as to the legal interpreta- tion of some clauses of the bill, but he had had the advantage of going through the Act with his hon. friend tlie member for Linlithgowshire (who represented the Scotch tenantry as much as he did the fanners of his own county), and found that he was still more decidedly hostile to some of its provisions. Therefore believing the Government measure to be dangerous in principle and faulty in detail, he was reluctantly compelled to record his vote against the second reading of the bill. MANURES IN FRANCE.— The imports of nitrate of potash into France in the first quarter of this year amounted to 370,942 kilogrammes, as compared with 187,666 kilo- grammes in 1865, and 416,928 kilogrammes in 1864 (corres- ponding periods). The imports of nitrate of soda into France increased in the first quarter of this year to 5,004,739 kilo- grammes, as compared with 4,584,226 kilogrammes in 1865, and 3,086,774 kilogrammes in 1864 (corresponding periods). The exports of nitrate of soda from France in the first three months of 1866 were 368,006 kilogrammes, as compared with 296,532 kilogrammes in 1865, and 106,468 kilogrammes in 1864 (corresponding periods). The exports of nitrate of soda from France iu the first three months of 1865 were 569,244 kilo- grammes, as compared with 895,661 kilogrammes in 1865, and 1,957,698 kilogrammes in 1864 (corresponding periods). THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 627 AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR MAY. In the early part of the mouth, the weather iu most parts of tlie United KingJoni was warm aud vegplative. The youug wheats, therefore, progressed steadily, and the late sowings of spring corn came up remarkably well. Since then, however, we have experienced cold easterly winds, with scarcely any raiu ; hence the progress of the crops has heeu checked, and extensive breadths of wheat have assumed rather au unhealthy appearance. Our impression is, however, that very little damage has been sustained iu any county or district. The stock of wheat in the hands of our farmers is considered to be nearly, or quite, an average. The supplies thrashed out, how- ever, have been very moderate even for the time of year. The state of political iieeling in Germany has induced holders of foreign produce to demand higher rates for tiue wheats, and which have been partly realized ; but owing to the great panic iu the money market, aud the high rates of discount, the transactions have been on a very restricted scale. There has been a fair sale for most descriptions of s])ring corn, and the fluctuations in prices have been trifling. On the whole, there is a fair quantity of grass in the pastures. Had the weather been more favourable, the crop of hay would be very large. Ev'en now, however, it promises to exceed last year by at least one-third. The quantity of last year's growth of meadow hay is nearly exhausted. The demand has been far from active. Meadow hay has sold at from £3 1.5s. to £5 13s. ; clover, £5 to £6 13s. ; aud straw, £2 to £2 Gs. per load. The wool trade has been very heavy during nearly the whole of the month. English wool has declined fully Id. per lb., although the supply on offer has been by no means extensive, aud although the stocks iu the hands of the manufacturers are very moderate. The colonial wool sales now in progress iu the metropolis are progressLug slowly, and the quotations, as compared with the previous series, show a fall of from l|d. to 3d. per lb. The import ' of a large supply of oats from America is regarded in au important light. As yet, the speculation, from the damp condition in which the cousignmeuts have come to hand, has not paid the shippers, the quotations realised at Mark Lane having been 19s. Gd. to 21s. per qr. There are still about 300,000 quarters on passage from New York. The future state of the wheat trade, in the absence of supplies of wheat and flour from America, will be partly regulated by the state of affairs iu Germany. Our opinion is that there is very little room either for an advance or decline in the quotations for some time. Obviously, however, a blockade of some of the lower Baltic ports woiild deprive us of a special quality so much required by first-class millers. In America, higher quotations have been realised for produce ; hence, for some time past, scarcely any shipments have been made to the United Kingdom. It is stated that the quantity of wheat left in the Western States is very limited. If such be the case, produce must command high figures f(3r some months. Some of the continental markets have shown a hardening tendency for wheat ; but the want of speculation has prevented large sales either for home use or export. There has been an improved demand for potatoes, aud an advance of about 20s. per ton has taken place in the quota- tions ; the best qualities having touched 140s. per ton. The stocks are moderately extensive ; but there is now a scarcity of really sound parcels. The accounts respecting the appearance of the hop-bine are rather favourable, notwithstanding that we have experienced some very cold nights. The hop trade has become heavy, and, where sales have been forced, town prices have been submitted to. The quantity of hops on hand is much reduced. The imports have been on a fair average scale. In Scotland the grain trade has been extremely inactive ; nevertheless, the quotations have been fairly supported. The supplies of produce on offer have been rather limited. The Irish markets have been devoid of animation. In prices, however, no change of importance has taken place. REVIEW OE THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. The restrictions on the movement of live stock in the United Kingdom having been taken off, the arrivals of lieasts up to the Metropolitan Cattle Market have been moderately good as to number ; whilst, with very few exceptions, the stock has come to hand in excellent condition. The demand for most breeds has ruled steady, at full quotations. Scots and crosses having sold readily at is. lOd. to fuUy 5s. 2d. per 8 lbs. The supplies of sheep have been on the increase, and in prime order. The mutton trade has been less active than in the previous month, and inferior sheep have slightly receded in price. The best breeds, however, have moved off steadily at from 5s. 8d. to 6s. per 8 lbs. out of the wool. At this time last year the top figure was 6s. 4d. per 8 lbs. Lambs have fallen considerably in value. The latest prices realized were 6s. 8d. to 8s. per 8 lbs. The supply has been tolerably good. The few calves brought forward have supported late values — 6s. 4d. per 8 lbs. having been realized for the best veal. There has been a fair demand for pigs at full quotations, viz., from 4s. to 5s. per 8 lbs. For the most part depastured stock has fared well. The disease amongst cattle is rapidly disappearing, and the sale of store animals for slaughtering has ceased ; still, it is pretty evident that stock will loug continue to sell at high prices, even though we may import largely from abroad. The total supplies of stock exhibited have been as follows : — Beasts 16,276 head. Sheep and Lambs 125,490 Calves 695 Pigs 2,195 COMPAKISON OF SUPPLIES. May. Beasts. Cows. Sheep and Lambs. Calves. Pigs. 1865 ... 32,030 475 129,140 3,199 2,117 1864 ... 23,240 534 122,210 2,062 3,080 1863 ... 20,444 538 126,040 2,129 3,120 1862 ... 19,273 510 132,450 1,527 3,022 1861 ... 19,500 500 113,750 1,178 2,950 1860 ... 19,040 543 124,580 2,059 2,920 1859 ... 17,980 482 113,513 1,012 2,260 1858 ... 38,722 480 115,886 1,671 2,760 1857 ... 18,741 450 104,990 1,415 2,530 185G ... 18,722 495 119,640 1,260 2,545 1855 ... 19,847 410 113,600 2,470 2,590 1854 ... 20,831 576 124,824 2,146 2,435 The comparison of the arrivals of English, Scotch, aud Irish beasts stands thus : May. May. May. 1864. 1865. 1866 From Norfolk, Suffolk, &c 11,520 9,000 4,620 Other parts of England 2,800 2,950 1,900 Scotland 1,738 3,465 774 Ireland 530 330 170 The imports of foreign stock into London have been : Beasts 7,077 head. Sheep 32,873 Lambs 1,891 Calves 450 Pigs 1,639 Total 43,930 0 0 2 528 THE FABMER'S MAGAZmE. Total in Mav, 1805 40.729 head. „ ' 1864. 28,832 1863 22,161 1863 11,206 1861 18,978 1800 18,910 1859 10,713 1858 6,703 1857 7,243 1850 3,550 1855 7,103 „ 1854 4,703 1853 13,007 1S52 8,500 Beef lias sold at from 3s. lOd. to 5a. 2d., in so!iie instances 5s. 4d. ; mutton, 4s. 4d. to 6s. ; lamb, 6s. Sd. to 9s. ; veal, 5s. 4d. to Os. 4d. ; pork, 4s. to 5s. per 8 lbs. to sink the ofl'al. Comparison of Prices. May, 1802. May, 1803. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Beef from 2 10 to 4 0 3 4 to 5 0 Mutton 3 4to4 10 3 0 to 4 10 Lamb a 8 to 8 0 5 4 to 7 4 Veal 4 2 to 5 2 4 0 to 5 0 Pork 3 Sto4 10 3 4 to 4 6 May, 1804. May, 1805. s. d. s. d. s. d. .s. d. Bcof from 3 4 to 5 0 3 4 to 5 U Mutton 3 8 to 5 4 4 2 to 0 4 Lamb 6 4 to 7 8 G 8 to 7 8 Veal 4 2to5 4 4 2 to 5 2 Pork 3 6 to4 6 3 0 to 4 10 Ne\y^ate and I.eadecliall have been fairly supplied with meat, in whicli a good business has been transacted at steady currencies. Beef from 3s. 2d. to 4s. 8d. ; mutton, 3s. Od. to 5s. lOd. ; lamb, us. Sd. to Ss. ; veal, 4s. Sd. to 5s. Sd. ; pork, 43. to 5s. 2d. per 8 lbs. by the carcase. SOUTH LIXCOLNSHIEE. The wcatlier has been cold and dry for the past few weeks, conser|uontly cverytliing is backward. Our .wheat erojjs, al- tliough pretty full of plant, are by no means betokening- a heavy or even au average yield ; nearly all our stitler loams and clays are exhibiting an unhealtliy, and, in many instances, a yellow plant. On our better loams and lio-liter soils tlie outer flag is decayed and has fallen down. " Should this un- seasonable weather continue but a short time longer, the general crop must be a light one. Our spring cropping is much in need of rain, even more than milder weather. The beau crops are looking tlie most promising— a full plant every- where, and growing satisfactorily, but slowly. Peas are more variable- most of the early-sowu crops are very irregular in plant ; the late-sown are better, but grow slowly, and have partially sulfered from frosts. Barley is progre'ssing favour- ably, and will probably yield well. The danger in tliis district IS more owing to excessive than too slight growth. It is so often lodged that we seldom produce a good maltster's sample. Oats are backward, and not a full idaut, universally. The wire-wormhas taken oil" some crops. We shall most proba- bly have a short-strawed crop, yielding a beautiful sample, but not an average crop of grain. Our potato setting is at length completed ; we have had a most arduous task to get them in, with a fair prospect of a successful plant. The soil, for the most part, 1ms taken unusual laboui in working, and only by ott-repeated ellorls has it been brought into a "^tolerable slate lor setting ; all is rolled nicely down, and very few plants have yet made an appearance. Our fallow lands are in a backward state: very few of our cultivators have succeeded in put- ting 111 their early crops favourably ; hence mangolds jiave not yet made much way, and some plots arc yet to sow. Mr. Gibbs uew variety ofyellow -lobe are becoming justly popu- lar here, rhe sowing of swedes has scarcely commenced. \Vc prefer waiting awhile for rain, rather than sow in chequered hLW "^ -?T-fi''w'=.*'\'^ "^ >^""''^ "f' *!'« "'-^tery.' Par be er to wait till late m Jun<. for rain, rather timn sow under '".propitious circumstances like llie present. A pateliy crop of swedes is peculiarly trying and deplorable. With prompti- tude, patience and judgment, a crop may generally be secured. If the season is late, by all means sow some of the strong growing sorts — Skirving's purple-top, for instance ; at all events it is to no good purpose to sow swedes amongst dry clods, be they never so small ; better wait and sow Aberdeens, or even the common white-flcshed varieties. It is highly im- portant that a good green crop should be obtained this season, as, owing to the high price of sheep, every breeder will en- deavour to rear as many as possible to maturity. Have the land ready, and when a favourable season arrives put the crop in as expeditiously as possible. Our grass lands are becoming- bare. Early in April the grass grew admirably, and early stocking was general ; latterly it has gone off, and our heavy stocks of last year's mangolds are now coming into use very profitably. Stock of all kinds, but particularly of sheep, liave been surprisingly dear ; but, like all other classes of the com- munity, we feel the shock of the money market. Sheep have gone back several shillings per head. Wool has receded in jirice from the highest point within the past two years Eome- thing like fifteen shillings per tod. We think this is only temporary ; for the stock will be a short one, and not heavy in fleece. Some of our graziers are preparing for clipping. This is another of the changes in management progressing in tliis district. Pormerly the majority of our longnool flocks were not shorn till the latter end of June, and so late as the third week in July. — May 2-2nd . AG RICULTUKAL IMTELLIGENCE, FAIRS, &c. • BEC'CLES PAIR.--A few hoggets were oftered for sale, for which the prices asked (from £2 2s. to £2 12s.) were deemed a high ligure. There was a good supply of pigs, for which also high prices were demanded. B11031YA11]) PAIR.— Ewes and lambs brought from 60s. to 70s. per couple ; dry sheep, 50s. to 54s. each; pigs were very much advanced in price. Little or nothing doing in horses. DARLINGTON PAIR.— There was a good number of horses shown, but high prices were asked, which prevented any very brisk business, excepting in ponies. These ranged from £10 to £12, and there was a large show. Of hacks the show was rather small and mostly indiiferenl, the general run not making more than from £15 to £20. There was a fair supply of cobs, which ranged at from £18 to £23. Of draught horses tliere was a large number, but a great many seemed iu poor condition. The high prices asked, however, prevented a large sale, and the general price was from £20 to £30 for the better class. There were not many carriage horses shown ; but one made 120 guineas for the London market. EVESHj\.M pair. — There was a capital show of Sheep, and one auctioneer disposed of 1,000 by auction, the pecuniary result of bis sale being about £3,000. One lot averaged 51s. Sd., and another 63s. each. Ewes and Lambs, in couples, from £4 to .£5. HAWICK PAIR. — Cheviot ewes and lambs brought from 47s. Od. to G6s. 6d., half-bred ewes and lambs 65s. to 80s., Cheviot ewe iioggs (mid lambs of last year) 32s. to 39s., Che- viot wether lioggs 33s. Od. to 38s., half-bred ewe lioggs 48s. to 60s., half-bred wether hoggs 44s. 6d. to 55s. Od., a lot of cild ewes (from Sinton, Parkhead) Cos. to 73s. ILSLEY PAIR.. — There was a very large supply of sheep The trade ruled very slow, and previous rates were barely sup- . ported. LENTON PAIR. — The show of horses was very meagre, aud business appeared exceedingly dull. The agricultural class was the best represented, and sc\eral of the horses realised as much as £30. A few ponies were brought forward, and the majority were equally as dear as those of the other class just mentioned. NEWARK PAIR. — The sheep market was well supplied, nearly 1,200 being penned. Tracle was dull, and prices were lower than last year at this time. Store slicep, iu wool, ranged from 00s. to 74s. each ; sheep for the butcher, 7jd. to 8d. per lb.; lambs 30s. to -10s. cacii. Sixty pigs were penned, and the price ranged from 7s, Gd. to 7s. Dd". per stone. THK FARMEE'W MAGAZIKK. 529 ROTHBl'RY FAIR.— Tlio shuw of shcqj nw\ horses uiis below mediocrity. Good Cheviot hoggs ranged from '62j. to ■lOs., whilst dinmoiits brougl\t ISs. each. SANDHURST l''AIR.— The number of sheep ami laml.s lieuiied were about an average, and a brisk sale whs experienced at high ]iriecs. There was a good show of horses, but the trade was very dull. ST. IVES FAIll.— Tliere were betwceu 5,000 nud 0,000 store sheep exhiljitcd. The trade, howe\er, was dull, but no material eliangc took jilace in prices. The show of fat sheep M-as very good — over 1,.jOO were jieuued. Trime cpialities of mutton averaged about S.Jd. ; second qualities, T^d. i'igs in good supply, but a slow sale, at about 7s. 3d. ))er IfUis. There were over 1,000 horses shown, generally big lirst-class animals. A very good trade done geucl'ally speaking, aud good farm- horses made very high prices. Some excellent animals were shown. Prices varied so much that it is difficult to state the average prices : £135 was obtained for one pair. Little doing in carriage liorscs ; good uags aud roadsters made from ,L20 to 4o0 aud £50. STAGSHAWBANK TRYST.— There were very few sheep on offer, the demand for whieli was far from brisk, even at re- duced prices. Male hoggs made about £'3 Gs., whilst half- brcds aud Cheviot wethers realised from £2 to £~ ~s. 131ack- faced ewes and lambs realised from £3, and £3 10s. was the higiiest price for lialf-breds with their lambs. Tiic horsc- niarket was well attended, and good animals brougli capital prices. For hunting and harness work as higli as £()0 was given, but £1-0 was about the price for the best class of draught-horses. TATTENlLiLL FAIR.— The prices of sheep ranged high ; Irish Leicestcrs fetched as much as £3 17s. Od. ; LincoLis sold for £5 7s. (Jd. aud upwards. TOLLER DOWN FAIR.— About 3,0(J0 sheep were penned, for which very high prices were asked, and trade consequently was dull; however, the greater portion changed hands, though at lower rates than could have been obtained a fortnight pre- viously. Horn ewes made from 5:2s. to GOs., lambs ~8s. to 35s., l)own ewes -lOs. to Ijs., lambs 20s. to 2is. TRURO FAIR. — The number of sheep on oiler was not large, nor was business very brisk. The prices ranged from Sd. to S^d., and iu some cases a fractioi over, per lb. YORK HORSE FAIR.— Business was very slow ; but use- ful draught and agricultural horses had the call of the market, and bought up at good prices. Nags aud useful ponies were also looked after, and high rates obtained for both. There was an abundance of the lower descriptions of cart-horses, which were quite a drug, many remaining on liand. IRISH FAIRS. — Tykkkllspass : The depression iu the sale of every kind of horned stock was remarkable. Buyers, in fact, were unwilling to deal on any terms. 3Lilcli and springer cows brought from £10 to £20 ; three-year-old heifers, £12 10s. to £15 ; two-year-olds, £9 10s. to £11; yearlings, £G OS. to £8 5s. ; dry cows, £S 10s. to £12 each. Sheep ave- raged, for wetiiers Sd. to 8|d., ewes 8d. per lb. ; lambs 2-ls. to 28s., hoggets 4Gs. to 50s. each, with good demand. Beef was scarce, aud brought from 56s. to 00s. per cwt. ; pork about 50s. ; store pigs 30s. to oOs., and slips 10s. to I'Js. each. — Emly : There was a very large show of stock of every descrip- tion. For beef there was a brisk and anxious demand fully at late rates. In stores and calves there was a considerable fall as compared with the prices realized only a fortnight before. Iu calves the fall was fully 308. each, and in stores in proportion. Castleuekmot : This was a lar^e fair, aud though well at- tended with buyers, only a limited business was transacted in store stock, the ";rcat scarcity of grass caused by the long- continued drought and harsh winds being the probable cause of dulness. Fat cattle and .sheep were rather scarce and in very good demand. Being one of the leading horse fairs of the country, this department was well tilled, but, with the ex- ception of the better sort of animals, demand was dull. The fcdlowing are the average prices obtained : Beef £3 to £3 lOs. per cwt.; mutlou, out of wool, 72d. to 8d. per lb. ; three-year- olds £11 10s. to £13, two-year-olds £8 10s. to £10, yeariings £0 lOs. to£8, and calves £3 lOs. to £5 10s. each. Hoggets 458. to 50s., Iambs 28s. to 3os, each. Pork averaged 58s. Gd. jjer cwt. ENGLISH BUTTER MARKET. LONDON, Monday, May 28.— We note a very slow trade at nominal prices. Dorset, line new 100s. to 103s. per cwt. Middling unsaleable. ,, Devon ' fJSs. to lOtJs. Fresh lOs. to 14s. per dozen lbs "CARMARTHEX BUTTER MARKET, (Saturday last.) — Since my hist report we lia\e had cold niglits and scorching days, with withering easterly winds ; aud the pastures are parclicd up, aud if we do not get rain soon, the farmers will grumbli' more than usual. Between the weather and a short siqiply our l)nttcrhas maintained its value at 112s., and from Ills, to UOs. cwt. for choice dairies; but if we get a season- able change in tlie weather, prices must come down. CARMARTHEN CHEESE MARKET, (Saturday last.)— No new clieese yet olfered, aud old cheese nearly cleared out, and worth from 30s. to 32s. to farmers in market, but the sale is rather sluggish. GLASGOW, (Wednesday last.)— The supply of old cheese is not large, but more than sufficient for the demand. A few parcels of new in market, but the high prices prevent busi- ness. One parcel new Cheddar sold at 65s. About six tons iu all passed the scales. Old Dunlop 69?. to 74s., old Chcddar- nuule 70s. to 70s., skim-milk 2Sr. to 30s. per cwt. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL POULTRY MAR- KETS. — Goslings 5s. to 7s., ducks 3s. to 4s., ducklings 3s. to 4s., tame rabbits Is. 3d. to 2s., pigeons Od. to lOd. each ; Surrey fowls 12s. to 10s., ditto chickens 8s. to lis., burn-door fowls 5s. to Ss., Guinea fowls 7s. to 8s. per couple ; English eggs 7s. to 9s., French ditto Cs. to 7s. per 100 ; fresh butter Is. to Is. 2d. per lb. POTATO MARKETS. SOUTHWARK WATERSIDE. LONDON, Monday, May 28.— During the past week the arrivals coastwise have been small, and not so liberal by rail as for some time past ; but, with good supplies of foreign aud Jersey new, there has been quite sufficient for the demand, at the following quotations : Yorkshire Flukes per ton 120s. to 140s. Regents UOs. to 110s. „ Rocks 70s. to 75s. Dunbar and East Lothian Regents UOs. to 110s. Scotch Flukes lOOs. to 120s. I'erth, Forfar, and Fife Regents ... 70s. to 80s. Do. Do. Rocks Cos. to 70s. Alt:x. Todd. BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS. LONDON, Monday, May 28. — These markets are very moderately supplied with potatoes, and all good and fine sam- ]iles sell readily, at high prices. There is a moderate supply of new produce on olfer. Annexed arc the quotations : — Yorkshire Regents OOs. to 100s. per ton. Flukes 100s. to 140s. „ „ Hocks ,... 50s. to 80s. „ Spanish New 8s. to I4s. perewt. Jersey and other kinds IGs. to 24s. „ COUNTRY POTATO MARKETS.— Doncasteij, (Satur- day last) : A snuill supply of Potatoes, which met a fair de- mand. Wholesale, 8s. to 9s. Od., Ilukcs 12s. per 18 stone retail Is. to Is. 2d. per peck. York, (Saturday last) : The, demand was fully equal to the sujiply, which was moderate, aud tlie prices of all descriptions are higher than the previous week. Round Potatoes were disposed of at 9s. per tub of 2801bs., and Sd. to 9d. per peck retail, and flukes from 10s. to 12s. per tub, aud lOd. per peck. FRENCH BUTTER.— The exports of butter from France have been on a great scale this year, having amounted in the three months ending Mardi 31 to 496,008 kilogrammes of fresh and 4,750,389 kilogrammes of salted, as compared with 435,987 kilogrammes of fresh aud 3,235,121 kilogrammes of salted iu the corresponding period of 1S65, and 348,379 kilo- grammes of fresh and 2,204,730 kilogrammes of salted in the corresponding period of 1864. A considerable quantity of butter is now forwarded from the north,-west of France direct to Louden. 630 THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. Till nearly the end of the month, May was un- usually cold, indeed several degrees colder than for fifty years, though a hot sun was frequently connected with the cutting east wind. Everywhere . vegetation found a check. Sharp night-frosts had severely cut the blossoms of the early fruit-trees, as well as the first growth of forest trees ; the wheat plant assumed a stunted and yellow look in many localities ; and the spring corn and meadows made little progress; but on the night of the 26th a fine genial rain fell plentifully, which will prove of immense benefit. The unfavourable time has been raising prices in France ; and, had it con- tinued, oats must have risen there to an ex- travagant price. Italy also was feeling its effects; but Germany and Russia seem not to have appre- hended any injury to the growing crops. The month opened lively as to prices, with an advance of Is. to 2s. per qr. on wheat ; but the financial disasters of the l7th and following days quite put a stop to all commercial progress, and the last Monday closed in a slate of paralysis from further bank failures in the City, insomuch that prices were then quite uncertain, and the gain of the first week must be reckoned as entirely lost. The question of the time was, as to how far these calamities would extend, and the difficulty of an answer seemed to make everybody resolve on hmiting business to the very narrowest compass. Yet the aspect of politics in Germany and Italy has become so warlike, that, in spite of the pro- jected Congress for peace, there seems no con- fidence in the result; and, if a general war should ensue throughout Europe, the immense prepara- tions which have been made on all sides show the possibility of the most tremendous carnage; and, unless He who rules the raging of the sea, and holds every fierce wind under his control, calms down the excited passions of ambitious men, there may be a total change in the boundaries of the several nations. It is needless to say that the war would seriously affect the corn trade ; while the scarcity of wheat in America forbids the expecta- tion of the smallest supplies from that quarter. The following prices were recently quoted at the several places named : Red wheat at Paris was worth 44s., white 46s. ; at Antwerp and Liege the value of red was 48s. ; at Louvain 46s. ; at Amster- dam the finest high-mixed PoUsh was v.'orth 57s. ; Zealand at Maestricht to 45s. ; red Mecklenburg at Hambro' 47s., red at Stettin 43s., at Rostock 44s.; fine high-mixed wheat at Dantzic had be- come excessively scarce, and was only to be pro- cured at 50s. to 51s. per qr. free on board; at Odessa there had lately been a large speculative business on soft Ghirka at 31s. to 32s. ; Milwaukie spring wheat at Montreal 478. per 480lbs., the same at Milwaukie 44s. 6d. per 480lb8. ; at Chicago spring wheat was 41s., at New York 54s., red winter 75s., extra white 84s. per qr. The first Monday in Mark Lane commenced on a small arrival of English wheat, though the foreign supply was good. There was but a limited shov/ of samples during the morning from Kent and Essex, the condition of which being improved, with further rumours of war afloat, prices were higher about Is. to 2s. per qr. ; but sales were not yery free, the advance being reluctantly paid. Holders of foreign generally required an advance of Is. per qr., which checked business, and but few transactions were effected. With few arrivals off the coast, prices were fully supported. Country markets showed more variety than usual this week. Some places were only firm ; some only noted a rise of Is. per qr. ; others followed the London advance of Is. to 2s. Among these wei-e AVake- field, Lynn, Spalding, Bury St. Edmunds, Rugby, Worksop, and Manchester. Hull and Boston were up 2s., and Birmingham 2s. to 3s.: Liverpool was only slightly dearer. At Glasgow and Edin- burgh wheat was dearer Is. to 2s., and a slight improvement was noted at Dublin and the other Irish markets. On t>he second Monday arrivals, both English and foreign, were about the same as during the previous week. The show of samples from Essex and Kent was moderate during the morning, and the condition evinced no flrrther improvement, but rather the reverse. This being the first Monday after the monetary panic, very little business was doing, and the upward tendency of prices was checked ; but this was the whole effect on the corn trade, showing clearly its sound position. The foreign trade so far from being depressed was Is. per qr. dearer ; but millers limited purchases to their lowest requirements. Floating cargoes were fully as dear. The country markets this week not being so immediately under monetary influence evinced more tone than the metropolis. Ipswich, Bury St. Edmunds, Uppingham, and Frome were Is. per qr. higher; Stockton, Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable, and some other places were up Is. to 2s.; Liverpool, like London, was only firm. Wheat at Edinburgh was dull ; but American red I at Glasgow improved Is. per qr. With small native supplies at Dublin, rates were well main- tained, and foreign wheat was firm. On the third Monday there was a slight increase in the English supplies, and the foreign arrival was plentiful. The morning's exhibition of sam- ples was poor, both in quantity and quality, and the trade ruled very dull. Even the best samples only went off heavily, and much of the inferior was unaltered. Business in foreign remained on a very limited scale, the talk of a Congress for peace leaving matters very doubtful ; but holders gene- THE FAEMER'S MAGAZINE. 531 rally maintained the previous currency. Cargoes afloat bein*/ scarce were fully as dear. The j)re- dominant feature of the country advices this week was that of calm ; no quantities appeared to be pressing on the market, and where offers at some reduction were made, they were resisted by far- mers. Liverpool was quiet through the week. Glasgow market was dull, and Leith noted a de- cline in Scotch wheat of Is. per qr., but not in foreign. The state of trade in Ireland was quiet, native supplies being generally moderate. On the fourth Monday the Enghsh supplies were small, and the foreign only half what they were on the previous week. The show of samples this morning from the near counties was somewhat improved ; but the change to genial weather, after a splendid rain, together with further monetary disasters, brought trade to a perfect stand-still, many factors, both English and foreign, not being asked the prices of their samples, and to have at- tempted forcing sales would have lowered prices fully Is. to 2s. per qr. The imports into London for four weeks were 19,246 qrs. Enghsh, 72,894 qrs. foreign, against 20,944 qrs. Enghsh, 38,286 qrs. fo- reign in 1865. The imports into the kingdom for four weeks ending 19th of May were 1,935,658 cwt. wheat, 396,409 cwt. flour. The general aver- ages commenced at 45s. 5d, and closed at 46s. Id. ; those of London began at 47s. Id. and ended at 49s. 4d. The flour trade has shown but slight variations during the month as respects country and foreign sorts; these began firm, and closed with a ten- dency downwards, Norfolks being worth scarcely 32s, fine French to 36s. per sack and barrels to 30s. for extra qualities, while extra State at New York^were quoted 33s. per brl. Li France the movements lately has been upwards, some having been sent on to America. Town prices have not altered, the top quotation still standing at 46s. per sack. The imports into London for four weeks were 78,912 sacks Enghsh 9,273 sacks foieign : nothing being received from the United States. For the same period last year the imports were 64,318 sacks country, 3,534 sacks foreign. The barley trade has experienced a slight re- action in favour of prices, from the exhaustion of stocks. There being a continuous but limited de- mand for malting, which the small show of samples was unable to meet, rates advanced Is. to Is. 6d. per qr. ; and the secondary descriptions of foreign, as well as grinding, also recovered 6d. to Is. per qr. On the continent, as well as here, this grain seems nearly used up, especially in France, where prices have been steadily improving, till good heavy sorts have become worth 32s. ; while at Hamburg fine Saale is still quoted 40s. per qr. Yet the con- sumption is now too small, and maize is too cheap, to make present prices reliable. The imports into London for four weeks were 3,073 qrs. British, 25,511 qrs. foreign, against 4,440 qrs. British, 42,185 qrs. foreign, for the same period in 1865. The same causes that have influenced a rise in barley have also aftected the value of malt, which has gained Is. to 2s. per qr., with very short stocks on hand. The oal trade having had a succession of heavy foreign supplies at a time of monetary pressure has given way : the best qualities, bearing but a small proportion to the entire arrivals, have scarcely been depreciated above Is. per qr. ; but inferior sorts, of which there has been an abundance from Ame- rica and Trieste, have fallen 2s. to 3s, per qr., and much has gone to granary from the impossibility of making sales ; yet this crop here was very defi- cient, and the home supplies, as well as those from Scotland and Ireland, have been very light. The bulk of the foreign has weighed from 36 to 38 lbs. per bush., and has sold at 18s. to 20s. at the last market. Even Russian sorts in granary have yielded to the depression, but foreign markets, es- pecially France, note high prices, and should the supplies decrease, we may see some reaction in this grain. The imports into London for four weeks were 1,541 qrs. English, 326 qrs. Scotch, 2,310 qrs. Irish, and 200,101 qrs. foreign; against 1,743 qrs. Enghsh, 2,410 qrs. Scotch, 2,315 qrs. Irish, and 209,913 qrs. foreign in 1865. The scarcity of Enghsh beans and reduced foreign supplies have kept this grain constantly rising, but the consumption has been checked by the high rates. The absence of Egyptian was never more felt ; and we think, now that the world has grown enough cotton for consumption without American help, Egypt will find her interest in a return to the cultivation of corn. The imports into London for four weeks have been 3,160 qrs. English, 1,5S9 qrs. foreign ; against 2,212 qrs. English, 1,579 qrs. foreign in 1865. Peas, too, have come in very sparingly, but have not been used so freely as a substitute for beans as formerly, probably from the fact that so much maize has now found a ready sale for feeding with stable-keepers. Yet prices have rather hardened, and with stocks very small, all sorts are likely to keep firm up to harvest. The imports for four weeks into London were 320 qrs. English, 2,020 qrs. foreign; against 583 qrs. English, 697 qrs. foreign in 1865. Linseed has been in a peculiar position. Oil has been depressed. While cakes have been a free sale ; and stocks being at a minimum, prices still keep high, without any prospect of serious dechne, as there seems almost nothing to come forward, the drought in India having greatly lessened its growth. The London imports have been reduced to the scanty proportions of 5,625 qrs. for the month, while last year they were 59,994 qrs. The seed trade was closing with some speculative firmness till the monetary crisis quite put a stop to the moderate movement, and prices have become nominally unaltered. AVE RAGES For ihe last Six Weeks : April 14, 1866 April 21, 1866 April 28, 1866 May 5, 1866 May 12, 1866 ., May 19, 1866 Aggregate Average Averages last year Wheat. Barley. s. d. s, d. 44 5 37 0 44 9 37 2 45 5 36 3 45 9 36 3 45 9 36 4 46 1 36 2 45 6 36 6 41 8 29 9 Oats. s. d, 24 2 24 8 24 6 25 0 24 10 25 a 24 9 22 9 532 THE FARMEE'S MAGAZINE. GURKENT PRICES OK BRITISH GRAIN AND FLOUR IN MARK LANK. Shillings per Quarter. WHEAT, Essex and Kent, white new... 41too2 „ „ red „ ...40 47 Norfolk, Lincoln, and YorksUii-e, red 41 47 BARLEY 29 to 34 Chevalier, new 37 43 Grinding 29 31 Distilling 32 37 MALT, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, new 60 67 Kingston, Ware, and town-made, new 60 67 Brown 53 58 BYE 26 29 OATS, English, feed 20 to 25 Potato 24 30 Scotch, feed 20 25 Potato 24 30 Irish, feed, white 19 22 Fine 23 26 Ditto, black 19 22 Potato 24 27 BEANS, Mazagan ...42 44 Ticks 42 41 Harrow 41 47 Pi^'eon 47 51 PEAS, white, boilers. .37 42 Maple 39 to 42 Grey, new 36 37 FLOUR, per sack of 2S01b3., Town, Households 42 46 Country, on shore 33 to 35 ,, 37 39 Norfolk and Suffolk, on shore 31 32 FOREIGN GRAIN. Shillings per Quarter WHEAT, Dantzic, mixed 52 to 55 old, extra 55 to 60 Konigsberg 48 53 extra 53 55 Rostock 48 52 fine 53 55 Silesian, red 46 48 white 49 51 Pomera., Meckberg., and Uckermrk red old... 46 61 Russian, hard, 42 to 15.... St. Petersburg and Riga 45 48 Danish and llolstein, red 45 51 French, none Rhine and Belgium 47 63 American, retl winter 47 to 51 , spring 46 to 19, white 00 00 BARLEY, grinding 28 to 31 distilling and malting 35 40 OATS, Dutch, brewing and Rolands 21 to 26 feed 19 24 Danish and Swedish, feed 20 to 25 Stralsund... 20 25 Russian, Riga 21 to 23....Arch. 21 to 23....P'sburg 23 26 TARES, Spring, per qr small 38 42... large ... 45 50 BEANS, Friesland and Holstein 37 42 Konigsberg 40 to 43... Egyptian, none 00 00 PEAS, feeding and maple... 37 41... fine boilers 36 40 INDIAN CORN, white 30 33. ..yellow 30 33 F.^O[JR, per sack, French. ..33 37. ..Spanish, p. sack 33 37 American, per brl 23 26...cxtra and d'ble. 27 30 IMPERIAL AYEEAGES For the week ended May 19, 1866. Wheat 69,166iqrs. 46s. Id. Barley -1,0251 ,, 36s. 2d. Oats 3,616f ,, 25s. 2d. COMPAEATIVE AYEEAGES. AVHEAT. BARLEY. OATS. Years. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. s. d. Qrs. B. d. 1862... 50,113^ ... 57 11 5,299 ... 37 0 6,81oJ...23 5 1863... 65,825i ... 46 9 3,8084 ■■. 34 5 6,.509 ... 21 11 1864... 74,821 J ... 39 3 8,975 ... 29 9 5,050' ... 19 8 1S65... 88,0155- ... 41 8 8,181 ... 29 9 3,3591 ... 22 9 1866... 69,166i ... 46 1 4,0252 •••36 2 3,616j ... 25 2 LONDON AVERAGES. Wheat 2707 qrs. 49s. Id. Barley — ,, OOs. Od, Oats 85 ,, 30s. 7d. L'LUCTUATIONS in tlie AVERAGE PllICE of WHEAT. Price. iAprill4. AprilZl. April28.| May 6. May 12. May 19. 46s. Id. 45s. 9d. 45s. 5d. 44s. 9d. 41s. 5d.'— ~ pricp:s of seeds. LONDON, Monday, May 28.— The continued dull- ness and absence of business prevail in the market for Seeds of all descriptions, and without transactions values cau only be looked upon as nominal. BRITISH SEEDS. MusTAED, per bush., white 8s.tol2s. CANABT,perqr 45s. 528. Cloverseed, red OOs. OOs. CoBiANDEi!, per cwt OOs. OOs. Takes, winter, new, per bushel Os. Od. Os. Od, Trefoil OOs. OOs. Ryegrass, per qr OOs. OOs. Linseed, perqr., sowing 70s. to OOs., crushing 54s. 588. RAPESEED.per qr 75s. 80s. Linseed Cakes, per ton £9 10s. to £10 10s. Rape Cake, per ton £5 lOs. to £6 Os. FOREIGN SEEDS. Coriander, per cwt 16s.to20s. Cakraway ,, OOs. OOs. Cloveeseed, red 45s. to 56s., white 60s. SOs. Trefoil 18s. 23s. Ryegrass, per qr 25s. 2G,i. Hempseed, small —s. per qr., Dutch OOs. 40s. Linseed, per qr., Baltic 68s. to 60s. Bombay... 68s. OOs. Linseed Cakes, por ton £9 lOs. to £11 Os. Rapeseed, Dutch OOs. OOs. Rape Cake, per ton £5 Os. to £6 Os. HOP MARKETS. LONDON, MoM)AY, May :}S.— Our trade during the past week has been coufiucd to the execution of sinnll consumptive orders, the Lite panic and the jircscnt high price of money having put a stop to all speculation on our market. Reports from the plantations are far from encouraging, the fly having now ajipcared in a great many grounds in the Wcakl of Kent, Worcester, and Sussex ; and it is probable that the recent change of temperature will have the cifect of increasing the attack of vermin. New York advices to the IGth instant re- port the market as (juiet, but firm. Mid and East Kents... 100s., MOs., 168s. Earnliams & Country. 95s., 130s., 155b. Sussex 70s., 105s., 115s. Bavarians 136s., 147s., IGOs. Belgians 'Jos., 108s., 115s. Yearlings 90s., 105s., 126s. WORCESTER HOP MARKET, (Saturday last.)— Sup- plies of Hops of the growth of last year arc brought forward for sale most sparingly, so notwithstanding that the amount of business passing is limited, tlie prices recently current are firmly supporteil. Planters generally speak unfavourably of tlic growing bop-jdant, wjiidi is unusually )>ackward in growth for this period. In a great many grounds the bine is so short that they cannot yet be tied to the pole ; and in some places tlic flea lias so eaten off the wires, that they are scarcely per- ceptible above ground. Where the bine is strong, it presents a yellow, unkind colour ; produced, no doubt, by the prevailing cold nights. IMAIDSTONE, May 24'.— Our reports from all quarters, comjilain tliat the present weather is seriously affecting theho)) plant. The piercing north-easterly wind nips the bine and changes the colour, while flea is prevalent. Yesterday the wcatlier was more favourable, but there is now another change for the worse. — Sussex E.qiress. BREAD. LONDON, Saturday, l.'ay 26. — The pricesin the Metro- polis are, for AVheaien Bread, per 41bs. Loaf 7^d. to 8d. Household Bread, ,, 6d. to 7d. CHICORY. The demand for Chicory is in a .sluggish state, and jirices have a downward tendency. Deliverable from Wharf in Bags, exclusive of Duty. Harlingen £8 10to£ll 0 1 Antwerp £0 0 to £0 0 Bruges 8 15 11 0 | Hamburgh ... 0 0 0 0 HAY MARKETS LONDON, Saturday, May 26. SMITHFIBLD.— Supply moderate. CUMBERLAND.— A steady demand. WHITECHAPEL.— Trade heavy. MEADOW HAY CLOVER STRAW I *0 Smith field. s. d. 8i 0 to 110 0 Cumberland . s. d. s. d, 84 0 to 112 0 105 0 135 0 4G 0 WhiteeliDpe! s. d. e. d. 84 0 to 110 C 105 0 135 0 40 0 46 0 BIRMINGHAM, Monday, May 21.— Hay £4 to £5 6s. per ton. Straw, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 9d. per cwt. LEEDS, TiESDAT, May 22.— Hay 7^d. to 8d. ; clover %\d. to Od. Straw, wheat, 4d. to 4Jd. per stone. MANCHESTER, Wednesday, May 23.— Hay, 7id. to 8d. ; straw 4d. to Hd. per stone. WORCESTER, Wednesday, May 23.— Hay, new £3 lus. to £4, ditto, old, £4 10s. te £4 15s. ; Straw, £2 to £2 5s. per ton. YORK, Thursday, May 24.— Hay 6d. to 6id., stvaw 3d. tq 4d. per stone. THE FAKMER'S MAGAZINE. 533 COVENT GARDEN MARKET. LONDON, Satubdat, May 26. Chernes ftoni the continent still coutinuo to arrive in toler- able nbiindauce. A few foreign aijricots also make their appearance. Grapes are plentiful and prices nnaltereil ; the supply of strawberries has greatly improved. Des- sert pears are now contined to Easter Beurn'. Apples con- sist of Court Pondu Plat. Of pinc-appfes there is a fair supply. Salads continue to arrive in good condition, and green peas are more plentiful, as are also cucumbers. Flowers cliielly consist of deutzias, orchids, heaths, Chinese primulas, cinerarias, camellias, pelargoniums, azaleas, stocks, mignonette, and roses. FRUIT. s. d. AppleG, per half sieve Gooseberries, gi\,p.qt. 0 9 Qrapos.perlb 8 0 Lemons, per lUO 6 0 Nuts, Cob, per lOOlbs. 0 0 Filberts, per lb 0 0 Chestnuts, per bush. 8 0 s. d. 8 u 1 0 15 0 1(1 (1 0 0 (1 (1 lU 0 WiUnuts, per bush. 14 0 20 0 Oranges, per 100 6 Ot9l'2 0 Artichokes, per dozen 4 Asparagus, p. bundle. 3 Beans, Klrtuey, "# 100 2 Beet, per dozen 2 Broooli, per bundle ... 1 Cabbages, per dozen. . . 1 Carrots, per bunch ... 0 French, per bunch, 1 Cauliflowers, per doz. 2 Celery, per bundle ... 2 Cucumbers, each 0 Endive, per score 1 Garlic* Shallots, -0 lb. 1 Herbs, per bunch 0 Horseradish, ^ bunch 2 ijcoks, per bunch 0 Lettuces, per dozen ... 1 Mint, per bunch 0 Peaches, "per doz .33 0 48 0 Pears, kitchen, %) doz. 0 0 0 0 dessert, y doz. 0 o 0 0 Pino Apples, per lb.... 8 0 12 0 Stra»vberries, per oz. 1 0 10 VEGETABLES. 0 to C 0 I Mushrooms, " BUTTS. ENGLISH. FOREIGN. 1 nVi iiVj I llMi I llVj 44 50 ViV2 OFFAL. d. d. English .Shoulders.. 12 15 Do. Cheeks and Faces. T4i 10 Do. Bellies OVi 12 Do. Middles do H 13 Foreign Shoulders 10 12 Do. Necks 8 10 Do. BeUies OM; 11 Do. Middles do 10 12 Dressing Hide Shoulders. 10 12 Do. do. BeUies 8V2 SV2 Kip Shoulders 5 7 Do. BeUies 5 7 DRESSING HIDES. lbs. lbs. Common 20 to 21 Do. Do. Do. .30 34 d. liy»tol3 lite 13 llVi 13 .35 40 ... 12 15 16 Saddlers' Do 38 50 ... 15 17 Bulls 10 12 Shaved 14 16 ... 14 IB Do 17 19 ... IZV2 15V2 Do 20 23 ... 13 UV2 Do 24 28 ... 12V!2 14 Scotch do lU 24 ... 13V4 16 Coach, per hide 23s. to 30s. HORSE BUTTS. SHAVED, d. d. d. d. English 11 13 ... 13 15 Spanish U I2VS 12 U HORSE HIDES. lbs. Ib.s. Engli.sh 13 _. without butts 9 14 Spanish, salted, without butts, per hide 0 9 Do. do. do... 9 12 Do. do. do. inferior 18 ... 11 to 131/0 U 15 DO. do.. Do. do. do. inferior CALF SKINS. Av. weight, lbs. lbs. per dozen 20to30 . Do. " "" s.d.s.d .10 0 15 0 .11 U 17 6 . 7 0 10 0 . 8 0 11 0 .10 0 14 0 .60 80 d. d. 22 to 32 ..35 40 ... 22 31 Do. Do. Do. Do. .50 CO ... 20 2!) .60 75 ... IS 27 75 90 95 110 Welsh, unrounded. Av. wght., p. doz. 25 35 Do. 35 50 KIPS. lbs. lbs. d Petersburgh 4 Do. 17 .. 16 Do. Do. ,. 9 10 .11 13 E. I.drysalted... 5 7 ... 20 23 Do. do. ... 7 9 ... 13 20 Do. seconds 16 18 Do. thii-ds 13 15 Do. inferior 7 12 SHEEP SKINS. Basils, unstrained, per lb. 11 20 Do. strained, per lb. ... 10 19 Do. facing, per doz 7s. 22s. Wliite Sheep & Lambs „ 4 10 Do. strained 10 22 Do. aprons „ 10 28 Tan Sheep and Lambs „ 10 26 Sumach roans ,, 18 35 DO. skivers 10 ."iO Bark skivei-a „ 10 30 SUNDRIES. s. s. Hog Skins, best each 8tol5 Do. seconds ,,5 8 Seal Skins, split, per dozen 40 70 Do. for bindings „ 35 75 Calf Skins, Sumach- tanned „ 0 0 Do. white ,, 30 50 Horse Hides, white, each... 8 15 Hide Splits, per "b 7d, to Ud TIMBER. LONDON, Satubdat, May 26. For all descriptions of timber the trade is In a sluggish state, at barely late rates. BALTIC FIR TIMBER. Per load 50 cubic feet. s. d. s. d. Riga 63 0 to 67 0 Duntzic and Mcmel, Crown 75 0 85 0 Best middling 65 0 73 0 Good middling & second 55 0 05 0 Common middling 45 0 50 0 Small, short, and Irregular 40 0 SO 0 Stettin 50 0 55 0 Swedish 44 0 47 0 SmaU 40 0 42 0 Swedi.sh iSt Norway balks '.O 0 43 0 AMEraCAN PITCH PINK. United States 0 0 0 0 BALTIC OAK TIMBER. Memel, crown 110 0 130 0 Brack 80 0 100 0 Dantzic and Stettin, Crown 90 0 129 0 Brack Jtunsquar'd 60 0 70 0 WAINSCOT. Per log 18 cubic feet. Riga, crown 95 0 110 0 Brack 70 1) 80 0 Memel and Dantzic, Crown 75 0 85 0 Brack 55 0 65 0 DEALS AND BATTENS. Per Petersburg standard hundred. £ s. £ s. Archangel & Onega 11 0 13 0 Seconds 9 0 9 10 Petersburg 10 0 12 10 Wyburg 9 0 9 10 Finland and hand- sawn Swedish 7 0 8 0 Petersburg & Riga whitedeals 8 10 10 0 Memel and Dantzic, Crown red deals... 12 0 13 0 Brack 8 0 0 0 £ s. £ s. Christiana & Sanne- sund deals, white andyeUow 12 0 to 13 0 Second do 9 0 10 10 Dram He Fredoriok- stadt battens, do. 8 10 0 0 DramOi^-inchdo. ... 7 0 8 0 Gothenb'g,gd stocks 9 10 10 10 Common 8 10 9 0 Getle and Swedish 14-feet deals 9 10 10 10 Swedish deals and battens, long mUl- sawn 9 0 10 10 Dantzic, cr'wn deck, per 40-feet 3-inch 10 18 Brack 0 12 0 18 LATHWOOD. Per cubic fathom. Petersburg 7 0 8 0 Riga, Dant., Memel, and Swedish 5 0 6 10 FIREWOOD. Per cubic fathom. Swedish, red deal ends 3 15 4 0 Nox-way, red & white boards 3 0 3 10 Bounds and slabs 2 15 3 5 OAK STAVES Per mille pipe. Memel, crown 150 0 205 0 First brack 130 0 160 0 Dantzic, Stettin, & Hambro' fuU-siz'd crown 150 0 180 0 Canada, stand, pipe 85 0 !)0 0 Puncheon, ^ 1,200 pieces 25 0 0 0 Bosnia, single brl., "S, ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS, NEURALGIA, RHEUMATISM, SPASMS, &c. CHLORODYNE. CAUTION. — " IN CHANCERY." — Vice-chancellor Wood stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was undoubtedly the Inventor of Chlorodyne. Eminent Hospital Physicians of London stated that Dr. J. Collis Browne was the discoverer of Chlorodyne; that they prescribe it largely, and mean no other than Dr. Browne's — See Tbnen, July 13th, 1864. The Public, therefoi-e, are cautioned against using any other than Dr. C0LLI8 BROWNE'S CHLORODYNE. This INVALUABLE REMEDY produces quiet refreshing sleep— -relieves pain, calms the system, restores the deranged functions, and stimulates healthy action of the secretions of the body. From J. M'Grigor Croft, M.D., M.R.C., Physician, London, late StafF-Surgeon to H.M.F. "After prescribing Dr. J. Collis Browne's Chlorodyne for the last three years in severe cases of Neuralgia, and Tic Doloroujt, I feel that I am in a position to testify to its valuable effects. Really in some cases it acted as a charm, when all other means had failed. Without being asked for this report, I must come forward and state my candid opinion that it is a most valuable medicine." No home should be without it. Sold in bottles, Is. l^d., 28. 9d., 4s. 6d., and lis., by J. T. DAVENPORT, 33, Great Russell Street, London, W.C., sole manufacturer. Observe particulavly, none genuine without the words " Dr. J. Collis Browne's Chlorodyne on the Government Stamp. Earl Russell has graciously favoured J. T. Davenport with the following : — " Extract of a despatch from Mr. Webb, H. B. M.'s Consul at Manilla, dated Sept. 17, 1864 : — ' The remedy most efficacious in its effects (in Epidemic Cholera), has been found to be Chlorodyne, and with a small quantity given to me by Dr. Burke I have saved several lives.' " The increased demand enables the Proprietors to i-educe the price; it is now sold at Is. l^d., 2s. 9J., 4s. 6d., and lis. SSMJAMIIV EI>G-i:]¥«^TO]¥, MARQUEE, TENT, RICK CLOTH, AND FLAG MANUFACTURER, BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY, AND H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES. RICK C I. O T 11 S, New and Second-hand, with Poles and Pulleys complete. An Illustrated Catalogue free by Post. MARQUEES AND PAVILIONS On Hire, for Fetes, Dinners, &c. — Address Benjamin Edgington (only), 2, Dwke-street, London-bridge, S.E. — No other Establishment. NEW WORK BY THE AUTHOR OF "MANHOOD." Just out, 18mo Pocket Edition, Post Free, 12 stamps; Sealed Ends, 20. DR. CURTIS'S MEDICAL GUIDE TO MARRIAGE : a Practical Treatise on its Physical and PEasoNAL Obligations. With instructions to the Married and Unmarried of both Sexes, for removing the special disqualifications and impediments which destroy the happiness of wedded life.— By Dr. J. L. Cdrtis, 15, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. This work contains plain directions by which forfeited privileges can be restored, and essential functions strengthened and preserved. Also, by the same Author, a Now and Revised Edition of MANHOOD : A MEDICAL ESSAY on the Causes and Cure o^ Premature Decline in Man ; the Treatment of Nervous Debility, Spermatorrhoea, Impotence, and those peculiar infirmities which result from youthful abuses, adult excesses, tropical climates and other causes ; with Instructions for the Cure of Infection without Mercury, and its Prevention by the Author's Prescription (his infallible Lotion). — By Dr. J. L. CURTIS, 16, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London, W. REVIEWS OF THE WORK. " Manhood. — This is truly a valuable work, and should be in the hands of young and old." — Sunday Times, 23rd March, 1858. "We feel no hesitation in saying that there is no member of society by whom the book will not be found use- ful, whether such person hold the relation of a Parent, Preceptor, or Clergyman" — itioi¥ of RUrrS GUIDE TO THE TURF; OR, POCKET RACING COMPANION FOR 1866. (S-ontmis : The Nominations for 18C6, and the Horses Indexed with their Fedi2;rees — The Great Stakes for 1867 — The Grand Prize of Paris for 1866 — A ("omplete Calendar of Races and Steeple Chases in Great. Britain and Ireland in 1865 — Racing on the Continent in 1865, fully Indexed — Laws of Racing and Steeple- chasing — Lengths of Courses— Derby Lots — Revised and Correct Lists of Trainers, Jockeys, and their Addresses — The Colours worn by the Riders — Winners of the Principal Races from their commencement — Queen's Plate Articles, and Weights — The Racing Past in 1866. ROGERSON & TUXFORD, "SPORTING REVIEW" OFFICE, 246, STRAND; by all Booksellers; and at the various Railway Stations, — Price Ilalf-a-Crown in Cloth. THR LEADING SPORTING PERIODICAL. A MONTHLY JOURNAL OP THE TURF, THE CHASE, AND RURAL SPORTS, IN ALL THEIR VARIETIES. Twenty-eiglit years ago this work was started for the purpose of adding lo the National Sports of this country an orsan worthy of its importance and popularity. It toolc the field wiih a corps of contributors— veterans of experience and skill in the depart- ments to which they attached themsclvss. For the first time the annals of the chase were treated of by masters of houniis; members of tlie Jockey Club wrote about the Turf; the most eminent of our amateur sailors discussed yachtinc ; the leash— the trisrger — and our rural pastimes were dealt with by men of acknowledged superiority. Under such au-pices its apprenticeship was passed; and the public voice has bestowed on it the character of a "good and faithful servant." In that capacity it discharges the grateful duty of oti'ering its acknowledgements for favours heretofore received; and ventures to hope for a continuance of that success which it will be its earnest ellbrt to endeavour to deserve. Xo periodical in any branch of literature is more characteristically represented by those who contribute to its pages ; no journal is more beautifully emtellished— none more carefully conitituted with reference to the treatraentofpopularand seasonable sulijecis In tlie course it has so long run, its race will be continued. It will keep a steady pace— ever make play when fltiinj opportunity occurs. On the first of every month it will be found at tlie post, as its trainer brought it out from the commencement of its career, sightly to look at, with plenty of good stutf about it — sound wind aud I mb-and eager tostiain every sinew for the prizo of public approbation. N.B.— Vol. LV., with l.S Steel Engravings, is just out, price 16s. fid., handsomely bound in cloth, and may be had ol every Bookseller in the Kingdom. Publ'shod monihly, price Half-a-Orown, by ROGERSON & Tnxi'OKD, at the "Sporting Review" Ofiice, 240, Strand, London, W.C; wliere all communications for tlie Editor, and Works for Review, should be addressed. BEAUTIFULLY EMBELLISHED WITH HIGHLY FINISHED STEEL ENGRAVINGS, PORTRAITS OF THE NOBILITY, ETC. Published Stontlili/— Price One Sliilling. Both the Metropolitan and Provincial press have declared this the most deservedly popular of the Ladies' Magazines; and a re- ference to any recent number would be sufficient to establish its claims to the patronage it receives. It is the aim of tlie Editress to render it a decidedly literary publication, considerable space being devoted to notices of, and extracts from, new works. Neithei ismu^ic nor the world of art neglected; while in her selection of original articles, a distinct purpose is inainlained— tliut of com- bining information with jainusemeiit; and, while eschewing the old world school of bygone romance, to preserve a tone of refine- ment without elfeminacy. AVlien we consider the quantity of matter a number contains, the exquisit-e engravings which are included, and the elaborate plates and descriptions of the fasliions, there can be no doubt that this Magazine, publisiied at one shilling, is tlie cheapest as well as the best of its class. PUBLISHED BY ROGERSON & TUXFORD, 21G, STRAND, LONDON. May be had of all Booksellers. HAIL STORMS. THE ROYAL PAEMEES' INSURANCE GOMPAHY, 3, NORFOLK STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. INSURE WHEAT, BARLEY, OATS, BEANS, PEAS, RYE, TURNIPS, CLOVER, &c., AGAINST LOSS BY HAIL STORMS AT MODERATE RATES. SEGDIi and OXASS are also Insured. fIRXi Insurances at rates as low as other well-established offices. lilFE Assurances of any description at equitable rates. Four-fifths of the profits divided every fifth year. IiOSUdSS. Prompt and liberal settlemeut of claims. Further particulars may be had at the Chief Office, or of the AgentSi JOHN REDDISH, Secretary and Actuary. THOALAS BIGG, Agricultural and Veterinary Chemist, by Appointment to His late Koyal Higliness Tlie Prince Coneort, K.G., Leicester House, Great Dorer-street, Borough, London, begs to call the attention of Farmers and Graziers to his valuable SHEEP and LAMB DIPPING COM- POSITION, which requires uo Boiling, and may be used with Warm or Cold Water, for efifectualiy destroying the Tick, Lice, and all other insects injurious to the Flock, preventing the alarming attacks of Fly and Shab, and cleansing and purifying the Skin, thereby greatly improving the Wool, both in quantity and quality, and highly contributing to the general health of the animal. Prepared only by Thomas Bigg, Chemist, &c., at his Manufac- tory as above, and sold as follows, although any other quantity may be bad, if required : — 'lib. for 20 sheep, price, jar included £0 2 0 61b. SO „ „ „ 0 3 0 81b. 40 „ „ „ 0 4 0 101b. 50 „ „ , 0 5 0 SO lb. 100 „ „ (cask and measure 0 10 0 SO lb. 150 „ „ included) 0 15 0 40 1b. 200 „ „ „ 10 0 601b. 250 „ „ „ 13 6 60 lb. 300 „ „ „ 17 6 80 1b. 400 „ „ „ 1 17 6 1001b. 500 „ „ „ 2 5 0 Should any Flockmaster prefer boiling the Composition, it will be equally effective. MOST IMPORTANT CERTIFICATE. From Mb. Herapath, the celebrated Analytical Chemist : — Bristol Laboratory, Old Park, January 18th, 1861. Sir, — I have submitted your Sheep-Dipping Composition to analysis, and find that the ingredients are well blended, and the mixture neutral. If it is used according to the directions given, I feel satisfied, that while it effectually destroys vermin, it will ot injure the hair roots (or " yolk ") in the skin, the fleece, or he carcase. I think it deserves the numerous testimonials pub- ished. I am, Sir, yours respectfully, William Hbrapath, Sen., P.C.S., &c., &c., To Mr. Thomas Bigg, Professor of Chemistry, icester IiouBe« Qre«i Sover'Stieet, Borough, Loudon. He would also especially call attention to his SPECIFIC, of LOTION, for the SCAB, or SHAB, which will be found a ctrtaia remedy for eradicating that loathsome and ruinous disorder in Sheep, and which may be safiUy used in all climates, and at all seasons of the year, and to all descriptions of sheep, even ewes in lamb. Price FIVE SHILLINGS per gallon— sufficient on an average for thirty Sheep (according to the virulence of the disease); also in wine quart bottles. Is. 3d. each. IMPORTANT TESTIMONIAL. "Scoulton, near Hingham, Norfolk, April 16th, 1855. " Dear Sir, — In answer to yours of the 4th inst, which would have been replied to before this had I been at home, I have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the efficacy of your in- valuable ' Specific for the cure of Scab in Sheep.' The 600 sheep were all dressed in August last with 84 gallons of the • Non- Poisonous Specific,' that was so highly recommended at the Lincoln Show, and by their own dresser, the best attention being paid to the flock by my shepherd after dressing according to instructions left ; but notwithstanding the Scab continued getting worse. Being determined to have the Scab cured If possible, I wrote to you for a supply of your Specific, which I received the following day ; and although the weather was most severe in February during the dressing, your Specific proved itself an invaluable remedy, for in three weeks the Sheep were quite cured ; and I am happy to say the young lambs are doing remarkably well at present. In conclusion, I believe it to be the safest and best remedy now in use. " I remain, dear Sir, your obedient servant, " For JOHN TIN6EY, Esq., " To Mb. Thomas Bigg." •« R. RENNEY. V^ Flockmasters would do well to beware of such prepara- tions as " Non-poisonous Compositions :" it is only necessary to appeal to their good common sense and judgment to be tho- roughly convinced, that no " Non-poisonous" article can poison or destroy insect vermin, particularly such as the Tick, Lice, and Scab Parasites— creatures so tenucious of life. Such advertised preparations must be wholly useless, or they are not what they are represented to be. Dipping Apparatus. ...,.f,....Jei4, «S, M,iim. 1 r aBnutr tilt ^attonaje ot gA^feriMS oJ ©wa* witam, anU «i)»al dFamila ,^^^^^^ anD «Iowt» «* ffiwoP*-' «AWT.ANDS' MACASSA^R OIL, B. O W JJ A X| ^g^^^g^g «®f STkESTOEES and PKESERVE8 ' and strong. Price 3s. 6d., 7s. stronVly for itself to require o"?""""" „,,x-io« fid Family T^nttlPs reaual to four small), 10s. bd^ *®" OR Pt«Rl?E»IIFBIOE, VTEASIWO F»AC}»A1*CE . T^^^ *^„f^po"h^aixd preserves the eaamel, • IteradlcatefSl^l^l^^^^^^ ^OW- which it is universally held. ^"^« • ^ ^ — TO PREVENT These are small Articles as they their IMPOSITION. opies of the appear in Wrappers. * Ask for "KOWI^AWMV Articles^ _--— ;^. \\ [PRINTERS, 246, STKAJ^'' , KOGERSON & TUXFORD,]